The Silhouette Curio 2 Leather Carving Knife opens the door to a whole new level of creative possibilities for leather projects—and getting great results starts with knowing how to use it correctly. In this post, I’m sharing my brand new video tutorial that walks through using the Silhouette Leather Carving Knife with the Curio 2, including setting up custom cut settings, what to watch for during carving, and real Day 1 testing results. If you’re curious about carving leather with the Silhouette Curio 2 or want practical tips to avoid common mistakes, this guide will help you get started with confidence.
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ready to see the Silhouette Curio 2 Leather Carving Knife in action? Watch the full video tutorial on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel to see my real Day 1 results, custom settings, and tips for success—then try it out on your own leather projects!
These were the results after 5-6 hours of testing on a full sheet of tooling leather. I cannot wait to share more!
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Silhouette Classes
Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
When the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press first arrived, I am so glad I didn’t rush to put out an unboxing. With time and testing, my first impression has changed. In this post, I’m sharing a full Silhouette cloChé heat press unboxing and in-depth review, including my initial impressions, the testing I did, the projects I completed, and my honest thoughts five months after unboxing. If you’re wondering whether the cloChé (or cloChé Petite) is worth adding to your craft room, this long-term, real-use review is designed to help you decide with confidence.
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
In this blog post, I’m sharing my thoughts and recommendations along with some still shots below, but you can also find the full unboxing and review on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE.
The Silhouette cloChé can be found at Silhouette America and is available in Milky White, Chiffon Pink, and Ice Green. Mine is Milky White.
In full disclosure, Silhouette America did send me the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press for testing. I was not paid to do this review and all results and opinions are my own.
Silhouette cloChé Heat Press Unboxing
This little Silhouette cloChé Heat Press is well packaged. In the box is the main heat press body, the power cord, the cloChé Petite with it’s power cable, and an instruction manual with supporting papers.
The Silhouette cloChé is small, compact, and weighs 11 lbs. It has a unique design that reminds many of a panini press. The heat press platen is 6″ x 10″.
The Silhouette cloChé Petite is an accessory that is only available with the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press. It comes packaged in a bag along with the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press power cord in the box. It can be stored on the underside of the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press.
The Silhouette cloChé Petite can be powered by plugging in the included cord to the front of the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press.
Silhouette cloChé Heat Press Unique Features
The Silhouette cloChé Heat Press has some unique features to it that makes it stand out. One is the handle on the front of the machine. This is how the heat press closes and creates the pressure.
Photo from Silhouette Summit 2024 taken by me
This handle design takes a bit to get used to locking and unlocking. While these features seem awkward at first, the more you use it the easier it gets.
The handle is composed of several moving parts and it can come apart. That doesn’t mean it’s broken. It can easily be put back together. Simply and carefully “pop” it back into place. I mention this because it can catch you off-guard if you don’t know before it happens. It happened when my friend and colleague, Sarah, first used it at the demo at Silhouette Summit 2024, which caused the Silhouette staff member to quickly fix it, so we were aware of this already. I’ve had it happen a couple times in the 5 months of testing before I write this.
Another unique feature is the lock when you raise the top platen of the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press. For me, this also takes some getting used to pressing the lock before you can lower the top platen again. This is a safety feature and just like the handle, just takes time to get used to.
The next unique feature is the On/Off switch. This is a dial that does not have temperatures. It does have several different settings indicated with a L-M-H setting dial.
This is very different than any other heat press and definitely takes time to get used to. For most regular HTV, I’ve been using the M setting. In the User Manual it does show this table.
The guide is in degrees Celsius. L is approximately 120 °C = 248 °F, M is approximately 160 °C = 320 °F, H is approximately 200 °C = 392 °F.
This definitely takes some getting used to and you just need to test with your materials. One thing I have found is that letting things cool a bit before peeling the carrier sheet can help.
The Silhouette cloChé also has a 45 second timer that begins when you close the press and lock the handle. I ignore the timer completely and just count myself. Then test. This is another area that will require some testing and seeing what works for you.
I did test a sublimation design which I’ll share later in this post and I cranked it up to the High setting and the blank only needed 45 seconds. If you are sublimating and the blank needs longer than 45 seconds, you will either need to listen to the beep or risk lifting the platen and closing the press again to reset the timer.
There are a couple disclaimers in the User Manual that I think are important to point out.
The first is that it requires a 30+ minute cool down period after 1 hour of usage.
The Silhouette User Manual states: “Do not use the machine continuously for more than 1 hour since it may lead to machine failure. If using the machine again, wait for more than 30 minutes before reconnecting the power cable.”
For this reason, I do not feel it is ideal for a business owner or use at an event. If the machine overheats, it can have issues. When at events, most don’t normally have time to give a 30 minute cool down period every hour when making personalized items.
This was stated at Silhouette Summit in 2024 when it was first announced, so it came as no surprise to me. I am glad to see that it made it into the User Manual, so it is clearly communicated to all users.
Silhouette cloChé Heat Press Initial Impression
My first day using the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press was a bit frustrating. This was due to user errors and simply that it is a new piece of equipment. Basically, I got in my own way which caused more frustration than it should have.
It is NOT like other heat presses and I was trying to compare it to others I use.
If I had released the unboxing video after Day 1, it would have been very different than what I’m sharing today. I did not like the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press the first day. However, I’ve been using it for many other projects and the more I use it, the more I do like it and believe it is useful for certain projects and uses.
I would NOT recommend starting with can koozies as a first project. I was looking for something small to create and ended up making my “quick” project much harder. Can koozies can be difficult with a normal press, but I did succeed.
Silhouette cloChé Heat Press Testing
I first started by testing the heat press platen with a digital thermometer. I did this over and over again the entire afternoon.
I tested all 4 corners and the center of the platform and wrote down each reading. The results were inconsistent every single time. Some of the readings would be close to the same temperature, but after repeated results over hours, I gave up on that.
Conclusion: it’s just a different type of press and it will not be a consistent reading across the platen. It can be close, but not perfect.
This is also referenced in the User Manual as well in the photo above – “The L to M to H ranges do not support fine temperature control, and should be used as a guide only.”
So I set it to M and began my first project. First project = first failure.
At least I got the failure out of the way right out of the gate. This was 100% user error. Like I mentioned above, can koozies probably are not the best first project. In general, I think it’s best to let it cool a bit before peeling the carrier sheet off. I did not and that equaled a project failure. I flipped it over and used the other side.
The good news after the frustrating afternoon is that I was successful with my project! Whether it was from determination or stubbornness – the end result was a success.
It worked once I started testing it and stopped trying to make it work like other heat presses. I just kept going.
I also used the Silhouette cloChé Petite to add some individual hot fix rhinestones to the can koozies. That worked too! Again, a little bit of a learning curve and referencing the User Manual to get the Silhouette cloChé Petite connected and powered up.
Once it was finished, I had to test it out with a can in the koozie and it worked. The HTV has stayed in place and the rhinestones were secured. I tried to pick them off with my fingernail and they didn’t budge.
Day 2 with the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press went much better. I came at it from a different mind set and just started playing, testing, and seeing what worked and what didn’t.
Next I tested a full design with Siser Easyweed Adhesive HTV. This is typically designed to be used with deco foils, but I wanted to see what it would look like just by itself on a black shirt.
And then I turned the dial up on the Silhouette cloChé and tested a sublimation project using Artesprix sublimation supplies and a luggage tag. This particular blank only required a 45 second press, so it was perfect to test with.
And then I did another t-shirt design.
For larger blanks such as a t-shirt, you do have to roll the bottom of it up in order to close the handle on the press. This is different and takes time to get used to, but it does work!
I’ve worn this shirt often since creating it and it’s been washed and dried and the HTV still looks great!
The Silhouette cloChé and I had made progress. Day 2 was a success with less frustration than Day 1.
More Silhouette cloChé Projects
Since I did not get the unboxing out right away, I’ve had time to create more projects with the Silhouette cloChé and find I do like/love it more than Day 1. It is a useful little machine, that is also light weight, and compact to store.
I tested Siser EasyPuff Glitter HTV on a canvas zipper bag. Puff HTV can be finicky at times. I used a small pressing pillow with the Silhouette cloChé to account for the seams and get pressure on the design area. It worked!
More faux leather with Siser Easyweed Adhesive HTV. As a note, some faux leather changes colors after being pressed, just in case you decide to try it.
I figured the longer it took me to get the unboxing video edited and the blog post written, the more projects I’d get done to share.
The faux rhinestone design above is with the Silhouette Heat Transfer Vinyl – Silver and is the most recent project as I write this and I had the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press set up on a flimsy folding table. Since the machine creates it’s own pressure with the handle on the front, you don’t have to have a heavy duty table to set the press on. It’s 11 lbs and doesn’t require you to press down to close the top platen, so a lighter table will do.
Pros and Cons of the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press
Pros of the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press
lightweight at 11 lbs
compact
stylish
heats up fast
can be used on a light weight table like a folding table
travels easily
easy to store
Silhouette cloChé Petite included for small projects
Cons of the Silhouette cloChé Heat Press
different than other heat presses
no temperature reading
45 second timer
timer cannot be changed
limited on thickness of items it can press (0.5 mm maximum thickness Silhouette stated)
larger items need rolled for the handle to close
6″ x 10″ platen may require multiple presses of large designs
1 hour usage and then 30+ minute cooldown
Who is the Silhouette cloChé for?
Please keep in mind that this is my opinion only from my background using larger, more industrial heat presses and testing the Silhouette cloChé.
I’d love to say the Silhouette cloChé is for everyone, but that’s simply not the reality. Of course, the same can be said for a large 15″ x 15″ heat press as well. There is no one product that will work for all users 100% of the time.
I would not recommend this for business use unless you are planning to use it for a specific project and can stick within the 1 hour usage time and let it cool down properly before powering on again.
I would say it’s a neat little press for traveling. It’s light-weight and compact, which means it can travel easier than an industrial heat press. I’ve had (2) 9″ x 12″ heat presses that I’ve used for classes and both weight in at 35 lbs. That can be manageable, but also has it’s negatives too when traveling with them. I’ve also traveled with my big presses that are 75 lbs and while it can be done, those suckers are heavy.
The Silhouette cloChé would be good for a crafter who is limited on space and does not need to use a press all day long.
I am loving it for smaller projects and the t-shirts I’ve done have all been successful so far. And now that I found out it will work on my little folding table, I no longer have to clear a spot off my work bench to use it.
It did work for sublimation, but it will have it’s limits on those types of projects due to temperature and press time.
Conclusion
This little Silhouette cloChé has grown on me since Day 1 when I started out frustrated with trying to make it fit into my own heat press idea box. Once I let that go, I’ve had a lot of fun creating with it. I do love that it heats up quickly.
I think you will either love it or hate it. Just like everything else in life. And only you can make that decision. Between the unboxing video and the information I shared above, hopefully it gives you an idea of what it’s all about and if you do get it, don’t judge it too quickly. Give it some time and you might find that the little thing grows on you too!
And additional details on the Silhouette cloChé from Silhouette Summit 2024 can be found HERE.
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THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee. Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.
Silhouette Classes
Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
If you’re suddenly seeing Silhouette Studio revert from Business to Basic (or Designer Edition or Designer Edition Plus to Basic) and panicking because your Silhouette upgrade is missing, take a deep breath—you’re not alone, and you didn’t lose your purchase. This is one of the most common Silhouette software issues users run into, and it usually comes down to account login and/or activation, hiccups. In this post, I’ll break down why this happens, what to check first, and how to get your paid features back where they belong. I’ll also link to a detailed video on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel where I walk through the fixes step by step and share additional troubleshooting tips.
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The good news is – YOU can fix this easily. I am providing written information below and have also released a video on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel that can be found HERE.
Why Silhouette Studio software upgrades disappear?
The most common reasons for a software upgrade to disappear are:
Silhouette Software version update – this does not happen every time you update software versions, but can happen
Computer OS (Operating System) updates – this is on both Windows and MAC computers. Computer OS updates can happen in the background without a user knowing it.
New computer – software upgrade activations are not automatically loaded when you install the software on a new computer
How to Activate a Silhouette Software Upgrade Easily
If you previously had a upgrade active and the Silhouette upgrade is missing, you can easily activate this again simply by going to the top left menu in Silhouette Studio, select Help > Apply Upgrade Edition.
Enter your email address and password associated with your Silhouette account.
At the time I am writing this and recorded the video, I am not recommending Silhouette Studio version 5 due to many bugs in it. If you have a Silhouette Cameo5α (Alpha), then you HAVE to use version 5 and we would recommend v5.0.402 as there a some major issues we’ve seen with v5.0.414. For most Silhouette users, I am recommending v4.5.812 which the screenshots are from above.
Here is a look at Silhouette v5.0.402 and you can see you’ll find it in the same location, however, there is a new splash screen when you open version 5 that you cannot bypass. You can find the Help menu on the new Home Page or on the other tabs in the version 5 software.
If you have never activated a Silhouette software upgrade and you purchased it from a Silhouette retailer, you will first need to apply the upgrade to your Silhouette Account. Please follow these steps to apply the code.
Move to the top right and move the mouse over the person icon, select My Account.
On the left side menu, choose License Keys and apply the Silhouette software upgrade code.
Then follow the instruction shown above to activate the code in the Silhouette Studio software.
This new method of easily activating the Silhouette software upgrades is available in any version of Silhouette v4.4.552 or higher.
Missing Tools & Features in Silhouette Studio?
This is the most common reason Silhouette users notice that a software upgrade has reverted to Basic Edition.
You can easily check what software version and upgrade is active on your Silhouette Studio software and determine if your Silhouette upgrade is missing and not active.
Instructions for Windows users:
Click on Help in top left menu
Then choose About Silhouette Studio
Instructions for MAC users:
Navigate to the top left of Silhouette Studio and select Silhouette Studio in the menu
Then select About
This About window will tell you what version is open and the upgrade that’s active.
If you have a Silhouette software upgrade and it is currently showing Basic Edition in this window, please follow the instructions above to activate the upgrade on your computer.
Silhouette Studio Upgrade Information
Silhouette Studio software upgrades are a one time fee and you do not have to purchase again if it disappears.
The Silhouette upgrades can be active on up to 3 computers or 3 active devices.
With this new system, if you have 3 devices active and log into a new device or Silhouette Web, it will deactivate the software upgrade on the device that is oldest used date. This means you can easily activate the software upgrade on multiple devices, but it will only be active on up to 3 devices at one time.
Something new to mention here is that the new Silhouette Web (still being developed and in beta as I write this), that counts as one of the activations of the software upgrade license. This technically means that if you are logged into Silhouette Studio on your device and you log into the Silhouette web (web based software) on the same device, that it will use 2 software upgrade codes, even though it is the same device.
This is not an issue, but it can catch you off guard when you see the message that one device will be deactivated if you exceed the 3 upgrade log ins.
Silhouette Web is a web based program that allows users who do not have a full computer operating system, such as a Chromebook to connect to a Bluetooth enabled Silhouette machine. It does not have the full Silhouette Studio software option. However, it does have some different features than Silhouette Studio and some of these are only available with a software upgrade. At the time I am writing this, it is still being developed and is changing.
I don’t feel it is stable and there are bugs and issues with it, so I have not done any tutorials with it. To be honest, if you have a computer with Silhouette Studio, I would recommend that to design in.
Another thing to mention here is, if you do decide to try it out, for MAC users, please note that you cannot cut directly from Silhouette Web. This is due to restrictions from Apple that it will not allow a web browser to connect to any outside systems. For Apple users, you would design in Silhouette Web, then open in Silhouette Go (mobile app) in order to connect to a Bluetooth enabled Silhouette machine in order to cut.
Troubleshooting Silhouette Upgrade Activation
If you encounter issues when trying to activate a Silhouette software upgrade, there are a few steps you can do before contacting Silhouette Support.
Try again to log in with the email and password to make sure there was no mistypes or missed keystrokes.
Log into the Silhouette America website HERE. Select My Account under the person icon in the top right > License Keys and do you see your software upgrades?
Log into the Silhouette Design Store website HERE. Can you log in at both websites? The email and password has to be the same on both sites and in the Silhouette library.
If you cannot log in to those 2 websites or the information is not the same on both sites, you can try resetting your password. The password reset is supposed to send a OTP (One Time Password) to your email account. Since the website migration (May 2024), there are issues with this and the OTP does not always come through.
If you still cannot log in or cannot reset your password, then you will need to contact Silhouette Support – support@silhouetteamerica.com
Tips for Contacting Silhouette Support
If you encounter any issues with your Silhouette account and the steps above have not resolved those, you will need to contact Silhouette Support.
Silhouette Support is the only one that can access your account information and investigate or reset things for you.
Here are some tips to help you get resolutions faster:
Email Silhouette Support at support@silhouetteamerica.com – we often have seen users complain they are not getting responses and they didn’t actually contact Silhouette, but had a mistype in their email submission
Provide as much information about the issue you are encountering as possible. Be clear and concise and provide the exact issue encountered as well as the steps you have tried already.
Do not email simply stating “I can’t log in.” That will not get a quick resolution and can be a million different issues.
Provide photos of what you are seeing so the support agent will hopefully understand what you are experiencing.
Follow any instructions and respond to the Support agent with descriptive information on what you did.
Continue to contact Silhouette Support until the issue is resolved.
Don’t be surprised if you get an AI response. This is new and it is Silhouette Supports “quick response”. It will be sent on to an agent after the AI response has been sent. Follow the instructions sent and reply back to their communication.
Don’t be surprised if the Silhouette Support Agent responds with the same response as the AI bot. This is not unusual. Both the AI bot and Support Agent use the Silhouette FAQ to provide initial responses. This is why it’s so important that a user provides as much information as they can when they first contact Support.
Remember that contacting Silhouette Support and stating a basic issue such as “I can’t log in.” or “My machine isn’t cutting.” does not give the Support agent enough information to provide a good troubleshooting answer and they have to start at a million reasons and narrow it down to 1. That can take time and a lot of back and forth with Support. The more information you can provide, the faster your resolution will be … hopefully.
This is one of the most common issues we see users encounter. I hope those tips have helped!
Looking for additional Silhouette Troubleshooting? I have been teaching Silhouette and troubleshooting Silhouette issues since 2016. We have seen a lot of changes and have helped a lot of users. I have launched the new Creative Community with EllyMae where I provide troubleshooting assistance and exclusive monthly tutorials. Find more details on that HERE.
I also have step-by-step classes to help you learn the Silhouette software and your machine – find those HERE.
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THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee. Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.
Silhouette Classes
Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
Big news for 2026! I’m thrilled to announce the launch of the Creative Community with EllyMae, a subscription-based space dedicated to crafting creativity and expert Silhouette troubleshooting.
This year, I’ll continue helping crafters troubleshoot their Silhouette projects—but now in a more interactive, subscription-based community. Your subscription supports the costs of hosting, administration, testing, and one-on-one troubleshooting time, while giving you exclusive access to tools, tips, and creative inspiration.
The first month’s exclusive video tutorial is now live inside the Community Forum, and it’s packed with value! I planned for a 1-hour tutorial… but it quickly grew into 1 hour and 30 minutes, plus a 6-minute bonus video where I break down an unexpected tool behavior I encountered during the project. While the design may look simple, this tutorial covers step-by-step instruction, real-time problem solving, and detailed troubleshooting.
Inside this tutorial, you’ll explore Silhouette Studio tools and features, including:
Drawing tools, scaling, offsets, fill colors, line colors, and thickness
Compound paths and the Replicate panel
Spacing tools, turning cut lines on and off, and Move By
Undoing alignment
Print & Cut tips and troubleshooting
…and that’s just the beginning.
Subscription Benefits:
Private Facebook Creative Community: Share projects, ask questions, and get Silhouette troubleshooting help from experienced users. Exclusively for subscribers.
Exclusive Monthly Video Tutorial: Receive detailed tutorials and bonus insights each month.
Future Perks: Additional benefits may be added as the community grows.
Other ways to stay connected and inspired in 2026:
Silhouette Secrets+ Facebook Page: Updates, tips, and inspiration — Follow here
Step-by-Step Classes: Hosted directly on my website with new releases planned for 2026 — Explore classes
Weekly Newsletter: Projects, artist collaborations, news, and sales — Subscribe here
Website Tutorials & Blog Posts: Ongoing tutorials and guides — Silhouette Secrets
If you’ve ever wanted a space focused on education, explanations, and real-world crafting solutions, this community was built for you.
👉 Find all the details about the Creative Community Subscription and join us today!Join Here
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THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee. Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.
Silhouette Classes
Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
Creativity doesn’t have to start from scratch—sometimes it begins with one simple design. In this Crafting Creativity feature, I’m sharing how one tag design by Rabea Bilz can be taken far beyond its original purpose. With a single file as the foundation, we’ll explore four creative tag craft projects that spark ideas and show just how versatile a good design can be. From paper crafting to dimensional and decorative projects, this is all about inspiration, creative possibilities, and seeing your designs in a whole new way.
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Crafting Creativity with a Layered Tag Design
Don’t feel limited to using a design for just one project. When you start thinking outside the box, a single file can open the door to countless creative possibilities. Try mixing materials, changing sizes, or adapting the design for completely different purposes—you may be surprised by what you can create. I hope this inspires you to stretch your creativity and even expand your supplies in new ways as you discover just how versatile your designs can be.
Project #1 – Layered Tag Design with Print and Cut
After I had the tags assembled I decided to grab a couple Gelly Roll pens and add a few special touches to the print and cut design.
Just a little bit of additional color or shine can really make things stand out on custom projects.
I created these as a custom monogrammed bag tag, but they could also be keychains or even a gift tag that’s reusable, multi-purpose, or part of the gift itself.
These are double sides bag tags. Make sure to mirror the design when creating a double-sided design so that it will match up exactly. For these particular shapes, they are symmetrical, so it’s not a necessity, but it is a good habit to get into, especially if you did not create the design yourself. This way the front and back will line up exactly with each other.
I used Siser Easyweed Adhesive HTV in the middle to glue the layers together. Faux leather or leatherette can also be glued with fabric glues, but I’m really loving the ease of use with the Siser Easyweed Adhesive HTV. Cut the HTV the same shape as the tag and then press on the backside of one, remove the carrier sheet and line up the layers and press again. Done!
Have you ever created a shaker card? What about a shaker tag? Or any other “shaker” project. Basically, to create a shaker, you are making a “pocket” where some material such as glitter, sequins, or fake snow can be contained.
I saw these new Gingerbread Cookie designs by Rabea Bilz and knew I had to use them!
This design is 4 layers. The background is a solid piece of cardstock, then a layer of Kraft cardstock with the Gingerbread design, a layer of clear transparency to hold the snow in, and then a final layer of the Kraft cardstock. Here is a look at my file in the Silhouette Studio software.
Rather than use my machine to cut the transparency, I simply used a scrap piece of cardstock to cut a template for the size I needed and then used scissors to cut the transparency down to size. This saved time finding the right cut settings and saved a blade since cutting plastic can dull it quicker.
Once the pieces are all cut, it’s time to assemble. I used the Precision Glue Press to adhere the Gingerbread layer to the backing and then set that part aside to dry. Next I used an adhesive tape runner to secure the transparency to the backside of the top layer. Then added double sided foam tape to the edges. Since it’s a shaker project, it has to be completely taped off so the shaker bits are contained. Then I added in the fake snow. You will have to test how much to add. Too much and it won’t move around easily. Then carefully remove the backing off the foam tape and secure the back layer over top of the foam tape.
For this one, I used the tag design to create ornament designs that could be sent to my Glowforge to cut, but you could also create ornaments with other materials that could be cut with the Silhouette machine such as cardstock, acetate, adhesive vinyl, sketch pens, and more!
A great big thank you to Rabea Bilz for contributing the free file for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter! If you missed grabbing the free design during the month, grab it HERE and start creating!
Each month I offer a free file for Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter subscribers. I love designing in the Silhouette Studio software and have shared some of my creations as well as look forward to collaborating with more artists in the future too!
Silhouette Secrets+ Newsletter
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I hope this inspired you to look at your designs a little differently! It’s amazing how a single file can turn into so many unique projects when you let creativity lead the way. I loved exploring new themes and possibilities while showcasing just how versatile this design can be. If you’re craving even more inspiration, helpful tips, and creative project ideas, be sure to visit the Crafting Creativity section on the Silhouette Secrets+ website — click HERE to explore what’s waiting for you!
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Silhouette Classes
Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
Creating a custom sublimation tumbler doesn’t have to be complicated! In this step-by-step DIY tutorial, I’m sharing an easy and creative way to make vibrant, one-of-a-kind tumblers using Artesprix Sublimation Inks. This project combines simple techniques like plastic wrap and heat resist mask to achieve stunning results—perfect for beginners, girls’ nights, craft nights, handmade gifts, or even small business projects. In this post, you’ll find the full video tutorial, a complete supply list, and helpful tips to confidently create your own custom sublimation tumblers from start to finish.
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Want to know what I love about the Artesprix sublimation inks, paints, markers, and stamp pads. They make me step outside my comfort zone and accept what comes. That each project I create is unique and even if I did the same exact steps the next time, it would still look different.
For these custom wine tumblers, I used the Artesprix Heat Resist Mask and cut a monogram out with my Silhouette.
Here is a look at my design file. The letter ‘E’ is one of those that can look really ugly in many fonts and always takes me forever to find one I really like. On the left side, I have the keepers, until I find the one that speaks to me the most.
In the video you’ll see that the first monogram I tried was just the letter and because I didn’t have a solid background it is a “hidden message” monogram. I couldn’t stop there and had to create another, so I added a frame around the letter too.
I have better luck with securing the Artesprix Heat Transfer Resist directly to the blank and then there is no space for the sublimation gases to leak in underneath during the process. For a design that has pieces like the second one with the frame, I used transfer tape to transfer it to the blank just like you do with adhesive vinyl.
The shape of the tumbler and the crinkled paper gave it a unique look on the bottom.
I think it turned out unique and it completely shows that sometimes you just have to take “control” and throw it out the window. Now, I kind of want to try the wrinkle, cloudy technique on purpose. While I cannot control the final outcome on colors and pattern, I was able to “fix” the monogram so it’s no longer a “hidden message” and it turned out so crisp.
I don’t waste any of the sublimation ink. Anytime there is extra paint or ink, I will grab a sheet of copy paper and make a new print, let it dry, and then add it to my stash. As long as the sublimation pages don’t get wet or aren’t subjected to high heat, you can use them for a year or longer after they’ve been made.
Here is a look at the “hidden message” monogram on the right.
Looking for the step-by-step video? It’s linked right below the supplies section.
THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee. Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.
Silhouette Classes
Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
If you love layered paper projects and clever cutout designs, you’re going to enjoy today’s Silhouette Studio tutorial! In this step-by-step guide, I’m sharing how to create a Peekaboo Layered Calendar—a cutout-style design where the background shows through for unique look. This tutorial walks you through the full design process in Silhouette Studio, along with a supply list, and helpful tips with your Silhouette software. Whether you’re crafting a calendar for home décor, gifts, or adding unique designs to your shop, this project is simple, fun, and perfect for any skill level.
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I absolutely love how this lotus flower design cut out and the pink and yellow holographic cardstock seemed just perfect for it.
The brand-new Peekaboo Layered Calendar video tutorial is now live! Click the link below to watch the full step-by-step guide and learn how to design this cutout-style calendar in Silhouette Studio. After watching, be sure to scroll down — you’ll find a complete supply list, in-progress photos of this project, and additional project ideas too!
Here is a look at my original design file showing all of the calendar pages.
When I am working with a multi-page print and cut project, I will create separate files for each page. With print and cut, it is very specific and you do not want to move anything on the screen after the page is printed.
Having each page in a separate file will allow me to be able to easily recreate the project again if I want and also allows me to setup and print page 2 and 3 while the first page is cutting. I simply copied and pasted the next set of calendar sheets onto a new design mat and saved that file as Pg 2.
The holographic cardstock was thinner than my 110 lb cardstock, so I did cut an additional backing and then used an adhesive tape runner to secure the background to it. This gave it a bit more weight so it would hold the straight shape more. I also did that on the next one too because I printed the graphics on Epson Presentation Paper – Matte, so it is a lighter weight paper, but has an excellent print quality to it and I love using it.
I can’t just print one image on a page though, so I did make some variations on this one and printed several.
Now I can swap out the images through the year if I want to and have these bright, colorful faces to look at throughout 2026.
And once I started with these projects, it really is hard to stop. And this is why the video tutorials or blog posts are delayed. I love creating new projects and have to force myself to stop to get other things done.
And then I go and ask my daughter what kind of design she would want. “A whale shark, of course, Mom!”
This peekaboo calendar turned out awesome too! I had to order a bit taller easel for this design though as it measured about 5″ tall and my smaller easels didn’t work well. My daughter loves this Whale Shark design by La La Shiba and I’ve used it on quite a few projects from temporary tattoos, water bottle decals, and shirts too!
I have so many additional ideas for the calendar designs. I’ll come back and update when I get more of the peekaboo designs made.
There are so many different design ideas you can create using the same tools shown in this video. I hope you take the tools I shared and put them to use and start creating.
Here is another example of a layered desktop calendar design.
Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.
Enjoy !
THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee. Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.
Silhouette Classes
Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
If you love creating interactive cards, this JOY Spinner Card is a must-try holiday project! In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through how to design and assemble this layered spinner card using Silhouette Studio, along with a complete supply list and helpful tips and additional resources. Watch the full video, grab the supplies below, and let’s create a festive card that’s sure to impress!
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This card design was first shared in my Silhouette Secrets+ Facebook group and my admin did a bit of sleuth work and found who we believe is the original designer for this spinner card idea. This card design was inspired by Dress My Craft. Make sure to grab the Dress My Craft spinners linked in the supply list below.
One thing leads to another… down the rabbit hole I went and Dress My Craft has so many neat ideas to create with the spinners.
Create the layered look with the same colors of cardstock or mix it up and do multiple colors. I cut both to see what it would look like, but I think I prefer the white layered on top of each other with the offset. I am so glad I saw my admin (Teresa’s) card ideas and included that into the video tutorial. I think it really makes it stand out.
I love being able to create designs in the Silhouette software, and projects like this JOY Spinner Card truly show how versatile it can be! If you haven’t already, be sure to watch the full video tutorial on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel for step-by-step instructions and extra tips. I hope this inspires you to create your own interactive card and continue learning even more about what Silhouette can do!
Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.
Enjoy !
THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee. Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.
Silhouette Classes
Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
Have you ever found a card template so versatile that it instantly becomes a go-to favorite? That’s exactly what happened when I started creating with the Accordion Filled Gatefold – Card Blank by Quietfire Designs. This beautiful, interactive card base is the perfect foundation for endless creativity—and in today’s Crafting Creativity feature, I’m sharing five completely different card designs, all made from this one stunning template.
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
From a spooky Halloween card, to a warm and cheerful hello friends, to a vibrant bouquet of flowers, a playful Open If You Dare theme, and even a classic happy birthday design, this single cut file transformed effortlessly to fit every style. Each project highlights just how easy it is to take one card template and customize it for any season, celebration, or creative idea.
If you love stretching your Silhouette files and want inspiration for making more with what you already have, you’re going to love exploring the versatility of this Quietfire Designs favorite. Suzanne at Quietfire Designs has amazing designs and this is just one. I hope this gives you some ideas on how you can expand your supplies!
Each month in the Crafting Creativity series, I take one design file and explore just how many unique projects it can inspire. I love showing how a single cut file—like this month’s Accordion Filled Gatefold card template—can be transformed into cards for any theme or occasion. These posts are all about stretching your Silhouette skills, sparking fresh ideas, and proving that one thoughtfully designed file can open the door to endless creative possibilities. Whether you’re a longtime Silhouette user or brand new to cardmaking, Crafting Creativity is here to help you imagine, explore, and create with confidence!
Crafting Creativity with Accordion Filled Gatefold Card Blank
Suzanne at Quietfire Designs has amazing designs and this is just one of the card templates available in the Silhouette Design Store or check out the bundle of card templates HERE. Suzanne also has assembly videos on the Quietfire Designs YouTube channel too! It makes it so easy to assemble the card designs – find those HERE.
I hope this gives you some ideas on how you can expand your supplies!
Project #1 –Halloween Card
I grabbed some Halloween themed paper in my stash and created this themed card.
This one I had a lot of fun collecting “friends” to share from different files by Quietfire Designs.
Once I gathered all of the designs I wanted to use, I turned the cut files into a print and cut so I could do it all on one sheet.
Here’s a look at my print and cut design file. I always like to fill up my page when doing print and cut, so I ended up making two card designs using different patterned papers.
Once I had all the designs I wanted for the card sized to fit, I turned them all into a print and cut page. Since these were designed to cut each individual piece, I simply selected them all and on the Send tab chose “Cut Edge”.
I used the flowers and greenery design from the Flower Posy Gift Card Box – Design #346522 and cut 9 to layer inside the card. When needed, I would snip off sections of the greenery that didn’t fit well and then glue them in underneath the flowers in other spots to fill it in and make it unique.
The front section has 3 of the flowers and greenery placed together and I enlarged the bow on the design to “wrap” around all 3.
I ended up with an extra set of flowers and added that to the front belly band for the card closure.
This card is another combination of designs by Quitefire Designs.
And if you are daring enough to open the card, here is a look at the inside.
I started with an idea in my head and then simply cut out the pieces I knew I wanted to use from each of the design files. Then started moving them around and seeing where they would best fit.
A bright, fun card filled with balloons! And… it was all created with scraps. This was another card that was “built” as I went along. It may be a little over the top with balloons, but that’s the best part – you can customize it however you like!
I drew the balloon using the Flexishapes tool in Silhouette and then just cut a bunch from different colors. The Happy Birthday is a sentiment from the Dinosaur Birthday Card in a Box by Quietfire Designs. I sized and arranged the words together, then made an Offset around it.
This was the perfect sentiment for the card as both Happy and Birthday are both welded together, so it was easy to glue using my new Precision Glue Press.
A great big thank you to Suzanne at Quietfire Designs for contributing the free file for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter for the month of October! If you missed grabbing the free design in October, grab it HERE and start creating!
This year I started offering a free file each month for Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter subscribers. I love designing in the Silhouette Studio software and have shared some of my creations as well as look forward to collaborating with more artists in the future too!
Silhouette Secrets+ Newsletter
Never miss out on the news, tips, “secrets”, deals, classes, and more that I share on Silhouette Secrets+. Sign up for the newsletter and get information delivered to your inbox every Friday. Unsubscribe at anytime.
Sign up for the weekly newsletter HERE to have information delivered direct to your inbox and grab each month’s new freebie.
Did this spark some creative ideas for you? It’s always exciting to see how one card template can lead to so many completely different designs! I had such a great time dreaming up each of these themed creations and showing just how versatile the Accordion Filled Gatefold file can be. If you’re looking for even more inspiration, tips, and creative project ideas, be sure to browse the Crafting Creativity section on the Silhouette Secrets+ website — click HERE to explore!
Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.
Enjoy !
THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee. Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.
Silhouette Classes
Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
If you’ve ever spotted a hidden gem at a thrift store and talked yourself out of it… this project is your reminder to turn back and grab it! That’s exactly how this Etched Tiered Tray came to life. I found a gorgeous three-tiered glass tray tucked behind a stack of dishes, walked away, and then thankfully circled back to bring it home. Today I’m sharing how I transformed that thrifted treasure using custom-designed stencils created in Silhouette Studio and Etchall etching creme. With the right design setup and a few simple steps, you can get beautifully crisp results that make any glass piece look high-end and completely personalized.
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you have a cutting machine, you have unlimited possibilities of custom designs at your fingertips.
I started by measuring each level of the tiered tray. This gives me a starting point to draw out a template in Silhouette Studio to design within. If the tiered tray has a curve to it, then you’ll want to make sure to account for that. Adding a stencil onto a curved area can get a bit tricky to lay it straight and flat. I created my stencils so the design would be on the flat area before the curve starts.
Here is a look at my working file in Silhouette Studio.
On the left side are some designs I was playing around with to decide what I wanted to work with. I settled on using the Cherry Blossom Design by Tanya Batrak. On the right you can see the design for each level of the tiered tray. The outer oval is the template from my measurements and then I was able to design within the template for each level.
I knew I wanted something that went all the way around and I designed an oval frame using the same technique that I shared in the video tutorial on the Silhouette Secrets+ channel – Creating a Circle Frame in Silhouette Studio with Basic Tools.
Then I brought in the Cherry Blossom Design and scaled it to the size I wanted and placed it on top of the oval frame.
I modified the design a bit by cutting off the branch on one side and then for the largest tiered tray, I cut off the top 3rd flower and used edit points to make the design smooth. So each layer of this tiered tray is a bit different. Here is a close up look at my final designs.
I then made an offset of the entire design and subtracted the offset from the circle frame to give the design some space and set it apart.
Here is a look at my stencil file on the Send tab in Silhouette. I used the Cut by Line Color tab so I could set up 2 different settings and have it kiss cut around the stencil and then cut the red cut line all the way through on the offset around the entire design. This way the center of the design was cut out for me by the Silhouette machine.
Then I grabbed a color of Oracal 651 adhesive vinyl that has been in my stash for awhile and not used. Scraps or colors that you don’t use often are great for stencils.
Once the designs were cut, then carefully weed out the design. And if you mess up in the weeding or application process, grab another sheet of vinyl and cut another one. I messed up along the way on one decal and ended up cutting another stencil. So glad I have this option with owning a cutting machine!
If your tiered tray comes apart easily, it may be easier to apply the stencils and etch by taking it apart. My husband suggested I do this, but with the rubber rings separating each layer, I didn’t want to mess something up taking it apart or putting it back together, so I worked with it fully assembled.
This meant that I needed to cut the stencil apart for 2 of the layers to wrap it around and apply to the bottom of the tier.
I looked for a good section of the design to slice it apart at that would be easy to line up and get connected again when I was applying.
Find some way to set up so your glass is secure and is as flat as possible for the stencil application and while the etching creme is on the glass.
Since I left my tiered tray assembled, I propped it up using my bulk roll of AT65 Transfer Tape.
This was actually a really sturdy way to hold my tiered tray and it was stable, secure, and level the entire time.
Make sure to clean the area where you’ll be applying the adhesive vinyl with alcohol first to remove any dirt and debris so you get a good adhesion. And then let it dry completely.
The bottom layer was the easiest since it was the most accessible and that is where I started. I applied the Oracal 651 adhesive vinyl stencil and then I applied a bit of heat to help the adhesive vinyl to adhere well. I have some intricate areas and I wanted to give myself the best chance of success and not have any bleed. While this is step is not mandatory for glass etching, I do think whatever you can do to set yourself up for success saves your time and money.
Not all glass etches too! And I wasn’t sure if this would work or not on the tiered tray. Starting with the bottom layer first, this was my test. I heated it a bit and then carefully smoothed down the vinyl edges all along. Be careful as hot glass looks the same as cold glass. I then waited for the glass to cool completely before applying the Etching creme so that the adhesive could set up and less likely to move around on the smooth surface.
The next step isn’t mandatory either, but I do feel it will help you be successful! Tape off the edges around the stencil in case any etching creme gets outside of where you want it to be. It never fails that if the etching creme even touches an area you don’t want it to etch, it will.
Use painter’s tape or in this case, I had lots of excess transfer tape and since it was an oval object on a curved surface, I ended up cutting smaller sections of the AT65 transfer tape and applying it around the outer edge and the inside edge of my stencil.
For flat objects, you can simply make your stencil larger to cover a larger area of the object. However, on a curved object that can be more difficult to lay the adhesive vinyl completely flat, so I chose this method.
Next, I applied the Etchall etching creme around the entire design. And set my timer for 20 minutes.
The next steps are very important! After 20 minutes, carefully remove any excess Etchall etching creme and put it back in the bottle. It can be reused over and over again. Then I take a paper towel and wipe away any excess. And once all the excess has been removed, I will run water in my sink and then washed the entire design and remove the stencil while under running water.
It worked!!! So I dried it off and then repeated the same steps on the other 2 layers of the tiered tray.
As you can see I have 2 different colors of adhesive vinyl as I messed up weeding the top layer stencil. Easily remedied by cutting another stencil with my Silhouette machine.
All the extra steps to secure with heat and taping off the design paid off!
This etched tiered tray project turned out fantastic!!!
The hardest part about glass etching is getting a good photo and in this case, getting a good photo that shows all 3 levels off well.
I love being able to create custom and unique projects. This one was quickly claimed by my youngest, who put it to work immediately. I asked if she could to a “lifestyle” photo for me to use and this is what she did.
It is definitely being put to good use and she loves it.
Check out more information for even more creative ideas and tips to take your crafting to the next level HERE!
Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.
Enjoy !
THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee. Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.
Silhouette Classes
Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.
THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click the link to buy a coffee. Every little bit helps in the cost of running the site.
