Love Rises Above All Things

Hello, my dear friends! I hope you're having a beautiful week! :o)

A new month means a new recipient for the cherished I Feel the Love Project, hosted by the sweet and talented Madison of Funky Cards. Admittedly, I was burnt out from cramming in my last projects for January, but I couldn't stop thinking about the new recipient, so I made her a card. :o)

This month we are honoring Alana, a 21-year-old student who lost her family home and nearly all of her home and personal belongings when Hurricane Sandy came ashore last October. With no home to return to from school, she lived with an Aunt before moving to a hotel for another month, fearful but fighting during the difficulties. Her family eventually was able to relocate to a new home, but losing everything right down to her clothing was a scary and trying experience for her and her loved ones. Replacing everything will take time, so I am thrilled to be able to send her some love as they rebuild their lives.

"Love..."

"... rises above all things."

What better way to send Alana encouragement than via a pearly hot air balloon bursting with love, floating amidst a rosy sunset of butterflies! Oh the joy in creating this! I've longed to make a hot air balloon card, so upon receiving my Silhouette I quickly searched one out and fell in love with this cut file by Samantha Walker. Isn't it gorgeous?

A closer peek:

I love rose and browns, so I went with that color combo for most of the card. The hot air balloon was cut with textured brown cardstock and a lovely rosy pink pattern from the Susan Winget K and Company Floral Collection. The basket is embossed with the Cuttlebug Baby's Breath folder, which I centered with a pearl. All those intersections were begging for tiny pearl accents, so who was I to resist? ;) For extra whimsy and texture, I added two bows with Chocolate Truffle trendy twine, purchased at My Craft Spot. 

The double-layered hearts are cut-outs from the Multi-Fold Varied Flap card/album cut file that I bought last week to make for Vicki's family. I made them pearlescent white and the rosy design from the balloon. They are tumbling out in graduating sizes, with so much love for Alana that the enormous balloon cannot contain it. :o) I used a sweet Sarah Bailey tree border file for a soft green landscape, decorating the path to Alana's lovely heart.

The pretty font is Lavenderia, my favorite ever, which I downloaded for free online. I LOVE that the Silhouette Cameo lets you cut in any font on your computer! :o) I used three tiny pearls to trail off the sentiment. The beautiful background paper is from Magnolia and I hope it makes Alana's heart flutter, as it does mine. :o) To complete the card, I added some May Arts ruffled ribbon and two tiny butterflies... one of which landed atop the hot air balloon, so eager to reach Alana. :o) 

The interior is simply my computer-generated sentiment atop a Spellbinders Fleur de Lis Square, along with a final frolicking butterfly. I lined it with the same pretty paper as the hot air balloon. I hope this card lifts her spirits and reminds her that love truly does rise above even the most difficult of things. :o) God has so much love for her.. that alone can sustain her and her family as they persevere through these trying times. :o)

Challenges entered:

 *Charisma Cardz~ Love

 *Craft Us Crazy~ Use Cutting Machines and/or Favorite Technique

 *Cupcake Inspirations~ Photo Inspiration

 *Fab 'n' Funky~ Valentines or Hearts

 *Frosted Designs~ Use the word 'Love' and at least one Heart

 *Make It Monday~ Anything Goes

 *Papertake Weekly~ Anything Goes

 *{PIN}spirational Challenge~ Photo Inspiration

 *Simon Says Stamp~ Anything Goes

 *The Pink Elephant~ Photo Inspiration

Thank you for floating on by today! I wish you a sparkly and blessed day. :o)