Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 3 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
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 3, 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 CAS-ual Fridays Stamps! Perfect for CAS cards and much more, CAS-ual Fridays have such a fun, sassy style, with lots of clever designs thrown in for good measure! Not only that, but my sweet friend Michele is one of the kindest in the business! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event again this year!
CAS-ual Fridays 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! And that’s not all – Michele is offering an exclusive discount code for all my awesome blog visitors! Use the code advent2016 for a fantastic 20% off all in stock products, including sale products, from now through to 31st December!
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:
Vintage meets modern meets glitz meets wow! That’s how I’d describe this one!
I created my background patterned paper by stamping images and a sentiment from the Sleighride set and the Christmas Sparkle set! I added a layer of vellum on top stamped with lots of dots to create a bokeh effect – then it was time for that magnificent sleigh!! Using the stamps from Sleighride and a bit of masking, I was able to heat emboss different patterns from the Starlequin stamp set, as well as the outline of the sleigh, using different colours of embossing powder – then watercoloured over the body using Distress inks and Perfect Pearls Mist and Glimmer Mist!
Just look at that dimension, shimmer and shine! I used the string die cut from the Ornament Tag Die set to add a flourish under my sentiment, which is a die by Lil’ Inker Designs. A real jingle bell, threaded onto the string die cut, finishes things perfectly!
Don’t forget the 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
What a nice old world feel of this card, love the layering. Thanks!
This is really fun and I love your card
Your sleigh card is so beautiful! I love all the layers you used on your card.
Pretty!
Neat card -nice sleigh
Such a beautiful card! I love word dies on cards.
Love the sleigh!
Fun card
This card is so perfect! I love the vintage look and that Believe word die!
Love this!
I’m going to go broke , I can feel it !
This is such a fun event!! Thanks for doing this!!
Beautiful! Love the sleigh!
The sleigh is gorgeous. I love all the details of the sleigh. Thanks.
Fantastic and love the vellum!
The use of vellum is creative and beautiful.
This is so so gorgeous! Love every bit about this card and I’m definitely using that pattern-background-through-vellum trick soon. Thanks a million!
WOW – great ideas to create that collage affect.
This is a festive card with the sleigh and die cut word! LOVE it!
Wow – this is a fantastic card! It’s really beautiful, especially the sleigh!
Lovely card and love the Believe die cut over the vellum. Thanks for sharing.
Linda D.
I love your idea of adding a bell to the card.
That sleigh is over the top gorgeous. The pattern you were able to emboss onto it, and onto the runners, looks so cool. And I love the color. It’s like velvet.
I love how the sleigh pops off the page I didn’t know you could get such vivid images with distress ink.
Love your card!
Wow! I’m new to your blog and I love your sense of design. Your use of layers make suck an impact on the card…Wow.
Your card is fun and I really like the whit on white background!
Love ❤️ it, thanks for the chance to win.
Beautiful card
Kathleen
“Oh what fun” your card is! Great use of the sentiment for the background!! Feeling vintage and remininsent of yesteryear! Love!
Beautiful card! I love how you layered your sentiment 🙂
What a gorgeous card! Enjoying the hop more and more.
Such a beautiful card!! Love the sleigh!
The stacking on this card with the word Believe on top is wonderful. Tying all the items together to make it festive is very eye catching.
This advent calendar is so full of inspiration! I am loving it so far! This card is especially stunning! Love the addition of the jingle bell and the use of the sprays is a nice touch.
Sammibug in Ohio
Oh! This card is stunning! Thanks for the inspiration !
What an interesting combination of traditional with modern pop! Gets my creative juices flowing 🙂
Beautiful card, elegant and playful at the same time! And that little bell was a great additional detail!
Oh, that background!!! Squeeeee!!!
I LOOOOVE THIS SLEIGH DIE! AND OF COURSE, the jingle bell & EVERYTHING ELSE you’ve done! VERY NICE! 😉
Stunning card!! I love it
That is one stunning card!
LOVE your card! Great design, love the sentiment with the sleigh.
Love the sled. I want one full of stamps
Oh wow the colors, design, layers…THE DETAILS in this card are amazing! Fantastic job on this beautiful creation. Thank you for sharing xoxo Carol W. workmanscraps(at)gmail(dot)com
A fabulous card, Taheerah! I’m so glad you created this event so I found your work!
how very vintage of you!
Lovely card! Lush!
This is so much fun!!! Thanks for the inspiration
Oh my gosh, this card is so different. The background is words and you put vellum over it with the dots. I love the sleigh. I’m guessing you really love that Believe stamp because you have used it a lot. I love it too. I love how you die cut the sleigh and you put a jingle bell on the front. I’m guessing you can’t mail the card with the jingle bell but I love it anyway.