If you would have asked me last week if I was going to be making a Kentucky Derby hat, I would have said that it wasn’t even on my radar. And then we were given a challenge at work and my brain just started working on the idea. And pretty soon I had a summer beach hat in my shopping cart, and the idea was coming together.
First, before I go farther into how I made this, please know this hat would be for indoor use. Since it’s made from paper the designs would fall apart if it were rained on or splashed with water.
Kentucky Derby hats are unique and do not have to be identical to each other. This is one of those projects that you can really add your own personal details to and just have fun!
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Next up was to start gathering the rest of the supplies.
I’ve had this large flower hanging around in my studio since I was working with the 3-D Flower Flamingo Design by Tanya Batrak in June of 2024. This file was one of the Crafting Creativity collaborations that I do each month with a new designer. Find more details on the projects created with that file HERE.
And I had some pink tulle from an adult fairy tutu I made about 16 years ago. Yes, that’s right, I keep supplies around a long time just in case. Except I purged the little flamingo flowers a couple weeks ago when I was cleaning. It never fails that when I let something go, I will want to use it the next week. I grabbed some ribbon and had the start to my supplies.
I didn’t want to buy any additional supplies even though I did look at some feathers, but I ended up cutting a feather design and then painting it with a metallic paint by DecoArts.
I took the black ribbon off of the hat and then added a green ribbon and hot glued it in place to secure it on the hat.
Next, I cut some lengths of the pink tulle and bunched it together and secured it with zip ties. Then glued it in place on top of the green ribbon.
Once the glue was dry on the tulle, I added more hot glue and secured the large flower. Then let that cool completely so it was set.
Then I just started adding the feathers, securing them with hot glue and letting it set up before moving it around.
I thought about adding more. I cut some strips of papers in 2 shades of pink and white and then curled them, but when I started adding them to the hat, it didn’t feel right. So, for now, this project is finished.
Now, I will admit that I’m not a “hat” person typically. However, I put this on and looked in the mirror and I love the hat. I think it’s because it’s over-the-top and there really isn’t a wrong way. Kentucky Derby hats are big & bold.
Maybe someday I’ll make it to the real Kentucky Derby, but for now, this hat will be on display at work for the 152nd Kentucky Derby Day.
It was fun to make, used up some of my previous projects sitting around, and went together very quickly. And I saved the black ribbon exactly how it was so if I can also turn it back into a summer hat to use pool side too when Derby Day is over.
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Enjoy !
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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.
The Silhouette Cameo5α (Alpha) model is the latest machine released by Silhouette America. It was announced at the Silhouette Summit 2025 in Japan in September 2025 and was released shortly after the Summit.
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I was not able to attend the Silhouette Summit in Japan, but did order the Silhouette Cameo5α as soon as it was available on the Silhouette America website. At the time of the release, only the white Silhouette Cameo5α models were available and there was no timeline on the other colors being released, so I grabbed it. However, if I would have had choices, I would have selected the Bianco Carrara pattern. When this pattern was first released, I was not impressed, until I had one in my hands and it is my new favorite pattern.
I released 2 unboxing videos on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel sharing a quick setup as well as an in-depth look at the new machine model. So far the in-depth unboxing and setup has been the most popular.
I did not get a blog post out at the time of releasing the unboxing, but sometimes a delay can also be a good thing as I’ve had some time to work with the Silhouette Cameo5α and really test it out. This means that I can add more information and real world experience to the blog post.
Here is one of the first projects I cut out after unboxing the Silhouette Cameo5α.
This project had many intricate cuts from the wood layers to the small skeleton hands. At this size, the cardstock makes a huge difference too! The first one I cut, the cardstock paper layers were separating and I had to switch to a higher quality smooth cardstock for these details.
Here is a close up look at this finished project of the 3-D Skeleton Coffin with all of the details.
This was just one piece to my Halloween busted canvas project, but it was a great test to really see what the Silhouette Cameo5α was capable of.
But, of course, I couldn’t stop there! The coffin was only the first piece of my Halloween busted canvas project.
I continued to cut out pieces for the 3-D Tombstone and put the Silhouette Cameo5α to the test. Within a short amount of time from unboxing the machine, I had a lot of cut hours into testing it out.
The Silhouette Cameo5α is an updated model of the original Cameo 5. The original Silhouette Cameo 5 model is no longer manufactured.
The Silhouette Cameo5α features a new roller design and I do like how it is much more visible to see the rollers and if ever there is a need, easier to clean them as well. It also has a pinch pressure button locking mechanism on the right roller that is so much nicer than the original model design.
It also has an additional 0.3 mm clearance on the roller bar for the Silhouette Cameo5α. At the Silhouette Summit, they mentioned this in reference to use with the Silhouette Electrostatic Mat. With the Silhouette Electrostatic Mat, there is a protective sheet that goes on top of the mat before you place your materials on it to be cut. This protective sheet adds height to what is rolling through the machine. I have not had any issues with this, however, they must have received some feedback from users who were using multiple layers of materials, such as stickers with a laminate on top of it which is thicker than your average cardstock. So the clearance was increased a tad bit.
Keep in mind that when you are talking about clearance, the material also has to “clear” the bottom of the tool that is being used. So even if it clears the bottom of the roller bar, thicker materials also have to allow the blade or tool to clear it as well. And even if a material can clear both the roller bar and tool tip, that does not guarantee that it is a cuttable material with the Silhouette. There are many factors that go into whether a material is going to cut well with a Silhouette.
With the Silhouette Cameo5α, you do have to use a Silhouette software version of 5.0.402 in order for the machine to be recognized. As I type this up, there are still many bugs and issues with version 5 and I am not recommending version 5 for all users. But, if you are a Silhouette Cameo5α owner, you do have to use version 5 and there is no way around that. I recommend using version 5.0.402 at this time and not the current version (5.0.414) as we have seen some issues with the current version. We have seen some issues of machines being bricked or recognized as a regular Cameo 5 and not a Silhouette Cameo5α. If you encounter any of those issues, please contact Silhouette Support and be as detailed as possible in your request for assistance. Including photos and video can help them help you faster as well.
The Silhouette Cameo5α also uses the 4 point registration marks for print and cut projects. This was first released with the Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II model and now is available with the Silhouette Cameo5α model. Silhouette states that this is supposed to improve accuracy of the print and cut results. However, I have not seen any significant improvements in my testing. The biggest issues we see with print and cut are still due to setup and user errors.
I use both the Silhouette Cameo 5 original model and the Silhouette Cameo5α. It really just depends on what I am doing and what the project might be.
Anytime I get a new machine, I like to put it through the paces to see what works and what doesn’t. This means testing both the machine and the Silhouette Studio software.
Here are some print and cut projects I did while testing it.
I do love that I can create meaningful cards and gifts for friends and family, no matter what the circumstances are.
I really do wish cutting machines came with a cut hours timer. Within the first few weeks of owning the machine, I racked up a lot of cut hours.
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Enjoy !
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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.
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!
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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.
Looking for a versatile home décor project you can enjoy all year long? This DIY Interchangeable Glass Frame Sign with Silhouette Studio is the perfect solution! Using a simple glass frame, adhesive vinyl, Sharpie Creative Markers, and Epson Presentation Paper, you can create a custom sign with beautiful digital backgrounds and sayings that can be swapped out for every day decor, seasonally, or for holidays. Designed entirely in Silhouette Studio, this project combines the ease of printable designs with the precision of vinyl cutting, making it beginner-friendly yet completely customizable. Whether you’re decorating for spring, adding a spooky touch for Halloween, or creating a cozy Christmas look, this reusable sign is a budget-friendly craft you’ll use again and again.
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For this project, you may even have all the supplies available in your craft stash or think about what you could use as an alternative. I’ve listed the supplies I used below, so you can recreate it too! Don’t limit yourself to these designs either! Think Halloween, Christmas, Winter, and more! I’ll add photos to this blog post as I create more too!
Gather the supplies. I grabbed an 8″ x 8″ glass frame from my supply closet, some scrap adhesive vinyl in black, some transfer tape and my Sharpie Creative Markers.
Measure the inside of the frame you are using. Even if the photo frame states a certain dimension, make sure to measure it and verify so that you don’t end up with a print that is too small like I did.
Open Silhouette Studio and using the Drawing Tools, draw a rectangle. Size the rectangle to the measurements taken using the Scale Tools and verify it again.
I designed 3 different backgrounds at the same time. Use the Silhouette Studio software to create the entire design, including sizing the flower shapes to fit within the shape you are working with.
Now comes the longest part of the entire project – selecting a background pattern and the quotes you want to use. This is what always takes me the longest in creating.
There are multiple ways to add a pattern to a shape. Check out the additional resources below for several options.
I selected the square and then clicked on the library tab in the top right. Then selected a pattern from under my Patterns Folder in the Silhouette library and just continued to do that until I found the ones I wanted. I have 1100 patterns in my Silhouette library, so it took me awhile to make a decision.
Repeat these steps to create as many backgrounds as you choose.
When ready to cut, it’s a great idea to use File > Save As and create a “cut file”, so you keep an original working file that could be referred back to if needed.
When ready, move the flowers away from the background design. Change the line color of the sentiment to transparent. You do not want the red cut line to print around the image and have to reprint. A line thickness greater than 0 on any line in Silhouette Studio will print out.
I am using Epson Presentation Paper – Matte with my Canon TS9521C printer on the photo matte high quality setting. Every printer can vary in what colors look like and the only way to know what the colors will be is to test with your printer. See additional resources below.
Next, cut the flower design (or whatever design you are using) from adhesive vinyl. Make sure that the adhesive vinyl you use is the same color on the backside as the front. This will be applied on the backside of the glass frame.
Weed the adhesive vinyl design and apply transfer tape to the entire design.
Clean the backside of the glass frame carefully and let dry.
Then, carefully apply the design to the backside of the glass frame.
Tip: (not shown) Use painter’s tape along the edges of the glass to make it safer to handle and prevent cuts from the glass edges.
After applying the adhesive vinyl, don’t worry about seeing the adhesive of the vinyl on the front side. As the vinyl sits on the glass and the adhesive sets up, the adhesive look will disappear. Just make sure to apply the adhesive vinyl smoothly and make sure all areas are adhered well to the glass.
Next, on the backside of the glass, start coloring in the design as desired with the Sharpie Creative Makers. These work great on glass!
Don’t worry too much about it looking a bit messy or coloring only in the lines, you won’t see the backside of the glass.
Let the paint dry. Add additional coats as needed for the desired look.
While it dries, grab a paper trimmer and trim down the printed backgrounds. I did not set this up for a print and cut as I would have lost space and not been able to fill my frames completely. Plus, it is 4 straight edge cuts per page. A good quality paper trimmer is a great tool to have in your craft supplies.
And then all that’s left to do is to add the background paper into the frame and secure it.
Grab some photos of your awesome project and think of new ideas that you can swap out the background with or keep it up all year long!
(I’ll add more photos as I create additional backgrounds to swap out.)
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.
Looking for a creative way to use those gorgeous wood sign designs without needing a laser cutter? In this tutorial, I’m sharing how you can create a stunning door hanger using just cardstock and vinyl—no laser required! I’m using a design by Diva Watts Designs and showing step-by-step how to bring it to life with your Silhouette machine. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking for a new way to use your cutting machine, this is a great project that proves you can make high-impact decor with tools you already have.
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Quick Steps to Create Your Cardstock & Vinyl Door Hanger
Want the quick version? Here’s a fast rundown of how I created this layered door hanger using my Silhouette and a design by Diva Watts Designs:
DIY Door Hanger with Cardstock & Vinyl Project Details
First, I started by measuring my wood sign backer. Then, I grouped the Oh Hello design and scaled it up to 11.8″. Next, rather than paint, I printed a Wood White Texture Digital Pattern by Daniela Moscone onto a 12″ x 12″ sheet of cardstock and then cut the background out of the printed paper. I played around with many different color combinations and finally settled on basic black and white.
I added the digital pattern paper to the background to get a feel for how it would look before I printed the page.
If you are printing a large pattern or filling almost the entire sheet of material with a pattern design, skip the print and cut limits and print the entire page or as much as your printer will allow and then simply cut the design from the printed page. If I had used registration marks on this page, I may not have gotten the size circle I needed with my pattern.
I could then simply place the entire sheet on my cutting mat and cut the size circle I needed.
I cut the black piece from a sheet of black cardstock and the “OH, Hello” from white cardstock.
Now here is my next “secret”. I used the negative of the white cardstock as my placement template for the words on top of the black section. I used a couple pieces of washi tape to hold it in place so nothing moved.
Then I could easily add glue and every piece was placed lined up as the original design showed.
To adhere the background paper to the wood sign, I used Maker’s Magic glue and spread it all over the wood sign and on the backside of the printed cardstock. Then smoothed it down onto the wood backing. I’ve had this Maker’s Magic glue in my stash for a while. The first time I used it, I had a few issues, but I think it was me and just like many things, it takes practice. It worked great for this project, and I knew I wanted to not only protect the cardstock but also add it to the top of the entire sign before I applied the adhesive vinyl flowers so the transfer tape wouldn’t tear up my printed design. I did let the Maker’s Magic dry overnight before adding the adhesive vinyl flowers.
Next it was time to apply the adhesive vinyl flower design. I enlisted the help of my new magnetic glass craft mat & magnets helped to hold this sign in place to easily apply the adhesive vinyl in the exact location I needed.
Instead of using the magnets on top of the material, I placed them in 4 places around the edge of the wood sign and it held it securely in place.
I love how this DIY door hanger turned out with cardstock and vinyl!
Think outside the box! Even if a design is shown in a project photo a certain way, start brainstorming how else you can use it. What other materials could you use to create it? Cardstock and vinyl instead of wood cut pieces? This design is so much more than just a wood sign!
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.
Are you curious about sublimation, DTF, white toner, and more creative ways to bring your designs to life? You’re in for a treat! 🎨
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Sublimation + Beyond Camp 2025 is back—and it’s bigger than ever! This incredible 3-day virtual event is completely FREE and packed with classes for every level of crafter. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to expand your skills, there’s something here for everyone.
🗓️ Event Dates: July 17–19, 2025 💻 Where: Online – join from anywhere (yes, even in your PJs!) 🎟️ Tickets: Free for a limited time! CLICK HERE to register
And I’m so excited to share that I’ll be teaching, too!
🎉 My Class: Draw It. Press It. Love It! Sublimation with Any Cutting Machine
In this class, I’ll show you how to take a simple design, sketch it with pens in your cutting machine, and press it onto your sublimation blanks for a custom creation you’ll love.
One of the best parts? You don’t need a specific machine. This project works with any cutting machine that can use pens to sketch—whether you’re using a Silhouette, Cricut, Siser Juliet, Brother ScanNCut, or another model. If your machine can draw with a pen, you’re good to go!
I even created the design in Silhouette Studio and saved it as an SVG, so you can easily bring it into your preferred software. You’ll get the SVG file included as part of the class!
What You’ll Get with Your Free Ticket:
16 foundational classes to help you build confidence
25 beginner and intermediate classes for sublimation, DTF, white toner, and more
Access to 40+ sessions from 17 content creators + 6 amazing brands
Free 24-hour viewing access to each day’s classes
A chance to win over $4,000 in giveaways!
Want to learn at your own pace? The All Access Pass gives you one full year of access to all sessions, plus $240+ in exclusive bonuses like cheat sheets, digital files, and templates. Once you register for the FREE ticket, you’ll see the All Access Pass offer pop up.
If you’re ready to get inspired, explore new techniques, and have fun creating something awesome, join me at Sublimation + Beyond Camp 2025!
Check out the supplies I used for this class HERE.
Want to learn more about sublimation without a printer right now? Click HERE
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 looked at a flat cut file design and wondered if it could become something more—like a soft, squishy 3D felt stuffy? With the Silhouette Cameo and Rotary Blade, you can easily cut felt and bring your designs to life in a whole new way! I’m sharing tips in this blog post for cutting felt and how I turned a 2D digital file into a custom 3D plush using felt, a Silhouette machine, and a little creativity. Whether you’re crafting gifts, keepsakes, or fun decor, this is a must-try technique for any felt lover or Silhouette enthusiast!
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
These designs are by Sarah Hurley and the entire project is inspired by her cat Bosh. I have followed him since his adoption and my daughter has recently been following along too. So I asked if she wanted a Bosh stuffy, even though I already knew the answer. Anyone else have projects that jump in front of the line? Fun projects seem to do that!
I brought the design into Silhouette and scaled it up for the size I wanted to create with. When working with the Silhouette Rotary blade, size does matter! Well, let’s face it – size matters for a lot of things.
I opened both designs on the same design mat and then determined the size I wanted to make it based on my machines cut width capabilities and the felt sheet size. I used a 12″ x 24″ Silhouette cutting mat so I could make it as large as I could. For this project, I selected both designs and scaled them up at the same time, so they would be similar in size and I could make a double sided Bosh for myself.
On the Send tab, select the design and choose No Cut under Tool 1 and then click on Tool 2 and choose Cut. I used the Fabric, Wool setting to cut with.
See those little blue lines that appear around the design? Those are called hooks and loops and it is how the Silhouette Rotary blade works. It has to have some way to turn the blade to get going in the next direction. It does this by either cutting a loop to turn or lifting up and making a hook to turn the blade and start a new direction.
The hooks and loops will change depending on the design and where you have things placed on the cutting mat. You can watch this in action by following the steps above to turn the Rotary action on and then moving the design around on the Send screen. The hooks and loops change based on the design, placement of the design, and what exactly is on the design mat.
I did cut the pink and black felt for the cat face, but I ended up going a different direction after cutting the felt bits. Some of them were just too small for the felt and it just pulled apart. This was a combination of the design and the actual felt itself. Even though these were the same exact brands of felt purchased from Michaels, the larger sheets were thicker than the smaller sheets. So the pink and black were different than the gray felt sheets. That makes a difference in the success of the project. Not all felt is created equal and there are different compositions.
Here is a look at what the Send tab looked like for the Pink felt pieces.
This shows the loops that the Silhouette Rotary blade uses to turn and it just depends on the design. The Silhouette software determines what is the best method for the Rotary Action. This is based on the shape of the design, placement on the design mat, and proximity to other designs on the design mat.
The pink felt designs were successful.
And then I cut the black felt for the facial features and that just didn’t work as well as there were some pretty small bits for the whiskers, eyes, and grumpy face.
Look at those hooks and loops!
It did cut, but some of the pieces were so thin that they just easily pulled apart. So I switched directions and cut black and pink Siser Easyweed HTV and used my heat press to apply it before I stitched it together.
Now, I’ll admit that I didn’t think it would work just based on my previous experience, the material, and how this specialty blade works. In the end HTV was less work for this project. You could always hand embroider the facial features on too.
I grabbed some embroidery floss and used a basic blanket stitch to stitch the sides together. I had 2 of these to stitch together, so I kicked up my feet and turned on a tv show and started stitching away.
And don’t forget to add Poly-Fil before surgically closing the stuffy up.
My daughter chose to have a single sided Bosh stuffy and I made myself a double sided Bosh stuffy. Would you choose Happy Bosh or Grumpy Bosh? Or both depending on the day?
Tips for Cutting Felt or Fabric with Silhouette
Use transfer tape on the Silhouette cutting mat to protect the mat from fibers.
Change the transfer tape after the cut because it does cut through and shifting after can cause cut issues.
Use a sharp pair of scissors to snip any fibers and bits from fabric that didn’t cut through completely.
The design matters! Small designs or interior cuts may not work well.
Hooks and Loops matter! It’s how the blade turns and changes direction.
Complex designs can crash the software if it’s too much for the rotary action. If this happens, try having less on the design mat and cutting pieces one at a time.
Here are a couple more felt projects that I’ve cut with the Silhouette Rotary blade in the past.
This Red Panda was cut with the Silhouette Cameo 4 Pro using the Rotary blade and a Strong Tack Cutting Mat. Here is a look at all the pieces before I assembled him.
And I think this might have been my first felt stuffy I created using the Rotary Blade. I know I shared photos on Facebook when I made these, but I don’t think they ever made it to the blog.
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.
Welcome to this edition of Crafting Creativity, featuring the bold and beautiful abstract floral designs by Clikchic Designs! These eye-catching patterns are the centerpiece of a wide range of creative projects that highlight the versatility of digital designs. From a custom shaker card and sketch-style greeting cards to shrink plastic tool charms, bracelet charms, earrings, wine charms, and a personalized chalkboard sign—these florals bring a fresh and modern flair to every creation. You’ll also see them used in card backgrounds and oversized tags, offering endless possibilities for crafters of all kinds. Get ready to be inspired by how one design collection can do so much!
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Crafting Creativity with Clikchic Abstract Florals
Project #1 – Custom Shaker Card
I set this up to print on a 12″ x 12″ sheet of cardstock. The only thing that did not fit on one sheet was the frame. It could easily be cut using letter size cardstock too.
I added a bit of sparkle on top of the flowers with a shimmer pen and love it. The hardest part is getting that to show up well on photos.
My mom loved it!
Don’t forget to add your shaker bits before you adhere the acetate & frame down. I got excited and forgot, so I had to peel up a corner and add them in. Nothing like making a project harder than it needs to be.
I drew out 2 rectangles and applied different Sketch Effects to them to create the sketched squares, then added a sketch sentiment around the outer edge of the border using a font called Flannel Shirt Sketch.
I then added some foam tape on the back of the Abstract Floral designs and added those to the center of the sketched frame to give it some dimension.
Next, I sketched a couple more with a premade frame called Dot Frame Sketched.
I think this one is my favorite of them all, but I think I’m drawn to this pink flower for some reason.
They are all gorgeous when paired with the Abstract Floral designs by Clikchic Designs.
I added the random dots around the edge of the square frames by hand after the card was sketched. I could have set it up in the software and had the machine do it perfectly, but it might have also smooshed the tip of my pen. This gives each card a randomness to it as well and makes it unique.
I used the default settings in the Silhouette Studio software to start with. Here is a look at the Send tab when I sent this page to cut.
Larger shrink plastic designs can be interesting when they shrink and you just have to keep going to get them to flatten out. Sometimes, they will also not be a uniform shape at the end. I think that adds to their uniqueness and can be fun to see what happens.
Custom tool charms are a great way to mark your scissors either for a specific purpose or to identify them when you go craft with friends. They are also handy to help you locate them on your craft table if they like to hide in a “safe” place often.
Any type of plastic will dull the blade quicker than other materials, so it is not uncommon to have to increase the settings the more you cut.
There are several brands of shrink plastic out there and they can all be a bit different. I cut both Silhouette Shrink Plastic and Grafix Shrink Plastic during this process. I was using an older blade and I think it’s about done for now. It was having a hard time cutting through the Grafix Shrink Plastic in clear.
Test cuts are really the only way to know what is going to work with your blade and materials.
Two “secrets” of mine are:
I’ll take a blade that isn’t cutting other materials such as cardstock or HTV well and move it to my shrink plastic blade. I get a bit more life out of my blades this way.
Do not unload the cutting mat after the cut and check it first. If it did not cut through, you can increase the settings and send it again until it does cut.
I started by measuring out the size of this chalkboard sign and then drew a rectangle the same size in Silhouette Studio. Then I just started adding the abstract floral designs and moving them around to create a floral frame.
Did you know that vinyl goes bad? Yep! I started this project using Silhouette Printable Vinyl, which I love for the print quality. However, it must have been an old package because it would not weed properly and was separating. I ended up using Orajet 1917 that I’ve had in my craft stash for many, many years and it cut beautifully.
There is a shelf life for vinyl and other craft products such as pens, paint, string, inks, tape, etc.
What is the lifespan of vinyl? Well, there really isn’t an exact date or time as you never really know how long it’s sat on a retailers shelf or the manufacturer’s shelf, etc. And other factors play into it as well, such as temperature, humidity, etc. You will see many mention 2 years when stored properly. But, you never really know how it was treated before you bought it. I have some vinyl that I still try to cut even though I know it’s like 7 years old. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
How can you tell if it’s gone bad?
The 2 most obvious signs I have found is that it can separate when you try to weed it and it’s a bugger to work with no matter your troubleshooting or cut settings. These 2 things can present themselves by the adhesive can visibly be separating from the actual vinyl or the vinyl will not easily come off the backing paper.
Usually I try to push through and I always end up kicking myself for working so hard to try to salvage it.
However, the final way I know the vinyl has gone bad is when I get a new good piece and it weeds so smoothly. And that’s when I end up kicking myself.
For this project, I lost a few letters of the text in the middle, so I just ended up cutting the text from a scrap of Oracal 651 in white and adding that on to the project. A great use of scraps!
When I do a print and cut page, I will fill the page with extra designs and this month I had a good bunch of the florals left over to create with. So I set about brainstorming what I could do with the left overs.
I was browsing Pinterest and found an idea where they created custom backgrounds with a stencil and inks. Why not do that with a stencil design & digital patterns?
Here is a look at the first ones I created.
The next set, I started playing around with the orientation and mixed it up a bit.
I had so much fun playing around and creating backgrounds with different pattern papers.
Whether you need a design 2″ or 6″, you can do it with your cutting machine. You can create things whatever size you want.
These tags are 3.5″ wide and 6.125″ tall. I used the Project Wizard in Silhouette Studio to create the basic tag design and cut from 110 lb Neenah cardstock.
I used up the last 2 flowers and bits of greenery I had printed on cardstock and combined that with a patterned paper I designed and printed when I shared the tutorial on Creating Custom Background Patterns in Silhouette.
Follow Clikchic Designs for more inspiration on her website, Facebook, and Instagram. I love watching the videos of how the designs are created. I love how she takes something that she has physically painted and turns it into a digital file so we can all enjoy and create with her amazing artwork!
From handmade cards to custom jewelry and home décor, the possibilities with these abstract floral designs by Clikchic Designs are truly endless. Each project in this Crafting Creativity edition showcases how one digital collection can be transformed into a wide variety of unique creations. Whether you’re crafting with paper, shrink plastic, or chalkboard materials, these versatile florals add a bold, artistic touch to every piece. We hope you’re inspired to explore new techniques and think outside the box with your next project.
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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.
Welcome to this edition of Crafting Creativity! In this edition, I am sharing the vibrant world of mixed media digital design with the talented Sarah Hurley! In this post, we’re spotlighting sharing inspiring ways to incorporate Sarah’s digital elements into your own creative projects. Whether you’re crafting cards, journals, or home décor, you’ll find plenty of ideas to spark your next masterpiece. Let’s explore how digital and traditional techniques can come together to make something truly magical!
Last month was the 2025 Creativation by NAMTA event in Seattle and I was able to connect with Sarah Hurley in person. I’ve known Sarah for a couple years now and always enjoy getting together with her to connect and collaborate.
The Sarah Hurley Academy Pavilion was on the trade show floor and I loved hearing her Trend Report during the event. I was madly typing my notes in my phone during her presentation.
It was the perfect month to collaborate again with Sarah’s designs for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter.
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Project #1 – Artist Trading Cards– Mixed Media Background Elements
One of the projects the Creative Professionals did at the 2025 Creativation was create “found art” and place them all over the trade show floor for people to find and keep. I designed it all in Silhouette Studio using a collection of different elements, including the mixed media designs by Sarah Hurley.
I am not sure which one I like the most, but I love that I can create in the software and test things out before I print my projects. I wanted each one to be a bit different and I was able to achieve that easily.
I also designed these double sided so I could include my information on the backside.
The biggest thing about doing a double sided print and cut is your printer. Every printer is different and you have to figure out how the printer prints and how to insert the page back in the printer so everything lines up.
I printed these and then used my paper trimmer to cut to the size I needed. Since it was a simple rectangle I felt it was more efficient for this project. I cut between 60-70 cards to “hide” during the event.
Project #2 – T-shirt with Siser Metallic Puff HTV & Mixed Media Designs
This may be my new favorite shirt! Not only is the Siser Tiger Lily Metallic Puff HTV gorgeous, but the mixed media background really made this design unique!
I duplicated the mixed media design, scaled it up, and then subtracted an offset of the text from the background.
Here is a closer look at the design.
I just love how the mixed media design puffed up. I’ll definitely be using more mixed media designs for backgrounds!
Specialty materials with shine are always so difficult to photograph and really capture how beautiful it is. I have had great luck with the Siser Metallic Puff HTV living up to it’s puff. Regular puff HTV and I have had a few issues, but the Metallic Putt HTV is so easy to use.
Project #3 – Digital & Physical Backgrounds – Cards
I added the mixed media files on top of a patterned background and set it up as a print and cut for a 4.25″ x 5.5″ card background.
On the left side I used a pattern called Purple and Rainbow Bubble Background by Sarah Hurley, then placed the mixed media design on top on the left side. I used the eyedropper tool in the Fill Color panel to pull a color from the pattern and then adjusted it just a bit to make it pop.
On the right side, I used the background pattern created using the Gradient Fills in Silhouette from last month’s YouTube videos. I then added a different mixed media design on top and again pulled color from the pattern and adjusted to make it pop.
Check out more on how I created this background pattern in these videos:
I wanted the sentiment to stand out a bit so added that as a separate piece to the print and cut file so I could pop it up with foam tape.
Here is a look at the print and cut file I created in Silhouette.
I used the Enjoy Every Moment by Sarah Hurley sentiment and added an offset around the design. For this design, I first made a larger offset to enclose everything and then made an internal offset to bring it back closer to the design. Once I had the offset as I wanted, I deleted the larger offset as it was not needed.
But I couldn’t stop there! These designs can be used for more than just digital projects too!
I cut these same designs from cardstock using the Silhouette Autoblade with the Cameo 5. Look at those cuts!
Then I added the designs on top of a dark blue card base to make them stand out.
Add a sentiment and you have a quick easy card design.
I did not just want to print and cut 2 designs, so I filled the page and had several options to choose from.
I drew a circle and centered the design inside, then with both the circle and design selected, chose Cut Edge on the Send tab. Once it was cut, I added foam tape to the back of the sentiments to give the card a bit of dimension.
Stencils can be from many different types of materials. I grabbed some scrap cardstock and also cut some plastic stencil material as well.
Scrap cardstock is a very economical way to test out a stencil design and it can hold up and work for many projects too. I know I have a lot of scrap cardstock in my stash, so it’s perfect to test with.
I also see many who want to cut plastic stencil materials and I have both 6 mil and 7 mil stencil material on hand. Something to keep in mind with plastic stencil material is that plastics dull a blade differently and often quicker than other materials. All stencil material will vary in the cut settings that will work well with it.
The one above is 6 mil stencil plastic and I used the Stencil Material setting in the software with a used blade, but increased the passes to 3. I still had to pop the bits out of place, but it actually cut better than some of the smaller areas did on my fibrous cardstock.
And then just have fun! I grabbed some of the DecoArt Paints and a Dynasty EvoArt paint brush and just started stenciling a background. I don’t know how this will turn out yet, but I’m going to keep adding to it and see what speaks to me.
If you are cutting lots of stencil material, I’d recommend having extra blades on hand and also know that you will need to increase the cut settings as the blade dulls.
I am always looking for sales or bundles to stock up on blades or mats. Check out Crafter Cuts for a blade bundle HERE and use coupon code SECRETS to save 10% on supplies too!
I love this background pattern so much and still don’t know what I want to do with it. I asked for suggestions from my community and one of them was to scan it and save it as a digital background. YES! I love this idea.
Bringing mixed media designs by Sarah Hurley into your creative projects is a fantastic way to add personality, depth, and a unique flair to your crafts. Whether you’re layering textures, combining materials, or experimenting with color, these designs offer endless possibilities to explore your creativity. If you’ve enjoyed this project, be sure to check out the full Crafting Creativity series for even more inspiration, step-by-step ideas, and creative ways to make your projects truly stand out. Let your imagination lead the way—there’s always something new to discover! Check out the Crafting Creativity series 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.
Welcome to this edition of Crafting Creativity! This time, we’re diving into the wonderful world of digital kits with an inspiring collection from Nitwit Collections. Their beautifully designed elements and papers make it easy to create stunning projects with Silhouette. From layered cards to custom decor and everything in between, we’ll explore creative ways to bring these digital designs to life. Get ready for a fun and crafty adventure as we showcase projects that highlight the versatility and charm of Nitwit Collections!
Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you missed these files in the March newsletter, you can find the Warm Embrace Knick Knack kit HERE. There are so many amazing kits available, make sure to check out the full shop HERE.
I have also released a new print and cut class: Master Print and Cut with Silhouette: Step-by Step Class that is available on my Teachable site HERE. The kit is provided in the class so you can use the same files I do and create amazing projects too!
If you are looking for step-by-step classes to learn more, check out all of the classes that are currently available on my Teachable site HERE.
Crafting Creativity with Nitwit Collections
Project #1 – Creative Card Designs: Make Every Greeting Uniquely Yours
I just started playing around in the software to see what new card idea I could create after I finished the Print and Cut class. I like to make a mock-up in the software of a lot of projects before I actually cut. That means I will add all of the design pieces and play around with placement, elements, colors, and more right in Silhouette Studio.
Here is a look at my design file for this card in Silhouette Studio.
Once I have an idea of the card design layout, I can start cutting and in this case, printing, then cutting all the pieces.
Here is a close up look at the finished card with the 3-D layers.
But, I didn’t stop there! The creative ideas were still flowing and I decided to share how I created this card design in Silhouette with a LIVE tutorial on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel.
This session covers essential skills and techniques, including drawing tools, scaling tools, pattern fills, the Quick Access toolbar, Flexishapes, Draw Note, and more! Plus, with real-time viewer participation, questions were answered and demonstrated live to help you master these features. Check out the replay HERE on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel.
Don’t forget to Like and Subscribe if you want to be notified when new videos are released or Live tutorials are scheduled.
I’ve been watching the Nitwit Collections Facebook group and saw that a member, Lisa Shaw, was doing a Live demo and I joined in. I was mesmerized by her demo of a flying seagull card! The moment I saw it, I knew everything else had to wait. I just had to dive in and create this card style as a 5″ x 7″ card!
Immediately following the LIVE demo, I started working out the math to make a prototype of this card. It reminded me how much I love to design and create fun fold and 3-D cards. Now, I can’t say that I got it right the first few times, so there was a few sheets of cardstock that are now in my scraps pile, but I did get there eventually.
After I made the prototype, I could then bring it all together in the Silhouette Studio software to create a cut file.
And then I printed all the pieces and started assembly to see where the elements should go. Here is another behind the scenes look at creating this card.
Here is a collage of how this card looks finished out from a few different angles.
The top photo shows how the card look when completely unfolded. The bottom left shows the card completely closed and then on the right is a top look showing the Seagull Design.
I love using this Sticky Note & Pen Holder file from Lori Whitlock and the Nitwit Collections kits work perfect for creating a custom cover. These make great gifts and work awesome for swaps at events too!
Here is a close up look at the design layered on the front of the sticky note holder.
Unlock endless creative possibilities with a digital kit! In this edition of Crafting Creativity, we showcased a fabulous digital kit from Nitwit Collections and explored how a variety of unique projects. The Crafting Creativity blog series is your ultimate source for fresh ideas, practical tips, and expert techniques to take your crafting to the next level. Whether you’re transforming a go-to design, trying out new materials, or refining your skills, these posts are designed to ignite your creativity and help you bring your ideas to life. Check out the Crafting Creativity series HERE and discover where your imagination can take you!
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.
