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
that tree card..i can’t even!! it’s gorgeous! i loooooove the colors and the floral look! wow! i’m in awe, seriously! and the cute card with the patterned papers is soooo sweet and cuddly!
Sweet and cuddly says it All!
The bear card is my favorite. Both are cute! Thanks for sharing!
Both of your cards are beautiful–but the Christmas tree is amazing! I cannot begin to imagine how much time and attention to detail it took to make such a fabulous card! Thank you so much for sharing!
Gorgeous cards! I love ❤️ the tree ?! ?
That tree looks very daunting for me. You did a lovely job on it. Both cards look very nice.
Love the Christmas tree card design. So far this might be my favorite one!
Like others before me – – the tree is indeed STUNNING. Thanks for explaining the process – but alas, I don’t have all those products. I’ll just admire from the blog!
Love the holiday houses background!
Both cards are great, but I love that fabulous tree!!
Two very different cards but both amazing. Love the collage background and the tree is really sweet.
Wow! I can’t believe the work on that beautiful tree! So pretty. And, the second card is just so sweet – love it. Thanks for the great fun.
I love the tree! So pretty.
Would love to see a video on how you made the tree card. It is beautiful!
That tree is gorgeous! I would never have realized it was the Iconic Christmas image. Love all the color!
Knockout cards! I love how unexpected that tree is and how fabulous the bear’s background is!
Love both cards but could’t believe the tree was made from a solid stamp!
Fantastic! I really love how you made the tree!
Wow I really love both of these cards! Especially the second one.
I am blown away by the creativity of both of these cards…I never would have thought about that approach with the Iconic Christmas stamp…stunning result! That has to be my favorite…but the Holiday Hugs card is also so cute with the patterned paper!
O my!! Again, such amazing cards! The second one is is fabulous with all the layers and it’s coloured so nicely too. But that tree….just beautiful!! That’s all I can say. Everything about it beautiful! And I agree that there’s no need for a sentiment with an image like that.
beautiful and fun cards!!
WOW!!! That Christmas tree is AH-MAZING! !!!
I’m not sure I understand the process used to stamp the tree but it’s amazingly beautiful.
Your cards are fabulous and beautiful. My favorite is the dot tree.
great cards all the way around, again. thank so much for sharing.
I don’t know what one I like more. The tree is the most amazing thing I have ever seen! It’s so colorful and so not like any Christmas tree I have ever seen. Wow! The colors, the shapes, I love them all!
The second one is sparkly and gold and I love the background! I love the bear hugging that little girl and even the real label maker label that says Brrr. My dad used to have a label maker. Hey, maybe he still does! Do I have to choose a favorite because I can’t. I love them equally!
I LOVE your tree card! Very creative! The background on the second card is wow!
The tree is my favourite
Your tree is so inspired and beautiful and I love the bear and little girl – added to my wishlist!!!
I love the second card! Don’t think I can create one as beautiful as this!
Beautiful work!!! Amazing tree, really shows what you can do with the right tools!
Both of your cards are wonderful, but I just LOVE that tree!
sweet, sweet cards!
Oh cute cards! Love your color palette! I’ve always loved WPlus9 stamps. You did a great job !
Wow such detailed cards. They are both amazing but that tree is over the top. Thanks for the chance to win
Wow. I could never make that card from one stamp. Gorgeous.
That tree is such a cool technique and I love the piecing on the little girl and bear!
WOW those are both amazing and I gotta try that technique! Love it!
Absolutely love your dreamy tree … and the colours on your second card. Simply wonderful.
These cards are so adorable!! The colors are so beautiful and inviting. I love how you stamped out the tree with all the colors!!! Brilliant. I’m going to give that a go myself ?
These are very pretty cards! Love the scene with the little girl and the polar bear. Very sweet. Also love that gorgeous Christmas tree and the great colors!
I like the tree card the best as it is simply stunning. It looks simple when complete but cardmakers know how much work went into a card like this. Wowser!
You’ve got all the best companies in the business this year! Love WPlus9, too!
This blog hop idea is so much fun. I am learning a lot.
Your cards are just absolutely gorgeous and so very stunning!!
omg…your cards are gorgeous. Thank you so much for sharing
Beautiful cards, love the tree. Nikki
Taheerah, you put so much effort into that gorgeous tree! and every dot has made quite an impression – pun intended! =]
Great cards again today….I am fascinated by your tree…..love all the colours you used.
Love the tree card! Not sure I fully understand how you got this effect, but WOW, it’s gorgeous!