Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 11 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
In case you missed Day 10, click here!
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 11, 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 Avery Elle! Another of my favourites, Avery Elle have a great mix of cute and trendy stamps and dies – often with clever touches thrown in too! They are headed up by my awesome friend Jamie, who is a great designer and cultivator of talent alike! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event again this year!
Avery Elle are generously sponsoring a $20 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’ll confess – I fell completely head over heels for all of the retro-style Christmas sets that my *awesomely* talented friend Caryn designed for Avery Elle! I just had to have them all and use them all!! This first card features the Kitsch Christmas set as its main focus. Oh those deer!
I had so much fun stamping out several images from this set (and a couple from the Retro Ornaments and Dear Santa sets too!) and colouring them with… you guessed it – Prismacolors! I studied lots of images of vintage Christmas cards before designing the projects for today’s post, and that definitely helped me with figuring out how best to colour them! I think they turned out awesome!
A *ton* of detail on this card! I stamped the pine branches and then watercoloured over them with my NEW! Zig Clean Colour Real Brush Markers – I have been coveting these for over a year now and I finally splashed out on them! They helped create the perfect look and blended so well for my scene!
I added iridescent glitter for my snow banks (another nod to the vintage style card), and heat embossed some snow and the glittery stars! I assembled all the pieces with quite a bit of dimension, and the finished look was exactly what I had in mind!
I was having such a good time that I had trouble putting my supplies down for today! Cue another card!
I let the brilliantly designed Retro Ornaments set take centre stage here! I combined it with a few elements from Kitsch Christmas too – all these sets work so well together!
I took my time building up my design on some shimmery cream cardstock, heat embossing every element. I worked in batches so that I could mask some images after they were embossed, so that I could give the illusion of some images being behind others.
Once all my embossing was done, I used the white from the Kuretake Gansai Tambi watercolours to paint over all the images, then watercoloured with my Zig markers. Again taking my cues from a vintage design helped me with my colour choices and also with the style of the watercolouring too!
Some splatter finished things off nicely. Just look at all that golden goodness!
Finally, I pulled out the Dear Santa set to create a gift tag!
I die cut a tag then stamped my cat and his hat using Stormy Sky Distress Ink. I then masked the images off and blended the same ink all over my tag.
I then painted on some adhesive in stages and glittered my cat and hat with white glitter, and some of the accents with gold. As you can see, you can still make out the detail of the stamping because I was careful not to get adhesive on any of the lines!
I added some black details and heat embossed my sentiments before adding some awesome sparkly ribbon to finish!
And here they all 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 Style Deer Christmas Card
Retro Ornaments Christmas Card
Define Naughty Christmas Tag
Retro indeed! Just like the Bambi of my childhood books.
Your deer and retro ornaments cards are stunning. The coloring is fantastic! I love Avery Elle products (stamps and dies).
Your projects are wonderful today, Taheerah! Have to say, getting the Zigs is one purchase I’ve never regretted! You’ve inspired me to try coloring some images with them like you did!
Beautiful stamping! I especially enjoyed the coloring and the subtle greens you put behind the pine twigs. Very pretty. I am really enjoying this Advent calendar event.
Very feminine and stylish! Love today’s projects!
Wow! I love the vintage feel of all of these Avery Elle stamps and what you created with them. Your white cat is my favorite! It was brilliant to stamp your cat in the same ink you used after you masked him so he could remain white on that blue background, without just die-cutting him leaving a white border around the stamp. Your other two cards are equally great. I love the masking on the second card as well. We had a white cat, though, so that’s why I’m drawn to it the most.
Awesome cards and tag! Love the retro style! The deer are just adorable!
Fabulous ! Love them all! The deer card is my favorite.
Both your cards and the tag are very pretty. I especially love the cute deer and the Christmas ornaments are beautiful!
That cat has so much attitude! I love it!
LOVE all your projects today! The retro reindeer and ornaments are fab. Thanks for the inspiration and chance to win. 😀
You’ve done such an amazing job on each card that it’s super hard to pick a favorite. Love all the wonderful details you added to enhance the retro look, just beautiful!
That tag is absolutely adorable. as are your cards. I love my Avery Elle products and these 3 stamps sets are definitely going on my wish list. Thanks for another great Advent calendar day.
DebbieC
three wonderful creations – especially love the retro ornaments!!
Absolutely gorgeous! Love the vintage feel to the first two. Those baubles are so pretty!! And that cat is divine!
I love all of these cards but the ornaments hanging from the spruce boughs the most.
These are beautiful! I just love those deer!
I love them all too! My parents have ornaments EXACTLY like your Retro ornament card. The retro deer card reminds me of Bambi and Fawn in the winter.
The retro designs are fabulous on these cards! Lovely!
Love them all,
I love these cards and tag. I have been looking at these stamp sets. I will have to get them.
Once again, 3 fabulous creations ! Looking forwards discovering the next days ? !
Ahhhhhhh…adorable cards..i see sets I would like to have..fun, fun!!
Your cards and tag are simply amazing! I especially love the deer card! Too adorable for words yet also very elegant in a whimsical way! LOL I love these and am having a case of inspiration overload after seeing all of the gorgeous creations each day on this fun and fantastic Advent Calendar hop!! Thanks for the fun , inspiration and chance to be a winner!
Eek! These are SO BEAUTIFUL! I adore the deer (I have this set) and your coloring is gorgeous! 🙂
Not entering into your ‘choose a favourite’ request, because I can NOT! All three of your creations have captured my heart! The deer are darling and your colouring absolutely amazing, with both the pencils and the Zigs. Your ornaments are gorgeous and have all the more impact because my mom has a real life set of these vintage gems that I love, love and love! Your “naughty’ kitten is priceless! Another day of exponential creativity! Wearing one big ol’ mega watt smile…
Hugs~c
Cute tag, but I love the ornament card and the deer card is so sweet. Beautiful gold embossing and love the pastel colours!
I remember those deer and ornaments from my childhood! My mom actually still has a few of the ornaments! Great job on the coloring, too, even though ours were bright silver with classic colors. I had a very nice chuckle when I saw the tag. Still smiling. Thanks.
All three projects are great, but the one that really caught my eye was the cat and “define naughty” sentiment! What a great combination!
That kitty is to die for! I hope someone sends me a card like that for Christmas. 🙂
I am loving this Advent calendar blog hop!
OH my goodness…. I just absolutely love your cards and tags!!! They are so stinkin’ adorable!!
How gloriously retro, Taheerah … all three of them … takes me back to Christmas at my grandparents … the babycham deer (my fave!), those cool baubles on the tree, and that oh so sophisticated cat! Amazing work! Anita 🙂
Love those stamps, wonderful cards. Have been coveting those brush markers myself, have yet to get them tho. Nikki
You’ve certainly been busy! Love it all – especially the ornament card and all that masking and embossing you’ve done!
Love your projects.. those stamps definitely have a vintage feel. The cat reminds me of Aristocats!
These are just delightful! Love the little deer!
The images are exactly like ones I’ve seen in the Christmas boxes of my father’s ornaments! The deer are on little stickers that are in the box. I’m not sure when the things were bought but I know they were there when I was a child. I love your deer card with their sweet faces. But it’s all fabulous!
Cute cards and tag and I love those deer!
Can’t believe the work that went into each of your designs. You are truly an artist, and these projects are such an inspiration. They are perfectly retro!
Love your Christmas cards and tag! The tag is just adorable with that feisty cat asking for a definition of naughty! Makes me smile! I love the ornament hanging from the tree branch, the pastels give it such a delicate look! The reindeer card is just …so deer! I love them, they are just too cute! And that sentiment is perfect! Reminds me of the old fashioned Christmas cards my family got when I was a little girl!
I love the deer card….so cute and love the colours you used.
But, the ornament card is quite stunning as well and who can resist the tag.
So, I guess I love them all….lol.
I like the ornaments. When my favorite Aunt passed away, I got some of her beloved Christmas ornaments. Some of them look like these. Very fond memories.
I love those deer!
How can I choose a favourite today? They are all incredible. And now I am adding all the stamps you used today in my cart because they are stunning. You nailed the retro look perfectly… wish I could receive the cards and that awesome tag!
Love everyone of these cards! What fun!
Both your cards and tags are just awesome… I love the way you have colored those adorable deer on the first card… I think you have nailed the retro look on both your cards.
Love the soft colors you used on these projects! Thanks for the Advent calendar.
um, WOW. Not just one but THREE awesomely fabulous projects. Taheerah, you’re a super star! I’m all caught up and thoroughly inspired.
My you have been busy! It’s easy to get carried away though with Caryn’s brilliant stamp designs. All three projects are gorgeous, but the deer are my favourites.