Time to Meet Our New Team Members

Hello everyone.  Tomorrow our March challenge starts but first I wanted you all to meet the newest Design Team Members of The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up.  First up though I must share that Sharon will be leaving us.  The March challenge will be her last one.  Sharon has been a wonderful asset to this team and she will definitely be missed!  Please join me in wishing Sharon all the best as she moves on to new adventures in her crafting life!

Now, as many of you know we recently had a DT Call and we were very lucky that a few inspiring individuals heard our call and tried out for the team.  So it is with great pleasure that I get to introduce you to five wonderful ladies.  As everyone on this team, these newbies are very talented and all uniquely different.  Let's get to know them a bit, shall we?

 Joining the The Sleigh Belles we have...

Mother of 3 kids (2 boys and a girl) and married to my best friend for 39 years. I've been making cards since 2007. My mother inspired me. She never made her own cards but she sent cards to everyone for every occasion. After she passed away a friend introduced me to stamping and the rest is history. I love stamping but I also love using digital stamps. I also crochet and do cross stitch. I hope to retire from my job at Indiana University some time this year. My bucket list is full of crafty things I'd like to try. I want to learn to knit and do quilling among other things.

 My name is Sheena and I have been with my partner John for 17 years. We also have a 15 year old daughter Breanna who is not only growing up too fast but is my whole world. The other member of our family is a crazy Jack Russell Terror named Smudge. As long as I can remember I have always been arty, at school I was always getting top marks but instead of going on to college I entered the workforce instead. When my full time job turned part time I needed something to fill the gap in my days and that is where crafting came in, that was well over over 8 years ago now. I started off with card kits but found them too limiting, I then moved onto CDs and stamping. I then discovered the unlimited possibilities of digital stamps and here we are. I'm very passionate about what I do and I hope that shows in my work. If you would like to see more of my work please head over to my blog at Cards by Sheena

 

Joining the The Merry Maidens we have...

Hi my name is Christine Garner and I am 50 years old.  I have been making cards for several years now.  I use Spectrum Noir Markers and Pencils on my images.  I love doing all kinds of paper projects, including fancy folds and 3Dprojects.  I have been married for 24 years to a wonderful man that encourages me on my crafty things.  I have a son and daughter that are seniors this year yahoo!!!  We have two Guinea Pigs  Coffee and Buttons.  We also have a four legged fur baby Jack.  Looking forward seeing your wonderful creations.

 

 

My name is Janet Hines and I've been a crafter from the year dot. I'm married to a great guy who doesn't mind all my craft stash around the house. Over the years I've had a go at most types of crafting, knitting, crochet, glass Painting, jewellery making to name but a few. But I love making card and getting messy with inky and altered things too. I hope I can bring you some good inspirational ideas but joining the talented ladies here.

I am 70 and live in Sydney, Australia with my husband Tony.  I have two daughters and four granddaughters.  My granddaughters and all their friends call me Granmargaret.  I was made redundant at work at the end of January 2013 so after working for 53 years so I am now retired.

I started stamping and making cards in 1995 and started scrapbooking about 1999 and making ATCs in 2005.  I am still a cute stamper and make simple cards.  My favourite colours are purples and pinks. I started my blog in April 2012 with the help of cyber friends and started joining challenges to give me ideas for my cards and then was happy to be invited to join some design teams.  I have lots of rubber and clear stamps but use mostly digital stamps now as they are easier on my sore hands.

I am group Mum on some yahoo stamping groups.  I suffer from fibromyalgia and arthritis and have eye problems so spend my days making cards, a little scrapbooking and talking to my cyber friends on the internet.  This helps take my mind off the pain.

I have made many more cyber friends since starting my blog.  My eldest daughter Lynda and I are cancer survivors and we thank God for every day and for all our friends who pray for us.  I was excited to be invited to be on the design team for 12 Months of Christmas Link Up.

Please join us in welcoming Donna, Sheena, Christine, Janet and Margaret to the team. You will get to see Donna's and Sheena's first creations tomorrow and then Christine, Janet and Margaret's in a couple week's time.  To visit any of our new teammies beforehand, just click on their names above.

Well, that is it for now folks.  I hope that you will join us again tomorrow evening to find out what the optional theme of Challenge #15 will be.

See you all again soon!

Time to Meet Our New Team Members

Hello everyone.  In just about an hour we will be posting about our new challenge but first I wanted you all to meet the newest Design Team Members of The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up.  As many of you know we recently had a DT Call and we were very lucky that a few inspiring individuals heard our call and tried out for the team.

So it is with great pleasure that I get to introduce you to four very lovely ladies.  Each of whom is uniquely different and very talented.  Let's get to know them a bit, shall we?

 Joining the The Sleigh Belles we have...

I am honored to be joining the talented 12 Months of Christmas Link Up design team. Originally from Massachusetts, I now live in sunny Southern California. I'm a kids entertainment/toy marketing professional by day and paper junkie by night, but let’s be honest… I love paper at all hours of the day! Paper crafting is my creative escape. I am always on the lookout for new crafting tools, techniques, and fun paper & stationery trends in general. I LOVE Christmas all-year round, so love the idea of making holiday cards throughout the year is well… fa la la la la… la lots of fun! I can’t wait to create with all of you!

Crafting has always been my hobby – in fact my husband would say it’s my obsession! I enjoy all sorts of crafts but my current passion is paper crafting. At the moment I live in the UK but for the previous 17 years I have been an expat, living in Australia, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi and India. Whilst overseas I always managed to find friends who also wanted to craft! Now back in England I spend a lot of time in my craft room. I like to play with different techniques, making both mainstream items and more left of centre projects. I use a lot of digi images but also like getting inky…and I love different folds, ATCs and fat pages!

Joining the The Merry Maidens we have...

 Hi I'm Helen. I live in the UK with my golf fanatic husband and soppy dog.

I've been crafting for more years than I care to remember and like many started with cross-stitch. I am now an avid paper-crafter and love to colour using alcohol markers, pencils and distress inks. If it doesn't move I'll colour it! I like to create my own backgrounds but can't resist all those beautiful papers and dies out there.

I also like to knit and have recently learnt to crochet and do rag rugging. I even made a rag rug Christmas tree last year. I love to learn new techniques for crafting of any description and love mixed media. I had a go at Fimo once, needless to say slight disaster making a little Alice in Wonderland who looks more like a bumper car. I keep her for reference, must practice!!

I've been making cards for over 20 years, I love all crafts but paper is my first love. I am a stay at home mom to a feisty 5 year old. She keeps me busy and we enjoy crafting together. I live in Central Florida, been here almost 30 years!

Please join us in welcoming Christina, Susan, Helen and Marji to the team. You will get to see Christina's and Susan's first creations later today and then Helen's and Marji's in a couple week's time.  To visit any of our new teammies beforehand, just click on their names above.

Well, that is it for now folks.  I hope that you will join us again at 6:00 p.m. to find out what the optional theme of Challenge #9 will be.

See you all again soon!

Design Team Changes

Hello everyone. I hope that you are all well on this lovely Sunday evening.  I am popping in to let you know of a change within our design team.

Unfortunately, we have lost Sue K. to some technology difficulties.  We enjoyed having Sue as part of the team and she will be missed.  I ask that you join me in wishing Sue the absolute best as she moves forward.

Now Sue's departure does not mean that the Sleigh Belles are going to be a member down. Thankfully, Monica was able to convince someone that she knew, to join up with our merry little band of card makers.  So, I am very happy to announce that Sharon, from Mollie Moo's Crafty Place is now officially part of The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up team.  Sharon is looking forward to getting a jump start on her holiday cards!  She does beautiful work and we are so lucky to have her as part of our team.  Let's get to know her a bit, shall we?

 I am a stay at home Mom originally from England but moved to USA 16 months ago. I have 2 gorgeous children, A Shitzhu fur baby who is my shadow and I am married to my best friend who loves nothing more than indulging me in my passion of card making. I have been crafting since I was a child and started card making 16 years ago when my son was born. Now I like nothing better than spending my free time in my craft room stamping coloring and creating!

Please join us in welcoming Sharon to the team. You will get to see Sharon's first creation in less than 24 hours as she officially comes on board for the start of Challenge #6 which begins tomorrow.   To visit Sharon beforehand, just click on her name above.

Well, that is it for now folks.  I hope that we'll see you sometime this month in the link up.  Be sure to stop by tomorrow to find out all the details regarding our next challenge!

See you all again then!

Design Team Changes

Hello everyone. I hope that you are all well on this lovely Wednesday evening. I am popping in to let you know of a change within our design team.

Unfortunately, we have lost Mari K. due to personal reasons. Mari may have only been with us a short time but she will definitely be missed. Please join me in wishing Mari the absolute best as she continues on her journey.

Now Mari's departure does not mean that the Merry Maidens are going to be a member down. Thankfully, I was able to coax a good friend of mine to come on board. She found herself with some time on her hands and I knew just what to fill them with!  So, I am super pleased to announce that Pat, from Patacake Pages is now officially part of The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up team.  We are so lucky to have someone with Pat's experiences and capabilities on our team.  Let's get to know her a bit, shall we?

I joined the crafting world when I went to my first rubber stamp workshop. I was hooked, until I discovered all the fun and new supplies for scrapbooking. Then I unearthed the digital world of images, papers and elements. My newest passions include water colors and mixed media canvas.

I am married with two grown children, one still in college. The other has gifted me with five grandchildren, a DIL who shares my love of crafting, and "they" are newly pregnant. Hubby and I live outside of Chicago (go Blackhawks!) and enjoy occasional family vacations.

I design for  The Outlawz,  The Path ofPositivity Challenge blog,  Craft Your Passion and Your Scrapbook Place. I have made a couple YouTube tutorials, although they are a little primitive. LOL

Please join us in welcoming Pat to the team. You will get to see Pat's first creation in just a few short days as she officially comes on board during the midway post for Challenge #3 which begins Sunday.   To visit Pat beforehand, just click on her name above.

Well, that is it for now folks.  I hope that we'll see you sometime this month in the link up.  To find out all the details for our current link up with the optional theme of 'Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!', be sure to click HERE.

See you all again soon!

Time to Meet The Merry Maidens

Yesterday we introduced The Sleigh Belles (click HERE if you missed it) and now it is time to get to know the second half of our team.

I am Edwina Brown. I was born in Kentucky, moved to Georgia for 23 years on January 8, 1978 and then moved to New Jersey on February 21, 2001.

I learned about scrapbooking from a friend at church. It was the beginning. I made scrapbooks for different people when they moved away, including for the friend who taught me about scrapbooking.  I started making cards around 2006. Digis came into my life when I finally figured out how to set up a blog in 2011. I never knew that I would spend so much time with it and enjoy it so much. I started with the Robyn’s Fetish Design Team in January 2012. I have learned a lot while on this team and have enjoyed every creation I have had the honor to make. I started doing the RF tutorials in February 2013. It is a lot of work, but very interesting and inspiring.

I am 52 years old. I have 3 brothers, 3 nieces and 3 great nephews. I live with my parents and our cat, Goldie, who was a stray, hurt and cold when we brought her in and took good care of her. Cold, you ask? Yes! It was ZERO degrees outside! What a lucky cat she is now!

My name is Mari and I married to my best friend in the whole world. We have 5 wonderful kids and love spending time outdoors. We also homeschool our kids, so the family keeps me very busy. When I'm not doing the mom thing I like to sneak down to my craft room and have some quiet time. My favorite time to sneak in some crafting is early in the morning before anyone else is awake. I have been a crafter my whole life, I started scrapbooking when I was in High School and started making cards about 5 years ago. I also enjoy baking and photography.

When Lisa talked to me about being on the design team for The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up blog, I got very excited. Yeah! What a great way to have fun, be creative, AND get a jump start on my Christmas cards all at the same time! Sounds like a Win-win event to me!

My name is Julie Odil, and I am a paper addict. I love to collect all those pretty papers. Just recently, I have discovered the joy of digital papers. Imagine! Love a beautiful pattern? Just print more! I also have a bit of a collection of stamps (rubber, digital, clear), embellishments, ribbons, dies, markers, die cutting machines. Yeah, you get the idea. I love to create — cards, 3D projects, home decor, I never know what direction I am heading in next. Christmas cards, though? I always need those. So, I am very excited to be a part of this team. Maybe this year, I’ll be ready for Christmas? Nah!

I live with my partner (Edward), 2 indoor cats, 2 outdoor feral cats I am luring, and a dog in the far southwest corner of Georgia. I have been creating for my whole life, from quilts, to locker hooking, to interior decorating, to paper crafting! The list was just growing and growing. I decided that I need to focus on something and choose paper crafting...which has now grown into card making, quilling, mixed media, artist trading cards, and swapping! lol.

I try to make things that are different, have some unexpected aspect, and tend to lean toward strong women and strong colors. But not always! I may surprise everyone occasionally with random cuteness.

Let's inspire each other.

Hi everyone! I am Kemly Sc. I am from Heredia in Costa Rica. I have a daugther called Daniela. My other loves are my dogs and my little cat.  I love to make crafts handmade, make Quilting, make cards and other techniques. Since, I am a little child I make crafts. I am teacher of profession and artist by vocation.  I love life and their colours 100 %. I believe that everyday is an opportunity for growth, to create and I try to give of best of me.

Hello! My name is Suze and I live in New Zealand.

I have been card-making off and on for a number of years since a friend introduced me to rubber stamps although I now work mostly with digi stamps. My style is mainly CAS but I'm trying to learn new techniques. I first started blogging my cards in February 2012 so that I could enter some challenges. I initially started with mainly Christmas challenges to take the pressure off at the end of the year but have since found several others that have appealed to me. Since I live on the other side of the world, so many of the challenges are the opposite season to ours which certainly makes things interesting!

There you have it!  Please join us in welcoming this second group of very talented women.  Once again, Monica and I are extremely fortunate to have these ladies with us as well.  You will see projects from The Merry Maidens during the Challenge Midway each month so get forward to being super inspired by this group too.  Each of these lovely ladies would be glad to have you visit them.  Clicking on each of their pictures will take you directly to their individual blogs.

Well, you've officially met the entire design team.  Soon we'll be introducing all of our generous sponsors!  Don't forget that we have candy up for grabs until the end of the month.  You can find everything you need to know by clicking HERE and heading to that post.  We also have a couple other things planned for this month that we'll be letting you know of shortly.

Take care everyone.  We'll be seeing you again real soon!

Time to Meet The Sleigh Belles

Now that you've been introduced to the entire team, how about we get to know half of the team, a little bit better?!

 

Hi there I’m Adele (Del for short) and I’m 48 years old. I live in Hull in the UK with my Hubby Christian and my cat called Suki. I got her when she was 8 weeks old and she celebrated her 17th birthday this year. I also have 3 step children who live in another part of the country who we visit as often as we are able. I first tried card making when we got married 9 years ago when I made all my own wedding stationary and then I took it up again more seriously about 6 years ago when I was looking for another hobby. It’s now become more of an obsession lol. I enjoy all sorts of card making, and use various equipment to make my creations ranging from Rubber Stamps, Clear Stamps, Digi Images, Digi Papers, Paper Pads and CD’s….not forgetting dies and punches…..oh I could go on lol. Don’t think I have a specific style as such, I just go with my mood on the day. I’m delighted to have been picked as one of the DT here at TWOC as I love Christmas, especially all the planning and events leading up to the big day. I always seem to be doing my Christmas cards at the last minute though so this opportunity will certainly give me a great head start this year!

Hi, I Laura from Ontario, Canada. I am a single Mom of three grown children and Grandma to 6 lovely grandchildren. I have been scrapbooking for about 15 years.. I love all aspects of it.. I love to stamp, emboss, add texture, cut, colour and just learn all new techniques. I don't think I have a certain style ... I just love alot of different styles.. vintage, mixed media and cute...I can't wait to make Christmas cards all year round...

I have been doing scrapbooking in one form or another since I was a kid.  I started in earnest doing scrapbooking in 2001.  I made over 30 albums.  One day I needed a card and wasn't able to get out to the store.  I made one.  That's all it took.  I was completely hooked on card making.  I am a widow with five grown children (some natural, some step), seven grandchildren and four great grands.  After college, I taught 3rd and 5th grade for several years before switching to the legal field.  I am retired after 30 years as a paralegal/secretary/law office manager.  I needed an outlet for my cards so I started sending them to Operation Write Home.  I still do, but5 not as much as I used to.  I am a Christian woman, avoid cards that are on the dark side, and have served on several design teams over the last three or four years.  I am passionate about making cards and now give them as gifts to my family and friends.

Hi! Sue in Arizona here and here is a little bit about me:

I have been paper crafting for several years now but didn’t start posting projects online until March of 2013 when I started my blog. I enjoy all aspects of paper crafting with 3D designs being my favorite and I love trying new techniques. My biggest paper crafting challenge was my son’s US wedding. He was living in Tokyo and he and his fiancé gave me carte blanche on planning and decorating their big event. The banner I made even went to Japan to be a part of that wedding celebration. 6 months after the wedding I was transplanted to Arizona from Michigan, we had to buy special heavy duty boxes to transport my paper bins. I now have my very own craft room, YEAH!!! When Cricut released their, “Extreme Fonts” cartridge they held a 3 part contest, I won the grand prize for the last part of the contest with my, “Route 66 Bouquet” where I use a, “Route 66” soda bottle as my vase, our new home is less than a mile off of the iconic route. Shortly after that win I started my blog.

My name is Helen and I live in a small town called West Kirby which is in the north west of Britain - the nearest big city to us is Liverpool.  I work for an organisation called The Abbeyfield Society which is a world-wide charity providing care for older people.  I'm an Activities Coordinator and I work in a care home and two sheltered houses providing activities for the residents.  We craft, play dominoes, do crosswords and do chair exercises as well as enjoying music and films together.  I've been making cards for many years and love stamping, working with digi stamps and colouring with Promarkers.  My favourite card making time is Christmas and I'm really looking forward to being part of the team.

My name is Monica. I live in Costa Rica, Central America. I´m a lawyer by profession, but a papercrafter by passion. My papercrafts are my spare time, my hobby and most of the time my addiction. I love to work on 3D stuff and use it every time I can, even in my cards. I have been papercrafting on a regular basis for the last 3 years. I have two grown kids and a dachshund puppy that always keep me busy. I love Christmas time and will love to be on Christmas all year long.

Please join us in welcoming this amazing group of talented women.  Monica and I are extremely lucky to have them on board.  You will see projects from The Sleigh Belles during the Challenge Start each month so get forward to being super inspired.  Each of these lovely ladies would be happy to have you visit them.  Clicking on each of their pictures will take you directly to their individual blogs.

Stay tuned because tomorrow, we'll be getting to know the gals from The Merry Maidens.  We hope that you'll come back and join us again at that time.

Introducing The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up Design Team!

Hello and happy December everyone.  In exactly one month, The 12 Months of Christmas will begin its link up over here in its new home!  Monica and I can't wait.

Today we are very excited to announce our very first Design Team!!!  Thank you so much to all of you who helped to advertise our DT Call and of course to those of you who applied.  Everyone who applied, has been notified of the outcome.  It was definitely very hard to decide but Monica and I have come up with a list of twelve people that we think will be a wonderful fit.

Today we are going to share with you the list and blog addresses of those people who have been chosen to be part of our team.  We eagerly look forward to working with this incredible group of women and getting to know each of them better throughout their journey with us.

So please help us in giving a warm welcome to 

The 12 Months of Christmas Design Team!

Del A.-- Designed by Del
Edwina B. -- Edwina's Creations
Laura D.  --  Laura Lee's Dream
Margaret G. -- Cards and Cats
Mari K. -- Me and My Crazy Family
Sue K. -- Sue's Paper Crafts
Helen N. -- Crafting Helen
Julie O. -- Muddy Paws & Inky Fingers
Kim R. -- Craftisan Studios
Kemly Sc. -- El Mundo Segun Kyso
Moni S. -- My Way
Suze W.  --  Craftysuze

Why not stop by and say hi!

  Stay tuned to learn more about each of these awesome ladies very soon!