Thursday 25 August 2022

August Rudolph Days Challenge.

Once again, it is time for the Rudolph Days Challenge. You can submit your newly created Christmas card or any Christmas themed project to our challenge. The challenge runs till midnight on the last day of the month. Don't forget to leave a comment on this post!

Sam at Whispers Cards has created these beautiful snowflake cards for our inspiration. Her first card is this lovely gold snowflake card. The gold metallic snowflake takes pride of place, and the pretty background paper looks so good here. This card looks so festive! I like the tied twine holding the sweet sentiments...it looks great here.

Sam's second card is a silvery delight. This time, Sam has used silver metallic to make that snowflake pop. I must say the addition of that fabulous sentiment makes this card stunning! I think this one is my fave but as they both are beautiful, it was a hard decision. I hope you will follow the hyperlink by clicking on Sam's name and leave her some lovely comments on these stunning card.
I have still been busy with Al. He is still having difficulties bouncing back and the specialist advises that he may never regain the level of stamina he had before the heart attack. They have played around with his medications and that has solved some issues, but they feel his remaining health issues are simply due to the reduced capacity of his heart. He also experiences extreme heat intollerance now, and that is taking a toll on his golf outings. On hot days like we have been having this summer, he has learned to come home early and not worry about finishing 18 holes! The doctor advises that his heart can not pump enough oxygen that it needs to cool his body. He may just have to switch up to spring and fall golfing! As soon as he is strong enough, they will do the heart valve replacement and that should solve some remaining health issues as well.

I tend to stay on the same floor as him now, as if I had not been there, we would not have been able to save him. He was sitting down and could not get enough breath to call out for help. He just slumped forward a bit in the recliner. It sure has made me reluctant to go downstairs to my craft room. I am in the midst of creating card kits and scrapbook page kits so I can carry them up and work on them at the dining room table. Hopefully soon, I will be making cards again.

Our prize this month is this Find It media Christmas Bauble die.

35 comments:

mamapez5 said...

Some lovely snowflakes from Sam.
I am sorry to hear Al is still struggling. I do hope the different meds will help and he will get the valve repair/replacement soon.
I am only playing for fun as usual. Kate x

ionabunny said...

Happy Rudolf days everyone. Gorgeous cards from Sam. Love those little tags on the twine. Sorry to hear Al is still struggling but it's good he is able to get out and golf even if he has to take a shortcut to the 19th hole (the clubhouse for those not golf orientated). Keeping active is half the battle. Take care of yourself too. Hugz

Liz said...

Beautiful cards from Sam, lovely designs. Sorry to hear that Al is still finding things difficult. Hope things improve for him soon. Remember to take care of yourself too. x

Sandra H said...

Its sad to read Al is still struggling l do hope he gets better soon sending lots of love ...stunning cards as always by Sam great inspiration to take from them take care just playing for fun xx

Sue - said...

So sorry to hear that Al is still having problems. Hopefully the next op will help. Beautiful cards from Sam.

Margreet said...

Beautiful cards from Sam. So sorry to hear Al is still struggling. Take care!
xxx Margreet

Linby said...

Lovely cards by Sam. So sorry to read Al is not recovering as well as he would like. Best wishes for a full recovery.

Alice (scrAPpamondo) said...

Both the cards from Sam are just gorgeous! Great inspirations!
So sorry to hear about your hubby Maureen, hope that with the heart valve replacement he will finally improve his health! I understand you are reluctant to go downstairs to your craft room and I'm sure he appreciates your company.
Hugs

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

I’m sorry that life is still thought for you Mo and I hope that Al gets well soon x

Kath said...

Rudolph Day again - where is the year going?

I hope Al makes better progress soon - the heat is awful for anyone with heart problems so I'm not surprised he has found it difficult.

Kath x

KarinsArtScrap said...

when you have heart problems than the heat is not helping. hope the wather get better for him ans also for us.

beautiful cards the DT ladies has made

gr karin

Loll said...

Hi Maureen. I'm so sorry to hear that Al is struggling so much. What a terrible time it's been for the both of you. I hope things improve when the temperatures cool off. Take care.

Beautiful cards from Sam this month. Thanks for continuing with the challenges. Loll xx

Becca Yahrling said...

Love how big the main snowflake is that Sam used on her beautiful & elegant cards!
I can relate to Al and his golfing issues ... my hubby usually plays 3 times a week, but decided to cut it down to 2 due to the heat! But not play 18 holes?!?! Not sure he would survive that!! LOL I will continue to pray for Al's recovery ... and therefore, more crafty time for you! ;-) hugs, Becca

Becca Yahrling said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandy said...

Sam did a great job with her snowflake cards. So sorry to hear Al is struggling and I hope the doctors can provide some relief soon.

KT Fit Kitty said...

Hello, Maureen, I am sorry to read that Al is still having problems, especially since it's been so hot and humid this summer. I hope the cooler fall temperatures will make a difference for him, at least for comfort if nothing else. I also hope his valve replacement can be done soon. Thank goodness you are able to stay on the same floor to keep a close eye on him to see when he is struggling. Thank you for continuing on with Rudolph Days with everything that you have going on. Sam's cards are gorgeous! I like the large snowflake, especially in the silver! Sending hugs and well wishes from Nova Scotia!

Suzanne H said...

Thank you for hosting this challenge with all you have going on. You are on my prayer list and hopefully the cooler weather will be coming. Sam's cards are beautiful!

Barbara said...

Thank you for this blog - and after such a long time I'm so happy to finally be able to participate again!

Carol L said...

I'm so sorry your hubby hasn't regained what he lost, but at least he can still play golf in the cooler weather, so all is not lost. Thank goodness you were right there when he needed your help! Continued prayers going out for his healing and for your peace of mind too. Happy Rudolph Days - playing just for fun this month. Sam's snowflake cards are just lovely this time around too!

LesleyG said...

Lovely snowflake cards from Sam.
Sorry Al is still struggling, but glad you can organise things to craft and be closer to him.
I hope it improves when the cooler weather comes, it’s been too hot for me too.
Happy Rudolph Day to everyone xxx

Di said...

Lovely cards Mo. But, my heart goes out to you as well as Al. Sending positive thoughts.

I'll be back with my entry!

Di xx

Jenny L said...

Hi Maureen,
Sam's cards are wonderful will pop over and give her some love shortly.
So sorry to hear about AL and his continued health problems I can imagine how you are feeling as I have been there.
They say not to go out in extreme weather conditions that includeds the hot weather and the cold and high winds also.
It's good he has a hobby of golfing and doesn't take things too strenuously either.
Sending lots of postaive vibes your way to help ease your work load and help heal AL quickly.
Lots of crafty love and hugs. Jenny L.

cebelica said...

Such lovely cards!
I'm sorry to hear Al is still having health issues. I hope he will get well soon. xx

SHartl said...

Ooh, I love that sparkly snowflake card so much but am sorry to hear that Al is still struggling to regain his strength. Being able to do even half a game of golf sounds pretty good though, so I hope he can continue to stay active and just pace himself.
Sounds like a good plan for you to make up kits to work on at the dining room table. Crafting is always a great pick me up.

Kate said...

Pretty snowflake cards from Sam! I'm so sorry to hear about your husband Maureen - my son suffered a lot of epileptic seizures when he was young and I was afraid to leave him unattended so I feel your pain. Do make time for yourself, it's the best way for YOU to heal!

Robyn Oliver said...

My caring good wishes come your way Maureen as you continue to help Al with his health, and hope those high temps in the UK cool down soon. Two lovely cards from Sam as always, take card Robyn

Greta said...

Sorry to hear your hubby continues to have challenges recovering, but glad to hear he can play golf--at least in cooler weather. I know it must be so stressful for you. Good idea to put some things together to work on where you can be near him. Really gorgeous cards by Sam & a lovely prize! Sending hugs, Greta

Karenladd said...

So glad to hear that Al can still play golf, but that he still isn't where he wants to be. I hope he can manage better as the weather cools off, and that you can get back to a little bit of crafting. Crafting is such a great stress reliever for me..and probably for you as well. Thanks for the beautiful card inspiration by Sam

Helen said...

Lovely cards from Sam.
Great to that Al is able to get out and about.
Helen x

Barbara Godden said...

Glad Al is getting some exercise, it's important. Making card/scrapbooking kits is a good idea, one I should try for crafting at the lake as I always forget something. It's been a while since I've had a chance to play along with Rudolph Days, I did make my DT card with you in mind. I much prefer to make one just for the challenge, Time there never seems enough of it.

KathyA. said...

Such beautiful snowflakes! And, as so many others have said, I'm sorry that Al is not rebounding from his heart attack. After my sweet hubby had a stroke in 2012, my heart broke every time he faced another "loss" such as being able to go biking, winter sports, and even the energy to get through the day without a nap! So I do hope that Al gets to enjoy some golfing without getting heat exhaustion. And that you are also able to get some rest. Know that you are both being held up in prayer by your many friends... and fans!

Valerija said...

Wonderful cards.
I hope Al will get well soon.
Hugs, Valerija

Darnell said...

Phew! I just made it! Just playing for fun, Mo. I'm sorry that hubby is still struggling with his energy and heat intolerance. OTOH, I'm so delighted that he is able to play ANY golf, even if not 18 holes. I pray he keeps progressing in a forward direction so that he can have the valve surgery. Once that is done, he will hopefully feel more vibrant and you can occasionally find your happy place in your craft room! Hugs, Darnell

Tina Z. said...

Such lovely cards - great inspirations!
I'm sorry to hear that Al is still having health issues and I hope he will get well soon.
sending hugs xx

Janis said...

I am grateful for the update on Al, although it sounds like things are still very difficult. Praying for continued recovery and that he will be able to get that surgery scheduled soon!
Take care of yourself during this time, too. I like the idea of the card kits that you can work on while you are near Al. That will help your creative soul have an outlet.
Sarn's cards are just gorgeous. Love the sparkle!!
Thank you for this challenge. You are amazing to be able to keep it going. You are much appreciated and remembered in prayer.
<3 J

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