Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 10 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
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 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 10, 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 WPlus9! One of my most favourite companies *ever*, WPlus9 are always at the forefront of trends with their products! With superbly designed products – including a range of cardstock and ink too! – there really is something for everyone, whatever your style! They are headed up by my wonderful friend Dawn, who is just about one of the most talented designers around – no wonder her products are awesome too! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event again this year!
WPlus9 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:
I wanted to do something completely different with this card! Can you believe that tree is actually a solid stamp?! It’s from the Iconic Christmas set, which is full of timeless and classic designs!
I placed the tree stamp on my MISTI and then used several of the dots from the Simon Says Stamp Lots of Dots set to ink up a myriad of dots in a plethora of colours! I used A:Muse inks for this as the pigments are rich and vibrant, and as they are pigment they would ‘sit’ on top of each other without becoming a muddy mess! I used 19 colours in total – 19!! Once my tree was full of dots I stamped it on my panel repeatedly to transfer as much ink as possible. Gotta love the MISTI for the ability to do that. 🙂
Once I’d got the depth of colour I wanted, I inked the entire stamp with Versamark and stamped over it again, then heat embossed it with a gorgeous translucent shimmery glittery embossing powder from WOW! If only you could see it in real life!
I wanted a bit more depth and look of dimension to my tree, so I pulled out my Gansai Tambi watercolours to add some darker shades, as well as white ‘lights’. I also added some gold ‘lights’ by painting with some gold mist, and then splattered the same mist to create a gold ‘snow’! I love the finished look – no need for a sentiment when the tree steals the show!
I was having so much fun that I wanted to use some of my newer stamps to create another unexpected design!
I used the adorable bear/girl stamp from Holiday Hugs and paper pieced some parts of it using papers from the Crate Paper Snow And Cocoa collection, and also some glitter paper too!
I did bring out my Prismacolors too for some colouring of the girl’s face and hair, her hand, and also some shading on the bear and to give him rosy cheeks. 🙂
I wanted quite a collage look so I used some patterned paper on my card base and heat embossed the sentiment from Holiday Boughs. For this design the sentiment is almost secondary as it finds its place amongst the embellishments and other elements – but I think it works!
I added some stamped trees from the Holiday Houses set (*love* this set!) and added some die cut snowflakes, sequins, and a label maker sentiment.
Lots of dimension on this one! I love the finished card!
And here they both are together, which is your favourite?
Don’t forget 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
Vintage Lit Tree Card
Happy Holidays Card
Two awesome cards! I love the look of the Christmas tree card! The colors all blend together beautifully! And your second card is just so darn cute! i love the bear!
Both cards are great-Love the tree, so unique! Great coloring!
Amazing cards. I love them both but I think my favourite is the tree. I love the beautiful colours and simple design x x
I love your holiday Hugs card…the background is amazing!
Absolutely wonderful…both of them!
That tree..WOW.
Love the Snow and Cocoa collection = adorable card.
The bear and girl is very sweet but I love you Christmas tree. It is absolutely gorgeous. I really love a video on how you created it.
Wow! Where you do come up with your ideas? Love the dotty tree with it’s almost-20 colours, and the paper you’ve used for the 2nd card is perfect!
That’s the coolest Christmas tree I’ve seen!
You have done it again another awesome set of cards. I love the 1st one with the muted flowers. The dynamo label gun for Brrr on the second card who knew those would be popular in paper crafting and card making (should have kept the one I had as a kid). Great post too.
19 colors?! That’s some serious dedication! Thanks for sharing!
Nice cards!
Stunning tree card!
Truly inspired cards. So festive.
Wow, love both of these cards and the pretty pastel shades!
What a beautiful card – I love seeing “older’sets being made new again. Wplus9 stamps seem to create the most happy cards. They just seem to leave a smile on my face! 🙂
The tree is so pretty and the second card is so cute.
I like both cards. The tree card is simple and elegant and so much cuteness in your second card.
Wow! I have the Iconic Christmas Stamp Set and had no idea that was the tree you had used for your first card! It is amazing! I also enjoyed your second card today as well. WPlus9 is a great company. I look forward to today’s products!!
Of course I like both of your cards but the tree card is awesome
Each day your cards amaze and impress me! I can’t stop oohing and aahing at all the gorgeous designs and details. I love, love, love that stunning tree! Your second card is fabulous too… so cheerful and sweet! Thanks once again for the awesome inspiration!
Wow, what a lot of work in both of these cards. But I have to say, I love the tree the best. It is so quirky.
Oh Taheerah! Both of your cards are amazing! LOVE the Christmas tree 🙂
Both are wonderful love the tree so different.
I like both of your cards today, Taheerah but if I had to choose, I would go with the bear hugs card. It is so cute.
OMGOSH Girl! That tree is sensational. I’m completely In Love with it.
Fabulous cards! The tree card is amazing!
Your first card blows me away–absolutely love your creativity! Fun second card, too! Off to check out today’s guests!
The tree card would be a gift in itself. Sure want to try this myself. I’m sure in person it would take your breath away.
Thank you, Taheerah for this fun adventure. The multi-colored tree is so very feminine. It is lovely with such colors. I wish I could see the shine from the embossing. Also I have to smile because the Holiday Hugs girl and bear are so sweet.
Your card is so fascinating and wonderful.
Love both cards – that bear hug one is adorable, but the Christmas tree is beautiful and elegant!
Great cards! Love love the Christmas tree, amazing all the beautiful colors. Great job!
Wonderful cards. I really like how you made the colorful tree.
Fabulous cards, Taheerah! I especially love the fabulous tree!
Such pretty colors in both the cards
I really like the Vintage Tree card, simple and cheerful.
Fascinating coloring and
designs on both cards.
I love the second with
the cute bear and girl.
Carla from Utah
Love the tree and am having such fun checking out the locations and cards each day of the advent! Thank you for pulling this together!
Your tree is beautiful! Hard to choose a favorite–one card is cute and the other wow!
The tree is amazing. Can’t believe the detailed process to make it. What an artist you truly are!
Beautiful cards. The Christmas tree is stunning!
I love both cards but the tree is stunning!
Your cards are truly masterpieces. I am having so much fun with this Advent Extravaganza!!!
Love these colors!
My favorite of these two lovely cards is the tree card. Very unique and beautfiul.
Wow, awesome work, I love that Christmas tree card, very very pretty!
W+9 is a new company to me so it is nice t see some of their products. I love your second card. It is super cute.
The tree is stunning! Can you please make a video of your process some day?
Your Christmas tree absolutely Glows! Love the details on your polar bear card…lots of fun!
Fabulous cards. Love the bright colors