Vinyl Cutting Board

I have a fun new project to show you today! Ever since Mom and I went to the first All Things Silhouette Conference, we've been wanting to try cutting vinyl with our Silhouette Cameos. We've had our machines for 3 years but have only cut paper up to this point.

The cutting board is textured on the front, but smooth on the back. I mirrored my image and text and applied them to the back of the cutting board. I used Oracal 651 so the cutting board can be washed. I I gave it to my mother-in-law for Christmas. She loved it and is mostly going to use it as decoration in her kitchen!

Have you tried vinyl? I don't know why I waited so long!

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Christmas Pocket Letter

One of the Facebook groups I frequent had a little Pocket Letter swap. I used one of my favorite paper collections, Kringle and Co from American Crafts, to make these letters.

This is my favorite patterned paper from the collection!

I tucked embellishments, a note, and some tea behind the decorated inserts.

I used little words from an October Afternoon sticker sheet to make this pocket.

I'll be back soon to show you some non-Christmas themed gifts I made. I hope you and your family has a very Merry Christmas!!

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26 Books - November

1. A book you own but haven't read

2 - a book that was made into a movie

3 - a book you pick solely because of the cover

4 - a book your friend loves

5 - a book published this year

6 - a book by an author you've never read before

7 - a book by an author you love

8 - a book at the bottom of your "to be read" pile

9 - a book with a color in the title

10 - a book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit

11 - a book you started but never finished

12 - a book with a lion, a witch, or a wardrobe

13 - a book with a female heroine

14 - a book set in the summer

15 - a book of poems

16 - a book you learned about because of this challenge

17 - a book that will make you smarter

18 - a book with a blue cover

19 - a book you were supposed to read in school. But didn't.

20 - a book "Everyone" has read but you

21 - a book with a great first line

22 - a book with pictures

23 - a book from the library

24 - a book you loved... read it again!

25 - a book that is more than 10 years old

26 - a book based on a true story 

I'm getting close to my 26 book goal! It's been fun doing this challenge. I've done more reading than I have in years. Time is running out a little bit - hope I read the rest before the year is up, but we shall see. The holidays are so busy!

For book 20, a book "everyone" has read but you, I chose Yes Please by Amy Pohler. It was funny but I just couldn't get into it. It's a collection of short essays so it's something you can pick up and put down any time though.

I started Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. It really doesn't fit into any of the categories... so I'm changing the criteria for book 19 to "a book that teaches you something". That works for me! This book is pretty neat - she discusses inspiration, finding your creative flow, how to be in the moment and recognize those moments of pure genius.

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Breathe Deeply yoga card

One of the girls from my yoga teacher training opened up her own studio! Obviously I had to make a card for her. First, I traced her logo in Silhouette Studio and cut it out in different colors for a layered look. Her studio logo is a pretty purple color and I matched it fairly well with this purple cardstock.

I found this "breathe deeply" cut file and knew it would be perfect! I printed it on Joe's laser printer in blank ink, then ran it through the Heidi Swapp Minc machine. SWOON. I must say, this is one of my most favorite projects ever!! 

Next time I will use smooth cardstock so I get a crisper foil application. I say the black ink showing through in spots just gives it texture! ;)

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All Things Silhouette conference

Mom and I went to the first All Things Silhouette conference in Peachtree City, Georgia recently. It was such a hit, they're already planning 2 more conferences next year! We bought our Cameos 3 years ago and have enjoyed using them so far... but were ready to take classes and expand our knowledge beyond paper. I'm ready to buy some vinyl now!!

I read about a scrapbook store called Impressive Ideas outside of Atlanta. We pulled up and walked in, only to find that their grand opening wasn't happening until Saturday. They were kind enough to let us shop anyway!! This store has a ton of stamps and mixed media. Fun place! Once we were done shopping, we headed to the hotel. This was a two night trip (not sure what all we brought! lol)

We registered and were given fun little canvas tote bags.

We attended classes on Saturday and Sunday. Our teachers included Melissa from Silhouette School, Lori Whitlock, Jeana Goodwin from Felicity Jane, and a former Silhouette America employee and scrapbooker named Cindy. We learned SO MANY tips and tricks. Our classes covered topics like designing in Silhouette Studio, what to do when your machine isn't cutting out your projects very well, adhesive vinyl 101, scrapbooking with your Silhouette, and tracing tips. There were also classes on glass etching, heat transfer vinyl, rhinestone application, planning parties, and making cards.

There was a vendor hall, a Silhouette America hospitality room (where we got to see the Curio and Mint machines in action), as well as meals and snacks throughout both days.

We made our own photo booth props for the photo booth contest (we didn't win, but still had fun). Mom thought of the Flinstones and I quickly traced some cartoon images of Wilma and Betty.

I cut them out of cardstock and we fastened them to skewers so we could hold the pieces up. 

Our photo booth entry:

Do you use your Silhouette for vinyl or paper? Most people at the conference seemed to use one kind or the other - not both!

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String Art

I've had string art on my To Do list ever since I saw it on Pinterest... but have never got around to it. I had grand plans of making a pattern on my Silhouette Cameo and then nailing the pattern onto a piece of wood but let's get real - that hasn't happened! (Although i do think Joe would do that for me). I saw a little kit at Joann's for 30% off and knew immediately that the kit was mine!

I didn't want to use the white thread that came with the kit, so I picked a pretty turquoise color of DMC floss. I love how it turned out!

Have you ever made string art?

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Journey

I picked up 2 new washi tapes at Hobby Lobby and was inspired to make this layout. I love how it turned out!! I finished my yoga teacher training in August. The journaling here is about our graduation ceremony and how much I love these people!

The new washi tapes are the feather one and the geometric one (bottom tape). Gold accents and my favorite color palette - they were made for me! The rest of the washi tapes were from my stash. I ended up reapplying the top 2 or 3 strips because they needed to go further across the page when I was making the layout.

I found just a few embellishments for this page.

The feathers are my favorite! Look at those gold flecks *swoon*.

This is part of a Dear Lizzy gold doily vellum sheet - one of my all time favorite papers!

Have you ever made a background using washi tape? I'd love to see it!

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