Kaleidoscope Medallion

by Michelle Shuman

Create a gorgeous medallion out of patterned paper.

Supplies

  • Patterned paper with a repeated pattern – 2-3 identical sheets (floral, paisley, and tapestry-type patterns work well)
  • Grid paper
  • Clear plastic for creating template (leftover acetate or packaging materials)
  • Ruler
  • Permanent pen
  • Craft knife and/or sharp scissors
  • Adhesive
  • Cutting mat
  • Small cardstock square

Step-by-Step

  1. Step 1

    Create a template using grid paper.

    Draw a 45 degree line by connecting the diagonals of the squares.

  2. Step 2

    Transfer the 45-degree line and one of the intersecting straight lines to a plastic sheet with the permanent pen.

  3. Step 3

    Cut the triangle-shaped template out, marking the sides with a ruler for easier placement later.

  4. Step 4

    Select the portion of patterned paper that you want to use.

    You will need 8 of the same design to make a complete medallion.

  5. Step 5

    Line up template with the image, making sure the template is even on both sides. Mark with a pen along the template sides.

    In this case, the edges of the flowers are both at approximately 1 3/4” – you can mark the exact spots on your template for easy placement on the remaining portions of the medallion.

  6. Step 6

    Cut out all 8 images along the marks, and around the top of image.

  7. Step 7

    Mark the cardstock square with lines connecting opposite corners, and across the centers of each side.

    Cover the square with adhesive. Here, adhesive was applied with a Xyron.

  8. Step 8

    Adhere medallion images to the square, aligning marks and the points of each image with the center.

  9. Step 9

    Continue to align your patterned paper wedges until your medallion is finished.

  10. Step 10

    Finish your card.

Variations

  1. Cut your images as described in step 5, not bothering to trim the top of the image. After medallion is complete, trim the outer edge with a circle cutting system (such as Coluzzle™ ).

Your Turn

You've seen the tutorial, now you try it! We've got a section of the gallery set aside for Kaleidoscope Medallion. Try this technique, then upload your artwork to the gallery. Show us your creations!

***Please note - Internet Explorer/Edge is not a supported browser, and will not allow you to see the videos. Please use Chrome, Firefox or Safari to view our tutorial videos.

Questions and Comments

We'd love to get your feedback or questions. Leave your comment below.

I just loved these cards. Where do you get the grid paper from?
Peggy Fox  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 7:59 AM
brilliant! absolutely lovely! thank you for the awesome tutorial!
abrazos,mirabella
mirabella  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Fantastic idea, Michelle. I can't wait to get home from work and start looking for some repeating patterned paper. smile

Thanks for sharing with us!
Lynn Mercurio  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 12:30 PM
How cool is this!!!! Thank you for the great idea, that I would NEVER have thought of!!! Off to find some paper....
Heather  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I love it. It is my turn to take cards to make to our group next month. This is it. I have lots of repeating pattern papers.

They will love it and think I am so smart...yes I am, to use your beautiful design.
Jo Ann Varda  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Looks wonderful, and I will sure try it.
Thanks Michelle.
Martha  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 12:53 PM
I like the idea of the project you did that is just great. real cute .
Gloria Harvey  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Where did you get the grid paper, and how many squares to the inch for the grid paper? LOVE these! Thanks for the tutorial.
Chaun  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 1:43 PM
That is a wonderful card! I love detailing without glitter ... sorry but my only workplace is on the kitchen table!

For those who asked, grid paper is available at any business supply store such as Staples/Business Depot or maybe even Walmart.
Joan  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 1:56 PM
This is a very cool idea. I teach a class of ladies who love teabag folding, and some of the designs are a similar shape. This will simplify that enormously and use much less effort.
What a fantastic idea. I wonder why no-one thought of it before? I certainly plan to try it very soon.
Thanks again!!!
Deanne
xx
Deanne Stewart-Mills  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 3:34 PM
The grid paper is the SU! grid paper that's sold in the catalogue.
Yvonne  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Hi Ladies!

Thank you all so much for the wonderful responses! I'm so excited that you're excited!! smile

The grid paper I use is by Stampin' Up! (Thanks Yvonne!), but I know you can find it by other companies, I used to use Alvin (usually with the drafting supplies). I like the SU! because of the bright white, and the 'centering' lines on the grid. HTH!
Michelle Shuman (mybelle101)  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Oops...forgot to say that the grid is 1/4" squares wink

Also, I want to make sure that you all know that I didn't make this up! I found it years ago in a crafting magazine, and when I made a card using it earlier this year, I couldn't find the directions or mention of it on any websites, so I made up my own from what I remembered. Beate was gracious enough to allow me to write this tutorial so that you all try this 'WOW' technique...thanks Beate, and thanks SCS! smile
Michelle Shuman (mybelle101)  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 4:32 PM
But does it matter the number of squares to the inch on the grid paper? I have some (not SU brand), and need to know if it has to be a certain number of squares to an inch. Grid paper comes 4 squares to the inch, 5 squares to the inch, 8 squares to the inch...
Thanks!
chaun  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Chaun~

No, it doesn't matter the number of squares per inch. I actually only used it to get a diagonal line, so any grid paper would work fine smile
Michelle Shuman (mybelle101)  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 4:52 PM
This is a great idea, Michelle! I love it! Will definitely have to give this a try. xx
Jane Matsumoto (whoopsie daisy)  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 7:00 PM
I'm geometircally challenged sometimes. I don't understand step 2 and the picture with it. Can you please clarify? Thanks.
Fran Bosse  |  Wed Jun 10, 2009 at 10:10 PM
How dog-gone brilliant is that ?!? This is so awesome, and I just LOVE that orange & green paper you used! Thanks for another great tutorial!
Leeci  |  Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 5:27 AM
Actually you don't really need graph paper as you could just as well use the diagonal line across a square and the edge of the square to make your piece of pie shaped template. Couldn't you? The idea is only to find the right angle for cutting out the acetate template so that the pieces fit together. Do tell me if I am totally wrong, I often am!! Wonderful idea, so pretty, thanks.
Avril  |  Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 6:10 AM
If you are a quilter you can use the really cool triangle templates that you already own to make these projects. I love to use tools and supplies from other crafts in my paper crafts!
Kathy Simkins  |  Thu Jun 11, 2009 at 7:04 AM

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