Bouquets Are Better in Waffle Cones

Dia Daoibh!

Well now, it’s been a hot minute, hasn’t it? I’ve been up to my oxters learning the ropes in a new role — yes, I’ve been transferred! No witness protection programme needed (yet), but let’s just say my brain has been doing cartwheels trying to remember who’s who, what’s what, and why the kettle is always empty. Luckily, I’ve landed with a great bunch — supportive, sound, and just the kind of people who can laugh through the chaos and still know where the stapler is.

Now, onto much prettier things… it’s time for Challenge #97 over at Ally’s Angels, where the theme is, as always: Anything Goes! 

For this card, I used the fabulously fun Ice Cream Bouquet from Graciellie Design — because why settle for one flower when you can have a cone full of colourful blooms? I coloured it up with ProMarkers, and thanks to all the modern food colouring bans (only rightfully so!), this one ended up looking like an ice cream bouquet straight out of the 1980s. If you grew up in the southern hemisphere, you’ll remember the bright blue Smarties, and ice creams, especially that one scoop that looked more radioactive than dessert. Those were the days — slightly questionable, highly memorable.

To give it some oomph, I raised the bouquet with foam pads for a bit of dimension, added glitter, Ranger’s Glossy Accents, a few clear gems, and finished it off with a rebellious spritz of Black Soot Distress Spray Stain. A bit of sparkle, a bit of splatter — just the way I like it.

A few challenges:

• Digi Choosday #8 Anything goes 
  
• I Love Promarkers #588 -  Anything goes or black & white
  
• Paper Shelter #647 Anything goes
  
• A Cut Above - Die Cut Challenge Blog - August - Anything Goes
  
• Wednesday's Creative Inspiration Blog - August - Anything goes
• 2 Sisters On The Blog #98 - Flowers in a vase

I do hope you’ll pop over and join us in the gallery at Ally’s Angels! The rest of the DT team have outdone themselves — their creations are absolutely gorgeous, and you’ll come away feeling inspired (and maybe a little tempted to buy new stash — go on, treat yourself).

Sláinte,

Wendy R.

When Life Gives You Interns, Make Cards

Dia daoibh!

It’s creeping up to that time of year again – when the intern nurses wrap up their internships. Four years of study, practice, and lugging around Stanley water bottles the size of small fire extinguishers… done! I’ve had the privilege (and occasional giggle) of being preceptor for some amazing interns. One of them has about ten shifts left before the big send-off. This card isn’t the official graduation card – that’s scheduled for September, complete with dress shopping updates during breaks. I sit there nodding along to all the fashion talk while secretly knowing my own style philosophy boils down to: sturdy footwear, funky socks, and earrings that say, “I’m fun, but I still know where your care plan is filed… and I’m not afraid to use it.”

Now, onto the card...

The design came from the Silhouette Design Store, cut on my Cameo from bright, cheerful cardstock. The flower centre is mirror card, sprinkled with clear glitter for sparkle, and everything’s mounted on foam pads for a bit of pop.

Onto a few challenges: 

• Try It On Tuesday - Summer 
  
• Creative Fingers - Always anything goes
  
• Cut It Up #336 Add a sentiment
  
• Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday challenge -August - Anything goes
  
• Just Us Girls #787 - Die Week: Usefloral dies

Just like the interns – standing out, ready to take on the world… and hopefully never spilling a litre of water down themselves from those giant Stanleys. I swear, some of those flasks are so big you could baptise a small cow in them. And the way they carry them around – like a fashion accessory and emotional support object all in one – makes me wonder if hydration is the new personality trait. Still, if it keeps them happy (and upright during a 12-hour shift), I’m all for it.

Sláinte,

Wendy R.

July Card Chain Challenge

Dia Daoibh!

It's that time again — the big reveal over at the Card Chain Challenge Blog. 

Here’s the card I sent valiantly paddling its way to Pia in Norway — hopefully it remembered its arm bands — Hiya! 👋 And in return? I was utterly spoiled with a faaaabulous card that flew all the way from Linda in the USA — jet lag and all — Hiya! 👋 

On to my card, so... For the July 2025 challenge I picked the theme: windows, and the technique / product option: Mirror Card (oooh shiny!).

I dusted off the Silhouette Cameo (now old enough to vote) and cut the Box Card Flower-Filled Mason Jar from Lori Whitlock. The 3-d jar is layered with flowers and leaves that were embossed, glittered, and generally zhuzhed to within an inch of their lives. The lid? Cut from mirror card for that fancy “ooh, shiney!” moment. I added acetate for the window so you can see all the floral fabulousness inside. Best bit? This wee mason jar folds flat for posting – I scaled it down a bit so it fits into a 5" x 7" envelope. Handy, right? I left the back (sentiment space) blank so it’s versatile – birthday, thank you, “sorry I ate your snacks” – it covers all emotional emergencies.

A few challenges:

• Creative Creases - July  #105 Anything goes with a fun fold
• Cardz 4 Galz #255 Fun Folds
• Ellibelle's Garden Party  #5  Anything in or from a Garden
• Paper Shelter #647 Anything Goes
• 2 Sisters On The Blog #98 - Flowers in a vase

I'm off now to join in the next Card Chain Challenge – it’s genuinely addictive (like Pringles… or craft stash… or washi tape you absolutely don’t need but definitely buy anyway).

Sending crafty love and envelope confetti worldwide 💌

Sláinte, 

Wendy R.

Glitter, Glossy Accents, and Mild Heatstroke

Dia Daoibh!

Well now, would you look at the state of us—Ireland’s in a heatwave, and I’m convinced my brain has melted clean out me ears. If you see a puddle wearing glasses and muttering about cardstock, that’s probably me. Between battling hayfever (sneezing so much I’m fairly sure I’ve realigned me spine), and trying to keep me ice cream from evaporating, it’s been a grand old time altogether. 

But sure, despite the drama, I managed to put together a wee card for the new challenge over at Ally’s Angels – Challenge #96 – Anything Goes!

For this card, I grabbed me trusty Core’dinations cardstock (because if you’re going to be fancy, be proper fancy), and cut out all the bits with the Doodlebug Flower Garden Doodle Cuts Dies. Everything’s layered up with foam pads—because I like my dimension bigger than an electricity bill—and finished off with a touch of Ranger’s Glossy Accents for that perfect bit of shine. A sprinkling of gemstones adds just the right amount of sparkle—because it’s not truly finished until you find a rogue gem floating in your tea—and there you have it: a card shinier than the sequins in the front row of a Garth Brooks concert.

On to a few challenges:

• Try It On Tuesday - Summer Blooms
• Beautiful Blossoms #30 - Anything Flowers Goes (optional: mood board)
  
• Crafts Galore Encore - Always Anything Goes
  
• Creative Crafting Uncles #67 - Layer It Up
  
• Let's Craft & Create Challenge #220 - Anything Goes (use a hand punch and/or die)

The talented design team have created projects so gorgeous you’ll want to hang them on your fridge and tell the neighbours you made them yourself. So get your skates on—or your flip-flops, given the weather—and join in, because anything goes: crochet, baking, painting, sticking googly eyes on your cat (though best of luck with that), or whatever crafty shenanigans you’re up to.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🙂

Floral Mail and a Bit of Craic

Dia Daoibh!

I’ve got a card today that’s full of crafty joy, a bit of sparkle, and a whole lot of positive vibes—because who doesn’t need a reminder that they’re fabulous every now and then?

This card came together with a few favourite supplies and a generous sprinkle of “ah sure, we’ll see what happens.” I used Core’dinations cardstock in shades closest to Peacock, Blueberry, and Grape—basically a fancy fruit bowl of the paper world—cut with the Taylored Expressions Easy Strips Die – 1/4". The flowers were die-cut and popped up with foam pads for a bit of dimension, with gem centres added because even minimalist cards deserve a little bling. The sentiment is from the Taylored Expressions You Are Additions set, stamped in Versafine for that crisp, “look at me being professional” finish. And yes, it’s on foam pads too—because flat sentiments are only for days when you’ve run out of tea.

A few challenges I'm joining:

• Sisterhood of Crafters (5/14/25) - Flowers
• Word Art Wednesday #702-703 - Anything Goes
• Unicorn Challenge #110 - Not Square
• Addicted to CAS #284 - Code Word: Floral 

• CAS Colours & Sketches #610 - Color Challenge: 

This little number will be heading off to one of my mailing buddies as part of the Card Chain Challenge. I’ll be sending it along with my actual challenge card (which is still just a twinkle in my crafty eye). If you haven’t signed up yet—go on, you’ll have great craic sending happy post around the world!

Seriously, what’s better than opening your letterbox to find something that isn’t a leaflet for solar panels?

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 😊

Craft Now, Tidy Never

Dia Daoibh!

Is there anything better than a bit of crafty time and a fresh cuppa? I finally got a chance to play with some new bits, and I’m properly chuffed with today’s make—it’s bright, cheerful, and covered in enough sparkle to lift even the dullest of days (without needing sunglasses indoors… just about).

I used die cuts from Doodlebug Design—honestly, their designs never fail to bring the joy. I cut everything with my vintage Silhouette Cameo machine, bless her. It’s lovely to get dinner going while she hums away doing her thing—if only she could unload the dishwasher too.

The flowers and foliage were layered into the little envelope, all held together with foam dots—because flat is grand, but let’s be honest, we all love a bit of crafty puff. I added some shine with Ranger’s Glossy Accents on the sentiment and a few flowers, and recycled some black and pink glitter card for the floral bits—leftover from a Mother’s Day card back in March (because in Ireland, we celebrate early and craft thriftily). Just enough sparkle to say “look at me” without setting off the glitter alarm.

A few challenges:

• A Cut Above - Die Cut Challenge Blog - Anything Goes
• Paper Craft Crew Challenge - PCC623 - Color Challenge: 

• A Place To Start - June - Anything Goes (option: Recycle): 

• The Paper Players - PP740 - Theme - Recycling is in: 
  

I honestly think Doodlebug Design flower dies are pure joy in papercraft form—cheerful and so cute they could charm the glitter off a unicorn. They’re the card-making equivalent of a perfect cuppa, a biscuit you don’t have to share, and a good natter where no one judges your ever-growing stash.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. ✂️

May 2025 Card Chain Challenge

 Dia Daoibh!

May’s Card Chain Challenge has come and gone — and what a gorgeous one it was! For May 2025, I joined in the fun and chose the colour palette option: a rich and elegant mix of aubergine, crushed rose, and coffee cream. I also followed the theme option "smiles" — which, let’s be honest, we all need a bit more of these days.

My card was posted off to Robyn in Australia (hi Robyn! 👋) — I hope it brings a smile when it lands! 

I used a fabulous digital stamp from Power Poppy, coloured with Promarkers, and gave the mug a glossy coat of Glossy Accents for that satisfying shine. The "smile" sentiment was layered up a few times to add dimension (because flat sentiments are just not living their best life), and I gave it a coat of Glossy Accents too. That card was positively grinning by the time it left! 😄

Side note: the aubergine cardstock may look black in the photos — blame the lighting and my camera’s dramatic flair. It’s a rich purple in real life, I promise!

And what a treat I received in return — a fabulous card from Carol in the UK (hi Carol! 👋)!  It was full of beautiful butterflies, which made my heart flutter. Butterflies are more than just pretty paper motifs for me — I’ve got an entire right arm tattooed in them, and I consider them my spiritual insects. They always seem to show up at the right time, like nature’s little wink.

On to a few challenges:

• Dream Valley Challenges #337 - Hand colored image 
• Di's Digis Designs - Sentimentally Yours
  
• Cardz 4 Galz #251 - Floral 
• I Love Promarkers #584 -  Anything goes or In the Pink 
• Little Red Wagon #809 - Friendship
• Sisterhood of Crafters - 5/14/25 - Flowers

All in all, another lovely round of CCC, and I’m already looking forward to the next one. If you haven’t joined the Card Chain Challenge, what are you waiting for? It’s happy mail with a crafty heartbeat. 💌

Sláinte,

Wendy R.

The Great Stamp Escape – June Challenge!

Dia Daoibh!

Guess what? I've been let loose as a Guest Designer over at the AAA BIRTHDAY Card Challenges Blog—and let me tell you, the Design Team is seriously creative! If you're looking for birthday card inspiration that's fresher than a just-opened packet of biscuits, you're in the right place.

For Game #74 (June's challenge), the AAA Birthday Team is shaking things up with a NO STAMPING theme. That's right—it's time to put down the ink pads and break out your dies, stencils, and anything else that won't leave fingerprints on your forehead (we've all been there).

My card: I've used MFT's Stitched Blooms Die-namics and some Core'dinations cardstock, with a layered die-cut sentiment finished with Ranger Glossy Accents for that perfect shine. I've also added a few clear epoxy enamel drops—just because they're pretty!

On to a few challenges:

• Addicted to CAS #284 - Code Word: Floral
• Allsorts #824 - Anything Goes
• Cut It Up: No. 330 - Anything goes
• Cardz 4 Galz #251 - Floral 
• Sisterhood of Crafters 5/14/25 - Flowers

The AAA Birthday Team's creations are so gorgeous they'll make your crafty heart skip a beat—go take a peek and try not to swoon! Plus, this is your official excuse to finally use that "too pretty to cut" paper stash.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. x

All White, All Right

 Dia Daoibh!

Another bank holiday bites the dust, and I spent mine in the most exhilarating way possible—peeling dried gloss paint off my fingers (turns out I’m now part human, part Dulux) and pretending I know what I’m doing in the garden. The snails are judging me. Hard.

Wedding card time! Decided to go full-on bridal with an all-white design. Embossed background? Check. Die-cuts courtesy of my geriatric Cameo? Check (after three attempts and some creative language). Piled on foam pads like I'm being paid by the layer, then added three tasteful gems because I'm fancy like that. Finished it off by glittering the 'Mr & Mrs' and rose leaves. 

A few challenges:

• Moving Along With the Times Challenge # 178 - White on White May 2025
• 2 Sisters On The Blog #97 - Wedding/wedding anniversary
• Creatalicious Challenges #288 - Anything Goes + option: Embossing (wet or dry)
• Girlz Rebel Challenge #39 - Apr - Anything Goes with flowers 
• Heart's Quest Celebration of Love #5 Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries and/or Sympathies + optional theme: Graduation
• The Flower Challenge #102 - Add Spots or Stripes

And just like that, another card. Or as I like to call it, another reason my kids sighs and asks if we really need more glitter on the tiles. (Yes. Yes, we do.)

Sláinte, 
Wendy R.

Hey Friend

Dia Daoibh ! ☘️

Hold onto your hats—It is 14°C in Ireland! That’s right, we’re basically almost in a heatwave (by our standards). Summer has officially arrived ;)

To celebrate this suspicious weather phenomenon, I made this cheerful card using the 'Hey Friend' set from Graciellie Design. Coloured with Promarkers (with all the precision of a caffeinated squirrel) and embellished with iridescent glitter,  and gems - because why be subtle when you can sparkle?

Onto a few challenges:

• A Perfect Time To Craft (M, P1) - Always Anything Goes
• Beautiful Blossoms #27 - Anything Flowers Goes (optional Mood Board)
• Crafter's Cafe #317 - Anything Goes (optional: CAS)
• Girlz Creative Crafts #53 Happy Birthday Girlz 
• Girlz Rebel Challenge #38 - Use Glitter 
• The Creative Crafters #86 - Always Anything Goes
• Addicted to Stamps and More #489 - Any Occasion
• Color Throwdown #830

Have a great day, folks!  😉

Sláinte,

Wendy R.