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 – just WOW! Tree is beautiful.
Fun cards!! Great use of colors!!!
Lovely , where do I begin ? So fancy and yet so simple .
So beautiful!
Day 10 was lots of fun!
Both so sweet! I especially love that painterly tree! Soft beautiful colors!
The tree is magnificent and the 2nd card is really festive.
Fabulous cards!
Two fabulous cards! But I LOVE that first one! What a great technique and it created a fabulous look!
I really love the tree. I might use your idea next time 🙂
Both of your cards are fabulous. Thanks for sharing.
Linda D.
I love the pinks in these cards so soft and happy!
What a gorgeous Tree! The card is awesome Too!
This was a great day – those two cards couldn’t be more different but both are so cool. I am in awe of the tree. Let’s hear it for the MISTI and your patience.
Lovely cards!
Love this card!
Both cards are great. My favorite is the tree card-fabulous! 19 colors, WOW.
Oh my… I love trees. I don’t know what it is but I love anything “tree”. This awesome fun colorful tree is no exception. What a fabulous technique.
Cute cards! That tree is amazing! Very pretty!
Your cards are so beautiful today! They feel so artsy and fresh!
I am so intriqued by your mulitple stamping of the tree. I love it!! The second is so whimsical and fun too!! You are a inspiring colorist! Perfection!
I cant believe how you created that gorgeous tree with a solid stamp…definitely my favourite.
You are so creative! Your tree is amazing! Love the whimsical design of the second card!
You have such a creative eye and both cards are so adorable.
Wowza- that tree is gorganamous (one thing about made up words, it’s hard to find the right spelling lol)! I love it so very much. I wish there was a video of you doing it because I have no idea what lots of dots are & because it would be an awesome video.
That said, the card with the girl is precious & fun-two gems!
If I haven’t already told you (if I have, I’m happy to say it again), I do love your advent calendar- the surprise destinations and limitless inspiration are a source of joy (even if I’m a week behind). Thanks so much for everything!
Both cards are really sweet, but my goodness that first one is a little piece of art!!! It’s amazing!
I love the holiday hugs stamp but your Christmas tree card is very pretty. Can’t believe you used 19 colors.
I could stare at your cards all day, especially the tree one. How beautiful!
OMG, I adore your tree!
both cards are great but the tree is my favorite! Totally different & so pretty!
That tree is absolutely WOW! Amazing 🙂
These are wonderful! That tree is amazing!!!
Oh that tree… so spectacular and poetic! I’m in craft love!
Love the girl hugging the bear! The patterned paper in the background is perfect and I love how you embossed the sentiment directly onto it!
Wow!! That tree is just stunning!! I love it!! And your second card is just as fabulous!! Love that big sentiment!!
I just love the ‘tree of many colors.” AMAZING! I must try the technique…..warm up my MISTI! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!
OH MY GOODNESS! I ADORE your little tree card! SUCH GORGEOUS COLORS!!! 😉
I’m sot sure that I understand your instructions for the tree, so I’ll have t experiment a bit, since I find it fabulous!
Wow!! 19 colors! You really have a lot of patience to do this! But the end result is really worthy of the time and patience.
That tree card is my favorite….it is stunning.
Wow, what an amazing tree! Your cards always delight!!
Both cards are stunningly beautiful. My favorite is the tree with all those rich colors. Thanks for sharing them. The other four artists did an equally awesome job. So glad you organized this.
Love the use of the Misti and the different colors in the tree
Mouth on floor looking and reading about your tree card! Wow!!
That tree card is OUTSTANDING! Can’t wait to try that with my own stamp sets and plethora of pigment inks!
I love how completely different these two styles are yet they’re equally fabulous. That hug bear is so cute and your Christmas tree is a jaw dropper!
Both cards are amazing but I think that tree cards is just amazing. Thank you for sharing xoxo Carol W. workmanscraps(at)gmail(dot)com
wow… that first card just… WOW!
wow! I can´t decide which one is may favorite. Love them both
Great cards! Love them both but the tree card is definitely favorite! Thank you for sharing how you did that card. Now I want a Misti and it’s all YOUR fault! LOL! Thank you for sharing your talent with us! Love this Advent Calendar Extravaganza!
Sammibug in Ohio