Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 13 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
In case you missed Day 12, click here!
In case you missed Day 11, click here!
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 13, 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 Pretty Pink Posh! Known far and wide for their awesome sequins and shaker mixes, Pretty Pink Posh also have a growing collection of dies and ultra cute stamp sets too! They are headed up by my awesome friend Paulina, who is truly an inspiration and a gem! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event this year!
Pretty Pink Posh 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 had so much fun making this card! I loved building the scene with all the different elements!
I started by stamping and watercolouring the cute little kids from the Christmas Friends set. I used my Zig Markers for the colouring – love them! I also stamped and watercoloured a stack of presents too, pulling in some from the Holiday Pals set to shore up the haul! I fussy cut everything out and adhered some of the presents in their arms. 🙂
Next I set about that fantastic sky! I blended Festive Berries and Aged Mahogany Distress Inks over my card base, then splattered with a few mists for a fun look! Next I heat embossed the sentiment and snowflakes. There’e a lot going on in this sky, which is why I have so many white elements to help bring a balance to the card.
I die cut some snow banks to ground the scene (they are white, just didn’t photograph that well!), coating the tops with gold glitter and giving them a spritz with some Glimmer Mists for some sparkle! I heat embossed the trees from Holiday Pals, fussy cut them out and gave them a spritz too before adhering them, together with my kids. Lots of dimension on this one!
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
You can never go wrong with gold on a Christmas card!
Such a cute winter scene with lots of dimension and love the ink blended sky. Sweet sentiment, too, and perfect embossed in gold!
Your sky came out beautifully and how cute are those kids! Thanks for sharing.
Super cute card 🙂 i love the coloring with the zigs and the background is stunning!!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Cheers and happy new year!
preety
Such a lot of detail, this must have taken a lot of time to complete
You must have started in August to have all these wonderful projects ready for us. Thanks for your dedication, Taheerah.
Such a sweet scene and the sky are really amazing! Love it ^^
So pretty, so so very pretty!
Your card is super adorable! I love all the techniques you used on it!
Stunning!
Super cute card! Pretty Pink Posh has been coming out with some really cute stamps and dies.
Cute kids!! Really love that gorgeous red/burgundy background!!
The colors in this design are fantastic!! And I love the sweet PPP images! Great card!
Sweet, well thought out card. You always go the extra mile and make things extra cute (or gorgeous or inspiring – whatever it ends up being – you make it better)!
Adorable card! Your background is amazing! Thanks for the inspiration and for the opportunity to win!
Very pretty
luv the pink background on the card project.
I would never have thought to do a red sky or gold snow caps, but it is stunningly gorgeous!!!
pretty card from pretty pink posh……thank you
Awesome background!
Adorable card , I’m all about cute !
The kids are darling as is your coloring!
Super cute and sparkly!
Day 13 was fun.
So card sweet! Great scene card!
Oh, so adorable!!! I LOVE that fabulous background you created; gorgeous!!
The card is really cute but the sky is magnificent!
Sweet card with lovely coloring!
lovely background.
OMG – – first thing I noticed was that fabulous, gorgeously rich sky. Then reading your description of what you did – – BRAVO. Alot of work, but it paid off! Magnificently.
Love, Love, Love this card and the blending of the colors are absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Linda D.
Oh beautiful! I would have never thought to use a red background, but it totally works, love it! It’s one of my favourite sets from this year’s Christmas/winter release, the images are fantastic!
Your card is so pretty! Love the background color.
the background color is so beautiful on this card. I had no idea I could do that with distress inks~ wow
That sky is absolutely stunning! I love this!
Great little scene in an unexpected color scheme. Love all the bright white snowflakes in your gorgeous sky.
Love the way you water colored the friends! Sweet card!
Love your adorable card as well as the stamp sets!
super adorable card!
love this card!
Cute! I love the little kids. So cute!
What a beautiful card. Love the ink blended background. One of my favorite card so far!
Wonderful wintry scene you’ve created for your card!
Great card! I love the unexpected red background- it’s a wonderful look.
Such a cute card. So happy that Paulina has introduced these cute stamps to her great collection of products.
The sky the sky the sky!! Swoon. That is stupendous. A real shepherd’s delight 😀 and who says snow has to be white when you can have gold snow caps? Beautiful. Such a pretty card and a real labour of love, with so many different elements.
Simply gorgeous. I love your red background. Taheera, I am simply blown away inside every door. You have really gone above and beyond putting together this list of talented ladies. I’m almost caught up and am overwhelmed by the inspiration behind every door.
Love PPP. I hope I win this drawing!!