Celebration Balloon Cluster Card with Paper-Pieced Elephant

A project from our live show CATCH UP with Simon for MONDAY MADNESS in the HTCN studio broadcast 22nd Nov 21 · 22/11/2021 · watch it from 28:45

A vibrant celebration card featuring a paper-pieced elephant standing on a grassy background with a large cluster of coloured balloons floating above. The design uses simple paper layering and white highlights to create dimension and a festive feel.

You will need

Izink Dye Based Ink Pad 5 X 5CM - Cassis 050821QSEE IT Versafine Ink Pad - Onyx Black - 300921CSEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. Stamp a grass stencil onto your card base using green mini ink pad, brushing the colour through the stencil to create texture. ▶ watch 29:45
2. Stamp a cloud stencil using blue ink pad, positioning clouds at the top of the card to break up the white space. ▶ watch 31:00
3. Stamp a sentiment onto the card using black ink, positioning it in the bottom corner. ▶ watch 32:45
4. Stamp the elephant character onto grey card stock, then fussy-cut the elephant body from the stamped image. ▶ watch 33:45
5. Stamp the elephant's ears onto pink card and fussy-cut them out. ▶ watch 34:45
6. Stamp the elephant's dungarees onto green card and fussy-cut them out. ▶ watch 35:15
7. Die-cut the elephant shape from grey card, then remove the balloon and string portions that you don't need. ▶ watch 36:00
8. Glue the pink ear pieces onto the grey elephant body, then glue the green dungaree pieces in place to create a paper-pieced character. ▶ watch 37:30
9. Glue the completed paper-pieced elephant onto the card base, positioning it on the grass line. ▶ watch 40:15
10. Die-cut multiple balloon shapes from coloured card scraps using just the balloon portion of the die. ▶ watch 40:45
11. Apply white ink pad highlights to one side of each balloon to create dimension and a light-catching effect. ▶ watch 42:00
12. Add white pen crosshatch marks to the opposite side of each balloon to enhance the three-dimensional appearance. ▶ watch 43:30
13. Glue the first layer of balloons flat to the card at the top, positioning them to extend beyond the card edges. ▶ watch 44:30
14. Attach the second layer of balloons using foam pads to create height and dimension above the first layer. ▶ watch 45:15
15. Glue the final front balloons in place, using foam pads for the topmost ones. ▶ watch 46:00
16. Trim the top corners of the card with scissors to shape it around the balloon cluster for a more polished look. ▶ watch 46:45

Tips from the show

• Using the die to cut only the balloon portion is a fast way to create multiple balloon shapes.
• Paper piecing with contrasting colours gives a completely different look to a stamp without needing watercolours.
• Shaping the card top around the balloon cluster creates more visual interest than leaving it square.

More from this show

• Spinner Card with Dangling Elephant

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly