Monday 25 April 2022

April Rudolph Days Challenge

Hello to all my fellow bloggers! It is time for the April Rudolph Days Challenge. You may submit one Christmas card or Christmas project of any kind from the 25th till midnight on the last day of the month. Don't forget to leave a comment on this post. I am looking forward to viewing all of your entries.

I must confess that I am little behind in posting out prizes. If you are awaiting a prize, they will be posted this week. As many of you know, I do not drive and Al has been at his limit for outings after his daily walking. Since I last posted, he actually had to cut back on the walking due to some exhaustion issues. Luckily, that now seems resolved since the heart specialist changed up his meds late last week. We have rarely been out this year, other than picking up neccessities. I used to get my daughter to mail the prizes for me, but she has so much on her plate with her mother-in-law's sad health issues, and father-in-law having his knee replaced. He is finally recovered enough that she can take me out again, so prizes will go out very soon...

I have managed to get a couple of card kits made up. They are Hunky Dory kits and are a few years old. I liked the vintage look of the images, but used them on my own hand cut card bases. The premade smaller mats have a sort of foiled distressed edge damask look, so I used my Hunky Dory, Essential Book of Festive Foiled card mats for the main backgrounds. They are very simple cards but are nice and sparkly with all that foiling! I used Scrapbook Adhesives 3D Foam Creative Sheets for the rectangular mats and then doubled them on top of each other so the centre die cuts were popped up even further! I love those pop dots and pop sheets. They are so slim that two layers of foam will make it through the post office depth tester slot, even when combined with the thick cardstock used in the card design.

Sam from Wispers Cards Blog has made a lovely Christmas card for our inspiration. She has an adorable Penny Black image combined with some beautiful design papers. Loving those embossed gold paper accents! As always, the image is coloured up so nicely and those trailing lights have left me feeling very Christmassy! Hope you will follow the hyperlink above and visit Sam and leave her some praise...
Our prize this month is this Spellbinders Chill Bear die.

36 comments:

mamapez5 said...

It is good to know you are coping despite some difficulties. Life sounds a bit tough for you right now but I am sure no-one minds waiting a bit longer to hear from you. We are all grateful that you have kept the challenge going.
I like your vintage style cards with their foiled frames, and the Penny Black image on Sam's card is very cute. Kate x

Eemeli said...

Lovely vintage styled cards from you and a fab PB creation from Sarn.

Hope things would be getting easier for you guys. Take care.

Hugs,
Eemeli

Carol L said...

Those card mats you used make some great vintage cards, just beautiful! I'm sorry your hubby had a bit of a set-back, but hopefully things are going to improve. So sorry your family is dealing with so many issues, but keep your chin up and move forward one step at a time. Thanks for all your work in keeping this challenge going in spite of everything going on in your life. I always enjoy playing along each month and look forward to it as long as you're able to keep it going. Playing just for fun this month, but good luck to everyone! Heartfelt Hugs and prayers to you and yours!

Greta said...

So great to see you made cards, Maureen! Gorgeous way to use your products--simple or not! Glad to hear your hubby is doing well with the med change. We've stayed pretty isolated, too, but made it up to see hubby's daughter & family for a nice outing on a pretty day. Take care, Greta

Suzanne H said...

Gorgeous cards! I'm so glad your husband is getting better. I'm happy you've been able to keep the challenge going. Take care!

Sandra H said...

Wow such lovely inspiration from you and your team l do like to see vintage cards nice to keep the tradition going it's lovely to read your hubby is doing well and l hope he continues to improve all the time so nice to be reading this take care and sending lots of hugs xx

KarinsArtScrap said...

beautiful cards Maureen
Gr Karin

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Glad to hear that your hubby is going better and don't worry for the prizes, I think we all could wait, your daily problems are more important.
Love the gorgeous vintage look of your cards, they are really striking with all that gold shining!
Take care

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

... and Sam's card is so fun with those cute hedgies, but it's elegant too! Love the shining embossing on the back!

LesleyG said...

I love your vintage cards, so rich and opulent with the foiling, and how clever to have the thickness just right for posting!
Sam’s card is adorable, love the image and great colouring, made me smile.
I’m sorry to hear of your difficulties, but you are doing your best under the circumstances, and we appreciate all you do to keep us motivated with our Christmas cards.
Happy Rudolph Day to you and everyone xxx

Robyn Oliver said...

Hang in there Maureen, everyone understands - your life has been in a turmoil on top of everything else happening in the world... so take your time, we love that we can still wait till 25 of the month to play along with Rudolph Days... great cards from you and Sam, Robyn

KathyA. said...

I love the vintage DT cards...the sepia colors are so rich-looking. And the die set prize would be so fun to use! As always, I so appreciate your challenge. Kathy A at https://myasperations.blogspot.com

KathyA. said...

Oops. I accidentally linked up twice. Can you please remove either the Kathy Asper or myasperations entry please? Thanks!

Becca Yahrling said...

Your cards are so lovely, Maureen. I love vintage images and all the gold is breath taking. On both yours & Sam's cards. I will continue to pray for Al's recovery and less stress for you!!

KT Fit Kitty said...

Your vintage cards are beautiful, Maureen, and Sam's hedgie card is adorable! Thank you for the continued inspiration to make our Christmas cards! Glad to read that Al is doing well and I hope he continues to improve each day. I'll be back tomorrow to link up my card.

Kath said...

Fabulous cards from the DT!
Kath x

Vicky Hayes said...

Recovery is definitely not a sprint and it sounds as if there is plenty of progress. Lovely to see you posting some beautiful cards Maureen and I hope you had fun making them. I love the damask and the touches of gold foil with those sweet vintage images. Take care, Vicky x

Helen said...

Thanks for the DT inspiration & fun challenge!
Helen x

Janis said...

Hope Al is continuing to do better after the setback. You are amazing keeping up with this challenge with all that has gone on with you these many months!! Thank you for being so kind and generous to your fellow crafters. Your challenge keeps me on my blog and on track with Christmas cards!! I really do appreciate that.

Your vintage cards are just lovely. Love the warm glow of the antiqued gold foil and the sweet images. Sam's card is adorable with the sweet little hedgies!! So cute!
Thank you again for another Rudolph Days challenge. Hope spring brings renewed health and energy!!
<3 J

jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com

Karenladd said...

Oh, I'm glad that your husband is feeling better with his medication update, and I'm sure that we all are more than willing to wait for prizes to be mailed. I can't believe you've kept up with the challenge through all of your recent medical issues and trying to juggle family and health.
Your vintage cards are just gorgeous! I love the gold trim with those old-fashioned images. Thank you for keeping us on track throughout the year!

Liz said...

Beautiful Christmas cards by you and Sarn.

Sorry to hear that Al had a setback, but pleased to hear that his meds have been sorted out. Take care. xx

Lynne said...

Lovely cards by yourself and Sam. I hope that your husband improves more now that the doctor has sorted his medication and thank you for keeping the challenge going x

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Phew.. I exclaimed as your comment box popped up Mo, I struggle with other comment boxes n blogger a iPad on 3 Bris were keeps demanding sign in repeatedly with zero results.
Well I’m super duper slack this year Mo, todays card is my very first for 2022, I think unless I’ve forgotten a January one

Anyhoo the reason I remembered is only cos I looked over onto your blog, to link over to you because I used the little heart due you included as a bonus for me when you sent my “heart attack die”! Ie one I won when joined at time if heart attack, weird isn’t it how things happen. Anyway that is a lovely die and used on three cards already share two today. Thank you so much for your kindness ❤️❤️❤️

Lovely Christmas demos by you and Sam, very beautiful, ready to inspire us too, well done, I must wriggle on on my Christmas cards or I’ll be seriously behind!

I’m playing just for fun today thank you… no bears in Oz, not even koala bears as some call them, as they’re marsupials not mammals, so not a bear, just koalas. Unless you believe in the drop-bear story! 😆
Thanks for Sharing, God bless and keep you safe, and all those you love, hugs Shaz in Oz.x

{Wonderful Words of Life - Shaz in Oz}
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}



Di said...

What lovely cards from you and Sam too! Life is certainly throwing you a few curve balls lately - pleased to know that the change of meds is helping Al. You're both in my thoughts. Just playing for fun thanks!

Hugs

Di xx

Loll said...

Lovely vintage cards Maureen. Happy that hubby had his med adjusted and is feeling better. It can take a while to sort those things out.

Adorable card from Sam ... those hedgies are always so fun to see.

Take care. Loll xx

SHartl said...

Your cards are so beautiful and I love the touches of gold! I'm also glad to hear that Al continues to plug away, even with a slight set-back, and you are all hanging in there and staying well. Thank you for always keeping us working on our Christmas cards, even when it's hot and sunny outside. Why is it that I still always end up with a mad rush in December?!

Linby said...

Lovely cards from both of you. Glad to read that the patient continues to improve.

cebelica said...

Such lovely cards. I hope everyone's health will continue to improve. xx

ionabunny said...

Happy Rudolf Days everyone. Hope everyone is keeping well. Hugz

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Such beautiful cards from you both. Sorry to hear that Al has had to rest up but glad that he's back on track again. I'm sure he's longing to get back on the golf course. Can't believe how late I am this month.

Hugs Sue xx

Bonnie said...

Beautiful vintage cards, Maureen! I'm glad Al is doing better and you are finding time to create.

Tina Z. said...

Glad to hear that your hubby is going better, I am thinking of you.
Love the gorgeous vintage look of your cards.
crafty hugs xx

Craftychris said...

Gorgeous cards from your kit and Sam's hedgehogs are so cute! No one will mind late post - you have a lot on, I am glad hubby's med change has helped. Take care. xxx

Jenny L said...

Hi Maureen,
just about made this month I have been out and about with my Daughter this week as she was on her hols so wee had a lovely week in each other's company, and it was so nice getting out and about for a change as I don't drive anymore because of my eye probs.
What super cards and designs they look very wonderful and so lixurious with all that background metallic desgin.
The images are so fab also.
I do so hope things will settle down for you shortly you must be exhausted.
Sending lots of love and hugs your way to help.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

Valerija said...

Wonderful cards from you and Sam. Thanks for inspiration.
Hugs, Valerija

Sue - said...

Two lovely traditional cards. Sorry to hear Al had a bit of a setback. Hope the new meds sort him out.xx