Silhouette Blog

FREE Shape of the Week :: Offset Stencil Tutorial

2013-06-18T10:01:00.001-06:00

Happy free shape Tuesday! I am loving the quotes and phrases that are in the online store lately, and the quote by Mother Teresa in this week's free shape is no exception. I like to have inspirational quotes like these displayed around my house, so for today's project I thought I'd use the free shape combined with one of my favorite backgrounds to make a little piece of home decor.

I like the combination of the pattern and phrase, but sometimes trying to combine text and a background pattern can be tricky. They either compete with each other, or the letters just get lost. In paper crafting the simple solution is to offset the shape and create a mat for the phrase to sit on. So, I figured why not try that same technique when creating the stencils for this project. It worked like a charm! :) Here's how you can make your own...

Start by drawing a rectangle the size of the wood piece you are going to paint. Then, open the free shape and size it to fit nicely inside that rectangle.

Once everything is sized, open the offset window. Then, select the phrase shape and click offset. Using the down arrow, reduce the offset distance to .085 then click apply.

Here you can see the border it will create around the shape...

Next, open and size the chevron shape. Then, move the offset shape you just created right over the top of it. To make sure it is centered, select both the the offset shape and the chevron, open the align window and click center.

Before moving on to the next step you'll want to be sure that the offset shape is in front. {right click and bring to front} Then, with both shapes selected, open the modify window and click 'subtract'.

After that step it should look like the screen shot below, and they are all set to be cut out of stencil vinyl.

You can see on the finished product here, that by cutting the offset out of the background it gives the phrase some nice breathing room.

I hope this little tutorial is helpful and that you enjoy your new shape!

Shape:

4 3 x 4 life cards

Supplies:

Stencil Vinyl

Print and Cut Party Invitations

2013-06-17T12:41:00.000-06:00

Hi there! Do you have a summer party to plan and need a little inspiration? Browsing the shapes in the online store might be just what you need! The other day while I was looking through the newest shapes in the store, I found the 'slumber party girl' and that one little shape inspired these print and cut invitations...

I love how easy it is to make my own invitations by combining shapes from the store and some of my favorite fonts!

Have you tried the print and cut feature yet?

Print and cut tutorials:

Turn a regular cut shape into a print and cut
DIY Labels
How to print and cut

Shapes:

All of the shapes used in today's project can be found in the shape bundle here.

Simple Saturdays :: Simple Scrapbooking

2013-06-15T14:03:00.000-06:00

Happy Saturday! I hope your weekend is going well. Today I wanted to share with you a few ways to scrapbook quickly, but still make your pages beautiful. I don't know about you, but weekends are often the only time that I have to sit and scrapbook, and now that it's basically summer 'round these parts, I want to be enjoying the outdoors with my free time! Enter simpler scrapbook pages...

For most of us, the reason we scrapbook is to tell a story. I want to let you know right now, that every page does not have to be a masterpiece! It is perfectly okay to have some simpler pages in our albums. But of course, we still want them to look good. SO.

Here are my tips for scrapbooking simply, without making your pages look dull.

1. Use a sketch or page map of some sort as a jumping off point.
This will take off half the time! I feature a new sketch on the blog every Thursday, and there are plenty more out there to inspire you as well. For this particular page, I used a moodboard that I found on pinterest as my inspiration.

moodboard via ohidesign blog

Which leads me to my next tip...

2. Use a large repeating shape.
By using a large repeating pattern, you can add a lot of "wow" to your page with minimal effort. I created a diamond shape in Silhouette Studio and cut several out of scraps of patterned paper. I also cropped my photos into the same shape. {cropping tutorial here}

3. Add dimension, without adding a lot of "stuff".
In this case, I crumpled my papers and added foam squares to the back of my photos to give them a little lift. This helps the page to feel less flat, without adding a lot of embellishment. The only embellishments I really added were a few buttons, staples and some washi tape.

4. Use adhesive-backed products to cut down on glue time.
You can see that I've cut a bunch of letters out on my Silhouette. I made sure to use adhesive-backed cardstock, which has been a go-to for me lately if you haven't noticed! :) I love how easy it makes it to adhere my Silhouette cuts, especially small letters or anything intricate.

And lastly...

5. Embrace your inner minimalist!
I am one who loves to cram stuff onto my scrapbook pages. I love layering and putting lots of "cute things" on each page. But, sometimes less is more! It's nice to have a "restful" page to come across in my albums every once in a while, and I also find that it leaves the focus on the photos and the story.

So, with simplicity in your mind, I hope that you will take these tips to heart! And I encourage you to share your simple scrapbook pages on Instagram (#mysilhouettestory) or via our Flickr group. Can't wait to see your lovely and simple pages!

Supplies:

Adhesive-Backed Cardstock

Font:

Cactus Black

Weekly Shape Challenge & Giveaway

2013-06-14T09:34:00.000-06:00

Hello, Friday! It's time for another giveaway winner & a new shape challenge. Our giveaway winner from last week is 'B-Fab' {love that name btw!}. { please email me at blog@silhouetteamerica.com and include your silhouette account email address so we can issue the prize credit to your account! } There was such a great response to the font challenge and so many inspiring ideas, thanks for sharing!

Now, for this week's challenge shape... banner, tags and backgrounds.

As some of you know, I have a love for anything party related, so of course I went that direction with this week's challenge shape. Sometimes it's just the small details, like a tag or label, that take the ordinary to something kind of adorable and unique. This shape, with all of it's pieces to mix and match, is perfect for those last minute details...

Now, the paper straws with sprinkles inside are totally functional just as they are, but they aren't nearly as cute without the tiny tag.

Wondering what sprinkle sticks are? :) I wouldn't blame ya! I kind of made them up as I went along, but they are super easy to make and are a fun way to have your guests add their own edible sparkle to cupcakes or ice cream treats. To make them, seal one end of a paper straw, {I used my tiny attacher} fill with edible sparkle then seal off the other end and add adorable tag. With the 4th of July around the corner I went with a patriotic theme, but how fun would these be at a gender reveal? Fill them with either pink or blue sprinkles depending on what you are having, then have everyone at the party tear them open at the same time!

I can't wait to see what you all create with this week's challenge shape!

* * *

For this week’s challenge, I decided to do something a little bit different and try a mixed media project. I have really been trying to make sure that my daughter knows that I want her to follow her dreams. I want her to know that she can do anything. I hung the canvas in her bedroom as a little reminder that I am rooting for her!

I cut out a bunch of tags, used some circles for a stencil, and the banner shape was the perfect home for my title. I had so much fun building up the layers of the canvas with paint, tissue paper, a bit of gesso and all of the pieces that I cut from this week’s shape {there are eleven – what a bargain!} Sometimes it’s fun to just let go, have fun, and get a little messy! Here are some of the details:

I created the clouds by layering some of the labels together in Silhouette Studio, welding them, and then I used my knife tool to flatten out the bottom. I love taking shapes and using them in unexpected ways.

Do you want to enter this week's Shape Challenge and Giveaway, here's the scoop...

Challenge rules:

*Create a project using the selected shape {this shape will be chosen from the most popular downloads, so most of you will already have it... but if you don't, feel free to submit a project using the weekly free shape instead}

*Leave a comment on this Weekly Shape Challenge post before next Thursday @ midnight MST with a link to your project {If you don't have a link no worries, just email us a picture of your project and leave a comment letting us know we've got mail}

Each Friday following the challenge announcement, we will select a winner at random from the comments to receive a $10 download credit to the Silhouette online store! Also...we want your projects to be seen, so each one submitted will be featured on our Weekly Shape Challenge board on Pinterest.

Happy crafting!

Thursday's Sketch :: Interactive Card +Video

2013-06-13T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! It's Thursday again...which means it's time for a sketch!

This week it's a very simple card sketch, but I've added an interactive element that's super cute and fun for the lucky recipient!

Camera icons have been trending for a while now and there are so many options available in the online store. I thought it would be nice to do something a little bit different, and have a little polaroid that you could pull out of the camera.

I love that a simple detail can instantly turn a pretty cute card into an awesome and amazing card! I put a heart on this one, but it would be just as adorable with a different shape, a phrase, or even a photo on it. I also think this kind of card would look great featuring a typewriter instead of a camera, with the paper at the top pulling out. So many possibilities, and I hope you'll give it a try!

I've created a very short video tutorial on how to create the interactive element. Enjoy!

PS - How awesome are the new bundles? It makes things so easy! You can find today's shapes here.

*The shapes used in today's project are now offered in the online store as a bundle. This means you get all of the shapes in the bundle at a discounted price for a week after the post. As you can see in the screen shot of the bundle above, all of the individual shapes included in the bundle are linked below the main bundle image. If you already have one or more of the shapes in your library, those will be marked 'I own it' and the bundle price will be crossed out with 'your price' below it. This price is for only the shapes you don't already own. Bundle pricing is a great way to build your library while saving money! :)

A Little of This and That

2013-06-12T09:15:00.005-06:00

What are some of the shapes in the online store that you are loving right now? For me it is the 3d storage shapes like this 4" x 6" life card holder.

There are several boxes in the store designed to hold the 4 x 6 cards and I picked this one because of the tabbed card shape that was included, and it's a miniature magazine holder and that's just adorable! My original idea was to use the tabbed cards as dividers, and to organize my growing collection of cards by color. Then as most of my crafting projects go, I got another idea I had to try. {Does that ever happen to you?} So, I used the text tool in Silhouette studio to create a days of the week background for each tabbed card and printed them in a simple black and white.

The look of them reminded me of a coloring book so I got out the colored pencils and colored in some of the days. {quick side note: how cool would it be to make your own custom coloring pages by just turning the cut lines of your favorite shapes into printable black lines that you can print out for the kids?}

Then...{are you starting to see why I titled this post a little of this and that ? :) } to draw a little more attention to the specific day, I used my printable white sticker paper and made a few stickers to add to each card.

From cutting a box out of chipboard, to print and cut cards, to DIY stickers... I kinda like where this crafting tangent ended up!

What fun projects are you working on today?

To find the shapes in today's post, see the *project bundle here.

FREE Shape of the Week :: Father's Day Card

2013-06-11T08:00:00.000-06:00

Do you have a handyman in your life? I think this week's shape was made for him, and just in time for Father's Day even.

dad toolbox card

This toolbox card shape definitely makes me think of my own dad. He was quite the handyman, and I like to think I got the DIYer in me from him. :)

So, about the shape, you'll see when you open it that it includes all of the pieces to make the card, but it never hurts to add a little embellishment, right? Metal seemed fitting, so I added a couple of staples and used the rhinestone setter to attach a few small metallic rhinestones.

Then, to keep the card closed I added a small glue dot to the top, center of the 'dad' flap.

There is plenty of room on the inside to write a short note or to include a little coupon book, and if you want to include a gift card to his favorite diy shopping spot, click here for a quick tutorial on turning this card into a gift card holder.

Happy card making!

Supplies:

rhinestone setter

metallic rhinestones

*Find assembly instructions here.

Something for Dad

2013-06-10T11:06:00.000-06:00

Father's Day is just a few day's away so today I thought I'd share a simple project that would be great as a gift for dad to hang in his office, or as decor for a special Dad's Day dinner.

Supplies I used :: 'The worlds greatest dad' shape, two pieces of cardstock, adhesive and an 8" x 10" frame.

I started by opening the phrase shape in Silhouette studio. Then, I used the rectangle tool to draw an 8" x 10" rectangle. To center the phrase inside the rectangle, I selected both shapes, opened the align window and clicked center.

I cut the shape out of black cardstock, then adhered just the negative space over the top of an 8" x 10" piece of off-white cardstock. Then, I went back with my glue pen, adhered all of the insides of the letters and the word 'world's' inside the banner and popped it in the frame. Super easy!

What are you making for dad this year?

Simple Saturdays :: Vinyl Decor

2013-06-08T09:25:00.000-06:00

Hi there! Are you ready to get crafty today? I have a simple home decor project that, with a little help from my CAMEO and a 9" roll of vinyl, came together in just minutes.

I made this cute label for my pantry door using just the fonts I have on my computer. {If you haven't already come up with an idea for the weekly shape challenge, this project fits the requirements this week!}

To get started I opened Silhouette studio and used the text tool to type out the word 'pantry'. Sometimes I know exactly what font I want to use before starting my project, but for the times I don't, I start by typing the word in the default font. Then, before sizing it or making any changes to it I select the word, then click on the first font in the text style window and press the down arrow key on my keyboard to scroll through the font list. As it scrolls through the fonts it will change the word I've typed to the font so I can see what my specific word will look like if I were to use it. So, I just scroll until something jumps out at me. This time it was the Lavanderia font, which is one of my favorite scripty fonts.

Then, so that the word cuts out in one piece instead of individual letters, I adjusted the character spacing so the letters overlapped slightly, opened the modify window and selected weld.

Then it was all set to be resized and cut. Once the word was cut out, I removed the excess vinyl and used the transfer tape to apply it to the door. Transfer tape is life saver when it comes to applying vinyl, especially words and phrases. It transfers it to the surface just as it was cut out so I don't have to worry about lining things up, or trying to get the spacing right. I'm a fan!

Then, I used the scraper tool to smooth it down, making sure all of the little pieces adhered nicely and carefully removed the transfer tape. Super easy, and I love the results!

I hope you get some crafting time in today so you can give this a try!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Weekly Shape Challenge & Giveaway

2013-06-07T08:54:00.001-06:00

Well, happy Friday everyone! I'm here today with another 'shape' challenge, but first let's congratulate the winner of last week's giveaway... Karen Hasheck! {Karen, please email me at blog@silhouetteamerica.com and include your silhouette account email address so we can issue the prize credit to your account! }

Ready for this week's challenge? Instead of a specific shape from the online store this week, your challenge is to create a project using fonts. Yep, any font you already have on your computer can be cut or printed from Silhouette studio, so find your favorite/s and use it in your project. To clarify, your project can use shapes as well, but the focus should be the fonts. :)

We took on the challenge and here's what we came up with...

Jen made a Father’s Day card and did a customized print and cut with her fonts using the offset tool! She has done a full video tutorial with all the details here.

I am a sucker for typography, especially ampersands. So, for my project I made a pillow using an ampersand in the 'american typewriter' font. I loved the shape, but it was a little on the thin side so I bolded it using the offset technique and cut it out of bright green fabric. It is such a fun pop of color in my living room!

Do you want to enter this week's Shape Challenge and Giveaway? here's the scoop...

Challenge rules:

*Create a project using any font from your computer

*Leave a comment on this Weekly Shape Challenge post before next Friday @ midnight MST with a link to your project {If you don't have a link no worries, just email us a picture of your project and leave a comment letting us know we've got mail}

Have a crafty weekend!

Thursday's Sketch :: Hello Sunshine

2013-06-06T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hello Sunshine! It's starting to feel like Summer around here, so for today's sketch I wanted to create something bright, cheery, and a bit playful.

I used bold and vivid colors paired with some vellum clouds and water-colored butterflies for a bit of whimsy. I love how the softness of the clouds and butterflies adds that finishing touch without being over the top.

For those of you wondering if there's an easier way to adhere tiny diecut shapes to your projects, why not pull out your sewing machine or stapler? It's a great way to add a bit of a different texture to your pages, too!

Hope you enjoy today's sketch and be sure to share your projects! Speaking of which...I would love to get some feedback from you lovely readers.

What would you like to see from the Thursday's Sketch blog posts? Would you like more video tutorials? More card sketches? Less of me rambling on about random things? Please leave a comment letting me know what you would love to see more of! Thanks!

It's a good day. Go be awesome!

Looking for the shapes used in today's project? Check out the featured bundle here!

Summer Quilt

2013-06-05T08:50:00.002-06:00

Hi there! I'm curious, have you used your Silhouette to create fabric appliques? I have cut out small appliques for pillows and tshirts, but until recently I hadn't done anything on a larger scale. Then, I designed this little summer quilt and found out just how easy it is to cut out larger appliques {using the tiling method} for quilting projects. I am still amazed at what the Silhouette does for my crafting!

With the thousands of shapes to choose from in the Silhouette online store, anything you can dream up, you can cut out and add to your quilt. Including all of the fonts that you have on your computer so you can even personalize them for gifting.

If you use your Silhouette for quilting, we'd love to see your handiwork! Feel free to share a link to your project in the comments below, upload photos to our flickr group, or email me at blog@silhouetteamerica.com.

Happy quilting!

Looking for the shapes used in today's project? Check out the *featured bundle here.

*The shapes used in today's project are now offered in the online store as a bundle. This means you get all of the shapes in the bundle at a discounted price for a week after the post. As you can see in the screen shot of the bundle below, all of the individual shapes included in the bundle are linked below the main bundle image. If you already have one or more of the shapes in your library, those will be marked with an 'I own it' and the bundle price will be crossed out with 'your price' below it. This price is for only the shapes you don't already own. Bundle pricing is a great way to build your library while saving money! :)

FREE Shape of the Week :: Tag Set

2013-06-04T08:42:00.000-06:00

3 tags

Happy free shape Tuesday, crafters! This week's shape has a little something for everyone, and can be used for scrapbooking, card making and gift wrap too!

Depending on your project, you can mix and match the little bits to fit your needs. I made this 'for you' tag to go on a thank you gift, and though the geotag that comes in the shape wasn't really the look I was going for... the heart inside the tag was just what I needed. So, easy fix, I just ungrouped the geotag, deleted all but the little heart then cut it out of vellum. Super versatile, right?

Something to note about this shape... The text on the flags is super intricate , so filling it with color and doing a print and cut will give you the best results! {new to print and cut? here's a quick tutorial}

Tags are one of those things I like to have on hand. You just never know when you are going to need to put together a last minute gift, or have a few minutes to work on your scrapbook. Better to be prepared I say!

I hope you enjoy your new shape!

I Spy - Game for Kids

2013-06-03T11:36:00.000-06:00

Summer is here, {wahoo!!} and if you've got young kids at home there are 3 little words you are bound to hear at least once this summer... 'Mom, I'm bored!'. So, how about a quick way your Silhouette can help you keep the kids out of the bored zone? { for an hour or so anyway :) }

First, find a shape in your Silhouette studio library or in the online store that your kids would be excited about, and cut several of them out of vinyl. Then, use the transfer tape to place them in random spots around the house {inside and/or outside} in door jams...

in closests...

on bookshelves...

or behind curtains...

Then, send the kids off in search of all of the shapes!

Super simple, right? The great thing about this game is that you can make up your own rules, and make it as easy or hard as you need for the ages of your kids.

Happy Summer!

Shape: click on the shape below to link to it in the Silhouette online store.

ninja

Simple Saturdays :: All in One Card

2013-06-01T13:19:00.002-06:00

Happy Saturday! It's Jen here, with another simple project to get you crafting this weekend! I don't know if you have looked at the cards available in the online store lately, but I'm telling you, there are some really cute ones. Today, I specifically wanted to show you this fan card.

Isn't it cute? This particular card comes with all of the pieces sized and ready to assemble. It even includes a sentiment for the inside of the card that says, "I'm your biggest fan". Love it!

There are several cards in the store that include everything you need to make adorable cards in minutes! Another thing I love about these cards is that you can simply cut and assemble the parts and be finished, or you can dress it up to fit your style! All I added on this card was a little baker's twine and an enamel dot to the center of my fan. So easy, and this card would be perfect for any dad, with Father's Day coming soon {can you believe it's June??!!} I encourage all of you to take a look at the many cards available and make a card today!

Shape: click on the shape below to link to it in the Silhouette online store.

your biggest fan card {10.75" w}

Weekly Shape Challenge & Giveaway

2013-05-31T06:26:00.001-06:00

Hi crafters! Awesome job on last week's shape challenge and CONGRATS to Michelle, who is the winner of the challenge! {Michelle, please send me an email {blog@silhouetteamerica.com} including your silhouette account email address so we can issue the prize credit to your account! :) }

So, are you ready for your new challenge? This week we did things a little bit different and invited two of our favorite bloggers to create a project using this week's challenge shape, and they are here today to share them with you! I think you are going to be inspired by what they've created...

Hi, I'm Jessica, and my blog is Mom 4 Real. I absolutely love making pillows! Pillows can be very expensive, and if you are like me and like to change your home decor often, then buying new pillows to match your decor is not an option. When I saw this Today is the Day For Being Awesome image on in the Silhouette Online Store, I new I had to make a pillow using it. Now every time I see it, I smile.

I used the freezer paper stencil method to make my pillow. It is so simple and inexpensive, a must try if you haven't used it before...

I started by smoothing a piece of freezer paper shiny side down onto my Silhouette mat. I chose my image, then set my blade to 3, and started the cutting process.

Once cut, I pulled the freezer paper off of my mat and ironed it onto some white fabric that I am going to use for my pillow. Iron the outside part down instead of the actual letters.

Next, I chose my paints and gathered my stenciling brushes. I dabbed a thin coat over the entire area.

Once the entire area is covered, pull your stencil up. You want to do this while the paint is still wet.

Let dry, then you can sew your pillow using whichever method you prefer.

Now, doesn't this pillow just make you feel like you are going to have the most awesome day ever?

* * *

Hi Everyone! I’m so excited to be guest posting here on the Silhouette blog today! I’m sharing an easy project that is quick to make, but can be enjoyed for a long time to come!

Enjoy!

Nikki, In Stitches

Chalk designs….it’s hard to not see them pretty much everywhere you look these days. And to be honest, I can’t get enough of them. (Want a peek at some of favorite chalkboard design ideas? Here’s one of my newest Pinterest boards: Chalk Dust On My Finger Tips. Can you tell I was once a teacher?)

But if you’re going to put that kind of time into a design, whether it be a framed piece in your living room, or a monogram for your door, you want it to stick around for as long as possible, right?

So, below you’ll find my how-to for making permanent “chalk” designs….no actual chalk required!

Materials:
Slate tile
Vinyl
Vinyl transfer paper
Silhouette Cutting System
White paint and a paintbrush
Lightweight sandpaper

Directions:

1 Start with a piece of slate. These can be found at your local craft store in a variety of sizes and shapes!

2. Cut your vinyl stencil with your cutting system, and apply it to your slate using your transfer paper. Make sure you have smoothed out any air bubbles, and your vinyl is adhered well to the slate. We want a crisp, clean design!

3. Paint your stencil with white craft paint and let dry completely.

4. Carefully remove your stencil.

5. With the lightweight sandpaper, gently sand the design and the slate to make it look like chalk!

Couldn’t be easier, right? And now you don’t have to worry about your beautiful “chalk” design smudging after you’ve spent so much time working on it!

* * *

Do you want to enter this week's Shape Challenge and Giveaway, here's the scoop...

Challenge rules:

*Leave a comment on this Weekly Shape Challenge post before next Friday @ midnight MST with a link to your project {If you don't have a link no worries, just email us a picture of your project and leave a comment letting us know we've got mail}

Thursday's Sketch :: Letters + a video

2013-05-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

Jen here, wishing you a happy Thursday! I had so much fun with this week's sketch...I think you'll love it too!

This week's sketch includes a 12 x 12 photo, which is so fun for showcasing landscapes or photos that you simply just LOVE. You can see that I've purposely chosen a photo with lots of "white space" {or the space the space that the subject doesn't occupy}, so that I could layer different elements over the top of the photo!

{It's really super hard to tell in the photo, but my title is at the bottom, cut out of vellum}

Before I was the owner of my treasured Silhouette CAMEO, ahhh... {but seriously.}... I hoarded letter stickers. That was the scrapbooking supply I could never seem to get enough of. I loved all the different fonts, sizes, colors, etc. Still do. Well, when I was making this week's layout, I noticed that I was able to create a variety of fonts, colors, and styles of letters, just with my Silhouette. Let me share a few with you...

1. Those adorable black letters are cut from adhesive-backed cardstock. Any way to make adhering the letters a little bit easier is alright in my book! {my scrapbook...hehe} I also used a sketch font paired with a black sketch pen to write the days of the week on my little tabs.

2. Here, my '4' is cut out of simple cardstock, the light blue is some more adhesive-backed cardstock, and then I've got my pink print & cut letters + printable sticker paper. LOVE those print and cut letters. They were a free shape a while back...

3. Letters are a great way to use up patterned paper scraps, like I did on this cute little 'Travel Notes' card.

4. Lastly, I've cut a title out of vellum. Although it's a little hard to see, in real life, it gives just the right finishing touch to the bottom of my layout.

Of course, these aren't all the ways you can use lettering on your layouts. In the past few weeks, Jeana has shown examples with Printable Gold Foil and Chipboard as well. I even added a few more of those pink letter stickers to the inside of my journaling cards.

I love how easy it is to customize your layouts with lettering. Not to mention, it's very inexpensive if you use the fonts you have on your computer. I hope you'll give some of these ideas a whirl on your next scrapbooking layout!

And...for those of you wondering how to print a 12 x 12 photo for your divided sheet protector from your 8.5 x 11 home printer, I've created a little video tutorial using Silhouette Studio. I also give you a few ideas on how to use Silhouette Studio to plan your scrapbooking layouts. Enjoy!

Shapes: click on the shapes below to link to it in the Silhouette online store.
4 x 6 project life frames

echo park travel notes

Font:

Agency FB

Arial

Brandish

Huxley Titling
Jeana Sketch

Wisdom Script AI

Supplies:
Adhesive Cardstock
Printable White Sticker Paper

Darling Nursery a'la Silhouette

2013-05-29T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hi there! Today I want to feature a project that I kind of fell in love with when I saw it in my inbox. It was just too darling not to share!

Cheri from I am Momma - Hear me Roar is expecting a baby girl and used her Silhouette to help her get the nursery ready for the baby's arrival. Here is a quick peek at the finished product...

I saved my favorite for last... How cute are the gold vinyl clouds in the closet?

Thanks for sharing your nursery with us Cheri, so many adorable details!

For more photos and project details, including tutorials, check out Cheri's blog here.

ps. Jen and I are on our way to Canada to visit some of the Michaels stores in the Toronto area. If you have been thinking about buying a machine, have some questions and want to see how it works, check with your local Michaels for demo times. {or if you just want to stop by and say hi, we'd love that too!}

FREE Shape of the Week :: Sketch Camera

2013-05-28T10:18:00.001-06:00

sketch camera

Happy free shape Tuesday! If you are a fan of the sketch pens I think you are going to love this week's sketch shape, and if you haven't tried them yet, this little shape is a great reason to give them a go!

I really like the hand drawn look of this shape and I can see using it quite a bit in my scrapbooking. Like here on this journaling card...

To make the card, I used the rounded rectangle tool to draw my 4" x 6" card shape. Then, I opened the camera shape, re-sized it to fit in the corner of the card and deleted the border around it. Then I added the cute sketched border to the card. {This is one of the perks of the designer edition of Silhouette studio!}

To create the border, I selected the rounded rectangle shape, opened the offset window and selected internal offset. Then I adjusted the offset to .110 and clicked 'apply'.

Next, with the smaller rectangle selected I opened the sketch window and chose 'Scribble' from the Edge Sketch menu. Then, I clicked on Advanced Options down at the bottom of that window.

Here I used the toggle under 'Loop Size' and reduced it to 23%.

Now that my shape was designed and ready to sketch, I replaced the blade in my CAMEO with the black sketch pen and loaded the mat as shown in Silhouette studio. Then, I opened the Cut Style window and with the outside rectangle selected I clicked on No Cut. This way, the CAMEO will know to only sketch the camera and scribbled border.

Then, I opened the Silhouette Cut Settings window and selected Silhouette Sketch Pen from the menu and clicked Cut.

Once the shapes were sketched, I left the mat in the machine, and replaced the sketch pen with the blade. {if you unload the mat between sketching and cutting, the rectangle shape will likely not cut perfectly around the sketched shapes}

Then, back in the Cut Style window I selected no cut for the sketch shapes and cut edge for the rectangle shape.

Voila, all ready to cut out!

Once it was cut out, I added the fun print and cut thought bubble with a couple of foam squares to give the card a bit of dimension. It's got such a unique look, I can't wait to use it on my next layout!

Happy sketching!

Shape: click on the shape below to link to it in the Silhouette online store.
word bubble collection

Font:
Amatic

Patriotic Home Decor

2013-05-27T11:19:00.001-06:00

It being Memorial Day, and with Independence Day right around the corner I thought I'd share this simple, patriotic project I made to display in my home for the holidays. To create it, I used a frame, one piece of patterned paper, one piece of cardstock and glossy accents {used as my adhesive}.

Directions::

When you open the shape in Silhouette Studio you'll notice there are two star shapes...

I just wanted the star that had the tabs, so I went ahead and ungrouped them and deleted the one without the tabs. Next, I sized the star to fit my 8" x 10" frame and cut it out of the cardstock. Then I cut the patterned paper down and put it in my frame. All that was left to do at that point was to fold along the perforated lines on the star, add adhesive to the tabs, adhere it to the center of the paper inside the frame and enjoy! :)

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and I'll see you back here tomorrow with the FREE Shape of the week!

Shapes: click on the shapes below to link to them in the Silhouette online store. The size listed is that of the shape used in today's project. When entering this size, be sure to click 'lock aspect ratio' first.

3d star

Simple Saturdays :: Gift Wrap

2013-05-25T09:10:00.000-06:00

Hello, and happy simple Saturday! Today I want to share a quick idea that will take simple gift wrap from ordinary to something a little more personal and fun!

First, you'll start with a plain glassine bag. It's like a blank canvas, and with your Silhouette it will take just minutes to dress it up. Next, cut a piece of patterned paper or cardstock just slightly smaller than the bag and slide it inside. Then, add your gift/treat and seal the bag closed with a little bit of washi tape. In Silhouette studio you can create a custom label like I did here, or you can use one from the online store that is already designed for you. Add that to the top of the bag, and you're done. Easy peasy and super cute!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Shapes: click on the shapes below to link to them in the Silhouette online store.
assorted round frames
thank you
echo park flowers

Weekly Shape Challenge & Giveaway

2013-05-24T08:18:00.000-06:00

Hi, and welcome to your next shape challenge! This week's shape is scallop badges from Sophie Gallo designs. In my shape library, it is filed under 'basic shapes' which is one of my go-to's as a jumping off point for most projects. It is simple, and not theme specific, so it just works well combined with other shapes.

I used one of the badges to create my summer bucket list...

I printed something fun I want to do or accomplish this summer on each one and added a small hole at the top to keep them together on the jump ring.

After I've completed something on my list, I'll take it off the ring, add a bit of twin to the top and use it as a tag in my scrapbook. {cute, right?!} One down... and a whole summer full of things to go!

In honor of school getting out {Summer’s here! Wahoo!}, Jen decided to make a fun little curtain to hang in her daughter’s doorway. When she wakes up Saturday, she will have a bright and cheery reminder that it’s the first day of Summer Vacation!

What will you create with this week's shape?

Challenge rules:

** Congratulations to Ashley Horton, who is the winner of last week's shape challenge! Ashley, please send me an email including the email address you use for your Silhouette account.**

Have a great weekend everyone, and happy crafting!

Thursday's Sketch :: Anniversary Card

2013-05-23T08:00:00.000-06:00

Hey there blog followers! It's me, Jen, with a cute and simple card sketch for your Thursday.

My husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary yesterday, and I thought it would be fun to share the card I made for him!

This cute phrase, "Hello. Also, I love you.", has been floating around on my pinterest boards for a while now and I finally decided to put it into action when I came across the new script "hello" in the online store. {love those scripty words and I used adhesive cardstock so they were easy to attach!}

Believe it or not, my card actually started out fairly masculine, seeing as it was for my husband. I made all the banners blue and distressed the edges of my banner but...I just could not resist adding the flower, the heart, and those cute layered butterflies!

Oh well. I figured that our anniversary was about us, so the pink could stay. :) It was really fun to create and I hope you'll give this sketch a try! It is super versatile, especially if you switch the banner for another shape, or rotate it. I know I will definitely be using it again! Don't forget to share your creations in our Flickr Group or #mysilhouettestory on Instagram!

Shapes: click on the shapes below to link to them in the Silhouette online store.

hello {3.210"w}

echo park butterfly {.845" w}

11 hearts {.730" w}

5-petal flowers {.485" w}

Supplies:

Adhesive Cardstock

Using Patterned Paper and Fabric to inspire your Silhouette projects

2013-05-22T10:41:00.003-06:00

Happy Wednesday, friends! How is your project coming along for the weekly shape challenge? If you are stuck, and not sure where to get started, here is a little something that helps me get in the creative groove... I like to rummage through my patterned papers, or fabrics and choose the first one that jumps out at me. Then, I'll use it as my inspiration for either the color scheme of my project or I'll use the pattern as a my theme. For today's project I was inspired by both the floral pattern and the color scheme from the paper I chose...

and came up with this confetti filled party balloon. My little niece has a birthday coming up and I'm gathering party decor ideas for the big day. I think a bunch of these are going to look darling tied to the back of the birthday girl's chair!

The best part about them is that they are super easy to make!

Here's what I used :

I found several floral shapes in the online store that resembled those on my paper so I cut them out of coordinating cardstock colors to create the confetti. I poured the confetti into a clear balloon, filled it with helium and instead of tying the balloon with curling ribbon, I used a long, thin strip of fabric. {twine or ribbon would be cute too I think!} Then, I cut the number 5 out of my inspiration paper and and tied it at the bottom of the balloon. Next, to get a little bit of the confetti to stick to the sides of the ballon, I added a little static. This may sound funny, but the easiest way to do it is to rub the balloon on your head. If you have kids, I recommend recruiting one of them for this job :) They'd look cute with static hair, me, not so much.

Well, I hope you'll go through your paper or fabric tonight and get a little inspiration to finish your challenge project. I can't wait to see what you create, and hear the story behind it!

Have a great day!

Shapes: click on the shapes below to link to them in the Silhouette online store.
floral sprig
flower set

FREE Shape of the Week :: Pallet Art

2013-05-21T09:23:00.003-06:00

try a little kindness

Hi there! Can you believe a week has already passed, and it's time for another free shape? Well, I am excited to share this week's shape with you. Myself and the other girls here at the office are swooning over this one! It's got that hand drawn look that is so popular right now and combined with a little stencil vinyl, wood and paint, it makes for darling home decor...

Today's project is simple and can be done fairly quickly which means it is craft night friendly. So, lets impress your friends with your crafty skills and then show them how they can make their own, shall we? :)

First, open the shape in Silhouette studio and resize it to fit your board.

If your project is going to be larger than 9" you'll then want to ungroup the shape and slice it in half. Then cut each half out of the stencil vinyl and apply it to your boards using the transfer tape. Once you've got the stencil placed, use your scraper tool to make sure that any air bubbles are out and that the edges of the stencil are adhered really well. Then, carefully remove the transfer tape.

Now you are all set to paint. For a more distressed and aged look, you don't even have worry about getting even coats of paint.

It doesn't take long to dry, but once it is mostly dry you can start peeling off the stencil vinyl to reveal your design. The hook tool is going to come in handy here for removing all of the little bits inside the letters and flowers.

Once you are done removing the vinyl, all that is left to do is sit back and admire your work...

Now, I really like the phrase that comes with this shape, but it can easily be swapped out for a family name, another inspirational phrase or a little reminder you need in your home, using the type tool in Silhouette studio.

So...when is craft night? ;) But really, I'd love to see what you create with this shape so send me an email, upload your project to flickr or our facebook page so we can all be inspired!

Happy crafting!

Supplies:
hook tool
scraper tool
stencil vinyl

*I found the pallet board {pre-made, yay!} at Archivers