It’s Ally’s Angels Challenge #100!

 Dia daoibh!

Well lads, the Christmas countdown has well and truly begun — and you can tell because every shop in Ireland has turned into a shrine of novelty socks. There’s no escaping them!!! Santa socks, penguin socks, socks that light up, sing, or threaten to “jingle your bells.” Oh begorah, if I see one more “Festive Feet” display, I might start a support group for people traumatised by glittery toe warmers.

But before I get lost in a woolly rant ... it’s time to celebrate a proper festive treat: a brand-new challenge over at Ally’s Angels! 🎉 It’s Challenge #100 - a huge milestone running from November 15th to December 12th, 2025, and the theme is: Anything Goes!

For my card, I dusted off the trusty Spellbinders “Hiking Through the Meadows” die kit, cut from Tonic Studio cardstock, and layered it all up with foam pads for that lovely bit of lift (and to cover the bits that didn’t quite line up — we’ve all been there). I added a spritz of Distress Ink, a scattering of gems, and a few perfectly placed Nuvo Drops, because nothing says “finished” like those tiny golden blobs of joy.

A few challenges:

• Creative Fingers No. 312: Anything Goes
• Leigh SB Designs Inspirational Challenges - Nov-  No. 46: Colours Of Fall / Anything Goes
• Ellibelle's Garden Party #9:  Anything in (or from) a Garden
• Shopping Our Stash #560: A Few Of My Favorite Things  
• Neglected Stuff Challenge - November 2025 challenge: Anything Goes
• Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - November: Anything Goes 
• The Four Seasons Challenge - Fall Season 2025: 
  
  
  

Be sure to pop over to the Ally’s Angels blog and have a look at what the fabulous Design Team members have created ... honestly, their talent puts Santa’s workshop to shame! And while you’re there, join us in the gallery - we’d love to see what you come up with.

As for me, I’m off to wrestle last year’s fairy lights - it’s less “festive decorating” and more “competitive knot untangling.” Within five minutes I’ll be questioning all my life choices and threatening to bin the whole lot. And if you hear someone in the village muttering, “Why are there only seven working bulbs and six hundred knots?” - that’ll be me, spreading festive cheer, mild profanity-free despair, and enough static to power the Christmas tree.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 💗

Spidey’s Got Moves

Dia daoibh!

You know those random Halloween die cuts that linger on the craft table long after the sweets are gone and the decorations are packed away? Well, I finally tackled mine. Among them was this wee spidey, one of a few Spellbinders die cuts I received as a gift, and he’d been staring at me accusingly for weeks. I paired him with a Spellbinders stamp sentiment, and it turned out both cute and slightly creepy at the same time.

The spider is layered and attached to a wobbler so it actually wobbles when you touch it. Pretty cute but strangely unsettling, like something you’d expect to see skitter past your feet at 2 a.m. The sentiment is stamped with StazOn, and I added a touch of glitter and a few Nuvo enamel drops for sparkle and texture. Bold stripes, cheeky spider, mission accomplished. This is officially the last Halloween card for the stash until next year, or so I tell myself.

A few challenges: 

• Cardz 4 Guyz  #379 Use Orange/Black/Purple 1 or more
• Creative Crafting Uncles #70 - Halloween
• Mix It Up Challenge #80 - Anything Goes (option: Clean and Simple)
• Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge -November 2025 - Anything Halloween

• CAS Colours & Sketches #572 - Sketch Challenge

And on a funny note, I left the finished card on the table, and my son nearly dropped his tea when the spider started wobbling. He jumped, shouted, and declared I was never to leave “moving insects” lying around again. I’ve never been prouder of my crafting skills.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🕷🕸

Glitter, Splatters & Irish Weather Matters

Dia daoibh!

Ah sure, it’s that grand confusing time of year again in Ireland ... the season of “four weathers before lunch.” You leave the house dressed for frostbite, and by midday you’re peeling off layers like an onion with commitment issues. The washing line looks like a science experiment - socks flapping one minute, hailstones bouncing off them the next. Typical November - mother nature’s throwing tantrums and we’re just holding the umbrella.

Anyway! Onto something far more reliable than the Irish forecast: the Card Chain Challenge for October! I received a gorgeous card from Brenda in the UK, and in return my own creation packed its crafty suitcase and flew off to Alice in Finland, hopefully dodging reindeer traffic on the way.

For my card, I went with the Colour Palette: Pumpkin, Cherry & Chocolate (sounds like a dessert, doesn’t it?) - and also the Product/Technique option: Glitter & Splatters. My desk looked like I lost a bar fight with a bottle of Stickles, but sure that’s half the fun!

I used the Spellbinders “Hiking Through the Meadows” dies, cut from Tonic Studio cardstock, and layered it all up with foam pads for that posh 3D look (or, as I call it, “strategic height to hide the dodgy glue marks”). Then I added splatterings of copper Distress Ink, a few gems, glossy accents, and Nuvo Drops in Vintage Gold, because subtlety left the craft room a long time ago. The sentiment was stamped with StazOn, because if I’m committing to something, it might as well be permanent!

So here it is - a fine pair of hiking boots overflowing with autumn blooms. My real boots, on the other hand, look like they’ve survived a turf-cutting festival and lost the will to live.

A few challenges:
Beautiful Blossoms - #34 - Anything Flowers Goes (optional Mood Board)
A Perfect Time To Craft - November - Anything Goes
Classic Design Challenge - Oct/Nov - Anything Goes (optional Autumn Splendor)
Creatalicious Challenges - #294 - Anything Goes (optional Fall Colours or Halloween)
Love to Craft - LTCCB#89 Anything Goes 
If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #210 - Fall Leaves /Turkey

If you haven’t joined the Card Chain Challenge yet, honestly, what are you waiting for? It’s like pen pals for crafters ... only with more sparkle, less guilt, and absolutely no chance of getting ghosted unless your postman’s on a tea break. You send one card, get one back, and end up grinning like you’ve just found a tenner in last winter’s coat pocket.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🍁🍂

Autumn Leaves & Overtime Dreams

Dia daoibh!

I know, I know… it’s been suspiciously quiet around here lately! You might have thought I’d gone off on a luxury retreat or joined a circus—but alas, no. I’ve simply moved into work. Between staff shortages and endless shifts, I was starting to wonder if I should start paying rent for the staff room. The good news? All that overtime finally paid off—literally! I treated myself to a shiny new tumble dryer. Nothing says “living the dream” quite like dry socks and lint-free joy.

Now, onto my card before I start reviewing appliance warranties for fun. 

Since autumn is in full bloom (and the trees are showing off like contestants on Strictly Come Dancing), I decided to play with the Spellbinders Autumn Sealed Sprigs Etched Dies and Spellbinders Sealed Squiggles. Everything’s cut from Tonic Studios cardstock with a touch of glitter card. I added a strip of washi tape, a sprinkle of glitter, a few Nuvo drops, and some gold gems for embellishment. I kept it sentiment-free this time ... sometimes the card just speaks for itself (and this one says, “I’m approachable”)

Onto a few challenges:

• Craft Rocket Challenges #130  - Autumn/Halloween
• Krafty Chicks #790 - CAS
• The Paper Players PP760 - CAS - Foliage 

• Tic Tac Toe Challenge #281 - (any shape die, free, fall colors) 
  

Right, I’d better sign off before my tumble dryer starts thinking I’ve run off with the washing machine—it’s a bit clingy since it realised it’s the newer model.

Sláinte,

🍂Wendy R. 🍁