Filling a Heart with Balloons!

Aloha, all!

     The first card I made today was totally unplanned.  But deep in my memory bank was the idea that the balloons in the stamp set, Up Up and Away would make a nice heart shape!  Add to that a challenge from one of my online groups to make a card with a stamp set that had never seen ink in my studio, and off to find that very stamp set.  When I brought it to my work table, there was the Hearts Collection of Stampin' Up!'s new Sizzix Framelits sitting right there waiting for me!

     In an instant I remembered that thought about the balloons and the heart shape, and this card just kind of took itself over.

     Besides the challenge to use a never-before-used stamp set, we were given the option of using a specified set of colors – Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, and Tangerine Tango.  Now that was easy given that hot air balloons are among the most colorful creations on earth.  I should know because I spent many years living in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, area, and their October Balloon Fiesta is amazing with hundreds of balloons in the air at the same time.  So off I went to gather stamp pads and markers, and here's the card that resulted!

     Now that I've been using the Hearts Framelits for awhile, I've found that there is a new storage need in Robin's Craft Room – storage for all the hearts that get cut out of card stock or paper to make an opening like the one on the front of this card.  So off I went again – this time in search of a Whisper White heart the same size as the window.  It didn't take long to locate what I needed, and the card was almost finished.  I had a time limit on this card (supposed to be finishing it during an online chat) so I looked at my ribbons and immediately found the 1/2" Scallop Dots Ribbon in Tangerine Tango.  So, as frequently happens with my cards, I tied this one all together with a bow!

     Now I'm back to working on my creations for the Create with Connie and Mary Occasions Edition – preview week starts next week!!  I guess I should have some of the projects done by that time, huh?  One will be finished tonight as I just received my Stampin' Up! shipment with one last piece I need for it.  The other awaits yet another last minute purchase which will arrive on Monday.  I think they're really cool – and I hope that you'll be among those that enjoy them as they are exclusive to Create with Connie and Mary and I can't share them here!  Click on the link at the top of the column on the right to visit their web site for more information – and to meet this edition's guest designers!  I'm humbled to be in the same group as all of these wonderful ladies!

     Know what the best part about all of this is?  I'm having FUN with it!  I hope you, too, are having fun with whatever you're doing today!