I was recently catching up on some blog reading and went on a big old blog reading binge. One of the benefits of letting so many posts from my favorite bloggers pile up is that I am able to notice trends. One big trend is that everyone in the scrapbooking world seems to be using a Silhouette Cameo to cut cool titles and embellishments.
What is a Silhouette Cameo?
It's an electronic die cutter that allows you to cut virtually any design you can imagine. And that's awesome!
But what's a girl to do without a Silhouette?
Well, grab her craft knife and get busy, that's what! And here's one idea on how you can get busy with a craft knife too….
STEP ONE: Print an image you want to cut out, in reverse, on the back of a piece of paper. I'm using colored cardstock. (If you'd like to grab a free .pdf with this speech bubble and a few others I designed, you can do so here.)
STEP TWO: Starting on the inside of your design, start cutting with a craft knife (a sharp blade is a must) and a self-healing mat.
Remember to turn the paper (or the entire mat) and not the blade as you cut.
Notice how I cut the "M" in stages? You don't need to get the letter out in a single perfect piece. Make the cuts easy for yourself.
You should try to stay within the lines, but if you don't, it's no biggie.
STEP THREE: Cut out the the outside of the design.
And that's it! It's as easy as 1-2-3!
I put my little speech bubble into my Project Life album:
I hope you'll give your craft knife a try. Hand cutting is surprisingly easy to do and the results are lovely! No big fancy machine needed!
Here are the supplies I used:
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Thanks for stopping by!
If I could cut a round edge that well I wouldn’t need my silhouette. Just beautiful.
If I could cut a round edge that well I wouldn’t need my silhouette. Just beautiful.
If I could cut a round edge that well I wouldn’t need my silhouette. Just beautiful.
If I could cut a round edge that well I wouldn’t need my silhouette. Just beautiful.
If I could cut a round edge that well I wouldn’t need my silhouette. Just beautiful.
You’re so awesome 🙂 I wanna be you when i grow up.
You’re so awesome 🙂 I wanna be you when i grow up.
You’re so awesome 🙂 I wanna be you when i grow up.
You’re so awesome 🙂 I wanna be you when i grow up.
You’re so awesome 🙂 I wanna be you when i grow up.
You’re right. I found that the quality of the tool makes it all: a good craft knife with a good blade and with a little practice I can now cut out nice patterns. I don’t spoil paper and patterns any more. So, I don’t need to put my money in this machine.
You’re right. I found that the quality of the tool makes it all: a good craft knife with a good blade and with a little practice I can now cut out nice patterns. I don’t spoil paper and patterns any more. So, I don’t need to put my money in this machine.
You’re right. I found that the quality of the tool makes it all: a good craft knife with a good blade and with a little practice I can now cut out nice patterns. I don’t spoil paper and patterns any more. So, I don’t need to put my money in this machine.
You’re right. I found that the quality of the tool makes it all: a good craft knife with a good blade and with a little practice I can now cut out nice patterns. I don’t spoil paper and patterns any more. So, I don’t need to put my money in this machine.
You’re right. I found that the quality of the tool makes it all: a good craft knife with a good blade and with a little practice I can now cut out nice patterns. I don’t spoil paper and patterns any more. So, I don’t need to put my money in this machine.
I love the time saving idea of the machine, and the fact that I could use a lot of my computer fonts and designs to cut out. I’m not fond of the price, nor of some of the reports of jaggedy cutting…I think I’ll be using my (sharp!) craft knife as well. In a couple of years, the cost will go down and the quality up, as with most technology, don’t you think? 😉
I love the time saving idea of the machine, and the fact that I could use a lot of my computer fonts and designs to cut out. I’m not fond of the price, nor of some of the reports of jaggedy cutting…I think I’ll be using my (sharp!) craft knife as well. In a couple of years, the cost will go down and the quality up, as with most technology, don’t you think? 😉
I love the time saving idea of the machine, and the fact that I could use a lot of my computer fonts and designs to cut out. I’m not fond of the price, nor of some of the reports of jaggedy cutting…I think I’ll be using my (sharp!) craft knife as well. In a couple of years, the cost will go down and the quality up, as with most technology, don’t you think? 😉
I love the time saving idea of the machine, and the fact that I could use a lot of my computer fonts and designs to cut out. I’m not fond of the price, nor of some of the reports of jaggedy cutting…I think I’ll be using my (sharp!) craft knife as well. In a couple of years, the cost will go down and the quality up, as with most technology, don’t you think? 😉
I love the time saving idea of the machine, and the fact that I could use a lot of my computer fonts and designs to cut out. I’m not fond of the price, nor of some of the reports of jaggedy cutting…I think I’ll be using my (sharp!) craft knife as well. In a couple of years, the cost will go down and the quality up, as with most technology, don’t you think? 😉
I just adore you!!!! I am one of those crafters that bought a Silhouette but I still love my craft knife! (did that sound evil?) Thanks for sharing this morning 🙂
I just adore you!!!! I am one of those crafters that bought a Silhouette but I still love my craft knife! (did that sound evil?) Thanks for sharing this morning 🙂
I just adore you!!!! I am one of those crafters that bought a Silhouette but I still love my craft knife! (did that sound evil?) Thanks for sharing this morning 🙂
I just adore you!!!! I am one of those crafters that bought a Silhouette but I still love my craft knife! (did that sound evil?) Thanks for sharing this morning 🙂
I just adore you!!!! I am one of those crafters that bought a Silhouette but I still love my craft knife! (did that sound evil?) Thanks for sharing this morning 🙂
p.s. Thanks for the download! Those will come in handy as I practice!
p.s. Thanks for the download! Those will come in handy as I practice!
p.s. Thanks for the download! Those will come in handy as I practice!
p.s. Thanks for the download! Those will come in handy as I practice!
p.s. Thanks for the download! Those will come in handy as I practice!
I am so glad to follow you ..i am purchasing slowly my need tools etc and there is so much knowledge in your basket.thank you for all the sharing you do.
I am so glad to follow you ..i am purchasing slowly my need tools etc and there is so much knowledge in your basket.thank you for all the sharing you do.
I am so glad to follow you ..i am purchasing slowly my need tools etc and there is so much knowledge in your basket.thank you for all the sharing you do.
I am so glad to follow you ..i am purchasing slowly my need tools etc and there is so much knowledge in your basket.thank you for all the sharing you do.
I am so glad to follow you ..i am purchasing slowly my need tools etc and there is so much knowledge in your basket.thank you for all the sharing you do.
No die-cutting machines in this house but my skill with the craft knife is not so good either. I do love using my TH scissors though.
No die-cutting machines in this house but my skill with the craft knife is not so good either. I do love using my TH scissors though.
No die-cutting machines in this house but my skill with the craft knife is not so good either. I do love using my TH scissors though.
No die-cutting machines in this house but my skill with the craft knife is not so good either. I do love using my TH scissors though.
No die-cutting machines in this house but my skill with the craft knife is not so good either. I do love using my TH scissors though.
Thank you for the PDF downloads. I love hand cutting stencils…political seasons deliver lots of useful junk card stock that works wonderfully.
Thank you for the PDF downloads. I love hand cutting stencils…political seasons deliver lots of useful junk card stock that works wonderfully.
Thank you for the PDF downloads. I love hand cutting stencils…political seasons deliver lots of useful junk card stock that works wonderfully.
Thank you for the PDF downloads. I love hand cutting stencils…political seasons deliver lots of useful junk card stock that works wonderfully.
Thank you for the PDF downloads. I love hand cutting stencils…political seasons deliver lots of useful junk card stock that works wonderfully.
What a great idea!!! I just cant convince my husband to spend the $$$ for the Siloutte lol.
I guess sometimes we just wan the fast easy way!!!
rosiemini@gmail.com
http://www.scraplovingminis.blogspot.com
What a great idea!!! I just cant convince my husband to spend the $$$ for the Siloutte lol.
I guess sometimes we just wan the fast easy way!!!
rosiemini@gmail.com
http://www.scraplovingminis.blogspot.com
What a great idea!!! I just cant convince my husband to spend the $$$ for the Siloutte lol.
I guess sometimes we just wan the fast easy way!!!
rosiemini@gmail.com
http://www.scraplovingminis.blogspot.com
What a great idea!!! I just cant convince my husband to spend the $$$ for the Siloutte lol.
I guess sometimes we just wan the fast easy way!!!
rosiemini@gmail.com
http://www.scraplovingminis.blogspot.com
What a great idea!!! I just cant convince my husband to spend the $$$ for the Siloutte lol.
I guess sometimes we just wan the fast easy way!!!
rosiemini@gmail.com
http://www.scraplovingminis.blogspot.com
That is really cute and such a great idea. Thanks.
That is really cute and such a great idea. Thanks.
That is really cute and such a great idea. Thanks.
That is really cute and such a great idea. Thanks.
That is really cute and such a great idea. Thanks.
Great tip!
Great tip!
Great tip!
Great tip!
Great tip!
Awesome, as usual! Thank you for the .pdfs offered. 🙂
Awesome, as usual! Thank you for the .pdfs offered. 🙂
Awesome, as usual! Thank you for the .pdfs offered. 🙂
Awesome, as usual! Thank you for the .pdfs offered. 🙂
Awesome, as usual! Thank you for the .pdfs offered. 🙂
Great idea.
Great idea.
Great idea.
Great idea.
Great idea.
I love it! You’re just so creative! I love your blog!
I love it! You’re just so creative! I love your blog!
I love it! You’re just so creative! I love your blog!
I love it! You’re just so creative! I love your blog!
I love it! You’re just so creative! I love your blog!
You’re always FULL of great ideas! I just got my copy of Scrapbooking & Beyond – love the article about you! I had to come by and say hi and congrats! 🙂 You’re amazing!
Danielle
You’re always FULL of great ideas! I just got my copy of Scrapbooking & Beyond – love the article about you! I had to come by and say hi and congrats! 🙂 You’re amazing!
Danielle
You’re always FULL of great ideas! I just got my copy of Scrapbooking & Beyond – love the article about you! I had to come by and say hi and congrats! 🙂 You’re amazing!
Danielle
You’re always FULL of great ideas! I just got my copy of Scrapbooking & Beyond – love the article about you! I had to come by and say hi and congrats! 🙂 You’re amazing!
Danielle
You’re always FULL of great ideas! I just got my copy of Scrapbooking & Beyond – love the article about you! I had to come by and say hi and congrats! 🙂 You’re amazing!
Danielle
ooooo….you have serious craft knife skills! Thanks for sharing 🙂
ooooo….you have serious craft knife skills! Thanks for sharing 🙂
ooooo….you have serious craft knife skills! Thanks for sharing 🙂
ooooo….you have serious craft knife skills! Thanks for sharing 🙂
ooooo….you have serious craft knife skills! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Amazing cutting skills!!! I cannot cut that cleanly with a craft knife hence the smaller sister of the Cameo sitting on my desk -:)
Amazing cutting skills!!! I cannot cut that cleanly with a craft knife hence the smaller sister of the Cameo sitting on my desk -:)
Amazing cutting skills!!! I cannot cut that cleanly with a craft knife hence the smaller sister of the Cameo sitting on my desk -:)
Amazing cutting skills!!! I cannot cut that cleanly with a craft knife hence the smaller sister of the Cameo sitting on my desk -:)
Amazing cutting skills!!! I cannot cut that cleanly with a craft knife hence the smaller sister of the Cameo sitting on my desk -:)
I love that you promote this alternative for those of us who don’t want to buy a cutting machine. Thanks!
I love that you promote this alternative for those of us who don’t want to buy a cutting machine. Thanks!
I love that you promote this alternative for those of us who don’t want to buy a cutting machine. Thanks!
I love that you promote this alternative for those of us who don’t want to buy a cutting machine. Thanks!
I love that you promote this alternative for those of us who don’t want to buy a cutting machine. Thanks!
WOW – LOVE how your brain works!!
WOW – LOVE how your brain works!!
WOW – LOVE how your brain works!!
WOW – LOVE how your brain works!!
WOW – LOVE how your brain works!!
I’m with you! I prefer to do my own instead of a machine. It just feels so much more satisfying. Thanks for the validation!!
I’m with you! I prefer to do my own instead of a machine. It just feels so much more satisfying. Thanks for the validation!!
I’m with you! I prefer to do my own instead of a machine. It just feels so much more satisfying. Thanks for the validation!!
I’m with you! I prefer to do my own instead of a machine. It just feels so much more satisfying. Thanks for the validation!!
I’m with you! I prefer to do my own instead of a machine. It just feels so much more satisfying. Thanks for the validation!!
Thank you so much for the tutorial and the reverse speech bubbles! I love them and they’re going to be great in my Project Life 🙂
Thank you so much for the tutorial and the reverse speech bubbles! I love them and they’re going to be great in my Project Life 🙂
Thank you so much for the tutorial and the reverse speech bubbles! I love them and they’re going to be great in my Project Life 🙂
Thank you so much for the tutorial and the reverse speech bubbles! I love them and they’re going to be great in my Project Life 🙂
Thank you so much for the tutorial and the reverse speech bubbles! I love them and they’re going to be great in my Project Life 🙂
Fabulous, Julie! I do actually have a silhouette, but I think that hand cutting has an appeal that can never be replaced by a machine. It looks amazing in your project life album.
Fabulous, Julie! I do actually have a silhouette, but I think that hand cutting has an appeal that can never be replaced by a machine. It looks amazing in your project life album.
Fabulous, Julie! I do actually have a silhouette, but I think that hand cutting has an appeal that can never be replaced by a machine. It looks amazing in your project life album.
Fabulous, Julie! I do actually have a silhouette, but I think that hand cutting has an appeal that can never be replaced by a machine. It looks amazing in your project life album.
Fabulous, Julie! I do actually have a silhouette, but I think that hand cutting has an appeal that can never be replaced by a machine. It looks amazing in your project life album.
Great idea. I used a similar idea when I wanted to stencil my child’s room. I am all about the work around solutions.
Great idea. I used a similar idea when I wanted to stencil my child’s room. I am all about the work around solutions.
Great idea. I used a similar idea when I wanted to stencil my child’s room. I am all about the work around solutions.
Great idea. I used a similar idea when I wanted to stencil my child’s room. I am all about the work around solutions.
Great idea. I used a similar idea when I wanted to stencil my child’s room. I am all about the work around solutions.
Love it Julie!! Have craft knife. Will cut!!
Love it Julie!! Have craft knife. Will cut!!
Love it Julie!! Have craft knife. Will cut!!
Love it Julie!! Have craft knife. Will cut!!
Love it Julie!! Have craft knife. Will cut!!
So true; I have been thinking about getting a fancy machine lately, but then my beau made mis this card by hand for Valentines:
http://jenandtricks.com/index.php/2012/02/14/he-makes-my-heart-all-mushy/
I’m re-thinking it now 😉
So true; I have been thinking about getting a fancy machine lately, but then my beau made mis this card by hand for Valentines:
http://jenandtricks.com/index.php/2012/02/14/he-makes-my-heart-all-mushy/
I’m re-thinking it now 😉
So true; I have been thinking about getting a fancy machine lately, but then my beau made mis this card by hand for Valentines:
http://jenandtricks.com/index.php/2012/02/14/he-makes-my-heart-all-mushy/
I’m re-thinking it now 😉
So true; I have been thinking about getting a fancy machine lately, but then my beau made mis this card by hand for Valentines:
http://jenandtricks.com/index.php/2012/02/14/he-makes-my-heart-all-mushy/
I’m re-thinking it now 😉
So true; I have been thinking about getting a fancy machine lately, but then my beau made mis this card by hand for Valentines:
http://jenandtricks.com/index.php/2012/02/14/he-makes-my-heart-all-mushy/
I’m re-thinking it now 😉
I love my craft knife, and this approach would certainly put my skills to the test! Thanks for the explanation…you make a great embellishment for your album!
I love my craft knife, and this approach would certainly put my skills to the test! Thanks for the explanation…you make a great embellishment for your album!
I love my craft knife, and this approach would certainly put my skills to the test! Thanks for the explanation…you make a great embellishment for your album!
I love my craft knife, and this approach would certainly put my skills to the test! Thanks for the explanation…you make a great embellishment for your album!
I love my craft knife, and this approach would certainly put my skills to the test! Thanks for the explanation…you make a great embellishment for your album!
I was thinking of doing this, and then someone mentioned your technique over on BPS in Heidi’s class. Question…just curious to know why you do it in reverse? Does it have to do with the way the cut looks once complete?
thanks so much for sharing!!!
~jamie
I was thinking of doing this, and then someone mentioned your technique over on BPS in Heidi’s class. Question…just curious to know why you do it in reverse? Does it have to do with the way the cut looks once complete?
thanks so much for sharing!!!
~jamie
I was thinking of doing this, and then someone mentioned your technique over on BPS in Heidi’s class. Question…just curious to know why you do it in reverse? Does it have to do with the way the cut looks once complete?
thanks so much for sharing!!!
~jamie
I was thinking of doing this, and then someone mentioned your technique over on BPS in Heidi’s class. Question…just curious to know why you do it in reverse? Does it have to do with the way the cut looks once complete?
thanks so much for sharing!!!
~jamie
I was thinking of doing this, and then someone mentioned your technique over on BPS in Heidi’s class. Question…just curious to know why you do it in reverse? Does it have to do with the way the cut looks once complete?
thanks so much for sharing!!!
~jamie
Its so that I dont have to worry about whether or not I actually cut on the lines.
Its so that I dont have to worry about whether or not I actually cut on the lines.
Its so that I dont have to worry about whether or not I actually cut on the lines.
Its so that I dont have to worry about whether or not I actually cut on the lines.
Its so that I dont have to worry about whether or not I actually cut on the lines.