Breezy Swings and Postman Things

Dia daoibh!

Ah, winter in healthcare. That magical time when everyone’s coughing in harmony, the hand sanitiser flows like holy water, and the staffroom kettle is working harder than management at inspection time. Between chasing thermometers, losing pens, and pretending the vending machine coffee is grand, we’re practically superheroes. Still, we keep the spirits up with biscuits, sarcasm, and industrial-strength hand gel.

Now onto something with less sneezing and more sparkle: the Card Chain Challenge Reveal! 

This month my card took flight to Tina in Slovenia, and in return, I received a faaaaabulous card from Gail in Norway 💙.  There’s nothing like proper happy mail arriving, an envelope that isn’t a bill, a staff meeting notice, or another reminder to book flu jabs.

For my own creation, I worked with the colour theme of Pewter, Ruby and Lapis Blue. Apologies - the pewter looks moodier in the photo than it does in real life. It’s not actually auditioning for a goth phase. The design features the Spellbinders “Breezy Swing” die set, cut from Tonic Studios cardstock, layered over a softly stencilled cloud background created with Memento Platinum ink for a delicate shimmer effect. I finished it off with some sparkly gems, and a sentiment (Sizzix: Sunnyside Sentiments) stamped with StazOn ink for that crisp finish (and the faint whiff of “no going back now”).

If you haven’t joined the Card Chain Challenge, you really should. You make one card, send it off to a crafter somewhere in the world, and get one back. It’s like pen pals for glitter lovers and slightly unhinged scissors hoarders. The excitement when that envelope arrives is unreal ... you’d think the postman was handing out scratch cards and free biscuits.

Right, I’m off to make a strong coffee and pretend that tidying my craft desk counts as cardio.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 😊

It’s Ally’s Angels Challenge #100!

 Dia daoibh!

Well lads, the Christmas countdown has well and truly begun — and you can tell because every shop in Ireland has turned into a shrine of novelty socks. There’s no escaping them!!! Santa socks, penguin socks, socks that light up, sing, or threaten to “jingle your bells.” Oh begorah, if I see one more “Festive Feet” display, I might start a support group for people traumatised by glittery toe warmers.

But before I get lost in a woolly rant ... it’s time to celebrate a proper festive treat: a brand-new challenge over at Ally’s Angels! 🎉 It’s Challenge #100 - a huge milestone running from November 15th to December 12th, 2025, and the theme is: Anything Goes!

For my card, I dusted off the trusty Spellbinders “Hiking Through the Meadows” die kit, cut from Tonic Studio cardstock, and layered it all up with foam pads for that lovely bit of lift (and to cover the bits that didn’t quite line up — we’ve all been there). I added a spritz of Distress Ink, a scattering of gems, and a few perfectly placed Nuvo Drops, because nothing says “finished” like those tiny golden blobs of joy.

A few challenges:

• Creative Fingers No. 312: Anything Goes
• Leigh SB Designs Inspirational Challenges - Nov-  No. 46: Colours Of Fall / Anything Goes
• Ellibelle's Garden Party #9:  Anything in (or from) a Garden
• Shopping Our Stash #560: A Few Of My Favorite Things  
• Neglected Stuff Challenge - November 2025 challenge: Anything Goes
• Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - November: Anything Goes 
• The Four Seasons Challenge - Fall Season 2025: 
  
  
  

Be sure to pop over to the Ally’s Angels blog and have a look at what the fabulous Design Team members have created ... honestly, their talent puts Santa’s workshop to shame! And while you’re there, join us in the gallery - we’d love to see what you come up with.

As for me, I’m off to wrestle last year’s fairy lights - it’s less “festive decorating” and more “competitive knot untangling.” Within five minutes I’ll be questioning all my life choices and threatening to bin the whole lot. And if you hear someone in the village muttering, “Why are there only seven working bulbs and six hundred knots?” - that’ll be me, spreading festive cheer, mild profanity-free despair, and enough static to power the Christmas tree.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 💗

Glitter, Splatters & Irish Weather Matters

Dia daoibh!

Ah sure, it’s that grand confusing time of year again in Ireland ... the season of “four weathers before lunch.” You leave the house dressed for frostbite, and by midday you’re peeling off layers like an onion with commitment issues. The washing line looks like a science experiment - socks flapping one minute, hailstones bouncing off them the next. Typical November - mother nature’s throwing tantrums and we’re just holding the umbrella.

Anyway! Onto something far more reliable than the Irish forecast: the Card Chain Challenge for October! I received a gorgeous card from Brenda in the UK, and in return my own creation packed its crafty suitcase and flew off to Alice in Finland, hopefully dodging reindeer traffic on the way.

For my card, I went with the Colour Palette: Pumpkin, Cherry & Chocolate (sounds like a dessert, doesn’t it?) - and also the Product/Technique option: Glitter & Splatters. My desk looked like I lost a bar fight with a bottle of Stickles, but sure that’s half the fun!

I used the Spellbinders “Hiking Through the Meadows” dies, cut from Tonic Studio cardstock, and layered it all up with foam pads for that posh 3D look (or, as I call it, “strategic height to hide the dodgy glue marks”). Then I added splatterings of copper Distress Ink, a few gems, glossy accents, and Nuvo Drops in Vintage Gold, because subtlety left the craft room a long time ago. The sentiment was stamped with StazOn, because if I’m committing to something, it might as well be permanent!

So here it is - a fine pair of hiking boots overflowing with autumn blooms. My real boots, on the other hand, look like they’ve survived a turf-cutting festival and lost the will to live.

A few challenges:
Beautiful Blossoms - #34 - Anything Flowers Goes (optional Mood Board)
A Perfect Time To Craft - November - Anything Goes
Classic Design Challenge - Oct/Nov - Anything Goes (optional Autumn Splendor)
Creatalicious Challenges - #294 - Anything Goes (optional Fall Colours or Halloween)
Love to Craft - LTCCB#89 Anything Goes 
If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #210 - Fall Leaves /Turkey

If you haven’t joined the Card Chain Challenge yet, honestly, what are you waiting for? It’s like pen pals for crafters ... only with more sparkle, less guilt, and absolutely no chance of getting ghosted unless your postman’s on a tea break. You send one card, get one back, and end up grinning like you’ve just found a tenner in last winter’s coat pocket.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🍁🍂

Cardz 4 Galz - Flutter By

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 # 85 is Flutter By.

Here is my DT card:

Butterflies are from the WPlus9 Flora & Fauna 2 set.
Coloured with Promarkers.
Embellished with white enamel and clear glitter.




Thank You for stopping by!

Enjoy The Little Things - Crafting By Designs

Hi Peeps
Time for another challenge at Crafting By Designs.
The theme this week is "Enjoy the little things".
The sponsor this week is:

 WeR3  

Prize - $15 gift certificate to the store

Here's my card:

The die cuts are sponged with Tim Holtz's distress inks.
Embellished with 3d enamel, some brads and a bit of ribbon.

Cant wait to see you in the card gallery and be sure to check out my teamies awesome creations :)

Thank You for stopping by xx