Hello everybody! And welcome to Day 13 of Advent Calendar Extravaganza!!
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!
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 13, 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 Concord & 9th! One of the newer kids on the block, Concord & 9th are near-famous for their calligraphy alphabet stamps! But that’s not the only tool in their box! They have an awesome array of very cleverly designed stamps and dies, and have such a unique take on bringing modernity to the traditional! Concord & 9th are headed up by the dynamic duo of Angie and Greg, who are just simply awesome people! I’m so thrilled to have them sponsor the event this year!
Concord & 9th 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:
*sigh* I’m swooning over this one! It has that high-end, Rifle Paper Co. stationery feel to it that I just *love*.
I used the Barnwood Background and Blooms Fill-In sets to create my background. Using the kissing technique, I stamped the woodgrain image onto the Blooms Fill In background stamp, before stamping that onto my card. I repeat stamped this a few times, to build up the intensity of colour I wanted, then stamped the Blooms Fill-In background on its own with a lighter colour to add to the base colour of the wood. The results are so spectacular!
I used the smaller companion stamps to add colour to the flowers and leaves. The sentiment is from the Ornamental set. I firstly stamped in black but didn’t like that. So then I heat embossed it with white embossing powder directly on top. Didn’t like that either, so heat embossed directly on top of that with black embossing powder. And yes, it did work out just fine!!
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
this would make fabulous wallpaper!
Another soft card beautifully done. The sentiment pops once again. Thanks again for this fun Extravaganza!
Absolutely stunning card!
Love the wood background..so beautiful..
This is low key and understated, really lovely!
Great card
This is a really fun “hop”. Thanks Taheerah!
I adore their products. You did a n amazing job.
I’m loving the soft blooms against that lovely barnwood background!!
Beautiful card, love the colors!
Beautiful card!
The blooms!!Wow.Each Card is so different!!I love the background and the paper.The little pink tones of the flowers.Great useofmulti colors!
Spectacular is right. I love how you’ve done the background and have to try it for myself.
Beautiful card with different color combinations…
Love the techniques… I need to go try this out to get it in my “toolkit”….
Love this card with the Barnwood background! Thanks for sharing!
Oh, yay! Another retro look Christmas card. I just love these that take me back to days of looking at my grandparents keepsakes and old photos. Thanks for the inspiration and chance to win. :d
This looks amazing with the Barnwood Background!!!
I’m swooning over this one too. So very beautiful! I’ll need to learn the kissing technique now.
Gorgeous card! Another fantastic day of hopping!
Beautiful card – and I love that you kept trying until you liked what you saw. Thanks for sharing!
Gorgeous! I must try this background….just Love it!
Oh wow! Very unexpected design and color scheme, but so elegant. Beautiful job.
I love the non-traditional colors, beautiful card.
So pretty!! This set is on my wish list!
Amazing background, beautiful card.
yay – love Concord & 9 th – wish I had more of their products – great designs. Love the card created – interesting color combo
Oh wow, this is a stunner!
My mind is blown by how you create! How do you manage to best yourself on every subsequent card you make? I’d love to see a video on how you did this one — just so I can attempt to wrap my brain around this wondrous card!
The color palate is brilliant. Love the background.
What a stunner! Fabulous colors and images. The woodgrain background is inspired!
Absolutely beautiful card.
AMAZING! I love how you combined the two backgrounds to achieve the look. Inspires me to look at my barnwood stamp in a whole new light now! 🙂 Your Advent Extravaganza always inspires me, Taheerah, and I so appreciate the effort it takes to put it together (and create your own projects at the same time!).
This is such a pretty card! It reminds me of vintage fabric.
Oh my gosh. AMAZING! Love how you kissed the 2 background stamps!!
Hurrah for Concord and Ninth!!
This is such a beautiful set. I really love your card. The colors are beautiful
Wow, this one is absolutely beautiful! I love the idea of the kissing technique! Fabulous idea with this stamp set!
Sammibug aka Samantha Houp aka Sammi
I’m loving all your fabulous inspiration, taheera. What a wonderful event. Thanks so much, one again, for all the fun and fabulous art work. I’m really enjoying myself!
Blessings,
Karen Letchworth
http://www.karen-mycuprunnethover.blogspot.com
Taheerah – you’ve outdone yourself. I think you’ll need to provide this picture to Concord & 9th to display what one can do with their stamp set. I had to go take a look at the set because I couldn’t figure out how you did what you did. I love the background you made and your choice of colors for the flowers. LOVE IT!
Beautiful card. Lovely soft colors.
Just beautiful!
Very pretty card! I love the colors you used! They look so great together and made this card so elegant!
I have this stamp but haven’t used it yet. Thanks for the inspiration.
Beautiful card, love this interesting technique! I also love the secret destinations each day!
Beautiful card, love this stamp set
So vintage looking, pretty
I forget about all these techniques…thanks for the inspiration…tfs
Wow lovely background
Beautiful card! Great technique for the background! Thanks for sharing. ?