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
love love love that plaid background!
Love the plaid behind the die.
What a cool set of cards! For some avid hunter friends I’m making some cards with deer for this year. Like seeing your cards, so cool on the wood backgrounds.
Cool stag!
Gorgeous – If I really had to choose, to would be the rose gold one – so pretty 🙂
Fun card, I love that plaid is coming back!
All I can say is GOREGOUS,GOREGOUS,GOREGOUS! Thanks for sharing!
I love these cards.
Your cards are so lovely and elegant.
Those are amazing cards!
Great masculine cards.
Two very classy cards. It is good to see something that would be good for guys.
Impossible to select a favourite over this perfectly matched couple, Taheerah! Love the ‘manly plaid’ of the first; the soft wood-grain of the second. Both these backgrounds are marvelous canvasses for the stars of the stage: the deer heads! The rose gold…so pretty! Yes, your ‘rustic plaid’ and ‘glitzy romantic’ are quite the dynamic duo! Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE this series? Well, I do…exponentially!
Hugs~c
Gorgeous cards, I love them both! We have a lot of outdoors men and women that these cards would be perfect for.
Love the stag card technique, thanks for sharing!
I love that you created both a feminine and masculine version of the same theme! I guess I am partial to the first card because I love the plaid background! What a great idea. It is a wonderful stag and I really like what you did with the barnwood stamp — I think that is a must have for me!
My favorite is the plaid stag card! I love, love, love this card! I am so amazed that you created the background yourself! I am definitely going to have to get that stamp set and try this myself, especially since my youngest is nicknamed Buck!
Very nice cards – I have never attempted to make my own plaid, but you have mastered that technique so beautifully!
Both your cards are beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing
Love the one with the barnwood stamp because I can mimic some of that one.
My fave is definitely the first one. Love that plaid background.
This Reindeer is really elegant as are your cards.
Both fabulous! Love that you did both a masculine and feminine version.!
Both cards are wonderful but the rose gold embossing powder caught my eye on both cards. It has a bronze look that I love!
Fantastic cards. I really like them both anything with woodgrain always get my vote. But in this case I really love that gorgeous plaid background – it is totally awesome.
Both cards are nice.
Love the cards, such good ideas.
Love the plaid background you created!
Both of your cards would be wonderful for masculine recipients! Those are always harder for me to come up with, but your cards would be perfect! I love the plaid background the most, but the more monochromatic card is also lovely.
These are stunning cards. I love them.
You are so right.That embossing powder is delish so is the barnwood background.
Like both of the cards but if I had to only pick one it would be the plaid it just seems more like Christmas
Very cool with the mix of plaid and metallics!
Both cards are fabulous!
Two fab cards, Taheerah! Love the masculine look
Your hand made plaid is so cozy looking with the deer. Both cards awesome.
Wow!! I can’t believe how real that barn wood stamp looks! Amazing!
Love this card, red plaid is my favorite!
Both are lovely. My favorite is the plain one as well. I am in love with the Rose Gold will be adding this to my wish list. I love the create your own pattern. That was one of my favorite techniques I learned during my Stampin’ Up days.
Love both of these backgrounds. I f I had to pick a favorite I would go with the barnwood.
My favorite is the wood-grain background. I like the muted colors.
I think these might be my fave so far! Love the dear head and both of the backgrounds. Two totally different effects, but equally awesome!
gorgeous plaid! and love the wood grain with the deer!
Love the cards.
Tartan background really adds to the deer, quite Christmassy!
Both are awesome, Taheerah! Love the light barnwood but my favorite is the plaid! Never can have too much plaid and you made it yourself, beautifully done!
I am partial to woodgrain so the second is my favorite.
This time I vote for the first card. The plaid really stands out as a rather old world look, maybe somewhat Scottish, and the dear follows through on that theme. Well done!
Fantastic cards. Love the backgrounds.
These are so pretty! Love the deer head. I made several cards this year with the deer theme and they’re my favorites! Love the barnwood stamp…