Using Scratch-off Balloons on a Fun Raccoon Birthday Card

Hello, over on the Silhouette UK Blog I've been playing with Silhouette Scratch-Off Sticker Sheets and this week's free design, the Autumn Raccoon file (#271649).

The scratch-off sheets can be cut into just about any shape with Silhouette or scissors. Once peeled from the backing paper, it can be adhered over printed or hand-written text and later scratched off to reveal a hidden message. It's great for interactive greetings cards of all kinds and can be used to reveal a surprise gift, some special news, or just a fun personalised greeting.

I cut balloon outlines from the scratch-off sheets, to make balloon-shaped scratch off panels for this Paint & Cut card. Read more about this card on the Silhouette UK Blog.

Glow in the Dark Mug with the FREE "Boo!" file from the Silhouette Design Store

Hiya! Today I'm bringing you a quick project using the FREE design of the week from the Silhouette Design Store.

I used the BOO! file by Silhouette.  It is free until a new free file is posted on Tuesday 11th October 2017. The SVG version is free too, so it can be used with other software and cutting machines.

This file is a regular cut file, and the parts can be ungrouped and cut separately.

I decided to decorate a mug using the word "BOO!", cut from glow in the dark vinyl. This is usually used for wall and door decals, but it works fine as a temporary decoration on this Halloween-themed mug.

Supplies Used

Silhouette Glow in the Dark Vinyl
Silhouette Transfer Tape
Black Mug (mine was from Tesco)

I reduced the size of the parts to about 7cm to fit easily on one side of the mug, and deleted the cobwebs and dots.

The glow in the dark vinyl cuts like regular sign vinyl, and I used the suggested settings with the AutoBlade in my Silhouette Cameo 3, then removed the unwanted vinyl and transferred the remainder to the surface of the mug with transfer tape, just like regular vinyl.

In bright light the vinyl shows as white with a slight greenish hue. When the lights are turned out the vinyl glows.  The better the quality and intensity of light, the brighter and longer lasting the glowing effect lasts.

This is a fun, seasonal item to make for Halloween events, and the vinyl can later be removed so that the mug can re-decorated for another occasion.

Have you made anything that glows in the dark this year?

Fringed Flamingo Card with the Free File of the Week

Hiya! Today I'm bringing you a quick card using the FREE file of the week form the Silhouette Design Store. I did challenge myself to make something with the free file every week, but I'm ashamed to say that the last one was back in March. Shame on me!

This week's FREE file is a Fringed Flamingo from Simple Stories. It accompanies an offer of 25% off all Simple Stories designs in the Silhouette Design Store.

I made most of this card with Print & Cut, printing the flamingo layers in different shades of pink on white Silhouette Vellum.  The flamingo body and sentiment were a Print & Cut too.  The cut pieces are shown in the photo below together with a sheet of patterned paper and a square card blank.

The card was a quick make, but I decided not to use the line around the original print and to add a fringe at the base from vellum scraps with a scrap of paper from the patterned paper.

I'm not sure if want to add a little more to it. I'll think on it and let you know!

I've entered this card into the following challenges:
Make My Monday: #49 Summer Brights

Print & Cut with A3 Card and Paper

Hello, today I intended to use this week's FREE file from the Silhouette Store to make some wrapping paper, although it turns out I neither made wrapping paper, nor even used paper. However, I did use the free file and discovered that I could use A3 media and the large cutting mat (12 in. x 24 in. ) with the Silhouette Cameo's Print & Cut technology.

Instead of using it as a cut design I decided to use it as a printed element, and instead of using it filled, as in the picture, I used the outline.

This is so easy to do in the Silhouette Studio software; simply choose a suitable colour and change the line thickness.

Now, my first thought was that this would make a great repeated element for wrapping paper and I could print it in A3 and wrap just about any gift.  So I changed my mat to 12 in. x 24 in. and my virtual paper to A3 and off I went, rotating, aligning and duplicating until I had a A3 page of lovely bunnies.

Then disaster struck -  I realised that I didn't have any A3 paper, only cardstock! 260gsm would never work as wrapping paper.

However,  if print & cut would work with my A3 mat, then I could choose a project and fill the project shapes with my new paper. I'd never tried it, but thought if the registration marks will display, then there was a chance it would work.

I chose to make a 3D Tissue Box file, that wouldn't need wrapping and opened Lori Whitlock's Tissue Box file in the same work space. Then I had another Eureka moment - I could delete the bunnies that I didn't need and save on printer ink.

The result? The registration marks and the box pieces printed perfectly. The Cameo read the registration marks first time and cut the pieces beautifully.

There was very little ink wasted (the excess pink shown below was a bleed/printing margin rather than any cutting inaccuracy.)

I was then able to quickly assemble the box and even made a tag with the excess pieces from the top centre of the box.

To summarise then, YES, Print & Cut works with A3 media. Result!

In case it isn't evident, I've just treated myself to an A3 Printer, and I'm exploring ways to use it with my Silhouette, and with crafting generally. If you have an idea you'd like to share, or you'd like me to explore, please add it to the comments below.

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Envelope seals with the FREE file from the Silhouette Store

Hiya! Today I'm bringing you a quick project using the FREE file of the week form the Silhouette Design Store. You may know that I love to challenge myself to make something with the free file every week. It doesn't always happen, but I try to share it when I do.

This week I used the Easter Basket file by Miss Kate (aka Miss Kate Cuttables).  It is free until a new free file is posted on Tuesday 7th March 2017 (the changeover usually happens around 7:00 am GMT).

This file is a Regular Cut one, and most of the items can be used individually. I just used the big bow from the top of the basket.

I decided to make clear stickers from the bow and in the Silhouette Studio software I set up a Print and Cut sheet. This is Letter size to match the size of the Silhouette Clear Sticker Paper.

I coloured the bows using the colour pallet I'd make from the Love You 2 Pieces digital papers from Down the Lane (purchased from Snap Click Supply Co.)

The surface of the sticker paper is very shiny, and the registration marks are often not recognised by the Silhouette machines, so my workaround is to use plain white stickers, as shown below.

I printed out the stickers using my workhorse Epson printer. Now, it does have pigment, rather than dye ink, so the stickers did take a while to dry.

I then sent the stickers to cut through my original Cameo.Here is one of the stickers in use - a pretty addition to a card made with the lovely digital papers (I'll share that in a later post).

I LOVE that I can make embellishments to match my digital papers 💖

Love is in the Air - Valentine Card with the FREE File

Hiya, Today I have made a Valentine's card using this week's FREE file from the Silhouette Design Store - the Love Is In The Air phrase, Design #176413.  I couldn't resist taking it up into the skies!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• Silhouette CAMEO® orPortrait®
• White Printable Cardstock
• Grey Heavyweight Pearl Cardstock
• Vellum
• Card Adhesive
• Adhesive Foam Pads
• Glossy Accents or similar
• Silhouette Adhesive Corrugated Paper
• Love Is In The Air file download by Silhouette #176413
• Amazing Plane by Echo Park file download #125012
• Cloud Borders file downloads #2320 #173527

Here are my construction steps:

1. Make a rectangular card base in grey heavy-weight pearl cardstock in the Silhouette Design software.
2. Adhere a large rectangle of white corrugated paper to the card base.
3. In the software set up a Print and Cut page and arrange the plane elements to fit into a white rectangle. Add coloured frames or strips as required.  Add cut lines to the outside of the rectangle.
4. Ungroup the quote and rearrange it to follow the line of the banner.
5. Copy the plane and banner and add cut lines around the outside.
6. Print and then cut out the elements on your Silhouette.
7. Cut cloud borders from vellum (I used regular and pearlised vellum).
8. Adhere the rectangles to the card with card adhesive.
9. Adhere the smaller elements to the card with adhesive foam pads.
10. Adhere the vellum cloud pieces obscuring the adhesive behind decorative strips of card or tuck the ends under the rectangular pieces.
11. Add some glossy accents to the hearts.
12. Card complete!

This makes for a fun valentine card.  You can change out the colours or materials for a more masculine or feminine look.

The Love Is In The Air design is available free in the Silhouette Design store for one week from 30th January 2017.

Technical Alert !! For these photos I've been experiementing with a light box. I'm finding it difficult to getting a nice sharp focus. Apologies if this spoils your viewing. Do you ever have photo problems?

Challenges Entered:
Crafting By Designs - February Anything Goes
Crafty Creations Challenges - #334 February Anything Goes 
Glitter N' Sparkle - #226 Love is in the Air

FREE Design of the Week - Autumn Leaf Cushion

Hiya,

My apologies! Despite setting myself the challenge of making something with each of the FREE Designs of the Week from the Silhouette Design Store I failed my own challenge! What can I say, I've been busy with lovely things (like my daughter's wonderful wedding), but have also been procrastinating a little too!

Anyway, this week's FREE file is a Geometric Autumn Leaf which I've turned into a new cushion for my sofa.

What You'll Need:
Plain Black Cotton Cushion Cover (Clever Baggers)
Copper Pearl Metallic Heat Transfer Vinyl (MDP)
Teflon Sheet
Iron or Heat Press


Method:

• The only change made to the design was to remove the cutout from the leaf's stem.  I released the design's compound path, deleting the stem cutout and then re-making the compound path.
• The design was then cut from vinyl placed shiny side onto the mat.  There was no need to mirror this design as it was symmetrical and contained no text.
• The cut settings I used on my Silhouette Cameo One were Blade 3, Speed 5, Pressure 8. 
• I haven't used this type of HTV before but it cut and weeded beautifully. 
• I pressed the blank cushion first to move any moisture from the fabric. 
• The decal was pressed using an iron (I love that MDP include instructions for iron as well as heat press) with my Teflon sheet between the decal and the iron. 
• Just a few seconds pressing down hard and the design was stuck.
• I peeled off the backing sheet and gave the design a final press through the Teflon sheet.
• Job done!

The Geometric Autumn Leaf design is available free in the Silhouette Design store for one week from 1st November 2016.

If you haven't yet used heat transfer vinyl why not try this out as your first project?

I'm really enjoying the lovely creative makes coming through my Instagram feed just now. Why not follow along?

Leaf Monogram Frame into Love Card with the FREE design of the Week

Hiya, I'm LOVING setting myself the challenge of making a quick card with each of the free designs of the week from the Silhouette store. This week's is a Leaf Monogram Frame which I've turned into a letter card.

Method:

• I utilised the Silhouette's Print and Cut feature and added an offset cut line to each of the frames and placed a letter in each one using a font I already had installed on my computer.
• The letter frames were printed onto 300gsm card along with the registration marks and cut out with the Silhouette. They were adhered with dimensional tape on to a rounded rectangle shape filled with the same colour as the frames. 
• This was my first time using this lovely smooth printable cardstock which arrived today from Anna Marie Designs. I'm very impressed as this weight of cardstock usually gets stuck in my printer and I have to use a lighter weight card. I was also impressed with the (not so) little free gift of some lovely glimmery paper - thank you Anna Marie! Did I say - the card was on special offer at 29% off too! 
• The background rectangle was mounted on to a card base made from the full width of another piece of A4 300gsm cardstock. 
• That's it, card made!

What I used:

• 2 Sheets of printable cardstock (300gsm from Anna Marie Designs)
• Printer
• Silhouette Cameo
• Adhesive

Yes, that was all!

This card design could be adjusted to accommodate a name (it it isn't too long) or some other neat message. Not just for monograms then!

You Rock Card - using FREE design of the week

Hiya, here's another quick card using this week's free design of the week in the Silhouette store You Rock! Flat Card: Design id#148162).

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
Silhouette Cameo/Portrait
Silhouette Printable Silver Foil
Blue Pearlised Paper or Cardstock
Black Heavyweight Cardstock
Black Coated Cardstock 
Card Adhesive
You Rock! File Download (#148162)


Here are my construction steps:

• Make a rounded-edged square card blank in black heavy-weight black cardstock in the Silhouette Design software.
• Adhere a smaller rounded square cut in blue pearlised paper.
• In the software ungroup and re-arrange the elements to fit the blue square.
• Duplicate the sentiment and weld one copy. 
• Cut out the welded version of the sentiment in printable silver foil together with the small decorative elements.
• Cut out the smaller sentiment in coated black cardstock.
• Transfer the foil items to the card (I used vinyl transfer paper) .
• Adhere the black sentiment pieces on top.
• Card complete! 

This would be a great congratulations or birthday card for a teen or young-at-heart adult. Change out the colours or materials for a very different look.

The You Rock! design is available free in the Silhouette Design store for one week from 30th August 2016.

Hello Card using the FREE Design of the Week

Hiya - here's a pretty card using this week's free design of the week from the Silhouette store - the  Hello phrase: Design id #145991). I mixed it up with another file from the store, the Floral Congrats card from Jennifer Wambach and an extra word made from the Grassy Meadow font by Sweet Elsie. This one is all about the dimension!

WHAT I USED:
Silhouette Cameo/Portrait
White Cardstock (cover weight)
White Cardstock (printable weight)
Black Cardstock
Card Adhesive
Adhesive foam tape
Glossy Accents
Clear Wink of Stella pen
Grassy Meadow Font Download (#119456)
Hello File Download (#145991)
Floral Congrats 5 x 7 Card (#145256)


Here are my construction steps:

• Open the Congrats card in the Silhouette Design software and resize all to approximately 5.5" x 7.7"
• Make a card blank to fit
• Open the Hello file and copy in the flowers from the Congrats card
• Write the word 'friend' in Grassy Meadow font
• Make up a print and cut sheet with the 'Hello" letters, flowers, centres and friend word, making duplicates as required (and some extras for insurance)

• Cut and Print and Cut all pieces
• Assemble layering friend pieces and flowers.
• Use a guide to align the 'Hello' letters (see my Perfect Letter Placement post for more tips) using foam tape for some dimension

• Attach everything with card glue and add some glitter to the petals and centres with the Wink of Stella pen
• Finish with some Glossy Accents in the flower centres.
• Job done!

The Hello phrase  is available free in the Silhouette Design store for one week from 17th August 2016.

I hope you like this one.

FREE Design of the Week - Medal Card

Hiya - here's a quick card using this week's free design of the week in the Silhouette store Medals: Design id #144956).

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
Square Card Blank
Silhouette Cameo/Portrait
Silhouette Printable Gold Foil
Ribbon
Gold Paper
White Wood Grain Paper
Black Cardstock
Card Adhesive
Silhouette Black Sketch Pen
Paprika Font Download (#40924)
Medals File Download (#144956)


Here are my construction steps:

• Cover the card blank with gold paper.
• Make a square in the Silhouette Design software and type on the sentiment.
• Load wood grain paper into the Silhouette and sketch the sentiment with the black pen.
• Cut the square and mount it on the covered card blank. 
• In the software make the top layer of the gold medal into a compound path.
• Cut out the two medal layers in printable gold foil.
• Cut out some black circles and adhere them between the medal layers and behind the medal.
• Thread ribbon though the medal and tuck the ends behind the woodgrain square.
• Card complete! 

I'm sure you know a heap of folk who deserve a medal - and here is a super easy card just for them!

The medals design is available free in the Silhouette Design store for one week from 10th August 2016.

FREE Design of the Week - Enjoy the Ride Mug

I was so pleased to see the lovely free design (Design ID #144689) in the Silhouette Design store this week and knew I had to make something with it. 

I decided that I'd decorate a mug in vinyl with the design and only had to re-jig it a little to make it work. 

These are the main changes I made:

• Reduced the size to fit my mug (to approximately 82mm x 66mm).
• Ungrouped the lettering so that I could re-arrange it around the bike.
• Released the compound path on the bike to delete some of the smaller pieces and the basket work.

The advanced cut feature made for easy selection of the five different colours of vinyl for cutting. 

I was lazy and didn't use an alignment shape as I usually do, I just aligned each piece with the top and left hand edge of the cutting box. I picked up each cut colour with the transfer tape in turn until all the colours were on the tape. Then I transferred the complete vinyl decal to the mug.

Here's the original design. It will be free from the store until next Tuesday morning (August 9th 2016). 

Have I tempted you to make something with the free design? I do hope so.