Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 18 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
In case you missed Day 17, click here!
In case you missed Day 16, click here!
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In case you missed Day 12, click here!
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In case you missed Day 10, click here!
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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 18, 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 Honey Bee Stamps! A new-to-me company this year, I quickly fell in love with their mix of cute images and clever scripty sets! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event this year!
Honey Bee Stamps 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 wanted to create something classy with the wonderful handlettered-style words from the Merry And Joy stamp set, so I went with a chalkboard design!
The great thing about these sentiments is that the first part of the word merry (the ‘merr’) part, is separate from other ends of the word (such as the ‘y’ to spell ‘merry’, or ‘ily’ to spell ‘merrily’ – clever huh?!). A similar thing exists for the ‘Joy’ word, but I only used the ‘Joy’ part here. 🙂
I used the snowflakes from the More Flakey Friends stamp set to add some fun accents without making the design too busy!
So, I thought I’d give you a few of my personal tips for this kind of technique! The first is that I actually use a dark grey cardstock (rather than a black one), and then I randomly swipe the Hero Arts Blackboard ink over it. It creates a greater depth to the background and gives the impression of a chalk-wiped surface without having to wipe white ink or chalk all over it!
I use an EK Success powder tool all over the cardstock before I stamp and heat emboss my sentiments, to minimise any stray embossing powder flecks. I use a white pencil to add some shadowing effects, and swipe some white ink on the edges of the cardstock then rub it with my finger to give the chalky edges. And my favourite tip? A soft fluffy paintbrush, lightly tapped into my white inkpad, and then light stippled onto the cardstock. Perfect chalk dust look! 🙂
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 the Advent Calendar Extravaganza.
Gives me a chance to visit sites I don’t usually
get to. So many new products and new
techniques. Just hope I can remember
all of them when it is time to craft
another card.
Thanks for much for doing this every year.
I know it’s a lot of work but believe that it
is appreciated.
take care
Merry Christmas and Happy new Year
The chalk dust look if fabulous. Thanks for the tips on how to create it. It makes a perfect backdrop for those beautifully written sentiments.
Gorgeous sentiments, Taheerah … so beautifully showcased on your chalkboard backgrounds … those delicate snowflakes are delightful! Anita 🙂
Love the elegance of this card and the chalkboard effect. Thanks for the inspiration.
Love that chalkboard look.
Those are wonderful!~ I love the chalkboard technique but have never been able to get it to look right, yours is perfect!
These are fabulous CAS holiday cards. Love them
I LOVED your cards! I really enjoy all the inspiration of seeing these other cards and my ideas are flowing. Fabulous to win stamp sets, but even better now that I have some new stamps added to my wishlists that I saw in action on these blog hops! AWESOME job!!
Thanks for sharing the tips to help us create such effective chalkboard designs. Love these cards. Timeless and elegant.
I love the chalkboard look with the grey cardstock! I’ve always used the black, but this looks so good, I’ll have to try it! The card came out beautifully.
Fabulous tips for making a very pretty chalkboard background! The extra shadowing and pouncing really brings the effect to life. Love the pretty fonts of these stamps.
I love your chalkboard look! This is awesome!
Holiday Hugs!
Michele
Elegant Christmas cards and great tips of creating the chalkboard effect on cards.
I really like your chalkboard effect cards. Thanks for the useful tips too 🙂
Oh thank you for the tips when suing the chalkboard technique!. I love how this turned out, it really looks so natural, I will definitely make note of this and use it next time. Wonderful cards with that sentiment!
Great cards and tips! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Lovely chalkboard effects! Love your cards!
These are very elegant. Love the beautiful font of the words.
It can’t be day 18 already? I love the chalk board look and simplicity of these beautiful cards. If my cards weren’t complete and in the mail, I would make these. Next year, and maybe for some birthday or other seasonal cards, because it’s a great idea. 🙂
I never do the chalkboard technique, but love these 2 cards–very classy & fun!
WONDERFUL JOB, TAHEERAH! I LOOOOOVE the Chalk Board look & this stamp set is SO VERSATILE!!! LOOOOVE IT! 😉
Your cards are lovely! I really like how you started with the gray cardstock and added the black to make it look more like a chalkboard.
lovely chalkboard cards Taheerah!
BEautiful and fun!
Wow – this is so cool! Thanks for sharing your chalkboard effect tips.
These are FABULOUS! Love them!
Simply stunning! !!!
I love your chalkboard technique! Definitely something i would like to try… Love the sentiments also…
Fabulous and beautiful chalkboard cards!!
Love this look!
Lovely!
Gorgeous stamps, and the soft white shadow really enhances the script lettering.
I love your chalkboard-style cards!
These are great…love the chalkboard look. Cheers.
Wow! Awesome chalkboard card!!!
So simple and gorgeous !! Love the chalkboard look !!
The smokey chalkboard look makes these cards really warm and cozy. So pretty.
Each day I look forward to the surprises that I will see on this Advent adventure! Thanks so much!
Lovely ‘chalkboard’ card. Thanks for the tips.
Lovely chalkboard card!
Ms A a new technique ! Doing the black ink on less than black card is genius – I need to try this. I think I have one sheet of the Smokey Shadow somewhere 🙂 the cards are realt cool and classy, I love the Honey Bee stamps font, and it is perfect for taking centre stage on your cards. Look at that swirl on the merry! 🙂
Sweet, simple and I love the chalkboard technique. Thanks!
Gorgeous technique and great stamps!
Gorgeous chalkboard pieces. I can see them as festive little signs on the door, or around the tree.
Honey Bee Stamps…love all the new resources I am receiving on here.
You rocked the chalkboard on these, an inspiration for sure to try it myself. Gorgeous cards.
Love the chalkboard effect, reminds me of being in school so many many years ago!!
These are awesome. I ALWAYS love the chalkboard technique….I think it’s timeless. Your cards are fabulous, as usual.
Beautiful cards, Taheerah!! The chalkboard effect is fantastic – thank you for sharing your trips on how you achieved it. I have filed them away for future reference!
Your cards are great. Love the chalkboard effect, it came out really well.