Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 9 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
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 9, 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 Simon Says Stamp! One of my most favourite places to shop, Simon really are a one-stop shop for all your crafty goodness! Not only that but they also have their own line of products too – I particularly love their inks! They are headed up by my wonderful warm and kind friend Heidi – she is so awesome! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event again this year!
Simon Says Stamp are generously sponsoring a $50 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 fell head over heels for the stag image from the Magical Christmas set! I stamped him on Fog cardstock and fussy cut him out, and backed him onto a piece of Kraft cardstock stamped and heat embossed with the Barnwood Background stamp from Concord & 9th. I tore the bottom of it for a rustic look!
I actually created that tartan/plaid background! I used stamps and inks from the Catherine Pooler Foundations Box collection – I love how realistic it turned out!
I used dimensional glue gel to adhere my elements, I just love how this looks! You can also see just how gorgeous that new embossing powder is – it’s a stunningly beautiful rose gold!
I loved several of these elements so much that I created a feminine version too!
I used the Barnwood Background stamp for my entire base this time, heat embossing with white and then swiping white ink on the edges. The stag was heat embossed with another *gorgeous* WOW! embossing powder colour, and the rose gold made an appearance again for the sentiment banner!
So gorgeous!
And here they both are together, which is your favourite?
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
Rustic Plaid Reindeer Card
Both cards are amazing!The gray one is my favorite…so subtle and elegant!
Both cards are great, love the plaid background on the first card!
these are awesomely rustic!
Fantastic cards Taheerah. I have that stamp/die set. Love the tartan background… and wow! You made it! Amazing job! Great textures on the second card.
sounds like an awesome opportunity to shop!!
I just bought a similar stamp/die set. The deer and banner only though. And you have given me inspiration to use it. Thanks. Both of these cards are gorgeous.
This is SO much fun. I am enjoying seeing your creations as well as those by the other talented artists.
So cute love the red plaid on the one card.
Love both cards, but I really like the 2nd card. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful cards and I agree, SSS is now my main source of everything crafty. Just got a huge box on Black Friday – struggling to keep it unopened until Christmas:-) my present to me.
Stunning plaid background but I also love the softness of the barnwood background too.
These are both beautiful cards! I think the barnwood background is my favorite, but I love how you made the plaid background 🙂
Hey Taheerah, great cards again today. I have to say where we are a family of hunters, I really like both the masculine and feminine versions. They are both beautifully done!
SSS have done it again, great stamps. Love both cards especially the first , the red really draws your eyes to the center of the card. Beautiful as always. X
I love the simplicity and neutral colors of the stag head card with the rose gold banner on the woodgrain background although I’m not a fan of mounted deer heads.
What lovely cards! I must admit that the plaid one is my favorite. Thanks for the inspiration. 😀
I had seen these stag head stamps and wondered what would I do with them? Well, you showed me ! Great ideas and wonderful creations! Thank you for enlarging my creative possibilities.
Wow! That deer head stamp is gorgeous! Such a great stamp to have for guy cards! I love the embossing you did and the banner, really great cards and now I have to add this stamp set to my Wish List, which is getting longer due to your great Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
Love the plaid and the sentiment. (Not so big on the antler thing! Sorry!) Still, it IS a great card. Thanks. I am enjoying this so much.
The one with the plaid background is my favorite. It is unexpected and cheerful. Good eye for color!
Both cards are wonderful ! The Rose Gold just makes them so beautiful, whatever the background.
Both cards are so pretty. The plaid is so masculine and would make a great card for my male friends who go hunting, And the other is very soft and soothing. Love both thanks for posting these.
Love the plaid background. Love this hop too.
Your plaid stamping is amazing.
Wow that rose gold is sooo pretty. I love how you used the barnyard wood! Thank you so much.
Great cards! Love this stampset too
Lovely card! I have a Maggie Holmes stag die that I could use to recreate your card. Thanks for Simon Says Stamp for providing a gift card. I would really love to win a voucher as I’m currently waiting on an order to arrive to my house in New Zealand and another order arrived yesterday (maybe I shouldn’t admit that out loud?)
Both of these are beautiful. They have that old-fashioned back home Christmas look! Just saying….the plaid you created for the background is amazing! 🙂
Hi once again, Taheerah. Thank you so much for this fun event. I am enjoying all of it and feeling inspired to create. I love this stag image. You know how to use backgrounds and embellies to create the perfect cards. Of course, I love the lady version with the Rose Gold Wow embossing. But I am also inspired by the creation of the plaid background and the background that actually looks like barn wood and the rustic look. Can’t say I can pick a favorite.
Love how both of these turned out! If I had to pick it would be the plaid card. I love how the deer pops against it!
I couldn’t possibly pick a favotlrite because they are each beautiful in there own way!!!! I need to learn about dimensional glue!!!!
That wood grain background is gorgeous! I want a collection of cards with that as the theme!
Oh my word, how gorgeous are these?! I just love stags in designs, and yours are absolutely amazing and inspiring.
I love love love these cards. You did such at nice job with the plaid design
I like the softness of the all white card.
the plaid is fantastic.
Love the wood look of the backgrounds on the
cards. Matches up with the deer so well.
thanks for sharing some wonderful cards.
The rose gold embossing powder is indeed fabulous!
These are great! Not something I probably would have done, but I really do like what you did with it.
Whilst I love the first one, weirdly my girly side has come out as you said ‘rose gold’ and i LOVE the second one. I have that Romance embossing powder and it is so pretty and sparkly I do love the first one though – the way you do tartan rugs via stamping – pure genius. Looks so real, and I do like the rusticy look. Now i see why you were bemoaning the lack of copper embossing powder 😀
Nice cards!
I love, love, love both cards!
I love the non-traditional look of the second one — so light and cheerful!
Love the backgrounds on these beautiful cards! I love the plaid!
Oh I absolutely LOVE these! Both of them! I think I like the more masculine version just a tiny bit more. That background stamp is awesome!
Great cards, this secret blog hop thing is so awesome!
I’d be happy to receive EITHER card!! Just beautiful designs. Impressed that you made your own plaid, but not surprised. Your design aesthetic never disappoints. Bravo, you!
Fun! I like them both, but I think the plaid is my favorite. Love SSS also! Thanks again for hosting this amazing hop!!
These cards have a rustic, yet elegant look. It’s been interesting to see the various uses of the reindeer.
I am loving the wood grain and plaid! So perfect with the stag… makes me feel Christmasy and in need of a cabin in the woods. lol.
Both of these cards
are wonderful!
I love the feminine
one, with the white
deer.
Carla from Utah