Today’s project once again uses a number of retiring products. It’s one that I’m sure has been done before in some way, but I simply couldn’t resist it. So using the retiring Coming Home Stamp Set and Balloon Bouquet Punch here’s my bookmark tribute to the movie Up!

BALLOONS

I began my bookmark by cutting a 2″ x 5-1/2″ strip of the retiring Thick Whisper White Card. Then I shaped one end using the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch.

Next I created the cloudy sky using Seaside Spray ink and a piece of Stampin’ Sponge. First I needed to create a simple mask from some scrap paper using Paper Snips. Once I’d cut the edge of the paper into a series of small curves I placed it near the top of the bookmark and sponged the ink. Then I pulled the mask down and changed the angle a little then sponged a bit more ink. I continued doing this until I’d reached the bottom of the strip and my bookmark was covered in clouds.

With the sky done, I now needed to prepare my bunch of balloons. There was no real thought behind the colours I ended up using, I merely wanted them to be bright. So I looked through my scrap card and pulled out Blushing Bride, Coastal Cabana, Daffodil Delight, Flirty Flamingo, Granny Apple Green, Highland Heather, Pacific Point, Poppy Parade and Pumpkin Pie. Then using the Balloon Bouquet Punch I punched out one each of the small balloon.

The next part was a bit fiddly, tying a piece of Linen Thread to the neck of each balloon. In fact it was probably the part of my project that took the most time. Once done, I set the balloons aside while I worked on the house part of the design.

COMING HOME

It’s been a while since I’ve watched Up! with my granddaughter Alyssa, but I seem to recall the balloons came out of the chimney. So that influenced my choice of image from the retiring Coming Home Stamp Set. I also needed the house to be tall rather than wide but I found exactly what I needed. Then I used Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the house onto some retiring Whisper White Card.

Colouring the house was quick and easy using Stampin’ Blends alcohol markers. For this I chose Petal Pink, Poppy Parade, Smoky Slate and So Saffron. Once coloured I cut out the house using a coordinating die from the retiring Home Together Dies.

Now everything was prepared and I could begin the final assembly.

My first step was to attach the end of one of the balloon strings to the top of the bookmark. Then I assembled the rest of the balloons into a bunch and fixed them together with Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow). I used more liquid glue to attach the bunch to the bookmark up close to the top.

Next, pulling the balloon strings nice and tight I fixed them towards the bottom of the bookmark using Tear & Tape Adhesive.

Finally I used liquid glue to attach the house so the balloon strings appeared to be coming out of the chimney. With that my fun Up! bookmark was complete.

I’m really pleased with how this project turned out. While the product list does look long, remember I just pulled out a random selection of coloured card scraps. You could simply use any colours you have laying around.

PRODUCT LIST

RETIRING PRODUCTS – The Whisper White Card (Thick and standard) used today is retiring and being replaced shortly by Basic White. Also retiring is the Coming Home Stamp Set and coordinating Home Together Dies. I originally bought the stamp set and dies using a single ‘bundle’ item number and saved 10% by doing so. However as the dies are now reduced by 30% you’ll actually save more if you buy the two products separately. All retiring products are only available while stocks last, and the list of those sold out grows daily. Please order asap if there’s anything you want so you don’t miss out.