Ode to Medallion...

Medallion, one of my *favorite* Stampin' Up! stamps, retires at the end of this month.  I thought I'd dedicate my banner and buttons to this forgotten favorite (I haven't used it in a while)...

Be sure to click *HERE* to read about my FREE ANNUAL CATALOG offer.  You can expect to get yours around the third week in May (but it's first come, first served!).

And now, a word about our banner...  I created this card for a challenge a few years ago, back when Bermuda Bay was one of the In Colors.  It's not available anymore, but one could achieve a similar look with Tempting Turquoise or maybe in a softer version, with Pool Party.

Speaking of In Colors, the stock of retiring 2010-2012 In Colors is quickly depleting, so don't delay in ordering if there's something you still need.  Remember, Retiring Accessories are available only as supplies last.

Medallion and all of its Retiring Stamps friends will be available until May 31.

Medallion as Sunflower

"Every friend is to the other a sun, and a sunflower also. He attracts and follows." Jean Paul Richter, Humorist and Novelist

One of the challenges this week at 365 Cards is to include a sunflower. I only have one stamp that includes a sunflower, but I thought I'd see what else I could come up with. One of my favorite new stamps from the 2009-10 Idea Book and Catalog (aka, "The New One") is Medallion. It's one of those stamps that, at first blush, seemed pretty limited in its potential. The more I play with it, though, the more I find I can do with it…

--First, ink the entire stamp surface with Summer Sun Classic Ink. Use a Stampin' Sponge to add Ruby Red Classic Ink to the "middle" and Chocolate Chip Classic Ink in the very center. The sponges allow the ink to be more gradual and less precise, much like the coloring of the sunflower's petals. Give the entire stamp surface a few good huffs (heavy-breathing on the stamp) and stamp on a piece of Very Vanilla card stock.

--To add the effect of sunflower seeds, I placed a layer of Sticky Strip on the center of the sunflower and pressed it into the container of Microbeads.

--I used the Distressing Tool from the Cutter Kit to rough up the edges of the Very Vanilla card stock. Adhere it to a piece of Basic Black card stock (which has been cut just wide enough to allow for the Natural Hemp Twine).

--Wrap enough Natural Hemp Twine to go around the Basic Black piece three times and knot. Adhere this to the half sheet of Elegant Eggplant card stock, which has been folded in half.

--The sentiment is made with the "for you" stamp from the Fresh Cuts set. Ink it first in Ruby Red Classic Ink and then in the Chocolate Chip Classic Ink to mirror the colors of the sunflower. Stamp on Very Vanilla card stock. Use the 1-inch Circle Punch to punch it out.
**Studio Suggestion: Stamp the image first and then punch it out. It's easier to flip the punch upside-down to view your card stock and punch out the precise image, rather than trying to line up and stamp the image on your punched piece.**

--Use the Stampin' Sponge and Summer Sun Classic Ink to add a bit of color around the circle. Punch a circle of Basic Black card stock using the 1 ¼-inch Circle Punch. Punch a piece of Ruby Red card stock using the Designer Label Punch and assemble the three pieces.

--To add interest to the inside of the card, I used the remaining bit of card stock with the stamped sunflower as the writing surface.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Medallion and Fresh Cuts

Inks: Summer Sun, Ruby Red, and Chocolate Chip Classic Inks

Papers: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Ruby Red and Elegant Eggplant card stocks

Accessories: Sticky Strip, Microbeads, Designer Label, 1-inch and 1 1/4-inch Punches, Stampin' Sponges, Natural Hemp Twine and Distressing Tool.

What a fun challenge! Thanks so much for your visit! Hope you're having a lovely summer!

Through the Window...

Here's a card I made for the 365 Cards challenge involving, among other things, window sheets...

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps: Medallion Background and Circle Circus (new!) and Elegant Thank You

Papers: Bermuda Bay, Mambo Melon, Old Olive and Whisper White card stocks

Inks: Elegant Eggplant and Mambo Melon Classics

Accessories: Window sheet, Scallop Circle, Scallop Edge, and 1/2-inch Circle Punches, Whisper White Satin Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig

Thanks so much for visiting!