Hello everybody! Merry Christmas! And welcome to Day 25 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
If you missed Day 24, click here!
If you missed Day 23, click here!
If you missed Day 22, click here!
If you missed Day 21, click here!
If you missed Day 20, click here!
If you missed Day 19, click here!
If you missed Day 18, click here!
If you missed Day 17, click here!
If you missed Day 16, click here!
If you missed Day 15, click here!
If you missed Day 14, click here!
If you missed Day 13, click here!
If you missed Day 12, click here!
If you missed Day 11, click here!
If you missed Day 10, click here!
If you missed Day 9, click here!
If you missed Day 8, click here!
If you missed Day 7, click here!
If you missed Day 6, click here!
If you missed Day 5, click here!
IMPORTANT: Day 4 had an extra secret destination added part way through the day. If you want an extra chance to win, click here and open the door again to get your final link!
If you missed Day 3, click here!
If you missed Day 2, click here!
If 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 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. So a month later, after much organising, coordinating and planning, I’m really thrilled to finally bring to you a very special, very fun, very festive series!
Advent Calendar Extravaganza is -the- festive event of the season! This ‘hop with a twist’ was dreamed up by Taheerah Atchia and features surprise destinations each day! Joining in the fun with Taheerah are over 60 special guests – each serving up some fantastic Christmas inspiration! Just like an Advent Calendar, you’ll never know where you’re going to be visiting next until you ‘open the door’!
And that’s not all! With 25 *amazing* sponsors taking part as well, your crafty wish list is bound to get a boost with a chance to win a prize EVERY SINGLE DAY!!
Join in the fun every day at taheerah-atchia.com to see what special surprises wait behind the door!
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, I’ve put together this little video for you:
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 25, shall we?!
I’ve got some really awesome guests and surprises for you today! Just click on the door to reveal today’s surprise destinations and prize! Tip: click at the side of the door, not in the middle! And also, open on the blog directly, not in a feed reader!
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…
Simon Says Stamp are giving away a $50 gift certificate to their store! I wanted to make sure that Advent Calendar Extravaganza went out with a bang and thanks to the generosity of Simon Says Stamp I’ve managed to do that! I just know you’ll enjoy spending this one!
As this event is drawing to a close, I want to take the time to thank each and every one of my sponsors and guests for their support, generosity and time in helping to make Advent Calendar Extravaganza a reality. You have all been amazing and I couldn’t have done it without you! And to all of you who have left comments and paid visits to all our destinations, thank you for all your kind words and for taking part as well! I hope you’ve all enjoyed Advent Calendar Extravaganza and have come away feeling inspired and having had lots of fun along the way! I would love to know what you’ve thought of the event and whether you’d like to see it return next year too!
So before you go visiting our secret destinations for the final time, some inspiration from me:
I broke out the Build A Snowman set and created this fun card! I loved stamping his body very lightly and then adding some very subtle washes of water at the edges to bring in some shading from the ink to make him look 3D!
The pieces in this set are all so versatile, so I could position the nose and smile so that my snowman was looking up at the sky!
I pulled out my embossing paste and Falling Snow stencil to add some snow to my Distress Ink sky, and the snowbank was an outside-the-box use of the Lawn Fawn Speech Bubble Border die! And finally, I couldn’t resist adding one of the 3D bows from The Ton’s Holiday Bows set to set off his scarf!
And with it being Christmas Day, I’m bringing you two cards! The second having a religious feel:
I loved playing with the A Blessed Christmas set from Paper Smooches!
I paired it up with some ink blending with the Rose Gold Bangle ink again and some watercolouring and splatter!
I stamped the figures with both Versafine and with Distress Ink in Gathered Twigs so that when I watercoloured I’d also get a lovely little bit of bleed of brown around the edges! The sentiment from Papertrey Ink finished things off perfectly!
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 – and Merry Christmas!
Supplies – Warmest Wishes
Supplies – Glory to The Newborn King
Your extravaganza was a delight! Thank you so much for settling it up!
Coming into this really late but getting ready to go back & enjoy the daily surprises. Advent calendars take me back to my childhood. My parents bought us advent calendars each year & the anticipation of opening the little doors & windows was almost as good as Christmas morning itself.
It had been a fun 25 days of inspirations and awesomeness. THANK YOU for organizing this. Merry Christmas!!
BTW, I absolutely LOVE both your cards. Keep on creating!!
Super adorable snowman card, love the textured background too! Beautiful nativity card,moving that rose gold ink color too! Thanks for a wonderful advent event series! Looking forward to next year's for more inspiration!
I adore your snowman, so darn adorable. And the Holy Family is a beautiful design. Thank you for hosting this amazing Hop, Taheerah!
Wishing you the many Blessings of this Season and much happiness in the new year!
Love the snowman card!! Thank you so much for putting this on, so fun!!
Awesome cards! Thanks for such a fun treat! 🙂
I love the snowman card and how he's looking up.
I really appreciated both of your cards. The snowman one is cute and whimsical. The second I just love it is so adorable with the stamped Holy Family, I always love this kind of card at Christmas time. Merry Christmas, Taheerah!
Love both your cards, but I'm a sucker for a sweet snowman! Thanks for the inspiration!
Love both cards and this Advent Calendar has been so much fun. Lots of inspiration too
So fun and cheerful! That snowman is all about the joy of the season! TFS!
I love that snowman!!! He looks so happy.
Love the sharp nose snowman…so cute!
Thanks for all the inspiration!
Fabulous cards and what a fun and inspirational event, Merry Christmas.
Thanks for organizing such a fun event! Merry Christmas!
Lovely cards! Thanks for sharing and the giveaways!
Thank you for sharing this awesome cards!:)
Sabina F.
Both cards are very special and this has been a very special event. Thanks for dreaming it up and letting us be a part of it!
Love both cards but snowman is my favorite.
Gorgeous cards!! Sad to see its over, but have love the inspiration and surprise of a different designer destination!!
very nice
Lovely cards. Thanks for the events.
Taheerah, both cards are awesome…I love the snowman, but my heart is really adoring the first family!!
Love the fun snowman card with adorable snowy scene!
The build a snowman set is such fun and I love the way you assembled him on this card, Taheerah!
Sad to see Advent Calendar coming to an end. Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Merry Christmas Taheerah. Love the sweet snowman. Perfect winter card. We don't have snow yet, so no real snowman for us… and no white Christmas. Still special just the same. Enjoy the rest of this special holiday!
SQUEAL!! Just AWESOME!! THANKS for sharing and for the chances to WIN too!! =) Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!! =)
Simon Says Merry Christmas and thank you for the chance to win.
Two beautiful cards! Thank you so much for all the fun & inspiration of this amazing Advent Calendar Extravaganza . You've put so much hard work into this so I hope you can now relax & have a very happy Christmas & holiday season.
Your snowman card is so cute and so well done! And I really like the composition of your religious card. As always, your cards are wonderful, and you have given me many new ideas to try. I've enjoyed this hop very much. Each day there is new inspiration and fun surprises waiting for us, and I truly appreciate all the work and organization that you have put into this event. I also appreciate the sponsors donating great prizes and the talented people who have contributed all the wonderful projects we've gotten to see. Thank you so much, everyone, and Merry Christmas and a lovely holiday season to all!!
I just found this blog today. What a fun idea. Merry Christmas.
thoroughly enjoyed this. tons of inspiration thank you for doing this. that is just the cutest snowman and a really nice nativity too
Wonderful cards Taheerah! I love the texture of the snow and have thoroughly enjoyed the Advent Calendar inspired blog hop. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful Holiday Season!
Beautiful cards! I just learned about this fabulous idea of yours and I am sure to go back to all the days I have missed. I agree Advent calendars area wonderful tradition, we started ours this year with the kids and loved it. Thanks you for putting this together and for sharing so much inspiration.
Have a Verry Merry Christmas
That snowman just makes you smile!
cuteness abounds! love the cards, love this advent idea and learned a lot! Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Very cute.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
Thanks for sharing both of your beautiful cards and for the 25 days of fun and inspiration.
Crafty hugs,
Dawn
DesignsByDragonfly
Beautiful cards…and I love how different the styles are… 🙂
I love your work. It inspires me. I am so glad I found the Advent Calendar Ext.Thanks you so much for putting it together. It has been the best one ever.
How beautiful! So glad Jennifer McGuire introduced me to your wonderful work!
The first card looks like outside my window… the second card Who is inside my heart! 😉
These cards are lovely Taheerah. WOW, you have done an amazing job on both. Thanks for the Advent fun…
Merry Christmas
Great snowman on your card and I love the background. Thanks for sharing two very nice cards once again! This has been a fun event to follow and see everyone's ideas. Thanks for hosting.
I love your snowman; especially that bow.
I think this is one of the best blog hops every.
I looked forward to it every day. Thank you
and Merry Christmas.
I love all the advent calendars! One of my fave products this year has been the falling snow stencil from SSS! Merry Christmas!
I love the snowman and the blessed Christmas sets. Your cards are lovely.