Bloomin' Butterfly

Dia daoibh!

I do not know who needs to hear this but sausage rolls are a perfectly acceptable form of self care. I treated myself to a few today because the craving hit hard. You know the kind. The “I could demolish a Gregg’s sausage roll in three bites” kind. Sadly there was no time to leg it to Belfast, so I made do locally and told myself it was practically gourmet. If you close your eyes and believe, it is basically the same.

Anyway, fortified by flaky pastry and questionable self control, I headed to the craft desk.

Today’s card features the gorgeous Blooming Butterflies Stamp Set and Die Set Bundle by Gina K. Honestly, that butterfly deserves its own passport. I coloured it with my Promarkers, going bold with those rich blues and soft purples, and the flowers got the royal treatment too. I added glossy accents to give a bit of shine and popped on a few gems because if you are going to do sparkle you may as well commit. The background is kept nice and clean, with a few splatters of distress ink for a bit of artsy flair. Just enough to look intentional. 

The butterfly itself is raised on foam pads for that lovely bit of dimension. We love a card that refuses to lie flat. The sentiment is simple. Sending love. No essay required. Sometimes the butterfly does all the talking.

A few challenges: 

Cardz 4 Galz #270: Wings

Classic Design Challenge - Feb/Mar - Anything Goes (optional: Blooms or butterflies)

Crafter's Cafe #327 - For the girls (optional: Anything Goes)

AAA Colorful Challenge  #25: Colourboard: 

Triple B  - February: Anything with Birds, Blooms and/or Butterflies (optional Inspiration Image)

Right, I am off to pretend I do not want another sausage roll. If anyone sees me in Belfast clutching a Gregg’s bag, mind your business.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🦋

Mudpie & Amanda

Dia daoibh!

According to the radio there has not been a single day without rain since December 29th 2025. Not one. At this stage I am considering building an ark out of A2 card blanks and floating down the Shannon with my Promarkers held high above my head like sacred treasure. If you see two mice sailing past your window, just wave.

Speaking of small creatures thriving in damp conditions, here is today’s card!

I kept it CAS because sometimes less is more and sometimes I simply refuse to wrestle with busy layouts. The gingham background is giving full on cosy kitchen table vibes. Very jam sandwiches and strong tea. The focal panel is softly curved to keep things sweet and simple. I used House Mouse 'Everything is Coming Up Roses'. Mudpie and Amanda are clearly making the most of the horticultural situation. I coloured the pair of them and the rose with Promarkers, building up the browns for all that fluffy fur and giving the rose a rich red that practically glows.

Naturally I could not leave it alone. A bit of glossy accents on the rose for shine, a sprinkling of Nuvo Drops White Blizzard for that subtle sparkle, and a few gems dotted around like polite little raindrops that actually behave themselves.

You might notice there is no sentiment. That was deliberate. Sometimes I like to leave a card blank so it can be whatever you need it to be. Birthday, thank you, thinking of you, sorry I ate the last biscuit. It keeps its options open. Very wise. Very adaptable. Like an Irish person discussing the weather.

Onto a few challenges:

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge HMFMC #459: Anything Goes / use Pattern Paper

Krafty Chicks #808: CAS

Crafter's Cafe #327: For the girls (optional: Anything Goes)

Critter Crazy Challenges #107:Anything Goes With Featured Critter theme for Feb 2026

Heart's Quest Celebration of Love #2: Valentine's

A Place To Start #202602 - February: Anything Goes (optional: lil' critters)

Right, I am off to check if it is raining again. If it is, I may start colouring ducks instead. They seem more emotionally prepared.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🐭

Kokeshi fun

Dia daoibh!

Had snow over the weekend. Driving at 6am not fun. Let me tell you, nothing wakes you up faster than sliding gently down a country road whispering sweet encouragement to your tyres like they can hear you. Black ice is out there living its best sneaky life while the rest of us are just trying to get to work with dignity intact. Sure look, we survived. Hero status achieved before breakfast.

Now. Onto my card.

Thanks to a few extra overtime shifts and a small moment of “go on, you deserve it,” I treated myself to the Spellbinders Kokeshi Dolls Die Set. Absolute joy in a packet. The minute I opened it I was grinning like I’d just found an extra custard cream in the tin. These wee dolls are the cutest things!! Cutting them out was pure therapy. Deciding where to place the wee blooms though… that was a full committee meeting in my head. Left? Right? Floating artistically like I meant it? In the end I just copied the picture on the front of the packaging. If the designers say that’s where the flowers go, who am I to argue? Confidence level restored immediately.

For the background I used the Spellbinders Cherry Blossoms BetterPress Plates. I coloured them with Distress Ink mixed with a splash of alcohol. Very technical altogether. A dab here, a hopeful blend there, and the occasional intense stare at the paper as if that helps. We are calling it artistic expression and moving confidently along. Then the embellishments arrived because self control and I are not on speaking terms. Flatback pearls. A few gems. Nuvo Drops White Blizzard for that soft frosty shimmer. If it sparkles, it made the team. I also added a layered hello die cut and coated it in Glossy Accents so it catches the light nicely without stealing the spotlight from the wee doll, who is clearly the real star of the card.

A few challenges: 

Spellbinders Monthly Cardmaking Challenge - February: Pop of Color

Classic Design Challenge - Feb/Mar - Anything Goes (option: blooms or butterflies)

Crafter's Cafe #327 - For the Girls (option: anything goes)

Moving along with the Times #186  - February - Floral

Make My Monday #271 - Use 2 dies

Beautiful Blossoms #38 - Anything Flowers Goes (optional mood board) 

Now if only I could drive to work in the snow as gracefully as she stands on that card. Until then, I will continue sliding gently into Mondays like a cautious penguin.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🌸

Ever Thine, Ever Mine!

Dia daoibh!

Fun February fact. It is the only month that regularly forgets how many days it is meant to have. Twenty eight. Sometimes twenty nine. Absolute chaos. Yet it still expects romance, hearts, and emotional commitment. The nerve 😉.

My card is for Challenge #103 over at Ally’s Angels where the theme is Anything Goes. The DT have amazing creations this round and they are seriously inspirational. Well worth a look.

I used the Anita Jeram Ever Thine stamp set from Colorado Craft Company . It is sweet, cosy, and full of feel good vibes. I coloured the image with Promarkers, keeping everything soft and cheerful. I kept the design very CAS and let the image do the talking. I added pearl drops for a touch of elegance, Glossy Accents for some shine, and a die cut bow to finish it off nicely. Clean, simple, and no fuss. Exactly how February cards should behave.

A few challenges:

Crafty Calendar - February: Love Is In The Air

Sweet Stampin - No Designer Paper 

Cardz 4 Galz #269: Hugs and Kisses 

C.R.A.F.T. #773: Love / Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts #564: Love, Valentines, Anniversary

Just Us Girls #810 - Word Week: Valentine

All in all, a fun little card with big February energy. Short, sweet, and finished before the month disappears again.

Sláinte,
Wendy R.

Reluctant Love

Dia daoibh!

I had two glorious days off before the next stretch of night shifts kicks in. Plenty of time, I told myself, to relax and watch a movie or two on Netflix. Simple plan. Foolproof. Except I never actually made it to the end of either film. With AuDHD, my attention wandered off halfway through, lost interest completely, and decided that staring into space was suddenly a much higher priority. And yet, both movies now live rent free in my head for the next few days. I cannot tell you how they end, but I can replay random scenes at 3am like a broken jukebox on shuffle. Absolute magic.

Anyway. Onto the card.

I used the Reluctant Love Pissy Kitty stamp set from the Unity Stamp Company and I am completely smitten. Pissy Ktty cat says everything that does not need to be said out loud. Mildly unimpressed, slightly dramatic, and full of personality. I love these stamps so much I can already see overtime shifts in my future just to cover the postage! I coloured with Promarkers and kept the card pretty CAS with a white background. I finished it off with a bit of baker’s twine, because even a card with attitude likes to look like it made an effort.

A few challenges:

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - SoSS #271 - B is for Black Black Heart

Dream Factory - #146 - Love Actually

A Cut Above - Die Cut Challenge Blog - February Challenge- Anything Goes

We Love Stamping - February - Hearts (option: Anything Goes)

Critter Crazy Challenges - #107 - Anything Goes With Featured Critter

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge - Febuary - Anything Halloween:

Cupcake Inspirations #634 - Theme - Love is in the air

In conclusion, two days off very well spent. No movies finished. One alternative Valentine card completed. One pissy cat stamped in permanent ink, my own cats supervising from across the room like a very judgemental focus group, and me calling it productivity. Balance has not only been restored, it has been officially approved.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 💖

An Epic Day!

Dia daoibh!

Ah February. The month where the shops are absolutely heaving with chocolates in every flavour known to mankind and everything has mysteriously developed a heart shape. You cannot even pop in for bread without Cupid staring you down from a cardboard stand, silently judging your life choices and your lack of a bouquet. Love it or avoid it like a dodgy weather forecast, February does not do subtle.

With March on the way, I took my inspiration straight from the Irish outdoors. March in Ireland is forty shades of green, generously splashed with about fifty shades of grey rain. The kind of rain that goes sideways, upwards, and occasionally seems personal. So going green for this card felt less like a creative decision and more like following national guidelines.

The image is coloured with Promarkers, with Glossy Accents and Baker’s twine added as finishing touches, while the camper van itself looks ready for a grand adventure, or at least to reverse out of the driveway before deciding it is far too wet and calling it a day.

This makes a great birthday card for him. No fuss, no overthinking, just a classic image, strong colours, and a sentiment that does all the talking. Have an epic day. Short, sweet, and safely out of poetry territory.

A few challenges:
Cut It Up #349  This Makes Me Happy

Krafty Chicks #806 - Birthday

The Male Room #207 - CAS

Cardz 4 Guyz #382 - Epic Adventure

Creative Crafting Uncles #73 - Happy Birthday

Crafter's Cafe #326 - Anything Goes (option: One for the boys)

Thanks for stopping by and having a look. If this card does not make you want to pack a bag, grab a jumper, and drive off into the Irish drizzle with great optimism and very low expectations, then I truly do not know what will.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 💚

Cupid with a Sprinkle of Sparkle

Dia daoibh!

February is that short, chaotic month where Cupid is clearly on a trial shift. He swoops in, fires a few arrows, dumps hearts absolutely everywhere, and clocks out again before HR can find him. Short month. Big attitude.

That made it a perfect match for challenge #2 over at the HQFCB. As always, anything fantasy goes... wings, magic, whimsy, and a healthy suspension of reality are all welcome here.

For my card, I reached for a Cupid stamp from Sweet November Stamps and coloured him up with Promarkers. I kept the design very CAS, and letting Cupid do the heavy lifting. A light sprinkle of glitter on his wings adds just enough sparkle, and a touch of Glossy Accents finishes it off with shine right where it matters. The cloud die cuts and Cupid himself are popped up on foam pads, so they’re floating about like they own the place. All very dreamy. All very February.

A few challenges:

CAS on Friday #327  Anything Goes

C.R.A.F.T. #773  Love/Anything Goes 

I Love Promarkers #600 Anything Goes or Love and Romance

Passion For Markers Challenge #823 - Add Some Red

Festive Friday #FF0202 - Valentine's Day

A quick burst of fantasy fun, a little sparkle, and thankfully no arrows aimed in my direction this time. I’ll happily take that win.

Sláinte,
Wendy R. 💖

January Card Chain Challenge

Dia daoibh!

January was either very long, or I blinked and it still somehow lasted forever. Every day promised brighter mornings, yet January lingered on like it had nowhere else to be. Still, the shops are full of leprechauns and Easter eggs already, so someone somewhere thinks spring is coming. I am cautiously optimistic, while still recovering from the Christmas chocolate situation. There is also a box of Ferrero Rocher in the press that refuses to leave. We are in a respectful standoff.

On to the January Card Chain Challenge. My card packed its bags and travelled all the way to Dagmara in Poland, and I am hoping it did not stop for pierogi along the way. In return, I received a beautiful card from Gundi in Germany, which absolutely made my day. There is something extra special about happy post landing on the mat!

For my card, I went with the friendship theme and a warm colour theme of peach, pineapple, and terracotta. Apologies for the colours looking darker than real life, as my camera had other plans. I used the Flower Girls Die Set from A Pocket Full of Happiness and layered everything with foam pads for a bit of dimension. I added gems and glossy accents, because a card always needs a little shine. The sentiment says “Hey girlfriend” in Polish, and I am choosing to trust my grammar. It was stamped using a forgotton wooden stamp set I found on Amazon for under a fiver, which felt like a crafty victory.

A few chanllenges: 

Neglected Stuff Challenge - February 2026 - Anything Goes

Stamps & Fun = Creativity #488 - Anything Goes

Crafts Galore Encore #144 - Always Anything Goes

Daisy Chain Challenges #104 - Something New (the flower girls die set)

Beautiful Blossoms #37 - Anything Flowers Goes - optional mood board:

Inspiration Station #82 - Inspiration Photo: 

If you have never joined a Card Chain Challenge, I can highly recommend it. Sending a card off into the world and getting one back is pure joy in an envelope! 

Now we brace ourselves for February. Shorter, brighter, and already full of leprechauns and Easter eggs everywhere you look, while Valentine’s Day quietly waits in the background wondering if it will get a look in at all.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 💚