Gift Card/Money Holder - A Great Christmas Project

I found this holder on Pinterest which was created manually HERE and I immediately created a Studio file. I rushed this project so I can share it with my blog followers in time for their Christmas gift ideas.

I created 3 designs which are all included in the file. I added a layer inside the holder to provide a space for writing a message to the recipient. I also added a tag on the front for the name of the recipient. All the tags are from the Silhouette store.

The names of the Silhouette designs and the embossing folders used on these holders are indicated on the caption of the photo.

This is a very timely project for Christmas and it can also be used not only for gift cards but also for money, checks, gift certificates, tickets and other gifts of similar kind.

I only share my free files with my blog followers. You can become a follower by clicking on 'Join This Site' If you are already a follower, please post a comment to request for the file and PLEASE DO NOT FORGET to indicate your e-mail address on your comment. I just got quite a few requests with no e-mail address.

Happy crafting!

Ligaya

Tag from Silhouette: label frame tag by Samantha Walker
Embossing folder: SIZZIX 'Corner & Lattice Set'

Tag from Silhouette: label frame tag by Samantha Walker
Embossing folder: SIZZIX 'Corner & Lattice Set'

Tag from Silhouette: 3 labels by Lori Whitlock
Embossing folder: Stampin' Up Textured Impression 'Elegant Bouquet'

Silhouette Tag: 2 piece label #3 by Lori Whitlock
Embossing folder: Cuttlebug 'Musical Flourish'

Embossing folder: SIZZIX 'Country Cottage set'

Bow Maker - Making The Perfect Bow

I fell in love with the concept of the bow maker the moment I saw it on our Silhouette Facebook group, Silhouette Cameo Paper Crafts. I will forever be grateful to Sue Busch who shared a photo of her bow maker customized by her brother-in-law. I got obsessed with it and really spent time searching and watching every bow maker video I can find. I come from a place where there are a lot of skilled furniture makers which makes it easy to have this customized so I thought of creating my own design according to the specifications I need. With the help of my brother, we went to see his friend, Melo, to have it made and after only 5 days, voila, I now have this beautifully hand crafted bow maker. Melo did a great job in following all my specifications from the exact measurements down to the stain color.

It is critical for the dowels to fit snugly into the dowel slots in order to achieve the perfect bow. And the other critical aspect of the design for me is how to secure the dowels for storage and having them laid flat for space saving storage. That's how we came up with the hallowed receptacles for the dowels along the sides on top of the base. Great and happy solution! To complete the bright idea, I created a pouch for the bow maker set. There is actually a better storage solution for the dowels wherein 2 long holes, almost the whole length of the dowel, are drilled inside the base of the dowel which would mean having to increase the width of the base which I was not willing to do as I wanted to minimize the size of the base for less space on my desk when I'm using it.

BTW, before I had my bow maker made, I was very anxious to see if this concept really works. You know how we see all these things being demonstrated on these video tutorials making them look so easy but when we try them ourselves we get so disappointed as they are not really that easy to do and sometimes they don't really work? So I came up with an improvised bow maker making use of 2 chopsticks which I adhered with a double sided tape to the side (inside) of a plastic container (the shape should not really matter). You will see below the very first bow that I made with my improvised bow maker. It is, indeed, a perfect bow! So this convinced me all the more to have my own proper bow maker made.

There are tons of video tutorials out there on how to use the bow maker. For me, this link is the best as it clearly shows the directions of the looping of the ribbon around the dowels in a slow step-by step instructions.: Perfect Bow

For more ideas on ribbons and bows, check out my Pinterest board, http://pinterest.com/ligayatg/ribbons-and-bows/

Thank you very much, Sue Busch, for all the photos and information that you very kindly provided us regarding your bow maker.

                             
                                          

Panda Card - For Dustine's 7th Birthday

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I'm way too early finishing my birthday card for Dustine, my oldest brother's grandson, who will be turning 7 on December 15. I'm trying to finish all the cards due for December birthdays so I can concentrate on my Christmas cards.

Just like a typical boy his age, Dustine is into animals. I made the Angry Birds card for his birthday last year. I got the idea for this Panda card from a post shared by Sue Busch on our Facebook group Silhouette Cameo Paper Crafts. She made this adorable card using the same adorable Panda design from the Silhouette store which I happen to already have in my library. The name of the design is Zoo Panda by Sarah Bailey. Please note that there are two Zoo Panda designs on the Silhouette store which look exactly the same, one is a regular cut file and the other one is a print and cut file. Although I have both, I used the regular cut file. Sue used the print and cut file.


When I purchased my first Silhouette machine (SD) more than 2 years ago, they used to offer the unlimited subscription for a discounted $14.99 a month which meant you can download an unlimited number of designs or ALL at any time during your one year subscription. So we were simply downloading all the new designs being released each week. I accumulated over 13,000 designs. I think I was one among the last ones that were able to avail of this unlimited subscription. When Silhouette America bought the Silhouette line from Quickutz, they never offered the unlimited subscription anymore.So that explains why I can't even remember which designs I already have in my library :).

The back of the Panda is even cuter. Just take a look at that butt and the back of his feet with his paws. Sooooooo stinking cute!!!  Dustine will be humored finding his name on his butt. It's so easy to toggle the text into any shape like this using the drawing tools in Silhouette Studio. Instead of writing the step by step instructions on how to do this, I searched for a video tutorial that is very easy to follow, Text-to-Path tutorial by doodling Debbie. This is a great technique to learn about text most especially in creating sentiments. BTW, you will need to ungroup the letters to make sure that the top part of the letters are touching enough so they can be welded together and cut in one piece instead of individually. I didn't want to bother having to arrange the letters one by one on my card after the letters have been cut. There is actually a technique using a mesh tape (drywall tape) in transferring  the arranged text from your mat onto your project: Die Cut Transfer With Mesh.

I made this into a 3D card by using dimensional tape on the layered parts of the Panda using my homemade  pop-up dots.It is also interactive as the head wiggles (see video) using Margaret Wilburn's Springy-Thingy that I've used on my other kiddie cards like Swing Card, Spin card and Angry Birds card.. The card looks so much better in person because of the felt paper that I used giving it a fussy texture/ Instead of the eyes provided in the design, I used a pair of craft eyes which made the Panda even cuter. I created the creases on the face (brows and smirk) so I can cut them and layer them on the face (used black felt paper) and added the 2 tiny ovals for the nose. I also added the 'inside of the ears (used blue felt paper) by doing an internal offset of the ears. I also made the tail larger than the scaled size in the file. The sheets of felt paper that I have are all one sided (plain white on the back/wrong side) so I had to cut 2 pieces for each layer (except for the parts of the face) and glued them together to show the same texture and color on the Panda's back.The actual size of my Panda card is, from the top of the ears down to the tip of the paws is 5.5" tall and 5.5." wide (widest part of the legs).

I was lost as to where to put the space for writing the message on the card as I want to keep the back side of the Panda open and exposed. I replicated the exact same round shape of the body and welded a small tab on one side to be attached (tucked under) on the side of the back of the Panda where I can write my birthday message but I may end up foregoing this part as I don't think Dustine will really care much for it as he will just be interested in the Panda :). 

Silhouette Ratchet Blade - Yes, It Can Be Opened!

I'm so excited to share what I just discovered in our Facebook Silhouette users group-Brazil Silhoueteiras e Cia-BR (https://www.facebook.com/groups/368738113201922/). The video was posted by my FB friend Adines Baratieri who found it on her German Silhouette users group.Thank you so much, Adines

The video demonstrates how easy it is to open the Silhouette ratchet blade to remove debris/fibers/lint/dirt that get stuck inside. The lady who created the video, Natalia, (from Germany) is a genius. The video is in German but anyone can easily understand it as she did an excellent job in showing the step by step instructions. Finally, the mystery on how to open this blade holder has been unlocked. Thank you so much, Natalia.

I strongly suggest using an old dull Silhouette ratchet blade in trying this initially until you get comfortable and used to it. 

It will be neat if someone can discover how to replace the blade. I'm inclined to believe that the blade used for the ratchet blade is the same blade used for the CB09/aluminum blade holder which cost only about $2.80 each. I did a comparison and it looks like the 45 degrees blade.

It is so amazing how we all get connected coming from the different parts of the world in sharing our passion for our beloved Silhouette Cameo (and Silhouette SD). 

BTW, I started following Natalia's blog and wrote her to ask if she can possibly redo the video in English. Let's see what her response will be.

UPDATED October 29, 2012

Nataliia Schneider was super nice to accommodate my request to recreate this video in English. What a very nice lady! Let's all show our appreciation and take the time to thank her on her blog. Please post a comment on her blog post: : http://www.stampika.blogspot.de/2012/10/silhouette-cameo-klinge-reinigen.html

Here is the recreated English video tutorial:

Purse Card

My friend from Canada, Marita, just loves purses which inspired me to create a purse card for her on her recent birthday.

The patterned paper is from the DCWV Lemon Flower stack. I used felt paper, lace and ribbon for the trimmings. The flourish is from the Silhouette store, I cut 2 pieces and stacked them together for my favorite faux chipboard technique. BTW, I did an offset of the flourish as the design was too fine for the size I wanted. The bottom layer of the sentiment is a tag from the Silhouette store which I tweaked to get rid of the tip at the bottom. The heart shaped clasp is from my trinket collection. I used a magnetic snap for the closure.

From the Silhouette Online Store:

1) Flourish: House of 3 Swirly Flourish By House of 3
2) Tag: Label Frame Tag By Samantha Walker

I created an alternative sentiment, 'Made Just For You', which is included in the free card file.

I'm sharing all the layers of the card except for the flourish and the bottom layer of the sentiment. Please note that I only share my files with my blog followers. Just post a comment to request for the free card file. Please do not forget to leave your e-mail address on your comment.

Happy crafting!
Ligaya

Golden Retriever Card For Ranjeet

I made this card for Ranjeet, son of my very good friend, Elaine. I always struggle in coming up with card ideas for boys. I made the Angry Birds card for his birthday last year  Thank you, Ranee (his sister), for giving me the great tip this time. Ranjeet is crazy about his new dog, a golden retriever. I found a great picture of one and made it into a simple card. As I was figuring out the sentiment for the card, I came up with the idea of using a bone shape for the sentiment tag. I used the Walt Disney font. I just love the way this turned out. 

Everything on the card is included in the free file. Please note that I only share my files with my blog followers. Join now to enjoy my free files. Post  your comments now for the file request. PLEASE do not forget to indicate your e-mail address.

Happy crafting!

Ligaya