Note: most of the links on this post no longer work, as we moved to a new Web site in 2018. However, you can see the supply lists for Laura’s projects on the new site: Carnival Curiosities Dirigible Balloon and Steampunk Spells Hot Air Balloon.

I’m going to let Design Team Coordinator Miz Bella (Kim Ayers) wax poetic about Laura Carson’s new project before I get back to the specifics on new goodies. That Bella has the gift of gab!

Buckle up babes because Laura Carson has been at it again. I know, right? HOW does she keep coming up with these creations of hers? If you really want to know: Laura is like a little mad artistic scientist plotting, planning, cutting, and gluing late into the night… stopping to laugh maniacally from time to time… then she continues on. True story.

Anyways! Check out these TWO hot air balloons that Laura has created from paper! Which one do you like better? The Carnival Curiosities Dirigible Balloon with the crazy little crow that has hitched a ride on a set of New! Chipboard Gears; or the Steampunk Spells Hot Air Balloon with its (probably drunk) Plastic Skeleton swinging off the side of it? Decisions… decisions…

I think they’re both quite fabulous myself. Leave it to Laura to not only come up with the concept of the two entirely different hot air balloons but also a step-by-step tutorial (with templates) AND a single collage sheet to accompany both balloons. Did I mention that this is a video tutorial? I know! You are stunned and speechless!

For these projects some of the basic supplies you’ll need are the New! Spooky Wings Collage Sheet (that also comes as a New and On Sale! Multi-File Downloadable Set with 2 extra sets of wings!) created by Laura just for this project. You will also need some gorgeous papers to go along with each hot air balloon as they are made out of PAPER! Who doesn’t love an excuse to buy beautiful paper? If you want to use the same papers that Laura used on her balloons she used papers from the Steampunk Spells Collection for both balloons.

The most important thing you’ll need for creating your own hot air balloons — your imagination! Can you imagine the possibilities for these? Depending upon what theme you go with, you could create a hot air balloon with Santa, or perhaps a Valentine-themed balloon with trailing hearts, or a vintage schoolhouse-themed one because you’re so excited that your kids are going back to school. The themes are endless!

Of course there are more supplies you will need that will add all of the fine details to your project that Laura is known for. You can find a full lists of supplies: Carnival Curiosities Dirigible Balloon Supplies or Steampunk Spells Hot Air Balloon Supplies.

Fly away to Laura’s blog and enjoy the ride!

Hey, see that key at the top of the Steampunk Spells Hot Air Balloon? Laura used a vintage one, but I think that brass one from the New! Set of Clock Keys listed immediately below would be a perfect substitute.

Set of Clock Keys New!