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!

Introducing Sanqunetti Design - new SVG Shop!

I've discovered a new designer of SVG Cutting Files for the Silhouette Cameo, or other cutting machines; Judy at Sanqunetti Design!

Here are some shaker cards I made with her super cute Christmas Monogram SVG files. 

All they needed was the addition of a card base and and extra hole for the shaker portion. Let me know if you'd like a tutorial.

Oh, and I should declare an interest - I've been selected to be a tester for their SVG Files! Can't wait to see what I'll be working on next week.

Docrafts Decoupage - First Steps

I was lucky to receive some samples from Docrafts to blog about recently; a case of right time, right place. However, I was expecting some ready-made toppers, but turns out my mystery envelope contained a generous selection of decoupage kits. I have NEVER done decoupage before, so was slightly intimidated.

Well, I'm no expert at decoupage, but I'm better at Internet searching, so off I went to find some instructions. I discovered some great resources at Docrafts.Com. This video in particular had lots of useful tips on how to use them. Regretfully, I'd attempted to put one of the foiled decoupage toppers together PRIOR to watching the video, and quickly realised the error of my ways once I'd watched it.

I thought it might be useful if I shared some of things I wouldn't do next time.

• Use really thick dimensional pads (my finished topper was WAY too dimensional)!
• Use quick grab pads (mine were cheapie ones from The Works and their use resulted in removing a portion of the foiling!).
• Add dimension to ALL the layers (it was VERY thick).
• Feel duty-bound to use ALL the layers.

Quick grab dimensional pads resulted in spoiling some of the foiling

 What I WOULD do, is:

• Add shape to the decoupage pieces (I used a round-ended moulding tool).
• Remove the paper nibs (I used really sharp scissors).
• Keep my adhesive to the centre of the pieces (I had covered the entire piece).

Anyway, here is the completed card. I used my electronic die cutting machine to make the aperture in the embossed card. I didn't turn out too bad after all!

Making Stencils with the Silhouette Cameo

With an electronic cutter, like the Silhouette Cameo, stencils are cheap and easy to make. 

I make reusable stencils and masks from translucent plastic subject dividers. 

Mine are quite old and were bought in the US, very similar to these, they are softer and less brittle than the polypropylene 'popper'-ed wallets. The slight colouration is useful as they show up on your cutting mat.

They can be used with texture paste, spays, mists or with ink blending tools and stamping ink.

If you have a Silhouette cutter and use the Silhouette Online Store you can download and cut designs very easily; just search 'background', 'overlay', 'mask', 'doilie' or 'doily'.

This one is the Wood Pattern Background by Tanya Batrak, design #49120. I think it works equally well for water as in my Origami Fish project.

This one is Flower Scolloped Circle Simplified by Samantha Walker design #4836.

Other favourites of mine are Antique Doily by Lori Whitlock design #15658 and Scattered Raindrops background by Loni Stevens, design #26878.

I designed this set myself, but it very similar to the Honeycomb Screen by Jennifer Wambach design #56061. It shows how you can easily adapt the design to mask out a portion of the stencil. Folks have been asking me for cut settings and a video - I'll have to get back to you on that!

Craft, Hobby + Stitch International 2014 - part 2

My first (crafting) love, is paper crafts. I love the colours and textures and inexhaustible possibilities in both 2-D and 3-D.

My favourite adhesive for 3-D card and paper work is Beacon 3-in-1 and I think this is amply illustrated by my next craft show make.

Made mostly in card, I also used embossing powders, air dry clay, paper wire and home made acrylic buttons. The lighthouse rotates to display a bottle of 3 in 1, and at the very top of the tower there is an LED light. I hope you like it - I loved making it!

If you missed it, pop back to part 1 and see what I made in 3D in fabric.

Design Credits:
The Ensemble - Janet Packer (aka The Crafting Quine),
3D Letters & Numbers, 3D tag base - SVG Cuts
Capstans, Seagulls, Boat sails, Lighthouse - SVG Attic
Ship's Wheel, Boat base, Anchor: Bird's Cards

Craft, Hobby + Stitch International 2014 - part 1

If you aren't following the action at Craft Hobby + Stitch International trade show at Birmingham NEC you should! The Twitter feed is buzzing at @CrftHobbyStitch.

My contribution to the show has been to make a host of items using some of the vast range of Beacon Glues for Mark at Creative Products Distribution.

Now the show is underway I can share them with you.

You'll already have seen the hot air balloon made entirely with stiffened fabric using Beacon Stiffen Stuff.  I found another Beacon product, Fabri-Tac was perfect for sticking the stiffened pieces together, and I used this combination again to make this fabric rose.

You can see how beautifully the pieces cut on my digital cutter, as the stiffened sheets were perfectly flat and made full contact with the cutting mat.

 

 

 

I decided to test even smaller cuts, and made this little information card to go along with the balloon.

This final picture shows just how small that swag is (yes those are inches!).

I'll share more of my makes with you in part 2.

Design Credits:
Janet Packer (The Crafting Quine),
3D Balloon, 3D Tag base, Rose: SVG Cuts

Using Real Designer Paper

This weekend I had the chance to play with some REAL designer paper and an ace cutting file. 

The stress at work has finally lifted and I rewarded myself with some really nice designer paper from Graphic 45 called Bohemian Bazaar. The colours are wonderfully bright and well complemented by my favourite teal cardstock from Paper Mill Direct. 

I purchased the cutting file from SVG Cuts, and selected to make the eye-catching 3d telephone from the Call Me Later set.

I made some additional elements using the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition.

Firstly, a dial, partly for nostalgia's sake, and partly to try out my new EC shape tool (14mm rounds). The dial was scaled to fit around them. Purists may notice that there is one number/button missing. That's down to lack of space ... and artistic licence!

Secondly, I made perforated shapes to go over the ear and mouth pieces. It just seemed to need that finishing touch.

I'm happy to share files containing these shapes (they'll be in the proprietary .studio format). Just leave a comment, follow this blog, then email me at libraryquine AT gmail DOT come, and I'll send them to you.

I'm so impressed with design and quality of this paper. It is very much thicker than the other brands of designer paper I've used so far. I've applied to join their NING to get more ideas on using this product.

Now - what to make next?

Iron gates with heat embossing

I love the metallic looks you can achieve using embossing powders.

This card was made using the WOW! brand embossing powders and all items were cut files, or print and cuts from the Silhouette Online Store and made on my Silhouette Cameo digital cutter.


 

The iron gate, cut on my Silhouette Cameo from a design by Jennifer Wambach, was heat embossed three times using WOW! Primary Ebony Regular embossing powder. The finished gate had a great tactile quality.

The snowdrop embellishment, also designed by Jennifer, was miniaturised  (top right on the card) and 'enamelled' with WOW! Clear Gloss embossing powder to make a badge.

I'm just wandering what else I can 'iron-ize'!

Update: I was very happy to win our Silhouette Cameo FB page's Charity Card Challenge with this card. All the cards in the challenge were donated to Maggie's Cancer Centre in Aberdeen.  The goodies from Graphtec GB (UK distributors for Silhouette digital cutting machines) and That Craft Place (UK FB shop) were great! 

Winter Themed Greetings Card

 

Winter-Themed Thank You Card 

From the number of sources listed below you can see that I take bits and pieces from all over - in fact you could call me a digital bin-diver!

This was my first composite greetings card, and was pleased (make that overjoyed) to be placed in our Silhouette Cameo FB page's Winter Card Challenge. The goodies from Graphtec GB (UK distributors for Silhouette digital cutting machines) and Creative Products (UK distributors for Beacon's glue) weren't too shabby either! 

Materials:

• White card - AC Cardstock (heavy weight 216gsm/80lb)
• Dark blue card - Bazzill Basics Paper (premium cardstock 'Preppie' 80lb)
• Blue w/snow background paper (free with Papercraft Essentials, Popcorn collection/Crafter's Companion)  
• White pearlescent vellum - Create & Craft (112gsm)
• Silver buckram embossed paper - Papermill Direct (103gsm)
• Smooth white card - Southfield (225gsm)
• Die-cut Snowflake - re-purposed*
• Stick-on gems - re-purposed*

 
Construction:
 
Overall:

• Approx 6" x 6" gate fold

Front:
2 rectangles of background paper  - cut to approx. 65mm x 138mm
2 tree branch lace panels (Sil Store Design ID #30043, Totally Jamie) - re-sized to approx. 67mm x 140mm 
16 vellum snowflakes (Sil Store design ID #35761/#35758, Kolette Hall) - shrunk to various sizes 
 
Inner:
1 rectangle background paper - cut to approx. 144mm x 138mm
1 vellum snow bank - cut freehand
1 back panel from 3d trees wall art (Sil Store design ID #26171, A Little Hut) - re-sized to fit a frame approx. 146mm x 140mm
12 vellum snowflakes (Sil Store design ID #35761/#35758, Kolette Hall) - shrunk to various sizes
1 circle cut freehand from silver buckram
3 owls (Open Clip Art design cute owl, by rones ) - re-coloured, sized to approx. 55mm x 40mm, print and cut, stacked and stuck
2 (1 of each design) speech bubbles (Clips-n-Cuts, speech bubbles, by Vicky Papaioannou) font (DaFont, Seriously, bythebutterfly.com), stacked and stuck


* Thrifty Quine's Tips:  No. 1 - Steal all the embellishments from your old greetings cards.