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
The cat is so adorable! I want that stamp!!
Such a sweet card. They always do a great job with critters!
Really cute card! Love the colors used.
Awww so sweet! Love that painterly background!
Adorable and sweet! Great card.
Oh, how cute!! Love your background and the sparkle is the perfect finishing touch!
eeek – that background!! soooooo cool!! and love the glitz!! gotta have glitz!! ha!
My friend Cat would just love this card!
So cute!!
Your kitty is having such fun on the Christmas tree! Love the dreamy colors.
Such a cute card. Love how the cat is almost transparent looking.
This card is so cute and I love the kitty swinging on the ornament. Thanks for sharing.
Linda D.
Fun card!!
such an adorable little kitty!
Gorgeous background
Who can resist an adorable cat Christmas card? I can’t. So much fun – thank you.
Nice example of how you did some abstract water coloring for the fuzzy tree in background – – it really works and highlights the key image!
You definitely succeeded! The first thing I say was the cute cat and then I saw your divine background!
Newton is a star… such a cute image! You totally succeeded, the background is fa-bu-lous! Love the pink ornaments with some sprinkled glitter!
the background is beautiful. Looks like the kitten has jumped up and is flying through the air with the ornament. so fun
Love your soft coloring here. I just got this stamp and can’t wait to ink it up!
I totally get the out-of-focus Christmas tree look to your background. Well done.
The sentiment is simply adorable
This is so adorable! It’s funny that I used the same set for our Advent Calendar post too! I love how your ornament sparkles! Thanks for having us play along!
-Jen {Newton’s Nook Designs}
Adorable card!
Great background and very fun image.
Cute card! Love your background! ?
Love the way you used your Zig markers. The background is amazing!
I had never heard of this company before. I like these blog hops because I learn so many new things!
Love this card!
You definitely achieved the look you were going for. My cat loving daughters would adore this card.
How cute! And I love the water colored background
Very cute kitty and loving the background
The colorful background, cute kitty and whimsical sentiment make the card great.
Love your watercolor background. Beautiful, festive card! Thanks for sharing!
WOW!!! The background is a-mazing!! Love it!!
Love the background you’ve created for your cute card!
Love the watercolor background and that sentiment!
Oh, love Newton. And that stamp set is so cute!!!
Newton’s Nook is a new company for me. Guess I am going to have to go check out what they got! We had cats growing up and we learned not to put decorations on the bottom branches as they would play with/attack them,lol. This is a cute little guy. He’s just having a little fun! If you didn’t want him to play you shouldn’t have put it there right?!! You definitely achieved the out of focus look of tree and lights in the background and I love it! Great effect!!
Prrt..fectly cute Christmas card.
That watercolor background is stunning, and the kitty is adorable 🙂
Cute card. Thanks for introducing this stamp set. I had not seen it.
The background is wonderful and that kitten is so sweet!
You aced it on the out of focus background – you can totally see the other baubles and tree branches but the focus is still on Newton. Brilliant. Inspired by your photography ? 🙂
Your kitty on the Christmas ball is the cutest thing ever! Love this idea!
Holiday Hugs!
Michele
Stunning background!!! Great colouring!!!
Love the background and kitty!
Oh, it is always so fun seeing Newton! Newton is my absolute favorite stamped kitty image! Love how you showcased him!!
A+++ on your goal of creating a bokeh background that is both lovely and innovative in creating a tree of curious Newton to explore! Speaking of Newton: complete cuteness, dangling as he is on the ornament! Mischief marvelous!
Hugs~c