Using digital papers with my Silhouette die cut machine

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Cathy

Oh my word – this Silhouette is going to be a blast!! I wish I had more time to play with it right now – but I have a bunch of Santa elf tasks I need to tackle first.

But – I couldn’t resist at least making a little something! I made this little gift basket using the Gift Basket cutting file from The Cutting Files over at the Digichick.

I combined it with papers, images and tags from my new Penguin Pals digi kit line.

I actually just printed a sheet of the snowy paper, and then enlarged the basket to fit into the cutting space. ( I did turn the template 45% in my Silhouette Studio program to make the basket a little bigger). Then I added text and the penguin to the tag in photoshop and printed the tag and little penguin on another sheet of paper.

I cut the tag out with a Spellbinders Nestibilities rectangle die and cut around the penguin and adhered it to the front of the basket. It went together so quickly and easily. So fun!

Well – have a great Monday everyone. I’m off to be elfish…

Using digital kit elements to make holiday cards

Posted on December 3, 2011 by Cathy

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Hi everyone! I thought I’d share my method for making greeting cards from digital elements. I’m using items from my new Penguin Pals kit here. I’ve been so enjoying getting back into card making. I really do think its just my favorite thing.

I start my digi-hybrid cards in Photoshop. I create a blank letter sized document. Then I just build a card – layering the shapes and digital elements and sizing everything as I go along. I also add my text and size and color that as well. Then when I’m happy with the card layout, I pull the layers apart on the blank canvas for printing – giving each item I want to be a separate layer it own printing space.

Generally, I leave some layers grouped together – just to make card assembly quicker and easier. I do put a little shadow layer between the stacked layers to make them look more like 2 pieces. You can also opt to use card stock for some of the layers instead of all digital elements.

Here is my card all pulled apart and printed:

I use a craft knife to cut out the straight layers. I used my Spellbinders(TM) Nestibilities(R) die templates to cut out the focal image and the sentiment tag (the digital elements in this kit are specifically sized for this).

I just rough cut the elements and center the cutting dies on the printout. Then I add little bits of painter’s tape to hold the dies in place. Run it through to emboss and then again to cut.

Then I just assemble the card, adding foam tape for dimension and some brads and ribbon.

These other cards were made the same way.

Right now – all the Penguin Pals kits are 33 – 50% off, if you’d like some Penguin Pals for yourself. Oh – and don’t forget to sag your coordinating Facebook Freebie over at the Paper Garden Projects fan page.

Have a great day everyone – I’m taking the girls to a Natural Critters Ornament making class at the local Arboretum. Should be fun!

New Penguin Pals Digital Craft Kits plus a new freebie

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Cathy

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Hi all – there is a new craft kit in my DigiChick store called Penguin Pals. Its actually a series of smaller kits with images, paper sets and tags – so you can pick and choose which pieces you’d like.

Once again, the tag set contains tags that coordinate with Spellbinders(TM) Nestibilities(R) die templates and tag dies. This set coordinates with circle, square, rectangle, ribbon slide trio, and double-ended tag trio dies. I’m really loving how easy this is – especially for doing sentiments. (I’ll have a little tutorial tomorrow…). I’ve also included versions of the tags to use digitally and versions for hybrid crafting without cutting dies.

These smaller kits coordinate with kits offered by other Digichick designers – so you can really mix and match to your heart’s content. And all these new coordinating items are at a special low price for a short time.

Here is a peek at the different kits:

And last but not least – I put up a new coordinating Facebook Freebie. Just go over and “Like” the Paper Garden Projects fan page if you haven’t already. You can download the freebie by clicking on the Freebies for Fans tab on the left side.

I’ll be back with some more projects and tutorials.