Thursday 30 March 2017

Mini Envelopes Galore!!


Hi! Bev here with a quick make using the envelope template from the lovely Amy Tan.

What you will need
  • Silhouette Cameo® or Silhouette Portrait®
  • Cardstock
  • Glue runner or glue stick
Step One

Open up a fresh page in your Silhouette Studio® and import the template from your library


Resize as required.  These particular envelopes are destined for a lovely friend of mine who is going to use them to house little messages to be put into a money box.  So these needed to be smaller than the normal size.  I resized them to approximately 3 inches wide.



Using the replicate tool fill the page with these shapes, I managed to get 15 on a 12x12 sheet of cardstock.


Ensure the cut settings are set to cardstock and send to the Silhouette



Once cut you will have lots of these shapes that will need to be folded and glued to create the envelopes



Using a glue runner or glue stick glue the bottom flap up towards the side pieces.  I used a ruler to help with the folding process




These envelopes are now on their way to their new home, but this concept can be used for any type of papercraft, scrapbooking, journalling and even little lunchbox notes.  A very quick project that can be made in a variety of different patterns.

I have really enjoyed sharing with you and I can't wait to see what you create!


Designs Used

Amy Tan Mini Envelopes by American Crafts - Design ID#38472


Products Used

Light hold cutting mat for Cameo

Sunday 26 March 2017

One cut, three projects

Hello Silhouette fans! Maria here again today to share with you how I made three scrapbook pages using just one Silhouette cut!

If you are anything like me, you like to make the most of your paper and use every single bit of your scraps. The same goes with what you cut with your Silhouette machine!



For this set of projects I used the Sunburst Square design from the Silhouette Store, and used it in three different ways: as a stencil, using the normal cut and using the negative space.

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

- Silhouette Cameo or Portrait
- Scrapbook cardstock and paper
- All the other ancilleries to finish off your layouts or projects.


INSTRUCTIONS:

This is a very straightforward process: On your Silhouette Studio, open your desired file. I went for the Sunburst Square, but I think other background cuts would work as well. This design comes with an outer box that I don't want to use, so I ungroup the shape in order to delete the outer box.



Once I have deleted the square, I selected all the shapes again and grouped them all so I don't accidentally modify any of them.


Now I decided to flip my design because one of the ideas I had for my layout was to place the photo on the right had side. This step is totally optional, and not necessary at all for backgrounds which are symmetrical. However, I wanted to flip it to have the photo on the right, as sometimes the back of the cardstock doesn't look as "clean" as the front after a cut. As it happens, and you'll be able to see below, in the end I didn't flip my cardstock! Simply select your shape, right click on your mouse and choose "Flip Horizontally"

I wanted to add a bit more interest to my cut, so I added some lines to the sunburst which I will perforate so I can hand-stitch throught them. Just add the lines and position them where you want, and when it comes to the cut settings, select them all carefully and choose perforate.



And that's it! Now you have one cut that you can use in three different ways!

Here are the projects that I created with this cut:

1) Cheeky Smile layout: I used my cut as a stencil. I postitioned it over some blue cardstock and I used acrylic paint and sprays to create the splatters. 



2) Usual Suspects layout: My original plan was to flip the cut and use the other side, as this side was all full of white splatters and ink. As it happens, I actually loved the way that this looked! The splatters give certain texture and interest but it is not obvious at all at first sight.



3) Wonderful You layout: I used the remaining bits of my cut, which I had already added perforated lines to. I hand stitched some of the "rays" (didn't use all of them in the end) and created my layout.


I hope you have enjoyed this post and it has encouraged you to make the most of your cuts!
Read you soon,
Mx



PRODUCTS USED



Saturday 25 March 2017

Introducing NEW Chalkboard Cardstock - Family Menu Board


Family Menu Chalkboard by Janet Packer for Silhouette UK.  Make a custom menu board using chalkboard cardstock. with a FREE header shape cutting file.

Hello,

Janet here with a project using a NEW product for the UK, Silhouette Chalkboard Cardstock.

Family Menu Chalkboard by Janet Packer for Silhouette UK.  Make a custom menu board using chalkboard cardstock with a FREE header shape cut file..


The cardstock surface is similar to that of the Silhouette Chalkboard Vinyl, but slightly smoother. It is of similar thickness to medium-weight cardstock having a peel off backing sheet covering a sticky adhesive surface. I experimented (played) for a while before making my project and found the Silhouette Chalkboard Cardstock had these properties:
  • Chalk, chalk pen, white marker, and Silhouette Sketch Pen all wipe off.
  • Vinyl adheres well, but also can be removed completely.
  • It cuts beautifully, and with experimentation can be partially cut to the backing (like vinyl), or cut all the way through (like regular cardstock).
  • The backing is VERY sticky, so no need for extra messy adhesive.
  • Pieces can be layered, or used back-to-back, for sturdier projects.
I had a lot of fun and was very pleased with how my family menu chalkboard turned out.


MAKE A CUSTOM FAMILY MENU CHALKBOARD



Family Menu Chalkboard by Janet Packer for Silhouette UK.  Make a custom menu board using chalkboard cardstock. with a FREE header shape cutting file.


What You'll Need
Black Picture Frame (**)
Silhouette Chalkboard Cardstock
White Matte Adhesive Vinyl
Clear Transfer Material
White Marker Pen
Silhouette Pen Holder
Downloaded Typewriter Key Font like LW Type Print
Downloaded Sketch Font like Rivka Wilkins' Madilyn Font
Downloaded Plain Font like LW Perfect Type Font

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: Draw the Frame
Measure and draw your picture frame in Silhouette Studio®.  In the diagram the black lines correspond with the frame edges, and the blue line to the glass/picture size.  The cardstock sheets are US Letter size so you'll need a frame with picture size the same or slightly smaller.



STEP 2: Make Days of the Week
Type M, T, W, etc. in the typewriter key font on one line. Drag the solid bar to the left to make the text into a column. Further help on how to do this can be found in this project Vertical Text Card. Resize the text and space it out using Line Spacing to fit the frame aperture size.  Cut these from white vinyl.




STEP 3: Add Menu Items
Use a sketch cursive font to type out your menu items, you can either write in one big block with wide line spacings, or make separate lines of text for each item. If you plan to change the items, it may be better to make separate lines. Once you have text size, character spacing, and position as you want (plus line spacing, if you have one big block) you can write it onto the cardstock with a pen. I used the Silhouette Pen Holder and a favourite white gel pen. Add a cut line to trim your chalkboard cardstock to size.

N.B. If you are tempted to ungroup your words and 'fine tune' individual letter spacing, it is advisable to make a complete copy first and place it off to the side, as you won't be able to edit the words later once the letters are ungrouped.


Draw your menu items, and cut the chalkboard on your Silhouette. Use the Adhesive Cardstock cut settings as a starting point, test cut and adjust accordingly. Then apply the vinyl letters with clear transfer material.

Family Menu Chalkboard by Janet Packer for Silhouette UK.  Make a custom menu board using chalkboard cardstock. with a FREE header shape cutting file.



STEP 4: Make a Header
Make a complete frame to fit around your project if it is small, or make just a header if it is bigger.  I designed my own curved header shape. You can either design something similar (as in the diagram below) or download the centre piece here.



The downloaded piece (Chalkboard Header File) just needs to be welded on to a rectangle the size of the top of your frame.

Family Menu Chalkboard by Janet Packer for Silhouette UK.  Make a custom menu board using chalkboard cardstock. with a FREE header shape cutting file.


STEP 5: Decorate the Header
Make a text decoration for your header to cut in vinyl, or write with a pen. Use a font which complements the days of the week and which will cut or write well.



If you want curved text, curve it around a shape which reflects the shape of your header (see Niki's post here).


Once your design is sorted, draw with a pen and pen holder and then cut, or if using vinyl, cut the vinyl and the cardstock and then apply vinyl.


STEP 6: Assembly and Finishing Touches
To finish, place the large chalkboard piece in the frame leaving the backing layer in place. Replace the glass and backing pieces. Remove the protective backing from the adhesive on your header or frame and press it onto the frame.
(optional) Cut an additional piece of shaped cardstock to match that of the part which stands proud of the frame. Stick it on to the back, so the part that stands proud of the frame is a double thickness, otherwise leave that section with the backing paper on.



Family Menu Chalkboard by Janet Packer for Silhouette UK.  Make a custom menu board using chalkboard cardstock. with a FREE header shape cutting file.


(**) Note on the frame: I re-cycled an old certificate frame, originally with a bevelled edge. I covered the rather unpleasant red-brown stain with matte black acrylic paint and also turned it around, having the flat rear frame surface facing front.

I love chalkboard items and using this chalkboard cardstock is an easy way to obtain a very neat and effective look. I hope you'll try it.


Bye for now,


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DESIGNS USED:


PRODUCTS USED:
chalkboard cardstock  white vinyl clear transfer tape


Friday 24 March 2017

Rhinestone Setter

Just a quick post today as  I recently got my hands on the rhinestone setter and I'm afraid that everything may have to sparkle now. Using this tool will allow gems to be set on to an item which can not be placed under an iron. 

To try out the setter I choose a design from the design store for a rhinestone heart and loaded the rhinestone template material into my cutter. (I would normally have used the backing board at this point to arrange the gems but I was eager to test the setter)   

 The template was placed sticky side down and a handful of gems sprinkled over. The rhinestone kit comes with a brush that somehow manages to get all the gems into the cutouts the right way up, ready for setting (which saves a lot of time on larger designs).

 

The rhinestone setter takes 3 batteries (not included) which fit into the bottom of the machine. once you have inserted the batteries and replaced the cover you will still need to turn the setter on this is done by pushing the blue bar towards the metal tip. Now the setter is in standby mode and will not heat the tip until the button is pressed and held in.





It is recommended that the tip is allowed to heat for 15 seconds and then it is simply a matter of touching the tip against the rhinestone long enough to melt the glue.
 I found that I didn't need to keep the tip heating all the time as I was only using small gems. It's such a simple thing to do to add a gem or two but wow doesn't make a difference.



I can see this little tool being used regularly at craft fairs to add names to items, just bring a template of letters. It will also be a handy craft tool during power cuts.
Add a little sparkle to the world!
Don't get the iron out someone might give you a shirt.


DESIGN USED

Cute rhinestone heart swirl Design ID #6625


PRODUCTS USED: