Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Balloon Festival


I've never been up in a hot air balloon or to a balloon festival, but I sure can imagine the wonder and beauty of a sky filled with colorful balloons. I thought it would be fun to make a card with that kind of feel using Verve's new Up, Up & Away set. The balloon layering is done with masking, and then two of the cloud groups are stamped separately, trimmed, and adhered with dimensionals. After I did all the stamping, I colored the sky and balloons with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol. The striped dp is from K&Co's Carolyn Gavin Greenhouse collection. I cut 1/2" strips, adhered them to the four sides of the balloon panel, and then snipped in on the diagonal at each of the four corners to get the mitered corner look.

Don't forget about about the Verve Project Parade, going on right now on the Verve Stamps blog. Our theme is "It's A Guy Thing: Celebrating the Men in Our Lives," so if you struggle with masculine cards and projects (raising my hand!), you're sure to get loads of ideas from all the Verve Divas this month. I'll be posting over there (and here) on Friday with a fun gift for dads. Play along with our theme for a chance to win some Verve for yourself. All the details for participation can be found on any of the Project Parade posts. Good luck!



Stamps: Up, Up & Away; Dare to Be (Verve Stamps)
Paper: Papertrey Raspberry Fizz and White card stock; K&Co Carolyn Gavin Greenhouse dp
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Prismacolor pencils, Gamsol, blending stump; foam adhesive, paper piercer

30 comments:

Leslie Hanna said...

That's a lotta masking! I admire your patience!

I have been to several balloon festivals, and it is certainly well worth the price of admission!

Karen Giron said...

This is incredible! Love those lofty balloons!! I'd love to go to a festival too - we keep toying with going to Albuquerque in October to see it, but haven't made the trip just yet. Very fun card!!

June Houck said...

I love this card! Especially your mitered corner technique. I hope you do ride in a hot air balloon one day. I took Doug for his birthday once...about 15 years ago. It was wonderful.

Danielle said...

This is fabulous Amy - I adore those balloons! I so want to have a balloon ride .... beautiful colouring and such lovely details with the mitered corners and piercing!
Hugs, Danielle

Unknown said...

WOW! You have quite the creative mind! Love it!

Meahni said...

Gorgeous card. I must use my hot air balloon stamps!

pescbrico said...

What a very beautiful card! Love all the colors and the clouds on it :)

Crystal said...

I love this set even more after seeing your card, Amy ! Love the colors and the clouds .

Unknown said...

soo so cute, I love it., now I want this set lol :)

Lorelie Kim said...

Love your color work and how you popped some of the clouds out!! We have a hot air balloon festival here every year :)

Judy Rozema said...

Amy, this is so beautiful! I have been to the Albuquerque Balloon Festival and it is a wonderful sight, just as is your card!!!

Terri Trotter Earley said...

WOW! Amazing is not even the right word for this fabulous card.

It's a good life!
Terri E.

Chris Olsen, Glowbug said...

This is beautiful Amy! Love all the colored balloons!! Your clouds are the perfect touch! Another Beauty with the Amy touch!!!

KanataNewf said...

Absolutely beautiful.

Kimberly's Krafts said...

WOW Amy! This is just stunningly beautiful! Looking at it makes me want to go up, up, and away!!! :)

Jody Morrow said...

Beautiful card! AWESOME!

Julee (Vervegirl) said...

Unbelievabley gorgeous, Amy! Love everything you've done here.

Jami said...

I wonder if you will ever make something that I don't just completely adore!?! I doubt it. This is so vibrant and gorgous - love the dimension and clouds floating off the edge!!

Beth Norman said...

I don't know how you do it. Each card is unique and rocks my world. You have such a talent.

Dawn Easton said...

Gorgeous scene you created Amy! It reminds me of what I see looking out my front window many mornings! We see a lot of balloons here from spring through fall. I'm always in awe seeing them...even after all these years!

Gabriela said...

Amy - your hot air balloon card is absolutely fantastic. I love it so much, I wish it were mine. Sigh...

CraftyC said...

Wow Amy, a stunning card, the balloons all look so wonderful and I love the colours!
Clairex

Desire Fourie said...

Amy this is just beautiful. You are right, a hot air balloon scene is just packed with bright colours. Hugs from Desire

dpkennedy said...

Wow! This is fantastic! Wonderful scene you created!!

ChristineCreations said...

This is so fun and dreamy Amy, almost like an illustration for a children's book!

Chriss Blagrave said...

What a great scene! I love this set too but haven't tried any masking with it...yet. Thanks for the inspiration, your card is totally awesome!

Joan Ervin said...

What a cute design...I am sooo loving that new balloon set!!! Love your gorgeous coloring, too!!!

Kathy Jones said...

You must have the patience of a saint Amy --- my goodness so much work, but WOW it looks amazing!

Unknown said...

Totally inspired and totally inspirational.
Coloured to perfection as always. Another Amy classic!

Tosha Leyendekker said...

Stunning balloon show Amy!! LOVE the cheerful colors and piercing!!