Cutter..

For mother's day the girls got me a Silhouette Cameo..... I have wanted one of these things forever.  I did all the research the "up front" money is more but you can import anything you want to cut.  Unlike the Cricut.   You have to buy all their designs.  If you are looking into a machine, don't forget the cost of the art.

So we have been way to busy lately for me to break this bad boy out of the box.  Plus I didn't have any idea where to even start.  What I could make.

I found this board in my garage. I thought this is a *Sign*.  lol..

I dry brushed painted it then burnished it to tone it down.  Sorry I didn't have any idea where the camera was during the time I was doing this.  Dry brushing is EASY..  The only real rule is less paint is best.  You are better to go over the area 20'x with too little paint then one with too much.  Dry brushing is exactly what is sounds like.  Put the paint on a flat surface, I use paper plates or a piece of foil. (easy clean up)  Put a small amount of paint on the flat surface and dip the brush into the paint.  Then move to the side of the paint and dab the brush several times to even out the paint on the paint brush.  Drag the brush across the surface you are painting.  I don't clean the brush when I change colors, I just keep going.  This also give a nice blended effect.  I do go fairly fast because I want to do the next layer before the last one has had time to completely dry.  Helps with the effect I am after. 

I was going for an old board feel.  I think I got it.  This is going to the lake house.

Okay I used blue painters tape to transfer this.  For many reason, one it is cheaper then the cutting transfer tape.  Two it was all I had at the house other than duct.

This is the first time I have played with this machine.  What I learned.

1. Painter's tape will totally work for the transfer.

2. You must get a flat scraping transfer tool of some sort.  I used a rubber scrapper.  Worked like a charm.

3.  I used an X-acto knife to get the small pieces.  I am not buying the tool kit for $20.

4.  It is CRAZY hard to get the separate words evenly spaced.  I used a pencil to mark lines so you couldn't see them when I was done.  Well, you can't see them when you are trying to place the work either.

4.  You must push way harder than you think to get the vinyl to stick.

5.  Bigger words are better.  I can live with the uneven, I wish the words were larger.

6. If you really don't like the result, you can peel the words right off.  Super easy.

7.  You must seal this to make sure the words are long term.

8.  The cutting mat that comes with this machine is hella sticky.  Holy moly you can't get card stock off it without tearing it up.  I have rubbed an old t-shirt over it several times. (you know I found that on the net)  Well, it helped some.  Not really.  Not sure how to fix this problem.

9.  The small detail work is tough for the machine, pulls the corners.

10.  I do LOVE this machine.  Very happy with my choice.  I'll be posting more.  I have several things in the works.

Happy Cutting.