Challenge #17 Midway: Optional Theme--Non-traditional Christmas Colours

We have reached the midway point of Challenge #17.  Unfortunately, I've got some more bad news to share. Christine, one of our Merry Maidens, has also left us effective immediately, due to some family issues.  Like Sheena, Christine was only here for a short time but we were very lucky to have her during that time.  As all my team members, she made beautiful cards and her talents will be missed.  I would ask that you please join me in wishing Christine all the best as she moves on!

Now, it is time to see what the Merry Maidens have been up to with their images from The Stamping Boutique and Glitterbabe Stamps (selling out of The Stamping Boutique Store), our guest co-sponsors for this month!

Check out the lovely images that the team worked with this month for the midway of the challenge.   Clicking on the watermarks below will take you to their location in the store.

#243 Natalie

#600 Nativity

#745 Bethlehem

 
While team members had the option of working with any of my Décosse's Dynamite Doodles papers, I ended up creating two special sets this month.  Given that the optional theme is Non-traditional Christmas Colours, I decided to make some Bokeh papers.  The first set is a multicolour set and the second is a set of solid colour papers. Check out the previews (you can click on them to bring them up in the lightbox to get a larger view)...

Everyone who links up a minimum of two cards during the month of May will earn ONE of the digital papers from one of these sets. The specific paper up for grabs will be shown during the winner announcement post. Additionally, one random winner will earn their choice of which full set of papers they'd like.

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.

 Now check out what the Merry Maidens came up with to inspire you.  Clicking on the names will take you to the individual blogs where you can check out the details for all 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.  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! 

Here is 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 in the past, we've sadly had to disqualify them.

Challenge #17

Optional Theme:  Non-traditional Christmas Colours

One of the things that I love about Christmas is that it is so rich in colours.  While the holiday season is known for its bright reds, brilliant greens and sparkling golds and silvers, there are many other wonderful colours that can represent Christmas just as beautifully.

In order to have a chance to win the prize from our wonderful guest sponsor this month, make sure that your card uses a selection of non traditional Christmas colours.  It is time to bring out the blues, pinks, purples or other non-traditional colour palettes and give your Christmas project a different kind of hue.  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 2 digital stamps from The Stamping Boutique (3 if your card features a stamp from The Stamping Boutique or one from Glitterbabe).

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 unique kind of link up where we have both an anything goes Christmas option and an optional theme 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).

You can find the Challenge Details Summary along with the link up for Challenge #17 by clicking HERE.

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

• Be sure to join us next week when Monica will be here to share a Christmas recipe with you all.
• Then hopefully I will get the winner announcement for Challenge #16 posted.
• Next up it will be time for our new challenge to start on June 1st.
• Pat will hopefully be back in June to share a tradition with all of you.
• Then, the winners from Challenge #17 will hopefully be posted on June 8th.
• 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!

We look forward to seeing you participate!