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
Love this card and the light background with these adorable mittens. Great job
I’m so happy you brought back the Advent Calendar event, Taheerah! Now I have not kids at home, we don’t bother with one, and I tell you, I miss the excitement and anticipation it generated. So thank you for creating a crafty, adult version. Besides, what is Christmas preparation all about, if not creating for those we love??!!
Yay, ACE is back!:-) Such a cute card,
What a clever idea! I love the mitten card!
I love your annual advent calendar thing ans look forward to it every year.
This is a tradition I look forward to each year. Can’t imagine the season without it. Thank you for making it happen.
Thank you for all your work in organizing the extravaganza – looking forward to the daily creativity. Love the colours used for the mittens – fun card.
Those mittens are adorable. What a fun background! Takes me back a few years too!
Cute! I love mittens!
Great card! Love your annual advent calendar!
I love these mittens! Gorgeous colours and I am definitely inspired!
Those mittens are so cute. The card gives such a warm feeling.
What a super fun creative idea to have a suprirse blog hop! And coordinating with 100 crafting artists! You are AMAZING!! Thank you so much for all your efforts and these lovely creations! The mittens are so cute 🙂
I love being here and playing along 🙂 Left some love on all the participating blogs for Day 1 🙂
That’s so much fun ! Thank you so much for that event ! [email protected]
Darling card!
A darling card. I love the mittens, soft warm colors, and love your design. Happy Holidays!
Those mittens are so darling!
What fun! My grandmama started my love for advent calendars many (many) years ago;) Thank you for hosting such a fabulous event!
I love Catherine Pooler products!
Really looking forward to this event! Last year was my first and I had a blast! Love the inspiration card today. The colors are gorgeous and I love the cute mitts.
fun card
Thanks for putting this together, it is so much fun and so is your card.
love the idea of a advent calendar mixed with a blog hop what a great idea. the mitten card is so adorable glad to have found your blog
Gorgeous colors! The mttens are fabulous!
Adorable mittens. I like that you can see the texture of the knit!
Thr mittens are so much fun!
Wow the knitted mitts is really well done! Great card,
What an exciting way to have a hop! Love it & I love your awesome card also. Those mittens are soooo cute!
The first year doing your advent-calender!! Super cute and fun idea!! Just love this cord with the mittens!
I have always loved Advent calendars! What a great idea!! I love your cute mitten card. The colors are so fresh!!
This card is definitely perfect for mass producing…it looks great!
What an adorable card!! Yey looking forward for this year’s extravaganza!!
What an amazing idea Taheera! Thanks for thinking of us crafty adults. Advent is really big in Germany and every Sunday till Christmas, they light a candle and eat home baked cookies, but I much refer your healthier and inspirational version!! Thanks for organising this.
Such a cute card!
This is going to be so much fun…….and we are getting great inspiration! Thanks!
Super cute mittens card. Love the Advent Callendar approach to this blog hop.
Your mitten card is adorable. I love the colors you used. Thanks for having the extravaganza again this year. Love it!
Ohhh what a delightful card, your mittens are so pretty!
I missed this Advent Calender last year, and I’m happy that I discovered it now. What a great initiative !
I’m sure to find some great inspiration along the hop.
I love your mittens-card.
Thanks for the generous give-aways, good luck to all of us.
I am so excited to begin this year’s calendar – thanks for doing this again. Your mitten card is so cozy and cute.
Love the colour palette on this card. Looking forward to visiting the secret destinations.
I found your blog and three Extravaganza toward the end of December last year. It was too late to go back to open all of the doors. So, this year , I know what this is all about and I thank you for making this fun event happen! I can’t imagine how much time and effort you have put into this, but the love ous obvious!
I enjoyed your fun mitten card today. In my opinion, it is the details like the snowflakes and gold edges that make a good card into a great card!
Love the mittens! They are beautiful colours and great sentiment.
I love the mitten card. I am going to get so many good ideas for my cards. Thanks for doing this event again.
I love those little mittens!!! Love your card!
What a great way to celebrate throughout Dec! Looking forward to all kinds of ideas and inspiration.
My knit and natter group would love these hand knitted mitts….x
Cute card! Love the design and the colors you used.
Such a cute card, love these mittens. Great fun hopping along for my fist Advent Extravaganza! thanks for all the hard work you have done to put this together Taheerah!
Super cute mitten stamp! I love your card… I loved last year’s Advent Calendar with you and am looking forward to hopping all month long! Thanks, Taheerah!