The Silhouette Cameo paper village

These houses were a lot of fun to make. The designs come from the Silhouette Store. I think they are called Ledge Village houses if you wish to look them up! There are more that I haven’t yet made. They are the perfect size to fit on the picture rail in my living room.    And they make me smile whenever I look at them. I especially love the washing on the line.

I made them all from American Crafts cardstock. And the colours were entirely dictated by the colours I had left. I realise that trees aren’t usually purple. But I like it anyway!

Playing with vinyl

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of the Silhouette Cameo. She’s probably my most used crafting tool. (Yes, that’s right, I said she. I’m sure she’s a sentient being!!)

Mostly I have used the Cameo for paper crafts, as pretty paper will always be my first love. However I’ve been dabbling a little with the idea of vinyl over the last few months. I finally took the plunge a little while ago and cut some vinyl. I read all kinds of tutorials about transfer tape and mirroring your design and nightmares with non-straight application. For those wishing to read or watch tutorials, YouTube is your best friend!

Although I was  a little afraid at first, it was surprisingly easy. The first piece I made (shown here) was from a file at the Silhouette Online Store. I had to resize the design and mirror it (which means to flip it!). The Cameo had no problems at all cutting the vinyl. I then weeded the design (which means to remove the bits you don’t want) and used transfer tape to attach it to the back of a picture frame I had lying around.  The frame is 6 x 4 inches so it’s quite small. I just added some digital patterned paper that I’d printed out and it was done. It’s small and simple but I was pleased with it! The picture shown here is from Instagram.

With my second attempt with vinyl I got a little more ambitious and decided to design something myself. I think I’d probably seen the phrase on Pinterest and liked it. I have a million fonts – well nearly – so the hard part was deciding which one to use!

I also wanted to try something different so this time I used canvas as my base. This was so easy I was amazed! I gave the canvas a couple of coats of paint, and once they were dry added the vinyl. There are two different colours in my design and I attempted to line them up correctly. I’ll be honest and say that I didn’t manage it perfectly, but hopefully that will just take some practice!

This canvas is somewhat bigger than the first piece, it’s about 20 cm square (or almost 8 inches in old money!) I’m working up to a big piece for over our bed. Hopefully I’ll get round to that eventually!

A lamp made from paper

 I do love to play with pretty paper. Here is a prime example of that – something I made for no reason other than I felt like it!

The lamp was made using a file from www.svgcuts.com (I’m very quickly becoming addicted to their stuff!). It was cut using my trusty Silhouette Cameo, I still love this machine and use it at least a couple of times a week. I used American Crafts cardstock (it’s the best I’ve found for cutting). I think the patterned paper is by K & Company but I’ve had it so long that it’s hard to be sure!

The tiny led candle I got at a local Pound Shop. Although the paper I used for the panels is quite thin, the light doesn’t really show up as well as I’d like. So next time I’ll use vellum for the panels. I also think I’d weigh down the next one with some beans or rice. Just to help it stand up straight!

Missing you card

A card sent on its way and now received. I even have a photo of it in its new home all the way across the pond. (Although I was glad to receive it I confess to being more interested in the person holding it!)

Materials: White A5 card blank. Circles made using the Print and Cut feature of the Silhouette Cameo. Cloud designed by me and print and cut in the same way.

 

New home artwork

Something new that I’ve been holding onto for a while, and can finally blog: The No Place Like Home piece.

Made for my sister and brother-in-law using card-stock, printer ink, glue and a whole lot of love 😉

The artwork itself is A4 in size, so it’s quite a big piece. The mailbox is thanks to the inspiration of my husband, so I dedicate it to him as he comes from the land of mailboxes that look like that!!

This was yet another time to realise how much I love my Silhouette Cameo – every home should have one. Or better yet, everyone should contact me so I can make something for their home using mine!!

The yellow version

I was so pleased with the black and pink version of the butterfly picture that I decided to make another one. Quite obviously this is a yellow and white version!

I think these could be made in just about any colour combination. And perhaps with different shapes other than butterflies. (Although it pains me to say this, not everyone feels the way about butterflies that I do!)

What do you think? Any suggestions for colours and/or shapes? I’m open to ideas and I’d love to hear yours!

A new craft adventure

I’ve been hinting that I’ve made new things for a while now. I’m finally ready to share one of them with you! {Drum roll please}. I’ve been venturing into new things – home décor pieces!

I’ve had a few ideas lately and the rest aren’t yet finished so I just have one to show today. I’m very exited about it though! Here it is:

Anyone that knows me well will not be surprised that there are butterflies involved – it’s a recurring theme for me. But, in my defence, it’s not purple!! It’s a shadow-box frame ( just over 4cm deep ).  I used high quality card-stock and even got some paints out. I do love to make a mess! I’m very pleased with the way it turned out and hope to make a few more in a similar style, just in different colours.

In order to photograph it, I removed the glass from the frame. You don’t want to see a reflection of me trying to take the photo!!

Here is a view from the side:

I’ve really enjoyed getting my hands painty and gluey again. And am looking forward to making the next one. More new-to-me crafts coming soon!

Thank you card

I do love a good reason for a thank you card – it means something nice has happened! I don’t usually post pictures of my cards until I know the recipient has received them, however I’ve got some time tonight and the rest of the week will be really busy so I’m taking a chance.

This card came together really easily with my Silhouette Cameo – yes I’m going to say it again – I love that machine! Its so quick and easy to use and the results are always great. I’ve been playing a lot with it lately, hopefully I’ll be ready to share the fruits of those labours soon. It would be a lot quicker if everyday had 50 hours in it! Anyway, this card was made with two sheets of A4 card and some double sided tape. Really simple, yet effective. What do you think?!

Thank you cards

Just a quick post to show a couple of thank-you cards I made recently. There’s nothing nicer than family & friends that need to be thanked! The pictures aren’t the best quality as I snapped them with my phone before we ran to the post office. They were both made using Tattered Angels chalkboard mist and my Silhouette Cameo.

Recycling bin numbers

If you follow me on Twitter (and if you don’t, then come on over!) then you’ll already have seen this picture. I just thought I’d add it to my blog today as it definitely comes under the heading of ‘stuff I’ve made’!

I used the Silhouette Cameo, and some yellow vinyl to cut out new house numbers for our food-waste Recycling Bin. This way we know which one is ours after it has been emptied – plus it looks pretty! I’d not tackled vinyl using my lovely Silhouette before but it was very easy. The hardest part was stopping the vinyl stick to it-self. And that’s more user error than anything else.

I’m starting to worry that my crafting habits will eventually take over my entire life. But a prettier life can’t be a bad thing, can it?!

If you like digital scrapbooking, don’t forget to check out my new shop, for lovely templates!