Hello everybody! And welcome to a very special day, kicking off a very special event!!
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 1, shall we?!
I’ve got some of my very favourite designers lined up today to kick everything off! 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 Catherine Pooler! From her fun product collections, to her amazing online community, StampNation, and all the way to her *amazing* Stamp of Approval Collections AND beyond-awesome inks (seriously – they will change your stamping life!), Catherine is making massive waves in the industry – and she sure knows how to throw a party! I’m so happy to have her open the event this year!
Catherine Pooler is generously sponsoring a prize pack worth $100!! Is she super generous or what?! I insisted she included some of her *amazing* inks in that bundle of goodies too!
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 created this card using the awesome Holiday Mittens stamp set, stamping my panel using the Peppermint Scrub and Eucalyptus inks!
I stamped the snowflakes and edged the panel with gold ink, then stamped the sentiment with Icing On The Cake ink! This baby is great for mass producing!
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
And Day 1 of the Extravaganza went off with a bang! Your card is sweet, making me wish I lived somewhere where we need mittens at Christmas, and your guests’ cards are all fabulous also!
Love the mitten card, it is gorgeous.
Di
Love your adorable card. Thanks for sharing.
Those mittens are fabulous, love your card!
Fun card! Love those darling little mittens.
Wonderful! The mittens are too cute! Thank you, Susan
The knitting detail on the mittens stamp is amazing! Darling card. Thanks for doing this again this year.
I love your mitten card. This advent calendar hop is going to be so much fun. And thanks for explaining how to use it. I don’t want to miss anything.
Beautiful card, love the simplicity of it! Awesome prize pack!
Lovely playful card.
WOW! Such a realistice looking knitted mitten card! Thought you actually knitted these tine mittens when I first daw your card! lol So Cute! and adorable! Great Job! Well done!
Very cute card 🙂
Love the texture on these cute mittens!
This mittens are so cute! Looking forward to another year of your awesome event! 🙂
what a fun card – very festive:)
I love mittens period.This is fantastic.
Just lovely!
Cute card, love the colors.
Lovely mitten card and great hop idea. I think the format is wonderful.
So excited to follow the blog during December! Love your sweet mittens!
Love the mittens.
they look so warm and cozy.
thanks for starting the advent calendar
hop – it’s so much fun.
So cute!
Oh my…what fun. I love this hop! Lotsa hard work…Thank you Miss T!
What a fun idea !!! Love the colorful mittens and the card design you’ve created with them.
Love the mittens! In my part of the US, we need them . Love this Advent calendar idea.
Love the mittens!
Those knitted mittens are SUPER cute! Love the colors you chose.
Stinkin cute! Need to go get this stamp set put and play.
Love this hop idea, can’t wait to see what’s next.
Thanks for the chance to win.
You are one smart crafter to come up with all of this. Thank you for sharing your talent.
Great card! Great advent! I mitten it!
This is one of my favorite events of the year! Love the inspiration shared by so many wonderful artists!
Looking forward to seeing the 25 days of eye csndy. Day q is off to a fabulous start!
this is such a fantastic way to start the Christmas season – love your mitten card and thanks for organizing this hop!
Love the knitted mittens! The knitted pattern is so cute
So glad your Advent Calendar Extravinganza is finally here again! Love your card and all the Catherine Pooler stops were great!
Your card is adorable as are the cards by the guests!
I love the knitted look of the mittens and the all-over stamping on your card.
Thank you for having the Advent Etravaganza this year.
I just recievied this stamp and die set in the mail. Sweet card and great inspiration. Love the door and the surprise links…looking forward to the entire 25 days!
Love your wintry card! Mittens are always so fun to use for this type of card. Thanks for the fun Advent hop!
I LOVEthese fuzzy little mittens!They actually LOOK fuzzy too! Really cute idea!
Those mittens are beyond cute! Love your colors.
Fun, fun, fun…thank you for having another Advent Calendar Extravaganza !
Yeah! It’s advent calendar time!
I am so excited to see what you have this month! Very creative!
Fabulous card Taheerah! Love your one layer mittens!! so glad you had the energy to do this event again this year, it is so fun to play along and be inspired by all your guests!
This is such an awesome event. Love that I am able to see so many different ideas!
This looks so fun! I’ll hop on!! Beautiful card!
Your card with the Mittens is just wonderfull.
I have seen the other cards that were hidden behind door 1….they were lovely toooo.
Glad I got the mail from Lynda Evans today and found your Advent calendar, off to open door 2.
Thank you for this fun blog hop.
That card is so beautiful