Jan 2024 Rudolph Days Challenge

It is with a heavy heart that I write this post. Sadly, this will be the last Rudolph Days Challenge post from this blog. Many of you know that Al and I have not had the best of health these last couple of years. You know that we also want to downsize to a rancher in a gated community, as Al struggles with with the stairs now. My mobility issues have made the stairs a bit dangerous for me as well, so we have been looking at various complexes for the right floor plan and site amenities, for about a year.

We have found 4 complexes that we like with a pool and hot tub to help keep us mobile, as well as a meeting/craft room for me! So, we are listing our house on Feb 1st. Hopefully, we manage to find one for sale as so far we have missed out on 2, and have turned several down that had terrible locations (busy road etc). Our daughter has a basement suite at ground level (no stairs), and they wish to not rent it out anymore. They will just use it themselves for their own family, and would let us stay there while we look if we do not find something in time.
With all the work ahead re searching listings, viewings at our place, packing, and unpacking, etc. I have decided to close the challenge. If anyone would like to take it over, email me at maureenkane@telus.net. This week I will be checking over each month making sure that all prizes for 2023 have been mailed out. Email me at maureenkane@telus.net if I have missed you. Sorry if you are one that I missed, but that is another reason I need to step down. Getting out to mail prizes is a bigger chore with poor mobility!

I have done up 2 cards for your inspiration this month. I have had the designers retire in December, so as to allow them this last chance to participate and try for a prize as well. My first card is a tentfold 6x6 inch square, featuring die cuts. It was a simple card to make and is great one for low depth when trying to keep postage to the minimum. The red bow is layered up a bit for a wee bit of depth.

My second card features some cheeky little reindeer. I think they are trying to kick up their heels! I had fun stamping and colouring this image. I then used snippets to complete the matting and set it onto to a pale blue background with silver embossed snowflakes. Amazing how my computer has made it look like a pale green background! The sentiment is many years old and I picked up a sheet of them at the time. Lots left to use up now!

Our prize will be this Karen Burniston Merry Christmas die and this Memory Box poinsettia die.

2023 Special Prize Winner

I could not use random org in the usual mannner, as of coure there were not any numbered entries. So, I wrote out tickets, and had my husband draw a name from a hat.

The winner is Jenny L. Jenny is a member of my design team and let me tell you how happy I was to see her name drawn. Designers get a package of crafty presents from me each year, but it is always nice to see any extra treats going to a designer. They all work so hard to design cards and to visit your blogs leaving lovely comments!

Well done Jenny, for your win!