I love this time of the year when we often have hot air balloons drifting across our house in the early mornings.  And, it only gets more exciting as we get closer to the Balloons Over Waikato Festival in March.  I was reflecting on this as I created this encouragement card using the Lighter Than Air Suite, found on pages 32-34 of the January-April 2024 Mini Catalogue.

Bundles: Hot Air Balloon Stamp Set + Hot Air Balloon Dies (photopolymer: 162755).  Ink: Lost Lagoon (161678), Pool Party (147107), Highland Heather (147103), Fresh Freesia (155611), Poppy Parade (147050).  Card/Paper: Balmy Blue (147007), Basic White (159228), Lighter Than Air 6" x 6" 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper (162747).  Accessories: Rainbow Adhesive-Backed Dots (162758).  Tools: Stampin' Cut & Emboss Machine (149653), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430).

Lighter Than Air Suite Collection (162761) - $156.75
Includes: Hot Air Balloon Stamp Set & Die Bundle (10%-off), Lighter Than Air 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper, Baker's Twine Three Color Pack, and Rainbow Adhesive-Backed Dots.

The long length of a slimline card is perfect for the Hot Air Balloon Bundle as it gives the impression of height and the balloons rising through the air.  The base of this slimline card is Balmy Blue cardstock cut at 14.8 cm x 21 cm (5-3/4" x 8-1/4"), which is half an A4.  This is scored at 7.4 cm (2-7/8") and folded in half to create the card base.  I have chosen the fun patterned paper design from the Lighter Than Air Designer Series Paper pack that has lots of floating hot air balloons to set the scene for the front of my greeting card, adding a Basic White cardstock mat underneath.

I then took my colour cues from the patterned paper, stamping the largest hot air balloon in Lost Lagoon and Pool Party inks, and the smaller one in Highland Heather and Fresh Freesia inks.  The baskets are stamped in Poppy Parade ink, which is a fun colour that makes me smile!  These stamped images were all die-cut, along with some clouds, and adhered to the card front with Stampin' Dimensionals.  To finish my card, I stamped the encouraging sentiment, "just a note to lift you up" in Poppy Parade ink onto a strip of Basic White cardstock and added it along with a scattering of Rainbow Adhesive-Backed Dots, in coordinating colours.

This is such a fun card and easily adapted for any occasion - just change up the sentiment for one of the others in the stamp set... "hang in there", "wish big", or "Up, up, and away!  Hooray!  It's your birthday".  The Lighter Than Air Suite has so many possibilities.

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