Shamrocks, Spring, and St. Patrick's Cheer

Dia Daoibh!

Spring is gently stepping into the scene, bringing with it the refreshing promise of blooming flowers and the warmth we've all been craving. But the real excitement lies just four days ahead when everything turns a glorious shade of green. And no, I don't just mean the daring hair choices some folks make! It's that time of year when leprechauns mysteriously appear in all sorts of odd places, and pints of Guinness seem to reproduce faster than you can say "Sláinte!" If you've never witnessed a leprechaun trying to order a round at the local pub, you're truly missing out on one of life's great spectacles.

So, onto one of my last St. Patrick's Day cards that's set to be mailed today. Sadly, there are no pints enclosed—just a lottery ticket. I'm convinced the lottery machines are on the fritz because my numbers never line up. Honestly, I might have a better shot at finding that elusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow than winning the lottery! Maybe I should consult a leprechaun for some insider tips.

Today's card is adorned with the 'Bit O Luck' by the the late Faith Skrdla (From The Heart Stamps). Coloured with Promarkers and mounted with foam tape for that extra bit of dimension. Embellishments include gold thread and glitter. The background is dry embossed, and it reminds me of Irish lace, a beautiful craft slowly fading into history. But rest assured, as long as I have my trusty craft supplies, the spirit of Irish lace will live on!

Onto a few challenges:

• Simon Says Stamps: A Bit of Green
• Sisterhood of Crafters: Shades of Green
• Aud Sentiments Blog Challenge   #323 - Glitter & Bling or St. Patrick's/Green + a Sentiment 
• Paper Craft Crew PCC612: Theme: St. Patricks Day

Thanks for joining me on this whimsical journey toward St. Patrick's Day. May your days be filled with laughter, your pints be ever-flowing, and your lottery tickets luckier than mine!

And before you go, indulge in a tune with a touch of Irish charm. Listen here.

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.

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.

A Wee Bit of Irish Card-Making Fun

Dia Daoibh! ...bringing a touch of Irish charm to your day. 

Today, I'm tackling the 'Try a Sketch on Tuesday' challenge #665 with the delightful '4 Leaf Clover' stamp set from Colorado Craft Company, designed by Anita Jeram, to sprinkle a bit of luck on my card.

Tap the pic for an enhanced view ;)

I've coloured it using Promarkers—check out the bar at the top of my blog for all my colour recipes. I hit a slight snag with my green ink pad collection, but Memento's Bamboo Shoot saved the day. It's not quite the emerald green of Ireland, but hey, it's close enough to be shade number 41 in the '40 Shades of Green' collection! I also went and put two grand lines on a card, like a couple of leprechauns doing a jig down the left side with their scoreboard in tow.

For a finishing touch, I've used Ranger's Glossy Accents and glitter to make the butterfly and clover shimmer. After all, if it doesn't glisten like a leprechaun's gold, can you even call it complete?

Onto a few challenges:

• Moving along with the Times #176  March - Pets
• Critter Crazy -#96 - Anything (featuring a critter) goes
• Crafty Animals #92 - Feature an animal
• Daisy Chain Challenges #94 - Animals
• Simply Clean and Simple CAS card design with optional shades of green
• Triple B - March - Anything with Birds, Blooms and/or Butterflies + optional Inspiration Moodboard* 
  
• Try a Sketch on Tuesday #665: 
  
  
  

And here's a little Irish humour to wrap things up: 

Why don't you ever borrow money from a leprechaun? 

Because they're always a little short!

Sláinte!

Wend R. x

Luck, Laughter, and Leprechauns: A St. Patrick’s Day Card Adventure

Dia Daoibh!

Ah, it's Springtime! The sun's trying its best to break through the clouds like it’s in a game of peekaboo, and we’re all dressed in green, looking like a bunch of overly enthusiastic leprechaun impersonators. As the big day approaches, I've got a little gift for ye, straight from the heart of the Emerald Isle — and no, it’s not a pot of gold (trust me, I checked, and the leprechauns are still holding onto those).

So, about that wee gift I mentioned: it's Molly, a free digi stamp all the way from Ireland! To download, just click on the digi, and a new window will open. Right-click and select 'save as.' Easy as pie. Or should I say, easy as a pint of Guinness on St. Paddy's Day?

Now, onto my card: featuring herself, Molly, happy out and ready for the parade. I've coloured her with Promarkers and added some enamel dots and glitter for that extra sparkle. I also used Ranger's glossy accents, tinted with Promarkers, to give it a glossy finish. Just a note: in the picture, the gloss appears much darker, but trust me, it’s as bright as a leprechaun's smile.

.... and a wee tip for colouring the flag: Green, white, and orange, folks! Not to be mixed up with the Ivory Coast flag. Unless, of course, you fancy celebrating St. Patrick's Day with elephants and a side of cocoa beans!

Tap the pic for an enhanced view ;)

Onto a few challenges:

• Allsorts #818 Clean and Simple  or Anything Goes 
• AAA Cards #285 - Anything CAS 
• The Crafting Challenge (M, P1, E3) March - Waiting for Spring
• The Creative Crafters (M, P15, E3) #85 - Always Anything Goes

• Halloween & Other Occasion Crafts All Year Round - March #24 - Halloween and Birthday, St. Patrick's Day, and Caffeine
• I Love Promarkers #578 Anything goes or wings/tails
• Colourful Options -Mar - Moodboard :

• Double D : Green  /Photo Inspirations:  

• If You Give a Crafter a Cookie:#202 - Lucky in Green*

To wrap up, here’s an Irish joke to keep the craic going: 

How can you tell if an Irishman is having a good time? 

He's Dublin over with laughter!

Sláinte!

Wendy R.

Card Chaos: When Crafting Shenanigans Strike Again

Dia Daoibh!

So, onto my next card this week. Let me tell ya, as per my previous blog post, nothing is going right this week. Talk about shenanigans! I'm convinced the leprechauns are having a laugh, and hopefully, there's no sighting of a banshee. Just remember, if she throws a comb at ya, throw it back! 😉

This wee card features a wee gnome from the My Favorite Things JB Wings & Wishes stamp set, colored with Promarkers and embellished with gems. The background is a stencil I had cut with the Silhouette. I also used foam pads for some 3D effect, because why not add a little dimension to the mischief? Now, coloring was a bit of a challenge this week—let's just say my autistic tendency for perfection (yep, late-diagnosed AuDHD) got the better of me. It ended up getting darker and darker, but hey, it didn't turn out too bad in the end!

Tap the pic for an enhanced view ;)

Onto a few challenges:

• Crazy is our fame - STENCILS are our game! - Anything with Stencils + optional theme: Splatters
• I Spy with My Little Eye #23 - No Designer Paper
• Little Red Wagon, W, #797 - Birthday
• I Love Promarkers #578 Anything goes or wings/tails
• Passion For Markers Challenge #778 - Anything But Square
• Heart's Quest Fantasy Challenge Blog #4 Anything Goes Fantasy and/or Focus on Gnome
• Heart's Quest Celebration of Love (M, P2, E5) #3 Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries and/or Sympathies + optional theme: Easter Sunday
• Halloween & Other Occasion Crafts All Year Round - March #24 - Halloween and Birthday, St. Patrick's Day, and Caffeine

Before you go, here's a little Irish joke to keep the smiles coming:

What do you call a fake Irish stone? 

A sham-rock!

Sláinte!

Wendy R.

March Madness: When Crafting Goes Awry

Dia Daoibh!

Here we are, welcoming March with open arms and green landscapes. Daffodils are blooming, and the leprechauns are certainly having a laugh at my expense because this week has been a crafting catastrophe! From missing crochet stitches to smudgy stamping, nothing is going to plan. Here's hoping next week will be better.

Let's talk about my latest card: I decided to use a Gorjuss stamp (Rainbow Heaven) from Santoro. I stamped it with Memento ink and colored it with Promarkers. All the embellishments are highlighted with glitter and glossy accents, hoping to add a bit of sparkle to my otherwise dreary week.

Tap the pic for an enhanced view ;)

But, let's be honest here, the Gorjuss stamps and I are going through a bit of a breakup. Remember when they first hit the scene? It was like crafting Christmas! But now, with enough stamps to fill a leprechaun's pot, I'm just not feeling the spark. So, I've bagged up all the wee ones, and they're headed to the charity shop, where someone else can fall head over heels for them. May they bring joy and glitter to their new home!

Onto a few challenges:

• Passion For Markers Challenge #778 - Anything But Square
• Try It On Tuesday -  For a Lady
• The Crafting Challenge- March - Waiting for Spring
• Neglected Stuff Challenge  - Gorjuss rubber stamp dating pre-2020
• We Love Stamping - March - Hello Spring
• AAA Colorful Challenge #13 - Colourboard: 
  
  
  

And now, to lighten the mood, here's a little Irish joke for you:

Why did the leprechaun go outside? 
To sit on his paddy-o!

Sláinte!

Wendy R.

Layered Embellishments on the Fast Track

Greetings! Broadcasting straight from the realm of eat, sleep, work, repeat. Yes, I'm back on the dayshift treadmill, so brace yourself for a quickie!

Tap the pic for an enhanced view ;)

Today's card is as "simple" as it gets — if by "simple" you mean an extravaganza of layered embellishments meticulously cut with a Silhouette Cameo. We're talking about cardstock that’s been lounging around since 2018, finally getting its moment in the spotlight. The digital SVG cut files hail from Lettering Delight, all perched atop white embossed cardstock. Those embossed scribbles are so faint, they're practically playing hide and seek with the camera’s flash. Who knew crafting could be this cheeky?

The embellishments are stacked with foam pads for that blockbuster 3D effect — without those ridiculous glasses. The vintage cassette die cut is a nod to us Generation Xers, who still remember the joy of rewinding tapes with a pencil. The 'rock' is bedazzled with red glitter, the undeniable diva of the card, while 'you' gets the royal treatment with Ranger's Glossy Accents. Because, let's face it, nothing says "you rock" like a glossy finish worthy of a superstar.

Onto a few challenges so:

• Neglected Stuff Challenge  - card stock and glossy accents were sitting in the press since 2018 ;(
• A Cut Above - Use at least one die cut using a machine - - Feb - Anything Goes
• Crafts Galore Encore: Always Anything Goes
• Daisy Chain Challenges #93 - Layer it up
• Dragonfly Dreams: Feb - CAS
• Alphabet Challenge: V is for Vintage
• CAS Colours & Sketches #554 - Sketch Challenge

And there you have it....  But before I dash off to my next eat-sleep-work cycle, let me leave you with a little chuckle: Why don’t scientists trust atoms? Because they make up everything.

Sláinte!

Wendy R.

Éirinn Go Brágh

 Ah, Éirinn Go Brágh! That's "Ireland Forever" in the language of leprechauns and Guinness lovers. I spent the morning crocheting a little "seamróg" (shamrock) garland in five shades of 'green'. Why? Because the grand month of Irishness is upon us, and if you're not decked out in green, are you even Irish ...celebrating?

Speaking of celebrations, let me introduce you to  the "Shamrock n Roll" digital stamp from Power Poppy. I colored it with Promarkers, mounted it with foam pads for that extra oomph, and went to town with Ranger Glossy Accents and flatback gems. To add a bit of texture, I grabbed my trusty scoreboard and etched some lines into the card. The result? A card that's so Irish, it practically sings "Danny Boy" when you open it.

click on pic for better view ;)

A few challenges I'm entering:

• The Crafter's Cafe Challenge Blog #316 February Anything Goes (optional: spots and/or stripes)
• Beautiful Blossoms Challenge - Anything Florals Goes with Optional Mood Board #26
• Pammie's Inky Pinkies: Challenge 2507 Anything goes
• Inspiration Station Challenge February 2025 - Inspiration Photo #70 (inspred by all the the green)
• Daring Cardmakers: Mainly Pink & Green
• We Love Stamping-February - CAS/Anything goes
• Passion For Markers Challenge #776 - Include Gems or Pearls
• Heart's Quest Celebration of Love (M, P2, E5) #2 Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries and/or Sympathies + optional theme: St. Patrick's Day
• Sketch Saturday #769:

But, of course, crafts project needs a funny note to end on. So here's a classic Irish joke for you:

Why don't you iron four-leaf clovers?

Because you don’t want to press your luck!

Sláinte!

Wendy R.

Birthdays, Banter, and Golden Girls Galore

I've got a few birthdays on the horizon, but there's one in particular that stands out. My dear friend, who I'd describe as a modern-day Sofia—except with a tongue loosened by a bit of Irish charm—is about to get a year older. 

Let's start with the card. I went for something clean and simple, with a digital from CNWDesignCo. I tweaked the sentiment to suit our mutual love for those iconic ladies. If you're as fond of The Golden Girls as we are, you'll recognise the font (Monotype Corsiva) from the show's title card—because why not go full Blanche and embrace the fabulousness?

click on pic for a better view ;)

The card's been coloured with Promarkers and embellished with two red glitter hearts. Now, onto the inside. I was thinking of adding an insert that would make any fan of the show chuckle: "Happy Birthday! One year closer to Shady Pines!." If you know, you know. And if you don't—well, you need to binge-watch the series, pronto.

A few challenges:

• Just Us Girls #762 Friend
• Addicted to CAS #276 Friends
• Crafty Cats #687: ATG (optional use a die)
• Craft Rocket Challenges #122 Happy Birthday
• Addicted to Stamps and More # 486 Make Your Mark
• Halloween & Other Occassions Crafts All Year 'round: February - Halloween,Birthday, Valentines Day, Cats and Dogs
• A Perfect Time To Craft Open Challenge for February #2-2025

Here's to a birthday celebration full of laughter, love, and a little bit of mischief—just like our favourite Golden Girls would have wanted. So raise a glass (or a slice of cheesecake) and join me in wishing my friend a birthday as fabulous as Dorothy's sarcasm and Sofia's stories combined.

Sláinte!

Wendy R.