Tips and Tricks for the Beginner Silhouette User

If you are looking to purchase a craft cutting machine that allows you not only to cut paper, vinyl, heavy cardstock, and fabric BUT also allows you to have complete freedom over creating your own images by using their designer software than you really need to look into either the Silhouette  Cameo or Portrait machines.

Its been about 3 months since I got my Silhouette Cameo and I still LOVE it as much if not more than I did when I got it. I swear if that machine could sew you would need no other machine in your craft room. The Cameo and Portrait are so multi-functional in terms of cutting there is in my eyes nothing else that can compare. I have used die cutting machines and watched my friends use other brands of paper cutters, however nothing compares in terms of versatility.

I have made so much with it in just a short few months. I have to admit though my favorite thing to make with it are the 3D Shadow Box Cards. I probably use it the most for cutting out stencils and vinyl wall art. I have recently tried cutting fabric with it and can't wait to start using it more for my quilting. You can make some killer appliques using this machine.



I have learned a few things over the past couple months that I think any new Silhouette user would benefit to know

1. When inserting your blade ALWAYS make sure the line with the blade lines up perfectly strait out in front of you. If you lock it in and the line is off to the side it will not cut properly.

2. When using a new mat if you have to use thin paper you really need to use your spatula to pull up all the paper. Use caution so you don't rip your paper. Some thin paper likes to stick and separate on the adhesive mat.

3.Always make sure that when you are inserting your mat into the machine that it is lined up with the rollers. Its always a good idea to lightly wiggle the mat to make sure that its securely under the rollers. If it is not when you go wiggle the mat it will move. If the mat is not secure under the rollers when the cutting starts your mat will start to slide around and you can risk the blade cutting through the mat.

4. After your mat has lost some of its stickiness it is very important to use a roller and roll your paper to secure it to the mat. This will prevent your paper from not adhering to the mat and start sliding around. This can cause the blade to not cut your paper properly, risking cutting your mat, or worse ruining your blade.

5. After using fiberous materials its best to pull out the blade from the machine and blow into the blade hole to get the dust and particles out of there. That build up can effect the way it cuts. Same thing with the vinyl when cutting small pieces of vinyl sometime it can stick to the blade as it passes by. Its always a good thing to keep your blade area particle free.






I hope that these tips can help you when you are working with your cutting machines.

Happy Crafting,

Shadow Box Valentine's Day Cards

Valentine's Day Shadow Box and Shaker Cards

There is no hiding that I am 100% in LOVE with my Silhouette Cameo. This year I plan on diving in to some new adventures with the Silhouette. So I took a new step in the designing end and actually created my own template for a shadow box card. Most templates that I have seen are open on the top and the bottom. I wanted to be able to seal up all the sides. The download for this card will be available soon. I will make sure to post it for you all. 

The first thing I did was go through all my paper and picked out some of my favorites. In this photo you can see that I have 2 different sheets of paper in. These are 6" x 12" textured card stock. I like to use these because they are usually the perfect size for projects like these putting the paper waste to a minimum. One tip for you cricket and Silhouette users is once your cutting mat starts losing is stickiness make sure you use your roller to secure it down. This will help eliminate the paper from sliding around once the blade starts moving and cutting. 

The next thing to do is to either stamp or decorate the front of your cover and the inside of your boxes. Then its time to fold them on the perforated lines. Start by folding the four small tabs in. The first line (inside line) you fold towards the inside of the box. The 2nd line (outside line) you will fold in the opposite direction.You can see the diagram for some assistance.  However when making the shadow box card you can either fold the bottom so that the scalloped tab is on the inside or you can completely remove the bottom tab so your shadow box card can stand on its own. However when making the shaker card you will need to fold your bottom tab the same way you did the rest of your tabs. You can read more about the shaker card below. 

The next thing on to do is to start gluing your sides together. The easiest way I found to do this was to place your dot of glue on the inside of your little tab and then secure that to the other flap to seal your corner like in the photo. Make sure to carefully wipe away any access glue that may have squeezed out. 


After all your corners are glued together  you will want to pick out the images that you are going to use on the inside of your card. You can cut your images, stamp your images, or even use some pretty stickers that you may have lying around. 









After you have finished embellishing the inside of your card it is now time to glue your 2 main pieces together. I found it was best to start one side at a time leaving the top last. Make sure your sides line up as even as possible. This will insure no gaps or spaces. 

 Valentine's Day Shaker Card

Follow all the same instructions as listed above up for the starting process. After you have glued and secured all your corners you can start on your shaker card if that is the route you would like to take. 

The shaker card has the same concept except I cut out a square piece of transparency paper to fit the inside of the front of the card. This is to secure the shaker fill on the inside of the card. 

So take your glue and evenly spread it out making sure that the outer edges and edges around the heart are glue thoroughly. However don't leave any big globs so that the paper doesn't get wavy and bumpy. 

 After you have let the glue dry you would continue the process of embellishing the inside of your card. However make sure that your inside embellishments have had ample amount of time to dry before continuing on. 

After your inside is dry you can start sealing up the bottom and the sides of your shaker card. Set aside to dry for a hour or two. Next slightly wedge open the top of the card and put in your shaker fill. I had made some heart confetti to put in their. After you are done filling your card you can glue the top shut to seal that. Set aside to dry for a couple hours before shaking it. However once your shaker card is fully dry by all means

Shake, Shake, Shake!!!!!

Happy Crafting!

Stephanie

New Years Resolutions

*Let's Bring on 2013*

We have learned a lot not only about yourselves but we have learned so much through doing our crafts and sharing them with you. This has been an amazing year. We look forward to an even better 2013!!!

We would like to share some our our blogging resolutions that we have made for ourselves, to bring you a better and more friendly experience when you drop by to see what we have done.

Stephanie: 1.) My first resolution that I would like to start with is....That I will post at least 3-4 times a month. I am hoping to get at least one a week. It would be awesome if I could double that but a realistic goal would be once a week.  2.) My second resolution is to introduce more crafts using the Silhouette. Keeping in line with this. I will be releasing for limited time, downloadable vectors for you to cut out for your own personal use. These downloads will be in .PNG or .SVG format so that you can use them not only for cutting machines but that you can print and cut the out to use in our own scrappy way.  3.) Last but not least I would like to see some interactivity between us and our readers. I plan on having link up parties and more giveaways. I know I would love to see what you all do during your crafting adventures.

Crystal: 1) My first and foremost goal is to kick off Kiki Love Creations' first Scrap-a-long! This will get me back into something that I use to love but lost the time for. This scrap-a-long (SAL) will include monthly challenges. A few months will have techniques that I will demonstrate prior to the challenge. Anyone can join in the fun and I will be posting my project at the end of the month and encourage anyone participating to submit their works as well! Watch for the first SAL within the first week of January! 2) My main craft is crochet and this past year has taught me that not only do I love to make things from other's patterns, but I love to design my own as well. Over this next year, I would like to release at least 6 patterns for Kiki Love Creations! 3) My last goal is somewhat vague and I apologize for that but I would like to step outside my comfort zone and learn a new craft that I normally wouldn't consider. What is it you ask? I'm just not sure yet! But when I do figure it out, you'll be sure to get all the details right here on the blog! And if anyone wants to help with ideas, feel free to comment with suggestions!

We would like to take a moment to thank all our family members, friends, and fans!! You all have been the most amazing supporters of our adventure. Without you none of this could have been possible. 

We will see you in 2013!!!!!

Happy Crafting,

Crystal and Stephanie

More cutting with vinyl

As much fun as I had over the Halloween season using my Silhouette,I have to admit that starting to work on Christmas stuff has been even more fun. I know it may sound silly but I don't know how I survived all this time without my Silhouette Cameo. I have also been getting ready for a craft show coming up this weekend. I wanted to share some of the fun things that I did this week using vinyl cutouts

 I honestly never imagined that I could do all the things that I do on my Cameo. It is simply the most user friendly electronic cutting machine that I believe is on the market. If you are a designer or even if you are not a designer I highly suggest getting the designer deluxe package. Having that package allows you to  create, alter, basically draw up anything you can think of and cut it out.


Recently I have started working with vinyl and it's very easy to work with on the Silhouette. I have used it on walls, windows, wood, and best of all I love to use it as a stencil for other projects like glass etching

These past couple weeks I have been involved in a couple craft fairs and I was even able to make some of my tags using the Silhouette.

Here are just a few other things that I have made recently 

 Look for more Silhouette project ideas to come in 2013.

Happy Crafting,
Stephanie

Cutting Vinyl

A few months back my husband purchased me the Silhouette Cameo. I have to say I am in love with this machine. There is so much that you can do with it. I wanted to share some of my sample pieces that  I have done using vinyl.

I Love working with my Silhouette and starting in 2013, I will be sharing more Silhouette crafting ideas.

If you own a Silhouette we would love to hear what you think of yours.


You can also follow Silhouette's blog.









Happy Crafting,
Stephanie

Homemade Memory Game

Who remembers the game Memory?

Well back in the day it was one of my favorites. This year my son has really started to get into the game as well. I thought this was the perfect opportunity to sit down and use some of my new Halloween stamps by Studio G and also some images that I found and created myself on my Silhouette. I also used the Silhouette to cut all the card stock. 

To color the images I used a variety of different materials. Most of all though I used a new water pen I just bought and my Studio G inks to give the pictures a water colored look. My writing partner Crystal had just taught me this technique a few days earlier and I couldn't wait to try it out.I think they turned out pretty nice. 

I used Elmer's spray adhesive to glue all the card stock together. Each card is made of 2 separate borders, a colored border and a black border. They also have a 2 1/2 inch green and white card stock sheets for the support. 

My little guy plays this all the time. Have you ever created your own games at home? What did you make?     

                                                               

 Happy Crafting 

Stephanie