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
I love Newton. I don’t have any of the holiday sets, but I recently just got the set where Newton eats the birdy. Too funny!
That’s a lovely card!
I like the background of your awesome card.
You make the best cards.
Always uplifting and inspiring.
This would be my kind of card since I am owned by a black cat and a grand-fur baby that is an orange long haired tabby. Anything shiny and round would catch their eye and be deemed something for play.
Being owned by a cat, I love this card. Your addressing of the background is fantastic since it doesn’t distract from the cat/bulb stamp. You have a wonderful eye.
Another wonderful card! Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful cards as well as for taking the time to put this great project together!
Newton looks like he is having a fun time hanging onto this ornament! Gorgeous coloring on the background especially!!!
This is so cute! Love the sentiment and the gorgeous background.
I love your background. A great combination of colours
Awesome background!!! Super Sweet card!!!
Love that cute card. Your background colors are awesome. Thank you for sharing.
Oh my gosh, how cute is Newton! Love the background too, Taheerah!
Oh how adorable, I love that background! And the kitty is really cute!
Cute card – fun watercolor background!
Love the background. Newton is so cute.
Your card is really cute and again you have introduced me to another company I have not heard of before.
It DOES look like an out of focus tree with ornaments. Very cute idea. Well done.
Oh this is cute!! I LOVE the background you did!!
Love the way you colored the kitten. Very interesting. YOure a true artist.
Darling card, beautiful background
For all of us cat lovers out there! It would be fun to custom color the kitties for their owners cards, my sister has a Bengal and she would love to have a kitty card colored like Boris!
Love the background and the colors!
Very cute and I love the colors!!
your “out of focus” background is wonderful – and of course Newton is adorable!!
Great card! Love this stamp set you used!
The cuteness! I can’t handle it. Oh, and your background is amazing too!
Love this card!
such a cute card. Love the background. thank you so much for sharing
What a cute little kitty!
Great coloring with the zig clean colors. It really highlights the kitty! I would have guess alcohol inks and would have been so wrong! Beautiful addition of the stickles too.
The background is certainly the star here. Gorgeous colors.
Now that is one adorable stamp! Love the background so soft and sweet!
Another awesome card…your creativity is absolutely amazing! Love the background!
Adorable card.
Your watercolor background is fabulous with the hints of other ornaments as if they were just out of focus. Of course Newton is cute as can be. Beautiful!
Such a cute kitty!
Interesting technique for doing the background, which turned out great. The stamp is adorable as us your card.
I love cats! I used to have one but she died in the 80’s and we never got another one. I do have stuffed animal cats so they are a good substitute. At least I don’t have to clean out the litter box! LOL
I love your kitty swinging from the ornament! The stickles adds just the right oomf to your card. I really love your background. I do get the pine tree, branches effect you re going for and I got it even before I read that’s what you were going for. You nailed it!
How cute. I love that stamp.
Thank you, Taheerah. Your card is gorgeous. First of all I love Ornamental Newton. He is so mischievous. Your bokeh-effect us 100%. Love this card.
Awesome background on this card.
Your card depicts what I expect is happening in many cate owner’s homes this Holiday Season. So cute and love the watercolor background. Do you ever use pastel chalks to color your stamped images? Thank you for sharing your talent with us.
the stamp is so fun and the bg is beautiful!
So cute. I like the sparkle and the background.
Fun watercolored background with this cute kitty!
Great background very cute card.
This stamp is so sweet and you made it beautiful!
A kitty isn’t naughty, just loves fun! Great card and wonderful capture of kitty and Christmas.
I really love the colors in the background.