Hello everybody! And welcome to a very special day, kicking off a very special event!!
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 last year 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. After much organising, coordinating and planning, I’m really thrilled to finally bring to you a very special, very fun, very festive series! It was *hugely* popular, and so, by popular demand, I just had to bring it back again this year!
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, here’s last year’s video (I’m afraid my filmmaker friend was unavailable to help in time for this year!) to explain it:
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 1, shall we?!
I’ve got some of my very favourite designers lined up today to kick everything off! Just click on the door to reveal today’s surprise destinations and prize! Tip: you will need to do this from the blog itself, not from a feed reader or e-mail!
The door is a bit different this year (curse of moving over to WordPress!). So, now you’ve opened it, please use the image below to find your secret links! As you see, there aren’t any text links, but tap or click on all the decorations/presents in the image below and you will find your secret destinations! *wink*
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…
Today’s sponsor is Technique Tuesday! Fun, quirky and awesome, Technique Tuesday have some really great designs! I’m so happy to have them open the event this year!
Technique Tuesday are generously sponsoring a $25 gift certificate to their store! With an amazing array of products you’re really going to be spoilt for choice spending it!
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:
I created this card using the awesome Sparkle And Shine and Snowflakes dies, impressing them into my card panel!
I added a piece of vellum over the top, heat embossed with my sentiment!
Some fun details (like a strip of patterned paper, a sliver of glitter, and a scattering of sequins) finish it off perfectly!
Don’t forget the Advent Calendar Extravaganza runs from 1st-25th December inclusive so make sure you visit taheerah-atchia.com every day for fabulous inspiration and amazing prizes every single time! Merry Christmas!
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
Very pretty card.
Fantastic card and the advent calendar idea with secret gifts is so awesome! It really calls to the inner child within all of us.
What a fun idea for and adult crafter’s Advent Calendar! So glad to be getting to know you (thanks, Jen). I look forward to seeing more of your work and learning from it.
Yipppppeeee!!! My favorite type of advent calendar 🙂 All things crafty ! Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful projects. Ablsolutely love the gold embossing
EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!! SO excited about your Advent Calendar hop. I learned so much last year, saw SO MANY incredible creative ideas, that I couldn’t wait for December to see if you were sponsoring a hop this year. Thank you for taking on such a herculean task and for sharing your own beautiful work. Your cards are magical! I hope you enjoy your own hop as much as the rest of us will.
Hello! I do love advent calendars. The inspiration every day is greatly appreciated and needed for me! thanks so much I have something to look forward to every day until Christmas.
Beautiful cards – love the GOLD!!!!!!
Great looking card…I like the vellum for the front of your card……well done
Thanks for such a great to have a hop with a twist…..what fun……tfs
Lovely card and a thank you for this fun Advent idea! Simply great first day guests – such beautiful cards.
Your beautiful card is a wonderful introduction to an inspiring hop!
So thoughtful!!
I love the look of embossed vellum! I am excited to see more ideas during this Extravaganza!
Oh wow, this sounds like fun! What a beautiful card, I love the patterned paper strip…I might try some washi tape since I have quite a stash and a new roll of buffalo plaid to play with!
I loved this last year and am so excited to see it back!
Love your gold embossed card!
So beautiful, and such a fun idea!
What a fun way to get ideas. I love having another way to celebrate Advent.
I really enjoyed last year’s extravaganza. Looking forwards to discovering the treats behind all the doors this year. Thank you Taheerah!
What beautiful cards! I love the gold and embossing!
How do we know how many links we should find each day? I don’t want to miss anyone
What a great idea. I’m excited to see the cards and great ideas. Thanks for doing this.
Yay! Extravaganza is back! And what a great card to start with:-) Love the vellum piece.
This is such a great idea thank you for making this great opportunity for us to enjoy.
What FUN. I missed it last year, but I’m looking forward to looking behind the door everyday. I loved them as a child, and love them still.
I love this card for Advent. It’s simply gorgeous.
Lovely card!And the advent calendar hop was a great idea!Thank you
It’s a beautiful card! The door idea is fun and I enjoy advent calendars!
I’ve been looking forward to this since last year’s event – so much fun! Beautiful card, very elegant and classy! TFS and Merry Christmas to you!i
Thank you for sharing this Advent. Love how it has a twist to it. And your card is adorable!
Omg this card is beautiful!!! Love it!!!
Love the background. Just got done checking out everyone else cards for day 1. What fun. I love the door idea for finding the links to their sites.
Such a beautiful card! So elegant! Thanks for the inspiration!!!
WOW WOW WOW!! Love the card! So excited!!
Yay!! I love your advent calendar! 🙂 What a fun first day!
Your card is simply, gorgeous!
This is so fun! Love your card today! Can’t wait to see more!
Oh wow! I’m loving it already and it’s only day 1!!!!!
Beautiful card! Gold embossing ion vellum is always elegant. Love it.
What a cool event! I must have missed it last year! Your card is beautiful.
Love this advent idea! Your card is lovely as well. Thanks for the opportunity to win prizes!!!
This is going to be so much fun.
Love the mix of silver and gold.
Beautiful card.
So glad you are having the “advent calendar” hop again.
It was so much fun last year.
thanks for sharing.
Oh wow Taheerah!!! I feel like a baby! I love advent calendars and this is really a great way to celebrate Xmas! I’m very happy to take part this year too! Your card is absolutely amazing! Love it!
Such a fun idea to do an advent calendar for the “grown-ups”! I love the idea of a surprise everyday and love seeing all the great ideas out there for card making. Your card is very elegant and classy.
I love the inspiration! Just a great idea. And a terrific blog too! Happy Holidays!
Beautiful card Taheerah. Love the white and vellum with metallic colors. So elegant. What fun! I love counting down to Christmas!
Absolutely love your card its gorgeous !!!I have to say i am tickled pink to click on the door with gifts to be taken to a blogs direct link it was so fun :)Looking forward to the 25 days of celebration and all the fun events you have lined up for us 🙂
Such a great background – and I love the pop of color from the sequins! Thanks for all of the hard work and sleepless nights that I know it takes to put together the Extravaganza, my friend!!
What a brilliant fun way to celebrate advent! I too loved advent calendars as a kid – always wide eyed to open those glittery windows…and as I got older – chocolate! My brother Matt and I just loved it – this is FABULOUS! Love it! 🙂
SQUEAL! You’ve selected the ‘perfect’ sentiment and designed the perfect card for launching year 2 of this awesome, outstanding, exciting and inspiring extravaganza! I’ve been looking forward to this since the first one wrapped up! Your card: glamour and class, through and through! Thank you for investing time, energy and creativity in this Advent Calendar and for keeping the magic of the season alive!
Hugs~carol
Taheerah, your card is absolutely gorgeous! Love the background and the glitz! So excited for the Extravaganza! It’s such a fabulous way to start December off with mega inspiration!
Love this blog hop!