Hop, colour, repeat

Dia daoibh!

Easter had come and gone in a blur of chocolate wrappers and suspiciously empty egg boxes. I had every intention of being restrained this year. That lasted roughly seven minutes. Between the chocolate eggs, the fluffy bunnies, and the “just one more bite” negotiations, it was a miracle there was any cocoa left in the county. I am fairly sure the Easter Bunny and I were in direct competition.

Now onto something far less calorific but equally sweet, Ally’s Angels Challenge #105. The theme is, as always, Anything Goes. Which is basically crafter language for go wild and have the craic. The DT have some absolutely gorgeous creations this month. Honestly, the talent in that gallery could power a small village.

Here is my card.

I used Easter Carly from Mo’s Digital Pencil and she is just adorable with her little bunny and basket of eggs. I coloured her with Promarkers, had a quiet chat with myself about blending, and carried on bravely. A touch of Glossy Accents here and there added a bit of shine, and of course I brought in Nuvo Drops for that subtle sparkle. I kept the overall look clean and simple because sometimes less really is more. Even if my embellishment drawer disagrees.

Please do join in with the challenge. Anything Goes means exactly that, so bring your cards, your colours, your creativity and pop them into the gallery. We would absolutely love to see you there.

Now if you will excuse me, I am off to check whether there is any chocolate left that I may have heroically missed. Card making burns calories, I am nearly certain of it.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🐰

Reel Bear-y Good

Dia daoibh!

Easter is over but the chocolate situation says otherwise. Shop shelves were stripped bare by Saturday morning like a scene from a survival documentary, and yet… chocolate is everywhere. Every cupboard you open, there it is. Eggs, bunnies, things wrapped so nicely you feel guilty even looking at them. It is like chocolate has developed legs and is quietly multiplying when no one is watching. Honestly, working nights felt less like a rota and more like a tactical escape from a full scale chocolate avalanche. Strategic planning at its finest.

Now, onto the card before I get ambushed by a caramel filled situation.

This gorgeous image is from KleineBieneKv on Etsy and I mean… a bear in striped shorts holding a fish? Say no more. I coloured him with Promarkers, keeping everything soft and blended so he looks all calm and content, like he has absolutely no idea the fish might have other plans. I kept the design CAS because sometimes the best thing you can do is step away before you start adding bits just for the craic. A soft blue mat frames him nicely, and instead of real twine I used a faux twine die cut from Spellbinders which gives the same look without the faff.  I added a touch of Glossy Accents to the anchor and the fish... It just lifts it without turning the whole card into a glitter explosion.

A few challenges:

Cardz4Guyz #384 Colour Challenge: Light Blue & Brown

I Love ProMarkers & Other Mediums #604 Cute & Whimsical / Anything Goes

Daisy Chain Challenges #106 No design paper

Girlz Make Guyz Cards #38 Food and/or drinks

Daisy Chain Challenge #106 No Design Paper

All in all, a calm, simple make… which is exactly what was needed in a world currently overrun by chocolate eggs that seem to appear out of thin air. If you need me, I will be opening cupboards very cautiously for the next few days. You never know what might jump out.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🐰

Sprite Sparkle

Dia daoibh!

Easter has a funny way of sneaking up on you. One minute everything is calm and sensible and the next the world is full of pastel colours, bunny references, and chocolate being treated like a perfectly reasonable life choice. Spring does that to people.

Which brings me nicely to challenge #4 over at HQFCB where the theme is always Anything Fantasy Goes (cards, atc's, mixed media, home decorations, journals, tags, gift bags, etc.). The DT have some absolutely amazing creative makes over on HQFCB. Seriously inspiring stuff and a guaranteed way to make you eye up your craft stash with big plans.

For my card I used a little sprite that I designed myself using Corel Draw. She was coloured with Promarkers and I added a touch of Tonic Studio's White Blizzard Nuvo drops for some extra sparkle. The background was stencilled using Memento ink and a few Nuvo drops were added as embellishement. 

Do pop over and check out the DT’s creativity over on the HQFCB blog for plenty of inspiration and fantasy fun.

And finally a little spring truth. Flowers bloom, days get brighter, and glitter will continue to appear in your house long after Easter has hopped away.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🌸

Leaf It in Your Pocket

Dia daoibh!

I am absolutely delighted, over the moon, and one small step away from dancing around the kitchen waving a glue stick, to be a Guest Designer for the CAS on Friday Challenge blog. The DT have some incredible creativity going on, the kind that makes you side eye your craft stash like “you and me need a serious chat, lads.” A massive thank you to Janneke and the DT over at CAS on Friday for having me.

The theme for challenge #331 is Botanical, so naturally I went leafy and proud:

I used diecuts for the greenery and then went a bit wild with glossy accents, glitter, and some Nuvo drops. Not too much now, just enough to make it sparkle without causing a public safety announcement. A few pieces are popped up with foam pads so the leaves have a bit of lift. The "Hello" is from Tonic Studios and stamped in white using Hero Arts Unicorn White ink on black card, and let me tell you, it stamped so crisp I nearly framed the ink pad as well. I added a light sprinkle of black distress ink across the background, just enough to keep things interesting without turning it into a full blown art experiment gone rogue.

A few challenges:
Simply Clean and Simple - SCAS April 2026: CAS (Optional theme: Baskets)

Craft Rocket Challenges #135 Layer It Up

Ellibelle's Garden Party #13  Anything in (or from) a Garden

Crafty Gals Corner #275 Anything Goes (optional twist: Make it Green)

Right, I am off now to check if my paper plants need watering. If they start growing, I am opening a garden centre and retiring early.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 💚

March Card Chain Challenge

Dia daoibh!

March in Ireland was a wild little month altogether. One minute you were spotting daffodils and feeling hopeful, the next minute the wind nearly carried you into the next parish. The leprechauns were out in full force, I was convinced of it. There was no other explanation for sunshine, hailstones, and sideways rain all happening before lunchtime. If you saw me squinting at a rainbow it was only because I was checking for a pot of gold to fund more craft supplies.

Now onto the Card Chain Challenge, which is basically international happy post 💗. I sent my card off to lovely Gundi in Germany and in return I received a card from Joanne in the USA. Absolutely beautiful. The kind of card you rotate slowly in your hands like you are assessing fine art in a gallery. Pure magic landing through the letterbox.

For my card I went with the colour challenge of periwinkle, fuchsia, and pale peach. Sounds like a trio of fancy macarons but works beautifully on cardstock. I used the Spellbinders Kokeshi Dolls Die Set. The background was embossed using the Spellbinders Bold Floral Embossing Folder which gives lovely texture without stealing the spotlight. I die cut a hello, layered it up for a bit of oomph, and coated it in Glossy Accents so it shines politely in the light. Not too flashy. Just enough to say hello with confidence. Embellishments include Glossy Accents, Nuvo Drops White Blizzard, and a few gems ... because apparently I believe every card deserves accessories. If it twinkles, it earned its place.

A few challenges:

Cardz 4 Galz #273 Spring Flowers 

Creative Knockouts #568 Embossing Delight

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Simon Says: Emboss it

Craft Rocket Challenges #135 Layer It Up

Allsorts #846 - It's Springtime  or Anything Goes 

And honestly, if you have never joined the Card Chain Challenge, you should. You send a card off into the world and in return one lands back in your letterbox. It is like crafty pen pals with surprise sparkle. No leprechaun required, just stamps and goodwill. Sure what more could you want.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🍀