Silhouette

From Cut Files to T-Shirts!

~ dddesignz ~ 2 Comments

I spend most of my crafting time working on scrapbook pages, cards or designing classes. But one of my sidelines from working with cut files has been creating t-shirts for my grandchildren. With Christmas less than two weeks away, I spent some time yesterday making each of the grandchildren a t-shirt. Making t-shirts is a great way to personalize a gift for the recipient. I chose three cut file patterns that truly represented each of their personalities.

I purchase blank t-shirts from a local company called Bright Swan. A great Canadian company with excellent service and selection! Siser Heat Transfer Vinyl (HTV) is my go-to when making t-shirts. I use a Cricuit Easy Press (9″ x 9″) to transfer the vinyl to the t-shirts and find that this machine meets all my needs. It is very cost-efficient and can be stored easily, compared to a larger heat press.

The first t-shirt is for my oldest grandchild, Madison. She is very kind and caring and very aware of the impact that acts of kindness have on others around her. It was, therefore, fitting that I chose a cut file from Marcy Milly SVG to make her t-shirt. The World Kindness Day is a FREE cut file released on November 13, 2021, in honour of World Kindness Day.

I started this project by opening the SVG cut file in Silhouette Design Studio software (I use Designer Edition). Next, I ungrouped the file. Step three involved using the Fill panel to change the colours to those I would be using. These steps made the process much easier, as I now had a visual guide of the end product, and I was able to select the words by colour when it came time for cutting. The individual words, or group of words, were cut separately to minimize the waste of vinyl. Drawing a box or rectangle around each word, using the drawing tools in Silhouette, makes the weeding process very easy. Once all the individual files were cut, weeded and ready to go, I returned to the Silhouette software program to determine the centre point of the design. I gently fold the design where it intersects with the midline of the t-shirt. For this specific cut file the words Respect, Charity, Kindness, Goodness, Community and Affection all intersected with the centre line. Before adhering the design to the t-shirt, I fold the t-shirt in half and make a gentle press line to use as a guide. I’m very happy with the results and think Maddie is going to love this t-shirt!

The second t-shirt is for my oldest grandson, Owen. He loves playing video games and finds it amusing that I can’t keep up with him! This design came from Silhouette Studio. It was created by Hand Drawn Cuts and is Design ID #365234. I followed the same process as above and specifically used the turquoise HTV to match his controller. I grouped the coloured dots in the cut file to ensure they were spaced exactly as intended when pressing them to the t-shirt. I know Owen will love this t-shirt, and also find it amusing to wear to school!

Our youngest grandson Benjamin has a love for hedgehogs! This is also a Silhouette Studio design. It was created by Planeta Silhouette and is Design ID #212569. This design included layering the cut files that are all associated with the hedgehog. It was very easy to align and it pressed beautifully. Ben is going to love this t-shirt and who can resist giving him a hug when he’s wearing it?!

All I have left to do now is wrap these cute shirts and place them under the Christmas tree. I’m pretty sure I’m just as excited as they are for the big day!

I hope I’ve encouraged you to look at extending the use of your electronic cut files. Don’t be intimidated, making these shirts was not difficult, and I know you’ll find joy in making personalized shirts for your loved ones! Until next time, stay safe, stay well and Happy Scrapping!

Easter House Box

~ dddesignz ~ Leave a comment

Giuly from Les Pensées en Papier has done it again! I recently made this Easter House Box for my grandchildren to enjoy this coming weekend. At first glance, you may think it’s just another explosion box – but look again, and you’ll see that it is much more than that! This incredible project is an explosion box and a game all rolled into one pretty package! https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/976845153/easter-house-box-svg-easter-eggs-hunt?ref=shop_home_active_2&crt=1

Giuly put a very high level of thought, detail, and organization into this project. Her sample and instructions are all made from cardstock. You will find each of the cut files labeled by colour, making this a very simple project to cut and prepare for assembly. I chose to swap out some of the cardstock with patterned paper. This did slow my overall process down, but I feel the final result made it well worth the investment in time and preparation. I worked with Doodlebug Designs Inc., Hippity Hoppity paper pack, and the coordinating Spring Solid Assortment of cardstock. I also used 3 sheets of Bazzill’s Artesian Pool cardstock for the house base. Aside from the paper, the only other main supplies utilized were coordinating Spring Assortment Sprinkles, also from Doodlebug Designs Inc., and some small foam dots.

Each piece of the project fits beautifully in place. The supporting video is clear, and easy to follow, making the construction of this project seamless.

From start to finish the detail in this project is outstanding. The view of the front of the house highlights several of the intricate details put into this finished project. Not only do you have a layered door and windows, but you can also see the picket fence with grass, and the lovely window box above with more foliage and decorated Easter eggs. This detail follows through the entire house and inside the house as well.

The roof of the house is equally detailed with a “thatched” roof, gingerbread gable, and ivy hanging from the edges. Small foam dots in strategic places add more texture to the thatched roof.

When the roof is lifted from the house, it reveals a hidden game. Inside the house lay 6 Easter eggs with hidden clues, the Easter Bunny, 2 Easter baskets, game instructions, and a lock and key. The game participants must work their way through 6 clues, gathering hidden carrots along the way. Once all 6 carrots are collected, they’ve won the key and can open the lock to discover where their surprises are hidden. Nine clues are included with the purchase of this project, making it easy to print and select the ones that best suit you. There is also a template to make your own clues if you wish to fully customize this part of the game.

  • House Explosion
  • Game Instructions
  • Easter Basket to Collect Carrots
  • First Clue
  • Easter Bunny with Lock and Key
  • Opened Lock

I can’t wait to watch my grandchildren have fun with this! I highly recommend this project and know that you’ll be amazed at the thought and detail that went into designing it. Thanks for stopping by today, and I hope you’ve enjoyed my take on the Easter House Box. Wishing you all a lovely Easter Weekend! Until next time, stay safe, well, and Happy Scrapping!

Star Explosion Box

~ dddesignz ~ 2 Comments

I’m back with another wonderful project from Les Pensées en Papier called the Star Explosion Box. This project was made for my grandson Owen, who turned 8 yesterday! We did our best to make this a special birthday for Owen – his second year in a row without a “kids” party. I’m glad to say, he had a lovely birthday, and I was touched when he asked me if I made him a special box for his birthday.

As with all of Giuly’s amazing projects, the purchase of this project will provide you will a full supply list and all the necessary cut files for both Cricut and Silhouette users. It is also supported by a clear, easy to follow YouTube video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm59Kwl_iH8. If you feel the previous Tower Explosion Box might be a bit intimidating to start with, I highly recommend the Star Explosion Box as a first project. It will introduce you to concepts you will utilize in other projects by LPPSVP.

To complete this project I used 4 sheets of 12″ x 12″ black Precision Cardstock from American Crafts, the Birthday Boy Wishes paper collection pack by Becky Fleck from Photoplay Paper, and 1 sheet of 12″ x 12″ coordinating cardstock to create the bows on the top of the boxes. The paper pack includes twelve double-sided papers and a full coordinating element sticker sheet. I used three of the patterned papers and approximately 1/2 of the sticker sheet to decorate the project. To create the fun stars found in the corner of each explosion level, I used Lawn Fundamentals Metallic Cardstock in “Holographic 2.0” by lawn fawn. Glossy Accents by Ranger Ink was used to construct and attach the bows seen in this project. I have always found it a reliable, strong bond for projects like this.

The bottom layer of this project creates a large box that conceals all the other hidden layers, or explosions. The following pictures provide examples of the detail found in the large box.

Once the lid is removed three explosion levels and a small independent box is revealed.

The small box in the centre is concealing a little surprise for Owen. I’ve been reading Harry Potter to both Owen and Maddie for years now. I found a small Lego figure that fit perfectly inside this small box. When the small box was opened it revealed “Ron Weasley”. Owen was thrilled to add this little surprise to his Lego collection!

I hope I’ve encouraged you to try an Explosion Box. Les Pensées en Papier has so many options to choose from https://www.etsy.com/shop/LesPenseesenPapier. They are as much fun to make, as they are to give! Until next time, stay safe, well and Happy Scrapping!

Tower Explosion Box

~ dddesignz ~ 3 Comments

Explosion Boxes are all the rage in the crafting industry right now. Our granddaughter recently celebrated a milestone birthday – her 10th – and I wanted to make something extra special to help her celebrate during these challenging times. Maddie was lucky enough to have had a kids birthday party last year, but COVID has changed our world and how we celebrate at present. She has been completing school this year online, so she’s also missing the direct connection with her friends. She recently told me that when she has kids her age, and they tell her they’re bored, she’ll reply “You don’t know what bored is – because you didn’t live through COVID!” Wise words from someone just turning 10!

I did some researching into explosion boxes and came across this beautiful Tower Explosion Box by Les Pensées en Papier – SVG designs. There is a helpful YouTube video tutorial to help you assemble the project, and you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NKimnjlEvE. While I initially hesitated to purchase the cut file due to the price, I felt it was more than fair when I downloaded the files and instructions to complete. There are total of 36 svg cut files to complete the project, and the download includes cut files for both the Silhouette and Cricut, a supply list and download instructions. I used a Silhouette to complete the project. The YouTube video will guide you through the construction of the tower and all the flowers as seen in the project.

To complete this project I used 12 sheets of 12″ x 12″ black Precision Cardstock from American Crafts, the It’s Your Birthday paper collection pack from Echo Park Paper Co., and 2 sheets of 12″ x 12″ coordinating cardstock to create the flowers. The paper pack includes twelve double-sided papers and a full coordinating element sticker sheet. I used eleven of the patterned papers and approximately 3/4’s of the sticker sheet to decorate the project. I did substitute the use of a glue gun in this project and opted to use Glossy Accents by Ranger Ink to construct and attach the flowers seen in this project. It has always been my go-to heavy bond glue and worked perfectly to hold all these pieces in place.

Once completed, the tower explosion box folds up neatly into the largest box or bottom layer of the project. The next two pictures show you the full tower folded down into itself, and a top view of the lid adorned with 3 of the beautiful flowers included in the cut file.

The following pictures show the first “explosion” when the largest lid is removed from the box. As you can see, it reveals another box and lid.

The next two pictures show the 2nd explosion with the 2nd box lid in place and removed. Once the lid is removed, it reveals a surprise interior – 4 more boxes!

At this stage, you simply reach inside the towering stack and pull the remaining boxes up by grasping the smallest box with the flower on top. As you do so, you reveal 4 more layers of boxes. There are built-in paper extenders (which you can’t see once the project is completed) that allow you to twist each level slightly to rest on the level before. This helps fan out the layers for a pretty presentation. The smallest box at the top remains intact.

The smallest closed box at the top of the tower provided an excellent opportunity to sneak in a special gift for Maddie. I had a small pair of earrings to give her for her special birthday. I dug into my paper crafting stash and came up with the small shopping bag seen in the pictures below. It was the perfect size to fit within the small box.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the photos of this project. I highly recommend this project, it was fun to make, fun to give, and loved by my granddaughter! Thanks for joining me, stay safe, well and Happy Scrapping!

Happy Easter!

~ dddesignz ~ Leave a comment

This certainly is not the Easter any of us would have expected. The COVID-19 Pandemic has forced us all to be away from our families, friends and celebrations. I’ve found this time of slowing down, settling down and being limited in our movements has brought a greater awareness of the smaller things we so often take for granted.

Crafting has always been a type of therapy for me. It forces me to think and work completely differently than how I go about my work and home life. I love how it pushes away the stresses of work and life in favour of finding a creative space. I’m a planner and an organizer by nature. I’m always pleasantly surprised to find that the “plan” I had in my mind for a layout or project never materializes as envisioned. That’s the beauty of creativity – it’s so unpredictable, liberating and inspiring.

I am fortunate to have 3 grandchildren that live right across the street. But social distancing means no more hugs, no more family dinners, no more cuddles and bedtime stories – for now. I wanted to try and make Easter as special as always for these beauties, and a new t-shirt and warm breezes just seem to beckon spring to come our way. I knew I could supply the new t-shirt part of the deal! To round out their gifts, I also baked some chocolate cupcakes and printed out some Easter mazes, word search and hidden puzzles from Pinterest. This year, gifts were delivered and left on the front step.

The two oldest, Maddy and Owen each received a new t-shirt using the Easter Bunnies Couple cut file by Anett Gelencsér. You can find Anett’s cut files on Etsy, her shop is called AnettsDesigns (https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/AnettsDesigns?ref=pr2018). Her designs are simply gorgeous, and as you can see, so adaptable to paper crafting,  wearable art and just about anything you can think of!

Easter Bunnies Couple

I used the male and female bunnies for each of the kids t-shirts and coordinated cards. I can’t wait to receive some pictures of Maddy and Owen in their new t-shirts, and then I’ll use the file to scrapbook a page for each of their scrapbooks. I’m thrilled with how they both turned out. Here’s Owen’s t-shirt and card.

Owen Easter

I took time to back fill the bunnies on the cards to help them stand out a bit from the background. The Silhouette is so handy for this type of work. I used a heavy vellum for the body of the bunnies.

The female bunny was a bit more intricate and took more time to back fill for the card. It was worth the effort, and I’m really happy with the result.

Maddy Easter 2

Ben’s t-shirt and card was made with the Bunny Trail cut file by Virginia Walker of COAPA (Confessions of a Paper Addict).Bunny TrailVirginia’s shop is also found on Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/COAPACutfiles?ref=pr2018). She has also created a Facebook Fan page where you can learn about upcoming releases and be inspired by others who love her cut files. Virginia also gives away free cut files via the Facebook platform – so be sure to join the group and start collecting some amazing cut files for free!

Ben Easter

This is such a perfect cut file for the young ones. I wanted the bunnies in the card to look like they were sitting on the grass. I achieved this by using the Grassy Fields die from My Favorite Things (MFT). The Hoppy Easter stamp used in each of theses cards is by We R Memory Keepers, and I’ve had it in my stamp stash for years.  Last, but not least, all the patterned paper backgrounds on the front of each card comes from Lawn Fawn’s “speckles” 6×6 inch petite paper pack. The papers look exactly like dyed Easter eggs, making them the perfect compliment to the design.

Well, there you have it. My Easter gifts to my grandchildren in 2020. A year we’re not soon to forget. I hope you all stay safe and well in the coming weeks and months. And remember, crafting can be a wonderful, relaxing and fulfilling hobby. To me, it’s the perfect elixir in these stressful days.