Herald Harry

Dia Daoibh!

The next HQFCB challenge is Anything Goes Fantasy.

For today's card, I kept things CAS using Mo Manning's Herald Harry - an angel with that perfect blend of heavenly patience and "I sang 'Hark the Herald' three times today already" energy. Coloured him with Promarkers, then added just a whisper of glitter to his wings. Popped him up on foam pads because Christmas is all about dimension - in cards, in desserts, and in our patience levels.

Wishing you a season filled with more joy than stress, more mince pies than to-do lists, and at least one silent night.

Nollaig Shona Duit!

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. 🍂🍁

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.🍁

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.

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.

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. 🐝✨

From Kitchen Walls to Cardstock Calls

Dia Daoibh!

Ah sure, it’s one of those Bank Holidays again—the kind where you tell yourself, “I’ll rest, I deserve it,” and five minutes later you’re knee-deep in paint, wondering why your kitchen walls have more coats than a Donegal sheepdog.

So, yes, the painting saga continues. I’ve wisely decided to leave the rest of the walls to their own devices until later in the week—maybe Thursday, unless the walls paint themselves or a miracle occurs (neither likely, but sure we live in hope). All this, of course, before I return to the night shift on Friday where at least someone will appreciate my multitasking talents.

Anyway! On to today’s card, the real reason you’re here and not just to hear about my domestic misadventures.

I've been playing with the Gus & Gertie stamp set from Taylored Expressions, and honestly, if those two don’t brighten your day, nothing will. I used the matching die—because let’s face it, fussy cutting after painting is a level of madness I’m just not ready for. Coloured them up with Promarkers (as always, the good ones that haven’t gone mysteriously dry) and gave the balloons a proper party glow with Ranger’s Glossy Accents. Then, of course, I couldn’t leave well enough alone, so I chucked a bit of iridescent glitter on top because why not? If you're not sparkling, are you even celebrating? Popped the whole thing up with foam pads because flat cards are just… too emotionally relatable right now.

I adore this stamp set, and honestly, I’m eyeing up a few more from the Gus & Gertie gang. Though with the postage from the States, it’s nearly cheaper to fly them over myself and give them a biscuit.

A few challenges:

• Inkspirational #342 -  Celebrate
  
• Stamping Sensations - Jun - Our Furry Friends + option: Anything Goes 
• Alphabet Challenge -  D is for dogs
• Passion For Markers Challenge #790 - 4 Legged Friends
• Crafty Animals #95 - Always Anything Goes
  
• Freshly Made Sketches #688 - Sketch:

Until next time, may your paint stay on the walls, your glitter stay on the card (not your face), and your stamps be ever sassy.

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.

Hippie Hippie Birthday!

Dia Daoibh!

Right so, last post of the day before I crawl off to bed and mentally prepare to hit the snooze button twice at 5 p.m. — because that’s how we pre-game on night shift. 😅

Now, onto the card — because before the caffeine kicks in and the uniform goes on, there was a crafty moment worth sharing! This little number features a fab stamp by Treeebird (Küstenmädels) — what a find, right? I stamped it up with trusty Memento ink and gave it the full rainbow treatment with my Promarkers. It's popped up on foam pads (because dimension is life), all set against an acrylic paint-splattered background that may or may not have also hit the cat.

The sentiment? “Hippie Birthday” — because nothing says celebration like a cute, feathered freeloader with  a groovy vibe 😉

Onto a few challenges:

• Allsorts #824 Anything Goes - Happy 16th Birthday 🎉🥳 !!
• Simply Clean and Simple - May 2025 - Clean and simple (optional: flowers) 
• Passion For Markers Challenge Week 788 Anything Goes (Happy Anniversary 🎉🥳 !!)
• Cardz 4 Galz #250 Things With Wings (real or fantasy)
• TIME OUT Challenges 2W #289  - Your Favorite Winged Thing
• CAS on Friday No. 309 Things with wings
• Crafty Animals #94 - Always Anything Goes

Right, that's me done. Off to bed now — tonight it’s all about calm voices, caring hands, and keeping the night ticking gently along.

Sláinte,

Wendy R.

Bear Minimum Requirements

Dia Daoibh!

I’ll keep this one short – mostly because I’m about to collapse into a duvet cocoon. It’s been a week of everything, everywhere, all at once (nurses, you know the vibe), and there’s another one queued up. So this is my last crafty upload for a wee while before I enter the work whirlwind.

Now. This bear. This mood. This sentiment.
The amazing digi stamp is from Xaxelu Design – “All We Need is Love” (…plus a touch of sass and coffee, obviously). Coloured with ProMarkers, and the mug is finished with glossy accents because life’s too short for a matte latte.

I adore this sentiment. Feels like it was written by someone who’s done one too many double shifts with no break and is now surviving purely on fumes and good intentions. Which is to say – extremely relatable.

Onto a few challenges:

• Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers #262 - R is for Rude
• First Cup Challenges #2 May: - Anything Drink related projects
• Digi Choosday #5 Wk 1 - Anything Goes
• Crafty Animals #94 - Always Anything Goes
• Critter Crazy Challenges #98 - Anything Goes with a Featured Critter
• Girlz Rebel Challenge #40 - May - Anything Goes with an image
• Carlin’s Challenge #82 – Yummy, that’s tasty

Right. Off to snore aggressively. Be kind to yourself this week – and if in doubt, blame Mercury retrograde.

Sláinte,

Wendy R.

Glitter, Glue & Chocolate Comas

Dia Daoibh!

Well, Easter has come and gone, and my kitchen now looks like a chocolate smuggling operation. There are chocolate Easter eggs everywhere – hidden in cupboards, stashed behind the cereal box, and let’s not even talk about the “emergency” stash in the bread bin. (What? A girl needs options.) 

Onto today’s card! I used the Unicorn stamp set from The Rabbit Hole Designs.  I strongly relate to this unicorn .. and the sentiment ;) ... Same energy, honestly....

Coloured the little guy with my trusty Promarkers, then went full mad scientist on the background (stencilled). Mixed up a DIY paste of iridescent glitter and Ranger Glossy Accents – which, by the way, is basically crafting cement. That paintbrush is done for. RIP, little buddy. You died for sparkle. Popped the whole thing up on foam pads for dimension, because if I’ve learned anything from Easter, it’s that everything’s better with a bit of extra oomph. (See also: chocolate consumption.)

Onto a few challenges:

• First Cup Challenges #1 April: - Anything Drink related projects
• Heart's Quest Fantasy Challenge Blog #4 Anything Goes Fantasy and/or Focus on Unicorn
• I Love Promarkers #581 Anything goes or No Patterned Papers
• We Love 2 Create #4 - Anything Creative/Mixed Media Goes
• CAS on Friday No. 307: Use a Stencil
• Halloween and Other Ocassions Crafts All Year Round #25: Birthday
• AAA Cards #288 - Sketch: 
  
  
  

Right, I’m off to “supervise” the remaining Easter chocolate. (Quality control is very important.) Wishing you all a post-Easter glow – whether it’s from glitter, sugar, or sheer denial about Monday.

Sláinte, 

Wendy R. 

(P.S. If you need me, I’ll be in a chocolate coma, pretending I don’t own a vacuum.)

A Card for Ms D

 Dia Daoibh!

I'm back with another card for you! This time, it's all about the joy of reading! A topic I feel qualified to tackle, mostly because I own a lot of books... that I haven't read yet. Fun Fact: May I also mention that I own every single Jamie Oliver recipe book and have only ever cooked one recipe (from the Nintendo DS game, mind you!) 🙈

Today's card showcases some incredible art by Rina Rudny! I colored it using my go-to Promarkers and layered it on an embossed background with a distressed edge (apologies for the snapshot barely picking it up due to the bright white card). To finish it off, I added some die-cut embellishments, enamel dots, and even a few staples. Let's just say my budget and my craft supplies aren't exactly on speaking terms right now.

This card is for a gorgeous friend who was kind enough to lend me a book to read. Oh, be the hokey, it was a heartbreaker  (yet truly inspiring) from a child-now-adult perspective! A real must-read! The book is called "A Time for Truth" by Sarah Corbett Lynch. Thank you, Ms. D! I'll be popping the book and the card in the post shortly -  Hopefully, it will make her smile!

Onto a few challenges:

• First Cup Challenges #1 April: - Anything Drink related prjects
•  Cardz 4 Galz #247 Stripes
• A Cut Above - Apr - Anything Goes
• Aud Sentiments Blog Challenge #324 - Embossing (wet or dry) and/or Flowers + a Sentiment 
• Stamps & Fun = Creativity #473 - Words
• Crafty Calendar - April - Feminine
• Word Power - April -  Anything Goes with Words as Focus

Right so, that's my card! I think it is as lovely as a summer's day in County Clare! 

Sláinte!

Wendy R. x

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.

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. 

Wheely Cute

Dia Daoibh!

Feast your eyes on this absolutely adorable little bunny from the brilliant Rachelle Anne Miller – and would you look at that? This happy wee chap (or lass!) is off on a delightful bicycle ride!  Honestly, could it be any more charming?  Pssst… fancy making your wallet as happy as this bunny? Simply RAM-ember to use code WENDYR at checkout and bag yourself 10% off every purchase! No hopping around the bush – that’s a blooming good deal!

I kept the design sweet and simple, colouring with my go-to Promarkers, then added some sparkle with iridescent glitter (because who doesn’t love a bit of shimmer?) and glossy accents on the eggs and bike wheels  for extra dimension. And yes, of course, a few enamel dots joined the party – they’re like the confetti of cardmaking! The background paper is from Pink Petticoat / The Lovely Studio’s gingham collection – such a perfect picnic-perfect pattern, though sadly Liz is no longer trading. 

Onto a few challenges:

CAS on Friday – #305 Spring

I Love Promarkers #579 Anything goes or girly card 

Paper Shelter #631 Feathers or Fur

Simon Says Stamps - Anything goes (optional: use Waffle Flower Products)

Allsorts #819 Feminine  or Anything Goes 

Cardz 4 Galz #246 Springtime 

Moving along with the Times #176  March - Pets

2 Sisters On The Blog #95 - Spring and/or Easter

Hope this bunny brightens your day! And since Easter’s hopping closer, here’s a joke to egg you on:

Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke?
…Because it might crack up! 🥚😂

Okay, okay—I’ll hop off now. Happy crafting! 🐇💖

Sláinte!

Wendy R. x

With a Side of Scotch!

Dia Daoibh!

Well, my nerves are doing the cha-cha today—I’ve just sent off my CV and cover letter for a Leadership in Clinical Governance position (say that five times fast!). Between you and me, my stomach’s hosting a full-on ceilidh of butterflies. So, what’s the best way to shoo them away? A wee bit of cardmaking, of course!

Today’s creation features the fabulous Whiskey Business Cling Stamp Set from Stampin’ Up. Because nothing says “calm under pressure” like a stamp set dedicated to Scotland’s finest liquid courage, am I right? (Don’t worry, I stuck to colouring with Promarkers—no actual Scotch was harmed in the making of this card… though a dram may have been consumed afterwards for research purposes.)

I kept the design simple—coloured the Scotch, added some clear flatback gems for a bit of bling (because even a stiff drink deserves to sparkle), and stamped a sentiment (free from a craft magazine many moons ago) in Staz-On ink—because nothing says "permanent life choice" like a sentiment that won’t budge, much like my love for puns.

I’ll be entering this into a few challenges :

• Addicted to CAS #279 - Code Word: Masculine
• Alphabet Challenge - Y is for Yummy
• Krafty Chicks #760 - Clean and Simple
• Cardz 4 Guyz #368 - S is for... (SCOTCH)
• CAS Colours & Sketches #556 - Sketch Challenge:

--

Anyway, if you're also drowning in adulting—whether it's job applications, life-altering decisions, or the crushing realisation that your cat judges you harder than your own inner critic—just know you're not alone  - remember: deep breaths, a wee bit of crafting, and maybe a cheeky whisky reference. Or just the whisky. No judgement here.

Sláinte!

Wendy R. x

P.S. If I don’t get the job, at least my cardmaking skills are still on the rocks. (I’ll see myself out.)