Turn on the Twinkle!

I have had this odd combination of sentiments in my head for some time - but after a holiday experience last night that finally "turned on my twinkle" - it was time to make the card...


Do you remember how I mentioned a few weeks ago that I experienced my first Black Friday?  I had another first last night...the Julbord smorgasbord at IKEA.  We got our tickets month ago, then waited in line last night with 500 other people to experience a furniture store serving pickled herring and smoked salmon...really!!  I don't do herring and salmon and I definitely don't typically do things with 500 other people.  My deep, dark secret - I'm a bit of a grinch - but only until Christmas itself when the true meaning finally comes through.  (And I do enjoy peaceful Wednesday night Advent services throughout December.)
But last night was FUN!  The food wasn't half bad - although I focused on their Swedish meatballs and beet salad instead of the fishy stuff.  (And the spiced glogg was terrific!)  Most of the diners were in their Christmas Nordic Sweaters or their cute Swedish T-shirts.  The store had traditional dancers and a St. Lucia parade. For a giant store and a huge crowd - it was absolutely charming.
The evening was capped off with door prizes (remember 500 people in attendance).  I won a $25 gift card to IKEA!!!  Then...a few prizes later...my youngest won $25 of Swedish food in their market!  (This one was a mixed blessing - he picked frozen Swedish meatballs and then added in some powdered gravy - and he has decided he's making us Christmas dinner...hmmm??)  So, the other diners were already looking at our table a little askance when the grand prize was announced - a $100 gift certificate.  Guess who was holding that ticket?  My 4 year old niece!!!
We had SO much fun!!
And my twinkle continues today as my little town has a Country Carriage Parade (led by my son's marching band), then I am heading to a huge community church to see my girlfriend sing in their professional quality Christmas pageant with a 300 member choir.  TWINKLE ON!! And...it's supposed to snow tomorrow!!  I love snow...a brown Christmas just isn't the same. OK...back to what you really came for...cards...

I used CASOLOGY's challenge: Sparkle

And I used the layout from Tuesday Morning Sketches.

• Stamps: Stampin' Up Carry On, Printworks Turn on the Twinkle
• Paper: Stampin' Up Poppy Parade, Gumball Green, Silver CS
• Ink: Black, Versamark
• Accessories: Stampin' Stuff Starry Night Embossing (on "Turn on the Twinkle"), Embossing Arts Stardust Embossing (on the bulbs), Quickutz die, Q&Co Christmas twine