Challenge #64: Opt. Twist…Blooming Botanicals

Welcome Christmas Crafters!  It is the first day of a brand new month and boy, how much has our world changed since the start of the last link up! We are living in unprecedented times and many of us around the world have had to alter our day to day lives. As we struggle with loss of employment, loss of freedom and other potential losses, worries about medical care for illnesses not related to Covid-19, worries for our elder community, and worries for our family and friends, it is becoming increasingly difficult to stay positive.

For anyone struggling right now, know that you are not alone. We are a giant community of caring crafters who can be there for each other. While we can continue to work on our Christmas card stash we can also design cards to encourage our family and friends. Additionally, we can create cards to thank our community at large--those essential workers who are unable to stay home and self-isolate. The people who are keeping our pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations and other important businesses open to ensure we have the essentials during this time of crisis. The people who are keeping the power on, the water flowing and the garbage from piling up. Most importantly, the doctors, nurses and other people who are working to care for those who are ill. We are all in this together, and we'll come out the other end stronger for having come together to support each other during this difficult time. 

Right now, it is time for our latest link up. Whether you are just embarking on getting a start to your Christmas and other December Holiday cards 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, time to get down to the business of our latest challenge. Here is what you need to know...

Challenge #64

 Optional Twist: Blooming Botanicals

If you want the chance to win this month's featured paper pack, be sure to create a card that features any type of Christmas FLOWER or GREENERY such as pine boughs, poinsettias, holly and berries, Christmas Cactus, wreaths, etc. 

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 a $10.00AU gift voucher from this month's sponsor, Beccy's Place. You simply need to follow the twist if you'd like a chance to win this month's featured digital paper pack, Christmas Botanicals (you can see a preview for this set by clicking HERE).

Talking about Beccy's Place, it is time to refresh ourselves with the details of this returning sponsor…

My paper obsession began with scrapbooking in the late 1990s and has since evolved into card-making and digital drawing. There were a few years of decorative painting, teddy bear making and silk ribbon embroidery mixed in there too! I still dabble in each of those crafts, and many others, but I generally gravitate toward paper, which I find versatile and forgiving.

I started “doodling” little designs for cards back in 2009, which is when I started my blog and began sharing my images with other Cardies. From there I progressed to my very own online store selling digital drawings for cards and other paper craft projects. In 2012, Margaret Myers from Sparkle N Sprinkle contacted me with a proposal to make some of my designs into rubber stamps, which was a very exciting opportunity for me. Four years later, I decided to further expand my business by offering my very own range of clear stamps, which are also sold from my online store. My latest venture is a line of cutting dies that will coordinate with some of my most popular clear stamps. These days, when I’m not hanging out with my husband and kids, I spend a lot of time with other crafters and card makers, enjoying our shared passion for handcrafts. I can’t imagine a day without some sort of creative activity taking place, whether it’s designing a new image, hand-stitching a little toy or just taking some inspirational photographs.

Store: www.beccysplace.com
Blog: www.beccysplace.blogspot.com.au

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 sponsor's image featured in a particular card, you can click on the link indicated below the card to head to the page in the Beccy's Place store where it can be found. Please note that Christine has used a freebie in her project which has been linked to its place in the Beccy's Place Blog.

using an image and sentiment from In the Christmas Garden

using an image from the Waratah digital stamp set

using Cardinal and Holly (Free)

using an image and sentiment from Blessings of the Season
 

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

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 everything goes according to plan, our winner announcement for Challenge #63 will be posted between the 10th and the 14th. Be sure to also join us again on April 15th, for our midway post when the Merry Maidens will be here to share their amazing cards featuring images from Beccy's Place. 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 #64
Please link up your Anything Goes Christmas and/or December holiday themed CARDS with the optional twist of Blooming Botanicals below. Cards for this challenge will be accepted from 6:00 p.m. (18:00 hrs), April 1st until 11:59 p.m. (23:59 hrs), April 30th, 2020 (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.