Have you seen then posts I do every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month with my group called Your Creative Connection?  This is a group of demonstrator friends from around the world and  we each take turns picking a theme and interpreting that theme into our creations.  Today’s theme is “To Bling or Not to Bling”.    I’ve shared some card ideas below with both bling and no bling.   Let me just say that the picture below is how I feel about it!    LOL!

That being said there is a time and place for bling and I’ll share my thoughts below.  So what exactly is bling?  To me, Bling is anything bright and shiny!!  So that would include:

• Rhinestones (any colour)
• Pearls
• Sequins
• Glitter
• Gems
• Shiny Ribbons
• Foil Papers
• Metal accents
• Wink of Stella
• Glitter Papers
• Heat embossed images

Here’s my blinged up card.  On the card below, I used Rhinestones and a Shiny Ribbon for my Bling.  Be sure to scroll down further to see the close up of the bling as it is hard to photograph. And there is a quick 5-second video clip to show the shiny bling as well.

Below is the same card but with no bling on it.   I used the Butterfly Beauty Dies and the Here’s a Card stamp set to make both cards.  And you can see the complete list of supplies at the end of this post.

I think the non-blinged card is pretty, as is until you see the extra bling on the first card.  Notice that I also flipped around the ribbon to the shinier side on the first card.  I added matching coloured rhinestones to each of the butterflies and one to the saying too.

The rhinestones are from the Noble Peacock Rhinestones, which is on the retiring list, and currently on sale for $6.  See them in my online store HERE.

I’ve used the Pretty Peacock and Old Olive Rhinestones to match the cardstock colours on my die-cut butterflies.  The ribbon I used is also using the same colours of Old Olive and Pretty Peacock.  It has more of a sheen on one side, which is why I turned it over for my less blingy (yes its a word!) card. I also used these same colours on my post yesterday.  Click here to see yesterday’s post and colour combination.

I think that Bling is almost always a good idea! It adds shine and an extra pizzazz.  However, I think moderation is key. If you used the entire list of “bling” that I have listed above, your card would be pretty over the top (maybe someone you know might like this!). I like adding just a little bit of bling on each card so it is subtle.  And like on this card today, it actually matches the cardstock so it is a subtle, but noticeable addition that just makes the card a little more special.  And there are some types of cards like sympathy cards and most masculine type cards, that I would not bling up!

I’d love to hear your thoughts and let me know which card you prefer?  Bling or no bling?

I can’t wait to see how the other demonstrators on the Your Creative Connection have interpreted the theme of “To Bling or Not to Bling”.  Be sure to check out their creations!

Your next stop on the Your Creative Connection tour is the lovely Jennifer Pauli from Germany!

If you get lost in your travels, here’s a complete list of everyone on this tour…

• Kristine McNickle – New Zealand
• Jenn Tinline – Canada * YOU ARE HERE*
• Jennifer Pauli – Germany
• Janneke Dijkstra – de Jong – Netherlands
• Michelle Last – UK
• Claire Daly – Australia
• Dawn Olchefske – USA
• Barbara Meyer – Austria

Product List

To shop for any of the items on this card, you can visit my Online Store here.

See the last Creative Connection Tour here.