Friday, May 01, 2015

Challenge #5: Optional Theme--Christmas Critters

Hello and welcome to The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up.  Once again we had just under 50 cards linked up in the last challenge with five cards following the theme!  Well, now its time to get this month's challenge under way.  Can you believe that it is May already?!  This month has gone by so quickly I almost didn't get the new challenge up in time!

The Basics

While you can find out ALL the information you need to know in order to participate in the challenge by checking out the 'Challenge Details' tab at the top of the page (or by clicking HERE), here is a refresher of the basics.
  • Anyone can link up as many Christmas and/or December holiday themed cards (including Happy New Year's cards) throughout the month with an ANYTHING GOES theme.
  • Every person who has linked up a MINIMUM of two (2) cards will be eligible to receive a specially designed Christmas themed digital paper.
  • Each month there will be an OPTIONAL theme to follow.  Anyone who submits a card adhering to the monthly theme, will have the chance to win a prize from that month's guest sponsor.
  • Every holiday card you submit to the link up, earns you one chance to win a special digital Christmas kit that will be offered up after the year is complete.
Now that the basics are out of the way, how about we get on with the details of Challenge #5.

Challenge #5

Optional Theme:  Christmas Critters
Cute penguins, fluffy bears, and raucous reindeer, oh my! Christmas is such a fun time of year. Even the animals around us get in on the act--with a little help from us of course. This month's challenge is all about the furry, fluffy and feathered critters that entertain us during the holidays.

In order to have a chance to win the prize from our wonderful guest sponsor this month, make sure that your card showcases an animal suitable for a holiday card. The animal can be part of your image, your paper or even your embellishments.  If you do follow the optional theme, be sure to add FT after your name so that we include you in the draw for the prize.

Remember, you don't need to follow the theme to link up your cards and earn a free paper each month, and have your name thrown into the year end draw for some extra digital goodies. You only need to follow the theme if you want a chance to win this month's sponsored prize of a $25.00 gift certificate from Deedee's Digis.

Talking about Deedee's Digis...
Originally we were supposed to have Meljen's sponsor us this month.  Unfortunately, Meljen's was unavailable to sponsor us as the store is now closed and Melissa is moving into another another area of art away from digital stamps.  Thankfully, the wonderful Deedee's Digis was able to step in at the last moment and help us out.  We are so thrilled to have them on board with us!

Now, how about we get to know them a little bit better...
Deedee's Digis offers wholesome digital "stamps" and printable digital papers that are the original creations of Deedee Anderson. All of our sets include both outline and pre-colored images, in both JPG and PNG formats. Our products are offered in high 300dpi resolution so that they are fully resizable to meet your crafting needs. We are a Christ-centered company, and you will find that many of our sets include KJV Scripture verses, in addition to encouraging sentiments of all sorts. We feel very blessed to be part of such a talented community of paper crafters, and thank you for allowing us to sponsor this challenge!
Blog Home: http://www.deedeesdigis.com/
Blog Shop:
https://shop.deedeesdigis.com/

Check out the adorable images that the team worked with this month for the start of the challenge. In order to accommodate the new EU VAT regulations, Deedee has had to divide her store into two sections.  I've included links below each image for both sections of the Deedee's Digis store.  Please be sure to click on the respective link for the area you live in.
 
NON EU residents click HERE; EU residents click HERE.

NON EU residents click HERE; EU residents click HERE.

NON EU residents click HERE; EU residents click HERE.
 
NON EU residents click HERE; EU residents click HERE.

NON EU residents click HERE; EU residents click HERE

NON EU residents click HERE; EU residents click HERE

While team members had the option of working with any of my Décosse's Dynamite Doodles papers, I did create a special set called Christmas Critters, based on the theme for this challenge.  Check out the preview...
 Everyone who links up a minimum of two cards during the month of May will earn ONE of the digital papers from this set.  The specific paper up for grabs will be shown during the winner announcement post.  Additionally, one random winner will earn the full set of papers.  

Have your say in determining which paper will be offered to those who link up a minimum of two cards this month by completing the poll in the sidebar on the top right hand side. (I might be a bit late switching out the polls this month so your patience is appreciated.)
Now check out what the Sleigh Belles came up with to inspire you.  I (Lisa) also had the chance to make a card for the start of the challenge.   Clicking on the names will take you to the individual blogs where you can check out the details for all these wonderful cards...

http://www.designedbydel.blogspot.co.uk/

http://craftinghelen.blogspot.co.uk/

http://www.lauraleesdream.blogspot.com/

http://moni-myway.blogspot.com/

http://www.nutsandcats.blogspot.com/

http://decossesdynamitedoodles.blogspot.ca/

So what are you waiting for? It is time to link up your Christmas and other holiday cards for May!  Whether you choose to link up two Anything Goes themed cards simply to earn your free paper this month, or you choose to also follow the optional theme to have a chance at the sponsor's prize, it is completely up to you!
If you are new to this unique challenge, you can find out the impetus behind why I started it under the 'Introductions' tab and all the details you need to know in order to participate, in the 'Challenge Details' tab (both tabs located at the top of the blog).

We have a packed month so Monica and I hope to see you back with us soon!
  • Join us on May 8th when we'll publish the names of the people who earned the free paper for April along with the winners and top picks from Challenge #4.
  • Next, be sure to join us on May 15th, for our midway post where you'll get to see cards created by the Merry Maidens!
  • Then on May 23rd, Monica will be back to share another holiday tradition with you all.
  • Other special posts may be published throughout the month.  Be sure to sign up to have our posts delivered by email or follow us through Bloglovin' so you don't miss a thing!

CHALLENGE DETAILS SUMMARY
Each month we'll include a summary of details for the particular challenge taking place.  If you are new, please be sure to familiarize yourself with all the details and rules in the 'Challenge Details' tab at the top of the page.  Please note that dates and times listed below are for this particular challenge only:
  • Cards for this challenge will be accepted from 6:00 p.m. (18:00 hrs), May 1st - 11:55 p.m. (23:55 hrs), May 31st, 2015.  
  • You need to link up a minimum of two (2) Christmas or holiday themed cards each month in order to qualify to receive that month's digital paper.
  • This is NOT a progressive challenge.  You can jump in at any time.
  • You can link up as many holiday themed cards as you want as long as each entry is with a new project.  No backlinking.  HOWEVER, if you decide to follow the optional theme of Christmas Critters (see specific details above), only a maximum of three (3) entries will qualify for the draw for this month's $25.00 gift certificate from Deedee's Digis.  You must add 'FT' after you name so we know which cards to add to the random draw for the sponsor's prize.
  • The winners and top picks for Challenge #5 will be announced on June 8th in a special post.
  • Make sure when entering your project that you mention The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up in your post with a link back to this blog.
  • Please remember to link directly to your blog post where we can see your creation, and not just the generic link to your blog. Inlinkz has been set up to reject generic blog links.
the_12_moc_linkup@outlook.com

We look forward to seeing you participate!
 Link Up Below:

2 comments:

KT Fit Kitty said...

Wonderful theme - this is right up my alley! Your DT samples are so adorable! Great sponsor too!

Granmargaret said...

Thank you for another challenge. Lovely cards by the design team. I have added Rudolf the red nosed reindeer on the bottom left hand side of my first card.