Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Sparkle and Shine and Merry and Bright!

I woke up this morning and decided to treat myself to some time at my craft table before the day began!! I have a number of Christmas stamps still in my NBUS stash (Never-Before-Used Schtuff).  I had big plans to use them in the last week, but you know how it is this time of the year - joyful and busy, excited and stressed, peaceful and frantic.  I am a bit of a pre-Christmas grinch but starting today - it's all perfectly wonderful!!  I have carols playing, great coffee in my mug, just a little cooking to do today and I am looking forward to candles and carols and His story at tonight's Christmas Eve service.

Sparkle and Shine

I love this bokeh style set from Neat and Tangled called Party Dots. I can't believe that it has been in my NBUS stash for so long.  Particularly given how well it works with the sentiment and ornament from the set Merry and Bright.  A splattering of Neat and Tangled sequins and it completely captures the glow that is so beautiful during Christmas.

I was going to stop at this card.  But there were a few more stamps and sequins calling my name.  I went out to a Christmas lunch with a dear friend yesterday and after a few Cucumber Mimosas(!) we wandered through a number of stores.  One of them was a high-end antique/craft type store that included a display of ornaments and decoration in colors and styles that took me right back to my childhood.  I'm standing in the middle of a crowded store almost in tears with the happy memories brought on by these kitschy ornament!!  (Or maybe it was the mimosas!)  I don't have the stamps to truly capture it all - but I did put together some of the colors and sparkle.

Merry and Bright

I also wanted to do cards today to use my NBUS Neat and Tangled stash along with the Little Tangles challenge of sequins, sequins, sequins.  I do like Neat and Tangle sequins.  Their mixes are fabulous and I love their Crystal Clear sequins.  It's amazing how different clear sequins can be.  Some are iridescent and take on other colors, some are truly clear - but Neat and Tangled's have a silvery cast to them (see first card) that work so well with snowflakes!


Have a happy Christmas Eve day!!!

Sparkle and Shine:
  • Stamps: Neat and Tangled Party Dots, Merry and Bright
  • Paper: Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow
  • Ink: Papertrey Ink Harvest Gold (light), My Favorite Things Lemon Drop (darker), Papertrey Ink Smokey Shadow
  • Accessories: Neat and Tangled sequins in Summer Sun and Crystal Clear, Studio Calico gem, Hemptique black
Merry and Bright:

  • Stamps: Neat and Tangled Merry and Bright
  • Paper: Papertrey Ink Scarlet Jewel, My Favorite Things Whip Cream and MME Mistletoe Magic 6x6
  • Ink: Papertrey Ink Scarlet Jewel and Limeade Ice
  • Accessories: Neat and Tangled sequins - Classic Christmas mix

23 comments:

  1. Merry Christmas to you too!
    Kim, I love BOTH of your Neat & Tangled cards. The brilliant design and stamping on the yellow card is a show stopper. The second card is crisp and clean. a perfect pairing of ink and sequins to the plaid paper, and a great use of your twine.

    I am so happy you joined us at Little Tangles!

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  2. These are great! Wishing you a blessed Christmas :)

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  3. There is so much to love about both of these! The first one is GORGEOUS! Love the bokeh effect, and I'm totally in love with how you accented that outside of the circle. Colour is FAB as well (I am a sucker for non-traditional colours!!). And card number two is so perfectly CAS - simple with sweet, sparkling little touches - FAB!! MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family xo

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  4. Awesome cards, dearie!!! Merry Christmas to you and yours!! :)

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  5. Absolutely gorgeous! Merry Christmas to you, Kim!

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  6. Both these cards are so darling and the placement of the sequins on both is just perfect.

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  7. Kim, these cards are both gorgeous, but the first one is a real WOW factor!! LOVE the yellow and sequins! Wishing you and your family a very merry and blessed Christmas!

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  8. Wonderful cards! Looking forward to your 2014 collection :) Merry Christmas Kim!

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  9. Kim, both of your cards are stunning! I love the first one with all the yellow, it truly sparkles and shines and those bits of sequins, the best finishing touch!

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  10. awesome...way to rock the neat & tangled goodies!!!! I love both of your cards!

    Merry Christmas!!

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  11. love the little sparkle -shine card - Merry Christmas

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  12. These are absolutely stunning, Kim, and your post had me all misty-eyed. Beautiful! One of the highlights of this Christmas morning was discovering your comments on my blog! THANK YOU so much; a visit from you always, always adds sparkle to my day! Wishing you and your family a Merry, Merry Christmas, filled with an abundance of peace, joy and LOVE!
    c

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  13. Both of your cards are bright and cheery and evoke the Christmas spirit. Merry Christmas to you.

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  14. Beautiful cards Kim. Especially love the first one with the circles and pretty sequins. Thank you so much for my Secret Santa goodies! You are the best! :)

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  15. Your cards an post are fabulous Kim! Hope you had the most wonderful day, Hugs Therese

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  16. Oh, Kim, these are absolutely beautiful! Wow!

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  17. LOVE LOVE LOVE these, Kim!!! Especially that first one! Design perfection, my crafty friend!!! Happy Holidays!

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  18. I love these cards Kim! The bokeh effect you achieved with layered stamping and just perfect placement...awesome design! Thanks for joining us at Little Tangles!

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  19. Both cards are absolutely stunning. I am really loving the layered stamping! SO fun and effective. I'm glad you have a NBUS plan. I should make a list of stuff like that too! Thanks for playing along with us at Little Tangles.

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  20. I love your style--2 fabulous cards!

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  21. Hi Kim
    Fabulous card.... Love the colour....
    Hugs Sylvie xx

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  22. It appears that I have found my answers to the question up in the "best of" post. Sorry for all the comments, I simply cannot help myself--your cards are beautiful and creative. :) I will be back!

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