Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 12 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
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!
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 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 12, 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 Sunny Studio Stamps! Another fairly new kid on the block, I’ve been falling in love with their assortment of layering, cute, and detailed stamps! The designs really have a classic yet modern quality about them that make Sunny Studio stand out! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event this year!
Sunny Studio 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:
Isn’t this tree and lights card just perfect?! Normally I play with newer stamps for Advent, but I didn’t get a chance to play with the awesome Holiday Style and Merry Sentiments sets last year, so I just had to use them now!
I inked the pine branch stamp from Holiday Style with a couple of Distress Inks, spritzed the stamp, then stamped onto my card. I repeated this over and over to build up my full tree look, varying the amount of water I spritzed to allow for more or less detail. I added a touch of mist and water splatter too, to add a little touch of bokeh!
The Christmas lights from the Merry Sentiments set are so perfect! I stamped them with a variety of Catherine Pooler inks, then trimmed them out and coated them with a lot of shimmer from my Wink of Stella brush pen! I adhered the lights in place with Pinflair Glue Gel for varying dimension, drew the cord to join the lights, then added the sentiment from the new Festive Greetings set to finish!
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 the realistic layering lights!
You are so talented. The softness of your background that compliments the light bulbs. Sentiment pops. You always amaze me. Thanks!
Such a wonderful addition to the Christmas Advent!! LOVE the way the boughs look so 3D which make the lights look like they are dancing on the branches! Great idea and perfectly festive!
Wow this card is absolutely stunning!!!
This is so so beautiful.. Love those beautiful lights..
I love the bokeh look with those lights, awesome!
Beautiful card, I love the lights, they say Christmas.
I love everything about this card!
Wow…that is so pretty!!
I like the pretty branch background!! I can almost smell the pine!
The Christmas lights are gorgeous! I love the tree background you created is beautiful too!
Beautiful card…Love lights…
Love this stamp set — going to go put in on my wish list along with the wonderful realistic jingle bell set…
I just love the look of stamping with Distress inks. Your card is so pretty. Thanks for the inspiration and chance to win. 😀
Beautiful, soft scene. Love how you did the lights.
I love the way you made the pine look so realistic. The colours are beautiful. And those lights look so real. Love this one too. Such a great hop.
These tree lights are so realistic! Love the card.
I have the holiday style stamp set, it’s one of my favorites. And you did a beautiful job with it on this card.
This stamp set is so much fun, great card.
Such pretty colors! Love the design!
Wonderful card. I love the soft coloring of the lights.
I am going to have to try your method for creating the tree. It is just beautiful and the lights look so realistic. Great card.
This is such a beautiful card! I thinks I need these stamps/dies to add to my Christmas collection 🙂
Such a beautiful card, Taheerah! I love how you created a tree using the branches. The lights made me smile. When I grow up, I want to be a cardmaker like you. Thank you for your inspiration and hard work in putting together this awesome hop – each day is full of excitement!
I love this card! Sunny Studios has some great stamp sets.
Oh, i am going to have to get those lights! They are so pretty. I love layering stamps. Very pretty!
I think this is my new favorite card of this series! Love the pine branch needles in the background, highlighted by the string of beautiful Christmas lights!
I love the layered look of the Christmas lights on your card!
I have this set and I may have to case your card… it’s wonderful!!!
OMG this card is one of my favorites! The background is perfect I WANT this stamp set now! Wow, you’re so darn talented!
Sammibug aka Samantha Houp aka Sammi
The tree branches are fabulous. The colored lights are vintage and gorgeous with CP inks. And the line you drew free-hand – – pulls the whole this together. GREAT!
I love this card! That string of lights is fantastic!
I had a “how did she do that?” moment when looking at you card and had to read your instructions more thoroughly to see how you did do this card. It is awesome.
Wow what great coloring, beautiful card
Stunning card! Whimsical and elegant. Love the colors.
Great job on the pine needles…it’s such a fun look…tfs
Beauty of a card. Love the colors
So festive! Love how you combined these sets!
This card is so cool! Love how you did the Christmas tree and the lights are just so cool!
WOW! 3-D Christmas lights look so realistic especially, the chrome findings! Love the colors used to create this creative work of art! Beautiful!
Beautiful card from the background to the shimmery lights!
I love your card! The softness of the tree is stunning! Beautiful!
I love Christmas lights so this design really does speak to me.
Awesome card! One of my favorites so far.
Those light bulbs are amazing!
Love your card. Thank you for sharing.
This card is stunning. The lights look so realistic
I’ve gotten a few days behind (how you manage to keep up every day is beyond me). But anyway, I love this card. I wouldn’t have guessed Catherine Pooler inks, because I tend to think of hers as really vibrant, but these are a softer pastel. However, I think that just shows I’m lacking in imagination, because obviously they worked perfectly! Plus, the soft watercolor-y tree behind is just perfect. It looks like a photo where the front is in high definition and the back is intentionally out of focus, and I love it. Thanks for another day of fun and inspiration!
I really LOVE your card – the soft colors of the lights are wonderful, too!
I got the holiday style set last year and have had fun using it. luv your card!