Happy Spring!

Dia daoibh!

Shopping for chocolate Easter eggs has become less of a casual stroll and more of a tactical operation. You head in for “just one” and suddenly you are comparing chocolate like a seasoned judge on a baking show. This year though, I have my eye firmly on a Toblerone egg. Pure class. Triangles  egg of joy. 

Now, onto my card!

I went full spring cheer with this one and kept it lovely and CAS. The SVG design is my own. I cut everything with my trusty Silhouette Cameo, who continues to behave like a dream as long as I whisper kind words to it and threaten it only slightly. Some of the elements are popped up with foam pads to give a bit of dimension. For embellishments, I added some iridescent glitter for that subtle sparkle that catches the light just right, along with a few white Nuvo enamel dots scattered about like they just wandered in and decided to stay. 

And that is it. A quick, cheerful make that did not involve glitter explosions or losing my sanity, which frankly deserves its own celebration.

A few challenges:

Girlz Creative Crafts #66 - Flowers

Die Cut Divas  - Warm Spring Wishes

Addicted to CAS  #304 - Code Word: Stripes 

The Crafting Challenge - March - Waiting for Spring

CAS on Friday #330 - Spring

Right-e-o, I need to go “accidentally” buy three Easter eggs… for research purposes.

Sláinte, 

Wendy R. 🌷

Éirinn Go Brách!

 Dia daoibh!

It is that glorious time of year again when suddenly everyone owns a shamrock somewhere on their clothing. Happy St Patrick’s Day to you all! The kettle is on, the craic is mighty, and the village is buzzing ahead of tomorrow’s celebrations.

Before the marching bands, green hats and general shenanigans kick off, I managed to sneak a few quiet minutes at the craft desk and make a card.

I kept this one CAS because sometimes simple is just perfect. The sweet Shamrock Fairy from Mo’s Digital Pencil peeks in from the side of the card like she has wandered in to see what all the fuss is about. She was coloured with Promarkers and I used the off the page technique so she looks like she is stepping right into the card. For a little sparkle I added some iridescent and green glitter ... because if there is ever a time when glitter is completely acceptable it is St Patrick’s Day.

The sentiment Éirinn Go Brách felt just right for this card. Ireland forever and a lovely little nod to the day that is in it.

A few challenges:

Aud Sentiments Blog Challenge #335 - Glitter/Bling and/or St. Patrick's Green + a Sentiment

Allsorts #845 - Things with wings or Anything Goes

Crafty Gals Corner #275 - Anything Goes  with optional twist of Make it Green

Color Dare Challenge #694: 

Inspiration Station #83 - Inspiration Photo: 

Tomorrow the celebrations begin. There will be parades, music, dancing, and someone somewhere attempting Irish dancing in shoes that absolutely were not designed for it. I am also fairly certain there will be at least one person proudly wearing green from head to toe like a walking shamrock field.

However you celebrate, have a wonderful St Patrick’s Day filled with laughter, a bit of sparkle and plenty of craic. 

☘️ Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit! ☘️

(Pronounced roughly: law ay-la paw-drig sunna ditch)

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 

Seas the day!

Dia daoibh!

March in Ireland is a strange little circus altogether. The kids are on their St Patrick’s Day break bouncing off the walls like caffeinated leprechauns, work is being managed one week roster at a time, the weather can’t decide if it wants sunshine or sideways rain, and the fuel prices seem to be climbing faster than a sheep on a mountain. Sure at this stage we are all just rolling with the chaos and hoping the kettle keeps working.

On the bright side, the parade is tomorrow and I am very much looking forward to it. There is something magical about marching bands and questionable dancing in the street.

So while the world outside is doing its usual Irish jig of unpredictability, I took fifteen minutes to switch off and make a quick card.

For this one I used the Küstenbande stamp from Creative Depot / Treeebird. The little sailor bear was coloured with Promarkers and I kept the design nice and CAS. A bit of baker’s twine wraps around the card with a small bow and I added a few Nuvo white drops for a simple embellishment. The whole thing came together in under fifteen minutes which was exactly what I needed to clear the head. Sometimes a quick crafty moment is the perfect cure for a noisy house, wild weather, and fuel prices that make you stare at the pump like it personally offended you.

A few challenges:

Little Red Wagon # 849 - Boy Inside the Man

Creative Knockouts #566 Birthday Wishes 

Passion For Markers - Week 828 - Anything Masculine

Girlz Make Guyz Cards #37 - Maritime

The Male Room #208 - Blue and Brown

CAS on Friday #329:

Right-e-o, I am off to prepare for the parade tomorrow and possibly adopt this bear’s life philosophy. Paper hat, striped jumper, and just SEAS the day.

🍀🍀 Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh! 🍀🍀

Sláinte,

Wendy R.

Top o’ the Morning!

Dia daoibh!

March in Ireland means one thing and it is not subtle. Leprechauns appear from nowhere. Everything turns green. Shops explode with shamrocks. And before anyone asks: no, we do not turn the Liffey green. We do not need to. This island is already about forty shades of green on a Sunday. Add a bit of March drizzle and you have fifty. At least.

With all that Irish magic floating around it felt only right to lean fully into the theme for today’s card and have a bit of craic along the way. Over at Ally’s Angels Challenge Blog we are on challenge #104 and the theme is always Anything Goes. Which is basically permission to craft with wild abandon and a cup of tea in hand.

For my card I used Paddy from Mo’s Digital Pencil. He was coloured up with Promarkers, added a wee touch of Glossy Accents, and kept the whole card CAS ... because every Paddy likes to be the centre of attention ;) Honestly they would not have it any other way.

A few challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: A Bit O' Green

Crafty Catz #709 Anything goes

Fab n' Funky #632 - Shades of Green

Crafty Gals Corner #275- Anything Goes (optional: make it green)

Inspiration Station #83 - Inspiration Photo: 

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #214 - Clovers are Green

Now before I toddle off there must be a blessing because March demands it:

May your tea be strong

May your greens always blend smoothly

And may your leprechauns never steal your last biscuit!

Be sure to pop over and check out the DT’s creative makes over on the Ally’s Angels blog. They are full of inspiration and a serious danger to your craft supplies.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 💚

Umbrella Bloom

Dia daoibh!

Well would you look at that. The sun has shown up for two whole days in a row. I checked twice out the window just to be sure it was not a trick. Even the birds are in great form, singing like they have just had three cups of strong Irish tea and a biscuit.

After soaking up a bit of that rare golden sunshine it felt like the perfect excuse to sit down at the craft desk and make a card. 

I used the Spellbinders Umbrella Bloom die set which is just adorable. There is something cheerful about flowers popping out of an umbrella that makes it feel like a little pocket of spring on a card. I kept the design nice and simple so the die cuts could do all the talking. For embellishments I only added a touch of Glossy Accents and a few flatback pearls. Sometimes a card just wants to be simple and elegant and who am I to argue with a piece of cardstock having notions. The sentiment comes from the A Selection of Sentiments stamp set by Tonic Studios and I stamped it using Versafine ink. Versafine never disappoints. It behaves like the reliable friend who shows up on time with biscuits.

A few challenges:

Alphabet Challenge -  W is for Wild Flowers

Craft Rocket Challenges #134 - No Design Paper

C.R.A.F.T. #775 - Spring / Easter / Anything Goes

Die Cut Divas - Spring is Coming

CAS Colours & Sketches #580 - Color Challenge:

And that is today’s little bit of crafty sunshine. Between the bit of sun and the umbrella blooms on the card I feel like spring has officially clocked in for duty. Now if the weather could kindly keep up the good behaviour we might all start acting suspiciously cheerful.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🌼

A Little Bit of Luck and a Whole Lot of Glitter

Dia daoibh!

March in Ireland is that lovely in-between month where the days get longer, the light gets brighter, and we all optimistically declare winter over… while still keeping the big coat within arm’s reach. Also, a wee fun fact: St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in more countries than any other national festival in the world. Tradition is tradition.

Which brings me neatly to my card for Challenge #3 over at HQFCB, where the theme is always Anything Fantasy Goes. And really, with March rolling in and St Patrick’s Day on the horizon, there was only one sensible choice… leprechauns. Obviously.

I used the leprechaun from Mo’s Digital Pencil, coloured him up with Promarkers, and then had a bit of crafter’s craic with the embellishing. I added Glossy Accents for shine and a dose of gold glitter... because leprechauns without sparkle are just tiny men in green, and that won’t do at all! At this stage I’m convinced leprechauns exist solely to justify glitter in March – and I, for one, fully support that!

A few challenges: 

Fab n' Funky #632 - Shades of Green 

Colourful Options - March 2026 - Moodboard (Option 1: Green)

Festive Friday #204 - St Patrick's Day (Incorporate 3 of the items from inspo list)

If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #214 - Clovers are Green 

{PIN}spirational #335 - Use Color Combo from Inspiration Image  

The DT members over at HQFCB have absolutely amazing makes for this challenge; so much inspiration, it’s well worth popping over for a look!

May the road rise to meet you,

may the rain fall softly,

and may your days be touched with a little bit of Irish magic.

Sláinte,
Wendy R. 🍀

February Card Chain Challenge

Dia daoibh!

March in Ireland arrives with leprechauns everywhere and pots of gold firmly on our minds. The shops are full of green, shiny things, and there is a strong feeling that spring is trying to show off. It is that time of year when everything feels a little brighter and a little more fun.

On to the February Card Chain Challenge. My card packed its bags and flew all the way to Greta in the USA, and I like to believe it enjoyed the trip and behaved itself the whole way. In return I received a gorgeous card from Julia in the USA, which was an absolute joy to open. The Card Chain Challenge really is international happy post at its best! 💚

For my card I used the 'xoxo' stamp from Penny Black and went with the bold colour theme of indigo, violet, and lime green. Apologies, the colours are acting up as my camera once again had other ideas.I created a stamped background using a polka dot stamp, then coloured everything with Promarkers. All the colour recipes I used are listed over on my Promarker Page. I added glossy accents, nuvo drops, flowers, glitter, gems, and flatback pearls ...because stopping at one embellishment is never an option! 

The Card Chain Challenge is one of those simple joys that never gets old. Sending a card out into the world and receiving one back always feels like a little pot of gold in the post.

Le Grá,

Wendy 🍀

Bloomin' Butterfly

Dia daoibh!

I do not know who needs to hear this but sausage rolls are a perfectly acceptable form of self care. I treated myself to a few today because the craving hit hard. You know the kind. The “I could demolish a Gregg’s sausage roll in three bites” kind. Sadly there was no time to leg it to Belfast, so I made do locally and told myself it was practically gourmet. If you close your eyes and believe, it is basically the same.

Anyway, fortified by flaky pastry and questionable self control, I headed to the craft desk.

Today’s card features the gorgeous Blooming Butterflies Stamp Set and Die Set Bundle by Gina K. Honestly, that butterfly deserves its own passport. I coloured it with my Promarkers, going bold with those rich blues and soft purples, and the flowers got the royal treatment too. I added glossy accents to give a bit of shine and popped on a few gems because if you are going to do sparkle you may as well commit. The background is kept nice and clean, with a few splatters of distress ink for a bit of artsy flair. Just enough to look intentional. 

The butterfly itself is raised on foam pads for that lovely bit of dimension. We love a card that refuses to lie flat. The sentiment is simple. Sending love. No essay required. Sometimes the butterfly does all the talking.

A few challenges: 

Cardz 4 Galz #270: Wings

Classic Design Challenge - Feb/Mar - Anything Goes (optional: Blooms or butterflies)

Crafter's Cafe #327 - For the girls (optional: Anything Goes)

AAA Colorful Challenge  #25: Colourboard: 

Triple B  - February: Anything with Birds, Blooms and/or Butterflies (optional Inspiration Image)

Right, I am off to pretend I do not want another sausage roll. If anyone sees me in Belfast clutching a Gregg’s bag, mind your business.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🦋

Mudpie & Amanda

Dia daoibh!

According to the radio there has not been a single day without rain since December 29th 2025. Not one. At this stage I am considering building an ark out of A2 card blanks and floating down the Shannon with my Promarkers held high above my head like sacred treasure. If you see two mice sailing past your window, just wave.

Speaking of small creatures thriving in damp conditions, here is today’s card!

I kept it CAS because sometimes less is more and sometimes I simply refuse to wrestle with busy layouts. The gingham background is giving full on cosy kitchen table vibes. Very jam sandwiches and strong tea. The focal panel is softly curved to keep things sweet and simple. I used House Mouse 'Everything is Coming Up Roses'. Mudpie and Amanda are clearly making the most of the horticultural situation. I coloured the pair of them and the rose with Promarkers, building up the browns for all that fluffy fur and giving the rose a rich red that practically glows.

Naturally I could not leave it alone. A bit of glossy accents on the rose for shine, a sprinkling of Nuvo Drops White Blizzard for that subtle sparkle, and a few gems dotted around like polite little raindrops that actually behave themselves.

You might notice there is no sentiment. That was deliberate. Sometimes I like to leave a card blank so it can be whatever you need it to be. Birthday, thank you, thinking of you, sorry I ate the last biscuit. It keeps its options open. Very wise. Very adaptable. Like an Irish person discussing the weather.

Onto a few challenges:

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge HMFMC #459: Anything Goes / use Pattern Paper

Krafty Chicks #808: CAS

Crafter's Cafe #327: For the girls (optional: Anything Goes)

Critter Crazy Challenges #107:Anything Goes With Featured Critter theme for Feb 2026

Heart's Quest Celebration of Love #2: Valentine's

A Place To Start #202602 - February: Anything Goes (optional: lil' critters)

Right, I am off to check if it is raining again. If it is, I may start colouring ducks instead. They seem more emotionally prepared.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🐭

Kokeshi fun

Dia daoibh!

Had snow over the weekend. Driving at 6am not fun. Let me tell you, nothing wakes you up faster than sliding gently down a country road whispering sweet encouragement to your tyres like they can hear you. Black ice is out there living its best sneaky life while the rest of us are just trying to get to work with dignity intact. Sure look, we survived. Hero status achieved before breakfast.

Now. Onto my card.

Thanks to a few extra overtime shifts and a small moment of “go on, you deserve it,” I treated myself to the Spellbinders Kokeshi Dolls Die Set. Absolute joy in a packet. The minute I opened it I was grinning like I’d just found an extra custard cream in the tin. These wee dolls are the cutest things!! Cutting them out was pure therapy. Deciding where to place the wee blooms though… that was a full committee meeting in my head. Left? Right? Floating artistically like I meant it? In the end I just copied the picture on the front of the packaging. If the designers say that’s where the flowers go, who am I to argue? Confidence level restored immediately.

For the background I used the Spellbinders Cherry Blossoms BetterPress Plates. I coloured them with Distress Ink mixed with a splash of alcohol. Very technical altogether. A dab here, a hopeful blend there, and the occasional intense stare at the paper as if that helps. We are calling it artistic expression and moving confidently along. Then the embellishments arrived because self control and I are not on speaking terms. Flatback pearls. A few gems. Nuvo Drops White Blizzard for that soft frosty shimmer. If it sparkles, it made the team. I also added a layered hello die cut and coated it in Glossy Accents so it catches the light nicely without stealing the spotlight from the wee doll, who is clearly the real star of the card.

A few challenges: 

Spellbinders Monthly Cardmaking Challenge - February: Pop of Color

Classic Design Challenge - Feb/Mar - Anything Goes (option: blooms or butterflies)

Crafter's Cafe #327 - For the Girls (option: anything goes)

Moving along with the Times #186  - February - Floral

Make My Monday #271 - Use 2 dies

Beautiful Blossoms #38 - Anything Flowers Goes (optional mood board) 

Now if only I could drive to work in the snow as gracefully as she stands on that card. Until then, I will continue sliding gently into Mondays like a cautious penguin.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🌸

Ever Thine, Ever Mine!

Dia daoibh!

Fun February fact. It is the only month that regularly forgets how many days it is meant to have. Twenty eight. Sometimes twenty nine. Absolute chaos. Yet it still expects romance, hearts, and emotional commitment. The nerve 😉.

My card is for Challenge #103 over at Ally’s Angels where the theme is Anything Goes. The DT have amazing creations this round and they are seriously inspirational. Well worth a look.

I used the Anita Jeram Ever Thine stamp set from Colorado Craft Company . It is sweet, cosy, and full of feel good vibes. I coloured the image with Promarkers, keeping everything soft and cheerful. I kept the design very CAS and let the image do the talking. I added pearl drops for a touch of elegance, Glossy Accents for some shine, and a die cut bow to finish it off nicely. Clean, simple, and no fuss. Exactly how February cards should behave.

A few challenges:

Crafty Calendar - February: Love Is In The Air

Sweet Stampin - No Designer Paper 

Cardz 4 Galz #269: Hugs and Kisses 

C.R.A.F.T. #773: Love / Anything Goes

Creative Knockouts #564: Love, Valentines, Anniversary

Just Us Girls #810 - Word Week: Valentine

All in all, a fun little card with big February energy. Short, sweet, and finished before the month disappears again.

Sláinte,
Wendy R.

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:

Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - SoSS #271 - B is for Black Black Heart

Dream Factory - #146 - Love Actually

A Cut Above - Die Cut Challenge Blog - February Challenge- Anything Goes

We Love Stamping - February - Hearts (option: Anything Goes)

Critter Crazy Challenges - #107 - Anything Goes With Featured Critter

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. 💖

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. 💖

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. 😺

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.