Sunday, January 6, 2019

Making Quietfire Lanterns - Tutorial

I love making these lanterns!  They come in several different sizes, but they are all assembled the same way. The awesome thing about them is that they can fold flat for mailing or storage till next year!

I create new ones frequently and if you need a little reminder how they are assembled, follow along below.  If you're making your first lantern, check out the Assembling Quietfire Christmas Lanterns from the Silhouette Cutting Files on YouTube or click below. (If you're receiving this as an email update, please click on the link to view the video on YouTube.)

If you wish, there is a slightly shorter refresher video on YouTube HERE.


Use this lantern as a centerpiece or cut a collection of them! Use them as table decorations at each place. Add a vellum panel and fill them with flameless votives or add a tiny plant or treat – do whatever your imagination dreams of!

Here is the short version of the instructions.

  1. Open the file in your software.  Ungroup all the elements, leaving the lantern on the mat.  Cut from desired colour. If there are any on-lays, cut them from your desired colours as well.
  2. Cut the vellum panels if you are going to use them (don't forget to change your blade settings before - and after!) 
  3. Place the lantern face down and fold all the perforated score lines up towards you except for the two shown. 
  4. Adhere the vellum panels inside the lantern now if you wish to use them.
  5. You may add any on-lays at this point.
  6.  Fold sides to create box, add adhesive to the tab and secure. 
  7. To create the bottom, fold the diagonal score lines on the irregular tabs outwards. Apply adhesive to those.  
  8. Adhere this tab to the adjacent (regular shaped tab). Repeat the same with the two remaining tabs. 
  9. By pushing your finger up at the bottom of the box, you will now be able to fold your box flat. When it is returned to lantern shape, the floor of the lantern will “lock”. Assemble the top by sliding side tabs over the notches. 
Voila!  You've done it!  They're so cute, you'll want to make another!
Happy creating! Suzanne

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Snowboarder Monogram Font Scrapbook Layout

Hi, Connie Nichol here today with a scrapbook layout featuring the Snowboarder Monogram Font.  This is such a cute font and perfect for photos of snowboarding kids.  The font is available in the Silhouette Design Store here.

It's easy to download and install and you can use it any software that you would normally use fonts - Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop Elements spring immediately to mind.   I could have simply printed my page title using Word, but instead I decided to try using my Silhouette Cameo electronic die cutting machine to cut out the snowboard letters to spell my son's name.  It worked great.  It's nice to consider both options - printing or cutting the monogram font - and whichever you choose will depend on the capabilities of your printer and your scrapbook design.




To accent the layout, I cut a couple of the photos and some patterned paper into triangles to mimic the mountains.  However, the comma character of this font will provide a mountain silhouette and the period will give you a stand alone snowboarder silhouette.  These are very handy so be sure to remember that these extra elements are there!




Thanks for dropping by and hope everybody has a wonderful New Year, Connie





Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Butterfly Flourished Heart - Valentine - In A Perfect World - Easel card


Yogi here today and Christmas is over at last... and I thought I'd work on the next significant card making event - Valentine's.

I'm using a quote and sentiment stamp from Quietfire Design ("Calligraphic Love Bits" 5pce set); ("In A Perfect World..." 4pce set)

And am using a couple of Suzanne's electronic files available on Silhouette onLine store. Click images to purchase. 


https://www.silhouettedesignstore.com/designs/50365?search=suzanne+cannon+hugs&sortby=relevance&submitted_search=truehttps://www.silhouettedesignstore.com/designs/179785?search=suzanne+cannon+butterfly+flourished+heart&sortby=relevance&submitted_search=true
Scored, and folded my red textured cardstock to create my easel card structure (card size: 7"w x 5"h). Cut another piece from the red same size as card, adhered to front.
 

 
Opened SCAL (Sure Cuts A Lot software) and the Heart Butterfly Flourish file. Removed the card base image. Increased size of Heart/Butterfly to 6.7" x 4.5". Selected all and copied/pasted a 2nd image on my mat.


Opened the "Hugs" and increased size to 5"w x 1.9"H. Copied and pasted and selected "Shadow" style.

Cut everything from white cardstock. removed one of the Heart/Butterflies from the mat, cut away the butterfly flourish (keep for later) and inked the heart with Archival "Vermillion" ink pad, clear embossed. Set aside.

Colored the butterflies using Faber Castell Pitt pens and cut away from the vine.

On the other Heart/Butterfly colored the butterflies with the same colors as above. Adhered the cut away butterfly - bodies only. Using an embossing pen, inked the wings only and embossed with Emerald Creek Iridescent Shimmer embossing powder.



 
Adhered a piece of white "Coral Reef" paper to the card front and then the Heart Butterfly Flourish. 


 
On the floor:

Inked the "Hugs" using Versafine "Toffee" and embossed with Queen's Gold embossing powder. Inked the shadow layer with the Vermillion and clear embossed. Adhered both layers together and inked with Versamark and clear embossed (this gives a shiny layer to the gold layer and helps adhere the two layers together. Score and adhere to floor to act as a stopper.

Stamped the "Valentine" and the quote on white cardstock using Versafine Black Onyx and clear emboss. Sponge some Distress "Fired Brick" around edges and adhere to floor.

Add some flourish pearls



Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Nutcracker Sugarplum Fairy Ornament

Hi Y'all
Robyn here with a special gift for any 
Sugarplum faerie in your life.
This tiny dancer is one of Suzanne's Nutcracker Series


On the Mat

The Quietfire Design stamp on the tag is


and the snowflakes


Vision of sugarplums abound!
Comments and Questions Welcomed



Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Snowman Gift Card Holder

Hello, Connie Nichol here today with a cute gift card holder created from a Suzanne Cannon cut file and a Silhouette Cameo.  The cut file is available in the Silhouette Design Store here.  Gift cards have become such a ubiquitous part of our lives and it is nice to make them a little bit special by giving them in a personalized card holder.  These snowmen are so quick and easy to put together.  You can cut them out of regular cardstock in a variety of colours, or try specialty paper like I did here to make them a little fancier.  The shiny blue and silver on these holders was cut out of mirror cardstock by Crafters Companion. 



These are just a couple of ideas on how to customize your snowmen - try cutting them in different colours, add a bit of glitter paper, the sky is the limit.  They will make your gift cards look adorable.  Merry Christmas! 

Saturday, December 8, 2018

More Home Decor!

Just because Advent has begun, doesn't mean you can start now!  Here is my favourite Advent creation (so far!).  It's called the Advent Tree - Boxes with Gift Drawers



Fill this awesome advent tree with gifts and/or treats for family, friends and guests! Even better, make an Advent Tree for someone else. How about just making one with a chalkboard label so you can change the date manually? This file comes with all the pieces you need to construct the little drawers, but also the numbers to cut and print!  You can make all the "boxes" the same or mix and match.  You don't need to stack the boxes in the shape of a tree, you can leave them cached around the house to be found on just the right day!

In addition to these boxes, you can find two more styles on the Silhouette site which you can mix and match with these boxes!

 I’ve given you all the numbers, the extra box (for making the Advent Tree) and an extra bird so you have more options.
I’ve given you all the numbers and the extra box (for making the Advent Tree).

Happy decorating!!
Suzanne

Friday, December 7, 2018

Christmas Home Decor


Here is one of my favourite pieces of home decor.  I love the elegant flourished deer, cut in gold cardstock atop the rustic plank! 
You can find the deer cutting file at Silhouette HERE
and on the Quietfire site as an svg HERE 
 
The wood plank is by Jillibean and measure 6x6" (I made this last year, so not sure if this is still available!)

Happy decorating!
Suzanne