*Birthday Bounce Instagram Hop*

Welcome to the first instance of the Birthday Bounce Instagram Card Hop!  I am participating with a few other paper crafters, sharing a birthday card each month using a set theme.  If you'd like to see all of the fabulous creations, find my post on my Instagram account... 

For our first month, our theme is Balloons... I have this fabulous stencil set from Neat & Tangled that I haven't pulled out for a while... I used a light hand with some Distress Inks to make the balloons look a bit transluscent.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Granny Apple Green

*Images:  Studio Katia It's Your Birthday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Tim Holtz Distress Inks Candied Apple, Carved Pumpkin, Mustard Seed, Twisted Citron, Saltry Ocean, Shaded Lilac

*Stencils:  Neat & Tangled Balloon Duo 

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Embellishments:  unknown clear flat back gems

*Bright Balloons

I had some fun playing with Distress Inks and the Neat & Tangled Balloon Duo Stencil for this card.  When the Distress Inks first came out, I avoided them like the plague.  I thought "distress colours" aren't my thing.  I'm so glad that they branched out to use the same ink in colours that are more my style because they are fabulous for blending!

Items Used:

• Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Magenta Madness
• Images:  Gina K Grand Greetings
• Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Distress Ink in Picked Raspberry, Salty Ocean, Mustard Seed
• Stencil:  Neat & Tangled Balloon Duo
• Tools:  Taylored Expressions Blending Brushes; Perfect Layers; Black Micron Pen; White Gel Pen
• Etc:  Purple Tape

*Pastel Balloons*

When I saw the Neat & Tangled Balloon Duo Stencil, I knew I had to have it.  And now that I have had it for a few months, I realize I need to play with it more.  I have a friend who hates balloons.... she hates the sound they make when they pop, which leads her to hate the balloon itself.  She also hates the sound of fireworks.  But I digress... I love balloons... they are uplifting (no pun intended) to me... they signify a celebration!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Highland Heather
*Images:  Studio Katia It's Your Birthday
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne:  Catherine Pooler Pink Champagne, Sweet Sixteen, Mint To Be, It's a Boy; light grey marker (for balloon strings)
*Stencils:  Neat & Tangled Balloon Duo
*Tools:  Perfect Layers; Life Changing Blending Brushes; Purple Tape
*Embellishments:  Nuvo Aqua Shimmer; Studio Katia Sequins

*Balloon Birthday*

A few weeks ago I saw someone use this fabulous stencil to create balloons on their card so I went on a search to find it here in Canada.  I found a shop that was new to me in Kingston Ontario who had it in stock so I placed a quick order.  It's a set of two stencils from Neat & Tangled that you can use together or separately to create layered balloons.

I honestly couldn't wait to play with these stencils... and this is the first thing I did with it.  Not bad for a first try!

I love love love the look of the black and white diagonal striped layer behind my top layer...  you'll see it a few more times in the coming weeks as I'm on a "kick".

Items Used:
*Stamps:  Avery Elle So Kind
*Inks:  Catherine Pooler All That Jazz, Garden Party, VersaFine Clair Nocturne
*Paper:  MFT
*Tools:  Life Changing Blender Brushes, Neat & Tangled Balloon Duo Stencil, Perfect Layers Tool