Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 12 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
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 a couple of years ago 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 a quick video that explains how to find those special links!
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 12, 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 Sunny Studio Stamps! Another fairly new kid on the block, I’ve been falling in love with their assortment of layering, cute, and detailed stamps! The designs really have a classic yet modern quality about them that make Sunny Studio stand out! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event this year!
Sunny Studio 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:
Isn’t this tree and lights card just perfect?! Normally I play with newer stamps for Advent, but I didn’t get a chance to play with the awesome Holiday Style and Merry Sentiments sets last year, so I just had to use them now!
I inked the pine branch stamp from Holiday Style with a couple of Distress Inks, spritzed the stamp, then stamped onto my card. I repeated this over and over to build up my full tree look, varying the amount of water I spritzed to allow for more or less detail. I added a touch of mist and water splatter too, to add a little touch of bokeh!
The Christmas lights from the Merry Sentiments set are so perfect! I stamped them with a variety of Catherine Pooler inks, then trimmed them out and coated them with a lot of shimmer from my Wink of Stella brush pen! I adhered the lights in place with Pinflair Glue Gel for varying dimension, drew the cord to join the lights, then added the sentiment from the new Festive Greetings set to finish!
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
I’ve had my eye on these sets for a while. Now I know I really need them☺️
Fabulous card, so fun and festive!
Oooh, love your card! So pretty!
Love the realistic look and feel of your card!
Pretty card!
Love all the colors you use. Lights on a tree just make it special…these look “old fashioned”, now, but that’s the charm. tfs
Love those realistic lights!
You are so darn good at soft and airy cards! Wow – it’s beautiful!
Sunny Studio has such fun stamps, love the Blah bunnies.
So pretty. I like the colors of the lights.
Your background is wonderful!
The bulbs are so beautiful and I love the background!
WOW Taheerah,your card looks so realistic. I would love to see you do a video of this process. (I read the tutorial, I just enjoy watching the process on video. Teehee) TFS your beautiful card.
Beautiful card Taheerah, love the lights around the greenery!
Wow! This is an awesome card with the beautiful, colorful and shiny Christmas lights on the evergreen boughs…definitely an idea that I want to copy!
So pretty. I love that you used the Catherine Pooler inks. I like to see more of them in use. They look lovely. I love those lights.. the sparkly and shine and are so perfect.
What a wonderful, inspiring card. I love the lights.
Those are some great Christmas lights the coloring is supreme….
Ohh, I love, love, love your card!!!
Gorgeous cards. Love the Christmas lights!
love how the lights came out!
Beautiful card. Thanks for sharing..
Love the pine branches with the lights.
Amazing ard!! I Love the tree in the background with those awesome lights!!
These lights remind me of my childhood! I absolutely love love love this card and I love Sunny Studio stamps. I bought a set and im excited to see more! Great job!
All 3 sets from Sunny studios are amazing, cant decide which is my fave!
And I love their company name!
I am having so much fun with this advent calendar–thank you.
Beautiful card. Thank you for sharing.
I had never seen Sunny Studios stamps before but I will definitely check them out. Your card is so pretty with the lights.
I love Christmas lights and I remember from a very young age being so glued to watching the lights on the tree. Some things you just never grow out of, if you know what I mean.
Really pretty card with the paler shades you’ve used, the fairy lights look totally 3D & as if they are sparkling, great look x
The Merry Sentiments Xmas light stamps look SO good here! Thanks for sharing this festive card!
Those Christmas lights look so real!!!
Gorgeous! Your fairy lights are so pretty ?
Beautiful card! Lovin’ every day of the ACE!
something about a string of lights gets me every time, beautiful card.
Super cute! I love Sunny!
Great card; realistic looking tree, beautiful colouring, …
Thanks again for the inspiration !
Love your pine background and the super realistic lights! So beautiful!
Beautiful. I wish the lights on my tree looked like these. What a gorgeous card!
Fantastic shading on the bulbs.
Look like you could plug them in and put
them on the tree.
thanks for sharing.
Oh my goodness this card matches my Christmas lights hanging in my kitchen that I bought today 12/12/17. Wow now why didn’t I think of doing a card like this lol. Love Thankyou for the inspiration. I’ve just been to Sunny Studio Stamps blog and her card was brilliant too. You’ve all got so much talent . (Its really not fair lol) xx ? xx
Such a beautiful card! I love the background and the colors you chose for the lights!
I like the way your tree branches look. Very creative. Thanks for sharing!
Pretty holiday card, love the soft background and light bulb colors, the bulbs are so realistic looking! Gotta check out this new to me stamp company.
Such a pretty card – love the lights.
oh my, this is the prettiest card! I’m enjoying the hop as always, fun to click and see who’s next!
Your card looks so 3D with the soft background and the stronger stamping of the lights. Lovely!
Thanks so much for having us today! What a fun event! I’m LOVING your gorgeous card. 🙂
Gorgeous card! I love the look you created with the pine tree branches. I love that light bulb set from Sunny Studio. It’s in my wishlist!
Your background ROCKS, and the lights look so life-like because you did such an amazing job shading them. Great card once again. THanks for yet another fabulous day of inspiration and excitement.
Blessings,
Karen Letchworth