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!
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 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
The chalk dust look is great!
I really enjoy the creative way you’ve approached your game !
The stamp is wonderful! I love the cursive lettering.
Great cards! Love those stamps–great fonts/writing!
Great job love the chalk board look.
Great chalkboard look… love the scripty font.
Love the chalkboard look! Very classy!
Soooooo cool!! They look just like little chalkboards! Fabulous!
I love this CAS card with the blackboard background and wonderful sentiments!
I love these chalkboard cards!
Clever technique with beautiful results!
Wow! Love this card and the chalkboard look. So pretty and festive!
Beautiful cards!! Love the chalkboard look. I’ve done something similar with a different stamp, but I do love the versatility of these stamps. They are on my “want” list!!
I like how you made a chalkboard design so elegant. This hop is awesome.
I would never have thought of doing a chalkboard Christmas card, but these are just so great! Thanks for the inspiration!
The chalkboard look is always fun. Love the font of the stamped letters. Very cool that parts of the words can be used separately.
Thanks for the great chalkboard technique tips! I’ll be trying that soon! Your cards are lovely . Love the CAS look!
OOOHHH, I Love your chalkboard effect. The little shadow lines and edge treatment. Thanks for sharing your details!
Nice!
Very creative cards! Love that the sentiment is is focal point!
Love your choice of the chalkboard and the sentiments. Also thanks for the tip on how you did your chalkboard. Thanks for sharing.
Linda D.
Love the chalkboard look!
LOVE the chalkboard look! You ROCK!!! ♥
Brilliant cards, they look like proper chalkboards! And yes, the Honeybee sentiments are very clever, I love the way you can build them into so many words and have a plethora of sentiment variations!
Fabulous cards!
Awesome cards. Great chalkboard effect. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Great technique pieces – that’s for the tutorial
Love the chalkboard style! Those FAB sentiments really become stars against the black background.
Definitely class and beautiful! Clever idea to outline the words with the prisma pencil:)
Thanks for the tips! I haven’t tried this technique yet. Perfect with the handlettered sentiments
The chalkboard technique is one I have never used thanks for the inspiration on how to use it. Taheerah this blog and the advent event has been amazing. I am so inspired and you have linked us all to such great blotg, supplies and ideas thank you for doing this and putting so much work and effort into it!! Fantastic event and thanks for bringing advent back to us adults too 🙂
Merry Christmas
Your blackboard technique is fabulous, Taheerah! These are awesome!
I love the chalkboard look here, and those stamp sets are so clever with the customization options!
Such fun cards, Taheerah! I recently created my first chalkboard-look cards, but now I want to create another one using your approach with dark grey cs and HA blackboard ink.
Love the chalkboard look, great cards.
Fabulous chalkboard results – thanks for the tips for chalk dust. Recently discovered Honey Bee. Nice stamps.
Thanks for the tips in how to get the perfect chalkboard look! Love it
Chalk cards…very clever and oh so different! Thank you for your explanation too.
Very pretty.
Great card. Thanks for the tips
Love your elegant card and technique.
Love the Honey Bee products
Great cards for the kids teachers! The this stamp set.
Yes it is classy!!! Love it!
Awesome chalkboard cards! ?
Love the chalkboard look! This advent calendar is so much fun! I’m loving the format and secret destinations!
Sammibug in Ohio
I especially love the shadow-effect using the pencil. Thanks for that great tip!
Love the chalkboard look and the tips too!
What gorgeous cards!! Those sentiments are beautiful and work perfect as the focus of the card. Thanks for sharing your tips for making a chalkboard effect. Honey Bee Stamps is another new company for me. I will have to check out their products.
Oh I LOVE chalkboard! Yours is so pretty, pretty sentiments and thanks so much for the tips!