Silhouette tutorial with Mendi: Shaped Cards

I’m so excited to be sharing one of my all time favorite ways to use Lori’s adorable cutting files:  Shaped Cards!!!

There are so many different ways to approach shaped cards.  For my first card I took Lori’s Santa Tote and cut off the flaps that formed the box and removed the hole in his hat (which formed the handle) to transform it into a cute card instead.


For my second card I used Lori’s Present cutting file into a card, pairing it with her button cutting file to form the knot on the bow.  I also elongated the bow and bottom portion of the gift to so that the overall dimensions of the card would be 4.25 x 5.5 inches to perfectly fill an A2 sized envelope.  To form my card base I cut 2 of the overall outline of the gift from white cardstock by welding all the shapes together.


For my snowman card I transformed another one of Lori’s treat box using the 3D Snowman Tote cutting file.  Once again I removed the circle handle in the top and instead cut a bigger circle to form a pom-pom for my snowman’s hat.  Rather than cutting two to form my card base, I mirrored my base shape and overlapped the two ever so slightly and welded them together, using a bone folder to create my crease and fold the card after cutting.  To give a little shine to the eyes and mouth, I added glossy accents.


For my Nativity card I cut two of my background shape from the blue cardstock to form my card base and scored the back piece along the top so that my score line was parallel to the bottom of the card.  Martha Stewart’s Score Board is an awesome tool for this.  I then just added adhesive above the score line and adhered it to the other card base piece.

I printed my sentiment on the computer using iridescent gold paper and popped the top portion up with foam tape.  I finished off my card with random dots of Stickles “stardust” glitter glue to give the look of a star filled sky.


This last card is a favorite of mine using Lori’s Ice Skate diecut from her Christmas Winter Set (available in the Silhouette store). To create my card base I used the same method as I did on my nativity card.  To give my skate a more realistic look I also chose to cut the blade from iridescent silver paper.

I had so much fun embellishing the skate!  I chose to discard the curly cutout for the laces and instead used my We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile to set a row of eyelets along the edge.  I then ran bakers twine through them and added a bow to the top.  To ground my sentiment I slipped one of Lori’s snowflakes behind a basic circle.


If you’re like me I do better with a visual example so I’ve created a video tutorial showcasing a couple different techniques I’ve utilized to create my shaped card bases.  🙂



Just to recap, today I’ve used the following cutting files designed by Lori which are available to purchase in her shop:
I hope you’ll give shaped cards a try! They’re so much fun!  🙂

The Ultimate Giveaway: SilhouetteCameo+Class+Paper!!

I have a dream package GIVEAWAY for you today! I’m super excited about sharing this with you!! One lucky winner will be taking home an AMAZING package including the following:

1 Silhouette Cameo ($299 value)

1 Seat in Lori Whitlock’s Brand NEW Silhouette Basics Class at Jessica Sprague ($35 value)

1 Echo Park Reflections Collection Kit (that’s the paper I used for the class project) ($15 value)

If you do the math that’s a $349 prize package! Now that’s enough to make anyone SQUEAL!! What a way to start the holidays! Are you interested? Just ENTER TO WIN through the Rafflecopter form below. You can enter in a variety of ways. Be sure to enter by November 27 at midnight. The WINNER will be announced on November 28. GOOD LUCK!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

$1 Wednesday at Jessica Sprague + GIVEAWAY

One Dollar Wednesday at JessicaSprague.com!

It’s Wednesday again that means TODAY ONLY you can snag two digital kits for an amazing deal… TODAY for JUST $1 you can grab this awesome set: School Days Collection. This kit is regularly priced at $5.99 and TODAY ONLY it’s just $1!

SCHOOL DAYS COLLECTION

And, you can get the following awesome product for HALF OFF, Layout Template 2, making it $1.75

LAYOUT TEMPLATE 2

While you are at jessicasprague.com getting your kits, be sure to check out the samples made with each of these kits at the bottom of each listing.

Aren’t you excited about Lori’s new class? Would you like to WIN a Cameo and a FREE seat in the class? Jessica is doing a fabulous GIVEAWAY a right now. Get details and go ENTER TO WIN at create.jessicasprague.com 

NEW Lori Whitlock Silhouette Class @ JessicaSprague.com

I am SO excited to share with you the latest project we’ve been working on here in the Lori Whitlock studio.

I can’t tell you how many requests we’ve had for a Silhouette class. We finally found the time to put one together and the class opens in just 10 days!! You can find it at JessicaSprague.com and it’s called  Silhouette Basics.

This class is a ‘hands-on’ experience! You’ll learn the Silhouette program as I walk you through each step create a gorgeous 31-page mini album. To create the album, you’ll receive an awesome bundle of exclusive cut files and one of my fonts! The class is regularly priced at $35, but if you register before the class begins, you’ll SAVE 25% making it just $26.25.

You can make your album out of any paper collection or paper from your stash. This album makes a great month at a glance or December Daily project! If you’d like to make your project look just like the class sample, you’ll need Lori’s Reflection Collection from Echo Park Paper. In fact, here’s a complete class supply list:

9 double sided pattern papers: we used Lori’s Reflections Collection for Echo Park Paper
6 dark 8.5×11 cardstock: sample has chocolate brown
3 medium 8.5×11 cardstock: sample has medium brown kraft
3 light 8.5×11 cardstock: sample has light cream
1 piece of 12×12 chipboard
(This is the bare minimum of papers needed. You might want extras for mistakes or miscast.)
2 binder rings
adhesive of your choice: we use tape runner and liquid glue for small pieces

Optional:
various coordinating ribbon to decorate rings, tag, and binder clip
binder clip or paper clip
inkpad for inking edges of papers

You’ll learn how to use the text tool, scale, align, ungroup and group, duplicate items, edit points, draw basic shapes, rotate, zoom in and out, offset shapes and so much more. By the time you’re done with this class you should feel pretty comfortable with the basic tools of the Silhouette Software!

This class is self-paced. You can go through the lessons as quickly or slowly as you’d like. Once you purchase the class you’ll have access to it for future reference.  So, go sign up while you can get the 25% discount. I can’t wait to see you in my Silhouette Basics class!!

 

Tuesday Freebie + New SVG files in the Shop

TODAY ONLY, this LEAF WINDOW BOX SVG file is FREE with purchase.

With your $5.00 purchase this $2.99 file will be yours free. Just enter coupon code LEAVES at checkout and the price will be deducted from your purchase. This freebie is good until midnight tonight!

We have many requests for the PDF file for hand cutting, class room projects etc, now many of new shapes will also include a line art PDF as well. Check the description on each shape before making your purchase, if you desire the PDF on an older shape that does not include a PDF let us know. Remember ALL new shapes are on sale for 25% off until Monday of next week.

 

Only a purchase in Lori’s SVG shop will qualify for the free cutting file.

Due to some technical difficulties some of these files are not currently live. Be on the lookout as they will be coming. This sale goes until Sunday November Nov 24, 2013