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 #340  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. 💚

Rain or Shine: Make a Rainbow

Dia daoibh!

Picture this. A freshly stamped piece of cardstock. Perfect. Pristine. Untouched by the world. Enter the kitty cat. A full dramatic catwalk straight across it like she was late for Paris Fashion Week, leaving behind tiny pawprints like she’d signed the artwork. So I restamped. New sheet. Fresh optimism. And then I glued the topper on upside down. Instantly. With confidence. As if I’d learned absolutely nothing. With the white cardstock Amazon order refusing to arrive until after three today, there was nothing for it but to trim it down and adhere it to blue cardstock like a seasoned professional who definitely meant to do that. Moral of the story: confidence fixes everything. Almost.

Now onto the actual card before anything else could interfere. To brighten up the classic Irish weather I went full rainbow. If the sky won’t cooperate I’ll sort it myself. 

I kept it CAS (the card had already been through enough). The sentiment is from the Best Ever set from Simon Says Stamp from 2017 which is still earning its keep. I had a little play with die cuts and used a rainbow design from the Silhouette Design Store. I popped the cloud and rainbow up on foam pads for a bit of dimension.  finished it off with a few sprinkled gems. Sparkle is essential. I also added Nuvo Drops White Blizzard around the edges of the cloud for extra detail... I was feeling brave again.

A few challenges:

A Cut Above - Die Cut Challenge Blog  - January 2026 - Anything Goes

Make My Monday #270 - Clean and Simple

A Place To Start #202601 - Anything Goes (option: Rainbow)

Seize the Birthday #319 - Rainbow of colours

And just like that, the card was finished. A cheerful rainbow card created in between a catwalk moment, an upside down surprise, and a very late Amazon delivery. Crafting magic at its finest.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 😺

Ashes to Ashes...

Dia Daoibh!

This month’s HQFCB challenge is Anything Goes Fantasy with an optional phoenix theme – which is basically the official mascot of healthcare workers. Think about it: we too burst into flames regularly (usually around hour 13 of a 12-hour shift), only to be reborn through the sacred power of chocolate and questionable coffee. If that’s not a modern phoenix story, I don’t know what is.

For today’s card, I used a PNGtree digi and coloured it with Promarkers while pretending I knew what I was doing. Then – in a move that surprised absolutely no one – I gave that phoenix a tasteful dusting of glossy accents and iridescent sparkle. (Okay, fine, it’s more "strategically placed shimmer" than "full glitter intervention" – but let’s be real, even a hint of glitter in this house somehow ends up on the cats, in my coffee, and possibly in my pension plan. The struggle is real.)

The “Celebrate” sentiment was cut with my Pretty Pink Posh metal die (read: the expensive shiny thing I bought “for work”) and layered up like my excuses for buying more craft supplies. Finished with white glitter because at this point, glitter isn’t an embellishment, it’s a lifestyle. And by "lifestyle," I mean "permanent décor." My vacuum will never recover...

So here’s to rising from our ashes (or at least from under this pile of glitter) – may your coffee be strong, your shifts be short, and your craft projects be slightly less flammable.

Sláinte, 

Wendy R.

Flocktail Hour

Dia daoibh!

You know it’s October when you walk into the shops and the shelves are groaning under the weight of Halloween sweets… yet just around the corner, there it is — Christmas wrapping paper and novelty socks staring you down like, “Go on, panic early!” Honestly, at this stage I’m expecting Easter eggs to sneak onto the shelf beside the pumpkins. It’s retail time travel, and I’m not ready.

Anyway, speaking of seasonal surprises, it’s time for the monthly Card Chain Challenge! The idea’s simple but brilliant: you sign up, pick a theme, send off your card — and like magic, one lands in your letterbox too. It’s like pen pals, but with glitter and far less chance of dodgy handwriting. My card flew off to Daja in Germany, and in return, I was lucky enough to receive a gooooorgeous creation back from Imke in Germany as well. Clearly, the postal service has decided I need a round trip of Deutsche crafting goodness! 

Now, onto my own card: 

I used the Spellbinders Grand Flamingos die set — and let me tell you, these flamingos are as fancy as they sound. Cut from lush textured and glitter card, jazzed up with glitter, glossy accents, a sprinkle of iredescent sequins, and a few clear gems for good measure. The sentiment is from the Ellen Hutson Inner Flamingo stamp set, stamped neatly with Stazon ink (because nothing says commitment like ink that never wants to come off your fingers).

A few challenges:

• Krafty Chicks #788 - Birthdays
• Sisterhood of Crafters - Birthdays
• Try It On Tuesday - Animals - Real or Imaginary
• Stamps & Fun = Creativity #482 - Animals 
• Dragonfly Dreams - Sep - Happy Birthday

And there you have it! A tropical flamingo card made in the middle of pumpkin season — because nothing says autumn like a bright pink bird strutting across your craft desk. Sure, if that isn’t crafting against the odds, I don’t know what is. At this point, I’m just waiting for a flamingo in a Santa hat to appear in Tesco’s freezer aisle.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🦩

Hug It Like You Mean It

Dia daoibh!

Today’s great adventure? Laundry. Mountains of it. My washing machine has been on strike since last Thursday, only deciding to cooperate again this morning after getting its shiny new carbon brushes. So, I’ve spent the day doing wash after wash like I was auditioning for Ireland’s Next Top Launderette. I’ll tell you, the clothes basket has been giving me side-eye all weekend, and now it’s finally empty… for the next five minutes.

Onto my card for today:

I used Ranger Simon Hurley’s Big Hugs stamp set alongside Taylored Expressions’ Oh Yes You Did. Everything stamped with trusty Versafine ink, sprinkled with silver distress spray, and finished off with a few dabs of Nuvo glitter drops in black and crystal for that extra bit of shine.

Right-e-o, a few challenges: 

• Stamping Sensations - September: CAS or Anything Goes
• Crafty Animals # 98: Always Anything Goes
  
• Krafty Chicks #784: Birthday
  
• Craft Rocket Challenges #129: Dots and/or Stripes
  
• Critter Crazy Challenges #102: Always Anything Goes
• CAS Colour and Sketches #568: Sketch 

• Seize the birthday #312: Black & White 

And after all that? I can safely say my socks are cleaner than my sense of humour. If laundry was an Olympic sport, I’d be standing on the podium right now, clutching a gold medal and a bottle of fabric softener.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🐻

Toucan Play

Dia daoibh!

Right, before we get stuck into card chat—let’s tackle the Irish phrases at the top and bottom of the post. No, I haven’t dropped my keyboard or made up a spell from Harry Potter 😂.

“Dia daoibh” is a grand Irish way of saying “Hello to you all”. Not just one of ye—all of ye. It’s pronounced “Dee-ah yeev”, and here’s a handy trick: it kinda sorta rhymes with “see a sleeve”—as in, “See a sleeve there now, and pass me the biscuits”. Then there’s “Sláinte” at the bottom—it’s what we say for cheers or good health. Pronounced “Slawn-cha”, and best said while raising a glass, toasting a friend, or recovering from the sheer disappointment of not winning the Euromillions again. One of these weeks, lads. One of these weeks.

Now, on to the crafty craic! For the August Card Chain Challenge, I made a tropical-themed card for Joanne in the USA, and in return, I got a gorgeous one from Pia in Norway—and let me tell you, the standard was so high—just like you'd expect from the stylish Scandinavians.

I chose the Tropical theme (as you do when it's lashing rain outside) and used the Pop Up Box Card Toucan design by Lori Whitlock. The file even included some little waves—because what's a tropical scene without a splash? Cut with my trusty Silhouette Cameo, I went to town with glitter, glossy accents, and foam pads to give it that fabulous 3D effect. It's bright, bold, and folds flat for mailing—so it can fly across the Atlantic without costing more than a Ryanair seat sale.

Challenges:

• Shopping Our Stash #555 - On or In The Water
  
• Crafty Animals #98 - Always Anything Goes
  
• Critter Crazy Challenges #102- Always Anything Goes
  
• Creatalicious Challenges #292 - Anything Goes (option: Lots of bling/glitter)
  
• Die Cut Divas - September: Anything Goes
  
• Dream Factory #142 - Wild
  
• Girlz Creative Crafts #59 - Wild Animals and/or Exotic Birds
  
• Heart's Quest Celebration of Love #8 - Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries and/or Sympathies
  
• Triple B - August: Anything with Birds, Blooms and/or Butterflies 
• 4 Season Challenge Blog #96: I chose the Toucan bird from the moodboard: 
  

If you’ve never joined the Card Chain Challenge, you’re missing out. It’s like grown-up pen-pals, but with cardstock and sparkle. You make a card, send it off, and then boom—happy post lands in your letterbox from somewhere halfway across the globe. It’s joyful, it’s personal, and it’s not a dentist appointment. Win-win!

So while I might not be sipping cocktails in a tropical paradise, at least my craft table is sunny, colourful, and full of birds that require no feeding or cleaning.

Sláinte!

Wendy R. 🌴📬🦜

Unicorns Don’t Do Overtime, But I Do

Dia daoibh!

Three shifts back-to-back, 42 hours clocked in, and I’ve emerged looking like a contestant on Survivor: Healthcare Edition. My grand prize? A mad dash through the shops for last-minute school supplies before the youngest heads back tomorrow. Don’t get me wrong, I love the lad, but after weeks of “Mam, I’m bored” and him eating cereal like it’s an Olympic sport, I’ll be personally escorting him to the school gates with jazz hands. And the teachers—legends—deserve medals, spa vouchers, prosecco, and maybe even a national holiday in their honour. They’re the true unsung heroes of September!

Now, onto my card. 

The design and backing papers are from Lori Whitlock, and I went full unicorn sparkle with them. The base is cut from core card, layered with glitter card for that essential bit of magic, and finished with flowers, gems, and glossy accents. The blooms are popping brighter than glow sticks at a 90s disco. I decided to leave it sentiment-free—sometimes a blank card is more versatile, ready for a birthday, celebration, or just when someone needs a little reminder that unicorns do exist (unlike my bank balance after school shopping).

Challenges:

• Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge - August - Anything Goes with Patterned Paper (optional theme: Summertime)
  
• Paper Shelter #647 - Anything Goes
  
• Creations in Pink - Anything Goes in Mainly Pink
  
• Critter Crazy Challenges - Anything Goes with a Featured Critter
• {PIN}spirational #328 - Inspiration Picture 

• Inspiration Station #76 - Inspiration Photo    

And sure, if I’d added a sentiment, the only thing my tired brain could’ve managed after three shifts would’ve been “Send Coffee… and maybe an Au Pair.” Not quite the hallmark of a keepsake card, is it?

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🦄

TAKE ME TO YOUR CAKE

Dia daoibh!

Ah, a glorious Monday morning – the start of autumn if you go by the old Irish calendar, where Lughnasadh on the 1st of August kicks off the harvest season. The air has that crisp bite to it, the kind that makes you feel alive – but it’s still just warm enough to dry the laundry without it coming back stiffer than cardboard. Honestly, nothing beats the smug joy of bedsheets flapping on the line, pretending you’re in an Ariel ad while really just standing in the back garden with a peg bag.

Now, onto my card. 

Today’s star is an alien, die-cut from an SVG I designed in CorelDRAW. I cut him out of core card and glitter card, then layered him up for a bit of 3D fun. Kept it CAS – though with three eyes, this fella clearly spots chocolate cake from light years away. Forget UFOs, he’s definitely landing for dessert.

Challenges:

• Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers #265 - A is for Alien
• Just Us Girls #788 - Word Week: Birthday
• Seize The Birthday #297  -No Flowers
• The Male Room #201 - Universe
• CAS Colours & Sketches #566 - Sketch Challenge 
  

And let’s be honest – with his glittery finish and those three peepers, he’s either here to invade Earth or audition for a boyband. Either way, I’m ready.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 👽

Crafting in Socks: A Tropical Risk Assessment

 Dia daoibh!

You’d think waiting for floors to dry wouldn’t be a dangerous sport—but here we are. Thanks to the glorious Irish humidity (yes, even when it’s raining sideways), I was tiptoeing around like I was defusing a bomb… and honestly, I’m still at it. At this point, I’ve developed the stealth and balance of a cat burglar in Crocs. One wrong move and it’s Riverdance: The Return.

Anyway, let’s leave the slippy drama behind and get to the good stuff—my latest tropical-themed card:

This sunshiney number features die cuts from the Sizzix Framelits Detailed Tropics set. I cut the elements from glitter card and Core’dinations cardstock. The background is a cheerful yellow striped paper from the Let’s Flamingle set by Piatek Trzynastego—just bright, happy vibes that make you think of lemonade and sunhats.

To finish the background, I gave it a light sprinkle of Ranger Distress Spray Stain in Brushed Pewter. It’s not really visible in the photo—but in person, it shimmers just enough to make your craft room lighting feel fancier than it is. The sentiment says hello, but with its warm colours and tropical flair, this card could easily moonlight as a thank you, a birthday card, or just a cheerful pick-me-up for someone in need of a smile.

Challenges I'm playing:

• C.R.A.F.T. #759  Thank You or Anything Goes
  
• Sisterhood of Crafters - 7/9/25 - Stripes and/or Dots
• Try It On Tuesday - Summer Blooms 
  
• The Four Seasons Challenge - July -Anything Summer Goes:

• Beautiful Blossoms #30 - Anything Flowers Goes (optional: mood board)

So while the floors are drying at the speed of a soggy turtle, at least this card turned out dry, dazzling, and drama-free.

Sláinte!

Wendy R. 🌴✨🍍

Anything Goes, Honey!

Dia Daoibh!

It’s that time again – a brand-new challenge is live over at Ally’s Angels, where the theme is (as always!) Anything Goes. You’ve no idea how freeing that is for someone like me, who can’t follow a theme without wandering off halfway through. The design team has once again created absolute stunners – their cards are so gorgeous I considered framing my laptop.

Now, let’s buzz on over to my card! This card is bringing all the summer vibes – sunshine, sparkles, and a sassy little bee who’s clearly the queen of the hive! Featuring Tiny Townie Busy Bee from Stamping Bella, she’s dressed in her finest yellow-and-black stripes, ready to take on the summer garden party circuit. I coloured her with ProMarkers, gave her buzzing sidekicks a lift with foam pads (they're high-flyers), and added glossy accents and glitter – because no summer is complete without a little sparkle and a lot of drama. The bold yellow background? Pure sunshine in cardstock form.

Warning: may cause spontaneous humming of “Flight of the Bumblebee.” 🐝🌞✨

Onto a few challenges:

• Creative Crafting Uncles #66 - Summer
• The Crafting Challenge - June - Anything Goes
• If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #205 - Sunshine and Rainbows
• AAA Cards #293 - Anything CAS Goes
• We Love Stamping  - Jun - Nature (optional: Anything Goes)
• CAS on Friday #311- Summer
• Crafty Catz #696 - Anything Goes
• C.R.A.F.T. #757 - Cute or Anything Goes 
• Craft Rocket Challenges #126 - No Design Paper
• Krafty Chicks #773 - Clean and Simple

Come join the fun over at Ally’s Angels! It’s always Anything Goes, so grab your stamps, your glue, and possibly a hoover for the aftermath – and let’s get creating!

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🐝✨🎨

Fairies Don't Do Dry July

Dia Daoibh!

Well, the next challenge over at HQFCB is Anything Goes Fantasy with the optional twist of using a fairy. Now, being Irish, I feel I should warn you—our fae folk aren’t the dainty, glitter-and-rainbows type you see in storybooks. Oh no. Irish fairies are more the "move your fence or we’ll curse your cows" variety. Mess with a fairy fort at your peril, folks—those wee folk hold grudges longer than my ex-MIL after you "forgot" her birthday.

But enough folklore—onto the card! I’ve used Stamping Bella’s Edna Needs A Martini, because if anyone knows how to handle magical mischief, it’s a fairy with a cocktail. Coloured her up in Promarkers (... I got carried away, and now she’s basically celebrating the 4th of July). Glittered her wings because, let’s be real, if you’ve got wings and aren’t bedazzled, are you even trying? Mounted her on foam pads for dimension, because Edna deserves to pop right off the page—just like she’d pop into your local for a midweek martini.

Kept the background clean and simple (read: I ran out of patience) with a snazzy piece of polka dot embossed card. Classy and low-effort—my favourite combo.

A few challenges I'm joining in:

• CAS on Friday #310 - Embossing 
• Crafty Catz #694 - Anything goes (make us smile)
• Cut It Up #331 - Anything Goes
• Craft Rocket Challenges #126 No Design Paper
• The Card Concept #217 - Patriotic (Edna matches the colours): 

Right, I’d best wrap this up before the rain starts again. Summer in Ireland, my foot—more like "guess I’ll wear my wellies with my sundress" season. Here’s hoping the sun remembers we exist before Halloween.

Sláinte, 

Wendy R. 

(P.S. If you see Irish fae, offer them a drink. It’s the only way to stay on their good side.)

From Kitchen Walls to Cardstock Calls

Dia Daoibh!

Ah sure, it’s one of those Bank Holidays again—the kind where you tell yourself, “I’ll rest, I deserve it,” and five minutes later you’re knee-deep in paint, wondering why your kitchen walls have more coats than a Donegal sheepdog.

So, yes, the painting saga continues. I’ve wisely decided to leave the rest of the walls to their own devices until later in the week—maybe Thursday, unless the walls paint themselves or a miracle occurs (neither likely, but sure we live in hope). All this, of course, before I return to the night shift on Friday where at least someone will appreciate my multitasking talents.

Anyway! On to today’s card, the real reason you’re here and not just to hear about my domestic misadventures.

I've been playing with the Gus & Gertie stamp set from Taylored Expressions, and honestly, if those two don’t brighten your day, nothing will. I used the matching die—because let’s face it, fussy cutting after painting is a level of madness I’m just not ready for. Coloured them up with Promarkers (as always, the good ones that haven’t gone mysteriously dry) and gave the balloons a proper party glow with Ranger’s Glossy Accents. Then, of course, I couldn’t leave well enough alone, so I chucked a bit of iridescent glitter on top because why not? If you're not sparkling, are you even celebrating? Popped the whole thing up with foam pads because flat cards are just… too emotionally relatable right now.

I adore this stamp set, and honestly, I’m eyeing up a few more from the Gus & Gertie gang. Though with the postage from the States, it’s nearly cheaper to fly them over myself and give them a biscuit.

A few challenges:

• Inkspirational #342 -  Celebrate
  
• Stamping Sensations - Jun - Our Furry Friends + option: Anything Goes 
• Alphabet Challenge -  D is for dogs
• Passion For Markers Challenge #790 - 4 Legged Friends
• Crafty Animals #95 - Always Anything Goes
  
• Freshly Made Sketches #688 - Sketch:

Until next time, may your paint stay on the walls, your glitter stay on the card (not your face), and your stamps be ever sassy.

Sláinte,

Wendy R.

Hippie Hippie Birthday!

Dia Daoibh!

Right so, last post of the day before I crawl off to bed and mentally prepare to hit the snooze button twice at 5 p.m. — because that’s how we pre-game on night shift. 😅

Now, onto the card — because before the caffeine kicks in and the uniform goes on, there was a crafty moment worth sharing! This little number features a fab stamp by Treeebird (Küstenmädels) — what a find, right? I stamped it up with trusty Memento ink and gave it the full rainbow treatment with my Promarkers. It's popped up on foam pads (because dimension is life), all set against an acrylic paint-splattered background that may or may not have also hit the cat.

The sentiment? “Hippie Birthday” — because nothing says celebration like a cute, feathered freeloader with  a groovy vibe 😉

Onto a few challenges:

• Allsorts #824 Anything Goes - Happy 16th Birthday 🎉🥳 !!
• Simply Clean and Simple - May 2025 - Clean and simple (optional: flowers) 
• Passion For Markers Challenge Week 788 Anything Goes (Happy Anniversary 🎉🥳 !!)
• Cardz 4 Galz #250 Things With Wings (real or fantasy)
• TIME OUT Challenges 2W #289  - Your Favorite Winged Thing
• CAS on Friday No. 309 Things with wings
• Crafty Animals #94 - Always Anything Goes

Right, that's me done. Off to bed now — tonight it’s all about calm voices, caring hands, and keeping the night ticking gently along.

Sláinte,

Wendy R.

Glitter, Glue & Chocolate Comas

Dia Daoibh!

Well, Easter has come and gone, and my kitchen now looks like a chocolate smuggling operation. There are chocolate Easter eggs everywhere – hidden in cupboards, stashed behind the cereal box, and let’s not even talk about the “emergency” stash in the bread bin. (What? A girl needs options.) 

Onto today’s card! I used the Unicorn stamp set from The Rabbit Hole Designs.  I strongly relate to this unicorn .. and the sentiment ;) ... Same energy, honestly....

Coloured the little guy with my trusty Promarkers, then went full mad scientist on the background (stencilled). Mixed up a DIY paste of iridescent glitter and Ranger Glossy Accents – which, by the way, is basically crafting cement. That paintbrush is done for. RIP, little buddy. You died for sparkle. Popped the whole thing up on foam pads for dimension, because if I’ve learned anything from Easter, it’s that everything’s better with a bit of extra oomph. (See also: chocolate consumption.)

Onto a few challenges:

• First Cup Challenges #1 April: - Anything Drink related projects
• Heart's Quest Fantasy Challenge Blog #4 Anything Goes Fantasy and/or Focus on Unicorn
• I Love Promarkers #581 Anything goes or No Patterned Papers
• We Love 2 Create #4 - Anything Creative/Mixed Media Goes
• CAS on Friday No. 307: Use a Stencil
• Halloween and Other Ocassions Crafts All Year Round #25: Birthday
• AAA Cards #288 - Sketch: 
  
  
  

Right, I’m off to “supervise” the remaining Easter chocolate. (Quality control is very important.) Wishing you all a post-Easter glow – whether it’s from glitter, sugar, or sheer denial about Monday.

Sláinte, 

Wendy R. 

(P.S. If you need me, I’ll be in a chocolate coma, pretending I don’t own a vacuum.)

Hey Friend

Dia Daoibh ! ☘️

Hold onto your hats—It is 14°C in Ireland! That’s right, we’re basically almost in a heatwave (by our standards). Summer has officially arrived ;)

To celebrate this suspicious weather phenomenon, I made this cheerful card using the 'Hey Friend' set from Graciellie Design. Coloured with Promarkers (with all the precision of a caffeinated squirrel) and embellished with iridescent glitter,  and gems - because why be subtle when you can sparkle?

Onto a few challenges:

• A Perfect Time To Craft (M, P1) - Always Anything Goes
• Beautiful Blossoms #27 - Anything Flowers Goes (optional Mood Board)
• Crafter's Cafe #317 - Anything Goes (optional: CAS)
• Girlz Creative Crafts #53 Happy Birthday Girlz 
• Girlz Rebel Challenge #38 - Use Glitter 
• The Creative Crafters #86 - Always Anything Goes
• Addicted to Stamps and More #489 - Any Occasion
• Color Throwdown #830

Have a great day, folks!  😉

Sláinte,

Wendy R.