Homemade Hot Air Balloon Greeting Cards Ideas: Birthday, Pop Up, and More

Author:
Rose Clearfield
Updated date:
Aug 18, 2015

Rose is a full-time freelance writer who frequently writes about education, special education, DIY projects, food, Milwaukee, and more.

how-to-make-hot-air-balloon-greeting-cards-ideas-birthday-pop-up — Copyright: Kasi of Papercut Expressions, used with permission

It is really interesting how one idea can lead to another sometimes. After finding so many balloon ideas during my button card article research, I decided to write a greeting card article about balloons. My balloon card research lead to a lot of hot air balloon ideas, which is why I decided to write this article.

Hot air balloons are a classic, whimsical choice that can be used for a wide variety of cards. The most popular themes include birthdays, romance, graduation, and gratitude. There are a number of inspirational messages that fit well with hot air balloons. Additionally, if you want to give your cards some dimension, there are some great 3D hot air balloon tutorials.

Please respect artist copyright. Unless it is indicated otherwise, all of the tutorials, templates, printables, and ideas here are for personal use only. If you'd like to sell your creations, please contact the artists directly. Thank you and happy creating!

Birthday

I'm sure that it's not a surprise that hot air balloons are a popular choice for birthday cards, as they fit in so well with the classic balloon imagery. You can use just about any type of hot air balloon design for a birthday card. Keep it simple with a "Happy birthday" greeting on the front or design an elaborate card that is personalized for the recipient. Make sure to check out the neat yarn detail on the second card on the right.

Resources:

Romance: Love and Anniversary Ideas

Aside from their whimsical nature, I'm honestly not sure why hot air balloons are a popular choice for romantic cards, but they are. There are a number of love related card ideas out there, including weddings and anniversaries. For weddings, in addition to invitations, consider using the imagery for save the dates, too.

Resources:

Graduation

The air balloon imagery inspires a wide variety of messages about taking off and the sky is the limit, many of which are very appropriate for a graduation card. You can pair this theme with classic graduation card elements, such as a cap and gown and graduation year, or you can just make it about the message.

Resources:

Hot Air Balloon Graduation Card

Inspirational

The inspirational theme fits closely with the graduation idea. There is something about the imagery that really works well for a great, uplifting quote. There really is no limit to these type of messages, but I have included some of the best ones that I found in the photo examples.

Resources:

lets-do-this-lets-get-naked-faced-a-follow-up

a-tale-of-love-and-horses-that-may-be-true-or-not

Thank You

If you are not good about sending thank you notes, it is never too late to start! Consider creating hot air balloon thank you notes to coordinate with a balloon themed event, such as a birthday party, baby shower, or wedding. The theme works well on its own, too.

Resources:

Blank/General Purpose

One of the great things about balloon imagery of any type is that it's general enough to be used for all sorts of cards without written messages. Additionally, you can use it with general purpose cards that can be used for a number of occasions, such as "Have a great day" or "I'm lucky to have you as a friend."

Resources:

Hot Air Balloon Card

Additional Holidays...Consider Adding a Treat Pouch

I found a few hot air balloon cards designed for additional holidays or that are general purpose cards. A couple of them included a treat pouch for the balloon. I have included a few other treat pouch card tutorials in the resources, too. You can customize this concept, as well as the general air balloon theme, for just about any holiday. A balloon with treats adds a great, whimsical touch to a Valentine.

Resources:

3D cards

I've shared a few cards with 3D designs throughout this article. I've included a few some 3D specific ideas and tutorials here as well. You can use this technique with any of the above mentioned themes or with any other hot air balloon design of your choosing.

3D Hot Air Balloon Card

How To Make A 3D Hot Air Balloon With Paper - YouTube
Great video tutorial.
Surprise Mom With a Pop-Up Card This Mother's Day | Brit + Co
Make these 3D paper cards for Mom! Detailed step by step photos.
WWW.HappyNScrappin.com: Cards | BG Konnichiwa

Get ideas for hot air balloon cards with real world inspiration!

Sedona Arizona: Photographing Red Rocks, Canyons, Hot Air Balloons and Ancient Dwellings
Sedona Arizona is a photographer's paradise of color. Red rock formations, bright hot air balloons, and a belief in the psychic energy of vortexes attracts visitors, artists and New Agers to the unique town.
Hot Air Balloon Festivals and Rides

http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/05/fabric-applique-greeting-cards-angela-flicker.html - link no longer active

Do you enjoy making greeting cards? Check this out!

Valentine's Day Card Ideas: How to Make Unique Homemade Handmade Cards
This article is about Valentine's Day card ideas. It contains over ten different projects to make your own unique homemade handmade cards. There are lots of pictures and resources.
St. Patrick's Day Greeting Cards: Lots of Free Printables
This article contains ideas for St. Patrick's Day greeting cards, including lots of free printables. There are photo examples and tutorial links for all of the cards.
Mother's Day Greeting Cards: Homemade Ideas to Make
This article contains over ten different ideas for homemade Mother's Day greeting cards to make. It includes lots of photos and resources. Many of these ideas kids can make.

Comments

Kasi on February 27, 2013:

Wow! I am excited to see one of my cards was featured!!

19eightyexpressions.blogspot.com

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 03, 2012:

Thank you Molly!

Mary Strain from The Shire on May 03, 2012:

These are so clever and beautiful, RC! Up and sharing!

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 03, 2012:

Thanks so much Lesley, Lynn, and Margaret!

SplendidStars on May 03, 2012:

very cute and fun cards!

Lynn S. Murphy on May 03, 2012:

Beautiful, fun cards. Great ideas!

Movie Master from United Kingdom on May 03, 2012:

Another wonderful creative idea, these cards are beautiful!

Voting up, take care Lesley

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 01, 2012:

Thanks so much algarveview! You are definitely right about the postcards. Take care. :)

Joana e Bruno from Algarve, Portugal on May 01, 2012:

Hi, randomcreative, great idea and great hub, the postcards don't look home made, they look quite professional and all of them are lovely... Voted up and beautiful and sharing! Have a wonderful day!

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 30, 2012:

Thanks!

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 30, 2012:

Thanks!

Fabrizio Martellucci from London, United Kingdom on April 30, 2012:

That's a a gorgeous card, love everything about it !

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on April 30, 2012:

Thanks Kelley! I look forward to your teacher hub.

Sinea, haha hopefully not. I appreciate the promo!

Robert, thanks so much!

Robert Erich from California on April 30, 2012:

These are very creative and ingenious ideas. Great work writing and compiling this article. I was entertained!

Sinea Pies from Northeastern United States on April 30, 2012:

Randomcreative, is there no end to your great ideas? As you know, I "stumbled" your button card hub and even linked it in one of my blog posts. Well, this is just as wonderful if not better! You get a great big hot-air balloon vote up, beautiful and stumble from me!

kelleyward on April 30, 2012:

Love it! Another fantastic idea. You have so many. Working on a teacher one today! Voted up. Take care, Kelley