Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 16 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
If you missed Day 15, click here!
If you missed Day 14, click here!
If you missed Day 13, click here!
If you missed Day 12, click here!
If you missed Day 11, click here!
If you missed Day 10, click here!
If you missed Day 9, click here!
If you missed Day 8, click here!
If you missed Day 7, click here!
If you missed Day 6, click here!
If you missed Day 5, click here!
IMPORTANT: Day 4 had an extra secret destination added part way through the day. If you want an extra chance to win, click here and open the door again to get your final link!
If you missed Day 3, click here!
If you missed Day 2, click here!
If you missed Day 1, click here!
I’ve always loved the concept of Advent Calendars. There’s something special and magical about those little treats hidden behind those little doors – and the idea of a secret little something to be unwrapped every day really is a wonderful way to build the excitement towards Christmas, not to mention a fun tradition as well!
As the years roll by some of these types of tradition can be lost when we grow up, and it seems a real shame to lose some of that magic and wonder. And really there’s no reason at all why something such as an Advent Calendar can’t be revamped and repackaged for grown-ups, crafty grown-ups… grown-ups like you and me!
So one day in November I dreamed up a fun idea for a event. I didn’t know if it would work, or if anyone would be interested. I approached some crafty friends, and others recruited themselves – everyone loved the idea! Behind the scenes I worked hard to put together something rather different and very special. So a month later, after much organising, coordinating and planning, I’m really thrilled to finally bring to you a very special, very fun, very festive series!
Advent Calendar Extravaganza is -the- festive event of the season! This ‘hop with a twist’ was dreamed up by Taheerah Atchia and features surprise destinations each day! Joining in the fun with Taheerah are over 60 special guests – each serving up some fantastic Christmas inspiration! Just like an Advent Calendar, you’ll never know where you’re going to be visiting next until you ‘open the door’!
And that’s not all! With 25 *amazing* sponsors taking part as well, your crafty wish list is bound to get a boost with a chance to win a prize EVERY SINGLE DAY!!
Join in the fun every day at taheerah-atchia.com to see what special surprises wait behind the door!
Eek! How fun does that sound?! 25 full days of surprises, inspiration and prizes!!
In case you’re wondering just how it’s going to work, I’ve put together this little video for you:
I’m so excited to be bringing you this event! I really hope you’re going to enjoy it as much as I am!!
Let’s get on with Day 16, shall we?!
I’ve got some really awesome guests and surprises for you today! Just click on the door to reveal today’s surprise destinations and prize! Tip: click at the side of the door, not in the middle! And also, open on the blog directly, not in a feed reader!
Exciting right?! Isn’t it fun to not know what’s in store at the other end of those links?! Make sure you click each one to reveal the surprise and leave comments at the destinations to win!
And speaking of winning…
Now that you know what you can win, I’m sure you’re eager to head off to all those secret destinations to check them out! But before you go, some inspiration from me:
A ‘free day’ for me, so I decided to break out some Mama Elephant sets that I’ve been aching to play with since last year! It was great inking them up for the first time!
I created a fun scene with the penguins from Arctic Penguins and sentiments from the Jolly And Merry set. I stamped all my images then masked them off, then set to work with my Distress Inks to create a fun Aurora Borealis scene! I splattered and spritzed with a few mists as well for some added effect. This was labour-intensive but worth it!
UPDATE: quite a few of you have asked for a video tutorial for how I did the sky. I have listened and hope to put together a video for you quite soon! 🙂
I watercoloured the penguins with Distress Inks and a little Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolours – finally having bought that recently and loving it already! This card is so much fun – if only you could see it in real life!
I hope you love this event just as much as I do! I would love to know what you think of Advent Calendar Extravaganza! Do you love the format? The secret destinations? The endless inspiration? I bet you certainly love the chance to win prizes! Please make sure you leave a comment below! Thanks so much for stopping by – I’ll see you back here tomorrow!
Supplies
I am totally in love with that sky…my jaw dropped! How did you make it so stunning….wish you created a video. This is my favourite card in the series hands down.
Oh WOW, your northern lights look amazing, love this card!
You did an amazing job with the lights! Probably the most realistic I've seen on a card. I'd love a tutorial or video!
Wow! Your Northern Lights are fabulous! Such a fun scene! TFS
Love how you did the background.
Ok, those penguins are downright adorable! BUT your Aurora Borealis is magnificent! As soon as I saw the card, I knew that's what it was – perfection!
WOOOW!…AMAZING!! Love!
Absolutely amazing background Taheerah! The penguins are absolutely adorable. Fabulous card!
Such a fun card…love those penguins!
This s so cute and I do love that background! 🙂
Beautiful background Taheerah! Love the Northern lights and those penguins are just adorable!
WOW, that background! Stunning!!! ♥
Your aurora background is gorgeous. Very cute card!
Your card is adorable. Love the background you created.
What an awesome northern lights background, Taheerah … just beautiful … and those skating penguins are so cute! Anita 🙂
The northern lights are beautiful very cute card.
Alive the northern lights…gorgeous!
The card is darling.
It's in the 50s here so there is no ice skating.
thanks for sharing and for having the hop.
WOW that background is amazing!
Oh, that background! Awesome card, as always:-)
Awww, these sweet little penguins are adorable!
Holiday Hugs,
Michele
the bkg makes me swoon!
I adore the penguins and your background is gorgeous!
Beautiful aurora-filled sky!!! Sweet little pengies!!!
<3 J
jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com
Loving the skating penguin!
Incredible effects sky BG, Just love these cute penguins, a dreamy scene, just love, love, love it!
Your background is amazing and the penguins are adorable.
Oh my this is gorgeous!
Love that background and
the cute penguins.
Carla from Utah
What an adorable card, and that sky background is DREAMY!
Whatever amount of time it took was totally worth this gorgeous background!! Love your adorable penguins partying on the ice!
How fun is that! Penguins skating under a spectacular lit up sky!
Love the Merry Christmas sentiment with the heart.
Your aurora borealis is spectacular…right out of a nature magazine. The labor was entirely worth it.
The Aurora Borealis effect is gorgeous! And who doesn't love penguins!?!
Simply adorable! Love the little penguins and the sky is gorgeous!
This card is so cute! I love it. Thanks for organising this hop, that's how I just discovered your beautiful blog when I was sent here from Els Brigés blog. This is such a nice way to get to know a lot of new creative people. And it looks like I have a lot to catch up, as this is day 16 already.
Creative greetings from Nele
Wow, I love that Northern Lights look and the penguins are darling! Love this!!
It may have been labor-intensive, but it was worth it!! Super card.
Great colours on those cards! I didn't buy a christmasstamp last year and wanted to do the same this year, bt it didn't work… lucky that I have used them all this year… Have a colourfull week!
Like the pretty inked background of the Penguin card. Had an error when I commented on the 2nd link. Tried twice and got same error. Error was not in English so not sure what is wrong.
Melissa
"Sunshine HoneyBee"
Taheerah! Your card is breathtakingly beautiful, that sky makes me wanna do some skating 🙂 I am so happy and honored to be a part of your event 🙂 Thank you for having me!
Wow. Love that sky. I'd love to see a tutorial on how you did it
So,so sweet! What a night sky! The Penguins are the sweetest.
WOW!!!! Your Aurora Borealis scene is absolutely beautiful and so id your card!!!
I'm back…My comment at Els Brige Design wouldn't publish, so please share this with her: An eye-catching card with the lovely grid, the plaid motif and the so pretty fun foam snowflake! The center embellishment is *the* perfect added touch! Love this! Your video is fabulous! Thank you for being part of Taheerah's Advent series!
~carol
How sweet are your penguins, gliding along the ice, against the backdrop of a Northern Lights sky! I'm ready to lace up a pair of skates to join them! Another delight, Taheerah!
Hugs~c
What an adorable card!!! The sky background is beautiful!!
Gorgeous night sky and love those penguins!
Such a cute penguin card
Cheers
Dr Sonia
Such a super cute card! I loved the aurora created and those penguins are just adorable! 🙂
Suchi xx
Oh wow! Love the Northern Lights look!!! 🙂