18.3.25

Crafting, Craic, and Christmas in March

Dia Daoibh!

Well, St. Patrick’s Day went grand – I was on night shift over the bank holiday, but I managed to sneak in for the last half hour of the céilí at the local pub. Let’s just say, I’m fairly certain Disprin is now the official sponsor of March 18th. 😉 But hey, it was worth it! The craic was mighty!

Now, onto my card for today. I decided to channel my inner Grinch because, well, why not? Christmas in March? Sure, it’s practically summer in Ireland anyway! (Kidding, it’s still raining sideways.)


I created a Grinch Christmas tree card using my Silhouette machine. I layered it up to add some dimension, and kept the embellishments simple – just a touch of gloss and glitter. Because if there’s one thing the Grinch needs, it’s a bit of sparkle to soften that grumpy heart of his.

I’m entering this into a few challenges 

Until next time, keep crafting, keep laughing, and keep the Disprin close.

Sláinte!
Wendy R. x
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15.3.25

Top O’ the Morning? Not Quite!

Dia Daoibh!

Ah, the merry month of March, when the world suddenly discovers its love for all things green, and we Irish find ourselves explaining, once again, that we don’t actually greet each other with “Top of the morning to ya!” ;)

As someone who's spent more than a few mornings in the Emerald Isle, let me just say, if you’re expecting a friendly “top” from your local Irishman/woman, you’re more likely to get a head nod and a muttered “How’s the craic?” instead. It’s as if the phrase was concocted by the same folks who think we all have leprechauns on speed dial and pots of gold under our beds ;)

Speaking of leprechauns, let’s dive into the delightful shenanigans of this magical month. My crafting card of choice is the 'Wish You Luck' set from Power Poppy, which I've coloured with Promarkers. I've elevated the bouquet with foam pads and added a bit of sparkle with gems and flatback pearls. The sentiment, from Pretty Pink Posh’s Everyday Greetings, is stamped with Stazon.

Ps. Don't forget it's time for the "Anything Goes" challenge at Ally's Angels, challenge #92. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a curious newbie, this is your chance to let your creativity shine.

click image for a closer look ;)

Given it’s the month of shenanigans, I’ve taken the liberty of colouring it in the tricolour of the Irish flag: An Bhratach Náisiúnta. After all, who says we can’t have a bit of fun with colours while celebrating our quirky Irish heritage?

Onto a few challenges:

So, whether you’re crafting, hunting for leprechauns, or just trying to avoid those pesky “top o’ the morning” assumptions, remember to enjoy the mischief and laughter (and beer ;) this season brings. After all, isn’t that what being a bit Irish is all about?

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Duit!!
Sláinte!
Wendy R. 
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13.3.25

Merry Craftmas: Decking the Halls with Handmade Cards!

Dia Daoibh!

I set a New Year's resolution to craft two Christmas cards a month, and I'm trying to stick to it, though Netflix and my nap schedule have other plans. Apparently, "just one more episode" is the greatest crafting nemesis of all time!

Today's wee card features the irresistible reindeer from the Clearly Besotted Let's Prance Stamp set. I kept it CAS and added a dash of sparkle. Using ProMarkers, I brought those reindeer to life and added three sparkly red gems for their noses, making them shine as bright as my holiday spirit. A touch of Ranger's Glossy Accents adds the perfect finishing touch.

The striped background was a delightful surprise, made from an offcut in my stash. Waste not, want not, right? And with foam pads for dimension, this card has more pop than my Christmas playlist.

Onto a few challenges:

So, if you see me swimming in a sea of cards come December, just know I'm happily crafting away. 

Sláinte!
Wendy R. x.
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Didly Day Hey

Dia Daoibh!

As the calendar inches closer to March 17th, you can almost hear the collective sound of Ireland sharpening its wit, preparing its livers, and dusting off its finest green attire. Yes, St. Patrick's Day is upon us, that glorious day when everyone suddenly discovers their inner Irish roots ;) . It's a day of revelry, laughter, and the occasional questionable decision—like attempting to dance a jig after a few too many pints of Guinness. But hey, isn't that what makes the day so special?

Spring is also making its grand entrance, with flowers starting to bloom and the world waking up from its winter nap. It's the perfect time to send out a little cheer with one of my last St. Patrick's Day cards, ready to be mailed today. This one features a charming shamrock bouquet from Waltzingmouse Stamps, colored with Promarkers. It's mounted with foam tape for that added dimension, giving it a little extra pop. I used the last of my shamrock scrapbook paper as the background—waste not, want not! Some of the shamrocks are highlighted with glossy accents and embellished with ultra-fine iridescent glitter for that extra sparkle.

Onto a few challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: A Bit of Green
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Bit O' Green
Creatalicious Challenges #286 - Anything Goes + option: Use Green
Halloween Crafts and Other Occasions #24  March - Halloween and Other Occasions (Occasions - Birthday, St. Patrick's Day, and Caffeine)
If You Give a Crafter a Cookie #202 - Lucky in Green
2 Sisters On The Blog #95 - Spring and/or Easter
Digi Choosday #3 - Anything goes
Colourful Options - Mar - Moodboard:

Thanks for joining me on this journey toward the greenest day of the year. May your celebrations be filled with joy, laughter, and just the right amount of mischief!

As we gear up for the festivities, here's a little something to put you in the mood for St. Patrick's Day: a classic featuring Richie Kavanagh ;)

Sláinte!
Wendy R. x.
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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:


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.
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10.3.25

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:

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.

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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:


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

Sláinte!
Wend R. x.

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8.3.25

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:

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
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6.3.25

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:

  • Double D : Green  /Photo Inspirations:  


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.

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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:

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.

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