Birthday Balloons

I love fun and unique cards and this one certainly fits the bill! After creating the card in Cricut Design Space, all I needed to do was hit Make It and then put it all together. Putting it together was easy using a variety of blue cardstock from CutCardStock.

For some reason I was determined to make this a blue on blue on blue project! The blue cardstock that was used are Pop Tone Berrylicious Blue, Pop Tone Sno Cone Blue, Light Blue and Blast Off Blue. I even used blue patterned paper from my stash!

The first thing to do is create the card base which are your basic 4.25 x 5.5″ panels. Cut two of them. The next step is optional but cut and adhere patterned papers for the inside of the card panels. These are 4 x 5.25″ each.

There are three sets of two balloons cut and scored with the Cricut. You can always use dies or hand cut balloons if you don’t have a cutting machine. One of these sets is used to connect the other two and to create an accordion by adhering it to the tops of the left & right balloons. If you look closely at the photo below, the middle two balloons are the from the same set and cover one balloon on each of the other sets. You’ll need to trim the edges of the balloons in order for them to fold correctly – believe me, it’ll make sense as you put it together.

Once the balloons are layered together and an accordion is created, the backs of the first balloon and last balloon were attached to the front and back panels for the card respectively.

I strongly recommend using a liquid glue for this card since there was a lot of wiggling to get things lined up just right.

Since the front and back panels of the card are not attached, this allows the balloons to float in the middle of the card. Such fun, right? Can you imagine how this card will look on a mantle or tabletop? So unique and different! And you could totally add more and more balloons to really stretch this out.

I used coordinating patterned paper and a stamped image with a variety of blue alcohol markers to create the embellishment for the card front.

I know you’re wondering how I made that folded pocket in the front. It was actually pretty easy! I used the same Basis Blue cardstock that was used for the card panels. I measured it to fit the inside of the patterned paper strip.

Mark the middle and then cut a slit approximately .75″ long. Score from the corner to the end of the cut slit on both sides. Fold each triangle at the score lines. Yup, that simple! I added a second strip, a tiny bit smaller than the original rectangle to adhere to the back of the front strip with the folds. When adhering, only put adhesive on the bottom and sides to create your pocket.

Then place the stamped birthday balloons image into the pocket to complete the card.

I created a YouTube video for this card on my channel. Be sure to check it out. Although it’s a pretty simple card, sometimes it helps to have a visual! LOL