Using SVGs to Create in Silhouette Studio Designer Edition

Hiya, this week I had the opportunity to try out the new Fancy Cat Cutting File from Sanqunetti Design. I used the designer edition of the Silhouette Studio software, but the variety of file types included allow the design to be used with most cutting machines (SVG, DXF, PDF & JPG). Note, the DXF format can be used with the basic edition of the Silhouette Studio software too.

I wasn't sure if the design would be better suited to card, vinyl or something else. It turned out it that the image suited EVERYTHING and so I made it up in all the media I had readily available (heat transfer vinyl, caper/card and sticker paper).


HEAT TRANSFER VINYL (Pyjama Bag)

I made up a little pyjama bag using a variation of the phrase "the cat's pyjamas" - perfect to use with this image. I used soft, velvety, flocked vinyl for the black parts, sparkly gold glitter vinyl for the heart and glasses, and regular smooth vinyl for the remainder.

CARDSTOCK (Greeting card)

For the card I designed a semi-shaped card using an offset of the cat's head and a patterned rectangle. The background piece was made using the Silhouette's Print & Cut function, with most of the pieces being cut from textured cardstock.  The glasses and heart are made with card with a glitter heat transfer veneer (yes, you can iron heat transfer on to card). The heart is finished with the recipient's  initial cut from regular sign vinyl. Of course, a monogram or small name could be added as an alternative.

STICKER PAPER (Custom Stickers)

Using the Print & Cut function again, I made a sheet of personalised stickers using the included JPEG image.

What a lovely extra surprise to include a sheet of stickers with a child's greeting card?

REGULAR SIGN VINYL (Vinyl Decal)

I had intended to made a decal for a cat treat jar with some custom text. However, I'd used all my pink sign vinyl, so that is a project for another day.


VERSATILITY (Using SVG & DXF)

The files allow for all manner of variations and customisations. The diagram shows some possible options for the bow.

For vinyl, I chose to make the black flock more prominent than the grey, and used the lower of the two vinyl variations with the loose 'shadow' pieces, omitting the 'knot' piece.

For the card, I decided I'd prefer to have fewer loose pieces and so made the bow and shadow pieces a compound path, and again omitted the 'knot'.

A even simpler solution would be to just use the bow outline - the choice is your's!

I hope you find this demonstration of the versatility of these cutting files useful.  Let me know  (in the comments section below) if you have any further suggestions. I love hearing from you.

Mad for Coffee Word Art

I love playing with word art and I SO enjoyed making some home decor items with the new Coffee Lettering SVG file from Sanqunetti Design and my Silhouette Cameo.

I made this coffee mug with regular outdoor rated vinyl. It cuts and releases like a dream if you use a good quality vinyl that hasn't been stored for too long. I now ALWAYS buy from a reputable supplier as poorly stored vinyl can be a devil to work with (don't ask me how I know)! I usually buy Oracal 651 from MDP Supplies in the UK. 

This wall plaque was made using the pen function - yes, the Silhouette can draw as well as cut!  There will be a mini tutorial on this process in my next post as it seems to be rather popular!

This box frame filled with coffee beans and decorated with gold vinyl looks great in 'real' life but didn't photograph quite as well - those reflections are so annoying!

Here is the file I made them all from. Its a great set for those new to svgs files - just a little re-sizing required. AND ... if you are quick, you can buy it from Sanqunetti Design at 50% off! (limited time offer). The download also includes a DXF file - so you don't even need the designer edition of the Silhouette Studio software to use it.

If you like seeing my makes, do leave a comment. There is nothing so good as encouragement to keep me crafting and blogging.  If you'd like further instructions do let me know and I'll see if I can write a little tutorial.

Thanks for visiting - call by any time!