Ashes to Ashes...

Dia Daoibh!

This month’s HQFCB challenge is Anything Goes Fantasy with an optional phoenix theme – which is basically the official mascot of healthcare workers. Think about it: we too burst into flames regularly (usually around hour 13 of a 12-hour shift), only to be reborn through the sacred power of chocolate and questionable coffee. If that’s not a modern phoenix story, I don’t know what is.

For today’s card, I used a PNGtree digi and coloured it with Promarkers while pretending I knew what I was doing. Then – in a move that surprised absolutely no one – I gave that phoenix a tasteful dusting of glossy accents and iridescent sparkle. (Okay, fine, it’s more "strategically placed shimmer" than "full glitter intervention" – but let’s be real, even a hint of glitter in this house somehow ends up on the cats, in my coffee, and possibly in my pension plan. The struggle is real.)

The “Celebrate” sentiment was cut with my Pretty Pink Posh metal die (read: the expensive shiny thing I bought “for work”) and layered up like my excuses for buying more craft supplies. Finished with white glitter because at this point, glitter isn’t an embellishment, it’s a lifestyle. And by "lifestyle," I mean "permanent décor." My vacuum will never recover...

So here’s to rising from our ashes (or at least from under this pile of glitter) – may your coffee be strong, your shifts be short, and your craft projects be slightly less flammable.

Sláinte, 

Wendy R.

Flocktail Hour

Dia daoibh!

You know it’s October when you walk into the shops and the shelves are groaning under the weight of Halloween sweets… yet just around the corner, there it is — Christmas wrapping paper and novelty socks staring you down like, “Go on, panic early!” Honestly, at this stage I’m expecting Easter eggs to sneak onto the shelf beside the pumpkins. It’s retail time travel, and I’m not ready.

Anyway, speaking of seasonal surprises, it’s time for the monthly Card Chain Challenge! The idea’s simple but brilliant: you sign up, pick a theme, send off your card — and like magic, one lands in your letterbox too. It’s like pen pals, but with glitter and far less chance of dodgy handwriting. My card flew off to Daja in Germany, and in return, I was lucky enough to receive a gooooorgeous creation back from Imke in Germany as well. Clearly, the postal service has decided I need a round trip of Deutsche crafting goodness! 

Now, onto my own card: 

I used the Spellbinders Grand Flamingos die set — and let me tell you, these flamingos are as fancy as they sound. Cut from lush textured and glitter card, jazzed up with glitter, glossy accents, a sprinkle of iredescent sequins, and a few clear gems for good measure. The sentiment is from the Ellen Hutson Inner Flamingo stamp set, stamped neatly with Stazon ink (because nothing says commitment like ink that never wants to come off your fingers).

A few challenges:

• Krafty Chicks #788 - Birthdays
• Sisterhood of Crafters - Birthdays
• Try It On Tuesday - Animals - Real or Imaginary
• Stamps & Fun = Creativity #482 - Animals 
• Dragonfly Dreams - Sep - Happy Birthday

And there you have it! A tropical flamingo card made in the middle of pumpkin season — because nothing says autumn like a bright pink bird strutting across your craft desk. Sure, if that isn’t crafting against the odds, I don’t know what is. At this point, I’m just waiting for a flamingo in a Santa hat to appear in Tesco’s freezer aisle.

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.🍁

Hug It Like You Mean It

Dia daoibh!

Today’s great adventure? Laundry. Mountains of it. My washing machine has been on strike since last Thursday, only deciding to cooperate again this morning after getting its shiny new carbon brushes. So, I’ve spent the day doing wash after wash like I was auditioning for Ireland’s Next Top Launderette. I’ll tell you, the clothes basket has been giving me side-eye all weekend, and now it’s finally empty… for the next five minutes.

Onto my card for today:

I used Ranger Simon Hurley’s Big Hugs stamp set alongside Taylored Expressions’ Oh Yes You Did. Everything stamped with trusty Versafine ink, sprinkled with silver distress spray, and finished off with a few dabs of Nuvo glitter drops in black and crystal for that extra bit of shine.

Right-e-o, a few challenges: 

• Stamping Sensations - September: CAS or Anything Goes
• Crafty Animals # 98: Always Anything Goes
  
• Krafty Chicks #784: Birthday
  
• Craft Rocket Challenges #129: Dots and/or Stripes
  
• Critter Crazy Challenges #102: Always Anything Goes
• CAS Colour and Sketches #568: Sketch 

• Seize the birthday #312: Black & White 

And after all that? I can safely say my socks are cleaner than my sense of humour. If laundry was an Olympic sport, I’d be standing on the podium right now, clutching a gold medal and a bottle of fabric softener.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 🐻

Three Wishes & Zero Lottery Wins

Dia Daoibh!

The next HQFCB challenge is Anything Goes Fantasy with a genie twist—because who hasn’t daydreamed about finding a magic lamp and wishing for lucky lottery numbers? (Though knowing my luck, the genie would be on a coffee break, and I’d end up with "eternal patience" or some other useful nonsense.)

Onto today’s card! I raided my "vintage" paper stash (circa 2018—practically antique at this point) and paired it with a sentiment from a free stamp set from a 2015 magazine (because nothing says "fantasy" like hoarding supplies and craft magazines for a decade). The star of the show is this sassy genie from Create A Smile’s Flaschenpost set, who clearly knows I’m three wishes away from chaos. Coloured him with Promarkers, then went full magpie with iridescent glitter (obviously) and silver thread.

A few challenges:

• Alphabet Challenge -  K is for keep it simple
• Simply Clean and Simple  - SEP : Birthdays
• Craft Rocket Challenges #129 Dots and/or Stripes
• Krafty Chicks #784 - Birthday
• I Love Promarkers #590 - Anything Goes or Gnomes

Wishing you all the luck of a genie who actually listens—and may your weekend involve less glitter cleanup than mine. (Spoiler: It’s everywhere. Everywhere.)

Sláinte, 

Wendy R. 

P.S. Pro tip: If your genie offers unlimited wishes, ask for more storage first. Crafters know what's important. 😂

Toucan Play

Dia daoibh!

Right, before we get stuck into card chat—let’s tackle the Irish phrases at the top and bottom of the post. No, I haven’t dropped my keyboard or made up a spell from Harry Potter 😂.

“Dia daoibh” is a grand Irish way of saying “Hello to you all”. Not just one of ye—all of ye. It’s pronounced “Dee-ah yeev”, and here’s a handy trick: it kinda sorta rhymes with “see a sleeve”—as in, “See a sleeve there now, and pass me the biscuits”. Then there’s “Sláinte” at the bottom—it’s what we say for cheers or good health. Pronounced “Slawn-cha”, and best said while raising a glass, toasting a friend, or recovering from the sheer disappointment of not winning the Euromillions again. One of these weeks, lads. One of these weeks.

Now, on to the crafty craic! For the August Card Chain Challenge, I made a tropical-themed card for Joanne in the USA, and in return, I got a gorgeous one from Pia in Norway—and let me tell you, the standard was so high—just like you'd expect from the stylish Scandinavians.

I chose the Tropical theme (as you do when it's lashing rain outside) and used the Pop Up Box Card Toucan design by Lori Whitlock. The file even included some little waves—because what's a tropical scene without a splash? Cut with my trusty Silhouette Cameo, I went to town with glitter, glossy accents, and foam pads to give it that fabulous 3D effect. It's bright, bold, and folds flat for mailing—so it can fly across the Atlantic without costing more than a Ryanair seat sale.

Challenges:

• Shopping Our Stash #555 - On or In The Water
  
• Crafty Animals #98 - Always Anything Goes
  
• Critter Crazy Challenges #102- Always Anything Goes
  
• Creatalicious Challenges #292 - Anything Goes (option: Lots of bling/glitter)
  
• Die Cut Divas - September: Anything Goes
  
• Dream Factory #142 - Wild
  
• Girlz Creative Crafts #59 - Wild Animals and/or Exotic Birds
  
• Heart's Quest Celebration of Love #8 - Birthdays, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries and/or Sympathies
  
• Triple B - August: Anything with Birds, Blooms and/or Butterflies 
• 4 Season Challenge Blog #96: I chose the Toucan bird from the moodboard: 
  

If you’ve never joined the Card Chain Challenge, you’re missing out. It’s like grown-up pen-pals, but with cardstock and sparkle. You make a card, send it off, and then boom—happy post lands in your letterbox from somewhere halfway across the globe. It’s joyful, it’s personal, and it’s not a dentist appointment. Win-win!

So while I might not be sipping cocktails in a tropical paradise, at least my craft table is sunny, colourful, and full of birds that require no feeding or cleaning.

Sláinte!

Wendy R. 🌴📬🦜

Ahoy!

Dia daoibh!

What a week! Electric Picnic has descended upon us again—young and old packing up their tents, glitter, and rain ponchos. This year, between the forecast and the state of the fields, they’ll need canoes more than camping chairs. Honestly, I can’t wait for Monday’s gossip at work: “Yeah, Dermot, the band was class, but I lost a welly somewhere between the chip van and a puddle that had its own postcode.”

Meanwhile, while they’re off raving in the mud, I stayed high and dry and made something nautical of my own. The card design’s from the Silhouette store, cut on my trusty Cameo from Core’dinations cardstock. Mounted on a vellum circle, clean and simple, with the wee boat raised up on foam dots—like it’s floating without the risk of trench foot.

Onto a few challenges: 

• Cardz 4 Guyz #377 - Boats
• Creative Crafting Uncles #68 - Anything Goes
• Shopping Our Stash #555 - On or In The Water 
  
• CAS on Friday #316 Vellum
• Allsorts Challenge #830 - Something beginning with B (birds, boat, birthday, blue water)
• Cut It Up #337 Anything Goes

So while they’re dancing knee-deep in muck, I’ll be at work steering the ship. At least if things get rough, I’ve got a paper sailboat at the ready—sure it won’t save me, but it’ll look fierce cute while I go down with the paperwork.

Sláinte,

Wendy R.🌊

Unicorns Don’t Do Overtime, But I Do

Dia daoibh!

Three shifts back-to-back, 42 hours clocked in, and I’ve emerged looking like a contestant on Survivor: Healthcare Edition. My grand prize? A mad dash through the shops for last-minute school supplies before the youngest heads back tomorrow. Don’t get me wrong, I love the lad, but after weeks of “Mam, I’m bored” and him eating cereal like it’s an Olympic sport, I’ll be personally escorting him to the school gates with jazz hands. And the teachers—legends—deserve medals, spa vouchers, prosecco, and maybe even a national holiday in their honour. They’re the true unsung heroes of September!

Now, onto my card. 

The design and backing papers are from Lori Whitlock, and I went full unicorn sparkle with them. The base is cut from core card, layered with glitter card for that essential bit of magic, and finished with flowers, gems, and glossy accents. The blooms are popping brighter than glow sticks at a 90s disco. I decided to leave it sentiment-free—sometimes a blank card is more versatile, ready for a birthday, celebration, or just when someone needs a little reminder that unicorns do exist (unlike my bank balance after school shopping).

Challenges:

• Love Those Pretty Papers Challenge - August - Anything Goes with Patterned Paper (optional theme: Summertime)
  
• Paper Shelter #647 - Anything Goes
  
• Creations in Pink - Anything Goes in Mainly Pink
  
• Critter Crazy Challenges - Anything Goes with a Featured Critter
• {PIN}spirational #328 - Inspiration Picture 

• Inspiration Station #76 - Inspiration Photo    

And sure, if I’d added a sentiment, the only thing my tired brain could’ve managed after three shifts would’ve been “Send Coffee… and maybe an Au Pair.” Not quite the hallmark of a keepsake card, is it?

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.

TAKE ME TO YOUR CAKE

Dia daoibh!

Ah, a glorious Monday morning – the start of autumn if you go by the old Irish calendar, where Lughnasadh on the 1st of August kicks off the harvest season. The air has that crisp bite to it, the kind that makes you feel alive – but it’s still just warm enough to dry the laundry without it coming back stiffer than cardboard. Honestly, nothing beats the smug joy of bedsheets flapping on the line, pretending you’re in an Ariel ad while really just standing in the back garden with a peg bag.

Now, onto my card. 

Today’s star is an alien, die-cut from an SVG I designed in CorelDRAW. I cut him out of core card and glitter card, then layered him up for a bit of 3D fun. Kept it CAS – though with three eyes, this fella clearly spots chocolate cake from light years away. Forget UFOs, he’s definitely landing for dessert.

Challenges:

• Sisterhood of the Snarky Stampers #265 - A is for Alien
• Just Us Girls #788 - Word Week: Birthday
• Seize The Birthday #297  -No Flowers
• The Male Room #201 - Universe
• CAS Colours & Sketches #566 - Sketch Challenge 
  

And let’s be honest – with his glittery finish and those three peepers, he’s either here to invade Earth or audition for a boyband. Either way, I’m ready.

Sláinte,

Wendy R. 👽