Silhouette freebie

@lisaviolet neat. Hobbyist plotters, aye!

@jbartus Hobbyist knife plotters! Hmm, knife, maybe meh should sell these…

Next to the first one I made a few years ago. The latest one is about ten inches high. I’ve gotten much better at this stuff.

@lisaviolet It’s lovely!

@lisaviolet very cool! Is it actually flying?

@hallmike I wish. No, I took out the stick and string I used to hang it.

@lisaviolet no wonder your husband volunteers you for stuff…

@lisaviolet gorgeous work!!!

@mikibell I finished the birthday cards - I’ll post a picture or two tomorrow.

@Thumperchick thank you

@mikibell Here are the cards I made for MIL’s great grandchildren. These are box cards that fold up to fit in an envelope. Someone came up with a way to add elastic to the bottom of them and when they slide out of the envelope (which I made, these kits come with patterns for everything needed), they pop open. It’s really pretty neat.

@lisaviolet you make me feel vastly inferior with your superior three-dimensional card crafting skill.

@jbartus Not moi! I just buy the templates, cut the paper out with a machine and glue it together. It’s kind of like sewing. You buy a pattern and cut out the fabric, then use a sewing machine to stitch it into something usable.

All of the below kits have at least one box card. But you can get a feel for what can be done with a cutter, cardstock and glue. And, what makes it even easier, is Mary has video tutorials up on YouTube. She takes you step by step through the assembly.

http://www.svgcuts.com/affiliates/jrox.php?id=3625&jxURL=http://svgcuts.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=78

@lisaviolet still, there’s an art and skill to putting it all together, my compliments.

@jbartus Exactly. Mine would not look that great.

@hallmike @jbartus Practice. If I can do it, anyone can. Look at the difference in my balloons. That little balloon was one of my first 3D attempts. Over three years ago.

Oh, yeah, and good glue. I use Beacon 3-in-1. It doesn’t warp the paper and you can use your finger to just roll it off. Like those little glue boogers we made in elementary school.

@lisaviolet nice work!

@Ignorant how are you getting the designs to the machine? When i upgraded my machine did something similar when using a jump drive…
As for the middle stopping, is everything created as a cut line?

@mikibell Computer to silhouette via Bluetooth.

Everything is a cut line, they were dinosaurs from the silhouette store and it cut most of the line and then stopped midway through the line. Machine says done but the cutter doesn’t go back to its start position and it doesn’t shoot the mat back out like it’s done.

@Ignorant hmmm strange…You must have a 3… I don’t have a bluetooth option

@mikibell Yeah it’s a 3. I’m hoping it’s maybe just a firmware update or something and not a bad machine.

@Ignorant The only time I have problems with cutting is when I need to replace the blades. I’ve never had happen what you described.

I don’t use the bluetooth option or flash drive, I have my Silhouette connected to the computer. Could you try that? Connecting directly to your computer and see if you get the same result? (With test paper of course.)

They are working on software upgrades right now, the latest beta version is 4. something. The last version is 3.8.194.

https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/software

@lisaviolet I’ll have to try a direct connect and see if that resolves the issue, blade is new so shouldn’t be that.
I did find this (https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/printer-friendly/faq/cut-action-stops-prior-to-finish-or-cuts-stray-line) in the FAQ that is basically what I’m seeing but the file being sent isn’t a large or complicated design and there is no tape anywhere.

Thanks to both of you for the suggestions.

@Ignorant did you get the issue resolved?

@lisaviolet haven’t tried cutting anything else yet.
It doesn’t happen on every cut though, just randomly so it’s going to be awhile before I can tell for sure if it’s the Bluetooth connection.

@lisaviolet this person was having the exact same issues and resolved it by switching from Bluetooth to USB so I think you nailed it.

http://www.masterprocraftinator.com/rough-start-silhouette-cameo-3/

@Ignorant The only time I have a problem with cutting is when my blade is getting dull. I’ve always worked connected to the computer or laptop (I bought a refurb laptop - HP elitebook 8530P - on ebay for $125 a while ago, just for crafting). I’ve never worked from a flash drive or bluetooth. Too lazy to try the flash drive and bluetooth is just too damned magical for my liking. I trust that cable that I can see.

@lisaviolet yeah that’s what I get for playing with magic.

@mikibell You know, when I make bags, I let the recipient know “hey, I made that bag/box as well! Just for you!”

One of my friends loves Coach bags (I have pockets, don’t carry a purse or bag). For her birthday I’m planning on making bags for all of her presents. She’ll love it.

When I gave the little gold coin inn to the peeps at the vet’s office Monday, I told them if they didn’t want to keep it after the candy was gone, I wanted it back. lol!

That card is really neat. I think it’s my favorite of the ones I sent out last year.

@mikibell All of those strange people! So many! In one room!

It does look like fun.

@lisaviolet and I found flights for 239 roundtrip for me… and not all in 1 room, choice of 7 classes…smaller rooms for classes…

@mikibell Out of my comfort zone. Way too far from home.

@mikibell haven’t looked at the store in a while so no recommendations but thanks for the heads up!

@mikibell Making ego roll now. I do not need another hobby. I do not need another craft. I do NOT need another set of specialized art tools. Bad artist, leave it!

@moondrake you should probably buy one.

@mikibell Is this the one that does embossing and stippling?

@moondrake it is a very good price… I saw it for $40 less on amazon but from what I am reading on fb, those orders are being canceled as pricing errors.

You can use this for LOTS of crossovers to other arts/crafts too…

@ruouttaurmind no, that is a curio

189 with bells and whistles:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016HX4J78/ref=asc_df_B016HX4J784963107/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395009&creativeASIN=B016HX4J78&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167157680049&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3067048327206910489&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9003390&hvtargid=pla-304997360159

119 without bells and whistles, like on fb for 10% off:

https://www.swingdesign.com/products/silhouette-curio-digital-crafting-machine?variant=35636257808&gclid=COippJKUzdMCFddKDQod-o0DBw

Both are from swing designs, which seems to be well respected.

@mikibell Much, much fantastic information. Very much appreciated! I’m very anxious for the machine to arrive so I can get started.

Imma get a $5 grab bag tomorrow from Expressions, and I’m also considering the 15lb. rems lot from Vinyl Ease on Amazon.

@mikibell So if I understand the “credit boost” concept, it’s like buying a gift card (more or less) and using the “credits” to buy designs, graphics, fonts in the Silhouette store?

And the more credits I buy, the lower the dollar-per-credit cost is?

And credits can be used to purchase regular priced, or sale items in the digital store (but not merch in the materials store)?

I think I’m on track there.

@ruouttaurmind yes, you are on track! definitely a marketing scheme

Link to remnant lot???

@ruouttaurmind thank you!!! I have been annoyed that I had to change my silhouette blade, and I have one of the “premium” blades – but I bet I used this guy with the reflective vinyl … that stuff is nasty to a blade… by listing what I used, you reminded me of this … so, not so annoyed now.

@mikibell

Link to remnant lot???

Not inexpensive, but according to most reviews, it comes to around 250+ feet of vinyl.

Rem lot of vinyl on Amazon for $70, Prime eligible.

@ruouttaurmind Yes. Go through the silhouette store when you’re not busy and start adding things to your wish list.

That’s what I do.

As for the SVG files from dreaming tree and svg cuts, here’s a little money saver. You know the “freegift” thing? Buy a $10 gift certificate, that works as a $9.98 purchase. Then you get a freegift. The next freegift, put it in your cart and use the certificate. Two free gifts on one certificate.

If you plan on doing a lot of cutting, consider CB09 blade holders and blades on eBay. I have some regular silhouette blades that I use to compare depth settings. The CB09 blades are about a buck each. Three different angles depending on the material you want to use. 30, 45, and 90.

They come from China so you have to order in advance, but one of my major problems when I started was giving up a dull blade. I just couldn’t do it and I ruined all sorts of paper.

http://www.hhsignsupply.com/productcart/pc/home.asp for vinyl. This is where I got the glitter for the wings for the Tinker Bell decal.

(I’m trying to type as fast as I can think, I threw out my back, sciatica and have been down for going on two weeks now; spent last Friday night in the ER. Ambulance - the pain was really messing with my blood pressure. That sofa is getting boring.)

Someplace in my weblog I think I have a list of stuff I use, but I don’t have the patience to look for it now.

These. For sure, these. Some things the Beacon just doesn’t work well with and these things are great for glue control.

(Oh, my oxycodone is kicking in…whew…)

I got most of my vinyl at imprintables.com. I started getting HTV when I got my first heat press. Back then there wasn’t nearly as much available as there is now. And back then, I got most of my heat transfer paper from tshirtsupplies.com. I had been making those shirts for our Disney meets for a while. Then when I got the first Silhouette, I started with the vinyl. It was a trade off with my husband. I make his shirts, I get the machine.

Oh, and these. Get a set of these. Very handy to have. I have a set for each of my machines.

@lisaviolet Not 90, 60 degree angle. Ah, better living through chemicals…

@ruouttaurmind overwhelmed yet?

This site explains the cb09 blades

http://cuttingforbusiness.com/2015/09/14/cb09-blade-holder-and-blades-in-your-silhouette-cameo/

For the design store…also look at the elements of the designs…you can separate the pieces in the software

@ruouttaurmind sorry ran out of time at the drive thru…comment about designs, save money …if you want a scalloped circle and it is part of one you already bought, you can separate the scallop from the designs

@mikibell I don’t even have my machine yet and I already have gathered more knowledge from you and @lisaviolet than some who’ve been using their machines for months!

As far as designs, I have just barely enough graphics experience to be dangerous, and the full Adobe CC suite. I expect to upgrade to the Designer edition of Silhouette Studio, do my designs in Photoshop and Illustrator and import to Silhouette Studio as vectors. I run a publishing company and have a full suite of vector graphics at my disposal. Better still, a have a full staff of graphic designers at my disposal.

@mikibell I see that I can get 15 CB09 blades for about $13 on Amz with Prime, so not bad. I understand cutting life depends entirely on the material being cut, but I’m curious appropriately how long a blade will last. For example if I cut a 12 inch design in cardstock (similar to the attached pic) how many should I expect to cut with one blade?

@ruouttaurmind what is the media? You’d get more with thin vinyl than card stock.

Here’s a fun little paper (this is another great supplier): http://www.tshirtsupplies.com/jetwear-glitter-1/

@lisaviolet If my experience with my 3D printer is an example, I’m sure I’ll be running the Cameo pretty much non-stop for the first few weeks as I explore it’s capabilities and limitations. I ran out of filament for the 3D printer, and was stuck waiting for more material. I’m trying to avoid an encore of that with the Cameo, attempting to ensure I have enough material and blades to last a while.

Initially I have no doubt I’ll be cutting anything I can get to stick to the cutting mat. But my primary interest is vinyl. So let’s say I cut the shark (scaled full-sheet size) out of 631 or 651 vinyl. Any guesses how many I could cut reliably before changing blades? How about the same experiment with cardstock?

I can tell already… the price of the machine is probably going to pale in comparison to stocking all the fun material you keep pointing out. Patterned vinyl, glitter paper, metallic, reflective, 64 different color choices of every medium, blades in 3 angles, and we haven’t even talked about pens yet!

@ruouttaurmind I am sorry, I don’t know the typical life of a blade. I just use them until the quality of the cutting starts degrading, i.e. little nicks on the corners, etc. Then I make sure the blade is clean… And finally get around the replacing it!

We didnt talk mats!! They need to be conditioned before you use them!!
Some people use their hands to eliminate the excessive stickiness, but mine tend to run on the dry side. The oil from your hands helps…it doesn’t need much to get there… Others use tshirts to get a bit of fuzz on the mats.

I will see if I can find the video that splains it better.

Cricut mats will work in a cameo…I personally prefer the silhouette brand. Cricut comes in different tackiness too. Buy in bulk from amz or overstock.

I like having at least 2 mats available to use…one in the machine, one being cleared/ re-setup.

Going back to sleep…very jealous of your vector library and knowledge

@lisaviolet feel better darlin!! Can we send you good books or something to ease the boredom?

@ruouttaurmind you can download the basic silhouette software before you get your machine and play with the different techniques…group, ungroup, trace…
Fair warning 4.0 was just released in May and is a major gui change. Most tutorials will be in the older versions. The functionality is all there just in vastly different places!

The upgrade allows you to import svgs. Lisaviolet had recommended where to buy the upgrade… I decided on amazon because i was in a hurry

https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/modelmaker

I think i’m going to get this. Imagine the possibilities.

@mikibell Thanks. A few more days. I learned a lesson, I was feeling better last Wednesday, pushed it, have been down since. Not doing that again. Crawling to the bathroom on hard tile floors was brutal. Killer on the knees.

@lisaviolet you are a very very very bad influence… that model maker software looks cool…

@mikibell tractors!!

@lisaviolet I am slightly disappointed in the modelmaker software, if I am reading it correctly.

All the shape nets can be printed onto paper or cardstock,
scored and trimmed using a Silhouette machine, and folded
and glued to make 3D paper models.

Looks like it is only print and cut, no direct cutting mechanism…

@mikibell @lisaviolet, the Model Maker app was one of the factors influencing my decision to jump in. I’ll certainly wait for more feedback from the community before jumping in, but it’s high on my list of interests.

@mikibell Seven bucks… definitely worth a shot. Even if the blades are crap, the holder will be useful.

I’ve also been snooping around on AliExpress.com. With some looking, it’s usually possible to beat Banggood and GearBest, and the same is so with these items as well.

@ruouttaurmind I have never done business with AliExpress – have you??

These look to be the correct holder…

https://www.banggood.com/search/cs09.html

@mikibell Yes, AliExpress became a valuable resource for my drone parts. It’s just like doing business on eBay or Amz Marketplace… you must do your due diligence to select a reputable seller to ensure a no-hassle transaction. But also like eBay and Amz, AliExpress provides buyer protection if a transaction does go south. I’ve had 100% success rate with AliExpress in perhaps 30 or more purchases.

@mikibell These are the CB09 bits stocked in the Banggood USA warehouse (usually 3-5 day delivery). https://us.banggood.com/wh_buy/Usa/Vinyl-plotter.html

@ruouttaurmind I wonder how often you need the springs replaced – the blades look the same as the cricut blades I have, but they don’t come with springs. I guess I have to bite the bullet and maybe load one this weekend…

@mikibell I’m looking forward to carving out my first 10 foot long decal, and I’m betting I’ll need the roll holder before I can do that.

@ruouttaurmind hmmm… I do not think mine came with any materials…it has been a while… I remember trying construction paper the first time I used the cricut… I had card stock from something I crafted, so I was lucky!

Now have fun and quickly exceed my knowledge!! (I really am a hack)…

@ruouttaurmind @mikibell mine came with a couple mats and basic tools, no pens, paper, vinyl etc.

[EDIT] I lied, it did come with 3 metallic pens.

@Ignorant Mine came with one blade, one mat and the power supply. No mas. EDIT: I also fibbed; it included a USB cable as well.

@mikibell, I can only aspire to a minute portion of your skillz!

@ruouttaurmind haha I don’t have skills… I just know how to read a LOT practical application, I need more time for it!!

@ruouttaurmind printer paper works fine and is what I use when testing stuff since it’s cheap, you can use the auto blade and select copy paper in the software. As said way up there somewhere, try to prep the mat first otherwise paper might stick too much.

Print and cut is another cool thing you can do, where you send an image to your printer, then put the printed paper on the mat use the cutter to cut around the image. Good for stickers, cards, scrapbooks.

@Ignorant

@mikibell Thank you for asking. I hope you’re feeling mo bedda this morning?

Some minor growing pains while learning how to use Silhouette Studio. I encountered a handful of bugs in the application. At first I wasn’t sure if it was me or the program that was messing up. A little frustrating when learning new things.

Eventually I gained the confidence to try a few sketches with my dollar store markers and some regular copy paper. Finally I threw caution to the wind and cut some vinyl. I did a 2 color decal which I would not call a success (alignment issues; I think I need a light box).

What I learned: much respect for all of you who can make this equipment sing. It’s not as easy as building hot rods.

I also learned:

The Silhouette pen holder, although functional, isn’t exactly precise. Getting the pen aligned exactly perpendicular to the paper required lots of fussing. Maybe because my dollar store pens were too narrow? Dunno. I can see me investing in genuine Silhouette pens if I find a bargain on them.

Dollar store contact shelf paper just barely has enough stiction to lift the 651 vinyl off it’s backing (as a transfer tape). I will try a sheet or two of Oracal transfer film to see if I have better luck.

However de-stickified one gets their cutting mat, it’s not enough! De-stickify that sucker to within an inch of it’s very existence!

Last but not least, I am reminded (yet again) that my fastidious nature and excruciating attention to precision and detail isn’t exactly a blessing when being crafty!

Gonna try that same 2 color decal again today, maybe taping it to the window as a improvised light box to see if I can get the alignment right. I cut registration marks on my color layers, but it’s difficult to see them through the backing paper.

@ruouttaurmind a few tricks for alignment…cut an outer square around the vinyl to minimize amount of vinyl in play (saves material too) and cut small squares at outer edge and use them as alignment points…
Also, only peel back a little of the backing at a time on the second layer…helps if you have to start again and helps eliminate bubbles…will see if I can find videos to splain…

Head still hurts even after medicine…next step is knock out drugs but I have too much to get done this weekend to take the down time. I may have to though…kid graduates this week…lots of festivities…

Here is one video for alignment:

Not the one I wanted, but close…

@mikibell Love the weeding box! So this allows me to lift my image from the main sheet of vinyl, leaving the rest of the sheet intact for another project. Yesterday I used scissors to cut my images from the sheet of vinyl, but this will be much cleaner.

I did have registration marks on my layers last night, but getting them aligned was my challenge. In the first vid she peeled the backing from the registration marks, then cut off that bit of backing, leaving the rest in place. This will most definitely make alignment easier.

Thank you! (Again, and again, and again)

@ruouttaurmind You are welcome… but I am just pointing you to where to look… you are doing all the hard work! Keep in mind, you are not starting with easy projects! I haven’t done double layered vinyl yet!!

You know they sell window cling material, right (evil laugh)…

@mikibell

You know they sell window cling material, right

Dang it! Really?

@ruouttaurmind https://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=y0ewv7h_s2U

I’d love to post more, but am on the kindle and it’s a pita. Hopefully I’ll be up to sitting at my desk tomorrow.

The above video was how I finally got the alignment of multicolored vinyl to work for me. I got that light box here on meh. Was happy to finally figure out a way to put it to use. There is a link to my blog post in the description.

@ruouttaurmind would I lie?

https://shop.cricut.com/en_us/supplies/cutting-materials/window-cling.html

@mikibell Thanks for asking. More time trying to get familiar with Design Studio. I installed it on a newer PC which helped quash many of the bugs I was experiencing yesterday. Played just a little with cutting and scoring. Mostly with copy paper. Then did a little jpg import/trace/sketch.

Copy paper:

Light card stock:

@ruouttaurmind I never bought one, was tempted but never did. Only way I can see it working with a normal mat would be to mimic the pixscan registration marks on the normal mat. I’ve never tried this.

@Ignorant I suppose I should try marking a standard mat first, before spending $9 on the Pixscan mat. If the Pixscan mat was full-sized, I’d just get it. If I never used it with Pixscan, at least I’d have a full-size mat. But alas, it’s 8.5x11.

@ruouttaurmind yeah agree. Let us know if you have luck faking with with a normal mat, I can’t see why it wouldn’t work.

@Ignorant

@ruouttaurmind I have a Pixscan mat and never tried anything with it.

@ruouttaurmind I don’t have a pixscan mat and haven’t played with the advanced features of the silhouette. I saw a cool video about how you dont have to accurately center you paper and such. Told you you would soon exceed my knowledge.

@mikibell I wound up just ordering a spare standard cutting mat, though I immediately regretted not spending the extra $2 and getting the light hold mat. But Pixscan is still on my radar for some future experimentation. I just today learned about scannable registration marks. A feature I was unaware of before now. The ability to print reg marks on a laser printable vinyl sheet, then have Cameo accurately cut out the printed object… this opens new possibilities for me. I ordered some very pricey Avery 60501 printable vinyl sheets to do some exploration ($35 for 50 8.5"X11" sheets, but they’re supposed to be really sturdy and durable).

@ruouttaurmind cool beans…will you let us know how it goes?? I know @lisaviolet does labeling for her husband’s business.

@mikibell @ruouttaurmind

I use laser foil paper from onlinelabels.com.

If you’re using glossy or shiny paper, there’s a trick to getting the Cameo to “see” the registration marks.

After wasting more paper than I care to admit, I finally did a search to see if this was a problem that had an easy fix. And it did! More paper!

Removable matte sticker paper. I used the Cameo to cut strips an inch deep and place those across the top of the foil sheet before I print it. So, the Cameo has no problem seeing those marks and cutting is a lot less frustrating now.

Some of our customers have uploaded videos to youtube, here’s one of them where you can see the labels on the cylinders. Amazingly, without any extra work, like spray clear, they hold up well in weather.

@lisaviolet Thanks for the tip about gloss/shiny stock. I did some playing with the reg marks print/cut stuff and I’m duly impressed. As long as my Xerox color laser produces reasonable color results, I can see the potential for some interesting sticker fun!

@ruouttaurmind Okay, we already know I’m some sort of papercraft addict, I think that’s been well established.

I have an Epson R1900 printer. It prints 13" wide paper. A few years back, I decided to install a continuous ink system (saves a ton of money) as well as a waste system (so the waste goes outside the printer into little bottles that can be emptied, not into the spongy foam on the bottom of the printer).

I had gotten a bunch of 12" x 12" white cardstock on HSN for cheap (they haven’t had it in a couple of years). I started printing out my own cardstock.

I took a photo of an afghan I made for a friend, printed the paper from the afghan pattern and made a bag for the afghan.

Well, earlier this year I got a new toy from We R Memory keepers, an envelope punchboard. It’s pretty cool and simple. It will be great for cards I make from the Silhouette store, since they don’t come with envelopes. But what to use for the paper? I have paper stacks, but I like my stuff to be color coordinated. So, I headed over to B&H Photo and bought a roll of Epson enhanced matte paper. Alas, it was too thick for what I’d planned on using it for and I got a roll of Epson single thickness matte paper. It will be perfect. I’ll have to cut it down, the roll is 24" wide.

Now, the first roll I got? Yeah, I’m gonna do cardstock with it. I cut a couple of sheets from it, printed them out with a few different digital papers I got over on Etsy and I’m really happy with the way they turned out. Nice and clear and sharp.

So many ideas!

It looks like you’re having as much fun as I am.

@lisaviolet That afghan bag is absolutely fantastic!

So I’m sitting here wondering “what in the world is an envelope punch board?” I looked it up, and wouldn’t you know it? Now I have to have one.

Of course I’ll have to blame you and Silhouette America if I never finish my current hot rod project.

@ruouttaurmind Re: the punch board. I hear ya! So much neat stuff out there, you think you’ve got everything you could ever want and oh, hey, look! What’s this? Something new?

I need it!

I willingly take the blame.

@ruouttaurmind make sure, if you buy any designs, to get the free designs – they have about 22 free with purchase designs. I figure, may never need them, but why not get em!

@lisaviolet I like it! I’ll change up the text a bit, but Mom will get a kick out of it since she’s planning on moving to AZ as soon as we can get the farm in TN sold.

@mikibell That’s great! I need a roller for the paper rolls I bought from B&H. Hubby is going to build one for me. He’s making mine from wood, I think.

I’ll show him this.

@lisaviolet Think of the possibilities… you could put multiple rolls if you added multiple crossbars!

@mikibell Easy peasy, and inexpensive to make. Prolly have the bits in the garage to bodge it up!

@ruouttaurmind yes, I expected yours to be tricked out Chrome or diamond plate!.. with flames and other interesting items painted on it

@mikibell I have a 3D printer, so it’ll have to have some custom 3D printed roller holders as well, innit.

@mikibell One of the things we have to consider is that I can’t leave it set up. These cats pee on EVERYthing.

When I’m done for the day, I have to put everything away. I can’t even leave a magazine laying on the bathroom counter.

But I love em.

One of my friends who does sign and window tint work has a glass topped 8’ long table with 2x4s extending up maybe 3’ high on the left end. They have 2" holes bored through them several inches apart with pvc pipes placed through to hold 4 rolls or so at once. (Actually, more than that, because the table is wide there can be more than one roll side by side.) It’s a nice setup if you have a dedicated work table.

I have no idea what @giphy thinks Selena Gomez can contribute to this topic, but whatevs.

@ruouttaurmind The only popup cards I’ve seen that popup when folded flat are made differently than those.

Maybe this 3dsvg tutorial might give you an idea.

@lisaviolet Thanks for the link! As I was waiting for a reply, I sat at my desk trying to invent a better mousetrap when I was struck by an idea. I needed a bigger hinge! I came up with this:

Not overly elegant, but I’m a beginner, so hopefully elegance will come with experience. For this particular project, I think it’ll be suitable. Especially if I tart up the card with glitter and gewgaws. Imma have to stop by Michaels or Hobby Lobby on the way home for paper supplies. This’ll be my first real project. Looking forward to it!

@ruouttaurmind or a different hinge… thinking about it… but I like yours… the first one is a rectangle, but made of 2 sides of the card, what if you made a rectangle of 1 side attached to the card and 3 free standing??? been looking at numbers all day, so my mind is numb!

@mikibell

what if you made a rectangle of 1 side attached to the card and 3 free standing

I’m struggling to envision this configuration. At your convenience, if you have a second to sketch a pencil-line example and maybe snap a pic with your phone? Only when/if you have a minute.

@lisaviolet it also comes with the larger base and dust cover… A great deal for sure!

@lisaviolet I love the duck!

I have cut out a gazilllllion green leaves for the Jungle Book set at school Of which I have no photos

@mikibell That’s a chick! Duck…shakes head.

You know you need pictures. You know we want to see what you’re doing. Right? I sit here cutting out someone else’s hard work and you guys are branching off on your own, being very creative.

@lisaviolet Chick, duck, they all come from eggs and are yellow and have cute little beaks yeah… it’s a chick!!! does it have a magnet so it can be a chick magnet???

I will see if Hubby caught any photos… he thinks he fried the chip in the camera (smh) of the semi-formal, class night, the play and graduation – not important events at all!!!

I did cut wings for the golden snitch and tinkerbell for cakes… love using one craft to save my butt in the other

This is my vinyl.

This is the container it’s in. I have more, it doesn’t all fit in here. The short rolls I used for the decals on the car and the long glitter/oil slick rolls I got from H&H supply.

@mikibell Over on FB I’m in a couple of Silhouette groups and glitter beverage containers seem quite popular.

I’m looking forward to what you do with them.

@lisaviolet I am only in one group… that is overwhelming enough!! Did you see what they did with the hammers for Father’s day… those were amazing…

@mikibell No, I didn’t. Were they glittered? I love glitter!

@lisaviolet No glitter, but it could be, I am certain!!

NMP:

@mikibell How cute! I bet the neighbor wouldn’t keep those after borrowing. lol

@mikibell Don’t you just love when you already have the materials on hand?

I bet they’ll be a big hit with the kids, young and old alike.

@lisaviolet I was thinking Christmas ornaments and jewelry could be made from the shrinky stuff too… Yes, if I could use up some of the supplies in my house, it would give me a good excuse to keep buying more!!!

@mikibell I had enough challenge trying to find space for the machine… not realizing all the supplies and materials were going to need their own space. Between the Cameo, my 3D printer and all my paracord supplies my office has been consumed by hobby/crafting stuff! Now I work at the kitchen table and create in the office.

@ruouttaurmind yeah…well, we won’t discuss the disaster I call a house… I have lots of rooms fulllll of sewing crap and machines…a few paper machines…oh yeah and a room full of cake decorating things…and boxes and boxes of wilton pans and chocolate molds. I have finally gotten rid of the crafting stuff related to scouting!

I blame my husband who suggested I needed a hobby! (And who indulges me whenever the right tool is needed)

He recently informed me that with his silkscreening equipment, he has a heat press…gotta find a place for that soon!

Paracord?? Where were you when I had a dozen cub scouts to teach knots to!

Oh and the kid…he has a 3d printer and now a laser engraver…I have a HUGE house by most people’s standards and I have run out of room!

@mikibell The indulging husband…the bane of a crafter’s existence.

@mikibell That is… amazing!

@ruouttaurmind yeah… I have been googling … trying to figure out if I want the curio or not… leaning towards it…
but we have sooooo many toys in our house… where do we draw the line??

@ruouttaurmind This was the pic that kinda sold me… http://blog.silhouetteamerica.com/2016/02/learning-to-etch-with-your-curio

Want to know where to get the material (not necessarily silhouette brand) for cheap…

Christmas is coming!

@mikibell I understand. When I made my choice a few weeks ago, and ordered the Cameo, I was really laboured over the decision. I’m really interested in the deep cut and etching/stippling/embossing capability. Though I’ve watched some vids about using an etching pen in the Curio, I haven’t tried it yet.

@mikibell

Want to know where to get the material (not necessarily silhouette brand) for cheap

I’m betting just about any piece of thin aluminum, copper, brass, even stainless steel would work fine. The Ace Hardware hear my house sells sheets of these materials in various thicknesses, from paper thin up to 5mm, and the prices are reasonable. I use these kinds of sheet metal in my car restoration projects very frequently.

@mikibell I didn’t have much luck with the Silhouette stamping material. I got more frustrated than anything, lots of fucks given.

So, I don’t have any advice. I do have the mint and for polymer stamps, I got an Imagepac Stampmaker kit. I got it to make stamps for Brian. The Silhouette stamping stuff just didn’t blow my dress up.

I ran out of glue today. I can’t even believe it. I cut out paper for twenty cards last week (four each of five styles). I have one set finished. I started on another yesterday and fucked up so badly that I redid part of them because I didn’t watch the tutorial before pulling the paper. Once those were done, I started putting the cards together and I also had to redo those pieces. Because I glued one piece into the wrong spot on each of the cards.

So, putting them together this morning, my glue is low (I’m not using the Beacon for this, the areas I’m gluing are very small, I’m using Scotch Tacky glue in one of these which gives me a lot more control).

@lisaviolet can you use regular ink pads with the polymer stamps? I want to use easily washed off ink…

@mikibell Yep.

http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/20b802_ecb70d56c91f46419b3da92bab2a9e0f.pdf

@mikibell Cheapest place to get the kit was Blick.

http://www.dickblick.com/products/imagepac-stampmaker-kit/

I think if you sign up for their email you get a welcome discount.

@lisaviolet cool beans…hubby gets discount coupons from them…will have to fight him for them…thank you!

@lisaviolet p.s. sorry about the bad day…seems to be going around!

@mikibell Thanks. We have a cat who’s had the bad runs for over a month now. She also has thyroid problems.

She got metronidazole for three weeks, now she’s on prednisilone. Still very runny. She gets subQ fluids once a day.

She’s crying like she wants to eat but she’s turning up her nose at everything. She’s actually looking a lot better than she has. I wish they could talk.

Sick cats always stress me out.

@lisaviolet he is lucky…they dont carry the stamp kit or supplies in our store

@mikibell Boo!!

@lisaviolet but they sell it online…and there is a free shipping and 10% off coupon for online orders

@mikibell Yay! I’ve gotten to the point that I do almost all of my craft shopping online. I’ll occasionally hit Joann’s, but not often.

So, cool! You’ll love it, I’m sure. You can get acrylic (hubby went to a plastic shop and found remnant sheets for cheap) and have it cut to size to put the stamps on and I bought empty thread spools on eBay for handles.

@mikibell I like the knife blade concept. I could see cutting balsa, HD foam, leather… I could make use of those features probably. I’m thinking this would be most useful for someone who sews. If I was advanced enough to do my own upholstery in the hot rods, I could see this being exceptionally useful.

@mikibell Clip the circle and trace edges. What software tools do you have to work with?

@mikibell I’d try scanning the card. I’ve found when I scan, the design is larger.

@mikibell see if you can crop it/straighten it and upload it to vectorizer.io. use clip art preset and bump the black level up over 80% to your liking and you may get a usable result.

@ruouttaurmind I have paint and Photoshop… but I still haven’t figured out photoshop – it hurts my head.

@djslack I had cleaned most of the beige up by using paint – uploaded it and used the 4 color option in the wizard – have a nice (not perfect) copy now. Will have to see how it prints out. Thank you!!

@mikibell Photoshop is a perfect tool for this kind of task. A few minutes watching a YT tutorial is time well invested in the long term for your crafties. The basic selection tools make short work of this kind of task. With variable thresholds and such, colored backgrounds like in your photo are a non-issue. I can tell you from experience… WAY less annoying than spending an hour zoomed in with an eraser tool trying to manually clip.

@ruouttaurmind that is why I purchased the software, I just don’t get the concept of layers (I think!) … I think I am editing and then bam, it isn’t what I thought it was. I think I just need to spend some time with it. Otherwise, paint eraser is a mindless way of getting rid of beige

@mikibell Got one! Thanks.

@mikibell Up to $15 now

@ruouttaurmind wow!

@lisaviolet

@ruouttaurmind I got it for $10 earlier. I need to go through and start adding things to my wishlist so when they have their 50% off, I’ll be ready.

That credit boost thing they have is nice. Spend $50 and get $100 worth of downloads.

@ruouttaurmind I bought 4 physical cards yesterday for 8.80 each (had to buy 4 for free shipping)… I would share… I don’t need 4

@mikibell You are kind, thank you. I have yet to order a single paid design from the design store. Although that day will eventually arrive, for the time being I find I’m well occupied by simple tasks and the learning curve.

I had hoped to be up to speed in time to make holiday cards this year, but I don’t see that being the case. But eventually I want to churn out some of that awesome, complex stuff like @lisaviolet has posted in the past.

So I will eventually buy some fancy card designs and some of the fun box stuff she’s shown us. From there I will learn all the trade secrets and maybe be able to go totally rogue, doing some designs from scratch.

For the time being, I’ve managed to make a few fun cards for family members birthdays, and have churned out a ton of vinyl labels for work (media racks for books, magazines, newspapers for our distribution points). So at least the equipment hasn’t gone unused since I acquired it back in June.

@ruouttaurmind Complex? I watch tutorials. Before I start a project and during. It helps. A lot. If I don’t, I screw up. Every. Time.

Here’s a sample of Mary’s tutorials.

@mikibell second gift of the season…

@mikibell Damn, I’m a sucker for fonts.

@lisaviolet they reduce the price of the bundle if you own any of the bundle – how cool is that???

@mikibell Great! I got a lot of stuff. Mostly borders and flourishes. And a couple of 3D things, like a tractor.

@lisaviolet Ok, ya got me. I’m in. I’ve been wanting to try something spectacular, so I guess now is the time.

Quick question: what kind of paper do I need to get?

Thank you for the link and the challenge!

@ruouttaurmind If you look at the design details here, all of the supplies you need are listed out.

If you check out her tutorial, omg! She did it in ivory paper and it’s beautiful. I wish I’d seen that before getting my paper.

I have a patterned paper for the bottom and I’ll use red foil cardstock for the bottom panels.

But the ivory/white just has me salivating…

@lisaviolet Honestly, the first thought I had: “the color combination options are unlimited”. I can imagine a whole host of different color treatments.

I’m going to try not to drag my feet, and get motivated to do this and put it in my office lobby for the holidays.

Thanks again!

@ruouttaurmind Pictures when your done!

@lisaviolet U 2!

@ruouttaurmind @liaviolet… I love that ivory tree…might try it, depending on life and everything…

I cut out my first shirt transfer…haven’t decided which one to put it on yet!

@lisaviolet Isn’t the Silhouette store also doing 40% off? (materials and supplies and tools and such).

@ruouttaurmind Yes!

https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/ promo code “JINGLE” — sale starts today at 6 mountain time.

If you can’t wait, go ahead and purchase now from Silhouette and use the code “LORI”. That one was made active yesterday. That was in an email from Lori Whitlock. I used it yesterday morning and my purchase has already shipped.

https://www.swingdesign.com/ also has black friday sales.

@ruouttaurmind shhhhhhhhhhh…too tempting!

@mikibell I like the black one. lol Thank goodness I know I have no more room.

@lisaviolet I don’t have room either… but I would consider upgrading from the 2 to 3… don’t really care about the color – can make our machines any color we want with vinyl

@mikibell As an upgrade? Most definitely. I make use of both tools on the 3. One to cut, one to score. Or one to cut, one to write. It’s very convenient.

@mikibell How did you wind up with a $25 card for $8.40?

@ruouttaurmind I bought them from swing design when they were $10: with coupon, $8.40 or there abouts… looks like I said $8.80 earlier

they are back to $10 – but they have removed the ability to use a coupon code though (or they think they have - haven’t tested it)

https://www.swingdesign.com/collections/sale-1/products/silhouette-cameo-25-download-gift-card-code

@mikibell Perfecto. Thank you. Even has e-code, so I can buy now, then immediately spend away on Silhouette designs. Thank you!

@ruouttaurmind yes, the physical card is now more expensive. The e-code is 10… they changed the sale recently!! Have fun!!!

@mikibell Meh. Ten bucks, eight and a half bucks… either way, once I apply it to a credit boost, and use that for the sale, it’s still a good value.

@ruouttaurmind oh damn… why didn’t I think of that!!! did it work?? I am thinking it won’t…

@mikibell Ya, as you anticipated, there is no way to pay for credit boost with a download card.

Well, for no reason known to me, I purchased two $25 DL cards from Swing, plus a software upgrade to the Business Edition of Silhouette Studio. I’m curious to try some of the extra features exclusive to the Business Edition, and I’m sure I can find some project or another at the office for vinyl, so I purchased the software as a business item.

@ruouttaurmind When I got the business edition it was so that I could run more than one machine at a time.

I only had two at the time, now I have three. It gets pretty noisy. Three different files at a time. It sure makes making multiple projects quicker.

@lisaviolet I like the concept of media layout view, matrix copy, and nesting, along with the enhancements which are included in the Designer version. Tiling I don’t see much application for in my use, or the export feature, but you never can tell until you get into the program on a regular basis I suppose. I found with 3D design apps a long time ago, I wound up using features I never thought I’d have a need for, to solve challenges in ways which would have been more difficult using traditional tools.

@lisaviolet Question you might be able to answer: I wanna fuss with some reflective vinyl, and maybe some glitter vinyl, but I’m concerned it’s going to eat blades. Do you have any experience with these?

@ruouttaurmind
I haven’t done a lot of playing around with most of the options included with the software.

Vinyl is really thin and cuts like butter. You know that Tink decal I did? Vinyl. The shirts I make? Vinyl.

I made the one on the right with Oracal 651. (My husband rebuilt his Case.)

And here’s pink glitter heat vinyl:

As I’ve mentioned before I use a CB09 blade holder because I’m cheap. I use a different angled blade for vinyl.

@ruouttaurmind reflective vinyl and metallic vinyl like chrome can dull your blades more quickly (and you may have to tweak the blade pressure) because they both have metallic elements in them but the effect can be worth it.

@lisaviolet, I keep putting off getting a Graphtec blade system, but the variety of blade angles is compelling. Right now I have 4 unused auto blades, so no worries for a minute, but once I start fussing with reflective and metallic and wood, etc, I’ll have to keep track of which blades are used on what materials so I get a better idea how each material affects blade life. Also not a bad idea to keep a couple blades dedicated to softer materials like lighter vinyls to ensure maximum performance.

@djslack, do you have a cutter? One last blame on the Goat for me not already knowing the answer to that.

@ruouttaurmind I did some time in the sign business a few years back and got my dad into it for some of his vehicle work. I don’t technically have my own but I have access to his 24" roll cutter and a couple of Zing cutters he uses for portable work.

I keep flirting with the idea of getting my own but with the limited amount of time/already long list of projects, it hasn’t been a priority for me. Probably best to just borrow his stuff.

/giphy borrow

@djslack I wouldn’t mind having a big Graphtec, but it’s impossible to justify the expense for a tool I don’t have a consistent purpose. I would have to make a buttload of signs and banners just to break even. So better just to mail order anything I cannot cut on my 12” Silhouette.

@ruouttaurmind a while back I picked up some jobs cutting replacement decals for 18 wheelers when a friend worked at the peterbilt dealership. Lots of calls for chrome, reflective, and prismatic vinyl. My dad fussed at me about the chrome making his blade dull on the big cutter. It was very metallic, though, almost like adhesive backed foil.

If I still have a goat by my name, I’ve still gotta giphy…

/giphy prismatic

@djslack

/giphy giphy doesn’t love you anymore

Whatevs, giphy.

@ruouttaurmind I have used reflective vinyl – in my opinion, it did eat at the normal ratchet blades. I bought the premium blades and them seem to do better. The glass in the reflective is hard on the blades and on the fingers, make sure to wear gloves when weeding the vinyl (trust me on this!)

@ruouttaurmind @lisaviolet – I am getting up the guts to try the cb09 blades. I have crap to get done and don’t want to mess with a learning curve, but I think the blades will be more useful - deep breath I also have the business edition and haven’t upgraded for the same reason (amazon shipped wrong card, that is the only reason I have business edition)

@mikibell I keep a regular Silhouette blade handy to compare blade depth. Hold them both up to the light…eyes are bad, doesn’t help. I need stronger readers. lol!

@lisaviolet I keep a pair of 2.5 readers for really scrutinizing stuff. Particularly useful when I’m doing electronics repair or rebuilding a carburetor (more tiny parts and springs than anything has a right to).

@ruouttaurmind It looks like the Dingbats has 36 designs and the Handwritten has 25 designs. So, that’s less than a buck a design.

If you like fonts (I sure do), check out https://fontbundles.net. A free one every week.

@lisaviolet I’ll check them out.

If I recall correctly, I should have access to all my system fonts in Silhouette Design Studio. I have access to a library of 280 Adobe fonts via our Creative Cloud subscriptions at the office, so I’m probably well enough on fonts for the foreseeable future.

@ruouttaurmind I am hooked on fontbundles.net too…and the hungryjpeg site too…lots of free fonts, with commercial licenses!

Well, I finally managed to spend $29 of my $50 DL credit before my eyes rolled into my head and I just had to stop looking. There will be other sales. I’m not sure how long the DL credit is valid, but better to keep a few bucks on hand for those last minute things I may need as flourishes or whatever.

@ruouttaurmind
https://www.swingdesign.com/collections/sale-1
Business edition upgrade is $12 from designer edition…

@mikibell I was fixin ta cry, but that’s $12 from Designer Plus. Upgrade from Designer standard to Business is $23. I paid $45 for the straight path from free to Business. I could have saved $3 by going to Plus first, but spent the extra $3 to be lazy.

@ruouttaurmind i have to check the card i have and make sure it is de to be and not de+ to be…tomorrow…kids have exhausted me tonight…

@mikibell I tried it, but I’m not a member. We’ll see if it goes through.

@lisaviolet should have charged you the $5 then you are a member you will get LOTS of emails from them!

@mikibell Adorable!

@mikibell
Thanks!

It was only 1.25 per pack! I got four, which was five bucks and shipping was four. So, nine dollah.

I haven’t really done much with the Curio, but I’m ready if I ever get started with it.

@lisaviolet hhhehhehe I carted 20 packs before I knew they were 50% off…my sil is getting married in June, figured I could make some of the heart seals for her invitation envelopes…but there are on 3 per pack of each color.

@mikibell There are colors? :0

@lisaviolet yes…brass and silver? I can’t remember…

@mikibell Mine got here a couple of days ago. I don’t know what I’d use them for, but I have them if I need them.

@lisaviolet i have heard…haven’t tried yet, to use warm water, a little soap and a magic eraser to revive mats…worth a try if you are already giving up on the mat

I purchased the mats you linked to…in both sizes… I swear except for the brand name, they are the same! Perhaps a little less tacky out of the package…and very very stinky, but I haven’t bought new mats in a while.

So far, they are awesome! Mind you, I can’t speak to the longevity of the mats yet…and don’t do the quantity you do!

I suspect they are eating significantly into Silhouette’s profit margin, because there have been lots of articles about “counterfeit” mats…

@mikibell Funny you should mention washing the mats. I decided to try reviving a couple, found some adhesive spray that I had on hand (elmer’s repositional stick and re-stick over and over, light tack in seconds, dries clear).

Mat scraped off, washed and semi-dried, waiting for full dry and it seems sticky again…hmmm…

I have fifty three sheets of card stock to cut for the next (last) set of cards. Fifteen of those are for the envelope!

Good to hear from someone about the quality of the mats, that’s for sure. Looks like they’re something I’ll use.

@lisaviolet I used the 12x12 mat to make this name and then a box for the ornament…worked like a charm…

@mikibell That’s beautiful!

@mikibell I sprung for those yesterday. Thinking of embossing the paper for the buildings with a brick embossing folder.

Probably not for this year, though. After the last set of cards, I want to make two of those trees.

And I still have to set up my new computer (we had problems with my husband’s, the monitor kept going off, after putting in a ticket with lenovo, they sent downloads for flashing the BIOS, graphics card and some other thing, it turned out to be the thermal printer USB connection…took a week to figure that out). And finish the last three months of paperwork.

So…

@ruouttaurmind They should cut. If the machine cuts glitter cardstock (that stuff is THICK) or cardboard, I don’t see why the pre-embossed wouldn’t work.

Ten bucks is a really good price for 100 sheets. Good find!

@ruouttaurmind ditto what LisaViolet says… It has a setting cardstock 80lbs, and coverstock 105-122lbs, so you should be fine

@lisaviolet, @mikibell, thanks to you both for the reply. I feel a little silly geeking out over paper, but when I saw the pack of pre-embossed stuff I thought “I need that.” The colors, the patterns… I can imagine the silly stuff I can bodge together with that.

There’s also another coupon in the ad for 20% off your entire purchase, including sale items good for tonight only (4pm-close). Of course it excludes the usual categories and brands like Silhouette and Cricut. Although they’re offering BOGO 50% off on Cricut tools and consumables.

@ruouttaurmind hehehe welcome to the club!!

@ruouttaurmind Welcome to the club!! So many ideas, so many options, so little time…

@mikibell fantastic !

@mikibell It’s always easier with the glitter side down. The other way doesn’t seem to cut as well, plus it’s really messy.

The last glitter cardstock I got was a bitch to cut. Three passes. And it was one of those annoying papers that had the sticker on the back for single resale (I bought a pack) and that little bit of thin paper interfered with the cut. I had to use a blade and cutting pad to clean it up. A couple of places where I was working, a glitter section kind of just peeled off. Not really noticeable, I was able to glue it back on, but whooda thunk the paper was layered?

@mikibell Carrier down. When you heat press, the carrier side is up. You peel it off.

@lisaviolet my mistake was thinking the dull side was the carrier and no matter how I considered it, the image was wrong ;)…working with a migraine…

Not sure if I need a new blade or had the wrong setting, but the holographic vinyl kinda shattered when I weeded it…

@mikibell Hmmmm, I’ve never had that happen. Where did you get it? With my CB09, I use a different blade for vinyl, one with a sharper angle. 60°, I think.

I totally understand the confusion about which side is up, even without a migraine. I have some paper that I kept getting wrong because it just seemed to be the right way to do it.

Very frustrating.

@lisaviolet here is the finished project…made 6 for co workers’ kids… I just personalized them…

@mikibell How, sweet! They’ll love them.

@mikibell You’re a busy bee!

@ruouttaurmind I have lanterns and signs done…working on personalized galvanized buckets… Making cookies and wrapping the buckets etc, then I am done with Christmas presents…will post more tomorrow!

@ruouttaurmind I’ve only done some small stuff but have had luck with this Scotch extra strength adhesive roll.

I’m sure @lisaviolet, and @mikibell will have better answers for you when they get here.

@Ignorant Thank you for the tip! So does it lay down like the adhesive part of scotch sticky tape, but without the sticky part? Kinda like the way those white-out rolls work?

@ruouttaurmind Beacon 3-in1.

Paper doesn’t warp (which is why I like it). It’s best used warm, doesn’t flow as smoothly when it’s cooler, this is the stuff I shove down my pants when I’m working on a project.

Plus, it doesn’t dry as quickly and gives me more time to do a little repositioning of my paper.

And plus plus, you can make little glue boogers with it when you rub it off of your fingers. (And it also is fairly easy to remove the part when you use too much and it squishes out from the paper.)

One of my main things about paper crafting is my love/hate relationship with glue. I also use Scotch Tacky Glue, but it isn’t as forgiving and it warps.

@lisaviolet Thank you for the tips! I just saw this on the shelf at Michaels but thought I’d wait to hear from the experts.

Something I discovered as I was wondering through the adhesive section at Michaels: crafters are much like car people. Chevy, Dodge, Ford… every car guy has a hundred reasons why his favorite brand is superior to the others. I discovered this is also true with craft supplies when the Michaels girl asked if I needed help finding something. Two employees and at least 3 shoppers were all too willing to sell me on the ideal adhesive. And of course there was no agreement among them.

EDIT: do I apply directly from the bottle? Or use a brush or some other kind of application?

@ruouttaurmind You can use it directly on your project.

@ruouttaurmind sorry…we had a storm today, which quite literally, put me under the weather…
I took @lisaviolet’s suggestion and bought the 3 in 1… It was wonderful… I also used glue tape like @ignorant’s suggestion on less textured items…didn’t work well on the glitter card stock …it really depends on what type of flowers you are making. Also, with the glue tape, I make a mess because I have terrible aim/vision and go off the paper, so the work space gets very sticky… Ooopps…

In addition, i used my sewing supplies to hold things together to keep the process moving… These are the small clips…joanns has them in a variety of sizes, but I only buy them when I have a 60 or 75 % off coupon…
https://www.amazon.com/MumCraft-Sewing-Clips-Quilting-Crafting/dp/B01LW1J22Y

@ruouttaurmind p.s. the glue tape is double sided…and typically has a dotted configuration. It comes in a variety of strengths, make sure to get permanent if you got this route. I made the mistake of buying repositional tape and not keeping it separated from the permanent! Kinda like sewing with water soluble thread!

@Ignorant your input is always valuable!! I just post to LisaViolet here to keep from starting a new thread everytime I have a question…but she is the queen bee… Not me… I am a hack.

@mikibell

I am a hack.

Uh huh. Uh, no. You’ve posted pics of your work here, remember? Recently even! We have conclusive evidence of the high quality of your product. Just look one thread above.

BTW, I got the 3D flower bundle from Silhouette, so these are the flowers I’m building.

@ruouttaurmind good luck! Those are a lot of work! Pencils are the greatest for texturing curled petals. The clips will help with the swirled designed flowers.

I offered to make flowers like that for my nephew’s wedding, but I was shot down that it was too girly!

@mikibell

too girly!

Ya, well, so I’m in touch with my softer side. I’m the Phil Donahue of the Meh forum. LOL!

@ruouttaurmind For flowers, I use McGill tools. And do a little inking on the edge of the petals.

Here’s a link to the ones I made for Mother’s day a few years ago. Shows how I used the ink.

https://www.amazon.com/Mcgill-Paper-Blossom-Tools-4-Pack/dp/B00483G6JY

@ruouttaurmind did I say queen bee? She is the cat’s meow!! Those are beautiful flower…

If you need flowers cut, let me know! I have two machines, no waiting.

P.s. you get to build em!

@lisaviolet <sigh> My stupid mangled mess of crumpled paper bits, compared to your spectacular creation… it’s like comparing a Snoopy comic to the Sistine Chapel.

@ruouttaurmind both are works of art though… In their own genres…

See why I say I am a hack!

@mikibell After looking at @lisaviolet’s flower vase… Imma hang up my cutting mat and slink back into the garage where I belong. 🛠

@ruouttaurmind Nuhnuhnuhnuhnuh no. Don’t even say that.

Everybody is different. I see these Christmas ornaments @mikibell has made and am in awe.

I look at the things I’ve done and think “I could have done better” because I see all the flaws. Like the blood stain on the back of one of the little blue flowers hanging over the vase. (Stuck myself with wire.) I didn’t share that link to make you feel bad, I shared it so you could see the steps I went through to make the flowers.

And keep in mind, every. single. project. of mine has a step by step tutorial behind it. Designs from Silhouette do not. Those tutorials are a HUGE help. I learned about the petal cupping from a tutorial.

FWIW, the vase is back with me (MIL passed away in 2016) and the flowers are dropping off. I guess the adhesive on those foam dots doesn’t bond forever.

@lisaviolet heheh we are teasing you… right now I am cursing this holographic htv… no idea why I can’t get it to cut at all. Of course, my pc decided to hang in the middle of all of this… and I dropped the galvanized buckets on my head and arm – the hurt!! Just want to get it all done today! I am tired.

Fuko comes in today!

@mikibell Ow! I’d probably sit down, then lay down, then close my eyes to the pain…for an hour or so. lol!

When I made the shirts for our Disney meets, after I got my first cutter, I started cutting vinyl for the pinwheels on the front. I got some prism type htv (it would blind someone in the sun, I loved it) and I don’t know what went wrong, but it started to peel off after the second or third wash. It cut okay, but I never figured out why it did such a crappy job of bonding to the fabric.

@lisaviolet hehehe…if only…I am working on the buckets…last presents for Christmas. I finally got the htv to cut…made the bags for my kids, great niece and nephews and another niece… Check that box!!
Put Merry Christmas on these sleds…for mom, mil and hard to buy for aunt!

@mikibell p.s. car decal for my great niece’s new car! Not perfect but close…

@ruouttaurmind galvanized bucket for inlaws…one per family…don’t care that it is crooked! 5 more to do!

@mikibell Pic not showing?

@ruouttaurmind operator error…

@mikibell You’ve crafted some pretty awesome gifts! Well done!

@ruouttaurmind hehehe my daughter wouldn’t let me htv her new backpack… she thinks I am addicted!

@lisaviolet Just picked up this pop-up card bundle for eight bucks. 28 pop-up cards for various occasions. I’m sure I’ll get some use out of it.

@ruouttaurmind Cool!

@ruouttaurmind trying to convince myself I would ever use them…here is the link to how to fold them…

http://www.popupology.co.uk/learn

Seems like one simple cut file? I thought they had to be glued together…phewwww…

@mikibell But how much fun are some of those pop-ups? I look at them as starting points, to be embellished and personalized for whatever occasion I feel like making a card.

@ruouttaurmind back to the flower topic…look at this!

http://www.silhouetteschoolblog.com/2016/05/how-to-roll-paper-flowers-with-drill.html?m=1

@mikibell That’s pretty slick.

The only problem I can see is the digital casualty equation (my fingers + hot glue gun = 3rd degree burns EVERY DAMN TIME!).

@mikibell That is pretty cool! I have a little battery powered drill…that could work…Nice find!

@lisaviolet awesome! I have to say she has great tutorials!

@ruouttaurmind Talk about pop-up cards…my inner geek is showing! Might make this for the kid…

http://petervojtek.github.io/diy/2015/03/31/greetings-from-hackerspace.html

@mikibell I have a lifelong love of pop up cards and books. This card is awesome!

Edit: I just noticed the laser etching on the chip. Geeking out!

@ruouttaurmind the guy modified his cameo to use a laser…my son received a laser cutter for Christmas!! He can use svg images too…

http://petervojtek.github.io/diy/2015/03/02/how-to-replace-silhouette-blade-with-laser.html

@therealjrn Yepper. Decent price if you’re interested in fussing with one.

@therealjrn Woot has some great deals on Cameo bundles.

@therealjrn I just checked the included items in the bundle. This really is a decent bundle if you have any interest in vinyl and HTV. Includes two cutting mats, two blades, 24 pens, HTV kit and vinyl kit.

@lisaviolet Cripes. Only a few more weeks to finish my flowers. I think I’m up to about six dozen right now.

@ruouttaurmind PICTURES!!!

@mikibell Amazing.

@mikibell @lisaviolet, I bought that ship design from the Silhouette store before Christmas. It’s the exact same design. He totally ripped it off from them!

@ruouttaurmind Is it a popup card? I love those things.

@ruouttaurmind i think it is the same person… I bought it and other 3d from the same designer…didn’t realize it was a card too!

@lisaviolet I haven’t built one yet, but from scrutinizing the design file, I cannot see any way for the ship to fold into a card. I wonder if that particular image is just the ship sitting on a card?

@mikibell

@ruouttaurmind Popup card.

https://www.lovepopcards.com/collections/boat-3d-pop-up-card

@lisaviolet So completely awesome… the video there actually shows them opening into all their pop up glory!

@lisaviolet Release the Kraken!

@ruouttaurmind I saw them advertised on my Facebook feed last year. Just gobsmacked. All of their cards are just amazing.

3dsvg.com has a few popup christmas cards. I made those one season, lots of positive comments. I’m pretty sure there’s at least one more, but I don’t remember what it was. I’ll look. Found it.

Have you checked out the Noel card? I made those this year. Pretty damned impressive. (The whole mechanism, that is.)

@lisaviolet This commercial just came on as I was ogling those pop up cards. 2 funny.

@ruouttaurmind and this:
https://home.woot.com/offers/silhouette-mint-stamping-system-19?ref=w_cnt_wp_0_3

mint for 30.99

I give up on the image… too many commas and periods in it to show and I am too lazy to download it…

@mikibell

@ruouttaurmind you’re my hero… sooooooooo where are photos of the flowers???

@mikibell Well, it’s not quite valentines day just yet… but, you and @lisaviolet were spot on. My goal of a gross of flowers was overly optimistic. The first few dozen were fun. The next couple dozen were… less fun. The next couple dozen after that were maybe mind numbing. The dozen after that were… well, are sitting on my craft table in bits still awaiting assembly.

@mikibell @ruouttaurmind The Mint came in handy when I was making holiday cards. I needed a stamp for the sentiment on one of the cards.

And I learned how to get embossing powder to work with the Mint ink. (Hint, you gotta work fast.)

Very nice little tool to have.

@mikibell @ruouttaurmind I finally cut the paper out for the Christmas trees last night. lol!

@mikibell @ruouttaurmind Oh. Em. Gee.

These folds are a nightmare.

@lisaviolet @mikibell This was exactly the thing which kept screaming through my mind as I was folding flowers. Bah!

@ForumWhisperer @lisaviolet I am still weeding mistakes from Christmas gifts – I can’t bring myself to throw out the wisemen! My next playing will be with the curio… the kid likes the idea of engraving bracelets.

The other kids in the house bought an eggbot, which will be here Saturday! (and they will be away, so momma can play!!!)

Plus I have to figure out how to make a fat unicorn out of fondant for a birthday cake…

@lisaviolet @mikibell Eggbot? I don’t know what it does, but I totally need one! It looks awesome.

@ruouttaurmind https://egg-bot.com/

“The EggBot is a compact, easy to use open-source art robot that can draw on spherical or egg-shaped objects. Super adjustable; designed to draw on all kinds of things that are normally “impossible” to print on. Not just eggs but golf balls, light bulbs, mini pumpkins, and even things like wine glasses — with a bit of work.
Use it to personalize Christmas ornaments or impress your friends with masterpiece Easter eggs. The EggBot is not just a cool gadget; it’s also a great introduction to CNC (computer numerical control) and do-it-yourself robotics. All of the electronics and software are designed to be hackable and repurposable, so you could easily computer control an Etch-a-Sketch or create something totally new.”

I don’t know if that is where they ordered it, but they found a sale this week and I caved – with the caveat that I get to use it too!

@mikibell @ruouttaurmind What fun!

@mikibell @ruouttaurmind

What fun!

Right?

You had me at “hackable”. LOL!

Just did an image search for EggBot. Yes, I’m duly impressed…

@lisaviolet @mikibell Ok, I just saw the pricetag. I’m slightly less impressed.

@ForumWhisperer Stupid alter-ego.

@ForumWhisperer @ruouttaurmind We could have our own private forum. lol!

@ruouttaurmind @mikibell Luckily, I never looked it up. My first thing now is storage space. No matter how cool and fun something looks, where would I put it (let’s not even mention the prospect of when would I use it?).

But reading @ruouttaurmind’s comment about the price, I could almost hear the screeching brain breaks…I know them well.

@lisaviolet @mikibell

I could almost hear the screeching brain breaks…I know them well.

I call them my own internal buzzkill.

@lisaviolet @ruouttaurmind hehehe that is why they had to wait until it was on sale!!! Space is an issue. I told them they have to get rid of something. It is kinda a reward for the kid being accepted to the high school of his choice (and it is FREE!!)…

@lisaviolet It’s super cool. I see loads of potential for the snowy scene, such as using glitter glued to the hillsides as snow, and maybe a micro LED above, or even translucent vellum used as a backer, and the tree silhouettes as cutouts, so when the card is tented as in the pic, the vellum would be creating a glowing effect.