This hot-air balloon started with an old tennis ball from the garage.
And this bottle cap.
I wrapped the tennis ball in some white cotton cloth and tied it with a rubber band.
Then I painted it all over with silver glitter paint.
Next, I covered it with some blue netting, procured from a bag of onions.
A small eye hook screws easily through the fabric and into the tennis ball giving it a firm hanger.
Inspiration for this ornament came from my sketch book.
I sketched lots of designs for balloon ornaments, but this was one of my favorites.
It’s Thumbelina.
Having put the unfortunate incidents with the Toad and the Mole behind her, she devotes herself to giving joy and happiness to the small creatures who helped secure her freedom.
Or something like that. 🙂
I sculpted Thumbelina (she’s very tiny, only an inch tall!) out of Paper Clay since it dries very light-weight.
I hot-glued her into the bottle-cap,which I painted with the silver glitter paint. I also punched 4 holes in the cap with a paper piercer to thread the twine through and attach it to the netting of the balloon, just like the first balloon I made.
I hot-glued the tiny candy canes from the last post into the bottle cap.
I painted Thumbelina with some blue pearl acrylic paint, and painted her hair with gold and silver glitter paint.
Some red-berries were glued onto the front of the balloon for more color, and a red bow was glued in her hair.
I also glued one tiny candy cane into her outstretched hand.
Finally, I glued on the word ‘give’ to the front of the ‘basket’. It’s a little reminder that even the smallest gifts, when given in love, bring happiness to those around us.
Have a blessed week, friends, and thank you so much for stopping by.
It’s only 12 more days until Christmas!
Hey Girlie! I have been checking my Inbox every day for the latest post featuring your 2nd Hot Air Balloon – and with excitement I rushed over here as soon as I saw it! Scarlett – Thumbelina in her Hot Air Balloon is so whimsical and magical …. and the message she is sending to everyone “below” her is to Give. I love it! I love your heart and your ability to believe in such wonderful things – and why I feel connected to your Artwork. I see meaning in every piece. YOU inspire me. Thank you for that my friend!
12 days til’ Christmas! So exciting! xo
@Sherri –You are so sweet, thanks so much for coming over to take a look! Your words are so encouraging, I appreciate them so much, and YOU for reaching out and connecting with me through blogging and creating. Your caring words and compliments are a GIFT to me!!! Thank you 🙂
Only 10 days left!!! Merry Christmas, hope you’re having something sweet to eat and making sweet memories with your family. 🙂
~Scarlett
This is awesome! You are good at claywork too!? sooo cool! You are so talented!
Happy 12 sleeps til Christmas ;o)
adorable! The little ‘give’ tag is the perfect finishing touch! I love that you look around your home and see a hot air balloon ornament out of a tennis ball, a cap and an onion bag! genius! t.xoxoxo
So adorable! You should write story books…seriously! You always have perfect little ideas about your characters along with great messages for kids (and us adults). Your sketches are wonderful and so are your 3-D creations. You have such a gift.
I love it, I love Thumbelina! How magical and fun! Your children must love your newest creation! I loved this post, till you said how many days to Christmas…augh!!!! Where is my magical balloon to lift me off to dream land?
;D You are so clever~
Hi Scarlett – I agree totally brilliant .. and so imaginative .. such fun to see – I love those candy sticks! Let alone all the other bits and bobs, prettied up, sprayed with glitter, tied together and then hey presto .. one Thumbelina balloon – so pretty to look at …
One thought .. I was talking to the oldies today and one of them remembered her mother had a party for the street kids .. and the tree was festooned with tiny toys/novelties – all numbered. Then the kids drew a number out of a hat – or were given a number … and joy oh joy they could hunt the tree for their number and little prezzie … quite a good idea ..?
Cheers – great to see .. just wish I could craft … big hugs from here – Hilary
This is so sweet! It reminds me of the children’s book, “Madeline” by Ludwig Bemelmans with the big bow in her hair. Such wonderful childhood memories reading it! I just love it! Beautiful! ~s
Hmmmmm…… I like the book idea. Seems like I have heard that somewhere before 🙂 So, so creative!!!!! I love this post and I loved seeing you yesterday! I love you all so much!
Love this one!! love the Thumbelina theme of giving and all the silver…So magical…I already have some ideas with a fairy!! Thank you for sharing this…
Linda 🙂
::Gasp!:: ::sigh:: I love this one! This is so precious and just so whimsical. I love how it brings out the little girl dreamer in me. Thanks for sharing and for the nice whimsical, dreamy feeling that ornament gave me.
This is just too adorable. I LOVE it. I am sure your children love it too. I think the addition of Thumbelina is just perfect and such a sweet touch. Your creativity is amazing!!!
This is so whimsical! I love it!
Aww… this is adorable! Such a sweet ornament. I love all the little details. Love the sparkle! 🙂
So sweet!!
These balloons are so cool! Will you be making any more? I’d love to see the whole tree. Your sketches are really good, too.
@Annmaree–Well…I guess I do claywork now! lol, I couldn’t think of any other way to make her! Thanks so much for coming over, always enjoying your blog holiday crafts as well!
@theresa –Thanks, Theresa, I appreciate it so much! Yep, I love to recycle stuff…it’s fun and best of all..FREE. 🙂 Happy Holidays!!
@Connie –Oooh wouldn’t I love to do children’s books!! I’ve always had that as a secret dream…who knows…anything’s possible right? 🙂 Thanks for your kind words, Connie, and I have to add my umpteenth apology for not being able to leave you a comment, I can NOT figure out what’s going on when I click over…LOVE your beautiful BOHO bag…that little bicycle!! LOVE IT!!!!
@Ella –I wouldn’t mind a magical little balloon to carry me off for an hour or two as well…thanks so much!! My younger daughter really liked this one but when my son saw that he couldn’t play with it he wasn’t interested…now if I made one with a car type basket…. 🙂
@Hilary –I LOVE that idea!! That is so awesome!! I will remember that, and we will have to do that next season, have a party with some younger children…but can I draw a number, too? 🙂 Thanks, Hilary, I appreciate you stopping by, so happy to have connected with you this last year!
@Sue –Thanks, Sue! Oh, I love Madeline books, you’re right! her oval face is like Madeline’s, so cute and simple…I really gravitate to children’s stories and themes…lately that’s all I seem to be thinking of. Thanks again for stopping by! 🙂
@Jeana — So good to see you, too, dear friend! The times we get to visit are too few and far between.Thank you for coming. Thank you especially for holding Knox, talking to him, and loving on him. You have no idea what a gift that is to my heart! Love you!
@Linda –Glad you liked little Thumbelina, Linda. I hope you will post some pics if you make some fairy creations, I love them!! Have a great week!
@Christina Colon –Thanks so much, you are very kind and I’m so glad you liked this ornament! It was fun to make! You and I have a lot in common, I think..I still love all things ‘little girl’….guess I never grew out of it! 🙂 Merry Christmas!! Thanks for visiting!
@Jen –Thank you! Yep, the kids like them but like I told Ella, they don’t like the fact that they can’t play with it! 🙂 We need some made of plastic! lol, hope you and your family are having a great week celebrating and enjoying the season! Thanks for coming over!
@Vicki –Thanks, Vicki! I am loving all of your holiday projects this season, as well! Thanks for the kind words!
@Jennifer –I’m so glad you came over, thanks for taking a look at this little balloon ornament, and thanks for leaving a sweet comment! The balloon really does sparkle in the lights, wasn’t sure if that came through in the photos or not! Thanks so much!
@Melanie –Thanks, Aunt Mely, love you!
@Shannon –Hi! Thanks for coming by! yep, I have two more balloons in the works but time is racing by so fast, I’m not sure if I can finish…we’ll see. The last 10 days or so before Christmas always flies by doesn’t it? Hope you’re having a great week!
gorgeous!
This is soo cute!!! I don’t know which one I like best, the first or second. I love them both!! ~Sophia