FREE cutting file - Accessory Trays

Hiya, over on the Silhouette UK Blog this weekend I have a project to help organise all those invaluable Silhouette bits and pieces that accumulate when you use your machine. I used the Two Compartment Candy Box by Lori Whitlock, added some custom-designed accessory trays, and decorated the outside with panels cut from Silhouette Wood Effect Vinyl. I included a FREE accessory tray file too to keep blades, penholders and sketch pens all in one place.

You can also download the FREE Accessory Trays cut file here. The file is in .GSD format which can be opened with any edition of the Silhouette Studio software. From the Silhouette program select File > Open, then navigate to the downloaded file and click OK.

There are two versions in the file, one is taller than the other. The taller one is for sketch pens, to bring the coloured tops closer to the top. It also has more holes which are a fraction larger. The shorter one accommodates all the blades and is sized to allow the AutoBlade enough headroom, as it is taller than the others.

You can mix and match the holes, just Ungroup each version (select one, right mouse click, select Ungroup) and duplicate or swap the sets of holes.

You can also adjust the size and spacing of the holes.

To adjust the size, duplicate a set of holes, move it to one side and adjust all the circles simultaneously (hold down Shift, Alt, Cmd on a Mac and move one of the corner sizing handles either in or out). If you increase the size, check that they still fit within the square part of the tray. If not, you can adjust the spacing, as shown below.

To adjust the spacing, duplicate as above and ungroup the set of holes (select, right click, Ungroup, then Ungroup again). Using the Drawing Tools, draw a square over the existing dotted lines and then move it over the duplicate set of ungrouped dots.

If you need to make the holes larger than the above method allows (if they overlap the edges) then select one of the holes, open the Transform panel, and adjust the with and height as required (I chose 1" to accommodate a Stickles bottle).

Delete the remaining holes and using the Replicate panel, select the remaining hole and make a row of three.

Then space them evenly within the square by clicking on the Horizontal Spacing in the Transform panel.

Then group and then duplicate the row using column of three in the Replicate panel.

Then space the holes evenly using the vertical option in the Transform panel.

When you are happy with the spacing delete the square, group holes, and move them back to the tray, deleting or moving the original set.

For the ideal storage of Stickles and similar sized bottles, the legs will need to be shorter (even shorter than the short-legged version). You can adjust the height either up or down by using point editing of the points on the end of each leg. I'll save that explanation for another post. If you are in need of it meantime, let me know and I'll expedite it!

I hope you'll find this useful.


Happy New Year!




Designs used:

Geometric 3D Christmas Tree Box

Hi there! Today I'm sharing a sophisticated Christmas decoration using a versatile cutting file from Simply Crafty SVGs.  I've used the Christmas Tree Box, a 3-dimensional tree that can be used as a special gift box, or simply used as a pretty decoration.

I love metallics, and I love geometric patterns,  and when I saw this fabulous decorative paper I couldn't resist trying out an alternative holiday colour scheme of blush pink and rose gold. It's from the DCWV Lively Geos 12" x 12" paper stack. I used a Silhouette Cameo 3, and the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition of the software to cut all the pieces for the box. However, the SVG files can be used with other desktop cutting machines and software (details here).

Materials Used:
Walnut Bazzill Textured Cardstock
Octagon Patterned Paper from DCWV Lively Geo 12 x 12 Stack
Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive
Galaxy Gold Brilliance Dew Drop Ink Pad
Copper Jingle Bells from Paperchase
Silhouette Cameo or other digital die-cutter


Files Used:
Simply Crafty SVGs Christmas tree Box


Cutting the Pieces

This file is very economical in paper use; I rearranged and rotated the pieces a little and cut all the pieces from two sheets of 12-inch square walnut cardstock and one sheet of 12-inch square patterned paper.


Constructing the Box

Sandy of Simply Crafty SVGs has made a fab assembly video for this box. In order to add gold ink to all the fold lines, I assembled the box before adding the decorative panels.

Decorating the Box

The tear-drop shape of the ink pad  makes it easy to apply gold ink to all the folds.  This gives the box the appearance of being gold all over once the panels are attached. I loved that my clumsy over-inking would be covered too!

I also inked the edges of the decorative panels to hide the white edges.

I applied the panels a little higher than suggested in the video so that they were centred. They seemed to fit just fine that way.

The box was finished off with a string of copper jungle bells tied around the base of the first tier. With hindsight, I'd have hung them individually from the top tier before I attaching the tiers together. I'll certainly do that next time I make one.

I'm looking forward to adding this to my Christmas decor  - sorry friends, this one's staying at home with me!



Janet, DT Member Simply Crafty SVGs

Blog: Crafting Quine 
Instagram: @CraftingQuine



Simply Crafty SVG Files:
Christmas Tree Box

Heart Lock Box by Simply Crafty SVGs

Hello.  Janet here with a lovely gift box to give for Valentine's Day. I've used the SVG file for the Heart Lock Box from Simply Crafty SVGs with just a tiny bit of extra embellishment and the tiniest bit of manipulation, to make it my own. 

This heart-shaped padlock box is a delight to make. Heart boxes can be a bit tricky to put together with umpteen tiny tabs to glue simultaneously, but this box is cleverly designed with the minimum of tabs to make construction straightforward.

I used the Silhouette Cameo and the Silhouette Studio software, but the file can be made with most cutting machines and software that can use SVG files. Check the FAQs for additional information.


Materials Used:
Pink AC Cardstock
Silver Mirror Card
Silver Glitter Card
Silver Glitter Ribbon
Beacon 3-in-1 Adhesive
Silhouette Cameo


Files Used:
Simply Crafty SVGs Heart Lock Box

Other Digital Files: 
Screw Head Embellishments by Jamie Cripps (Studio or SVG)

BOX ASSEMBLY

The box part is constructed from pink cardstock. It's hard to see here because I added an additional front panel in silver glitter card to cover the lid entirely.


DECORATIVE HANDLE/SHACKLE

The handle was made as directed in the accompanying PDF instructions. It is essentially a 3-part sandwich with glitter card as the filling, surrounded by layers of silver mirror card. the cutouts give an engraved look.



DECORATIVE FRONT PANEL

I added some additional decorative cutouts to the large front panel. The were 'borrowed' from the shackle by releasing the compound path on the shackle and copying them to  the lock panel. Additional impressed lines were added by hand using the tool shown in the key section (below).

The circular part had an additional piece added to the centre, allowing the edges of the original (in glitter) to show. It was made by releasing the path on the original, copying it, and then releasing it's compound path. Then the size of the outer circle was decreased whilst keeping the keyhole in its original size and position. In short, a smaller circle, but with the same size keyhole.

The only 'non-standard' parts added were the screw heads, cut from silver mirror cardstock.



DECORATIVE KEY

Two copies of the key were cut so that they could be adhered back-to-back.  I used the tool shown to impress some lines into the cardstock. The mirror cardstock is quite soft and required little effort to make quite deep marks.

Finally the key was attached with a silver ribbon and the project was complete.

The file is newly available in the Simply Crafty SVG Store.  It is a lovely container for any small Valentine's gift - jewelry, favorite chocolates, or JEWELRY (maybe my husband is listening)!

Bye for now,
Janet, DT Member, Simply Crafty SVGs


Blog: Crafting Quine 
Instagram: @CraftingQuine



Simply Crafty SVG Files:
Heart Lock Box

Little Wooden Boxes made with Wood Effect Vinyl

Hiya, I have new post over on the Silhouette UK Blog today using Silhouette's new Wood Effect Vinyl. Today's project uses this new product to decorate some of Lori Whitlock's new Polygon boxes.

These boxes are made in dark brown cardstock and decorated with panels cut from wood effect vinyl in maple and walnut. Additional images in contrasting vinyl are applied on top (stag, tree, camp).

The boxes would make great little gift boxes for rustic jewellery and small crafts, but larger versions would be pretty enough to be displayed in their own right.

You can get great results by adding vinyl to cardboard. The wood effect vinyl gives a great wood look finish, and intricate decorative designs are easier to cut from vinyl than from cardstock. I hope you'll try it.

My post on the Silhouette UK Blog gives details of the product, how to cut it, and how to apply it to the cardstock boxes.

Snow Lady using Simply Crafty SVGs Snowman Stacking Box Set

Hello, Janet here with my first 3D Christmas project of the year using the Snowman Stacking Box Set from Simply Crafty SVGs.  I've turned the snowman into a glamorous 'snowLADY' using the Silhouette Cameo's Print & Cut function with digital papers and elements to make new accessories.  I used a Silhouette Cameo® 3, but of course these SVG files can be used with other desktop die cutting machines (details here).
 
My finished Snowlady ended up just under 12" tall, with the largest box at 6.5" across and 4" tall, and the smaller one at 4.5" by 3.75".  The original sizes can be found with the Snowman's listing in the Simply Crafty SVGs shop.

MATERIALS:
White Pearl Card (large sheets)
Black Pearl Card
Red & White Baker's Twine
Down the Road Snow Flurries Digital Elements
Down the Road Snow Flurries Digital Papers
Versafine Embossing Ink
Judikins Iridescent Sparkle embossing powder
Sizzix Embossing Folder & Stamp - Fun Stripes Set by Hero Arts
Small gems
Beacon 3-in-1 Glue
Inkjet Printer
Silhouette Cameo


The Snowman Body
I made the whole snowman a little larger to fit some bigger gifts inside. To do this it is necessary merge all the files that make up the snowman onto one tab, selecting all the pieces and enlarging the biggest piece to fit the largest piece of card. Of course, you also need to check that the largest piece to be cut from smaller card fits too.


The Body Box
The two boxes are cut from white pearl card and constructed using the instructions in the PDF included with the Snowman Stacking Box Set files.  The top of the lid of the larger box is 'filled' with a snowflake design from the set of digital papers and then print and cut with printer and Cameo. The scarf lid edging was filled a plain paper from the same set.


Scarf
The scarf tails come from the digital set, substituting them for the original scarf tails, but using them to gauge the sizing.  All the scarf pieces were stamped with embossing ink and then heat embossed with the iridescent powder to give sparkling stripes.

Buttons
The buttons were cut from coated black card with just the top piece embossed using the striped embossing folder. Once constructed they were mounted to the base using dimensional foam pads.

Mittens
The mittens were a new element taken from the digital elements set and sized to match the project.  I print and cut three copies of each glove (one set was a mirror image of another), cutting a slit in one of each. Three copies of the mittens were layered with the slit copy in the middle of the sandwich and with baker's twine trapped inside. The bakers' twine was placed close to the position that the head box will sit on the body lid and then stitched in place using embroidery thread.

Head
I attempted to substitute some more feminine facial elements, using a berry from the digital elements as a nose. I can't pretend that I didn't have several attempts at this, and I'm not entirely sure I achieved it. Maybe you can do better?

Hat
This is my favourite part. The hat parts were cut straight from the file and decorated with print and cut digital elements from the elements set. These were enhanced with the addition of some Glossy Accents, extra small shapes, sequins and adhesive gems.

... And that completes the snowlady.

It was such fun to combine the SVG file with digital elements to make something unique. I hope you'll try it.



Bye for now,
Janet, DT Member Simply Crafty SVGS

Blog: https://CraftingQuine.blogspot.co.uk
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftingquine



Simply Crafty SVG Files:
Snowman Stacking Box Set


Additional Digital Files:
Down the Road Flurries of Fun Digital Elements
Down the Road Flurries of Fun Digital Papers

Make Custom Insets for Your Gift Boxes and Gift Cards

Hiya. Today on the Silhouette UK Blog I have Part 2 of the 'Decorate Your Phone Kit'. Last week, in Part 1,  I shared a tutorial on making small decal sheets from re-coloured Print & Cut designs. Today I have 3 mini tutorials, completing the gift box, showing how to;

1. make a custom box insert,
2. make a gift card or sheet holder, and
3. scan the gift (to use in customising the box insert and making phone cover sheets).

Pop over to the blog if you think you'll find any of these mini-tutorials useful. They can easily be adapted for all sorts of presentation boxes and gifts.