Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 18 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
In case you missed Day 17, click here!
In case you missed Day 16, click here!
In case you missed Day 15, click here!
In case you missed Day 14, click here!
In case you missed Day 13, click here!
In case you missed Day 12, click here!
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!
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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 18, 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 Honey Bee Stamps! A new-to-me company this year, I quickly fell in love with their mix of cute images and clever scripty sets! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event this year!
Honey Bee 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:
I wanted to create something classy with the wonderful handlettered-style words from the Merry And Joy stamp set, so I went with a chalkboard design!
The great thing about these sentiments is that the first part of the word merry (the ‘merr’) part, is separate from other ends of the word (such as the ‘y’ to spell ‘merry’, or ‘ily’ to spell ‘merrily’ – clever huh?!). A similar thing exists for the ‘Joy’ word, but I only used the ‘Joy’ part here. 🙂
I used the snowflakes from the More Flakey Friends stamp set to add some fun accents without making the design too busy!
So, I thought I’d give you a few of my personal tips for this kind of technique! The first is that I actually use a dark grey cardstock (rather than a black one), and then I randomly swipe the Hero Arts Blackboard ink over it. It creates a greater depth to the background and gives the impression of a chalk-wiped surface without having to wipe white ink or chalk all over it!
I use an EK Success powder tool all over the cardstock before I stamp and heat emboss my sentiments, to minimise any stray embossing powder flecks. I use a white pencil to add some shadowing effects, and swipe some white ink on the edges of the cardstock then rub it with my finger to give the chalky edges. And my favourite tip? A soft fluffy paintbrush, lightly tapped into my white inkpad, and then light stippled onto the cardstock. Perfect chalk dust look! 🙂
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
These are such cute cards. Tajeerah! Love the chalkboard technique and those fun sentiments
Fabulous project…LOVE the chalkboard look!!
love! and I use the HA white ink a lot, it’s so great, isn’t it?
Love the chalkboard look on these!
Fabulous card!! Great tips, I especially liked the paint brush to get a little stippling for a dust look!!
Great idea for a card, love the chalk board effect. I’m going to try this technique. Thanks xxx
Thank you for all the tips on the chalkboard look. This blog is awesome.
Love the technique and continues thanks for all the inspiration!
The chalkboard look is very different. I’ve really enjoyed seeing all kinds of new designs especially the ones that are “out of the box”.
Awesome chalkboard-style creations!!! Off to hop!
When you set yourself a task, you certainly set about to follow through, with results that are always exceptional! Such is the case here, with your chalkboard cards that are lovely showcases of the sentiments! Your technique for achieving the chalkboard: much appreciated and will be put to use, as my efforts in the past have been…well, not particularly fruitful! Honeybee is new to me this year as well; hopefully, I’ll be inviting some of their products into my collection soon. Thank you for bringing them aboard (and for the subsequent enabling *grin*)
Hugs~c
oh wow thats a true chalkboard look!
They are new to me too. Love how their sentiment sets work.
Love this look! I’ve never created these kind of cards so thanks for the tips!
Nice cards and tips!
Awesome chalkboard technique. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so enjoying this Advent Calendar hop. It’s a lot of fun and I’ve seen so many creative and beautiful ideas everyday! Thank you for hosting this!!!!
I really like your unique chalkboard look Christmas card!
Simple looking and stylish…love them. I also love the whole idea of advent calendars…traditional or otherwise. Your is the perfect way to get to see companies you may not have seen before and of course keeping up with those you are more familiar with. I must admit Honeybee are new to me too…but I have very quickly grown to love their designs.
Love your chalkboard cards….says the retired school teacher, haha!! Thanks for the tips, also!!
I love the Card!
Another wonderful Advent day! All of the designs were fabulous–especially the ones using shrink plastic! I’m always looking for ways to extend the use of supplies on hand and the jewelry was a GREAT idea! Thanks again for putting together this wonderful gift! I have enjoyed checking out the projects each day!
Very pretty! I love the chalkboard style. The greeting looks wonderful. I wish I had your mojo… you coming up with all these fantastic cards/projects day after day! So nice of you to share with us! I’ve been looking forward to seeing your creations every day!
Such cute cards, I love the chalkboard look.
Fun
This chalkboard look is awesome! Thanks for sharing it and for the extra tips to make it.
Thanks soooomuch for doing this hop. Sonoma you wonderful ideas including this great chalkboard look!
Wow, love the tip about the paint brush in white pigment ink for the chalkboard effect. Very pretty!
Great cards! Your chalkboard effect came out great!!!
I like this lovely card. I too hope I can remember all that I have learned from this event.
Great cards and such a fun Advent party. Nina’s card was just gorgeous!
Love this chalk board style. So neat!
Great with the chalkboard background very lovely cards.
The “y” being separate from the “merr” is a really neat and creative way to have the stamp set even more useful. Your card is really neat. Have you tried a colored chalk look? As I kept looking at the card and the chalkboard effect, I just wondered if it could be done. It’s a really neat card. It would be great if you could share with us how long a card like this takes. It seems as though this would be a long card to make because it has so many steps. I wish I was at the point where I could try something like this. Someday I will and when I do, I will definitely think of you and the wonderful example you shared with us. Thank you so much!
Darling chalkboard cards.
Great tips for that neat chalkboard look! It really is timeless.
Thanks so much for your clever Advent Calendar Extravaganza I just came here via Laurie Willison|Soapbox Creations and am soaking up the inspiration. I appreciate your clever tips on your chalkboard techniques. May God bless you and your family.
I love your cards!!! The sentiments are wonderful. And I love the scripty writing!! And I love how you made them look like they have chalk dust ?
You’ve done it again. Simply beautiful chalkboard cards. Thanks so much for sharing!
Great project.s
Thank you, Taheerah. I love your ideas and tips regarding chalkboarding cards. The creative use of the script is very unique and so helpful. I appreciate you.
I am seeing so many beautiful cards on this hop and discovering new sites to visit. Your cards are so simple with the words and a few snowflakes but they look cool with the chalkboard stuff. I haven’t used chalkboard anything before but I really like how it looks. I may have to try some chalkboard stuff on my cards. Thanks for the inspiration.
Such a beautiful and elegant card, thank you for the tips and introducing us to all of these fabulous companies!
This Advent Calendar has been such a delight to inspire me to make more cards! Love the chalkboard effect showing off the fancy cursive words! Great inspiration!
Thanks for the tips! Awesome cards!!
Fabulous…love the chalkboard look!
Perfect chalkboard technique. Love those big sentiments!
Love the chalkboard look and thank you for sharing you’re tips for getting this look!
Your extravaganza has provided me with so many new ideas to try. Thanks for these new companies to check out too.
Your extravaganza has shared so many different ideas as well so many different companies to check out. Thank you for giving me so many new ideas to try out.
Love the chalk look on these cards. You did an awesome job. Thank you so much for sharing