Daydream Medallions

I didn't intend to go so long between posts.  It's already been a busy fall that's prevented me from getting cards posted, and then last week, my brother-in-law passed away suddenly.  Family has been our focus, not card making.  And even now, my husband is still my first priority, so I'm not promising lots of projects in the next week or so.  I'm not going to lie...this is difficult, and has shaken us deeply.  We're trying to adjust and get back to a normal routine, which isn't easy when we're not getting a lot of sleep.

Fortunately, I did find one card sitting in my draft folder, and today is a good day to share this one. I love interactive cards, and this is a really fun and unique one.  It's definitely an unconventional way to use the Daydream Medallions stamp set and the coordinating Floral Frames Framelits. 

Tips & Tricks

• To make this fun closure on your card, it's important to score your card so that it has two flaps in the front.  I scored a strip of 4 1/4" x 11" at the 3" and 8 1/2" marks, then folded the flaps in.

• For the flower part, stamp three different sizes from Daydream Medallions, then cut the outside shape of each layer.  

• It helps to distress the edges of the flower layers, so be sure to do this step next, whether using the distressing tool, scissors, or just your fingernail.  Don't decide to wait until later to do this part...it is much easier to do it now!

• After distressing, go ahead and cut out the center of the largest flower, using the same Framelit used to cut the outside of the middle flower.  This allows the two layers to fit together perfectly.

• To finish, adhere the two smallest layers together, then attach to the right side of the card.  Center over the seam, and only adhere the right half of the flowers to the right flap of the card.  Adhere the left half of the largest flower to the left flap.  Be very careful not to let your adhesive go outside of these areas, or the card will end up being glued shut.

• Embellish with a button and ribbon.  I also added leaves using Flower Patch and the Flower Fair Framelits.  I did have to snip off the ends, so don't be afraid to do that if necessary.  I also recommend playing with the placement of the leaves to be sure it looks good behind two layers and three layers.  Depending on whether the card is open or closed, you'll be looking at it with both combinations.  

Supplies

Stamps:  Daydream Medallions, Flower Patch
Ink:  Elegant Eggplant, Crumb Cake, Versamark
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, and Elegant Eggplant
Accessories:  Big Shot, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Floral Frames and Flower Fair Framelits, Stamp-a-ma-jig

Daydream Medallions Christmas Wreath Card

This past weekend was the first Christmas Card Stamp-a-Stack of the year.  When I sat down to design cards for this event, I came to the sad realization that all but one of my Christmas stamp sets had retired.  I really didn't want to spend money on new Christmas sets when I have a shelf FULL of them, so I was determined to make use of what current sets I did have.

I loved Daydream Medallions when I first saw it, although haven't used it a lot, for some reason.  But it makes the most gorgeous wreath, and I think this may be my most favorite use for this set! 

Tips & Tricks

• The Magnetic Platform is a must for cutting out these layers.  Used with the Floral Frames Framelits, the Magnetic Platform takes all the worry of shifting Framelits out of this project!  You can get yours here, or contact me to place an order.
• When adhering the layers of the wreath to one another, be sure to put adhesive on the backs of the "petals" of the smaller layer.  You'll be punching out the center of the wreath once the layers are adhered to each other, so you want to ensure that they layers stick together!
• Allow drying time for the Dazzling Details "berries" before placing the bow on...you don't want to get ribbon stuck in the wet glue!
• For a more vintage look, sponge the Naturals Ivory strip with a bit of Crumb Cake ink

Supplies

Stamps:  Daydream Medallions, Petite Pairs, French Script (retired, but En Francais is a close match!)
Ink:  Crumb Cake and Always Artichoke Classic Ink
Paper:  Crumb Cake, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, and Naturals Ivory card stock
Accessories:  Big Shot, Floral Frames Framelits, Pretty Print Embossing Folder, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details

Elegant Ornament

I love the simplicity of this card.  And by using Framelits and the coordinating stamp sets, making this card is simple, too!  There is a lot of Big Shot action going on here, considering the ornament requires three cuts of the image.  The medallion behind the ornament was also cut with Framelits, and the background was done by using the Lacy Brocade embossing folder.  How did I ever make cards without the Big Shot?  It's kind of funny, because when Stampin' Up! first introduced it, I thought, "Why on earth would I spend that kind of money on that?!?"  I finally bit the bullet and bought it, and I'm not sure I've made a card without it since.  I love my Big Shot!

Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes, Daydream Medallions

Ink:  Lucky Limeade, Cherry Cobbler

Paper:  Lucky Limeade and Very Vanilla card stock, Festival of Prints DSP

Accessories:  Floral Frames and Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon, rhinestones, Lacy Brocade embossing folder

Kindness Matters

This one is another SAS card from Sunday.  I'm loving the crochet trim with the Comfort Cafe DSP...it's a perfect match.  I also went a little Framelits-crazy on this one, using both the Apothecary Accents and Floral Frames Collections.

Stamps:  Kindness Matters, Daydream Medallions

Ink:  Cajun Craze, VersaMark

Paper:  Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, and Cajun Craze card stock, Comfort Cafe DSP

Accessories:  Apothecary Accents and Floral Frames Framelits, Crochet Trim, Pearls, Clear Embossing Powder, Stampin' Dimensionals

Medallion Birthday

OK, I'm not going to lie, I don't like this card.  There's a lot going on here, and it kind of hurts my eyes to look at it.  But I'm putting it up here because it's important to know that even demonstrators can't always make great cards.  I don't hate it, I just think it's a little busy.  And if you like it, great!

What I do like, though, is the Daydream Medallions set and the coordinating Floral Frames Framelits.  Oh, and the Daydream jumbo wheel, which also coordinates.  Coordinating products get me every time.  I love things that match.  It's the Type A in me I guess.  So because everything works together, this card was pretty easy to put together.  I stamped each layer of the flower, then cut it out with my Big Shot and the Framelits.  The solid color layers are the same size as the Very Vanilla layer on top of each of them.  Does that make sense?  I clear embossed the wheel image across the bottom...don't look too closely, because my clear embossing powder has all kinds of different colors mixed in.  It's got a bit of a speckled look going on.  I also added lots and lots of little pearls to finish it off.

Stamps:  Daydream Medallions, Itty Bitty Banners, Daydream Jumbo Wheel

Ink: VersaMark, More Mustard, Night of Navy, and Cajun Craze Classic Ink

Paper:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Night of Navy, and Very Vanilla card stock

Accessories:  Floral Frames and Bitty Banners Framelits, Stampin' Dimensionals, Pearls