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

Prince of Peace

Luke 2: 10-11

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

The Prince of Peace came for all people, both you and me.  

May you know His love today as we celebrate His birth. 

Merry Christmas!

Vintage Modern

This card is a weird mix of vintage and modern.  The ribbons and button, and of course the ornament are all vintage-y, but those circles most certainly are NOT!  I was trying to use some different colors, and forced myself to use a certain sketch for the card.  So yes, it's a odd combination, but I actually really like the colors. 

Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  VersaMark

Paper:  Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade, Soft Suede card stock

Accessories:  Lacy Brocade embossing folder,  Bitty Banner framelits, Holiday Ornaments framelits, Linen thread, Crumb Cake seam binding ribbon, Neutrals buttons, pearls

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

SAS Christmas Ornaments

I've had fun playing with the Ornament Keepsakes set from the Holiday catalog.  I'm not really a vintage kind of girl, but I know it's a very popular look right now, and I've slowly been forcing myself to move out of my comfort zone and make some vintage cards.  I was really happy with how this card came out, especially since it combines my normal preference of bold images with a vintage-y look.

I loved how this card turned out!  The ribbon, the shimmer paint, the Core'dinations card stock, the pearls...all so pretty.  I especially loved the little tags.  But it was kind of a lot, especially for a Stamp-a-Stack.  It's one thing to make one of these, but to have several people making five?  I knew it would end up taking all afternoon just to do this one card.  So I sat down and tried to rework it, and I ended up loving the new card even more!  Many of the elements are the same, such as the shimmer paint that's covering the ornament and most of the card surface.  The ribbon and linen thread are still there, just altered a bit.  And I love the addition of a bigger piece of Crumb Cake card stock.

Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes, Christmas Greetings (retired)

Ink: VersaMark, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, and Crumb Cake card stock

Accessories:  Linen Thread, Crumb Cake and Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding ribbon, sponge, Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Pearls, Lacy Brocade embossing folder, Big Shot, Champagne Mist shimmer paint, sponge dauber

More Christmas

I have lots of Christmas cards to show you over the next few days.  I guess hanging out in my cool basement and thinking of December helps deal with the heat and humidity outside.  This card uses the new set, Ornament Keepsakes.  I was so happy to see this set in the Holiday Catalog, because my favorite ornament set retired in May.  This one is very similar, only better, because there are a lot more stamps, in a lot more sizes!  And there is a coordinating set of Framelits, so you know I love that!  If you look closely, though, you can see that I need a little more practice using them. :)  Oops!  Actually, after making this card, I realized that by putting a bit of removable adhesive (I used Dotto, which retired) on the card stock, the Framelit will stay in place, and it does a much better job of perfectly cutting out the stamped image.

There are only three colors here:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, and a tiny little piece of Crumb Cake.  I used a new embossing folder, plus the new Core'dinations card stock, then sanded it.  The ornament is embossed with Cherry Cobbler embossing powder, and hung with a piece of linen thread.  And then I went crazy with my new favorite finishing touch:  Champagne Shimmer Paint.  I know, it's not a new product, but believe it or not, I've never used it.  I decided to open my brand new bottle and go to town.  Everything is covered in it, and it is so pretty!  I think I avoided it because I thought it would be too gold.  Nope!  It's absolutely gorgeous, and adds such a pretty, yet subtle effect.  I kind of wish I hadn't waited so long to use it!

Stamps:  Ornament Keepsakes, Tiny Tags

Ink:  VersaMark, Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake Classic Ink, Champagne Shimmer Paint

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Crochet Lace, Holiday Ornaments Framelits, Big Shot, Lacy Brocade embossing Folder, linen thread, Jewelry Tag punch, sponge daubers, sanding block, paper piercing tool