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
I love the word Believe and Peace on cards. The sleigh is gorgeous!
Loving this advent blog hop and all the beautiful creations and inspiration. Your card is so elegant and beautiful with the use of the vellum and the heat embossing. Wow! A great combination.
That sleigh is fantastic. Thanks for the hop — always fun!
I love vellum on cards, beautiful
Loving that background!
Your vintage touch is perfect. Love your card!
Totally love how you decorated your sleigh–one of my favorite cards!
So pretty…love the vintage look of your sleigh. This hop is so much fun. It is great to see the products offered from so many different sponsors.
What a wonderful card idea, perfect for the holidays. Your cards do aspire me to start making my holidays cards today. Thank you!
Wow, this is so gorgeous! Love all the details and the wonderful dimension!
Another festive beauty!!! And that BELIEVE die!!!!! Love it!!!
Your card is stunning! So elegant and creatively crafted…Thanks again for this hop!
This is such a fun blog hop! Your card creation here is another stunner!
Wow, such a beautiful and glitzy sleigh, love the Starlequin design and that background is so pretty too! Love how you have combined different sets in your stash to create this gorgeous card. Thanks so much for sharing.
Lovely! The vellum softens the background perfectly.
Your sleigh card is so different – exciting like a sleigh ride at Christmas and so pretty!
I like how the background is softened with the vellum. This hop is awesome!!! Thanks
I love how you have pulled everything together into your card. It makes me want to run and check out my stash of stamps to see how I might be able to combine things. It’s a beautiful card and I love your idea of the advent calendar hop. It’s such a treat to look forward to each morning.
Absolutely gorgeous! LOVE the stamped background and your sleigh is darling! Today’s creations are all so awesome! I especially love Laurel’s stunning creation!!!
Thanks so much for putting this all together! I am loving the mini hop each day! It is just the right size to allow me to hop and then I can head to my craft room and create!!! TFS!
Such a stunning and beautiful card!!
I adore the background, such a great idea to make your own using multiple stamps!
Love your layers! The sleigh is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing!
I love how you’ve transformed these stamps into a vintage feel, what a lovely card!
Taheerah, your description of this card – Vintage meets modern meets glitz meets WOW – is 200% accurate! The images, the layers, the colours, the shimmer….the entirety of all these rich details, makes for one incredibly gorgeous design! Magical! So captivated by this Extravaganza! New products; new ideas; new inspiration; you’re a gem for taking such good care of us in nourishing our creative and festive spirits!
Hugs~c
So many great ideas here! I adore that sleigh and I do Believe! I do!
Wow – so much work must have gone into making your card and it’s stunning! I love the dimensional sleigh with all the embossed patterns.
Um WOW. This is SUCH a beauty!
The color choice is awesome. That red sleigh is perfect!
Loving this Advent calendar and all the inspiration!
What great fun! Love the dimensions and all the little details! Have an awesome day and thanks!
Beautiful card. I really like how you used the different embossing powders on the sleigh. It gives it such an old feel. Thank you for this wonderful “hop.”
Interesting layers. Nice.
I love the sleigh! So pretty! 🙂
what a wonderful card – glitzzy, dimensional and elegant all in one!!!
I love your creation today and this advent blog hop has been so much fun so far! I love your idea of stamping the bg and then using vellum over it… and then the die… All the details come together perfectly~
Ohhhh, I just LOVE that sleigh, it’s so beautiful!
Very pretty card! Love how you decorated the slay.
I totally LOVE this sleigh and how you used it! (I LOVE Casual Friday’s products !) So much inspiration here!
Love, love, LOVE the Advent Extravaganza! My Christmas would not be complete now, without this event. I hope this continues every year!
How elegant! Love how you tied all the different sets into one beautiful piece of art on a card. That string! How brilliant are you! What a pretty swirl it adds. I bet lots of people have it and never think of it used differently!
Thanks for having us join in — love the background you created on your card.
Such a lovely card and I LOVE that Casual Friday’s had sevenal designers create cards. They were just incredible. (My poor, poor wallet!)
Beautiful card and I love that Believe die!!
Another great day of Advent! I am so impressed with all of the wonderful inspiration your artists are sharing! Thank you so much for setting up this special project!
wow! Your background rocks!!!
Love the jingle bell on the sleigh runner. The papers on this card are beautiful!
I loved your Advent calendar event last year so was excited to. see it come back this year. Thank you for the many opportunities to win and all the inspiration allmy the way.
How incredibly gorgeous! The details on the sleigh are just amazing! I think this would be Santa’s ride for sure, if it isn’t, he should commission one just like it! 😉 Thanks for all the hard work putting this together – each day makes me add things to my techniques/to do list.
Pretty card.
Great card! Love how you made your background paper.
This is so much fun. After three days I have seen so much inspiration. Thanks for doing this.