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. 🕷🕸

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:

• The Flower Challenge #108 - Thanks
• 613 Avenue Create - Nov - Anything Goes (option: Thank you)
• Mix It Up Challenge #80 - Anything Goes (option: Clean and Simple)
• Classic Design Challenge - Oct/Nov - Anything Goes (option: Autumn Splendor)
• Girlz Creative Crafts #61 - Lace, ribbon, twine
• If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #210 - Fall Leaves and Turkey

• 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. 🍂🍁

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:

• A Cut Above - Die Cut Challenge Blog  - November - Anything Goes
• Girlz Make Guyz Cards  - Blue and Brown
• Word Art Wednesday - Weeks #722-723 - Anything Goes
• Dream Valley Challenges #348 - A card for a child
• A Place To Start - November 2025 - Anything Goes (optional: Something New)

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. 😉

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:

• Heart's Quest Celebration of Love #10 Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries and/or Sympathies (optional theme: Thanksgiving Day or Appreciation)
• We Love Stamping - Nov - Anything Christmas (option: Anything Goes)
• Polkadoodles  #12 - Anything Goes
• CAS on Friday #321 Birthday
• I Love Promarkers #594 - Anything Goes / Circles / Animals

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. 🎁

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:

• Beautiful Blossoms #34 - Anything Flowers Goes
• Classic Design Challenge - Oct/Nov - Anything Goes + option: Autumn Splendor
• The Crafting Challenge - October - Autumn / Halloween
• Creatalicious Challenges #294 - Anything Goes (option: Fall Colors or Halloween)
• The Four Seasons Challenge - October -Anything Fall Goes: 
  

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:

• 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. 🍁

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.

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.🍁

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. 🐻

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:

• Alphabet Challenge -  K is for keep it simple
• Simply Clean and Simple  - SEP : Birthdays
• Craft Rocket Challenges #129 Dots and/or Stripes
• Krafty Chicks #784 - Birthday
• I Love Promarkers #590 - Anything Goes or Gnomes

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. 😂

Ahoy!

Dia daoibh!

What a week! Electric Picnic has descended upon us again—young and old packing up their tents, glitter, and rain ponchos. This year, between the forecast and the state of the fields, they’ll need canoes more than camping chairs. Honestly, I can’t wait for Monday’s gossip at work: “Yeah, Dermot, the band was class, but I lost a welly somewhere between the chip van and a puddle that had its own postcode.”

Meanwhile, while they’re off raving in the mud, I stayed high and dry and made something nautical of my own. The card design’s from the Silhouette store, cut on my trusty Cameo from Core’dinations cardstock. Mounted on a vellum circle, clean and simple, with the wee boat raised up on foam dots—like it’s floating without the risk of trench foot.

Onto a few challenges: 

• Cardz 4 Guyz #377 - Boats
• Creative Crafting Uncles #68 - Anything Goes
• Shopping Our Stash #555 - On or In The Water 
  
• CAS on Friday #316 Vellum
• Allsorts Challenge #830 - Something beginning with B (birds, boat, birthday, blue water)
• Cut It Up #337 Anything Goes

So while they’re dancing knee-deep in muck, I’ll be at work steering the ship. At least if things get rough, I’ve got a paper sailboat at the ready—sure it won’t save me, but it’ll look fierce cute while I go down with the paperwork.

Sláinte,

Wendy R.🌊

Crafting My Way to a Five-Star Spa

Dia daoibh!

I spent today sorting through my growing mountain of cards and made a big decision – this year, all my friends are getting their very own wee pack of handmade cards for Christmas. Have you seen the price of shop-bought ones lately? I’d need a small mortgage to keep up! Besides, nothing beats the charm of handmade (well, in my opinion anyway). I’m also experimenting with shower steamers for the Christmas baskets – because if you can’t relax in a cloud of eucalyptus at the end of the year, when can you?

Anyway, onto my card. I was inspired by Debi Gardner over at the Color My Heart Color Dare Challenge blog. 

click on pic for better view

My hands were itching to use the Charming Day stamp set from Stampin’ Up. I stamped it with Memento ink, coloured it with Promarkers, then highlighted the leaves with Tonic Studios Nuvo Blue Lagoon glitter drops. The roses got their sparkle fix too with a touch of White Blizzard glitter drops. To finish, I raised the sentiment and roses with foam pads for a bit of dimension.

Promarkers used: Coral, Rose Pink, Berry Red; Turquoise, Marine, Petrol Blue

A few challenges:

• Creative Fingers #306 Always anything goes
  
• Allsorts #830 - I spy something beginning with B  or  Anything goes
  
• We Love Stamping - Aug - Flowers (option: Anything goes)
  
• Inkspirational #348 Clean and Simple (optional twist: Flowers)
  
• Color My Heart Color Dare #665 Color Board: 
  
  
  

And as I looked at the finished card, I realised: between glitter drops, foam pads, and shower steamers, I’m basically one craft session away from opening my own spa. Glitter facials, anyone?

Sláinte,

Wendy R.

Black Glitter, Bald Tyres & Birthday Cards

Dia daoibh!

Let me tell you a tale of terror, tread, and terrible judgment. I popped down to get the car “checked” – you know, the kind of check where you're hoping for a bit of air and a nod of approval. Instead, yer man looks at my tyres, raises an eyebrow, and says, “You got here on these? Fair play to ya – I'd have called a priest.” Apparently, they were less "roadworthy" and more "may spontaneously combust if you look at them sideways." So, four new tyres later and a quiet sob into my debit card, I now glide through the village like a woman who definitely didn’t wait too long.

Anyway! On to the card – the real star of the show (unlike my tyres).

This cool birthday number was made with my Silhouette Cameo, which at this stage should probably be paying rent. I die-cut both the sunset background and our dashing skater, who I layered up like a good lasagne – bit of height, bit of drama. And yes, that’s black glitter on the skater – because just because it’s a “masculine card” doesn’t mean it can’t sparkle like a fella who uses fancy shampoo and owns at least one cardigan. Perfect for that lad in your life who’s too cool for Hallmark but not above appreciating a bit of handmade magic.

A few challenges:

• Krafty Chicks #780 - Birthday
• Creative Crafting Uncles #67 - Layer It Up
• Cardz 4 Guyz #376 - Summer Holidays
• TIME OUT Challenges #294  - Pick 2 (or more):Transport & Stripes
• Make My Monday #257 - Masculine Card
•  AAA Cards #296 - Sketch: 
  
• AAA Birthday Challenge #76 - Sport 
  

Thanks a mil for stopping by – and if your car’s been sounding like a cement mixer full of cutlery, go get your tyres checked. You mightn’t get a card, but you’ll live to make one.

Sláinte!

Wendy R. 🚗

Hello? Is It DHL You’re Looking For?

Dia daoibh!

You know you’re in an Irish house when your daughter gives you the full operations manager spiel — “just sit there and wait for DHL, Mam!” — and here I am being treated like a flight risk with a history of absconding mid-courier. I should be wearing a hi-vis and holding a clipboard the way she’s carrying on! And so, like any Irish mammy under strict instruction, I tidied the house from top to bottom while waiting. Not just for any package, oh no—this is the package. The wedding rings! They’re getting married in less than a fortnight, and somehow, this sacred symbol of eternal love is being flung across the country in a van. Meanwhile, I’ve a night shift ahead of me, and I’d love to catch a few winks before heading off to wrangle care plans instead of double-sided tape. But can I rest? Not a hope. Every engine noise has me leaping up like a caffeinated meerkat at the window: “Is it him? Is it DHL? Is it... the neighbour again?!”

Anyway, in between pacing the floor and side-eyeing the doorbell, I managed to finish a wee card. Kept it clean and simple—CAS, for those in the know (and for those who think that’s short for "Can’t Actually Sleep," you’re not far off). I used die cuts: a cute coffee cup, some hearts, and a sentiment. Went full magpie and highligted with liquid pearls and glitter, then glossed nearly everything with glossy accents because... well, if I can’t sparkle right now, at least something in this house should!

A few challenge blogs I'm visiting:

• First Cup Challenges #4 July: - Anything Drink related projects
• The Creative Crafters #90 - Anything Goes
• Girlz Creative Fun Art of Scrap #11 - Anything Goes
• Girlz Rebel Challenge #42 - Anything Goes (+ pearls)
• Krafty Chicks #777 - CAS
• Creative Crafting Uncles #67 - Layer It Up
• Freshly Made Sketches #695 - Sketch

I think it turned out sweet—like a latte with extra caramel syrup. And if DHL ever arrives, I might just glue the tracking label onto the next card as a keepsake.

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. 🌴✨🍍

Buzz Buzz

Dia Daoibh!

Well now, settle yourselves in, because I have a tale that will make your sides split faster than a cheap pair of leggings on Christmas Day. Let’s start with my attempt at baking the best flan known to humankind—in, of all things, an electric pressure cooker. Aye, you heard that right. Nothing screams “culinary genius” quite like sloshing custard into a metal contraption that hisses at you like an irate tomcat. But let me tell you, that flan came out smoother than a politician’s excuses and wobblier than my knees after a glass of Baileys.

And now, onto my card... I used the adorable CCL Clear Stamp Bee Happy Friendz set—stamped with Memento Ink, then coloured with my trusty ProMarkers until every bee was beaming with personality. The wee bees are raised up on foam pads for that extra bit of dimension—because no bee should be flat when it can float fabulously. Since this cheerful creation is flying off to Norway, the sentiment proudly says Hei!—so it can greet its new home properly. I cut the letters from black card and layered them up like a stylish sandwich, ready to impress any Norwegian postie. To finish it all off, I gave the bees a glossy shine (because even insects deserve to feel fancy) and added iridescent glitter to their wings—because sparkle is mandatory in my craft room.

On to a few challenges:

• Dragonfly Dreams - July - Use Polygons
  
• Allsorts #827 - For a Child or  Anything Goes
  
• Creative Fingers #305- Anything Goes
  
• Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers #264 - H is for Hot, Hot, Hot - (I used warm colours ;)
  
• Freshly Made Sketches  #694 - Sketch:

I hope this card brings a smile as bright as a summer meadow and a little buzz of happiness when it lands.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🐝✨