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!
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If you missed Day 16, click here!
If you missed Day 15, click here!
If you missed Day 14, click here!
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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
Talk about fun and snowy AND faith-filled and peaceful! I have always loved PAPER SMOOCHES for their versatility and possibility
What a wonderful event. Please do this again next year.
This card is so cute! Love the dimension!
Your last two cards are a fitting finale to what has been a most enjoyable month of posts. I really enjoyed my daily stamping fix so thank you so much for all of your hard work in organising it all! I'd love it to return on an annual basis, pretty please!
Adorable snowman card and I really like the religious card for Christmas.
Really really beautiful! I love ALL your creations this year! The snowman is so cute!
I love snowman cards! Love the snow.
Love both of the cards. The snowman and the snow is so adorable and I love the nativity scene and the distressed look of the card. Thanks so much for sharing!
Beautiful cards! The snowman is so cute. 🙂
Snowmen are so great!
The snowman card is super cute! I love the PS and PTI Nativity card even more!
Thank you for all your work in putting together this fun blog hop! The inspiration was great and the prized were fun too!
Thank you so much for this fun advent event! It was wonderful, I hope you had a fantastic holiday season, and I am so glad I found your blog, I am following in the new year!!
Both cards are great! I like the bow on the snowman 🙂 The Blessed Christmas card has a beautiful mix of colors. I love the Rose Gold ink!
Fantastic cards. Thanks for all the inspiration!
Beautiful cards and what a fun event!
I've spent the last few days going through all the posts. I have saved lots of wonderful cards, and I've seen many stamp companies that I didn't know existed. Thank you so much for putting this together. If you do it again next year, I hope I find it before it's all over!
What a cute snowman card! SSS is one of my fave companies!
2 lovely cards Taheerah, but I like the first one more, and thank you for this event, and congratulations on completing all 25 days. I a glad I managed to stop by thanks to extended deadline. Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year xx
This event was just so much fun. I know it was a huge undertaking, but it be so great if you would do it again next year. Thanks so much and Happy New Year!
Beautiful cards!
What a great event and such adorable cards!
So much fun! Love that snowman.
Beautiful cards!! Love the calm look on your cards! The snowman is very pretty!! Love it!! Thanks for this wonderful event!
-Berina
Moxie Craftie
Wow, what a great event you have put together! I enjoyed being able to finally sit down in the evenings and relaxing, knowing that I could look at your blog. Thank you for all the inspiration and work you did!
The snowman is so happy! Love the bow.
I have looked forward to and enjoyed every single day of the Advent Calendar Extravaganza! Beautiful projects and so much fun and inspiration! Today's cards are beautiful too!
Holiday Hugs,
Michele
I have had a blast going through every day of your 25 day Advent Calendar Extravaganza. It's been my "me-time, quiet in the early morning hours" treat starting on Christmas morning. I've seen so many gorgeous cards with amazing new techniques I want to try. So, thank you, Taheerah.
Now, on to today's cards. That snowman is adorable! I love how he is looking toward the sky, perhaps to see if some snow will fall to make him a new friend. The card with the Holy Family is so pretty; it is simple but striking in its simplicity.
Again, thank you.
P.S. Your blog is going onto my blog as one of the few that I watch on an everyday basis.
LOVE both of these cards and this event! So much fun and I know a lot of work. I totally enjoyed visiting each day and opening up the door to visit more crafty goodness. Thank you for your continued inspiration! xoxo Happy 2016!!!
What a FABULOUS concept! I have just started a new business of designing and making old-fashioned paper advent calendars with a modern twist… so I have Advent Calendars on the brain. I love this type of 'bog hop'… and your cards are beautiful too.
This whole event is just mind blowing! I sure do appreciate all your effort! Thanks so much!
Your snowman looks so happy to see that it is snowing! Such a smile-inducing card. Thanks so much for an amazing 25 days of advent calendar goodness!
Forgot to say that I hope you had a Merry Christmas and you have a very Happy New Year. I hope you continue to do these blog hops. I love them!
I loved all the cards. I am Catholic so I love the Holy Family. I have a stamp kind of like that one that I love to use. I also love snowmen because they aren't only for Christmas but for winter. I live in Northwest CT where we get plenty of snow and you can see snowmen all over the place. However, we have had temps in the 50's and 60's so there is no snow, we've had rain. We had a green Christmas, something we haven't had in a while. Tues. we are supposed to get sleet and snow and then it turns to rain, so we will get our winter weather for a while. I don't think we will get enough snow to see your snowman anywhere though.
Both great cards.
Both cards are gorgeous!
Love the 3D effect of the snowman card! Thank you again, for this fun blog hop! Merry Christmas!!
Lovely cards. I found you via Jennifer McGuire. So glad I did!
Such beautiful cards, Taheerah!!
Thank YOU so much for a wonderful Advent Calendar!…Truly AMAZING!!
Merry Christmas!!
Hugs
I am excited about your Advent Calendar and I'm going to join you! Your cards are so pretty and you have photographed them beautifully! They look like they could be in a magazine! You have a wonderful sponsor today and I am going to click on the door now! I also just subscribed to you by email. Thanks so much!
I love the texture on your snowman card – so cute!
I love snowmen ! That build snowman stamp set is sooo cute and versatile.
great cards
These are so cute! I love the bow on the snowman and the rustic look on the second one. Great event Taheerah!
Wonderful cards! I especially love that adorable little snowman looking up into the falling snow! So super cute and festive!!! Congratulations on organizing such an incredible event!!! I have really enjoyed all of the fabulous inspiration each and every day!!! I can't even imagine how much time and energy went into putting this on!!! You are amazing!!!
Lovely cards! I love the paste embossed snow on the first card. TFS.
what a wonderful idea. will now go back and watch them all.
Fantastic undertaking Taheerah, and you have executed it with flair and amazing organization – CONGRATULATIONS!!
Love the snowman card especially today :-=)
Thank you for this amazing event and letting me be a part of it! Wishing you a happy and blessed new year!
what beautiful cards!! love them, thank you so much for sharing and of course chance to win. I hope you have a very happy, healthy and blessed new year ♥