Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 22 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
If you missed Day 21, click here!
If you missed Day 20, click here!
If you missed Day 19, click here!
If you missed Day 18, click here!
If you missed Day 17, click here!
If you missed Day 16, click here!
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 22, 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…
Unity Stamp Co. are giving away not one, not two, but THREE prize packs, each comprising of 10 Itty Bitty stamps, and each valued at $75!! WOW! THREE chances to win today, and three MASSIVE prizes, how amazing is that?!?!
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 as I don’t have any Unity Christmas stamps, so I pulled out some fun supplies to create this glitzy card that really packs a punch!
See that giant wood veneer stag? I made him! I die cut several pieces from wood sheets using the stag head from the Maggie Holmes Open Book die collection, then glued them together. I die cut one on the reverse side of the sheet so I could have a ‘back to front’ piece to adhere to the reverse, so it really does look like a wood veneer piece! It also meant I was able to flip the piece over and use the design in a new way! I added watered down ink to the sides so it really does look like a store-bought piece!
The stag head is the star of the show so I wanted to keep the rest of the elements to a minimum. A fantastic glitter frame from Heidi Swapp, some ink splatter, and a red banner die cut from the Simple Stories Claus & Co. collection were all I needed to finish up my card! If you look inside the frame you’ll also see some slight chalkboard-like inking, where I masked the base and blended some white ink before adhering the frame. I love the added subtle touch it gives to pull the design together!
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
WOW – ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS card Taheerah!!!
LOVE your SPARKLING frame and ELEGANT design, LOVE your white shading inside the frame and the DELICATE splatters too!!!
THANK YOU for sharing your CREATIVE INSPIRATION 🙂
What an elegant stag head design!!
Great card love the gold.
Such beauty in White and Gold! Love your gorgeous layering!
Oh, my, do I have a friend who would LOVE to get a card like this! What a clever thing to do, layering multiple die cuts on one another. Love the gold "trademark" splatter, too. Fantastic job!
Love your card. Thanks for sharing.
Crafty hugs,
Dawn
DesignsByDragonfly.blogspot
Great ideas…thanks for sharing.
Very creative….and so gorgeous! What a clever girl you are! Love it!
Wow, you could have picked me up off the floor when I read that you created that Stag wood veneer! He was the first thing I was drooling over when I checked out your card, and I was waiting to see where you purchased him. How great that you were able to create such a stunning centerpiece for your card! Thanks for an idea that never occurred to me to even try. That's the beauty of this hop, that at each and even stop someone is showing me something unique and fun and I am learning. Thank you for doing this!
Stunning card – love the gold splatters.
Another super festive card!
I really love your style. You have many surprise elements – but the impact is direct and purposeful.
Amazing card… And amazing, generous giveaway!
Very pretty card! Merry Christmas!!
Great card. Deer are all the rage this season. Cheers.
So on trend. I love the you have used a non specific christmas die to acheive this card
What a beautiful card! Love that veneer reindeer!
I have a brother who would love this, you are so talented!
Wow! Gorgeous! I love your card. TFS
Oh my! This is one FABULOUS card! Just totally pops! LOVE!!!
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http://www.housesbuiltofcards.blogspot.com
Very striking! Love how the deer just pops against the gold frame and black background – gorgeous card!!
So stylish and elegant! 🙂
Suchi xx
Fantastic, Taheerah! Your card really does pack a punch! It's gorgeous. 🙂
Fabulous card!!!! The stag is such a clever embellishment!
Love your stag card — that die is great! Thanks for the inspiration!
Great card i love the stag.
Love this card. You are so right, the white 'chalk' shading on the inside of the frame really does add that je ne c'est-de que pas! Perfect!
Another great card. I have the die set as I coveted it for so long and finally got it on a mega sale. The cheaper price made it easier to justify buying it just for the stag die ( I love it)
WOW, your card is amazing, Taheerah! Love the gold frame on black bg for your Stag head!
I just love the deer trend! I hope it sticks around. Beautiful card!
Love your trendy look.
wow, this is lovely!
So creative!
Love the card!
Lovely!
Great card for someone who loves deer.
simple but striking – love the deer image
These are so dramatic, LOVE!!!
Very classy
Love the choice of colors. Very masculine card.
So lovely!
This card is so classic. And beautiful.
I like your card! The contrasting colors really make everything stand out. Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful card.
I love the reindeers that are featured on so many cards.
they make an for an interesting embellishment.
thanks for sharing
Stunning card! Gorgeous stags head & I love how the gold glitter frame adds that extra classiness without overwhelming the focal point.
Ahhhhhh! This is GORGEOUS! I love the gold on the black background, it's perfect! I think this is my favorite card so far.
very stately card. Lovely
A very stylish card. I love those little splashes of gold the card – not showy but they add so much to the overall effect.
love your card. it is very very smart!
Oooh, this dark grey background is so dramatic with the glittery gold frame and "wood" deer. Brilliant how you made him look so substatial. LOVE this card, a lot.
I really don't know how this Advent Calendar idea could get any better, but I'm willing to find out.