Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 15 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
In case you missed Day 14, click here!
In case you missed Day 13, click here!
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 15, 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 Concord & 9th! One of the newer kids on the block, Concord & 9th are near-famous for their calligraphy alphabet stamps! But that’s not the only tool in their box! They have an awesome array of very cleverly designed stamps and dies, and have such a unique take on bringing modernity to the traditional! Concord & 9th are headed up by the dynamic duo of Angie and Greg, who are just simply awesome people! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event this year!
Concord & 9th 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:
After having OD’d on cute recently (well, maybe not OD’d, but certainly gorged!), I was happy to embrace the clean and simple modern feel of this card! I used stamps from the O Christmas Tree set, which has many versatile elements!
I heat embossed all my ornaments with a bevy of WOW! embossing powders, added some gold splatter, and added a sentiment! Done! 🙂
And I couldn’t sing the praises of the calligraphy alphabet sets (Sophisticated Script) without showing them off too!
I spelled out the first line from the lyrics from ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ and heat embossed it in gold. I love how it turned out! The letters are actually a lot easier to use than they might first appear, so don’t be intimidated! Practice a couple of times on some cheap paper first to get your eye in, that’s my tip! And even then, they are actually reasonably forgiving in their look, thanks to the nature of the style!
The letters are meant to have a ‘bouncy’ appearance, so I love how the card ended up, though I have to say I’m not 100% happy with *every* single alignment of *every* single letter. 🙂 But it is rather hard to get that perfect when you’re only stamping with Versamark! *wink* And yes, I know my card says ‘Oh’ instead of ‘O’. I’m calling artistic license on this one – I just felt it fit/looked better/more balanced for my design. 🙂
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
It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas Card
O Little Town Of Bethlehem Card
Love the sparkle of your ornament card & thanks for the tips on the calligraphy letters on your second. I have been a bit intimidated by them, but will venture forth!! Loving your Advent Calendar adventure.
I like “it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”…
The Oh Little Town of Bethlehem card is Fabulous!!!! And lovely!!!!!
I absolutely love the simplicity and cleanliness of the card! So pretty!
Love the calligraphy letters, so pretty!
Gorgeous CAS designs, Taheera!! I especially love the first one with all of the sparkle! But your second card inspires me to give the scripty alpha sets a try! Thanks for that!
Love the ornaments and sentiment on the top card.
I love the second card. Like the script writing.
I love the simplicity and elegance of the first card and the boldness of the second. Lovely!
Ok, I JUST found this FUN !!!
Your cards are just fantastic. I’m off to do the other 14 days!!
Such beautiful simplicity in your cards. So stunning!
I keep staring at the first card–absolutely love it & need to try a cased version! Thanks for the inspiration, Taheerah!
I love the subtle glitter of the ornaments and the scripts of both are gorgeous!
Both cards are delightful
to look at, I do like the
first one with the
ornaments.
Carla from Utah
Oh my, incredible sparkle. Love both cards, but those big gorgeous alphabet stamps make an amazing card all by themselves!
Fantastic cards today!!! Love the simple design of the first!!!
Both cards are lovely1 I really like the script letter stamps!
Gorgeous cards! I really love the look of the dangling ornaments!
These are both so elegant and beautiful. I have the Sophisticated Script Lower Case and am still practicing using it. I’m getting better and I love the look. I’m loving this blog hop because it’s always such a treat to see who is being featured each day…both the company and the special designers. And I’m never disappointed. 🙂
Such a perfect CAS offering. I, too, needed a break from all the cute I’ve been seeing these past few weeks; not always appreciated by every card recipient. But these two designs are excellent ideas for last minute card needs. Thank you for such a wonderful Advent Hop again this year!
Both of these are simply magnificent but my favorite is the first one! LOVE the danglies and the simplicity of it makes it that much more incredibly awesome! Having a great time on this fun hop!!
Such beautiful cards! I lvoe your style!
I love the beautiful heat-embossing of those ornaments, and the CAS look of the first card! And that font for the second card?!?! SO EXCITED to add that to my stash!!
Elegant and pretty! Love the shimmer and sparkle.
These are both so pretty! I still need to get my hands on those Sophisticated Script sets!
Clean ans simple and easy enough to make for last minute cards.
These are both so great! I am partial to the Bethlehem card because of the meaning behind it.
Love both cards!! i think your letters are lined up beautifully….says someone who cannot line them up very well, haha!!
Beautiful clean and simple cards!
I put the scripts letters on my Christmas wish list. Hope I get them. These cards are lovely!
Fabulous CAS cards!!!
Great job, Taheera! Your style is clean and simple with a fresh flair. Thanks for the great inspiration!
I LOOOOOVE the CAS of these cards! AND the gold & silver OF COURSE! 😉 SO FESTIVE! 😉
i adore these simple cards. especially the first one. so much white space
I love both these card designs. I’m more into simple designs because they seem to stand out more and make a better impact for me. The first card is my favorite.
Love the cards and all the inspiration. Thanks for sharing !
Pretty
The first one is so elegant! And I love sentiments that cover the whole card! My son calls them Center-ments.
Terrific cards…love them both, but especially the dangling stars. Cheers.
Love both of these cards! Simple yet very pretty.
I love the “Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem”… makes me want to break out my letter stamps. I have Mama Elephants, but haven’t used them much yet
Very nice!! I like the CAS today. I love the script letters too, and agree. They’re a bit forgiving!
I love love love the simplicity of the ornaments card!!
Love the glittery glitz of your cards. I love the first one – such a darling & yet elegant design.
So delicate, lovely!
I love them both! Awesome work. I am not good in arranging this script letters so you encouraged me to try again! Have a wonderful day!
Please tell me that people would actually point out the “OH,” instead of “O”! I like both cards, and the second coordinates nicely with “leave a comment” above! The ornaments are fun, clean and simple, but not without a little touch of sparkle. If you can’t sparkle at Christmas, when can you????? Thanks…agoin!
It’s beginning to look alot like christmas every calendar day I open!!!
Love the simplicity of these
I love those glittery, delicate ornaments on your first card and I adore the BIG BOLD sentiment on the second. Beautiful work, Taheerah!