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
Wonderful cards, love your scripted lettering.
Thank you, Taheerah for your cards. I love , love, love…did I say I love? the Calligraphy script from Concord and 9th and I’m really impressed with the script letters also. Very nice cards.
Both are great cards but I think the “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”is my favorite
Very cute cards,
I’ve thought about those letters. They are so pretty! Going to order some right away. Thanks for sharing 2 pretty cards.
Very festive with the embossing.
Love what you’ve created! The card with the hanging ornaments is my favorite. Love the embossing and another great company!! Thank you.
Great cards. Love the simplistic approach.
I think both cards are lovely but if I had to choose I would pick Sophistacated Script. What a good idea you had with that set!
Both cards are great. I really love the way that you arranged the sentiment on the second card. Another terrific day of inspiration. Thank you.
Love your projects.
Your first card is delightfully whimsical!
Simple but stunning.
cute cards all around again. thanks so much for sharing.
Elegant cards! I love the way you showcased the calligraphy set.
I love the dangling stars, so sweet!!!
I love both cards! I have one scripty stamp set! I love all these stamp sets!!
Very stylish cards! I think you did an amazing job with the lettering – perfect
I love the clean and simple look of both of these cards
Love both cards! Wonderfully CAS and beautiful!
Very elegant cards! Your sparkly ornament card is very pretty & the gorgeous Sophisticated script is just lovely. Loving every day of your Advent Calendar extravaganza & really look forward to the daily dose of fabulous inspiration!
Both are really lovely cards Taheerah. The Calligraphy alphabet set is one I have wanted for sometime, its so elegant!
Like the spirit in theses cards, so sweet and seemingly simple. It feels like Christmas.
Love the ornament card and all the surprise destinations each day of this event…so much fun and so many ideas!
Lovely projects. Using Oh on the second one turned out well and more balanced. The first one is so sweet, I love the hanging baubles , they remind me of twinkling lights. Another superb day of projects.
Sorry if I’ve posted twice my broadband is playing up. Love, love the first card, simple but yet very elegant in every way. A very delicate yet stunning card.
Your hand stamping /lettering is wonderful, I really like the fact that the card focuses on the “reason for the season”, another beautiful and creative card!
Love your Christmas card with all the thing hanging down! My favorite is the snowflake, then the star! That font is gorgeous!
O how I love both of these CAS designs, Taheerah 🙂 Sentiment cards are wonderful for Christmas one-layer cards!
Love the simplicity and clean look of your simple designs! And of course, LOVE all the sparkle!
I just love the open circle ornament you embossed with WOW – very sparkly. Did you use a mix of vintage and mint since it seems blue and pink?
Love the saying and gold lettering .
Simply lovely cards
Lovely shiny beautiful cards.
Great CAS cards. Well done.
Two lovely cards and a great use of those gorgeous script stamps! Gah – now I need them too!
I love your CAS card design and Sophisticated Script is on my wishlist.
Oh, joy! Such simple cards. Love the fonts!
Two very pretty cards but my favourite is your first one….love the dangling ornaments.
DebbieC
Simple ,yet beautiful!Great work!
They both have a glistening elegance to them.They’re Wonderful
Simply beautiful!
Great cards!
Once again I like both of your cards but It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas is my favorite the sparkles and glittery ornaments are beautiful
Gorgeous cards!
Both are wonderful CAS cards which is my favorite style. The first card really appeals to me more than the second, probably because of the mix of silver and gold and just a bit more visual interest.
Both are great, but Oh Little Town of Bethlehem is my favorite.
Such pretty cards again today! Elegant but not formal. I love it! I adore the bouncy style of the calligraphy! Very festive.
Love the gold but I think the sentiment on the card
matches the idea of the other embellishments
more than the gold one would.
Both are fantastic.
thanks for sharing.
Beautiful, delicate, dreamy ornaments, Taheerah … and gorgeous Sophisticated Script sentiment … love that it fills the whole card front! Anita 🙂