Hello, Hello!

Dia daoibh!

June is here in all its bright glory and I am officially operating on zero annual leave. Not one sneaky long weekend. Not even a cheeky Friday. It is going to be a long summer of waving at other people heading off with suitcases while I stand there with my lunch bag. But this is all part of the grand plan. I am saving every precious day for two fabulous weeks in the southern hemisphere in November. Their sunshine, our winter. Strategic genius if you ask me.

Now onto happier matters, Ally’s Angels Challenge #107. As always, the theme is Anything Goes, which is basically crafter freedom with glitter on top. The Design Team creations this month are gorgeous. So much variety, so much inspiration, you could scroll with a cuppa and still spot new details.

For my card, I used the  'xoxo' stamp from Penny Black  and kept things sweet and simple. I coloured with Promarkers and the background was stamped with a polka dot stamp for a bit of playful texture without stealing the spotlight. A few touches of Glossy Accents and Nuvo drops add a little pop of shine. Nothing wild. Just enough to catch the light and behave itself.

If you have not joined in yet, this is your nudge. Anything Goes truly means anything. Cards, mixed media, crafty experiments that surprise you, we would love to see them in the gallery.

Now if you will excuse me, I will be over here counting down to November while stamping xoxo on everything within reach. It is much cheaper than booking a summer holiday.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 😘

Make A Wish.

Dia daoibh!

June has arrived and I am pretending I am not already halfway through the year. How did that happen? One minute it was January and I was full of good intentions, the next minute I am surrounded by glitter and wondering where the time went. Honestly, if I could bottle June energy, I would. Everything feels a little lighter, a little brighter, and just slightly more magical.

Which brings me perfectly to HQFCB Challenge #6. As always, the theme is Anything Fantasy Goes, which is basically my cue to reach for wings, sparkle and a generous sprinkle of imagination. The Design Team creations this month are absolutely fabulous. So many different takes on fantasy, from sweet and whimsical to bold and enchanting. You will definitely want to have a scroll.

For my card, I chose Stamping Bella's Edna fairy blowing kisses. I mean, look at her. She is pure mischief and magic in one tiny pose. I coloured her with Promarkers and the wings got a generous layer of sparkle because fairy wings without glitter just feel wrong. I kept the layout CAS with lots of white space to let her shine. A little patterned detail along the bottom adds a pop of colour. I scattered a few gems around her to echo those floating hearts and add just the right amount of twinkle. 

Challenges:

• Girlz Creative Crafts #68 - Cutting dies and/or punches
• The Crafting Challenge - June - A Special Birthday
• If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #217 - In The Garden

If you have not joined HQFCB yet, this is your sign. Anything Fantasy Goes means you can let your imagination run wild. Fairies, dragons, mystical creatures, magical worlds, it can be cards, mixed media, ATCs, scrapbooking, knitting, baking and more. We would love to see whatever you create in the gallery.

Now if only I could blow a handful of glittery hearts at my to do list and make it disappear. A girl can dream.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🧚

THE MALE ROOM - THE OUTDOORS

Dia daoibh!

Well lads, grab the flask, lace up the walking boots and tell the weather to behave itself, because I am absolutely delighted to share that I am now on the Design Team for The Male Room! I am thrilled, honoured, and only slightly trying to act calm about it. Inside, I am doing a little jig with the grace of a startled sheep on laminate flooring.

The new challenge over at The Male Room runs from June 3 to June 30, and the theme fro challenge #211 is The Outdoors. Perfect timing really, because nothing says outdoor adventure like sunglasses, mountains, trees and the brave hope that the rain will hold off for longer than seven minutes.

I kept the design clean, crisp and masculine, with a little bit of outdoor drama. Mountains in the lenses, adventure on the card, and not a single midge bite in sight. That is what I call crafting with benefits.

For my card, I used a diecut design from the Silhouette Design Store. I cut it from Tonic Studios Core cardstock and mirror cardstock. The sunglasses have that cool reflective look, like they are ready to climb a mountain, spot a lake, or judge your picnic sandwich choices from a distance. I embellished the card with Nuvo Drops and Clear Glossy Accents. The sentiment was stamped with StazOn ink, which behaved itself beautifully, unlike most umbrellas in an Irish breeze.

A few challenges:

• I Spy with My Little Eye #37 - Monochrome
• Creative Moments #282 - Make it masculine
• AAA Birthday Challenge #86 - For Boys

I would love for you to join us over at The Male Room and show us your outdoor themed makes. Whether it is hiking, fishing, camping, gardening, cycling, or simply standing outside wondering why you came out in the first place, we want to see it.

So come on over and join the fun. The outdoors is calling, and this time it is not just the bin needing to go out.

Sláinte, 
Wendy R. 

Card Chain Challenge May 2026

Dia daoibh!

June has landed, which means we are now at that stage of the year where you open the calendar and just laugh. Not a happy laugh. A slightly unhinged one. How is it June? Who approved this? I would like a word.

Now onto the May Card Chain Challenge! This one felt a bit special because I sent my card to Jo in the UK, who was actually the very first card chain buddy to send me a card when I joined last year. Full circle and all that… I love when things line up like that. In return, I received a beautiful card from Lucille in the USA. Proper “stop and admire it” kind of card. The kind you pick up again for a second look… and then a third… just to be sure you saw all the lovely details. Gorgeous work.

So here is my card:

I went with the chocolate, orange and slate, plus the floral theme (you can’t go wrong with flowers, ever! 😄). The background is embossed with a Spellbinders folder, with the Altenew Botanical Waltz elements layered up on foam pads for lift. I added iridescent glitter, Nuvo Stone enamel drops from Tonic Studios, and a generous splatter of Sparkle Splatter Effects. Not showing off much in the photo, but in real life it is sparkling away like it has something to say.

Why join the Card Chain Challenge? Because you send one card and get a surprise one back. It is basically happy post with benefits. Also, your postman will start thinking you are wildly popular… and honestly, why correct him?

Great craic, lovely people, and a perfect excuse to play with your stash.

Sláinte,

Wendy 💗