Showing posts with label cas card. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cas card. Show all posts

9.2.26

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:
Dream Factory - #146 - Love Actually
A Cut Above - Die Cut Challenge Blog - February Challenge- Anything Goes
We Love Stamping - February - Hearts (option: Anything Goes)
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. 💖

7.2.26

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. 💖

28.1.26

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. 😺

26.1.26

Falala!

Dia daoibh!

I never have enough Christmas cards. Ever. Every year I tell myself I’ll be organised… and every December that plan quietly wanders off into the mist like a lost sheep in the Wicklow Mountains. So this year I’m being very sensible and starting early. The goal: two Christmas cards a month. By the time Christmas 2026 rolls around, I’ll either have a glorious stash… or a small craft-room avalanche. Either way, progress!

So here’s my first Christmas card for 2026 ... yes, I’m that person now.


I used the sweet little angel from Lori Whitlock’s Snow Globe Shaker Card set. She was cut on my Cameo using Tonic Studios card, because if you’re going to start early, you may as well be fancy about it. The sentiment is the falala from Hello Bluebird Christmas Words number one die, sadly retired but still living its best life in my die drawer. For the background I used the partial die cut inlaid embossing technique. I die cut the word from the cardstock, embossed the panel with a star pattern, then placed the word back into its opening for that clean inlaid look. I finished it off with glossy accents, gold details, and iridescent glitter, because subtlety left the building a long time ago. The wee angel is popped up for a bit of dimension, so she is floating there in full festive sparkle mode.

Onto a few challenges: 
Christmas Kickstart Challenge #106 - Dreaming of a pink Christmas
Rudolph Days January Challenge - Anything Goes
The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up #130 - Anything Goes Christmas (Optional: Snow people)
The Outlawz Christmas Challenge January Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes
Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog MLCCB #66 - Anything Christmas Goes
Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge #104 - Anything Christmas Goes (optional: inspiration board)

And that’s card one done for 2026. Only… checks notes… twenty-three more to go.

Sláinte, 
Wendy R.

3.1.26

Hip Hip Hooray… HQFCB Challenge 1 for 2026!

Dia daoibh!

We’re rocking the month of January… all 365 days of it. Honestly, is it just me or does January last longer than a queue at a Primark on a Saturday?

Now onto the next challenge over at Heart’s Quest Fantasy Challenge Blog - Challenge 1 for 2026! The design team have kicked off the year with some absolutely fabulous makes. Truly amazing creations to swoon over. The theme is nice and simple: Anything Fantasy Goes ... so unleash the dragons, fairies, unicorns, or whatever else your crafty heart fancies.

Here’s my CAS card for the challenge.

I used the adorable Dragon and Cupcake from Kinda Cute by Patricia. He’s coloured with Promarkers, and I added tiny details with a trusty white Sharpie. The cupcake and fiery whoosh are finished with Glossy Accents for that shiny, “please don’t lick the card” look. The bunting is cut from a die that finally got a turn, and I popped it up with foam pads for a bit of extra dimension.

Challenges: 

And for some January wishes… may your resolutions last longer than your tin of Celebrations, may your heating bills behave themselves, and may your year start with more sparkle than your Christmas tree had on December 24th.

Nollaig..... wait, wrong month.
Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh, my friends!

Sláinte, 
Wendy R. 💗

15.12.25

Candy Cane Kisses

Dia daoibh!

Christmas in Ireland is a great mix of sparkle, chaos, and pure charm... half the country is wrestling with tangled fairy lights while the other half is insisting they definitely didn’t open the “good biscuits.” And sure look, by Stephen’s Day we’re all fuelled by leftovers and sheer determination.

Challenge 101 over at Ally’s Angels is well underway, and the design team have pulled out all the stops. The creativity on display is so good you’d think they were powered by fairy lights and caffeine. Go have a peek—you’ll either come back full of ideas or convinced you need more craft supplies. (Spoiler: you absolutely do.)

For my card, I kept things lovely and CAS. 


The adorable Candy Cane Bear is from Mo’s Digital Pencil, coloured with Promarkers - my trusty go-tos. I added shimmery highlights with Nuvo Drops (White Blizzard) for a glittery touch. The scalloped border was made with a punch that hasn’t seen daylight in a long while. The whole panel is mounted on foam pads for a raised effect—like giving the card a little lift of confidence.

And to finish with a festive grin: may your tree behave, your wrapping paper cooperate, and your visitors arrive only after you’ve hidden the laundry.

Nollaig shona daoibh!

Sláinte,
Wendy R.🎄🎅

6.12.25

Herald Harry

Dia Daoibh!

The next HQFCB challenge is Anything Goes Fantasy.

For today's card, I kept things CAS using Mo Manning's Herald Harry - an angel with that perfect blend of heavenly patience and "I sang 'Hark the Herald' three times today already" energy. Coloured him with Promarkers, then added just a whisper of glitter to his wings. Popped him up on foam pads because Christmas is all about dimension - in cards, in desserts, and in our patience levels.


Onto a few challenges:
Wishing you a season filled with more joy than stress, more mince pies than to-do lists, and at least one silent night.

Nollaig Shona Duit!
Wendy R. 😇

10.11.25

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: 

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. 🕷🕸

Thankful, Grateful, and Slightly Glittered

Dia Daoibh!

The Quality Street saga continues ... honestly, at this point it’s less of a treat and more of a tragedy. First, they binned the shiny wrappers (there goes my stash for Christmas crafts), and now I’ve learned the so-called Quality chocolate is made with palm oil. Palm oil! I’m convinced they should rename it Disappointing Street and be done with it. I think even the toffee feels like it’s questioning its life choices.

Anyway, onto something that actually brings joy ... my latest card, made using PowerPoppy’s Felt Leaves and Fruit Wreath Stamp Set


I coloured it up with Promarkers, added a sprinkle of iridescent glitter, a bit of glossy accents, and tied it all off with a delicate organza ribbon bow. PowerPoppy stamps never need much fuss, they practically design the card for you while you sip your tea and feel smug.

Challenges:
  • Double D: Fall Wreaths /Photo Inspiration: 

And on a funny note, I’ve sworn off buying Christmas chocolates until December officially starts. Every “just-one-tin” I buy disappears faster than you can say Roses and regret. We had a tin out for Halloween, and it’s a good thing we did! There were so many trick-or-treaters, including one very determined dinosaur who came back twice… I gave him an extra few sweets for commitment. If he shows up at Christmas, he’s getting a lecture on palm oil.

Sláinte,
Wendy R. 🍂🍁

5.11.25

Sweet Baby

Dia daoibh!

It’s that time of year again and the shops are drowning in Christmas chocolates. I’m fairly sure I heard a tin of Roses call my name in Aldi. But can we talk about Quality Street? Since they ditched the shiny wrappers, they’ve lost their sparkle, literally!! How are we meant to make our annual Quality Street wrapper stained-glass window projects now? The kids’ art, the cards, the accidental wrapper stuck to the cat… gone. Tragic altogether.

Anyway, back to something that does still sparkle. I went with a baby theme, and all the elements were designed in Silhouette Studio and cut on my trusty Silhouette Cameo. I used Tonic Studios blue cardstock and Florence brown glitter cardstock for a bit of shimmer. A few teeny blue gems added the perfect finishing sparkle because let’s face it, if I can’t bedazzle a chocolate wrapper, I’ll bedazzle a card instead.

A few challenges:

And on a funny note, I spent so long fiddling with the Cameo settings that by the time it finally cut right, I’d eaten half the tin of Roses. Crafting calories don’t count, right? 

Sláinte,
Wendy R. 😉

1.11.25

Yeti or Not

Dia Daoibh!

The next HQFCB challenge is Anything Goes Fantasy with an optional Yeti twist—because nothing says "magical creature" like a snow beast who definitely forgot to buy wrapping paper. 

For today’s card, I repurposed Clearly Besotted’s Yuletide Yeti (a Christmas stamp set now moonlighting as a birthday set, because rules were made to be broken). Kept the design CAS, mostly because the Yeti ate all my patience. Coloured the wee fella with Promarkers and embellihed the bow of the present with glossy accents. The "HBD!" sentiment was die-cut and layered for dimension. The card is embellished with liquid pearl drops for subtle texture ... because sometimes you want frosty accents without the glitter fallout of 2023 haunting you. 



A few challenges:


Wishing you a season of perfectly sized envelopes, stamps that stick on the first try, and zero surprise glitter from projects past.

Sláinte, 
Wendy R. 🎁

19.10.25

Hello, My Name Is… Craft Hoarder

Dia daoibh!

You know that moment when you sit down to make one card and end up with enough extra die cuts to open a small craft shop? Aye, that’s me every time. I swear the leaves multiply in the night ... I close the drawer and the next morning it looks like an autumn explosion. If paper had a breeding season, it’d be now 😂.

So, today’s card is proudly sponsored by my ever-growing pile of “I’ll use that later” bits! I pulled out the Spellbinders Autumn Sealed Sprigs dies and Spellbinders Sealed Squiggles, all cut from Tonic Studios cardstock and a sprinkle of glitter card for sparkle. I also added some Nuvo Stone Drops for a bit of posh texture. The big shiny “hello” was cut from cardstock, layered up, and finished with Glossy Accents.

Onto a few challenges:

And there we have it ... a cheerful autumn hello made from my “craft chaos” stash. Now, if only I could find the table under the rest of the die cuts…

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:

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. 🍁

4.10.25

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.

15.9.25

Ah, Punkin

Dia daoibh!

September’s here, bringing shorter evenings and that smug chill that makes you reach for the fleece. You’d think pumpkins would be filling the shops by now, but no — the only orange things on offer are carrots, traffic cones, and suncream so weak you’d get a better tan standing under a lightbulb. But sure, who needs pumpkins in Tesco when we can have them on our cards — they don’t go mushy and no one tries to turn them into soup.

A brand-new challenge has kicked off over at Ally’s Angels (Challenge #98), and as always, the theme is Anything Goes. The design team are bursting with creativity as usual.

Here’s my take: 

I used Punkin’ from Mo’s Digital Pencil, coloured up with Promarkers. I added a few cheeky leaf die cuts, popped them up on foam pads, sprinkled in some gems, and finished with a ribbon for good measure.

A few challenges:

Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers #266 - F is for Finally Fall
CAS on Friday #317 Fall
Creative Fingers #307 Anything goes
TIME OUT Challenges #297  - Your Favorite Season (Autumn, ofcourse! 😉)
Just Us Girls #792 - Word Week: Container
Two Old Bats Anything Goes Halloween Challenge - September 2025 Anything Goes Halloween


So please do join us at Ally’s Angels by linking up your creation.

And honestly, the best part of this image? It proves beyond doubt that pumpkins make cuter outfits than potatoes — though I wouldn’t rule out a cabbage hat if times get tough.

Sláinte,
Wendy R.🍁

9.9.25

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: 


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. 🐻

6.9.25

Three Wishes & Zero Lottery Wins

Dia Daoibh!

The next HQFCB challenge is Anything Goes Fantasy with a genie twist—because who hasn’t daydreamed about finding a magic lamp and wishing for lucky lottery numbers? (Though knowing my luck, the genie would be on a coffee break, and I’d end up with "eternal patience" or some other useful nonsense.)

Onto today’s card! I raided my "vintage" paper stash (circa 2018—practically antique at this point) and paired it with a sentiment from a free stamp set from a 2015 magazine (because nothing says "fantasy" like hoarding supplies and craft magazines for a decade). The star of the show is this sassy genie from Create A Smile’s Flaschenpost set, who clearly knows I’m three wishes away from chaos. Coloured him with Promarkers, then went full magpie with iridescent glitter (obviously) and silver thread.


A few challenges:

Wishing you all the luck of a genie who actually listens—and may your weekend involve less glitter cleanup than mine. (Spoiler: It’s everywhere. Everywhere.)

Sláinte, 
Wendy R. 

P.S. Pro tip: If your genie offers unlimited wishes, ask for more storage first. Crafters know what's important. 😂