New Silhouette Machine? READ THIS :)

OK – I have the machine – what now???

I don’t profess to know everything the Silhouette machine can do – I have had some version going back 4 years and I have barely scratched the surface of what this great machine can do.  Lucky for us there are some WONDERFUL talents out there that have simply awesome Blogs and You-Tube Videos that can tell us everything you want to know…from basics to far more complicated projects.

WHAT DO I DO FIRST?

Well first thing you do is get your machine out of the box and get it hooked up.  Silhouette runs on software – the software has to be loaded to your computer – IT MUST BE A COMPUTER of some sort with an operating system – a PC with some sort of Windows OS or a Mac with a MAC OS – it will not work on a tablet or a cloud based system, like a chromebook.

If you received a disk with your machine chances are it is not the latest version of the software – you can load it up from the disk and once you have everything loaded the software may prompt you that there is an updated version available.  You can always download the software too directly from Silhouette http://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software/silhouette-studio/

Note there are a few different versions of Studio software – more in depth info can be found on the Silhouette site linked above

STUDIO – this is the basic version of the software and is free, there are currently two versions – the most current version is referred to as V3 – this version saves files as .studio3 files – there is also a legacy version that is referred to as V2 – this version saves files as .studio files.  You can open .studio files in ANY version of Studio, but .studio3 files can only be opened if you have V3 on our system.  All versions of Studio can also open .gsd and .dxf cut files, all are able to import picture files (.jpeg, .gif, .bmp,.tif, etc…) for tracing

DESIGNER EDITION (DE)– this is a “pumped up” version of Studio – there is a cost to buy it – depending on where you purchase it the cost is anywhere from $20-40.  This gives you a few more tools to play with, along with the ability to open .svg files

BUSINESS EDITION (BE) – this is an even greater “pumped up” version that has all the features of the basic and the DE along with even more tools, including the ability to run multiple machines from one program.

OK – software installed, machine ready to go – now what?

READ, READ, GOOGLE, READ, GOOGLE SOME MORE, READ

Silhouette Manual – yes it can get a bit confusing, but it is imperative you scan through it and get to know the basics through the manual.  It has a lot of good information about the basics – from typing in words to cut, to using the silhouette store, to explaining what all those icons are.

Blogs, Blogs, Blogs & You Tube – there are a multitude of blogs that are fairly specific to the functions of the silhouette machine in general.  While there are many out there I am going to highlight a few of the ones I turn to from time to time when I am trying to figure out how to do something new.

SILHOUETTE AMERICA –  - http://blog.silhouetteamerica.com/ yes Silhouette has their very own blog – did ya know that? – they have a variety of designers that post their own projects using files and materials you can purchase from Silhouette – they also have videos showing how to use the various kits and how to use the various tools in the software -https://www.youtube.com/user/SilhouetteAmericaInc

SILHOUETTE SCHOOL - http://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/ - a very through blog with tons of tips, tricks and tutorials using a wide array of materials.  Melissa does a wonderful job explaining everything – first things first check out her post for newbies - http://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2014/12/silhouette-beginners-and-newbies-start.html

CLEVER SOMEDAY - https://cleversomeday.wordpress.com/ - Kay is a goddess IMO – she has a ton of great information on her blog, especially information pertaining to the technical kinds of things when it comes to Silhouette.  She has an tab on her site that is all about FONTS – something very important in the Silhouette world…love me some fonts – and for those that are in LOVE with Laura Worthington fonts (i.e. the delicious Samantha font) she has some great tips and tricks to get the glyphs working for you in the Studio software – She also has an EXCELLENT You Tube channel filled with all sorts of videos - https://www.youtube.com/user/CleverSomeday/videos - including the must watch Tracing without Tears series

UNDER A CHERRY TREE - http://underacherrytree.blogspot.com/ - lots of tips and tricks and tutorials – especially for print and cut

JOYS LIFE - http://joyslife.com/ has a variety of tutorials available - http://joyslife.com/silhouette-cameo-tutorials/ as well as some great videos - https://www.youtube.com/user/wwwJoysLife

THE PINNING MAMA -http://www.thepinningmama.com – tutorials – also has a great post that links to other great blogs – check it out  http://www.thepinningmama.com/2014/02/19/blogs-to-find-silhouette-cameo-project-ideas-silhouette-cameo-sale-discount-coupon-promo/

INFARRANTLY CREATIVE - http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/silhouette/ - ideas and tutorials

KENS KREATIONS - http://kreativeken.blogspot.com/ - mainly works with the Cricut Explore machine and software, but has some tutorials that can be used with the Silhouette machine – also has some videos utilizing the silhouette machine https://www.youtube.com/user/hesskr

PINK & LEMON - https://www.youtube.com/user/SewCrafty718/videos

GOOGLE WILL BE YOUR BEST FRIEND EVER…I swear…

There are a lot of different blogs and you tube videos out there that cover just about every topic, trick, tutorial out there…there are at least 39 ½ different ones just for those darn glitter ornaments alone.  If you want to know how to do something – just google – type in what you are looking for and viola (although I don’t recommend simply typing in “glitter balls” – not such a good idea) – I usually precede it with “Silhouette Cameo” XYZ.

OK I LIE…GOOGLE WON’T BE YOUR BEST FRIEND  - PINTEREST WILL…

If you don’t already have a Pinterest account I will wait while you go sign up…go on now – head straight to http://www.pinterest.com/ and sign up.  So once you are all signed up be prepared to lose yourself for a number of hours – if you have small kids, just scatter the cheerios on the floor now.  Pinterest is THE place to go – simply create a few boards – maybe a Silhouette Tutorial Board, Silhouette Idea Board, etc… and start pinning – once you put Silhouette Cameo in the search box it is like the skies open and the angels sing.  You will find a multitude of tips, tricks and tutorials and you can PIN them and refer back to them time after time after time…no more “oh where did I see that” or “gee I wish I remembered the web address for the tutorial to do XYZ” – it is all in ONE place…to get you started you can check out my Silhouette Tutorial Pinterest board – a few to get you started – but there are many, many more… http://www.pinterest.com/jenmouer/silhouette-tutorials/

Adhesive Craft Vinyl

Craft Vinyl

what the heck – where do I start….

for decals, walls, signs, home décor, cups, ornaments, windows, etc….

There are many different brands out there – Silhouette, Cricut, Oracal, Avery, 3M, etc…

Silhouette brand sucks…just don’t buy it if you can avoid it…it will work in a pinch and is great to practice on, but the quality and consistency is lacking

Cricut brand – slightly better than Silhouette – if you are in a pinch – most  bigger craft stores carry this

Avery, 3M – never tried them, others claim they are equal to Oracal

ORACAL – this is the NAME you will hear thrown out ALL THE TIME – while they have a few different types of vinyl, for crafters you really only need to know about 2 numbers – 631 and 651

631 – is a matte finish color, it has a lower adhesive WATER SOLUBLE tack and is best suited for wall applications.  It can be used in other projects – home décor, ornaments, signs.  The key with 631 is ask yourself – how is this being handled and will it be subjected to weather.  If you are putting it on a sign and hanging it on your wall – 631 is fine.  

• Soft PVC film (80 micron)
• For short- and medium-term markings, letterings and decorations of exhibition stands and materials
• Service life in exhibition buildings: 3 years
• Polyacrylate, removable

651 – is a glossy* finish color (*matte is available in White and Black) – this has a higher SOLVENT adhesive as well as a glossy coating – this allows the vinyl to adhere better and longer than 631.  If you are making car decals or want to put vinyl on cups and mugs that will be subjected to washing – you WANT 651 (note you can use 631 for car decals and even putting on cups and mugs, however due to the adhesive factor it may not stay on as long as using 651 - with using 631 on things like car windows it will break down and fade a lot quicker than using 651.)

• Special PVC film (70 micron)
• For short- and medium-term markings, letterings and decorations
• Outdoor durability:
• 5 years (black/white)
• 4 years (transparent / colored / metallic)
• 3 years (brilliant blue)
• Solvent polyacrylate, permanent

OK GOT IT – understand vinyl – but how do it get it from here to there…..

TRANSFER TAPE

Once you cut your vinyl and weed it you are left with your design.  In order to not warp the design and/or move it in one continuous piece you need transfer tape.  The two main types most crafters use.  Note with either type depending on your project you should be able to get 2-3 uses out of one piece of transfer paper/tape

Paper – comes with a backing – you peel the transfer tape from the backing and apply to your vinyl and then peel and transfer – paper is suggested for wall applications and I personally like it better for canvas application– you can usually buy sheets or rolls.

Tape – Tape is usually clear and comes in a variety of widths – from 2” on up – most of the time you will find it being sold in roll form.   It can look daunting and expensive (most places sell it in a 100 yard roll) but it last a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time – a lot of people prefer clear tape over paper for projects because you can see exactly where you are placing the vinyl

BUT – I heard you can just use painters tape or contact paper or other cheaper stuff for transfer paper?

Yep – people have had good success using contact paper, masking tape, painters tape to transfer vinyl – however there are a few disadvantages to using those items – most of those are not see through (unless you can find some clear contact paper) and can lead to you applying things crooked – they are not designed to transfer vinyl and can leave a residue on top of your vinyl, you may not see it right away, but rather a few weeks later when dust has collected in the residue – some have a strong adhesive and you may not have good luck getting the vinyl to apply to the object you are trying to apply it to.

WHERE TO BUY

There are a ton of different places you can buy vinyl on-line*** – most places are fairly reliable and have fast shipping – note that shipping is going to depend on where you are located relative to where you purchase from – one person might get their orders in two days, where others it takes 5-6 days.  There are lots of vendors on E-Bay, Amazon and Etsy.  Below are on-line companies that deal with Oracal vinyl – while there are many more I am highlighting ones that have been recommended over and over again  – what is going to be the best really depends on what you are looking for – you might find it cheaper to buy at some place that has free shipping – if you only need a small amount of something

The Vinyl Spectrum - http://www.thevinylspectrum.com/ - Currently sells by the sheet (12x12) and color sample packs available – good place for the small time crafter who needs a variety of 631 or 651

Expressions Vinyl - http://www.expressionsvinyl.com/ - sells by the sheet (12x12 and 12x24) and sells rolls (12” wide) by the yard.  They also sell both paper and clear transfer tape.  Has a rewards program for frequent buyers and free shipping over $75 – can sign up to receive e-mails on specials

API Crafters - http://apicraftersupply.ecwid.com/ - sells by the foot – so if you need 5 ft of one color and 10 ft of another, easily done.  Also sell rolls with price breaks at 10 and 50 yards (rolls are 15” wide).  They also sell both paper and clear transfer tape.  Shipping charges based on order total  *** has matte Black and White 651***

HH Sign Supply - http://www.hhsignsupply.com/

Surry Signs - http://surrysigns.com/

US Cutter - http://www.uscutter.com/

My Vinyl Direct - http://www.myvinyldirect.com/

***Some Joann stores carry Oracal 631 by the sheet

Tips and Tricks

Applying to wood or canvas

Applying vinyl to wood and canvas can be tricky – 651 is the best because of the better adhesive, but 631 can be used.   You really have to rub, rub, rub – on a canvas, flip it over and rub, rub, rub some more…it is best to pull the transfer tape at an angle rather than from top to bottom.  You may find especially on canvases that vinyl will start to lift – go slow- you may have to gently hold the vinyl down as you peel away the transfer tape (one reason I like paper transfer tape for canvas is you can tear away the transfer tape once you get a section adhered down – yes you can’t use it again, but I would rather have my sanity intact).

Once you have your vinyl all down gently warm it with a hair dryer and gently rub push the vinyl into the canvas and/or wood – be gentle as the vinyl can heat up and actually cause you to burn yourself – it also becomes a bit pliable and if you are overzealous with your rubbing you can warp the vinyl.  By warming the adhesive it allows the vinyl to really grip the wood or canvas as it cools down.

DO NOT SEAL the vinyl – a few different things can happen.  As the sealant dries and cures overtop the vinyl it can shrink up and cause the edges of the vinyl to pull.  Some sealents don’t play since with the adhesive of the vinyl, it can seep under the edges and cause the edges to pull up.  Some sealents can yellow over time.  If you are doing a sign for outdoor use it is highly recommended you use any sealers PRIOR to vinyling.

Wet Method

http://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2014/10/vinyl-wet-application-method-tutorial.html

If you are looking for other tips, tricks and tutorials I HIGHLY, HIGHLY suggest getting a pinterest account and search Silhouette Tutorials – there are HUNDREDS of links right at your fingertips – sometimes you may have to try two or three different methods to find what works for you.

Pretty Little Things...

I love earrings...all types - but my favorite of all are french hook ones.

I am lucky enough to have a great friend who does wonderful earring work...I have even made a a pair or two myself...

Add into the fact that just about any local craft fair you go to there are usually a handful of crafters who do handmade jewelry at very reasonable prices...the last purchase I made from a craft fair was 3 pairs for $18...

But french hooks don't lend themselves to storing well...hard to just throw in with other earrings because the hooks grab on to everything...add in the fact that many of mine are long so they have a tendancy to get tangled.

In looking on the 'net I came across a variety of frames used to hang earrings...some had a mesh insert - others used a jersey like fabric - and others plastic canvas. I thought easy enough to make...so I decided to do just that on my Home Alone weekend...come along with me...

Grab a Frame or two - scour your house for an unused frame...or do as I did and hit up your local thrift store - my score below of two frames cost me a whopping $2.15 - 1.25 & .85 cents - one was empty and the other had a god awful picture of some flowers...one thing you do want to make sure of is that it has a ledge that the backing can sit on.


Then paint them up - I HIGHLY recommend to use some sort of spray primer - makes painting on paint a lot easier and far less coats needed

You will need some plastic needlepoint canvas - this can be found at just about any big craft or fabric store - they do come in various stiffness - I choose an Ultra Stiff plastic canvas - I bought a rather large piece (maybe 16x20) for under $2

I then cut a piece of canvas to fit the back of the frame...the frame above had no clips in the back to hold the canvas (many cheaper frames will have little "pins" that can be folded back and forth to remove the backing so you are able to replace the picture) so I had to use some Household epoxy glue to hold the canvas in.

Add some whimsy and hang it up...one of the things I made sure the frame I bought had was handging hardware already on - makes it so much easier...

I painted this one the same color as my bedroom wall - I didn't want it to be a big focal point and overshadow my earrings

I also did some fun stuff with what you see below...but that is a post for another day....

a break in the Holiday overload

Thanks to all these crafty chicks who have blogs my mind is in Holiday Overload…

I have been storing ideas away – some I am running out of time to throw the project together in a exacting fashion…others I so totally want to do them NOW!!!!

But time…time is the enemy – I have to work (to pay for all the craftiness) – then when I get home I deal with 8 year old little girls with homework and Religious Ed class and Gymnastics and Brownies – oh yeah and one of them, PWG, received an early Christmas present from her aunt…her very own simple sewing machine…

So now I have to hover over to make sure she doesn’t sew her fingers together…

I set it up last night and after some curse muttering I finally got it threaded right and dug out some scraps for her to practice on…

The big smile – the look of pure unadulterated joy was worth every moment…

What could be better than that…

Well I left the room for about 10 minutes and came back to find both my girls sitting in the chair together with PWG “schooling” TW in the finer points of sewing a straight line – no fighting, no screams of “This is MINE”…and TW had that same big smile – the same look of joy…

You did good Aunt K…you did good

As if my Craft ADD wasn’t bad enough…

Most thing I take my time with – I research – I hem I haw, especially if it is going to cost me money.

For me crafting is like a sucking black hole..it sucks money from my pocket…I have reams and reams of printouts of ideas and projects I would like to do “One Day”. I will say over the past year or two I have been better about actually completing one project before moving onto the next.

But I find myself delving further and further into all things crafty…it has morphed from scrapbooking to cardmaking to sewing to home décor…there doesn’t seem to be an end in site.

So what did I do today…I bought yet ANOTHER crafting machine…TC is going to kill me…I think I might have to buy something Camo to dangle in front of him when I tell him about my newest purchase…Camo should calm him down…hopefully…

So what did I buy?? Because I already have the Big Shot and the Cricut…what more could I need…

The SILHOUETTE

sweet, sweet silhouette…this will enable me to cut any True Type Font in a variety of materials…paper, cardstock and my newest favorite VINYL….

I could have bought a program for my Cricut that will do the same thing – Sure Cuts A Lot…but from what I have read there are pros and cons for both…While the footprint of the Silhouette is a bit different (8.5x11) than the Cricut (6X12 or 12x12 or 12x 24 – depending on the machine) I was enamored by the ability to save projects on an SD card and use the machine independent of a computer if need be. I also like the idea that you can download images and templates as single units directly from the company.

I do enjoy my Cricut – but I find I am using it a lot more to create home décor and gifts using vinyl and felt for some projects I would like to do the 6” is limiting…I know 8.5” doesn’t give me a whole lot of extra room…but it is a least a little more.

I can’t wait to get my newest toy and start playing…now to go buy something in Camo…

Stalker Friday: For the Love of Purses...

So in order to force myself to actually come to my blog and actually post stuff so I don't fall off the face of the earth I have decided to institute Stalker Fridays...

What are Stalker Fridays...well there are many things i am passionate about in my life and because of the WWW i can stalk people who might share those same passions from afar...Creepy, no?

So for my First Stalker Friday I am going to talk about my love of purses.

Because of a Brownie Vest 2 years ago for Mothers Day TC presented me with a Sewing Machine as my present.

Unless you count Home Ec projects gone horribly wrong I had never really sewed in my life....

So one trip to the local quilting store and one purse class later I was hooked.

The purses I make are not over the top - they are simple and colorful and surprisingly some people are actually willing to pay me for one...

Over the past few months I have decided to try and branch out with my sewing...it is slow going but I have found some wonderful sites to follow

Artsy-Craftsy Babe - simply wonderful - I have no idea who this woman is...but I am sort of grateful I don't know her because I really don't want to be slapped with a restraining order. Her patterns have been featured in a number of sewing books and she has some wonderful patterns available for purchase. She has also been greatful enough to share a few tutorials for FREE - I recently used her PHOEBE bag tutorial to make myself a simply awesome purse. See isn't it cute....


Make It and Love it - oh how I adore this site...I will admit I have never made anything featured on this site - YET (I have the Grocery Bag Holder printed out and stored in my MUST DO ONE DAY SOON pile...) it is a FABULOUS site that not only has all things sewing...but it gives you links to other crafty-licious things...I could spend hours on this site clicking through links...saving projects that I intend to do. One of my most favorite things are the posts about repurposing items...Like for example today she shows how to repupose an adult shirt into an adorable dress for a little girl - GENIUS...go take a look - I'll wait...

Homemade By Jill - Jill is a crafting goddess...she is the UBER queen in my little stalking world...why you may ask...umm Sewing - CHECK, Papercrafts - CHECK, Yarn/Textile Art - CHECK, any other crafty idea - CHECK - from bulletin boards to punched butterflies to sock monkeys to blouse pillows - this chick has got it going on...I stumbled upon her site when I was thinking about making my own curtains and fell in love with the ones she HANDPAINTED - however I chickened out and ended up just buying some (the blame goes to Pier One and thier great sale)

Now I will say there are many other blogs I peruse that deal with sewing...but the above are my go-to places to find something new and wonderful...maybe you too will find something that inspires you to bring out the crafty goodness inside of you...

1st Crafty Post...

Ok, ok so I took it from my "other" blog...but you have 2 posts in one day...

Last year was the first time I actually made something for Halloween and it is addicting...

So for today I give you...

A fun BOO book....

Covers are 4x4 medium weight coasters covered by some Halloween paper that caught my eye ...rest of the paper is Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Lovely Lilac.

BOO is done with Stampin' Up! BIG DEAL alphabet (retired) using Pumpkin Pie ink and the EYES...those delicious large Googly EYES...from a big bag of googly eyes...that I got at a $1 store...a huge bag of eyes for $1...really you can't beat that

Inside pages are 3.75x3.75 with rounded corners...in colors of Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore and Lovely Lilac

I used my binding machine with a 3/8 O wire to bind it all up and tied various ribbons from my stash...

Keep checking back...more to come...