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 is stunning!
Both are fabulous but my favorite would be the colorful “dotted” tree with no sentiment.
Beautiful cards, I love how you achieved all the colours on your Christmas tree, it looks fab!
Oh my goodness! These cards are gorgeous, definitely wins as my most favorite so far. I love the use of the pastel colors and that tree is to die for. Very, very special, thanks for sharing!
Love the dotted tree. Very unusual surprise. Thanks.
I love both of them! The tree is so creative using those pigment inks. Never thought about how the inks wouldn’t muddy together since they’re pigment. Thanks so much for sharing!
The second card is so sweet, but the first one really made me go WOW! It reminds me of those ‘growing crystal tree’ kits I had as a kid, used to love those ^_^
awesome cards !!
cheers
preety
Both of these are nice but I especially love the first one
Your cards are super adorable! Your Christmas tree is a WOW! Love it!!
I am really enjoying the very talented, beautiful cards that you have been creating. I absolutely love the tree! Amazing that you have 19 different colors on it! Thank-you so much for your creativity 🙂
I am so loving this! You have skills!!
Love the color choice on both cards!
What a unique technique on the tree
That tree is genius… love the softness and depth of it…. you must do a tutorial on how you did it sometime… please?!
I love the sweet bear and girl… that gold scarf looks like it really is blowing in the wind!
I loved Ruby’s card for this day, too, tho There is no longer any way to comment on her blog (It looks like the last one was on the 24th)
Yay… Ruby’s blog is fixed!
Wonderful cards! Your christmas tree card is amazing! I love the softer colors, as well as how you stamped it! Thanks for the inspiration and for the opportunity to win!
Beautiful cards!
Beautiful cards! I think the tree card is my favorite!