Love is in the Air (literally)

OK, so I said my last post was going to be my last Valentine's Day post so let's just say this is an anytime card.  Fabulous.  While searching through challenges to find appropriate ones to enter my other cards in, I noticed a few where the theme was "Love is in the Air".  Ever since I noticed the theme, I just could not get it out of my head! I composed the card over and over in my thoughts until tonight I just HAD to make it.  

What I Used to Make my Card:
Pink Square Card Base (5 1/4" x 5 1/4")
All Night Media Stamp, Catnip, #838D (retired)
Hot Air Balloon, Silhouette File #26040
Scrabble Alphabet - Ma Vinci's Reliquary (closed)

Wendy Vecchi Red Geranium Ink

1/2" Scallop Square Punch, Marvy Uchida (retired)

Ranger Ink in Jet Black 
All of the cardstock is from my stash

This was a very quick card to make; it took me the longest to choose an alphabet to spell out "love" with.  What I did first was cut the hot air balloon out using the file from the Silhouette Store. I used dark gray cardstock for the outline of the balloon, light brown for the basket and pinkish purple for the actual balloon.  I went through my cat stamp stash and found one that I thought would fit best with the size of the balloon. I eyed where the basket

Just another peek

would be in relation to the card and stamped the kitty directly on the cardstock. I chose the grayish blue with white specks to seem like it is night time. The balloon was assembled and glued over the cat so all you see is the top half of his body, and how he is joyfully gazing up at the balloon (I don't know why it's a he.) The scrabble letters were stamped with Jet Black onto white card, punched out and glued to the balloon.  I took the panel with everything on it and attached that to a pink square card.  

I have had the alphabet stamps and the kitty stamp for years.  It amazes me when I think how long I've been stamping because I typically get bored with things quickly.  I've never been bored with stamping and having all the new goodies that come out continually helps keep things interesting.  Just don't look at my credit card bills <grin>.  Thank you so much for your visit ~ fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Glitter 'n Sparkle - #226, Love is in the Air
Paper Creators - (M) Love is in the Air
Dragonfly Journeys - #85, Love is in the Air
Cardz for Gals - #40, Love is in the Air
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Cute
Come and Get It Challenges - Love is in the Air
Naughty or Nice Challenge - (M) #36, Love is in the Air Optional Colors

Love You So Much

I've had this Hero Arts set for quite a while but for some reason this is the first time that I've used it.  I think the trend of cutting the die cut word and making it pop is so fun and now I had to try it.  

What I Used to Make my Card:
Mottled Pink Base Card
Subtle Shimmer Pink Cardstock
Hero Arts Love Stamp & Cut, DC175
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Labels, 660060
Hero Arts Strawberry Ink
Darice Embossing Folder Mini Hearts 1219-223
Pink Scrap Card from stash
Sakura Quickie Glue Pen

I've had all of the pink cardstock in my stash for ages and I honestly have no idea where I got them, I think I got the Subtle Shimmer Pink out of an old kit. It's really pretty in real life and I hope I captured some of the beauty in my pictures.

The first thing I did was cut out the word "love" four times out of the subtle shimmer pink card.  I glued them all together, which was easier than I thought it would be since I typically have trouble lining things up.  I used the glue pen to stick them together.  If you do a lot of intricate work, use any type of cut outs or little embellishments on your projects you HAVE to get one of these pens! It is

This picture shows some of the
dimension on the card

so easy to get the glue where you want it and the adhesive sticks forever. There is nothing more disappointing than to get a card that has fallen apart because the adhesive failed (well, maybe a few things, but not many.)

So, I have my "love" cut out set aside and I embossed a piece of pink card with

This is the mottled pink

the Darice embossing folder and trimmed it down.  I made the card base out of some mottled pink card I found in my stash.  I attached the embossed layer and then attached the little sentiment that I stamped and die cut. Lastly, the layered "love" was glued on and the card was done.  The technique of popping the word die was easier than I thought and the look is rather striking; I hope the trend sticks around a while longer. 

Another look at the card. The colors
 aren't as true as in the top card.

Thank you SO much for visiting my blog. I hope I inspired you to try something new or play with something old. And I don't know about you, but I am burned out on Valentine's Day. I think I've seen enough love and hearts for a while! Fondly, Christi

I would like to support these challenges by entering my Love You So Much Card:
a2z Scrapbooking Monthly Challenge - (M) Any Shade of Red (entry #2)
The Artistic Stamper - (M) Love Hearts 
Die Cut Diva's - (M) Use Red or Pink
Mod Squad Challenge - Use Wet or Dry Embossing (Texturize)
Crafty Cardmakers - #182, Add Some Texture
A Blog Named Hero - (M) CAS Challenge (entry #2)

Very Special thanks to my editor, Nana Connie <3 

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Need to find some challenges? Take a look at Challenges for Days - the easy to read, easy to use challenges blog.  We are always looking for new challenges and new people to help out. We'd appreciate it if you'd help us spread the word!