Jingle Bells

 Dia Daoibh!

Well, here we are in June, and I’m already behind on my New Year’s resolution to craft at least two Christmas cards per month. So, in the spirit of catching up (and avoiding the December panic), I’ve whipped up a festive little number using supplies from my stash—because nothing says “holiday cheer” like a bit of crafty improvisation!

I started with black cardstock as the base—trying to use up what I have before I inevitably fall into the Amazon cart trap again. I die-cut a few leaves from green cardstock and adorned them with teeny jingle bells I found lurking in the depths of my craft drawer. Tied together with red and white baker’s twine, they bring just the right amount of jingle to the mingle.To add some sparkle, I gave the leaves a glossy dab and a polite sprinkle of glitter—just enough to say “Christmas cheer” without triggering a vacuum cleaner incident. The sentiment is stamped in Versafine ink using the Season’s Tweetings stamp set from Honey Bee Stamps. This set was part of their Holiday 2017 release , and while it may be retired, it still brings a smile to my face every time I use it.

A few challenges:

• Jingle Belles: Fa-la-la-la-la
• The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #186 - Anything goes
• Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog  - MLCCB #62 Anything Christmas Goes
• C.R.A.F.T. #756 - Christmas
• FarmQuest Country Christmas Challenge #20 - Anything Goes Country Christmas
• The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up #123 - Anything Goes with option of : One or Two Layers
• Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge #89: 

Here’s hoping this card brings a bit of festive joy to someone’s mailbox. And if you’re like me, still pretending you’ll have 40 handmade Christmas cards ready by November—sure look, it’s never too early, too late, or too delusional to believe this is the year we’ll be organised!

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🎄✨

This Reindeer was Made for Sparkling

Dia Daoibh!
Well, would you look at that — I’ve landed meself a spot as a Guest Designer for the June challenge over at Rudolph Days and I’m more delighted than a reindeer in a field of carrots! 🎄🦌

To mark the occasion, I’ve rustled up a Rudolph card that’d make even the big man himself crack a smile. The Kraft and White card die cuts were cut on my ancient Silhouette Cameo — it’s been with me longer than most of me Christmas decorations, but still going strong, fair play to it! I layered up all the die cuts with foam pads for that lovely 3D pop. 

The background paper, a sweet itty-bitty polka dot from Pink Petticoat (RIP to that crafty gem 💔), adds a gentle charm. Then of course, I had to lash on a bit of sparkle — glittered Rudolph’s nose and specs like a good elf would, and gave his antlers a glossy shine for good measure. Sure, if you're not adding glitter in June, when are you?

Onto a few challenges:

52 Christmas Card Throwdown - May Technique Challenge: Use Die Cuts or Punches

Jingle Belles: Animal Antics

ABC Christmas Challenge - J is for Jingle Bells & K is for Kraft are for?

The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #185 - Anything Christmas Goes

FarmQuest Country Christmas Challenge #20 - Anything Goes Country Christmas 

Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog #62 - Anything Christmas Goes

Christmas Crafts All Year 'Round: May Challenge-I'll Be Home for Christmas Song - Lyrics- "You can count on me (you can count on me)"

Peace on Earth #88 - Anything Christmas Goes ( or Inspiration Board): 

The challenge over at over at Rudolph Days kicks off on the 25th of each month and runs till the end. A Top 3 is picked at the start of the next month, and they’re invited to guest design too! Make sure to follow the blog and join in — it’s always Anything Goes, as long as it’s handmade and Christmassy!

And before I go — here’s a wee joke to keep your sleigh bells jingling:

Who is a reindeer’s favorite celebrity?
 

Beyon-sleigh! 😄

Sláinte,

Wendy R.

Crafting, Craic, and Christmas in March

Dia Daoibh!

Well, St. Patrick’s Day went grand – I was on night shift over the bank holiday, but I managed to sneak in for the last half hour of the céilí at the local pub. Let’s just say, I’m fairly certain Disprin is now the official sponsor of March 18th. 😉 But hey, it was worth it! The craic was mighty!

Now, onto my card for today. I decided to channel my inner Grinch because, well, why not? Christmas in March? Sure, it’s practically summer in Ireland anyway! (Kidding, it’s still raining sideways.)

I created a Grinch Christmas tree card using my Silhouette machine. I layered it up to add some dimension, and kept the embellishments simple – just a touch of gloss and glitter. Because if there’s one thing the Grinch needs, it’s a bit of sparkle to soften that grumpy heart of his.

I’m entering this into a few challenges 

• A Perfect Time To Craft - Always Anything Goes
• Jingle Belles: Get Your Grinch On
• Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog #61 - Anything Christmas Goes
• The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up #120 - Anything Goes with option of: Owls
• Peace on Earth #84 - Anything Christmas Goes + Inspiration Board 

• Christmas [or not] Bingo Challenge #12 - Anything Goes with Featured BINGO Card - I chose N :
  

Until next time, keep crafting, keep laughing, and keep the Disprin close.

Sláinte!

Wendy R. x

Merry Craftmas: Decking the Halls with Handmade Cards!

Dia Daoibh!

I set a New Year's resolution to craft two Christmas cards a month, and I'm trying to stick to it, though Netflix and my nap schedule have other plans. Apparently, "just one more episode" is the greatest crafting nemesis of all time!

Today's wee card features the irresistible reindeer from the Clearly Besotted Let's Prance Stamp set. I kept it CAS and added a dash of sparkle. Using ProMarkers, I brought those reindeer to life and added three sparkly red gems for their noses, making them shine as bright as my holiday spirit. A touch of Ranger's Glossy Accents adds the perfect finishing touch.

The striped background was a delightful surprise, made from an offcut in my stash. Waste not, want not, right? And with foam pads for dimension, this card has more pop than my Christmas playlist.

Onto a few challenges:

• FarmQuest Country Christmas Challenge #18 - Anything Goes Country Christmas
• Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog #61 - Anything Christmas Goes
• Sparkles Forum Christmas #170 - Christmas Critters
• The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up #120 - Anything Goes (Owls optional)
• The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #180 - Anything Christmas Goes
• Crafty Animals #92 - Always Anything Goes
• Daisy Chain Challenges #94 - Animals 
• Christmas [or not] Bingo Challenges  #12 - Anything Goes with Featured BINGO Card: 
  (I chose the letter 'N')
  
  

So, if you see me swimming in a sea of cards come December, just know I'm happily crafting away. 

Sláinte!

Wendy R. x.

Crafty Catch-Up: Christmas in March

Dia Daoibh!

So, here I am, in the middle of March, realising my New Year's resolution to craft at least two Christmas cards per month has gone a bit off track—surprise, surprise! December is creeping up faster than a cat on a laser pointer, and my card stash is sadly lacking. But fear not, I've whipped up a delightful card featuring the whimsical "Woodland Scenes Owl" by LOTV to get back on track.

Tap the pic for an enhanced view ;)

This adorable owl takes center stage, coloured with ProMarkers and adorned with just the right amount of glitter and gems. A touch of gold 0.4mm thread adds a bit of festive sparkle. The background, dry embossed with Lisa Horton Craft's wood panel embossing folder, gives it a rustic charm.

Now, I know you're wondering how an owl connects with a manger. Well, if you squint and use a bit of imagination, this wise little owl might just be the silent observer of the nativity scene, standing watch over the manger with all the wisdom of the ages—or at least that's what I tell myself!

Onto a few challenges:

• Creative Crafting Uncles #62 Embossing Folder(s)
• Addicted to Stamps & More #487 Christmas
• Christmas Crafts All Year Round: March - Away in a Manger
• FarmQuest Country Christmas Challenge #18 - Anything Goes Country Christmas
• Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog #61 - Anything Christmas Goes
• Sparkles Forum Christmas #170 - Christmas Critters
• The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up #120 - Anything Goes (Owls optional)
• Jingle Belles: Bling on the Holidays
• Girlz Creative Christmas Challenge #115: Use glitter
• Hand Stamped Sentiments #458:

And now, for a giggle to end things on a high note: Why was the Christmas card sent to jail? Because it was framed!

Sláinte!
Wend R. x.

Crafting My Way to Christmas: A Year-Long Journey of Glitter and Glue

 ooooh, Christmas cards. The bane of my holiday season for the last six years. Every December, I’d find myself knee-deep in a pile of store-bought cards that felt as personal as a generic “Happy Holidays!” text from your dentist. But this year, 2025, I’m flipping the script! My mission? To craft at least three Christmas cards each month. By the end of the year, I’ll have a stash of handmade cards ready to dazzle and delight!

My card is for a dear friend who’s as obsessed with purple and gold as I am with avoiding last-minute holiday shopping. Coincidentally, these are the same colors as her Christmas decor, so I’m basically a psychic now.

For this card, I used a bauble diecut from the Spellbinders Festive Ornaments Etched Dies (Essential Holiday Collection). It's been lounging in the press for months, gathering dust like it's trying out for an episode of "Hoarders."   These dies are like magic — one crank through the diecutting machine, and boom, you’ve got festive shapes that’ll make Santa himself jealous.... Foam pads lift the bauble for a 3D effect.

The sentiment comes from the retired Honey Bee Season's Tweetings stamp set. It’s sweet, it’s seasonal, and it’s stamped with more love than a Hallmark movie marathon.

To give the card a little extra oomph, I added Ranger Glossy Accents and flatback gold drops. It's like the card decided to dress up for the holidays — a bit of sparkle here and there, just enough to catch the eye without needing sunglasses.

Now, to keep things interesting, I’m entering the following challenges:

• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything goes featuring Spellbinders
  
• Christmas Kickstart Challenge: #94 Bring the Baubles
  
• ABC Christmas Challenge - January: A is for anything goes
• Park Hopping is My Happy Place : Inspired by 'FRIENDS'
• NBUS Challenge #70
• Ally's Angels #90: Anything Goes

And finally, a little nugget of wisdom to end this crafting saga: If you ever find yourself buried under a mountain of glitter, just remember — at least you’re not the one sweeping it up off the floor. 

Happy crafting, and may your glue guns never run dry!

Wendy R.

Cardz 4 Galz - Non Traditional Christmas Colors

Hi Peeps

Time for another Cardz 4 Galz challenge day!
Thank you to everyone who plays along each fortnight :)
Onto this fortnight's challenge. Challenge # 86 is Non Traditional Christmas Colors.

Here is my DT card:

The design is from the Silhouette store.
Cut from glitter card and embellished with flatback pearls and gems.
Background is dry embossed with an Alexandra Renke embossing folder.



Hope to see your creations in the card gallery and Thank You for stopping by!

White on White Christmas Card

Hi Peeps
My White on White Christmas Card:

Background is embossed, die cuts are cut from vellum and white card. Sentiment die is from Little Inker. Embellished with a ribbon bow and some clear gems I pulled of a Christmas card from last year ( I do love those Christmassy card swaps ;).

Onto a few challenges:
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #382 - Anything Christmas Goes
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #27 - Anything Christmas Goes
Jingle Belles - must be Christmas - Peace on Earth ( recycle)
A Snowflakes Promise #50 - Anything Goes
Crimbo Crackers #157 Anything Goes
Christmas Crafts All Year Round - April - All White
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - White Christmas
Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #167 - Christmas

Thank You for stopping by!

Star Bright

Hi Peeps
Well, it's the morning after the morning after St. Paddy's and I'm sure there are still a few sore heads here in Ireland :) What a brilliant weekend it was... awesome parades washed in 40 shades of green, good Guinness and a little bit of snow :)

Here's my Christmas card for the week:

Sizzix scribbled star die cuts are layered to add dimension.
Embellished with gold sequins.
Scored the card three times with the Scor-Pal scoring board to make the it look as if the stars are hanging.
Sentiment stamped in black, the leprechauns must have run off with my gold embossing powder because it's nowhere to be found ;)

Onto a few challenges:
More than One Score at Scor-Pal (more than one score) #46 - All things bright and beautiful
The Merry Christmas Challenge #10 - Anything Christmas
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #377 - Anything Christmas Goes - optional theme: No Patterned Paper
Crimbo Crackers #154 Anything Goes

Thank You for stopping by!

Santa Baubles

Hi Peeps
Here's another card for the Christmas stash:

Ornaments are cut with the Silhouette cameo from red, black and gold glitter card.
Embellished with striped baker's twine.

Onto a few challenges:

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #376 - Anything Christmas Goes - optional theme: Father Christmas
ABC Christmas Challenge - G is for glitter
Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - Anything Goes Christmas
The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #24 - Anything Christmas Goes

Thank You for stopping by!

Christmas In Red

Hi Peeps
A quick and easy card today:

I opted for a square frame, a red background and a large stamped sentiment in red. I made three sets of the Christmas foliage die cuts,  I layered them using glossy accents,embellished it with clear glitter and adhered it on the red panel.  Finally, embellished with red gems.

Onto a few challenges:
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #371 - Anything Christmas - optional: Quick & Easy
The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up #38 - Card for a loved one
Christmas Crafts All Year Round - February - Use mainly red
Little Red Wagon #429 - Shades of Red

Thank You for stopping by!

Oh Christmas Tree

Hi Peeps
My card for today:

Die cut are cut from red glitter card and layered to add dimension to the card.
Embellished with gems.
Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy! :)

Onto a few challenges:
Christmas Crafts All Year Round - January - Anything Christmas Goes
Create and Inspire #70 - Anything Goes
Let's Craft & Create Challenge #132 - Anything Christmas Goes
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas #370 - Anything Christmas Goes - optional theme: No Sentiment
Jingle Belles - must be Christmas - Text Me
Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #154 - Christmas 

Thank You for stopping by!