Taking a Short Break Due to Health Issues

Hello folks,

 

I know that you're expecting the July challenge to start today but unfortunately that isn't going to happen.

 

For the last four months I have been battling some pretty serious health problems that have left me with a number of ailments, including a lack of stamina and an inability to apply myself to activities requiring mental fortitude. These issues culminated in a seven day stay at the hospital where I underwent an invasive medical procedure followed two days later by surgery. I have been back home for only five days and while I am healing, it is definitely a struggle. Now, while two issues have been resolved there are still two medical issues that need addressing soon. I just don't have a time table as of yet.

 

It is for these reasons that I have decided to take a break for the months of JULY and AUGUST. I hope that we will be back in September but it will depend on how things progress. I need to take the time to focus on myself until my health is better on track. 

 

I hope that you understand and will join us again when The 12 Months of Christmas returns.

 

Take care and have a lovely summer or winter, depending on where you are in the world.

 

Kinds regards,

Lisa  

Challenge #135 Midway: ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS with the Optional Twist…Marble Magic💫🧊

Welcome back crafters! It is the 15th of the month and that means it is time for the midway of our current challenge. I hope that you and your families all continue to stay well in the various regions that you reside.

 

Right now, as we are halfway through the month of June, it is time to see what the Merry Maidens have been up to! Clicking on the DT names will take you to the individual blogs where you can check out the details for both of these wonderful cards.

 

 

So if you haven't entered already, what are you waiting for? It is time to link up your Christmas and other holiday cards for June. Below you will find a refresher of the details for this challenge.

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.

Challenge #135

  ANYTHING GOES with the 

Optional Twist: Marble Magic💫🧊

 

Our theme, as always, is ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS (or in celebration of other December holidays). If you want to challenge yourself, you can follow our optional twist of featuring a MARBLE TEXTURE on your card. Think elegant swirls and polished stone effects in festive colours like icy blues, snowy whites, rich emeralds, or touches of gold. You could try ink pouring, heat embossing, or simply using patterned papers to create the marbled look. Marble backgrounds can add a luxurious feel to ornaments, poinsettias, winter skies, or modern holiday designs. Let your creativity swirl into something beautifully festive!

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 June's paper for those adding TWO cards to this month's link up:

 

 

If you are new to this unique challenge, you can find out the impetus behind why I started it under the 'Introductions' tab. As this is a different kind of link up where we have both an Anything Goes Christmas or other December Holiday option AND an optional twist to follow, be sure to read all the details and rules you need to know in order to participate, by checking out the 'Challenge Details' tab (both tabs located at the top of the blog). I have provided a summary of the most important rules in the right sidebar.

Click HERE to find the link up for
Challenge #135.

Please note...

Sadly, my health is in a really bad place right now. As such I have had to make the decision to cancel the July Challenge. I hope that we'll be back in August, but for now, I kind of have to play things by ear and listen to my body. I will make an announcement on July 1st as well.

 

We look forward to seeing you participate!

Challenge #135: ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS with the Optional Twist…Marble Magic💫🧊

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!

 

While Christmas may still be several months away, it is never too early to get started on all the Christmas and other December Holiday cards you are going to need when December finally rolls around! Whether you are just embarking on getting a start to your stash or you already have a few cards completed, we'd love to have you join us and add your cards to 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 #135

  ANYTHING GOES with the 

Optional Twist: Marble Magic💫🧊

 

Our theme, as always, is ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS (or in celebration of other December holidays). If you want to challenge yourself, you can follow our optional twist of featuring a MARBLE TEXTURE on your card. Think elegant swirls and polished stone effects in festive colours like icy blues, snowy whites, rich emeralds, or touches of gold. You could try ink pouring, heat embossing, or simply using patterned papers to create the marbled look. Marble backgrounds can add a luxurious feel to ornaments, poinsettias, winter skies, or modern holiday designs. Let your creativity swirl into something beautifully festive!

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 June's paper for those adding TWO cards to this month's link up:

 

 

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.

 

 

So what are you waiting for? It is time to link up your Christmas and other holiday cards for June! 

 

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 June 15th, for our midway post when the Merry Maidens will be here to share their awesome cards. 

 

As always, I have to be honest with you guys. I'm really struggling with my health right now. As such I am getting the absolute bare minimum accomplished. I apologize that we are still so far behind in the winner announcements. I will do my best to catch up as I am able to. 

  

We look forward to seeing you participate!

Link Up Below:
Cards for this challenge will be accepted from 6:00 p.m. (18:00 hrs), June 1st until 11:59 p.m. (23:59 hrs), June 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.

 

Challenge #134 Midway: ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS with the Optional Twist…LANTERNS in the Snow

Welcome back crafters! It is the 15th of the month and that means it is time for the midway of our current challenge. I hope that you and your families all continue to stay well in the various regions that you reside.

 

Right now, as we are halfway through the month of May, it is time to see what the Merry Maidens have been up to! Clicking on the DT names will take you to the individual blogs where you can check out the details for both of these wonderful cards.

 

So if you haven't entered already, what are you waiting for? It is time to link up your Christmas and other holiday cards for May. Below you will find a refresher of the details for this challenge.

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.

Challenge #134

  ANYTHING GOES with the 

Optional Twist: 

LANTERNS in the Snow

Our theme, as always, is ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS (or in celebration of other December holidays). If you want to challenge yourself, you can follow our optional twist of featuring a LANTERN on your card. Create warmly glowing lanterns shining against snowy surroundings. You can use soft, warm hues for the lantern centres fading into cool blues. You could add frosted glass effects with vellum or ink blending. Snow-covered branches or a gentle snowfall complete the scene. It is time to light the way on a cold, crisp night!

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 May's paper for those adding TWO cards to this month's link up:

 

 

If you are new to this unique challenge, you can find out the impetus behind why I started it under the 'Introductions' tab. As this is a different kind of link up where we have both an Anything Goes Christmas or other December Holiday option AND an optional twist to follow, be sure to read all the details and rules you need to know in order to participate, by checking out the 'Challenge Details' tab (both tabs located at the top of the blog). I have provided a summary of the most important rules in the right sidebar.

Click HERE to find the link up for
Challenge #134.

Don't Forget, if everything goes according to plan...

I'll hopefully be publishing another outstanding winner announcement sometime in the next two weeks. I will do my best. These last two weeks have been filled with medical appointments and I just haven't had the time, nor the energy to get it done. Then, please join us on June 1st when we'll be back with our newest link up! Other special posts may be published throughout the month. Be sure to follow us through Bloglovin' so you don't miss a thing!

 

We look forward to seeing you participate!

Challenge #134: ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS with the Optional Twist…LANTERNS in the Snow

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!

 

While Christmas may still be several months away, it is never too early to get started on all the Christmas and other December Holiday cards you are going to need when December finally rolls around! Whether you are just embarking on getting a start to your stash or you already have a few cards completed, we'd love to have you join us and add your cards to 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 #134

  ANYTHING GOES with the 

Optional Twist: 

LANTERNS in the Snow

Our theme, as always, is ANYTHING GOES CHRISTMAS (or in celebration of other December holidays). If you want to challenge yourself, you can follow our optional twist of featuring a LANTERN on your card. Create warmly glowing lanterns shining against snowy surroundings. You can use soft, warm hues for the lantern centres fading into cool blues. You could add frosted glass effects with vellum or ink blending. Snow-covered branches or a gentle snowfall complete the scene. It is time to light the way on a cold, crisp night!

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 May's paper for those adding TWO cards to this month's link up:

 

 

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.

  

So what are you waiting for? It is time to link up your Christmas and other holiday cards for May! 

 

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 May 15th, for our midway post when the Merry Maidens will be here to share their awesome cards. If everything goes according to plan, another outstanding winner announcement will be posted before month's end as long as I can pull it off.  I can try but it is a month heavy with medical appointments and procedures so it is hard to say whether I'll get it done or not. Other special posts may be published throughout the month. Be sure to follow us so you don't miss a thing!

We look forward to seeing you participate!

Link Up Below:
Cards for this challenge will be accepted from 6:00 p.m. (18:00 hrs), May 1st until 11:59 p.m. (23:59 hrs), May 31st, 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.

 

Challenge #129 Winner Announcement (December)

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. 

 

Yippee!!! I have finally finished all the outstanding winner announcements for 2025! So on that note, it is time to share the winners and our top three Stocking Stuffers from Challenge #129 (Anything Goes CHRISTMAS with the Opt. Twist of Anything Goes Christmas). December saw us with 114 entries added to our link up. Are you one of those lucky peeps?! Let's find out!

 

#73. URŠKA

 

Urška, 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).

Urška, 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 #129 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.

 

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

 

 

   #108. CHARMAINE S.

 

 

#74. JENN B.

#103. DANICA

 

Congrats to our top three Stocking Stuffers! Charmaine, Jenn and Danica, please grab a copy of the badge below for your blog.

 

Everyone who links up two cards each month is eligible to receive a free digital paper. Paper for November 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 DECEMBER qualifying them to receive the digital paper from that month, will receive the Believe in Santa Patterned Paper. I have included the preview of this paper below... 

 

 

To all of you who linked up during December, 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!

 

Well folks, that is it for this one! If you haven't already, be sure to check out our current challenge going on now, with the Optional Twist this month of "Nordic Noel". There is still a little under two weeks to go and you can click HERE to find out all the details along with the link up.

 

Please join us again May 1st when we'll be back with our latest link up!

Until then,