Festive Rosette Medallions For Fall
I was inspired recently when I pulled out an older version of a Halloween Medallion Ornament to create a new one. The first medallion ornament (with the long retired cat stamp and dsp) was a gift, that of course I have kept over the years.
In order to make a new version, I first needed to dissect the gift medallion to figure out how it was made. The making of the new one was pretty easy, and so much fun!
Below are some how-to pictures with my best hints and helps along the way, in case you decide you need to make one too. And with Halloween just around the corner, there is still time to pull this craft project together!
The Details Are In The Paper
Since this project is a paper medallion, the most important part is the paper. Choosing Designer Series Paper is the first step. You will want the right size pattern to showcase, as the ridges of the medallion are very narrow. Since the front is the visible side, the back design doesn’t matter.
I wanted a Halloween themed rosette, so I turned to the Magic In This Night Designer Series Paper. This paper is elevated into elegantly creepy, not the typical goblins and pumpkins trick or treat variety. I chose the Blackberry Bliss (purple) sheet and cut 2 strips at 2 x 12″ each.
Next, I pulled out my Simply Scored Scoring Tool, and placed the dsp with the 12″ side running along the top. I used the score tool included and carefully scored my paper at 1/4″ intervals on both strips of paper. Because the dsp is thinner weight paper, I used the larger tip of the score tool for scoring.
Each of the score lines will need a fan fold, back and forth. Mountain and valley. This part does take a bit of work and some finger dexterity. I found it easiest to let go of previous folds and continue working without trying to hold the entire “bunched” paper from start to finish.
Heavy Duty Adhesive Is A Must
Because the medallion is going to be held tight in its glorious splendor, a tight holding adhesive is definitely required. I used Stampin’ Up’!’s Tear & Tape, my glue gun and Tombow Liquid Glue as I assembled.
The next step after finishing the fan folds is to loop the ends together, forming a paper circle. For this, I used Tear & Tape on the outer edge of the scored paper ends. My lesson here was to try to match the mountain and valley folds of each strip to the other strip, to avoid breaking up the continuity of the fold.
Once the ends are joined together, you will have a large circle of folded paper. To help secure it in a tight circle, you will need to hot glue some cardstock to the middle, bunching your medallion as the glue secures the ornament.
I used a circle punch and coordinating cardstock to create the centers for both the front and back of the ornament. These will be covered and hidden as the ornament is decorated. The Silicone Craft Sheet is perfect for this glue application.
Have A Hoot: Stamp and Decorate
Now that your medallion ornament has been created, the real fun begins…decorating it! For my medallion, I stayed consistent with my Halloween theme, and took into account the spider design on my paper.
I pulled the owl with the spider stamp from the Have A Hoot Bundle, which means a coordinating die is also involved. I stamped my image using Memento Black Ink on Whisper White CS twice, and colored both in with assorted Stampin’ Blends. Since I wasn’t sure how I wanted him to look on my ornament I changed the color of the owl for the second image. A girl needs choices.
When I started out, I did not realize the die would cut out the owl and spider separately, without the tree. In the long run, this worked out well though. Instead, I used my second image and punched it out with a circle punch.
I am a huge fan of sponging ink onto my work. I used Misty Moonlight and colored in the background of my circle punched owl. Since I had the separate die cuts by way of owl and spider, I did not need to worry about adding ink in places I didn’t want it to go.
Decoration Details
In keeping with the circular theme of the medallion, more circles are required to cover the middle of the ornament. And of course, they need to be decorated!
I punched out circles of cardstock in Crushed Curry and Old Olive. After I adhered the layers together, I sent my assembly thru the Big Shot in the Cobwebs 3D Embossing Folder...more spider work! And then of course, I sponged it in Soft Suede Ink.
I used the Peek-A-Hoot Dies and die cut 2 spider webs in Gray Granite, along with some branches in Soft Suede. Next, I wanted to add some additional fall colors, so I reached for my leaf punches from the Autumn Punch Pack, and some Real Red and Pumpkin Pie CS.
Once the medallion is completely decorated, you will need to secure some ribbon on the back in order to hang it. I chose a retired Rich Razzleberry ribbon, for its color and also its thickness or size. The medallion needs something strong enough to hold it up.
Speaking of strength, the adhesive needs to hold the ribbon securely. Again, the glue gun would work well. Since mine had already cooled down, and I didn’t want to start it back up, I chose Tear & Tape.
After securing the ribbon to the back circle cardstock, I added another circle cardstock over top of it. It is important to add some tape or glue toward the top of the ribbon on the ornament’s back. This helps to support the medallion in an upright postion, without it tilting funny when you hold or hang it up.
My Halloween Medallion Ornament
I was really pleased with how my medallion turned out. Not necessarily physically… for this first attempt my score lines and rosette were a little damaged. But overall, I think it is super cute!
I learned lessons along the way, and am confident my next attempts will be better. After all, papercrafting is often trial and error. We learn to cover our mistakes and move on. Meanwhile, my owl and spider are ready to be admired!
