Friday 17 January 2014

In a Beautiful Balloon

Hello.  Welcome.  It's a little bit windy here.  Can't-stand-up-in-it-windy.  It's been howling and blowing for two days and they say we will have two days more!!  Oh, goody.  Time to craft. 

At the end of 2013 a few challenges I regularly joined finished.  So I have been looking around and found a few new ones to join in with.  This opens up new opportunities to be inspired by new DT's, by fellow crafters I may not have previously met and to see new ways to use items in my stash.  One blog I came across is running something called the Card Chain Challenge.   It's an interesting idea.    You make a card using a wide range of criteria set by Deborah.  Then you link up.  The card you make you send to the person who linked before you on the list.  The person who links after you sends you a card.  Everyone wins!!  I thought I'd give it a go.  It's always nice to receive snail mail and this will be surprise mail from someone you probably haven't met.  What fun.  So I have linked up and will be sending a card to Greta in Oregan.  Hi Greta.  Still a couple of days to link up.  Check it out and join the fun. 

I have completed one of the many unfinished projects on my desk.  I made a card using an image from Paper Smooches and the colours from their picture inspiration...



I downloaded a couple of free digi images from Paper Smooches, one of which was a very cute squirrel.  He was hanging from a Hi but I thought he really needed a balloon.  This then gave me an idea to include The Craft Barn's Q & L Challenge.  

 
I used a piece of ds cardstock from The Little Yellow Bicycle for the card base.  I added a layer of yellow construction paper embossed with Sizzix Rays and added a hint of a tint.  The balloon was cut using a DoCrafts die and embosssed with Sizzix Cirque.  I distressed the edge and used Memento London Fog on the edge and also on the embossed area.  I printed the squirrel onto white card, coloured it very lightly with pencil and cut it out. 


I attached him to the balloon using dark grey embroidery thread and added some computer generated words.   That's the famous song 'Up Up and Away', lyrics by Jimmy Webb, sung by lots of people......... I did think it was called "Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon" but turns out that's the first line but not the title.  You probably knew that.........

My card joining the fun at
Paper Smooches SPARKS - Picture Perfect Challenge  
The Craft Barn Q&L Challenge - Smile/Up 
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Anything Goes 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Emboss It 

Thanks for your visit.  Hope your aren't having too much weather.  Take care, have a great weekend. 

16 comments:

Erin said...

What a great idea, hanging the squirrel from a balloon! Super cute!

Thanks for joining us this week at Paper Smooches Sparks!

Pat said...

This made me Smile (see what I did there?) I love the little bug and the font the lettering.

Sylvia said...

A wonderful bright and fun card for the Q&L challenge, great interpretation of the lyrics. Looking forward to seeing what we all come up with through the year.

Sylv xx

Dotty Jo said...

Great card Gail, such fun! I'm sending you a card in Deborah's CCC so decided to drop by and check out your blog. LOVING your crafting style - very varied and super creative, so I've signed up as a follower. Have a good weekend, Jo x

Kay Wallace said...

Hey, Gail! First, I have to tell you how much I like your new photo! It's so great to put a face to the name--whichever one you use! ;-) Now, I also like today's project--even if it *is* yellow. It is not that I dislike yellow, it is just that it is a difficult color for me to use. You have used it beautifully here. Love your UP, UP AND AWAY!

Anna-Karin said...

Such a fun idea! Love the little squirrel. Thank you for sharing with us at Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog!

lena-dailyscrap said...

Very cute little card! Great strong yellow and a superb balloon!

TwinkleToes2day said...

Visiting from The Craft Barn - Such a cute wee image and the orange background is lovely & warm :o)

Craftyfield said...

The squirrel image is great fun and very clever the way you attached him to the balloon!

Elaine said...

Not sure the squirrel looks happy but its a great fun page!

Time to be creativ said...

so sweet and gread idea.
Hugs, Anja

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

SUPER fun card! LOVE that squirrel! THANKS for joining in the fun with the Paper Smooches SPARKS challenge- hope you play along this week (Anything Goes)!!!

Scrapmate said...

Love the squirrel hanging from the balloon.

Jo Nevill said...

Such a great, fun card

Thank you for joining us at Simon Says Wednesday Challenge this week.

Jo x

Maisie Moonshine said...

Visiting from The Craft Barn - Fabulous UP page - made me SMILE too! MMx

Anonymous said...

Great start for the new challenge.
Thank you for participating :)
Izzy