Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 16 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
In case you missed Day 15, click here!
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 16, 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 Newton’s Nook Designs! One of my old favourites, I fell in love with them from their first release of their awesome stamps, and then loved them so much that I ended up on their DT for a while too! Newton’s Nook have some truly adorable stamps and dies – but it’s the cat-themed images that always capture me! Newton’s Nook are headed up by the my friend Jennifer, who is super sweet, and to top it off she and her husband are geeks like me too! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event again this year!
Newton’s Nook 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 to of course play with one of the cat-themed stamps! This one is Ornamental Newton and he’s up to mischief as usual!
I stamped my image and then watercoloured him with my Zig Markers. I used my Zigs on the background too, going for an out of focus, almost bokeh-like look of pine tree branches and lights/ornaments. I think I succeeded, what do you think? 🙂
I added some Stickles in places to add some interest and sparkle. This shot is purely to show off that glitz!
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
Love what you created and this Advent Calendar Extravaganza is SO much fun.
Adorable kitty and the
Background is fantastic!
That is a darling stamp and your watercolor background is great.
really cute card with a great background
That’s too cute!
Love the card.
love the background and the cute kitty!
Fun background on your card!
Aww — just love that little kitty and ornament!!
This is an adorably cute card. Love the background
Massive fan of NN’s kitty stamps. The background of your card is so beautiful and features my fave color combo!
A fun card & very cute kitty! Love your watercolour background.
Has to be the most adorable kitty stamp for Christmas I’ve seen! I love it! Love the card – thanks for sharing!
Adorable, that background is awesome!
Love the background for this cute kitty.
What a cute card! The background is amazing. Wow! It’s day 16 already. This is flying by…maybe because it’s so much fun!
Darling card! Love the pretty background and that adorable Newton on the ornament stamp!
Wow great background. I’m really in love with this cat.He rocks anything.
Oh cute Christmas kitty! And wonderful coloring!
Love your colorful background! I ordered some WOW embossing powders in your colors and thanks for the surprisingly quick response to my question. I’ve sure enjoyed your blog hop and your work!
So festive and cute! Love your fabulous background!
Newton’s such a great model ! Making awesome cards when the coloring is as great as yours….
I love Newton’s Nook too. Great card you made, and love the coloring.
Aww how cute!!!Love the watercoloring and the little kitten is simply adorable!
Love the cat and the background
I love the colorful watercolored background!
So cute and love
the watercoloring!
Carla from Utah
The kitty ornament is one adorable holiday stamp! But your background is dazzling the highlight of this card!
Adorable card, I just love this stamp. ..a fun stamp set to play with.
I love your blurred background! It really does look like a photograph that is focused on Newton and blurred in the background!! Newton swinging on the ornament is just adorable!
Love the glitter and shine on the bauble, and that background is awesome. Love it!
what an adorable kitten! Love the watercolors
So cute!
Kitty hanging on the Christmas ornament is acute card
I can relate to this one thanks for sharing your card
A fabulous card! Love the kitten & your coloring is awesome! Purrfect card!!
Oh SO CUTE Taheerah! What an adorable card! ♥ IT!
Adorable card! Love the watercolor background so pretty and soft!
This is my first introduction to your Advent Calendar event! So much fun! I’m enjoying visiting all the designers behind the door…looks like I have some catching up to do!
I love your background!
Love the image of the kitty on the ornament. Somehow it’s cuter than when my kitty tried to do that one Christmas! The card is delightful and the background sets off the focal image really well.
The peril of kitty cats and Christmas tree baubles! Thanks for making a ‘real life’ Christmas card.
wow! This is very cool! LOVE the background!
Cute card. Love the watercolor background.
super cute!
yep, once you said “bokeh tree and lights” I completely got it. The background is just perfect! And Newton swinging on the ornament? Well, I absolutely love it! THANKS for the continued inspiration. Can’t believe we only have 9 more days till Christmas! I always hate when we are finished with the Advent Calendar Extravaganza! LOVE checking in every day!
Cute card. That is my favorite cat stamp!
I’ve been wanting Zig markers for quite some time, and this post has made me want them even more! 🙂 Beautiful coloring here!
Super fun card! Love that little kitty!
Such a cue kitty, Taheerah … and an amazing background … such a clever way to suggest the tree and ornaments! Anita 🙂
The cat hanging onto the ornament is wonderful. Animals can be so mischievous which is why I think they are so cute. Your lighter colors make it that more appealing. Thank you so VERY much for doing the Advent Calendar. I usually do blogs because I am just starting on my card-making adventure and need to try to win anything I can. But your Advent Calendar is so rewarding with all of the ideas and techniques I’m seeing. My favorite are the ones where the same stamps and dies are used by a couple of the artists. Seeing the same things used in 2 cards really emphasized how different your cards can look using the same tools. Thank you!