Hello everybody! Merry Christmas! And welcome to Day 25 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
If you missed Day 24, click here!
If you missed Day 23, click here!
If you missed Day 22, click here!
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 25, 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…
Simon Says Stamp are giving away a $50 gift certificate to their store! I wanted to make sure that Advent Calendar Extravaganza went out with a bang and thanks to the generosity of Simon Says Stamp I’ve managed to do that! I just know you’ll enjoy spending this one!
As this event is drawing to a close, I want to take the time to thank each and every one of my sponsors and guests for their support, generosity and time in helping to make Advent Calendar Extravaganza a reality. You have all been amazing and I couldn’t have done it without you! And to all of you who have left comments and paid visits to all our destinations, thank you for all your kind words and for taking part as well! I hope you’ve all enjoyed Advent Calendar Extravaganza and have come away feeling inspired and having had lots of fun along the way! I would love to know what you’ve thought of the event and whether you’d like to see it return next year too!
So before you go visiting our secret destinations for the final time, some inspiration from me:
I broke out the Build A Snowman set and created this fun card! I loved stamping his body very lightly and then adding some very subtle washes of water at the edges to bring in some shading from the ink to make him look 3D!
The pieces in this set are all so versatile, so I could position the nose and smile so that my snowman was looking up at the sky!
I pulled out my embossing paste and Falling Snow stencil to add some snow to my Distress Ink sky, and the snowbank was an outside-the-box use of the Lawn Fawn Speech Bubble Border die! And finally, I couldn’t resist adding one of the 3D bows from The Ton’s Holiday Bows set to set off his scarf!
And with it being Christmas Day, I’m bringing you two cards! The second having a religious feel:
I loved playing with the A Blessed Christmas set from Paper Smooches!
I paired it up with some ink blending with the Rose Gold Bangle ink again and some watercolouring and splatter!
I stamped the figures with both Versafine and with Distress Ink in Gathered Twigs so that when I watercoloured I’d also get a lovely little bit of bleed of brown around the edges! The sentiment from Papertrey Ink finished things off perfectly!
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 – and Merry Christmas!
Supplies – Warmest Wishes
Supplies – Glory to The Newborn King
Lovely cards!
The snowman card was so incredibly cute! So much inspiration – thanks!
Oh my gosh, the Advent Extravaganza was a great success if the commenting is any indication here and everywhere, my dear Taheerah!!! It has been so much fun, though not easy to keep up with each day! Kudos to you for getting a card or more completed for each turn of the calendar! These last two are very sweet!! LOVE that snowman, and wonderful job with the Distress inking on the second. It seems there is no doubt that this should be repeated next year. What a fun tradition, don't you think? I have loved meeting MANY new crafters through this event as many others have noted here. So I think you have helped us all leave 2015 with an inspired bang! Now onto the 12 days of Christmas and to finish up all those half-done cards so I can start 2016 fresh! Hugs!
Adorable snowman card! Love the little red bow.
I love both of these cards. The coloring on the snowman is awesome!
Cute cards, lots of fun ideas. Thanks for sharing
Wow! This is my first time landing on your page, I'm glad Jennifer McGuire linked to you! Your site was fun to navigate through and love all the cards and inspiration you have shared! While the giveaway is over, I hope I can fully participate next year!! 🙂
Thanks Ashley! You still have a chance for the giveaways though – I'm taking comments until 7am EST on 31st December. Good luck! 🙂
That snowman card is adorable. I would love to make a snow man one day but living in Australia it just seems wron to make snow themed cards for Christmas
Your cards are both wonderful – thank you! This blog hop was full of fun and surprises and inspiration! Thanks so much for all the work you put into this and Merry Christmas (a day late) and a very Happy New Year to you!!
Love your snowman card, he is sooo happy! Thanks for sharing all your creations in this fun extravaganza!
I swear I had commented on this before, but can't find it so here we go!
I love love love the snowman!!! So adorable.
amazing work
the snow man card is so cute!
Love your cards. The first card is so cute and the second card is elegant. Merry Christmas.
This has been the most fun! Hope you can repeat it next year!!
Beautiful cards – and even more beautiful pictures of card)
Love your blessed Christmas card – the gold is so lovely!
LOVE the festive bow on the snowman!!
great snowman card.. love the bow!
Terrific cards, both of them. What a wonderful gift you've given us to play and be inspired with. Thank you.
Beautiful cards. Thanks for so much inspiration from your Advent Calender Extravaganza
That is a great dream dat you made into a real treat and surprise everyday! So great to see things and come on blogs with such different things as I normally do! It is an inspiration"quick" every day!
Great holiday cards, love both of them. The snowman is so cute and the holy family is so fit & right for the occasion.
Love your cards, esp the second one! Great tip on double stamping the outline with distress ink for a bit of bleed! Precious image.
<3 J
jwoolbright at gmail dot com
HerPeacefulGarden.blogspot.com
Love the Paper Smooches stamp set. Thanks for 25 days of fun!
What fun. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas
I really love the way the holy family is drawn in a heart outline shape…
Thank you so much Taheerah for these advent days…loved visiting and and checking out who was behind the doors. Hooe you had a wonderful Christmas.
Taheera this has just been amazing!!!! I am in awe of how many talented people have come together each day to bring inspiration, techniques and count down to Christmas! More fun then the chocolate advent calendars I had as a kid… Something to look forward to each day and no sugar overload! 🙂 Merry Christmas and thanks again for doing this!!!!
wonderful cards – love the "snow" texture you added to the first card
Such fun!!! Loved it all!
Love your cards!:) I especially loved the snowman one. How adorable!:)
I just found this blog hop today:) Off to see what is going on. How fun:)
Your cards are so amazing…thank for the inspiration!!!
Your snowman card is so cute. Love the falling snow too.
I am so sad to see this end! I have enjoyed all the inspiration!
Love the view of the snowman! And love the snow!!!
I love both cards but the snowman is my favorite. Love the falling snow using embossing paste, the bow, the shadow shading, really cute!!
BEAUTIFUL cards Taheerah – BOTH are DELIGHTFUL designs!!!
THANK YOU for sharing your CREATIVE INSPIRATION and for hosting THE MOST AMAZING Advent Extravaganza – it has been an AWESOME event and I can't believe the days have flown by so fast!!!
Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas. I know it is especially hard this year => Thinking of YOU and hope you get to make some new precious memories and get to treasure some old ones too {{{HUGS}}}
Lovely cards! The snowman one is really cute.
I love the snowman card!!!
Super sweet cards! The snowman is adorable and love that background. LOVE the second one. Has to be one of the sweetest cards I've seen. Adore the image!!!♥
Thank you so much for putting this Extravaganza together. It has been fun and super inspirational. ♥
Merry Christmas to you and yours and may the New Year be Blessed for you all ♥
Both cards are gorgeous. I love all the texture created in the snowy background and lightly washed paper. I also love the beautiful religious image (in the most perfect heart shape). Thank you so much for the month of amazing inspiration and beauty! Like a child with her advent calendar, I have been looking forward to finding what's behind the door each day. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of your hop. I would love to do it again…and perhaps a Valentine's Day hop would be awesome too! 🙂
Adorable snowman! Love the bow. Thank you for the fun Advent Calendar Extravaganza. Merry Christmas!
I'm just in love with that beautiful snowman card. I think he's so sweet with the beautiful fallen snow background. Just adorable.
Love both your cards, especially the snow on your cute snowman. Thanks for all the fun this month, what a great idea. I know this was a lot of work and I really appreciate it.
All good things must come to an end and this is one of them! I love your beautiful cards especially today's! You make it look so simple and gorgeous! Am in love with the stenciled snow and The Ton bow for embellishment on your first card! Gorgeous Blessed card and coloring! Perfection for Christmas!! Thank you for having this and am so sorry I hadn't found you sooner!
Thank you so much for putting this advent calendar extravaganza together. It has been so much fun to open the door each day to see all of the wonderful project (and prizes!!!). And I love the snowman and Blessed Christmas cards.
That snowman looks like he's having a glorious time 🙂
What a finale! Fabulous, fabulous extravaganza! Congratulations and thank you for so much inspiration and fun every day for 25 days!