Posted by Natasha Polite
on April 18, 2025
Hi friends! Natasha Polite of Polite Creations joining you today with a birthday card that features the Color Layering Balloons Stencils from the Let's Celebrate Collection that was released last month.
I began by ink blending the first three layers of the stencil, using only one color per layer. Layer 1 was done using Azalea Core Ink. Layer 2 was ink blended with Papaya Core Ink. Layer 3 was ink blended using Lemon Drop Reactive Ink. All of this was done on an A2 panel of Dove White cardstock.
I then made a note of where my balloons overlapped and which should be in the background versus the foreground. It may be worthwhile to create a second card panel that you can draw on to have as a reference.
The photo above gives you an idea of where I determined each balloon overlapped.
Using a colored pencil a shade darker than each balloon, I added shadows. Each of the overlapping areas were darkened with the shade of the balloon that was in the foreground.
Once that was complete, I grabbed a sand eraser and began erasing areas of inking and/or coloring that I wanted the light to bounce off of. I also cleaned up around each balloon. Do not be afraid to continue to erase. This is where the magic happens in my opinion.
Using a white gel pen and Layer 4 of the stencil set, I added white circles to the star balloons. I also added highlight marks on each balloon. I went back in with the corresponding colored pencil to add more shadowing as necessary. Then I used a pencil to lightly draw balloon strings and went over them with a black pen.
Lastly, I stamped a sentiment from the Hero Arts Balloons Stamp Set onto Azalea cardstock and heat embossed it using White Embossing Powder. I cut the sentiment into a strip and centered it onto the middle row of balloons. I then cut the stenciled balloons panel down to about 3 7/8 x 5 1/8 inches and popped that onto an A2 panel of Azalea cardstock.
That does it for this card. I love this color combo and was stunned by how much of a difference a colored pencil and an eraser could make.
Thank you for joining me today!
Happy crafting,
