Sunday 25 October 2015

October Rudolph Days Challenge

Welcome to the October Rudolph Days Challenge!
Here is a recap of the rules for your perusal. You have until October 31 to enter your Christmas card or Christmas themed project.

1. The Rudolph Days Challenge will start each month on the 25th, and will close on the last day of that month.
2. The theme is always Anything Goes, as long as it is Christmas.
3. One entry per person and you just need to enter one Christmas card or Christmas project.
4. You may combine your entry with other challenges (maximum of 10 in total).
5. Your card (or Christmas project) should not have been previously posted to your blog. It should be posted to your blog during the current months Rudolph Days Challenge, (between the 25th and last day of the current month)
6. Please link back to or at least mention, the Rudolph Days Challenge.
7.  Prizes will be shipped anywhere in the world.
8. The winner will be selected by random draw and announced on the first day of the following month.

My Rudolph Days card uses some very, very old stash as well as some new items.  Many of you know that I am struggling with some health issues  at the moment. My hands and feet are quite swollen due to a new arthritis medication I am on, so colouring is a bit out of the question right now.

To save my hands, the topper and sentiment were cut from a set of Michael's tags that I picked up a few weeks ago. As soon as I spied them at the store, I remembered the square aperture cards that have languished in my dresser drawers for several years. I picked them up at a scrapbook store garage sale and promptly stashed them away and forgot about them. Took a little searching but I managed to find them and was pleased to see that the image on the Michaels tag fit perfectly in the square opening.


I added some snowflakes I had on hand..a mixture of Spellbinders and Impression Obsession diecuts, as well as Martha Stewart Snowflake punched snowflakes. I layered up some various red and white ones and mixing up the sizes as well as the colours. I gave them all a generous coat of stardust stickles for a little extra sparkle.

I am entering this card in Pixies Crafty Workshop challenge. Di is celebrating her 200th post this week and there are three great prizes in total.

Our guest designer this month is Lynn from Crafty Linby.  She has made a gorgeous inky background and has created a lovely effect by adding salt. Pop on over to her blog for more details!
I love the shimmery effect of the tree frame around the stamped sentiment. How perfect that it is shaped like a tree as well!  The way Lynn used this die has given me all sorts of ideas for how to use my frame dies on differing sized cards...

I think this just might be the die that Lynn purchased here in Langley, when she and her friend Sue came to visit me.  The West Coast of Canada is a long journey from England so I treasure that visit!

That inky, salted background is a perfect backdrop for this pretty winter forest scene. Hope you get a minute to pop over to Lynn's blog for additional details...




Our prize this month is this Memory Box Small Blooming Poinsettia die. I look forward to viewing all your entries and good luck in the prize draw.


63 comments:

Megan J said...

Hi Mo, hope you are feeling well soon, gorgeous cards you and Lynn have created this month, have a fantastic week...Megan

Sarn said...

Lovely festive cards from both you and Linby.
Sorry to hear you're suffering at present, I hope the medication will start to help soon.

I'm playing just for fun thanks.

Hugs, Sarn xxx

Dr Sonia S V said...

WOW your card looks so gorgeous and festive and love your guest's card...such a fabulous background she made
Cheers
Dr Sonia

LesleyG said...

I love your card using up old stash, and how cool that that sqaure fitted just perfect. Lynn's card is absolutely inkylisciously gorgeous too. Happy Rudolph Day xxx

rachel said...

beautiful work mo....i'm hoping your hands are feeling better. hugs rachel xx

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

I'm sorry to hear that you're unwell, I hope you'll feel better soon. The cards are fabulous, it must have been fantastic to meet a blog friend from so far away.

Lots of love and hugs
Maarit

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Oh, I seemed to have added my link twice and can't remove it. I was so glad to be able to enter this month so I must have added a duplicate of sheer joy :)

Donna said...

This card would fit perfectly with the current CanYouCaseIt.Com challenge.
I've never played along, but thought of you as soon as I saw the sketch :)
*Waves* from the playground :)

Sally H said...

Gorgeous cards, Mo and Lynn! I really love them both!

Carol L said...

What a pretty pair of cards for inspiration today! I'm so sorry your hands and feet are experiencing side-effects from your arthritis meds, but hopefully that will be resolved soon! Arthritis is bad enough, but the swelling makes it so much worse! Your card turned out so pretty, so thank goodness you're still able to enjoy your hobby in limited form. I'm going to have to go check out how Lynn made her card, so I'm off to visit her shortly. Yes please to the prize draw this week, what a great set of dies :) Take care of yourself!

Jane Willis said...

Oh, I hope you get some medication that lets you get back into colouring again, it must be really frustrating not to be able to. Although you've made a gorgeous card without doing any - and Lynn's card is gorgeous too. Lynn has a lot to answer for...... she's the person who initially got me into joining in with blogging challenges!
Jane

Darnell said...

Both your card and Lynn's card are spectacular, Maureen! It's wonderful that you showed how elegant a card can be without coloring. Congratulations to Lynn for guest designing! I hope you get your medications righted soon so you get rid of the edema and start to feel better! Hugs, Darnell

Elizabeth said...

Hi Mo, so sorry to find that you are suffering with your arthritis. I do hope that your medication is sorted out soon. Just had a bout of arthritic inflamation in my heel so you have all my sympathy. You've made a wonderful card despite your difficulties - the topper made from the tag is lovely and I do like your red and white snowflakes. Lynn's card is gorgeous too - love that background. Take care and get well soon. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

Jane said...

What a lovely card....so sorry to hear that your hands are not playing ball at the mo. I am hoping to join the fun during the week ;0) x

jimlynn said...

Oh goodness! I hope you start feeling better soon. I'm sure that's horribly painful.
I love your card with all those wonderful details on it. So pretty for the holidays. Lynn's card is beautiful too! Wonderful cards.
Lynn

Liz said...

Two lovely cards for inspiration.

Hope your medication gets sorted soon, so you can get back to doing all the crafty things you love. xx

Pat said...

Sorry you are having these health issue which are making crafting so difficult Mo. Your card is really pretty and I just adore snowflakes and the topper is really pretty with them. Linby's card is beautifully inky and such lovely colours. I love the gold glittery trees and sentiment too. I hope your problem gets sorted soon! x

Barb said...

Hello Mo, I'm so sorry to hear that you have been unwell. I do hope your medication is soon sorted out. It must be very difficult for you. Your card, however, is so pretty and Lynn's card is lovely too. Just off to look at her blog now. Barbxx

Greta said...

So, so sorry you're having side effects from the medicine, but I have to say, this is one of my all-time favorite cards, so coloring is not needed! Lovely scene Lynn created--you're both inspiring!

Jean said...

Sorry you are struggling with your arthritis medication , I hope it settles down quickly starts to make you feel better.
Your card is lovely, great that your pretty topper was the right size for your aperture card. I have some of those tucked away somewhere too.
I love Lynne's beautiful card as well, such lovely colours.
Jean x

Kathleen said...

So sorry to hear that you are having problems hope it clears up very soon.
A fabulous card from you and also from Linby, love all your red and Linby's blue and gold.

Kath x

ionabunny said...

Hi and happy rudolf dayz. Love the cards. Hope you feel better soon. Hugz

ionabunny said...

OOPs, sorry. Seemed to have managed to get two links in and the cookie removal tool doesn't want to talk to me. #15 is a wrong link. Please can you delete it or ignore it. Hugz

Kath said...

Hi Mo - please ignore my entry No 16 as I linked back to your blog and not mine! I knew it was a mistake linking my card before I went to work and not waiting until I got home! No 17 is the link to my card.
Many thanks, Kath

Jenny L said...

Hi Muareen,
so sorry to hear your health issues affecting you crafting.
I do hope you are soon feeling much better
Wonderful cards from you and your GD.
They are both so very different and lovely.
Love and big get well hugs, and wishes from my house to yours.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

ionabunny said...

Thank you for fixing that. Hope your day is filled with sunshine. Hugz

Di said...

Lovely card Mo and it's so fresh looking - great to be abe to use up aperture cards that have been languishing for some good while! And Lynn's card is fabulous too.

So sorry to hear you're suffering at the moment - arthritis is bad enough without side effects from meds. Hope it settles soon honey!

I'll be back tomorrow with my Rudolph Day card, just playing for fun though as I already have this brilliant die set, someone will be very happy to win it!

Hugs

Di xx

mamapez5 said...

I love your card. The red snowflakes are so unusual, but they go perfectly with the image. Well done for keeping going through you problems. I hope things improve soon for you. Lynn's card is also lovely. I love seeing other folk's ideas. Kate x

Pia S said...

No coloring possible at the moment, but glad that doesn't stop you from creating:) you're great at using recycled items, turning store bought cards into personalized creations. Great job!

Chris said...

Beautiful Christmas cards, both yours and Lynn's! Sorry to read that you're suffering with arthritis, hope the new meds soon settle it down.
Chris
x

cotnob said...

Fabulous inspiration cards from you and Lynn Mo, thank you for another great challenge.
I hope your health improves soon.
Pauline
x

Sue - said...

Great card and fab die too!

AlisonC said...

Hello, I happened across this link while blog hopping so here is a card I've just made. I'm always keen to see new ideas but I don't have time to try half the things I mean to. The salty background willl be added to that list. Just beautiful. The snowflakes on your card are so pretty. How lucky that the tag fitted in the aperture.

Whisper said...

Aaah bless you hun, oooo what a super idea to use it in an apperture and so sorry to hear your new medication upsetting your Arthiritis - i have RA and when i was diagnosed 3 and a half years ago, i was on 6 Methotrixiate and now i'm down to 1 - i go to a Kinesiologist, who has helped me so much - hope you feel better soon, Luv Sam x

Kathleen said...

Really lovely card Mo and especially as you are having problems. Gorgeous snowflakes, fab sentiment and love the centre image.
Playing for fun, thanks.
Hope you get better soon
Kath x

Donna said...

What gorgeous cards. Thanks for the wonderful challenge and the chance to get more of my Christmas cards done. Have a great week!

Carol said...

Hi Maureen, two wonderful cards here from you and Lynn. Hope things start easing up for you soon...no fun not being able to craft! Carol x

dutchess said...

happy Rudolph day challenge ladies.....xxxx

Kathleen said...

Great card Mo, love the red and white snowflakes and the centre image.
Hope you are improving.

Kath x

MaryH said...

Maureen, I sure hope the new meds get adjusted so you can start feeling better. Lovely card, and how ingenious to spot those tags and know just how to use them (and find the supplies stashed away too! I'm in awe of that!). All the bits & pieces came together to create a very pretty & festive card. I always get a big kick when you have some bargain finds and turn them into gorgeousness! Feel better soon. Many hugs. TFS

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Great inspiration Mo. I'm really happy to be joining in your challenge :)

jimlynn said...

Quick note as I dash out of here today....I entered my card for the challenge Maureen - however I won't be playing for the prize this time. It's a wonderful, wonderful prize though. I use that die so much at Christmas!
Lynn

Sandma's Handmade Cards said...

Hello again Mo, I just want to say a big thank you for the lovely comments that you've left on my blog and for becoming my latest follower. I've reciprocated and started following your blog too. I actually live in West Yorkshire which is around 112km from Filey. We've spent many happy holidays there in our time and still visit most years on day trips. It's such a small world and as a fairly new blogger myself , (April this year) I've been amazed how a love of crafting can bring people together from all over the world, it's fabulous. I'm pleased that I've found you and now hope to join you every month in your challenge. Kindest regards, Sandma :)

Bonnie said...

Sorry to hear you're not feeling tip top, Sarn! Hope that improves. Love your card with all the bright Christmas colors and snowflakes! That tag is really pretty and a perfect fit!

Marcia Hill said...

Hi Mo...found your challenge through Bonnie Klass and loved looking through your blog! I love making Christmas cards and really like the idea of a once a month anything goes challenge, so thank you, thank you...I look forward to playing along each month! :0)
Hugs, Marcia

meg said...

Great card Mo , sorry to read that the new medication is causing other problems for you. Yes please to the draw

Birgit said...

Hello~ I just found your challenge blog through my bloggie friend, Marcia. I just added my card to your linky as well. I love the name of the challenge and look forward to joining in on more fun!!

Jane said...

Yes I'm back....I managed to jump in at the last moment! xx

Sandy said...

Hope you are feeling better Mo. You did manage to make a beautiful card.
Lynn's background is absolutely stunning. I've done the salted technique but my results where nothing like that.

reclaimed wood dining table said...

I love both of your cards! They are gorgeous. I'm hoping your hands are feeling better.

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Oh, Mo sorry to hear that you are poorly.
Medication change can be a real trial..
I am not sure what sort of arthritis you have, but I use natural meds to help with mine, a good quality "Glucosomine with chondroitin" and after six weeks or more on it it can really help, I found but takes while to kick in. I could not take the prescribed ones because of stomach issues.
Back to the card well glad to have joined over if it is only with one measly card. Still one is better than none.
Love yours and how super to find it matched so well.. a good blessing indeedy.
and well the salt on the inky bits of Lynn's very gorgeous card is really special, too.
thanks for the challenge Mo especially when you're not well.
Shaz in oz.x

{Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

KandA said...

Fabulous cards from both you and Lynn. Hope your hands are better soon xx

Anonymous said...

Two beautiful cards! Hope you're feeling better soon.
Liselot

BożenA said...

Both cards are so beautiful. The green background is simply insane! I wish you a speedy return to health.
BozenA

Twinks Stamping said...

Great cards. Love the colours on the second one xxxx
You will notice I have entered twice into Rudolph,no. 50 was completely by mistake! I couldnt get rid of it and in my panic I re-entered and it landed up being a no. 51 !!! HELP!!!!

Craftychris said...

I love both your card and Lynn's - wonderful stuff! I am so sorry you are suffering at the moment - take care of yourself! Big Hugs xxx

Mrs A. said...

Oops!! sorry done the same as Jan. The entry at 52 is linking to you instead of to me so have put in correctly at 53. Less haste more speed!!
Hugs Mrs A.

Valerija said...

Hi Maureen, wonderful cards here from you and Lynn.
Hope you're feeling better soon.
Hugs, Valerija

Eemeli said...

What a fabulous card. I definitely love the cas look. Also Lynn's creation is a delight to eye - sparkly gold gets you in a holiday mood.

I will be back later today with my card (I am still waiting for some daylight - otherwise photo/s will be total cr*p). Thanks for the chance to win that fab-looking prize.

Hugs,
Eemeli

Joan said...

dashing in by the skin of my teeth !

Joan said...

Oh how rude of me ! I meant to say how much I love your cards and I hope you get sorted with your medication. I have RA and take so many pills I rattle but they keep me pain free

Pat said...

Sorry to be so late posting my card Mo but was determined to try to get to join in. x

Hettie said...

Yeay!!!! Made it.....just!!!! You would not believe the problems our internet has caused me today just to get this post up!!
Hugs
xxx