I came across these lovely Hot Air Balloon images at my local craft shop, and they inspired my page. You’ll notice there is map detail on the balloon image background, and as this month’s theme over at Art Journal Journey is Maps, I’m so glad to be able to link to that challenge. My husband pointed out to me that the British flags on the balloon designs are all upside down. This is a fairly common mistake to make with the Union Jack.
I started off the background by drawing curves using a plate as a template with a Uni Pin fine line marker, then splattering and smooshing diluted Distress Ink onto the page. I filled in the curves that I had created with an Alphabet stamp from Kaisercraft and Archival Ink, it took a bit of time to complete this as I had to mask the curves out to make sure the stamp stayed between the curve lines. It was great fun though and I love how it turned out. I have wanted to use the star tissue paper for a while now, it came from a birthday present, so I tore off pieces and saw them melt into the page when I used Patty’s top tip of using a glue stick to stick them down – thanks Patty! I fussy cut some of the balloon and compass images and stuck them to the page using the glue stick, then gave them a bold black outline using my Uni Pin marker so they stood out more. To finish I added a couple of sentiments and outlined them.
It’s a funny coincidence that I have just bought this lovely glass balloon while we were exploring a nearby village shop. I saw it and just fell in love with it!
If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Here is a list of all the materials used to create this art journal page:
- Tim Holtz Distress Inks (Peeled Paint, Sooty Black, Tea Dye)
- Ranger Archival Ink (Jet Black)
- Faber-Castell Big Brush Pitt artists pen (Black 199)
- Uni Pin Fine Line marker (Black 0.1mm and 0.8mm)
- Script metallic pen (Gold)
- Kaisercraft clear stamp (Alphabet
- Kanban Paper craft toppers (Timeless Moments PCT1882)
- Little Yellow Bicycle card stock stickers (PD-140)
- Star tissue paper
- The Range glue stick
Let's Art Journal 
Wonderful page, balloons are always beautiful. Love the glass one you bought, too.Thanks very much for joining us again at Art Journal Journey, hugs Valerie
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Thanks a lot Valerie! It was so funny my hubby had to get on the ladder to take a picture of my glass balloon. Have a fun weekend 🙂
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A fantastic page Jo and I love that glass balloon as well –
Thanks a lot for joining us again at Art Journal Journey!
Happy weekend!
oxo Susi
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Thanks so much Susi! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂
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Very nice page. Taking a hot air balloon ride is on my bucket list,:D
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Thank you! Taking a hot air balloon ride sounds like fun 🙂
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Hot air balloons do have a magic quality about them.
I went up in one once but we did not float away in it…maybe one day.
What you created is really lovely!
I especially like the alphabet details.
I confess I would hot have noticed if the Union Jack was up or down.
Fun balloon theme with your pretty new blue balloon Jo 🙂
oxo
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Thanks Patty! I like the alphabet details too, they are my favourite. My new blue glass balloon looks wonderful, it is suspended with fishing wire so it looks like is just floating across my craft room, truly magical 🙂
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Oh AND your star tissue paper is wonderful and certainly DID melt right into the surface.
That same trick works really well with rubber stamping when you don’t want to stamp right onto your surface.
I am always on the look out for star tissue paper 🙂
Thank you for the nice shout out Jo!
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Yes the glue stick worked wonderfully, thanks very much for the tip! I have only stamped on tissue paper once before, so will need to try again now I know how to make it melt into the page 🙂
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I have always said that GLUE STICKS are the worst things in the world to use, unless you are sticking handmade paper, tissue paper, or napkins. Then, they are the absolute perfect glue for the job. Glad Patty’s tip helped, because I fell in love with your latest spread, and the hot air balloon. BUT, the masking of the alpha stamp is simply incredible. I have a lot of trouble masking, so I could take lessons from you. Great job.
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Thanks, the masking was fun and was something new to me; I like trying new techniques :-). I’d never used the glue stick before to stick tissue paper, it’s fab and I’ll be definitely using it again. So glad you liked the page, thanks again! Happy weekend 🙂
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Really love this..nice job (especially with the alphabet and masking – very cool!)
Have a great week.
Gill x
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Thank you so much Gill! Wishing you a great week too 🙂
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Wonderful composition of letters, imgages and background texture. An artwork in perfect harmony. I like it much.
Greetings
Sabine
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That’s very kind of you Sabine, thank you! Nice to meet you and wishing you a lovely week 🙂
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Great page Jo. I love the curves and how they imitate the curves of a balloon. I think adding in the letters those curves really makes them stand out too. Hope it was a great weekend and I love your glass balloon too. Having it makes every day a party perhaps. Hugs-Erika
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Thanks Erica! Yes you always have such insight, I did add the the curves to imitate the balloon :-). The weekend was brilliant and my little glass balloon always makes me smile as it floats across my craft room! Thanks again 🙂
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LOVE the details and elegant lines and the limited palette of black and gold! Brilliant!!
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Thanks Mary! 🙂
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