Blog Posts

How to Draw Raindrops in Silhouette Studio

2/7/2017

Here is an easy technique for making your own raindrop and teardrop shapes in Silhouette Studio. I've also included a free Silhouette Compatible cut file which you can download from here.

Point Edit the Top Node OF A Circle

The key, is to start with a circle and simply point edit the top node. Double-click on the circle to show nodes and drag the top one upwards. Change the node type to a corner and drag into the shape you like.

How to drawn raindrops and teardrops in Silhouette Studio. Tutorial plus video and free cut file by Craft Chatterbox blog

Duplicate, Flip and Intersect to Ensure Symmetry

Duplicate the shape in exactly the same position by holding down the Alt key and clicking on the shape. Flip the shape by right-clicking and selecting Flip Horizontally. Then select both shapes and chose the Intersect option within the Modify window

GIF animation of how to make raindrop shapes symettrical in Silhouette Studio. Tutorial by Craft Chatterbox blog

Round Tip Using Offset

If you want a rounded tip, I find the easiest way is to use the Offset tool. If you want your shape to remain the same size, simply internal offset and then external offset y the same amount. That way the shape will be identical, but just without the sharp tip

How to round tip of raindrop using the Offset Tool in Silhouette Studio. Tutorial by Nadine Muir for Craftchatterbo Blog

Replicate to Make Flowers

Designer Edition owners can use the rotate copies option within the Replicate window to turn their raindrop shapes into flowers. Simply drag the centre of rotation to the top or bottom and click replicate. Alternatively the new Object to Path functionality can do this too and it's available to all users. I'll post an another video soon.

Free Cut File

Want a selection of raindrop shapes to use immediately? Download my freebie and you'll have all these shapes to choose from (click the image to download).

Freebie Silhouette compatible cut file with raindrop / teardrop shape and flowers from Craft Chatterbox blog

Requests?

I've been neglecting the wee blog recently, but don't worry I've been crafting hard, so I have lots of things to update you with. In the next few weeks I'll tell you all about my kitchen revamp, screen-printing and enamelling workshops and my paper weaving hot air balloon project. If you have any requests for tutorials, let me know and if know how to do it I'll certainly rewrite a post. If I don't know how I'll try my hardest to find out!! 'Til next time, Nadine

0 Comments

Mummy Maddy's Makeover Takeover

5/4/2017

0 Comments

Hey guys, Nadine here with a guest blog post from my mummy! Craftiness runs in my family, so when my mum showed me pictures of her recent livingroom makeover, I thought it would be fun if I could share here. So today I'll move over and let my mum takeover with her makeover!!

Mad(eleine) About Fabrics

After living with ‘drab’ plain navy curtains for over 10 years I decided in my wisdom that it was about time for a change! Which colour, plain or with a design, readymade or make my own? Decisions, decisions! I had a good look on the internet and shopped locally in Belfast, Northern Ireland which resulted in a few options. I couldn’t find anything that I really liked in any readymade ranges, so thought I’d have a go at sewing my own curtains and if I hadn’t gone mad in the process, possibly run up some cushions to compliment them.

I found a fantastic shop with a nice easy to navigate web site called Mad About Fabrics http://www.madaboutfabrics.com/ which was just on the outskirts of Belfast in the Duncrue Industrial Estate. Brilliant!! On visiting the shop I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much choice of fabric in one place and excellent customer service too. They had various Orla Kiely fabrics by the metre, which was nearly the fabric of choice!

Isla Fabric by Porter and Stone

Isla Fabric in Pewter from Mad About Fabrics in Belfast

In the end, I decided on ‘Isla’ fabric in the colour Pewter from Porter and Stone http://www.porterandstone.co.uk/isla-collection (£22.95 a metre). Although described as classic Chenille Jacquard, it is by no means what I would have thought of as ‘old fashioned’ chenille, as it has a slightly distressed texture and is a nice weight for curtains so I thought this would make up well for a warm and cosy feeling in my living room.

Minty The Sewing Machine

When the assistant carried the large roll of fabric out to my car I was slightly concerned that I’d taken on more than I could chew and worried that the material was too thick to go through the sewing machine and could turn into a nightmare!

Out came ‘Minty’ my trusty sewing machine from John Lewis (a gift from my daughter Nadine), which is currently on sale for £99 (20% off). I needn’t have worried about any problems as this was a dream to sew and the pattern turned out great to use as a guide.

Plumping for some Cushions

I had ordered up an extra metre in case I felt a cushion coming on! So, I made some cushions in a very easy pillow case type design with pompom edging purchased via EBay, how-to guide easily found on YouTube.

Cushions made with Isla fabric in Pewter by Porter and Stone

I also purchased via EBay some material with a fox design: Fryetts “Foxy Fox” in Teal to add a different element into the room and 2 plain cushions from TK Max, which I have always found to have good quality cushions and feather pads at a reasonable price. Result – one awfully fancy living room and one very pleased seamstress!

Fryetts Foxy Fox cushion in Teal colourway

Dulux Slate Grey Paint

To complete the room I have finished it off with a new coat of paint. I used Dulux paint in Slate Grey, on two walls which was mixed by Dulux in Homebase to provide some extra protection against marks but still providing a nice matt finish. I used Crown paint from their Period colours range in Palladian on the other two walls.

Isla curtains in Pewter, dulux paint in slate grey

Guest blog post by Madeleine Scott - Nadine's mummy!

0 Comments

Mother's Day Idea: Easy Origami Dresses

25/3/2017

0 Comments

Mother's Day gift idea. String origami dresses on mini pegs. Use Japanese Yuzen Chiyogami paper for cute patterns. Craft Chatterbox blog

I bought some pretty Japanese Yuzen Chiyogami paper when I first came to Edinburgh in 1999. Well, that art shop has long since closed and 18 years down the line, I have finally made something with those oh so pretty papers!

Here's the tutorial I followed, it really is very easy, not like the bow or crane ones which make my eyebrows knit!

Supplies

Box Frame

A lot of companies such as Matalan, Dunelm and Asda sell the frames complete with string and pegs, but the frames are open, with no glass. I don't like that, so it's easy to make your own. You just need a box frame, where there is a gap between the glass and back. If you are framing a single dress, I would recommend the square 23cm Ikea Ribba frame. For the washing line, I think a wide, triple aperture frame works best. I have found two frames, one from M&S for £15 and a wider still one from The Range for £5.99.

marks and spencer box frame suitable for origami dress project by Craft Chatterbox blog

Marks and Spencer 3 Aperture Photo Frame £15

Triple Deep Box Photo Frame from the Range £5.99

Background Paper

As my frame was very wide, I didn't have any paper to fit, so I simply spray painted the sheet that came with it. My local B&Q shut down last year and I bought a massive stash of spray paints at 70% off, woohoo! The colour I went for was Valspur Spun Sugar. An A3 sheet should work for the M&S frame.

Mini wooden craft pegs

These are available in the stationery department of most supermarkets, I got mine in Sainsbury's. Here's a link to the Hobbycraft ones

Baker's / Natural twine

I reused twine from a parcel I received recently. It's often wildly overpriced, but Hobbycraft are doing 27m balls for 50p. Alternatively, a length of ribbon would also look very pretty.

Yuzen / Chiyogami Paper

The best quality paper is made using the same hand silk-screen-printed techniques as the finely patterned kimono cloth known a 'Yuzen' in Kyoto, Japan. I got a second stash from here on EBay, let's hope I don't take 18 years to use these! Amazon sell some with free next day delivery for Prime members here. In fact, I think any paper with pretty colours or patterns will look great!

Japanese Yuzen Chiyogami Origami Paper - 12cm - 20 mixed designs from Ebay to make my origami dresses

Japanese Yuzen Chiyogami Origami Paper from hai-dozo-japan Ebay Seller - £4.10 for 20 sheets

So, even if you've left it late, there's still time to whip up a pretty card or to make a framed washing line of these cute little origami dresses. I promise they are super easy to make - I even taught my pal from memory using a napkin in a restaurant!

0 Comments

Laminator Lovin' : Liberty Fabric & HTV Cards

12/3/2017

3 Comments

Using a laminator to apply heat transfer vinyl (htv) and liberty fabric to cards. Shapes cut with my Silhouette Cameo. Tutorial on Craft Chatterbox blog

I bought an A3 laminator from Aldi a few months back to use in conjunction with a laser printer for the purposes of foiling. Now, foiling has been a rollercoaster ride of a craft hobby, so I'll cover that separately, but I just had to share with you the fabulous, consistent and easy results I've had using my laminator with fabric and heat transfer vinyl (HTV) cut with my Silhouette Cameo.

Chrome HTV

I tried applying gold chrome HTV to card ages ago and it worked well, but when I used it with an iron, the card curled massively and no amount of time under heavy books would fix it.

Well, as the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. I was having a drama with a leaving card that I designed to be foiled and I needed it for the next day. I had no self-adhesive gold vinyl, but I did have some in heat transfer vinyl. I decided to give the HTV a whirl and as my laminator was already up and running, I figured I would run it through and see what happened.

Gold Chrome HTV card applied with a laminator. Free Sheep design by Phil Laver at The Noun Project

I was chuffed, it applied perfectly with just one pass through the laminator and unlike with foiling, I was able to use very thick, textured card too, which I thought suited the sheep!

Why Not Just Use Regular Vinyl?

It seems barmy to use a laminator when you could just use regular self-adhesive vinyl , but I find it is actually a good option for a few reasons:

I can buy one product and use it two ways
I use HTV more, so I have a big selection of colours and finishes to choose from.
I find it easier to source unusual finishes such as chrome, glitter and flock in HTV rather than vinyl and they are often available in smaller sizes, such as 30cmx50cm sheets from MDP or even A4 sheets from Crafty Cutter
No need for transfer tape as HTV comes complete with a low-tack transfer sheet. This has just the right amount of stickiness to hold the design in place but comes away easily from the card without ripping or leaving marks.
Applying self-adhesive vinyl is a right-first-time type gig, but you can take your time aligning or moving the HTV before passing through the laminator.

Using my Liberty London Fabric Stash

I have already attached fusible stabiliser to my Liberty Tana Lawn fabric for my applique onesies , so cut out some more shapes to use on cards. For the mother's day card, I applied the fabric directly on the card. As the sentiments above and below were done with sketch pens, I also drew on the card where the fabric MUM letters should be placed. I made sure the pen would be covered by using a 0.1cm internal offset. The word MUM uses Clarendon font and the wording above and below uses the Sketch Serif Font from the Silhouette Design Store

Sketch pen trick for aligning fabric, use a 0.1cm internal offset so the pen won't be seen. Applying fabric cut by Silhouette Cameo with a laminator by Craft Chatterbox blog

Mock up of my card in Silhouette Studio. Use the Internal Offset trick to help align the fabric shapes

Mother's Day card using sketch pens and Liberty London fabric cut by the Silhouette Cameo. Attach the fabric using a laminator. Craft Chatterbox blog

The Silhouette is so versatile, it cut the fabric, the card and also sketched the sentiment

For passing through the laminator, I held the fabric in place with a piece of HTV carrier sheet that I kept from my last project. If you don't have any, kapton (sublimation) tape would also work - eBay and Amazon sell it for a few pounds.

Try adding dimension

I normally like to have a little dimension in a card, so decided to apply my fabric to some brown Kraft card. As the fabric and Kraft card pieces were small, I fed them through the laminator sandwiched in some plain copy paper and then attached to the card with foam squares. The Kraft card was cut with a 0.25cm external offset to the fabric L.

Liberty of london fabric attached to kraft card using laminator. Both cut with Silhouette Cameo - Craft Chatterbox blog

Fabric with a HTV Border

Just as I combined fabric with a HTV border for my applique onesies, you can do exactly the same for cards. I used my favourite elephant design, and the bloom font to make a new baby card.

Using my fabric and HTV onesie method, I used a laminator to apply to a greetings card. All shapes cut with my Silhouette Cameo - craft chatterbox blog

I couldn't bare to waste the elephant shape that I weeded from the HTV, so decided to make a second card. All I needed was the wording and water splashes, so used up a scrap strip just 3 by 9 cm and got a totally cute card made out of scraps and waste!

Using scrap pieces of weeded HTV in other projects. Make cards with HTV using a laminator. Craft Chatterbox blog

Future Projects

I plan on making big versions of the Kraft card and Liberty fabric letters strung together to make pretty bunting for a new baby gift.

I was also thinking that I could make a baby mobile, with lovely fabric shapes. I plan to cut a front and back piece and give it a nice plumpness by sandwiching a smaller piece of felt inside or maybe use some wadding. If I was using wadding, I'd maybe use a pair of straighteners instead of the laminator to nip the edges closed, like a very pretty Cornish pasty!

As my laminator is A3, I can do some nice big wall art for my hall that I'm currently decorating too :)

3 Comments

Letterpress workshop at Dot and the Line

12/3/2017

2 Comments

I LOVE letterpress. I love the old-school style embossed finish, the beautifully engineered machines and hot foiling, well, common the name speaks for itself! So, when I happened upon an introductory workshop around the corner from me on Leith Walk at Dot and the Line, I decided to give it a whirl.

Overview and Demo with Lou

Lou keeps the classes small, so it was just me plus one other, which means there is plenty of time for questions and no queuing. After intros and a cuppa we got down to work, with Lou demonstrating how the letterpress is set up and the printing process. We were using the Adana table top press which I immediately wanted to take home.

Adana tabletop press. Craft Chatterbox attends Dot and the Line's introduction to Letterpress workshop in Edinburgh

Lou's Adana table top press

Cases of letterpress type. Craft Chatterbox attends Dot and the Line's introduction to Letterpress workshop in Edinburgh

Cases of letterpress type - that's where the terms upper and lower case come from!

Letterpress using Gill Sans Light Shadowed font with Adana tabletop press

Lou's demo using Gill Sans Light Shadowed font

Letterpress Lingo - Reglets, furniture and quoins

One of my favourite parts of the workshop was learning all the awesome letterpress lingo. We started with a frame, called a chase and arranged our type on a composing stick, separating the lines with strips of metal lead.

Geeky fact - Leading (line spacing) is pronounced led-hing not lee-ding!
The strips of lead are where the term 'leading' describing the distance of line spacing comes from. I'd always assumed it was pronounced lee-ding as 'in leading the way', but no it's led-hing as in 'lead piping'.

Once done, we slide the composed text off the stick onto a metal tray called a galley. We then tightly packed out the empty space with wooden spacers called furniture. Smaller slivers of wood are called reglets and finally we use a quoin which is an expanding wedge to lock into place.

Composing stick with italic Times New Roman typeface separated by leading strips

TTypeface separated by leading strips and packed out with wooden furniture. Adana letterpress introductory workshop

Typeface packed out with wooden 'furniture'

My type is ready to print. I love all the wonderful letterpress terms.

The Adana Table top Press in Action

We cut out our bookmarks from come Colorplan cardstock with a kick-ass guillotine and got to printing.

The Finished Product

I chose the quote from Little Women author Louisa May Alcott 'She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain'.

Letterpress bookmark using Adana press at workshop by Dot and the Line in Edinburgh

Bloopers

In my first attempt, I accidentally put my 'i' in brain upside down. I kind of wish I'd kept it as it's cute and plays into the quote

The most common mistake is mixing up b's and d's or p's and q's, as seen in my classmate's quote from The Great Gatsby:

Cost

The workshop was £30 (concessions available) and lasted three hours. Lou also runs other courses on screen-printing and book binding that sound fun.

DIY Letterpress

I decided to etch a scrap piece of brass with Edinburgh etch recipe and see how it would look when rolled through my Big Shot craft mangle. I'm somewhat pleased with this first attempt. It impresses nicely, and whilst it's a shame that the edge of the brass makes a line, I'd just choose to incorporate that into the design by picking a circle or cut shape next time. I think inking up could be messy - I'd defo need a briar and guides to stop it going everywhere. I've blurred some parts of my address to avoid nutjobs!

Polymer Letterpress Plates

An easier option is to make or buy a polymer letterpress plate. They can be used with the at home kits such as this one demonstrated on YouTube. I do owe my buddy Danielle a massive apology though, as I thought these polymer plates might be the same as the polymer stamps. Danielle gave it a go and in the process ruined her lovely stamp, so please don't make the same mistake folks!

Courtesy of Boxcar Press, the main makers of polymer plates

Embosser Seal Press

I think I'm going to get a handheld embosser seal thingy. You can get the contraption, plus plates with your own custom design for about £35. I'll keep you updated when I finally get around to ordering mine.

Courtesy of Stamps Direct

2 Comments

Besotted with Bows

25/2/2017

2 Comments

Bows. Like many crafters, I have a love-hate relationship with them. I would hate to count the hours I have a faffed with a bit of ribbon that is tormenting me with it's wonky loop or tail. That said, I wouldn't be without them - whether on cards or in hair, made with ribbon, paper or fabric, there is something so prim and pretty about the perfect bow.

Fabric and card Bows

I started a little bow factory at Christmas making lots of shiny and sparkly bow hair clips as presents for the little kiddos in my life.

I bought my supplies from GlitterGlitterOnTheWall. Beware, this site is amazing and you may find your cart growing uncontrollably!

Download your free SIlhouette cut file or PDF here

Free Silhouette cu file and pdf bow template from Craft Chatterbox Blog

Click on image to download free Silhouette Cut File or PDF

I thought I would be able to cut the chunky glitter fabric with my Silhouette Cameo, but no dice. I could barely even cut it with my crazy sharp big fabric scissors! Instead, I printed out my templates onto A4 sticker paper, stuck this to the underside of my fabric and cut out by hand.

Other felt back fabrics, leatherettes, paper and card are of course fine with the Silhouette. Below are photos of some bows I made from a fab glitter wallpaper that cuts like a dream. I haven't even gotten around to buying a full roll yet as I'm still going strong with just the couple of small sample strips I got from my local B&Q store!

Karen's Perfect Bows

Now let's move on to ribbon. A friend that I met on my favourite facebook craft group makes the most adorable bows.

Courtesy of Karen McCarthy from Karamac Krafts

We pestered Karen for the secret to her perfect bows and she kindly photographed all the steps, so I converted them into a wee video:

Flat Knots for the 'Bow-Impaired'

One of my favourite ways of decorating a gift is by faking a bow with a reef knot. It is quick, uses very little ribbon and is simple and stylish.

Here's the video that I follow. My brain annoyingly refuses to store these simple steps, so I have to watch the video every single time!

Origami Bows

I decided to have a shot at making an origami bow and found a good YouTube tutorial. The steps are easy once you've practiced them a few times, but I found it a bit more complex than other origami designs.

Great Bow Shops

If you're short on time and would rather buy a fabulous bow instead of making it, I have a few shops that I can recommend. Karen from the ribbon tutorial runs Karamac Krafts, Margaret Read owns Daisy Dots Boutique and Laura Patterson runs L & A Bespoke Designs.

2 Comments

Marvelous Mock Ups

6/2/2017

0 Comments

On the Silhouette UK blog today, I have a tutorial on how to do mock ups with Silhouette Studio. It's annoying that we can't export jpegs directly with Silhouette Studio, so I used to save high res jpegs using software called Bullzip. I decided to try the software that Kay recommends called PDF Creator and it's ace. It gives you lots of different formats to export as and the version Kay links to does high res for free:)

0 Comments

All About Etching

17/1/2017

0 Comments

Following my trip to La Vidalerie where I learnt salt-water etching, I've been a woman obsessed! I've been etching copper, steel and silver with all different types of methods and I've written up quite a few tutorials too.

Salt-Water etching

My first tutorial was on salt-water etching, featuring a copper keyring I made for Lisa at Silhouette UK.

Salt water etched copper heart using vinyl resists cut from Silhouette. Tutorial by Nadine Muir for Silhouette UK Blog

Check out my wee diagram illustrating the set up:

Diagram of process for salt water copper etching. Tutorial using vinyl resists by Nadine Muir for Silhouette UK Blog

Edinburgh Etch Solution

I then made some things with Edinburgh Etch Solution, which is just ferric chloride with citric acid added. This simple addition of the acid that's in lemon juice makes a faster, cleaner and longer lasting etchant that is cheap and non-toxic.

Stainless Steel Hipflask Etched with Edinburgh Etch Solution (Ferric Chloride) using Vinyl Resists Cut with Silhouette Cameo. Tutorial by Nadine Muir for Silhouette UK Blog

Hints and Tips for Designing and Applying Resists

As the hipflask that I made my dad also used Edinburgh Etch Solution, I decided instead to make more of a hint and tips tutorial for all etching methods. Indeed this tips are relevant for etching non metals too, such as glass or tiles. I covered how to chose which parts are to be weeded or kept, how to envisage the end result in the software, cutting spares and also reverse weeding/weeding in situ.

Etching SIlver

Finally, this post covers two techniques for etching fine and sterling silver. I used electro etching with silver nitrate for the swallow and ferric nitrate for the hummingbird.

Electro etched sterling silver swallow using silver nitrate

Silver nitrate etched sterlinng silver hummingbird.

Future ForAys

Brass - I ordered up some copper and brass shapes from Just Simply Blanks and they have just arrived today, yippee! I also ordered a cheap guillotine cut 1kg mixed bag of brass sheet from Ebay.

Letterpress - I plan to make a letterhead or return address design to emboss onto paper using my Big Shot mangle thingy to make a letterpress stamp.

Champlevé - I'd like to have a shot at filling some etched pieces with either real enamel (torch firing) or cold enamel (epoxy resin). I also have some efcolor which has the benefit of needing only a domestic oven at 150 degrees, but I'm not completely convinced - think it might be a bit plasticky. I will of course keep you updated.

A New Etching Solution for Zinc, Steel and Aluminium - I've been using Edinburgh Etch for steel, but I discovered this article recommending a new solution , so bought me some cheap copper sulfate from eBay, again in the words of Arnie,"I'll be back!"

0 Comments

Loving La Vidalerie

1/12/2016

1 Comment

I'm just home from a week's holiday at La Vidalerie in France and it was fabulous!

My First visit in 2013: An Introduction to Jewellery Making

I first discovered La Vidalerie when shopping for handmade silver jewellery findings a few years back. Browsing through the website, I noticed that they also run jewellery making holidays. So, my buddy Jenny and I went along for a few days on their beginners' course.

Mastering the Basics

We covered the basics and it was a revelation to learn the correct techniques for things I always just muddled through with. For example how to securely crimp and attach clasps to bracelets, open and close jump rings tightly without distorting them and how to make the perfect wire wrapped loops every time!

Wire work, Riveting, Fold-Forming and Soldering

We drank a hell of a lot of cups of tea with choccie biccies, so I don't know how we managed it but we also branched into loads of 'proper' silversmithing. We made our own earwires and clasps and learnt how to herringbone weave silver wire around beads. We got our hammers out and learnt how to fold-form flat silver into 3d shapes. We stamped and riveted pieces and even learnt how to solder our own stacker rings!

Precious Metals Workshop in Edinburgh

After my first holiday at La Vidalerie, I started making things at home and took an evening class at Precious Metals Workshop in Edinburgh. I got quite into it and hired a bench with a friend, Di, whom I met at the workshop.

After a couple of years, my jewellery hobby dwindled, as my Silhouette Cameo had taken over and a flat move took up my remaining spare time. I decided to cancel my bench as it was £60 per month and packed away all my tools.

In need of a Retreat

Not many people know, but things have been tough recently, as I've separated from my long term partner. I needed a break and the first place that sprung to mind was La Vidalerie!

Rekindling My Hobby

Since visiting last, Karen and Tim have built a fabulous workshop, kitted out with loads of equipment, so I had a ball.

Keum Boo

My favourite jeweller Misun Won uses this Korean technique of fusing fine gold foil to silver a lot and I was keen to find out more. I experimented with cutting it on my cameo, which was very nerve-racking given the cost!!

Electro (salt water) etching

At PMW in Edinburgh, I tried chemical etching on copper and silver, so was keen to try out salt water etching on copper with Karen. This technique passes an electric current from some household batteries through the water to etch your piece. We also used the same idea of electro-etching on silver, but instead of salt needed to use silver nitrate. We tried out resists, including vinyl cut from my Silhouette Cameo.

Glass Fusing and Etching Dichroic

I learnt how to make fully fused glass pieces and how to make custom designs etching the special sparkly dichroic glass

Rolling Mill Textures

This was an unexpected delight, so much so I have ordered my own mini mill arriving tomorrow! I cut designs in paper with my cameo, many inspired by retro Orla Kiely style stems. I particularly love my brooch and learning how to make the fastening.

Claw and Tube Setting Stones

Apart from constantly dropping my teeny weeny topaz when I was trying to set it, I love this sea glass pendant and learning the versatile claw setting. I want to take a trip to Seaham near Newcastle where this glass is from - apparently there was an old Victorian bottleworks factory which routinely dumped its end of day glass into the sea. Almost a century after it closed, the sea still churns back daily loots of beautiful sand-polished glass nuggets. Closer to home, I hear South Queensferry is also good, but this time because of the nearby pubs!

Completing my Origami Hummingbird

I etched this little fella in PMW but he had languished in an unfinished projects box. I soldered a brooch pin on and we gave him a wee polish and he's ready. Do you think I should keep him or gift him this Christmas?

Itinerary

I know it seems like I have some sort of affiliation, but I don't at all, I just really loved both my holidays! Karen and Tim are so warm and welcoming and really easy-going. Tim picked me up and dropped me off at Montpelier airport, although we realised that Beziers is actually a way better option late March to October as Ryanair fly direct from Edinburgh.

Breakfast and lunches are included and veggies are well catered for as Karen herself is vegetarian. For dinner, you can cook in the gite or Tim will happily drop you off in the local village and collect you again.

Incredibly materials are also included, yes really - silver, copper and glass! I even got a little laser engraved usb with all the photos Tim kindly took and my own polishing stick. My makes were wrapped in little bags and tissues and I was given some La Vidalerie jewellery tins so I didn't damage them travelling back home.

My holiday cost £890 - this is the 2016 price for 5 workshop days and 7 nights. This can be split into shorter holidays such as 2 Workshop Days / 3 Nights for £395 per person or 3 Workshop Days / 4 Nights costing £495 per person. I think this is fabulous value considering day courses in Edinburgh cost as much or more without food, accomodation or materials! Here's their website La Vidalerie.

Oh, I should mention that Karen and Tim are English ex-pats, so teach in English in case you assumed my French is way better than it is!!

1 Comment

Silhouette UK Tutorials

28/11/2016

0 Comments

Dedicated Page

Hi gang, I'm sorry to have been away for so long. I've been posting lots of tutorials on the Silhouette UK blog, but I haven't been updating you here. To remedy this, I've made a dedicated page that has links to all the Silhouette UK tutorials I have posted.

If you are on the desktop it's the furthest right on the menu bar at the top of the website.

On a mobile, the menu is at the top left and the page is at the bottom of the drop down list.

Silhouette Basics Tutorials

We are running a series of Silhouette Basics tutorials to explain the software and aspects such as blades and mats. Click on any of the pictures below to follow the links to the tutorials.

Techniques, Ideas and Inspiration

Here's some other projects I've been doing since I chatted with you last.
A line art typography tutorial that went live today and includes free files
How to cut shrink plastic
How to do double-sided print and cut

0 Comments

<<Previous

Forward>>

Point Edit the Top Node OF A Circle

Duplicate, Flip and Intersect to Ensure Symmetry

Round Tip Using Offset

Replicate to Make Flowers

Free Cut File

Requests?

Mad(eleine) About Fabrics

Isla Fabric by Porter and Stone

Minty The Sewing Machine

Plumping for some Cushions

Dulux Slate Grey Paint

Supplies

Chrome HTV

Why Not Just Use Regular Vinyl?

Using my Liberty London Fabric Stash

Try adding dimension

Fabric with a HTV Border

Future Projects

Overview and Demo with Lou

Letterpress Lingo - Reglets, furniture and quoins

The Adana Table top Press in Action

The Finished Product

Bloopers

Cost

DIY Letterpress

Polymer Letterpress Plates

Embosser Seal Press

Fabric and card Bows

Karen's Perfect Bows

Flat Knots for the 'Bow-Impaired'

Origami Bows

Great Bow Shops

Salt-Water etching

Edinburgh Etch Solution

Hints and Tips for Designing and Applying Resists

Etching SIlver

Future ForAys

My First visit in 2013: An Introduction to Jewellery Making

Mastering the Basics

Wire work, Riveting, Fold-Forming and Soldering

Precious Metals Workshop in Edinburgh

In need of a Retreat

Rekindling My Hobby

Keum Boo

Electro (salt water) etching

Glass Fusing and Etching Dichroic

Rolling Mill Textures

Claw and Tube Setting Stones

Completing my Origami Hummingbird

Itinerary

Dedicated Page

Silhouette Basics Tutorials

Techniques, Ideas and Inspiration

Archives

Categories