Sunday, June 25, 2023

Extra Special Birthday featuring a Daisy-themed Eight-Number Balloon Frame!





Who doesn't love to create special moments for their children and grandchildren?

During the pandemic, I started a tradition to create something special for my granddaughter, Alexa, each year. Despite the challenges, I was determined to make her feel loved and appreciated on her special day. For her fifth birthday, we couldn't gather indoors as a group, but we made the best of it by celebrating outside. I created a beautiful framed number "Five" which became one of my most popular posts ever! The following year, on her sixth birthday, I crafted a stunning mosaic fish for her and added a large number Six to a pedestal that I designed. Unfortunately, we were away for her seventh birthday, but this year, I have put together a wonderful number "Eight" to commemorate her special day. So the tradition continues, and now I now have another new baby granddaughter to create for. Watch this space for something special for her first birthday in November! 



The number eight frame was a pre-made frame that I bought from a UK wholesaler - Balancebest. I would normally make my own frame, but honestly, the frame was so reasonably priced it wasn't really worth the effort of making my own! 

Deciding which colours to use this year was my first challenge. My previous two birthday designs were bright and colourful, which always looked great in our garden. This year I decided to base my design around one of the new Qualatex® Microfoil™ balloons - Birthday Retro Daisies.

Birthday Retro Daisies

  • Size and shape: 18" Round
  • Package item #: 26563
  • Flat item #: 26554

Using this balloon enabled me to pick out all the accent colours: Caribbean Blue, Yellow, Rose and Spring Lilac, would all be perfect for my design! 

If you would like to see how I created the number design view the video below.


If you would like to learn how I created the Number Five frame design, click HERE or visit https://theverybestballoonblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/how-to-make-styled-framed-number-and.html


And finally, if you would like to read my post: The Rainbow Fish inspired 6th Birthday Celebration click HERE or visit https://theverybestballoonblog.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-rainbow-fish-inspired-6th-birthday.html


The question is, what will I make for Alexa's Ninth Birthday... the pressure is on! 

Happy Ballooning! 

Sue
Follow me@suebowler

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Use CANVA to Personalise Balloons with Silhouette Cameo

Like many of you, I use a Silhouette Cameo to personalise my balloons. However, I often find it challenging to come up with creative designs using the Cameo software, so, I decided to use CANVA instead. I find it more user-friendly, and I already use it for other design projects, so why not for my balloons too!


I have made a quick Step-by-Step video to show you how simple this is to do. It was a bit of a life changer for me, as it makes creative personalisation so much quicker and easier! 

Here are a few extra bits of information that may not be clear from the video.

1. I use the Instagram Square tile for my designs. By using a square, you can contain your design within a printable space.

2. I usually resize my design once I have added it to my Cameo software to approximately an 8" square, as I've found that this is perfect size for an 18" foil balloon.

3. I used two different fonts for my design: "Porcelain" for the script and "Anton" for the number.

4. The font size is approximately 180.

5. I cut out additional daisies in various sizes in white to add to my design.

6. Keep your design templates in a quick access folder in CANVA so that you can easily create new versions by simply changing the name and age!

7. I always add my vinyl when the balloon is flat and not inflated! I find it so much easier with great results every time! 



Here is a copy of the design that I created on CANVA.

I hope that this helps some of you when it comes to designing your personalised balloons! 

Happy Ballooning! 


Sue
Follow me @suebowler



Monday, June 12, 2023

Add Some Glamour to Your Next Event with Confetti-Filled Deco Bubbles

Give your clients something fresh with these sparkly Qualatex Deco Bubbles. These confetti-filled bubbles are the perfect addition to any glitzy and glamorous event! 



I really enjoy adding these gorgeous confetti-filled Bubbles to my designs! The design above was created for a corporate event, and the client absolutely loved them! Standing over two meters tall, these Sculptured Columns were the star of the show and so much fun to design and make! I used the 20" and 24" Deco Bubbles in the centre of the design, and the top balloon was a 3' Qualatex Diamond Clear latex balloon.

To learn how to create the confetti-filled Bubble, watch the video tutorial!



Material List
  • Qualatex Deco Bubble 20" or 24"
  • Metallic Confetti - I prefer 6mm x 6mm square cut (click HERE to see my UK supplier)
  • Plastic Funnel
  • Hi-Float
  • Chopstick or similar
  • 260Q balloon to tie off the Bubble 
  • Pump
Here are more examples of confetti-filled Deco Bubbles:







It is clear from the photographs above that these fantastic balloons can be utilised in so many ways and for all kinds of themed events. Who doesn't love a touch of sparkle?

Happy ballooning! 

Sue
Follow me @suebowler