Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 21 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
In case you missed Day 20, click here!
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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 21, 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 Lil’ Inker Designs! One of my DT alums, Lil’ Inker will always hold a dear place in my heart! Their designs are fun, fresh, quirky, with a little sass thrown in! And they are headed up by my friend and uber talented designer, Laura! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event this year!
Lil’ Inker Designs are generously sponsoring a $35 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:
Let’s start with this duo of rustic cards, created with the awesome Rustic Christmas stamp set! How very apt. *wink*
I created these cards by stamping the trees repeatedly in white ink on a kraft card base, then adding a touch of red Stickles to some of the stars!
I edged the cards with some Distress Ink to add a little depth, and stamped the sentiment from the same set on the landscape card.
For the portrait card I used one of the sentiments from the All The Christmas You’ll Ever Need stamp set. This one has such great sayings in such stylistic designs!
The snow on both cards was from an Essentials by Ellen stamp set.
Next up, the same stamp sets, but a totally different look!
I stamped the reverse of the trees in pinks and aquas, then stamped the front of the tree on some of them, and added detail with a black pen to the others!
The sentiment again is from the All The Christmas You’ll Ever Need set, and the card panel is edged with Stickles! The sentiment was stamped onto vellum and heat embossed, so that it stood out a little more by softening the background below it.
And here they all are together. Which is your favourite? 🙂
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 like the brown ones best, not what I would normally pick, but I really like how these look. Well Done.
I love the format and advent calendars. I get my kids each one every year, so it’s nice to have one for myself! thanks so much for all the time and effort of you and your guest. I love these cards, especially the sentiments.
Awesome job on all your cards. Great job!
Such great cards! I love seeing kraft cardstock being used-gives me inspiration!
Love the white on Kraft look & your card is fab! Nice to see the same stamps making two very different looks!
I love the white trees on the kraft cardstock. Thanks for sharing!
Great cards – I especially love the white and kraft color combo.
Love the simplistic look of the Kraft paper cards. They are beautiful!
Love the white on kraft. The black and red are nice pops
Love Christmas cards on kraft paper!
Great cards!! I love these stamps! I have many on my wish list!
Love them, white on the kraft cardstock is always very appealing
Kraft goes with anything ! Lol I really like both of them!
Beautiful cards! Hard to pick a favorite!
Super cute cards, Taheerah! My favorite color combo for Christmas is white/ kraft 🙂
Oh you are so creative! Love your backgrounds!
Love, love these cards! The tree backgrounds are wonderful, especially the white trees against the cardstock!
Very cute! I love the kraft paper trees!
Love the cards, especially the white one!
Great cards! Love your trees and the pop of red too 🙂
wow! what an AWESOME trio of cards!! loooooove the kraft ones!! wow!!! gorgeous use of white and black!! and the pink and aqua – eeeee!
I love the white on kraft!! Really Pretty cards!!
These cards all have a very friendly feel to them. I love your colour choices
Love all your Christmas tree cards. I like cards made from kraft paper but my favorite is the pink and turquoise one.
Love these soft colours and the natural ones. Very elegent as usual.
Love the sentiment over the white background!
Love all three cards. I like to see projects using Kraft card stock.
Gorgeous cards and beautiful stamping!!
Beautiful cards!! I love the kraft paper ones. I like anything done with kraft paper. I just think it looks so natural and rustic.
That second one is totally my fave – I really like the colour combo and the black outline with the back stamping is awesome. What cool stamps, I totally had no idea lil inker did such cool stuff!! I have their dies but didn’t ever check out the stamps. I have to now!! That font is awesome.
A great trio, Taheerah … so pretty and whimsical … I’m taken particularly by the white on kraft … yum! Anita 🙂
More great cards! Although the Kraft cards are my favorites…I love the colors that you used on the other card…so creative!!!
“Let it Snow” is my favorite of this post.
Wowsers! Talk about “Polar” opposites! Great cards and thanks for the inspiration of using our stamps in different ways! YOu are so clever and boy, you are rockin’ these fabulous Christmas cards!!!
Love the tree backgrounds, looks like it is a full background stamp not repeated stamping
Beautiful cards! Love the white on kraft paper.
So many little trees, so very cute.
Love the simple but awesome design!
Love this card!
Not taking the ‘choose a favourite’ bait, my friend, because both cards are equally fabulous! Crushing over the kraft/white; smitten with the pink/aqua. The bottom line: I’d go for a stroll through both those lovely forests in a nanosecond! \inviting and just all-around fantastic!
\hugs~c
Oh, I love those fun trees and the little touch of red really adds the right touch.
I really love the white on kraft card stock. It looks beautiful. Your cards truly inspire!
Oh my! These are fabulous! I absolutely love all of those trees stamped in white ink on kraft!!! Awesome!
Great cards! Love the look of the white trees on craft paper. So pretty!
It’s amazing to see to totally different looks with the same stamp set. I could really see the background of the “believe” card as a wrapping paper. All 3 cards are great looking.
Awesome cards. I like the sentiment Let it Snow. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
As I’m still trying to get my holiday cards finished (yep, WAY behind), I appreciate these simple designs. Thanks!
Both cards are lovely. I have a preference for the white on kraft.
Really cute cards!
Love the kraft with white stamping. Beautiful!