No Frills, Just Chills

Dia Daoibh!

Ah, the elusive masculine card— sometimes harder to craft than a good excuse for buying more paper. But fear not, I’ve kept this one clean, simple, and unapologetically blue (despite what my phone camera is trying to say).

I went for a classic CAS look—because sometimes less is more, especially when glitter isn’t on the menu. I cut strips from different shades of blue card using the Taylored Expressions Easy Strips Die – 1/4". Now, I know some of the strips look green or grey in the photo, but I promise you, they’re all blues. My phone just likes to express its artistic freedom now and again 😉.

Once the strips were assembled onto a piece of white card like a tidy little paint chart, I used a bold “HAPPY” die to cut the letters out of it. Then I stacked a few layers of "happy" die cuts behind the top layer to give it some dimension and help the letters pop. The “Birthday” script was cut from dark blue card and given a glossy finish—simple, sharp, and perfect for the no-fuss types in your life.

Here’s the finished result—a fresh, modern birthday card with not a flower or sequin in sight.

A few challenges I'm participating in:

• Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Masculine
• 613 Avenue Create  - Jun - Anything Goes + option: For the Guys
• Cardz 4 Guyz #373 - Shades of Blue 
• Fab n' Funky #617 - Add a Sentiment 
• AAA Birthday - game #74 : No Stamping
• Pearly Sparkles Challenge #108 : Masculine

Whether you're team sparkle or team streamlined, a good stash of masculine cards is always handy. And if your phone camera gives you teal when you wanted navy… sure, just call it “artistic licence.”

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 💙✂️

Not Sold To The Circus

Dia Daoibh!

This month's Ally’s Angels challenge (Anything goes) arrives at a poignant time for me. Just yesterday, I said goodbye to my wonderful dad. He was the kind of man who appreciated a good laugh, even in the face of adversity. So, in his honor, I'm sharing the Father’s Day card I had made for him—a tribute to his strength and humor.

Crafting for dads can be a tightrope walk—glitter is a no-go, florals raise eyebrows, and ribbons might end up as makeshift cable ties. Enter the Tough Guy stamp set from Avery Elle (a classic from 2016), which perfectly captures that retro, rockabilly vibe. There's a hint of vintage circus flair to it, which inspired the cheeky inside message: “Cheers for not selling me to the the circus when I was eight… Happy Father’s Day!” And let’s not pretend it wasn’t a near thing—I was that child.

The card features a muscle-bound hero stamped in Memento ink and brought to life with Promarkers. That shine you see? It's Ranger Glossy Accents on the weights—no sweat, just strategic sparkle! The bold ‘DAD’ letters were cut with my Silhouette Cameo, stacked for 3D impact, and, yes, drenched in more Glossy Accents because subtlety has never been my strong suit.

Onto a few challenges:

• Shopping Our Stash #547 - Red, Red Wine Red as your primary color or use wine (or another beverage) as your theme, or mix it up and do both
• Try It On Tuesday - Keep it simple
• Neglected Stuff Challenge  (Must use old/neglected crafting stuff: Tough Guy stamp set) - Anything Goes
• Crafts Galore Encore - Always Anything Goes
• Daisy Chain Challenges - #96 - Boys/Men

This card was more than just paper and ink—it was a tribute to the man who shaped me (and survived my pre-teen years without phoning the circus). He might not get to physically open it, but I know he would’ve had a good chuckle at the sentiment—and probably made a smart remark about the glossy weights ;)

Sláinte, 

Wendy

Blinky, Inky & Clyde

Dia Daoibh!

Well, that was a lovely two days of sunshine, wasn’t it? Just enough time to dust off the barbecue, dig out the sunglasses, and remember what that big yellow thing in the sky is called… before the rain came back with a vengeance. Ah, Ireland, you fickle tease. One minute we’re basking in the glow of "summer," the next we’re back to the usual—windswept hair and wellies as permanent footwear. But hey, at least it keeps our complexions dewy, right?

Now, onto today’s card—because what better way to cheer up a soggy day than with some good old-fashioned Pac-Man nostalgia? I designed the pixelated SVG files with a little help from Corel Draw. Meet the gang: Pac-Man himself, Clyde, Blinky, and Inky, all cut out with my trusty Silhouette Cameo. I mounted them with foam tape for a bit of dimension because, let’s face it, flat is so last season.

The "HB2U" letters are in the Joystick font (free download—thank you, internet!) and were also cut with the Silhouette. I layered them up and then, because everything is better with glitter, I went full magpie and bedazzled them in black sparkle. Because why wouldn’t you want your birthday message to look like it’s been dipped in disco dust?

Onto a few challenges:

• Alphabet Challenge: Z is for Zoom .. because Pac-Man moves at 11 tiles per second ;) 
• My Time to Craft #557 -  Rectangle shape-based cards
• Krafty Chicks #762 - Birthday
• Fab n' Funky #613 - Boys or Men
• Simon Says Stamps Wednesday Challenge: Happy Birthday
• The Male Room #197 - Geometric
• Cardz 4 Guyz #369 - Fun and Games

So there you have it—a card that’s fun, nostalgic, and just the right amount of extra. Perfect for any retro gaming fan, or really anyone who appreciates a good glitter explosion.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to dig out my raincoat… again. 

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 

A Festive Toast

Dia Daoibh!

Well, butter my crumpets and call me festive – I've gone and created a Christmas card so simple, it practically made itself! Today I'm sharing my one-layer wonder featuring the hilarious ' A Festive Toast' stamp from Crafter's Companion. 

  Tap the pic for an enhanced view ;)

I've brought this cheeky carb to life with my trusty Promarkers (because even toast deserves to look its best), added just a wee skoosh of glitter (legal requirement for December crafting), and finished with some sparkly red gems – for that extra cheeky wink of festivity. Now, I could have gone full Christmas-crazy with layers, die-cuts and enough embellishments to make a reindeer dizzy... but where's the fun in that? Instead, I kept it CAS (... or as I like to call it: "Look, Ma! No glue gun burns!").

A few challenges:

• Jingle Belles: Flat Feliz Navidad
• Rudolph Days Challenges: Anything goes
• The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up #120 - Anything Goes with option of: Owls
• Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog #61 - Anything Christmas Goes
• I Love Promarkers #579 Anything goes or girly card
• The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #181 - Anything Christmas Goes
• Peace on Earth #84 - Anything Christmas Goes + Inspiration Board 

And because no blog post is complete without a terrible Christmas pun to make you groan louder than Uncle Terry after his third helping of turkey:

Why did the snowman bring a ladder to the Christmas party?

…Because he heard the drinks were on the house!

(I’ll see myself out.)

Sláinte, 

Wendy R. 

Eggs-tra Manly Easter Card (No Bunnies Were Harmed)

Dia Daoibh!

 I've realised my Easter card collection is eggs-clusively (sorry) aimed at the fluffy-bunny-and-chicks fan club. Which is great… unless you’re trying to make a card for the men in your life who might raise an eyebrow at a pastel parade of tiny animals in waistcoats. 

                               Tap the pic for an enhanced view ;)

So, I decided to keep it simple and slightly more man-friendly with the ‘Osterhängerchen’ stamp set from - ready to bring the festive cheer without the frills. Stamped with Memento ink and coloured with Promarkers. I love looove looooove how versatile this stamp set is. Next step? Investing in the matching dies, because cutting out fiddly little egg shapes is not how I want to spend my Sundays ;) For the sentiment, I went full die-cut diva—layered, glossy-accented (Ranger’s, obvs), and looking sharp. The enamel dots? Totally planned. Definitely not because I got distracted by something shiny. Again.

Onto a few challenges:

• Addicted to CAS  #279 - Code Word: Masculine 
• Creative Crafting Uncles #63 - Spring and/or Easter
• Heart's Quest Celebration of Love #3 Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries and/or Sympathies + optional theme: Easter Sunday
• Sparkles Forum Challenges #186 - Easter
• Creatalicious Challenges #287 - Anything Goes + option: Easter or Spring
• 2 Sisters On The Blog #95 - Spring and/or Easter
• Krafty Chicks #761 - Clean and Simple
• Try a Sketch On Tuesday #666 - Sketch: 
  
• Color Throwdown: ctd829 - Photo Inspiration:

So there you have it— an Easter card that even the most sceptical uncle can appreciate. Or at least pretend to, while plotting how to steal all the Crème Eggs.

Sláinte!

Wendy R. x

Crafty Shenanigans: March Birthday Madness

Dia Daoibh!

March is here, bringing a parade of birthdays that would make even a calendar blush. Naturally, I've been diving into my craft stash to whip up a masculine card or two. This one showcases the Tie Set  by MyLifeInStamps, a hidden treasure I stumbled upon while clearing out my dwindling card stock. An Amazon spree is tempting, but with holidays and school supplies looming, it's a bit of a financial balancing act.

Tap the pic for an enhanced view ;)

I've coloured the card using ProMarkers, while the sentiment is stamped with StazOn for a sharp finish. It might be a bit oversized for the card, but hey, it complements the bold colours. Glossy accents on the ties add some flair, and foam tape gives it a pop of dimension. This card practically leaps off the table, demanding attention!

By the way, the berry colour on the card appears purple in the picture, thanks to the phone's auto image enhance feature. In reality, it's more of a rich berry shade. So much for technology, right?

A few challenges:

• Crafter's Cafe (M, P15, E8, C10) - #316 - Anything Goes + option: Spots and/or Stripes
• Neglected Stuff Challenge: March 2025 Challenge
• Cardz 4 Guyz # 367 Men's Clothing
• Creative Knockouts #542  Birthday Wishes
• Krafty Chicks #758 - Birthday
• AAA Birthday Challenge #71 - Masculine 

• CAS Colours & Sketches #555 - Color Challenge

And now for a chuckle: Why don't crafters ever get lost? Because they always follow the paper trail!

Sláinte!
Wend R. x.

Best Fishes!

Ah, the glamorous life of night shifts. Two weeks of living like an owl, surviving on caffeine and the occasional existential crisis. But now, I’m back in the land of the living—or at least trying to be. To celebrate my return to daylight (and to avoid face-planting into my cereal), I decided to stay awake as long as humanly possible. And what better way to do that than by crafting?

My trusty Silhouette Cameo—older than my sense of responsibility—handled the die-cutting like a champ... It’s like the Nokia 3310 of die-cutting machines—indestructible, slightly outdated, and weirdly endearing.The die cut fishes are coloured with Promarkers, and raised on foam pads for that extra oomph.  Added a few flatback gems too. The sentiment comes from Lawn Fawn’s Fintastic Friends stamp set, which is basically a goldmine for anyone who loves a good fish pun. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t? The cardstock’s been sitting in my press (cupboard, for non-Irish folks) for ages, gathering dust and guilt-tripping me every time I opened the door. And no, there’s no glitter. I know, I know—shocking. But sometimes, you just have to let the glossy accents ( and flatback dewdrop embellishments) do the talking.

I’m entering this card into a few challenges:

Cardz 4 Guyz: #365 Clean and Simple
MTTC #552: Masculine
Crafty Cats: #686: ATG - Blue and green
The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog: #315 January - Anyting goes (optional: Birthdays)

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything goes (featuring Spellbinders)

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Bright and Cheerful 

Ally's Angels #90: Anything Goes

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to nap for approximately three business days :) 

Cheers! 

Wendy R. 

Seas the Day!

 Hey folks!

So, I decided to dive into the world of masculine cards, and let me tell you, it was an ocean of fun! Introducing "Seas the Day!" 

The centerpiece of this card is a lighthouse design from the Silhouette Design Store, which I layered until it stood tall and proud. Then, I gave it a glossy look with Ranger Glossy Accents, making it shinier than a brand-new pair of sunglasses on a sunny day.

And then came the real fun—I unleashed my inner artist, mixing acrylic paint with a splash of water for that perfect splatter effect. Picture this: precise flicks of the brush creating a delightful splash pattern. It was a creative adventure that left everything exactly where it should be!

To add a dash of excitement, I'm entering this card into a few challenges just for the craic. It's all about the thrill of the craft, innit!

• MTTC #552: Masculine
• Cardz4Guyz: #364 Lighthouse
• Krafty Chicks: Challenge #752 {Masculine}
• Creative Knockouts: #539-Something To Say-Polkadoodles
• Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Funny/Punny
• A Cut Above: "It's a new year" and anything goes

So, as we wrap things up, remember to keep crafting with joy and laughter. "Seas the Day" and let your creativity sail smoothly into the sunset!

Catch you later, crafty captains!

Wendy xx

Hipster

Hi Peeps
a Hipster card for today:

Cut from Kraft and Core'Dinations card stock.
Embellished with sequins die cuts with the sequins die cut from Little Inkers.

Onto a few challenges:
Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #179 - Masculine
Cardz 4 Guyz #199 - Men's Fashion
Simon Says Wednesday - Die and/or Punch
Retarte #125 - Anything Goes
Crafty Creations #370 - Always Anything Goes 


Thank You for stopping by!

Father's Day

Hi Peeps
A wee card I made for Father's Day.
A little late this year with posting it to the blog :)

The die cut is a free svg from the internet.
Raised with foam pads for dimension.
Embellished with metal stars.

Onto a few challenges:
Simply Create Too - June - #139 - For a Male
Life in a Snapshot - June - Male Cards
Watercooler Wednesday Challenges #175 - Anything Goes Masculine
Unicorn Challenge - June - #33 - Masculine
Cardz 4 Guyz #197 - Metal Madness
Ellibelle's Crafty Wednesday - Masculine

Thank You for stopping by!

Crafting By Designs - For the Boys

Hi Peeps

Time for another challenge at Crafting By Designs.The theme this week is "For the Boys".The sponsor this week is:
Ike's Art

 

 Here is my card:

The digi used is “Vintage Car” - Ike's Art. Coloured with Promarkers.

“Happy” die cut is cut with a Winnie & Walter die.

Challenges:
Watercooler Wednesday Challenges  #172 - Anything Goes
Dream Valley Challenges #180 - For a Man / Boy
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Masculine
Crafty Friends Challenge #84 - Letter B is for birthday
CAS on Friday #133 - Birthday

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

Music

Hi Peeps
My card today:

Die cuts are cut with the Silhouette Cameo.
Patterned paper is matted onto silver mirror card.
Embellished with a button.
Easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy!

Onto a few challenges:

Cardz4Guyz # 187 - Music


2 Sisters On The Blog #12 -  Masculine Card
Through the Purple Haze #141 Add Some Turquoise
Inspiration Destination - Always Anything Goes 

Thank You for stopping by!