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
Love the background….really sets the mood of the card….cute!
great card
Very pretty! Love the mystical feel of that background
How pretty!
my daughter loves penguins
I love these cute little penguins. You made a wonderful scene with the beautiful sky shining. Thanks
The scene you created with the penguins is so delightful!
Looks like northern lights, love using non traditional colors
Oh My ..this is just too adorable!! Love your night sky & those adorable penguins skating around in motion!!
Beautiful snow scene, those penguins are so cute, great card as always
Cute card and penguins. Love how you did the background. TFS
Such a stunning background and cute little penguins.
I wish you had done a video of this one! I love the background, but can't quite figure out how you did it. It's just beautiful. Thanks so much.
Beautiful, you caught the Northern lights perfectly, love your watercolor cards and your advent blog!
WOW love the northern lights technique AMAZING
Awesome sky! I would have loved to see a video. The swirls look so natural and the colors are blended seamlessly.
Love that sky!!
I like using penguins on cards. Everyone loves them!
This is too adorable with the northern lights. Great idea!
Hugs
Love your sky.
Great card – love the sky effect!!!
I think the Advent Calendar Extravaganza is such a wonderful idea. Such wonderful and generous sponsors. Thank you to all of them. Just love the penquins and the beautiful colored background.
Adorable penguins. That aurora boreal is sky is incredible! Great use of color. TFS
Wow! Love the sky!!
Woo hoo! Penguins! This card is GOR.GE.OUS. The aurora borealis background is amazing. Tutorial, please!
SQUEAL!! Just AWESOME!! THANKS for sharing and for the chances to WIN too!! =) Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!! =)
I bought a set of these paints too… I love mine. Hopefully I can come up with something half as cool.
The sky is awesome!
What an amazing sky! And your penguins are fit in so perfectly!
Awesome card! I LOVE your Northern Lights!! So pretty!! TFS!
love those skating penguins
Oh, that's just beautiful! Love it!
Very cute and sweet penguins,they look so adorable! Love this card.
background is gorgeous:0
I particularly like your arrangement of the sentiment and of course, the card is beautiful! You have such a way with using techniques!
Love the aurora borealis
Awesome background and card. Thanks for sharing.
What a nice card, the background is stunning.
Gorgeous sky!!! Merry Christmas!
An amazing likeness to the northern lights!! You have an eye for color that's for sure! Thanks for the inspiration! Blessings, Melitta
I love how you did the Aurora Borealis!!!
Oh my gosh! This is gorgeous! The background is AMAZING and the snow on top is so pretty! I love these stamps, they are my favorites!
This is cool on so many levels: the awesome northern lights effects, the sweet penguins, and the way the skater is taking off from the writing. What a great card!! Thank you!
Your card is wonderful. Love your adorable penguins. Thanks for sharing.
Crafty hugs,
Dawn
DesignsByDragonfly.blogspot
Fantastic card.
Such a sweet little scene and I love your northern lights bg!
Love the background and the darling penguins.
Oh I love painting scenes with distress ink. Each one is unique!
love Love Love the fun Aurora Borealis scene
Oh my gosh, the background you created is amazing! Such a cute card!!