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 love your pretty Christmas lights card….you used such pretty colors. Tis the season and happy holidays!
Super cute card!
I love this card. I have these stamp sets. I will have to try this.
Love your beautiful card. It looks so real.
This card is Fabulous!!! I have this set and r can’t thank you enough for the beautiful idea, I will definitely be pulling it out and see what Inks I can use with it??!
Your card is fabulous and I love Sunny Studio! She does the best illustrations on her stamp sets.
Beautiful card. Love the soft colours, and the way you spritz / stamped your tree boughs. I’ve only stamped bright colours for the lights, but I love them muted down. Thanks for the inspiration.
I adore this delightful card! Your pine background is awesome and I love, Love, love the lights! Such an amazing Hop! TFS!
The lights are so realistic looking–fun card!
Love your design and love sunny studio stamps!!!! So fun!!!
Your card is awesome! The lights look so real I did a double take. Your coloring is fantastic.
Such a fun card!
Wow! Gorgeous card!! Love the dimension you have added for the lights and the beautiful background to complement! Perfect 3d look 🙂 I’m so glad to be playing along and left some love on all the participating blogs for Day 12! Thank you for the giveaway 🙂
Awesome card!
Gorgeous! Love the colors, so pretty and calming! 🙂
Your card is gorgeous! Sunny Studio stamps are great.
You knocked it out of the park with this one I think – and I completely missed the Holiday Style stamp set somehow, although I love Sunny Studio Stamps, so ordering it now! Your card is wonderful!!!
The background looks so elegant with this stamp set.Well done.
I love how you created these lights among the Evergreen boughs!
This card is gorgeous! I love everything Sunny Studio!
How very brave of you to draw all those Christmas light strings to connect them.
This is a lovely card. Gorgeous background.
Lovely card – I love the soft colours
I am in love with your card! So clever
Think yours is a perfect Christmas card.. Looked at examples with stamps sets and this is versatile and makes many lovely cards.
Love, love the pine needles on the card; what a great background for the lights!
Pretty card! Love those lights!
Really like this card—the bulbs are amazing. The hand drawn cord is the perfect touch. I’m not familiar with the glue gel—advantages?
WOW! Love your colors and design. I love the soft colors and modern look. An amazing set of stamps and colors. Just lovely. Happy Holidays!
What a fun card! Love the coloring!
Such beautiful work. Love Bokeh!!
Beautiful card, I just got the string of lights stamp and this make me so excited to use it.
GORGEOUS card, I love how the lights pop off the tree! Great hop!
SO pretty! The soft colors are perfect!
Your Christmas lights are incredible, Taheerah; so realistic with their shimmer and glow! Love that you’ve arranged them on the branches. Swooning! Sunny Studio is new to me; heading over for a wander at their place once I’m done with your fabulous day of inspiration!
hugs~c
wow this card is just stunning – love the layering – so realistic
I adore your card today! I have the Sunny Studio stamp set of lights and I have not quite known what to do with them. Thanks for the inspiration. I love the soft colors you used. And your background is a perfect canvas for the lights!
Great card…the lights look real!
such a lovely card, Taheerah – love all the soft colors – wonderful design!
Love the bulb colors and the technique with water to make the greenery fuller. Thank you for sharing.
So beautiful!
Thanks to this wonderful Advent Calendar I have just discovered Sunny Studio Stamps…thank you for that. Love the stamps and I love your card. Perfect layers of the evergreen boughs and then those wonderful colourful lights. Brilliant. Cheers.
Gorgeous card, I love it.
The Christmas tree lights are so realistic! Love the card!
Home run of a card! The lights are such a perfect addition to your tree. Must remember this set for next year. Thanks for the continuing inspiration.
I love these lights on your tree!! So awesome!
Love your adorable card!
I did one very similar with die-cut bulbs watercolored, but just random stamped a bunch of branches for the background! BUT…these bulbs are simply gorgeous! Definitely want some of these lovelies for next year! Thanks so much for letting me know about them!
Ooooh! It looks like so real, such clean and clear fussy cutting, complimenting the beautiful festive scene!
I love how you created an entire Christmas tree with a single bough! Very pretty! Thank you for the beautiful holiday inspiration!
Love your beautiful card, the stamp sets you used really compliment each other. And these lights look totally realistic! Great font on the sentiment, too! Thanks so much for sharing!