Friday, May 28, 2010

For All That You Do...


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Today's post is for my fourth and final card for the "open auditions" for PaperCrafts Magazine's Gallery Idol 2010 card contest. I am absolutely THRILLED to say that this balloon card was chosen as a Top 20 Finalist! There were so many amazing cards and I'm honored to have been selected to move on. So, I'll be working on my Round 2 card next week and if you like what I come up with, I hope you'll vote! In the meantime, a little bit about this card that got me through.
I know that hot air balloons have been all the rage of late, but I've been a fan for a long time -- though, as someone deathly afraid of heights, you'd be hard-pressed to get me to actually ride in one! For this card, I wanted to make a shaped card celebrating the wonderfulness that are hot air balloons. I began with the balloon itself, die-cutting five different pieces of paper with my Big Shot. Next, I carefully cut each piece so that they matched up in an assembled circle. For a little bit of authentic whimsy, I zig-zagged stitched along each seam before setting the balloon aside while I worked on the basket.
To achieve a woven basket, I used some nifty wood sheets and drew and cut out the general shape of my basket three times. I then cut two of the shapes along both horizontal and vertical lines before weaving them together and gluing onto the third shaped element. I sponged on some Distress Ink for come color, and to bring out the weave.
Next, I faced an interesting conundrum: how do I make a standing balloon that could be supported by "rope" created from hemp twine? The solution was to cut out a card base from clear acetate and gluing the balloon and basket to it, along with a similar base in Baja Breeze for the back of the card. I was so pleased that the card stood up without any problems.
The sentiment was created on a computer and printed out on white card stock. I simply cut it out and then adhered it after bending it gently here and there. For a final touch, I die cut some cream colored felt and made little "sand sacks" to hang over the sides of the basket. Up, up and away!
BEAN NOTES: Tim Holtz Distress Ink; Making Memories Chloe's Closet Designer Paper; Stampin' Up Bleu Bayou, Whisper White, Certainly Celery and Groovy Guava Card Stock; SU Hemp Twine; Papertrey Ink Clear Acetate; Spellbinders Classic Circles Nestabilities; Quikutz Embossing Folder; Sizzix Embossing Folder; Big Shot; Cream Felt (generic) White Embroidery Thread (generic); Sewing Machine; Needle; Computer and Printer
HAPPY BEANS: SU Texture Cuts Wood Sheets

17 comments:

Diane Jaquay said...

This is really FANTASTIC!!!!

Allison said...

Wow! This is fantastic! Love the stitching, choice of papers and wavy sentiment!

Mary Ashby (Happy Now) said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I browsed through all of your submissions -- you really are VERY talented! Oh so clever and creative. Good luck in the upcoming rounds...

Susan R. Opel said...

Congratulations, Regina!!!!!

Shemaine Smith said...

Congratulations, your card is just amazing!!

Rachel D said...

This is beyond adorable. So clever!

dwilson1707 said...

This is a wonderful article. The things given are unanimous and needs to be appreciated by everyone.
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judy said...

Congratulations for your well deserved place in the top 20! Your
card is wonderful and so creative!

Kathy Martin said...

This is DARLING and oh so CREATIVE! :)

Ann Schach said...

Didn't I tell you that you were a winner! Hmmm? Absolutely fantastic! Creative and unique!

Patti MacLeith said...

Regina, this is about one of the cutest things I have EVER seen! I love how you made all of the pieces and how they fit together! ReGenius!!!

Carla said...

This is a winner... wow, I love those papers, your designing, the detail is amazing.... the banner is so totally fantastic. Good luck in the next round. Will be voting for you!!! Hugs, C

Mary Fish said...

The balloon is simply phenomenal. Great colors and textures . . . and ooo la la . . . the wooden basket is divine. Hugs, M

Laura said...

This card is just amazing -- pretty and challenging and fun. Congrats on being in the top 20!!

savvy teaching tips said...

You can see why this is a top 20. I am absolutely amazed. Great card.

Monika/Buzsy said...

Amazing card! Love everything about it! :o)

Kara said...

Just wonderful!! No surprise you are recognized in the top!!
Kara