Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 10 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
In case you missed Day 9, click here!
In case you missed Day 8, click here!
In case you missed Day 7, click here!
In case you missed Day 6, click here!
In case you missed Day 5, click here!
In case you missed Day 4, click here!
In case you missed Day 3, click here!
In case you missed Day 2, click here!
In case 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 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 10, shall we?!
I’ve got some of my very favourite designers lined up today to continue the fun! 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 WPlus9! One of my most favourite companies *ever*, WPlus9 are always at the forefront of trends with their products! With superbly designed products – including a range of cardstock and ink too! – there really is something for everyone, whatever your style! They are headed up by my wonderful friend Dawn, who is just about one of the most talented designers around – no wonder her products are awesome too! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event again this year!
WPlus9 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 wanted to do something completely different with this card! Can you believe that tree is actually a solid stamp?! It’s from the Iconic Christmas set, which is full of timeless and classic designs!
I placed the tree stamp on my MISTI and then used several of the dots from the Simon Says Stamp Lots of Dots set to ink up a myriad of dots in a plethora of colours! I used A:Muse inks for this as the pigments are rich and vibrant, and as they are pigment they would ‘sit’ on top of each other without becoming a muddy mess! I used 19 colours in total – 19!! Once my tree was full of dots I stamped it on my panel repeatedly to transfer as much ink as possible. Gotta love the MISTI for the ability to do that. 🙂
Once I’d got the depth of colour I wanted, I inked the entire stamp with Versamark and stamped over it again, then heat embossed it with a gorgeous translucent shimmery glittery embossing powder from WOW! If only you could see it in real life!
I wanted a bit more depth and look of dimension to my tree, so I pulled out my Gansai Tambi watercolours to add some darker shades, as well as white ‘lights’. I also added some gold ‘lights’ by painting with some gold mist, and then splattered the same mist to create a gold ‘snow’! I love the finished look – no need for a sentiment when the tree steals the show!
I was having so much fun that I wanted to use some of my newer stamps to create another unexpected design!
I used the adorable bear/girl stamp from Holiday Hugs and paper pieced some parts of it using papers from the Crate Paper Snow And Cocoa collection, and also some glitter paper too!
I did bring out my Prismacolors too for some colouring of the girl’s face and hair, her hand, and also some shading on the bear and to give him rosy cheeks. 🙂
I wanted quite a collage look so I used some patterned paper on my card base and heat embossed the sentiment from Holiday Boughs. For this design the sentiment is almost secondary as it finds its place amongst the embellishments and other elements – but I think it works!
I added some stamped trees from the Holiday Houses set (*love* this set!) and added some die cut snowflakes, sequins, and a label maker sentiment.
Lots of dimension on this one! I love the finished card!
And here they both are together, which is your favourite?
Don’t forget 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
Vintage Lit Tree Card
Happy Holidays Card
Wow….my favorite post so far…love love love the tree!!!
Both cards are beautiful, I can’t choose a favorite. I love the spring-like colors of the simple tree and the soft shades of the busy card with the adorable duo!
Love the bear and little girl but tree is beautiful.
Both cards are charming but the Christmas tree steals my heart.
really nice cards! I love the tree, it is so beautiful and cool how you used the colors!
Great cards.
Wow! You outdid yourself this time, Taherrah! Gorgeous cards and such unique ideas! I love the stunning tree — I am going to try to reapply your techniques!
Great cards and hard to chose between them. The tree is an eye-popper. But the hugged bear and little girl are so warm. I will try that one first and then practice up on the tree idea!
The Christmas tree is stunning, phenomenal, and OUTSTANDING!!!! And your busy holiday card is cute with all the interaction on it!
Lovely card! Great colors.
I love your tree. Such a beautiful technique
Nice cards. I really like the one with the bear.
Wow! That Christmas tree is just stunning! Such a creative & fabulous idea! Love your second card, very sweet!
I love both of your cards! The color range you used for both is very sweet, must look into the gorgeous tree stamp for next year. ?
Wow, what an incredible tree on your first card!! I love the dimension you added with the dots – so magnificent!!
The tree card is awesome!! So unique and colorful. I love the combination of stamps and paper on your second card. The stamps are really precious!
Wow! Love that tree. So creative how you created it. I love anything outside the box. Awesome card.
So clever and the tree looks absolutley beautiful 🙂
That tree is BRILLIANT!!!!
Love both cards but would have to say that card 1 is my overall favourite in this Extravaganza.
The first card is my favourite, so beautifully done, love the colours. Would have to say my favorite so far in this Extravaganza. The second card is sweet and cute.
That tree is unbelieveable. So pretty
Love the bear hugs – those are the best.
thanks for sharing.
love them both, the gold and pink together and the tree…have to pick the tree as my favorite and off to take a closer look at how you made it, gorgeous!
That tree is ultra gorgeous!
Wonderful idea!
Fabulous cards! Love the colors and simplicity of the first one, but adore the cuteness on the second. Thanks for the inspiration and chance to win. 😀
Oh My Goodness! Your cards stole the show. And that tree is FANTASTIC!
Wow so amazing
Awesome cards, I especially like the the tree, it really looks like lights shining on it!
WHAT? Your tree card is so cool! And the bear is adorable! 🙂
Both cards are beautiful but that tree card is STUNNING!
both are beautiful, love the colors!
Beautiful cards!Impressed with the tree!Thank you for sharing
These cards are fantastic!!! I love the colors on that tree and how you made it!
Fantastic cards Taheerah. 19 colours for your beautiful tree? No wonder its so gorgeous!
Totally love your second card as well. Love the bears sparkly scarf.
I like them both but the tree is so beautiful.
This was a Gorgeous card. You are so creative!
Wow that tree card is so beautiful. I wondered what you could have possibly used 19 pigment inks for and there we have it. Inspired!! Love the idea of covering it all in sparkly glitter embossing powder too!
That tree and all those colors are amazing!!! Hands down my favorite!
The tree is my favorite, but they are both really great, clever cards! Thanks, and I love WPlus9 also!!
Just found this hop, I love the advent calendar idea! We always had one as kids, thanks for bringing the anticipation and excitement back!
Both cards are gorgeous, and the Christmas tree is magical! Love the look of reflected lights on the tree. Wow!
I absolutely love your Happy Holidays card. Perfect in every way. This advent extravaganza is so much fun! Not always sure if I get all the contributors, so I go back to the Door just to make sure. It’s working. Thanks for all you do!
I love the colorful Christmas tree! I am going to try using a solid circle stamp to ink up another stamp–the results are so striking!!
Both cards are gorgeous but the tree is STUNNING. All that stamping was well worth it!
Love the Advent Calendar Extravaganza just as is!
Wow, what gorgeous cards! Love the mix of colors and the bright look to both. Seriously cool technique on the tree! What a fun hop! Thanks for doing this!
The floaty multi-coloured tree is my favourite one. Such a beautiful effect.
Your Christmas tree card is incredible! Love it!
that tree is amazing!
The tree is gorgeous! and so inventive. Thanks for sharing… really amazing stuff!
I am so in love with your Christmas tree card! Absolute perfection! I love that you took the time to stamp individual colors to give it such a Christmasy look! LOVELOVELOVE it!! TFS!