Challenge #49: Optional Twist..Anything BUT Rectangle

Happy New Year Crafters! Welcome to a brand new year of Christmas Card making!!! We all hope that you had a wonderful holiday season. For those of you who have been with us during the last four years, we thank you for your continued support. If you are brand new, welcome! We're so glad you found us!

On this very first day of a brand new year it is time for our very first link up of 2019 to get under way! Now, I realize that the last thing that many of you want to do is think about Christmas right now but it is never too early to get started on all the Christmas and other December Holiday cards you are going to need when December rolls around!

We've made a few important changes for 2019 that we want to share with you before we start the challenge:

• First and most importantly, ALL entries linked up will now qualify for a chance to win the sponsored prize each month. 
• Due to this change, we will now be limiting entries to a  MAXIMUM of TEN per link up. 
• Anyone following the optional twist will have their name thrown into a draw for a chance to win the monthly featured paper pack. 
• Participants are no longer required to add FT after their name if they have followed the optional twist. 
• The Digi Paper Poll will now be published in a separate post and a link to it will be available in the right sidebar so it is easy to find.  

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). For your convenience, a summary of the most important rules can be found in the right sidebar under the heading 'Basic Rules Summary'.

Before we start, I want to apologize for still being so behind in the winner announcements. It was my intention to try and catch up in December but reflecting back on the month, that was a bit unrealistic giving everything going on. I will do my best to try and catch up and get us back on track. 2018 offered up a number of challenges which limited my time online and I am HOPING that 2019 will be somewhat easier.

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

Challenge #49

Optional Twist:Anything BUT Rectangle

If you want the chance to win this month's featured paper pack, your card needs to be any shape OTHER THAN rectangle. So choose a shape such as a square, a circle, a triangle or any other non-rectangular shape for the base of your card.

Keep in mind though, that you don't need to follow the twist to link up your two cards and earn a free paper each month or for a chance to win THREE images from this month's sponsor, Sheepski Designs. You simply need to follow the twist if you'd like a chance to win this month's featured digital paper pack, Candy Cane Flavours Mini Kit.

Talking about Sheepski Designs, it is time to refresh ourselves with the details of this returning sponsor…

Hi I'm Andrea Norris, creator and owner of SheepSki Designs - living in Leeds, Yorkshire in the UK, working full time as a Management Accountant, currently working on 4 design teams and an obsessive crafter and creator of cards. I love anything arty. I've always drawn stuff, for as long as I can remember. In my younger days I sold a few watercolour paintings. I love creating canvases mixed media canvasses with flowers.

I finally found software I could gel with in December 2015. January 2016 a challenge team I worked on was short of a designer's images to create with so I drew some. I opened my shop a month later so I could sponsor challenges and give something back to the crafting world, to the lovely ladies who have supported me on my journey.

I've a Facebook group and blog where I hold challenges and I'm now starting to look at inviting guest designers.

Welcome to my world!
Andrea xx

Main Blog: /https://sheepskidesigns.blogspot.co.uk/

Store: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SheepSkiDesigns
Private Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/SheepSkiDesigns/

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 all these wonderful cards. If you are interested in purchasing the image featured in a particular card, you can click on the link indicated below the card to head to the page in the Sheepski Designs store where it can be found.

using Christmas Candle - image no 170

using Headstand - image no 123

using Snowmen Selfie - image no 100

using Penguin Pals - image no 57

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

If you would like a say in determining which digital paper will be offered to those who link up a minimum of two cards this month, be sure to vote in our poll. Click HERE to head there now.

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). I have provided a summary of the most important rules in the right sidebar.

The winner announcement for Challenge #43 will posted as soon as I can manage and then, be sure to join us again on January 15th, for our midway post when the Merry Maidens will be here to share their amazing cards featuring more images from Sheepski Designs. 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!

Link Up Below:
If you have any problems linking up, please be sure to leave a comment.

The 12 Months of Christmas Link Up Challenge #49
Please link up your Anything Goes Christmas and/or December holiday themed CARDS with the optional twist of Anything BUT Rectangle below. Cards for this challenge will be accepted from 6:00 p.m. (18:00 hrs), January 1st until 11:59 p.m. (23:59 hrs), January 31st, 2019 (all times listed are in Eastern Time). Maximum 10 entries. Please click the 'Challenge Details' tab at the top of the page above for all the rules and details.