Tuesday, September 01, 2026

Challenge #136: ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS with the Optional Twist…STRIPES 🧦 🧣

Welcome Christmas Crafters! It is the first of the month and time for our new challenge! I hope that you and your families are happy and well!
 
Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words during my absence. I am mostly recovered from my procedure and the surgery. I still have some health issues to continue exploring but I'm SOOOOO MUCH BETTER than I was. It is pretty scary thinking back on it. It is very possible that if I hadn't gone to the hospital, that I might not be here right now as I was so severely dehydrated and undernourished by the end of the three month period I had been struggling through. My husband had told me that if I hadn't made the decision that Friday in June to head to the hospital, that he would have called the ambulance that same day—or dragged me kicking and screaming if necessary. Though to be perfectly honest, since I couldn't even hold my head up for more than a few seconds at a time by that point, there would have been no kicking and screaming. 🫢 I am just happy to be on the tail end and healing so it is time to get back on track with our challenges.
 
So much time has gone by. I'm flabbergasted that it is already the start of September. As fall will soon be upon us, the months until Christmas are rapidly dwindling! If you happen to send out a lot of cards during the holiday season and haven't started your pile yet, it is time to get cracking! If you've been slowly working on your pile, congratulations for getting an early start. Whichever category you fall into, I hope that you'll continue with the quest to work on all those Christmas and other December Holiday cards needed for year end AND share them with us here on our Link Up for a chance to win some goodies! 
 
If you are new to this unique challenge, you can find out the impetus behind why I created it under the Introductions tab and all the details you need to know in order to participate, by checking out the Challenge Details tab (both tabs located at the top of the blog). For your convenience, a summary of the most important rules can be found in the right sidebar under the heading Basic Rules Summary.

Right now, it is time to get down to the business of our latest challenge. Here is what you need to know...
 

Challenge #136

  ANYTHING GOES with the 

Optional Twist: STRIPES

Our theme, as always, is ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS (or in celebration of other December holidays). If you'd like an extra challenge, our optional twist this month is STRIPES! Stripes can add a playful touch, a modern feel, or a classic holiday look to just about any merry make.Think peppermint candy canes, holiday stockings, cozy scarves, bold backgrounds, or subtle striped patterns in traditional Christmas colours or frosty winter hues. There's no shortage of festive ways to incorporate this timeless design. Create your stripes with patterned papers, stamping, stencils, ink techniques, ribbon, washi tape or strips of cardstock. So have fun toeing the line... or crossing it! We can't wait to see your wonderfully stripey Christmas creations!

Keep in mind though, that you don't need to follow the twist to link up your cards and earn a free paper each month or for a chance to win your choice of TWO Christmas or Winter themed mini kits of digital papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles. Following the twist is simply for fun and to challenge yourself if you'd like. 

Here is a preview of September's paper for those adding TWO cards to this month's link up:
 
An image of the patterned paper preview
 
decorative border

Now check out what the Sleigh Belles came up with to inspire you. Clicking on the DT names will take you to the individual blogs where you can check out the specific details for these wonderful cards.
 
 
http://susanrenshaw0404.blogspot.com/
framed image of Susan's card



http://craftinghelen.blogspot.co.uk/
framed image of Helen's card

second decorative border

So what are you waiting for? It is time to link up your Christmas and other holiday cards for September
 
Please remember that this is a CARDS ONLY link up. While we've had some lovely tag entries, ornaments and other creative projects in the past, we've sadly had to disqualify them.

Please join us again on September 15th, for our midway post when the Merry Maidens will be here to share their awesome cards. In case you missed it, the winner announcement for Challenge #135 was published on August 30th. I am now officially caught up with all the outstanding winner announcements. Hallelujah!!! If you need to check any of them out, please just scroll backwards to find all six (Jan. to June)  Be sure to follow us so you don't miss a thing!

the_12_moc_linkup@outlook.com

We look forward to seeing you participate!

Lisa
team signature

Link Up Below:
Cards for this challenge will be accepted from 6:00 p.m. (18:00 hrs), September 1st until 11:59 p.m. (23:59 hrs), September 30th, 2026 (all times listed are in Eastern Time).  Please click the 'Challenge Details' tab at the top of the page above for all the rules and details. Maximum 10 entries.
 

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Challenge #135 Winner Announcement (June)

Hello there to all our Christmas crafting friends!  I hope that you and your families continue to stay safe and healthy out there in your various locations in our world. Sorry I'm a day late with this. I had hoped to post it yesterday but something came up that prevented me from doing so.
 
Yippee. Today marks the final outstanding winner announcement! Therefore, it is time to share the winners and our top three Stocking Stuffers from Challenge #135 (Anything Goes CHRISTMAS with the Opt. Twist of Marble Magic). June saw us with 46 entries added to our link up. Are you one of those lucky peeps?! Let's find out!
 


A picture of a card and envelope showcasing and the winners are

framed image of winner's card
 
Diny, you are the winner of your choice of TWO Christmas or Winter themed mini kits of digital papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles. (chosen by random.org based on all eligible entries).

an image of the sponsor's logo

Diny, please send an email to the_12_moc_linkup {at} outlook {dot} com (don't forget to replace {at} and {dot} with the appropriate symbols), with the subject, "12MoC Challenge #135 WINNER" to make arrangements to receive your prize. Please note that it may take me a while to get back to you so thank you for your patience. In the interim, please grab a copy of the winner badge below for your blog.
 
winner's badge



three stockings for top three header
Next, it is time to get on with showcasing the top three. So, without further ado, here are the Stocking Stuffers for June:


 
Congrats to our top three Stocking Stuffers! Fabiola, Darnell and Nelleke, please grab a copy of the badge below for your blog.
 
stocking stuffer's badge




header for digital paper winners

Everyone who links up two cards each month is eligible to receive a free digital paper. Paper for May has now been sent out. If you were expecting one but haven't received it yet, please leave me a comment and I'll look into it for you.

The individuals who linked up a minimum of two cards each during the month of JUNE qualifying them to receive the digital paper from that month, will receive the Purple Marble Textured Paper. I have included the preview of this paper below... 
 
An image of the patterned paper preview
 
To all of you who linked up during June, thanks ever so much! We are so happy to have all of you with us and hope that you'll continue to link up your holiday cards as you begin or continue to work on your stockpile for 2026!!! Papers will be sent to the email address that qualifying participants used when they added their cards to the Link Up, as soon as I can manage!

image of a decorative border
 
Well folks, that is it for this one! Please join us again September 1st when we'll be back with our challenges!

Until then,
Lisa D.
team signature

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Challenge #134 Winner Announcement (May)

Hello there to all our Christmas crafting friends!  I hope that you and your families continue to stay safe and healthy out there in your various locations in our world. 
 
I am back today with another of our outstanding winner announcements. Just one more to go before we are back with our challenges starting Sept. 1st.
 
It is time to share the winners and our top three Stocking Stuffers from Challenge #134 (Anything Goes CHRISTMAS with the Opt. Twist of LANTERNS in the Snow). May saw us with 45 entries added to our link up. Are you one of those lucky peeps?! Let's find out!
 


A picture of a card and envelope showcasing and the winners are

framed image of winner's card
 
Arlene, you are the winner of your choice of TWO Christmas or Winter themed mini kits of digital papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles. (chosen by random.org based on all eligible entries).

an image of the sponsor's logo

Arlene, please send an email to the_12_moc_linkup {at} outlook {dot} com (don't forget to replace {at} and {dot} with the appropriate symbols), with the subject, "12MoC Challenge #134 WINNER" to make arrangements to receive your prize. Please note that it may take me a while to get back to you so thank you for your patience. In the interim, please grab a copy of the winner badge below for your blog.
 
winner's badge



three stockings for top three header
Next, it is time to get on with showcasing the top three. So, without further ado, here are the Stocking Stuffers for May:



 framed image of stocking stuffer two's card


 
framed image of stocking stuffer three's card

Congrats to our top three Stocking Stuffers! Darlene, Lou and Irene, please grab a copy of the badge below for your blog.
 
stocking stuffer's badge




header for digital paper winners

Everyone who links up two cards each month is eligible to receive a free digital paper. Paper for April has now been sent out. If you were expecting one but haven't received it yet, please leave me a comment and I'll look into it for you.

The individuals who linked up a minimum of two cards each during the month of MAY qualifying them to receive the digital paper from that month, will receive the Frosted Lantern Glow Patterned Paper. I have included the preview of this paper below... 
 
An image of the patterned paper preview
 
To all of you who linked up during May, thanks ever so much! We are so happy to have all of you with us and hope that you'll continue to link up your holiday cards as you begin or continue to work on your stockpile for 2026!!! Papers will be sent to the email address that qualifying participants used when they added their cards to the Link Up, as soon as I can manage!

image of a decorative border
 
Well folks, that is it for this one! Please join us again August 29th when I'll be back with the final outstanding winner announcement.
 
Then be sure to join us on September 1st when we'll be back with our challenges!

Until then,
Lisa D.
team signature

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Challenge #133 Winner Announcement (April)

Hello there to all our Christmas crafting friends!  I hope that you and your families continue to stay safe and healthy out there in your various locations in our world. 
 
I am back today with another of our outstanding winner announcements. I'll be posting the remaining two before we are back with our challenges starting Sept. 1st. 
 
It is time to share the winners and our top three Stocking Stuffers from Challenge #133 (Anything Goes CHRISTMAS with the Opt. Twist of NORDIC NOEL). April saw us with 49 entries added to our link up. Are you one of those lucky peeps?! Let's find out!
 


A picture of a card and envelope showcasing and the winners are

framed image of winner's card
 
Megan, you are the winner of your choice of TWO Christmas or Winter themed mini kits of digital papers from Décosse's Dynamite Doodles. (chosen by random.org based on all eligible entries).

an image of the sponsor's logo

Megan, please send an email to the_12_moc_linkup {at} outlook {dot} com (don't forget to replace {at} and {dot} with the appropriate symbols), with the subject, "12MoC Challenge #133 WINNER" to make arrangements to receive your prize. Please note that it may take me a while to get back to you so thank you for your patience. In the interim, please grab a copy of the winner badge below for your blog.
 
winner's badge



three stockings for top three header
Next, it is time to get on with showcasing the top three. So, without further ado, here are the Stocking Stuffers for April:

 
Congrats to our top three Stocking Stuffers! Loopyloo, ELFi and Danica, please grab a copy of the badge below for your blog.
 
stocking stuffer's badge




header for digital paper winners

Everyone who links up two cards each month is eligible to receive a free digital paper. Paper for March has now been sent out. If you were expecting one but haven't received it yet, please leave me a comment and I'll look into it for you.

The individuals who linked up a minimum of two cards each during the month of APRIL qualifying them to receive the digital paper from that month, will receive the Nordic Noel Patterned Paper. I have included the preview of this paper below... 
 
An image of the patterned paper preview
 
To all of you who linked up during April, thanks ever so much! We are so happy to have all of you with us and hope that you'll continue to link up your holiday cards as you begin or continue to work on your stockpile for 2026!!! Papers will be sent to the email address that qualifying participants used when they added their cards to the Link Up, as soon as I can manage!

image of a decorative border
 
Well folks, that is it for this one! Please join us again August 27th when I'll be back with the next outstanding winner announcement.
 
Then be sure to join us on September 1st when we'll be back with our challenges!

Until then,
Lisa D.
team signature