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Create More: Creative Projects with Wispy Willow Designs

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Create more with your designs and your Silhouette! Do you ever get a file and then use it once and are done with it? Let’s change that way of thinking and get our designs to do more for us! That is exactly what the Crafting Creativity series is all about. Unlocking the ideas of creating with a design and seeing what can happen. For more inspiration and ideas, check out the Crafting Creativity series HERE.

In this blog post I’m sharing creative project ideas with one design file from Wispy Willow Designs. One design has so much potential and can be the key to unlocking the creative fire inside you! Check out how I used one design in 5 different projects ideas, including the ones that failed.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Create More: Crafting Creativity with Wispy Willow Designs

Project #1 – Print and Cut Stickers

For this project, I did some stickers and was testing it with some adhesive photo paper that says it’s waterproof. While the image itself was waterproof, the paper itself was not and the stickers did not last.

Photo contains a water bottle with a decal, a Silhouette machine in the background with a print and cut page on the table. Create More with Silhouette

While this project failed as a water bottle decal, I still found I love the adhesive photo paper for other projects. I have been using it for cards, home decor signs, and more!

Here is a look at my setup in Silhouette Studio for this print and cut page. I try to maximize the space when I do a print and cut project. However, I do use the default registration marks for the most accurate print and cut results.

Photo shows an screenshot of the Silhouette software print and cut page setup. Create More

Supplies Used:

Additional Resources:

Project #2 – Home Decor Tiered Tray Sign

When I created the print and cut sheet design, I was thinking ahead to projects and included a size of the image that I could use on a wood round for a tiered tray sign.

Photo shows a printed page for print and cut loaded in the Silhouette machine.

Wood is a natural surface, so it can be tricky sometimes to get things to stick. I did add a coat of Mod Podge to the wood and let that dry before applying the adhesive photo paper to it.

Photo shows a finished project for a tiered tray using a print and cut design. Create more with Silhouette.

Supplies Used:

Project #3 – Round Ornament Design

This project was a failure! Big fat failure! The design itself turned out fabulous but the rest went into the trash.

Photo shows a close up of a print and cut sticker using the Happiness Comes in Waves design by Wispy Willow Designs. Create more with Silhouette.

I printed 2 copies of the beach design and then added them to a cardstock backer to make a double sided piece that was supposed to go inside a round clear ornament. I mentioned above that I like to maximize my print and cut space, so I included extra designs that I can use on cards in the future too!

Photo shows another print and cut page with multiple designs on it on a table with a Silhouette Cameo 5. Create more!

I wanted to add in sand and shells to the bottom of the ornament, but the glue didn’t look right when dry.

Photo shows a failed project with glue showing in an ornament with sea shells.

Back to the drawing board on this one. I tossed the ornament in the trash.

It was just not the look I was hoping for, but I do have a double sided design that is looking for a new project to be used in.

Supplies Used:

Project #4 – HTV on a Tote Bag

The previous project may have failed, but this one turned out FANTASTIC!

Photo shows a finished project with a fantastic HTV design using the Happiness Comes in Waves design by Wispy Willow Designs. Create more with Silhouette!

I cut each layer out of Siser Easyweed HTV and then pre-pressed the tote bag. Then each layer was placed and pressed for 3-5 seconds, just enough to get it secure and to be able to remove the carrier sheet. After the last layer give the entire design a press. I did 10 seconds at the end, but it really just depends on the layers and the material being used. This is a canvas tote bag with some texture, so I wanted to make sure it was well secured.

Supplies Used:

Tips For Working with HTV

Cutting Multiple Colors at Once

When cutting different colors of the same material, you can usually cut more than one color at a time. I do this with cardstock, adhesive vinyl, HTV, etc.

Here is a look at my setup for cutting this design, then I will cut my HTV colors down to the size I need and place them exactly where they are shown on the screen.

Photo shares a screenshot of Silhouette Studio software with multiple colors of the design on the design mat. Create more!

If using a Silhouette cutting mat and the mat is loaded properly, then the designs should cut in the exact location they show on the screen. If using a 3rd party cutting mat, they may not line up the same since the margins on the mat edges can vary from a true Silhouette cutting mat.

Cutting multiple colors at once, not only can save you time, but it can also make your mats last longer too because you are cutting the materials down to the size needed and not ripping a full piece of material off the entire mat each time.

Here is a look at the pieces after I cut and weeded each one.

Photo shows the cut design pieces from HTV on the table with a Silhouette machine.

Mirror the Design Yourself

Flip the design manually, by right clicking on the design and selecting Flip > Horizontal on the Design tab and then when you Send the design to cut, select “Send As Is” and the design will cut out exactly where you have it placed on the screen.

Photo shows a screenshot of Silhouette Studio showing how to choose Send As Is for an HTV design after it's been manually flipped. Create More!

If you let the Silhouette software mirror the design, then you may end up wasting materials and not having the material in the right location to cut. The software flips the entire mat, not just the design and does not show that on the screen. So you think it will cut on the left side, but it flips the entire mat and then cuts on the right.

Now, here is the humdinger on this one – the software flipping the entire mat can vary by software version. They added this “new feature” in and then it did not work the way a real user works, so many users wasted vinyl. After several years, they tried to “fix” it in the software so it would just flip the design and not the entire mat. Then in later versions, it was reverted back to flipping the entire mat again. It’s one of those things that I guess you’d say was implemented by an engineer and not someone who actually uses the Silhouette to cut HTV daily.

Pressing Multiple Layers and Colors

When pressing multiple colors, typically each color is pressed separately unless the pieces can be lined up WITHOUT any overlapping cover sheets. If the cover sheet of the HTV piece overlaps, it can interfere with the design being pressed.

Place one color of the design, then press for 3-5 seconds to “tack” it down, then remove the carrier sheet and repeat for all the layers.

Unless the carrier sheet of each layer covers the entire design, make sure to only press long enough to tack it down and then remove the carrier sheet for that piece. If you press it too long the carrier sheet can leave an indent in the other pieces of HTV that are already pressed.

For instance, if I left the carrier sheet for Beach on too long, it might leave a line impressed into the sunshine rays.

Photo shows several layers of HTV pressed onto a canvas tote bag.

Use a protective layer on top of the HTV when pressing each layer, unless the carrier sheet covers all of the HTV each time. This will protect the HTV and prevent it from sticking to the top platen of the heat press. I use a Teflon sheet or a piece of parchment paper depending on what’s handy and what material I’m using.

Oh and another one – parchment paper and wax paper are not the same. Wax paper in a heat press can leave a big mess.

Additional Resources:

Project #5 – Sketch & Mixed Media Design

This project was a test, well, actually several tests.

Testing pens to see if they were waterproof, sketching with the Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II with no mat, and mixing watercolor backgrounds with acrylic paint markers.

This idea just would not go away and for some reason, I really wanted to sketch out this month’s design. I can’t pinpoint why, but sometimes you just don’t know what will turn out until you give it a try. And sometimes you just have to let yourself play.

Photo shows a look at a sketched design that has been colored with watercolors and acrylic markers with multiple craft supplies on the table.

And it worked!
The pens were waterproof and did not bleed.
The Silhouette machine sketched the design as it should without a cutting mat.
The watercolor background turned out fantastic – LOVE IT!
The acrylic markers on top = worked!

It is unique! It also gave me a bunch more ideas too.

And I put together a video of this project below.

Supplies Used:

It is amazing how one design or creative idea can be the spark for so many more projects!

Featured Designer – Wispy Willow Designs

A great big THANK YOU to Wispy Willow Designs for collaborating for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter!

Find more designs by Wispy Willow Designs

Follow along with Wispy Willow Designs on her website, Facebook, and Instagram.

A great big thank you to Hannah at Wispy Willow Designs for collaborating with us this month!

Sign up for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter HERE so you don’t miss out on future collaborations.

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One design can be used in so many different ways. 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.

Photo is a Pinterest photo for pinning this project that states Crafting Creativity with Wispy Willow Designs. 1 Design = 5 projects. Create More with Silhouette!

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!

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**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.

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Easy Summer Craft Camp for All Ages

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Creating a “craft camp” does not have to be complex or require a high level of skill. What do you need? Paper and craft supplies – DONE! I’m sharing how easy it is to create your own little craft camp and have a little fun. This is fun for all ages and skill levels. If you have a Silhouette cutting machine, you can use it to cut blanks, stencils, and more to use in the craft camp, but it can be done without a cutting machine too!

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Watch the video below and then scroll under it for more details and a supply list too.

I cut several shapes from mixed media paper and then set up a random selection of craft supplies from Pointer USA. I am a Creative Professional with NAMTA (National Art Materials Trade Association) and was contacted by Pointer USA to test out some of their craft supplies. I have been impressed with the supplies I’ve tested so far and the best part is that they are economical too! Especially if you are getting started with a new medium!

First, I’m going to brag on the Art Pro Mixed Media paper. It cuts fantastic with a cutting machine, which is not always the case with mixed media papers because of the fibrous make up. Often times the fibers will tear and smoosh rather than cut cleanly. But I have now ordered 2 more Art Pro pads because I’ve used it so much.

Photo shows a Silhouette Cameo 5 machine with mixed media shapes that were cut with the machine. Bookmarks, notecards, and card fronts all cut from Art Pro Mixed Media Paper.

I also cut out some shaped dragonfly stencils and butterflies with the mixed media paper too.

Photo shows butterfly and dragonfly stencils cut from the Art Pro Mixed Media Paper using a Silhouette Cameo 5.

Here are a couple photos from Round 1 of Craft Camp.

Photo shows artwork created during Craft Camp using the dragonfly and butterfly stencils and mixed media paper blanks.
Designs by A

The butterfly and dragonfly stencils were put to use quickly.

Photo shows more artwork created during Craft Camp using the dragonfly and butterfly stencils and mixed media paper blanks.
Designs by C

And seeing their creations just made me want to create too. After all, I didn’t need to record the entire time. I love to simply add the watercolors to my Glassboard mat and then work with them from there. The smooshing technique is by far my favorite because no two are alike and I have no control over what it might turn out like. Simply scribble, add water, and then place the mixed media paper on top to pick up the color.

Photo shows a Glassboard Magnetic Craft mat with Art Pro Mixed Media paper and Watercolor Crayons on top of the glassboard with a paint brush along with several watercolored bookmarks.
Designs by EllyMae

Craft Camp Round 2

Here’s a look at the blanks I cut for Round 2. This time I added in some tags as well to the shapes I cut.

Photo shows a Silhouette Cameo 5 and bookmarks, notecards, card fronts, and tags cut from Art Pro Mixed Media paper.

And the creativity just continues. I love how they mixed all the colors around. I would turn around and a new creation would be in progress. I’m not sure who was more excited about them creating – them or me. It was so fun to see how they just picked up the craft supplies and turned it into something.

Photo shows artwork created at Craft Camp with the Pointer USA craft supplies.
Designs by A

Every creation is different. The hardest part is the letting go and not thinking it has to be perfect. Each one is unique and just have fun. Anyone can do this! Fun for all ages.

Photo shows more artwork created at Craft Camp with a stars stencil and dragonfly design.
Designs by F

My oldest and I had the idea about the same time. It was probably the tree silhouette stencil that prompted the creative thoughts, but I just had to try out some Northern Lights inspired images. I made the first one and recorded the process to create the second one and shared that in the video. If you missed it, check out the video HERE.

Photo shows artwork by EllyMae of Northern Lights Inspired mixed media card fronts using watercolor crayons and a black permanent marker.

Here is a look at the Craftermath after Craft Camp Round 2. I’ll do a bit of clean up and resetting. But I’ll keep this set up for anyone who feels the urge to create.

Photo shows the craftermath after Round 2 of Craft Camp with all of the craft supplies on the table and a selection of the finished artwork drying.

I know my creativity sometimes is squashed simply by the thought of pulling out the craft supplies I want to use or having to move things around to get started. This might help me too!

Supplies Used for Craft Camp Setup

Photo shows art supplies from Pointer USA that include colored pencils, watercolor crayons, scented markers, alcohol markers, and permanent markers.

I am loving the quality of the Pointer USA craft supplies. They are not only reasonably priced but also good quality for all ages. Check out the Pointer USA Amazon shop HERE for more options or visit them direct HERE.

If you are looking for a mixed media paper that cuts well with a cutting machine like Silhouette, grab the Art Pro Mixed Media paper by Pointer USA and give it a try.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Pinterest photo showing mixed media project that is northern lights inspired with watercolors and a permanent marker.

Enjoy !

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Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.

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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!

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**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.

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Hybrid Card Design with Silhouette

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Have you ever made a hybrid card before? If you have made a card, you probably have but didn’t even think about it when you did. It is a card combining digital and physical elements in the creation. I am on the Emerald Creek Design Team the June theme was “Tiny joy, simple things.” I’m sharing the details of this card creation below including a supply list for the materials used in the creation.

Photo contains a full image of the Dream Hybrid card created by EllyMae at Silhouette Secrets+ as a Design Team member for Emerald Creek Co

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Creating the Hybrid Dream Card

First, I started with the Dreams Live Here PNG by Pam Bray and brought it into Silhouette. I only wanted to use the Dream part of it, so I used the knife to cut the design apart. Then repeated the pattern to fill the size I wanted for my card front. I did play around with a couple different layouts with this as you can see in the photo below.

Photo shows a screenshot of Silhouette Studio software with the Dream background creation by EllyMae at Silhouette Secrets+

While I could use the Silhouette machine to cut around the design and even set it up as a print and cut, it is sometimes easier just to use a paper trimmer, especially when it’s straight lines.

Photo shows a printed page of the Dream background created by EllyMae at Silhouette Secrets+

Next, I used a stencil that I cut with my Silhouette from a mixed media design by Sarah Hurley in a recent Crafting Creativity project, and drew in the stencil with embossing pens.

Photo shows a stencil on top of the Dream background for the next step in the hybrid card creation by EllyMae at Silhouette Secrets+

Then added the Magical Mysteries Kiss of the Fairy Emerald Creek embossing powder and heated that up to melt the embossing powder onto the Dream background. Next, I cut a larger background from the Lemoncello Paper by Pam Bray for the card base and inked the edges of it.

Photo shows a selection of craft supplies being used in the hybrid card creation by EllyMae with Silhouette Secrets+

And then adhered the Dream background on top of the blue background.

Photos shows a look at the embossed technique on the Dream background in the hybrid card creation by EllyMae at Silhouette Secrets+.

I then used the Providence Florals – Prairie Crocus Stamp with Ranger archival black ink on mixed media paper. The flowers were colored in with watercolors and the edges of the paper inked using Lisa Horton Cloud 9 Color Shifting inks. I cut another piece of the Lemoncello papers in yellow for the mat and inked the edges of that too.

Photo shows the card elements and craft supplies being used in the hybrid Dream card creation.

Then added a layer of Simon Hurley Pity Party Solar Paste on top of the watercolored flowers and it gives it a bit of shimmer and shine.

Photo shows an up close look at watercolored flowers with a layer of Simon Hurley Solar Paste added to the top.

Then I adhered the Dream background onto the card base and then used foam tape to adhere the matted flowers to the bottom right. For a bit of dimension, I added some pink twine behind the flowers before securing it down. Then I cut just the word Dream from the other pattern I had printed and matted it on black cardstock. I used foam tape on the left side to keep it even with the flower elements.

Photo contains a full image of the Dream Hybrid card created by EllyMae at Silhouette Secrets+ as a Design Team member for Emerald Creek Co

And the final step was to add 3 clear rhinestones in the top left of the card.

Here are some close up looks at the finished Dream card.

Photo contains a close up of the Dream Hybrid card created by EllyMae at Silhouette Secrets+ as a Design Team member for Emerald Creek Co

The embossing powder is so cool when it reflects the light.

Photo contains another close up angle of the Dream Hybrid card created by EllyMae at Silhouette Secrets+ as a Design Team member for Emerald Creek Co

I love how this card turned out combining digital elements with physical stamping, watercoloring, and inking.

Photo contains a another look at the details of the Dream Hybrid card created by EllyMae at Silhouette Secrets+ as a Design Team member for Emerald Creek Co

Hybrid Card Supply List

Photo contains a look at the supplies used to create they hybrid card.

I hope this post on the hybrid card I created gives you some ideas of what you could create. See what supplies you have on hand and what you can combine to create a unique card, tag, mixed media creation and more!

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Photo is an image of the full card design in the Pinterest photo format.

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!

shop classes
Silhouette step-by-step Classes by Silhouette Secrets+

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae
**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.

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Amazon Prime Days – June 2026 & Shopping Tips

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Amazon Prime Days Deals are HERE!!!

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I am not a bot and this post is not written with AI. All words are composed and written directly from EllyMae, so if there are typos or it doesn’t make sense, remember it comes from a human 😉 not a robot.

Are you looking to stock up on craft supplies? Or need other items? Prime Days are happening June 23 – 25, 2026 (technically) but the EARLY DEALS are already happening.

I have a couple tips for shopping this year as I know things are tight for all of us!

2026 Sale Shopping Tips

Buy what you need to stock up on OR what you know you will use.
Just because it’s on sale or a person you follow is flashing it in your social media feed – if you won’t use that product in the next year, you probably don’t need it right now.

Facebook and Instagram links – shop carefully and securely! There are a lot of scammers out there lately and I absolutely hate when people get taken advantage of!

Facebook and Instagram links can do goofy things!
Have you ever clicked on an Amazon link on Facebook and it asks you to log in? BUT, you are already logged in on your device. This happens to me ALL the time! And it’s due to the way Facebook (and Instagram) route the link and track the link to see what you are doing.
Have you ever noticed the extra characters at the end of a web address when you click it on Facebook or Instagram? If you have not, watch closely and you’ll start to see it.

Screenshot of a web page from Silhouette Secrets featuring navigation links and a highlighted URL address.

This is what social media sites add onto the web address to see what you are doing and also why if you click on an Amazon link it asks you to sign in again. It is NOT connected to your Amazon app on your device or the log in you already have actively open.

If you run into issues like that, I would highly recommend going to the person’s site directly and clicking on a direct link to their Amazon store or list.

This is why I’ve created a new header on the Silhouette Secrets+ website so it can easily be found – check it out HERE. I am also adding in additional sales and deals that I am seeing from other vendors to that page on the website too! Many companies will put up a sale or discount to entice customers to shop with them during Prime Days as well and sometimes you can find an even better deal out there 😉

Direct links for EllyMae

Buy good stuff! I hope you find some great crafty deals for what you will use and work with in your crafty projects! Remember, cheaper isn’t always better 😉

Have fun! Even if you do not buy anything, that’s ok. Have fun “window” shopping!

Hope those tips help! Check out the deals I’ve found so far below and make sure to check back often on the Silhouette Secrets+ website or my direct to Amazon links.

Amazon Prime Day Deals – June 2026

I’ve created an Amazon Prime Day list in my Amazon Storefront and will continue to add things to the list as I see them pop up. EARLY DEALS are already happening, so the list is already growing.

Silhouette Secrets+ Amazon Prime Days List

I have found adhesive, pens, HeatnBond lite, brayers, glue sticks, organizers, Sharpie Creative Markers, heat tool, Posca markers, glue guns and more already in the EARLY deals!

Image displaying various crafting products including scrapbook adhesives, pens, and a roller brayer, with pricing and promotional offers.

I will continue to update the Amazon Prime June 2026 list on my store front throughout Prime Days, but I will not send out daily emails as I don’t want to inundate your inbox.
Find the Amazon Prime Day Deals – June 2026 header at the top of the Silhouette Secrets+ website too!

Website navigation bar highlighting 'Amazon Prime Day Deals - June 2026' with an arrow pointing to it.

Check out my full store front HERE as I keep a running list of craft supplies and more that I use all year long.

A webpage showcasing 'Silhouette Secrets+ Recommendations' with various curated product categories including tools and supplies.

Looking for ideas of products I use and recommend? Check out the header on the blog – EllyMae’s Craft Supplies HERE for details and links to products I use.

A flat lay of various craft supplies including scissors, pens, adhesive glue gun, and a cutting tool, with text overlay that reads 'Tools I Use - Craft Supplies and More!!!'

Happy shopping and crafting!

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!

shop classes
Silhouette step-by-step Classes by Silhouette Secrets+

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae
**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.

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From the Trade Show to Craft Room | Glassboard Studio Demo – Project Remakes

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Come along with me and see what I shared in the Glassboard Studio booth at Creativation 2026. In this video I’m recreating what I shared and demonstrating how I use the Glassboard magnetic craft mats in my studio and projects. I enjoyed my demo time in the Glassboard booth at Creativation 2026 so much because I was able to share different projects and collect things on the trade show floor to add in as well. Plus, in this video, I share some bonus projects that just did not work out to share on the show floor too!

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Glassboard Studio Demo – Project Remakes with Glassboard Mat

I would love to hear what your favorite project shared was or your favorite tip. Let me know in the comments below.

Behind-the-scenes look – Glassboard Mat Demo

I always forget to take photos when I’m busy teaching, creating, or doing demos. Thank you to Julie McGuffee for snapping a photo of me in the Glassboard Studio booth!

EllyMae from Silhouette Secrets+ demonstrating at a table displaying crafting materials and tools, with a sign for Glassboard Studios in the background. Featuring the Glassboard Studio mat.

Here is the one and only photo that I took while I was doing the actual demos.

A crafting workspace featuring Glassboard Studio mat, watercolor paints, colorful ink, and various art supplies, including a St. Louis illustration on paper.

For this one, I was creating with a custom stamps designed specifically for Creativation 2026 by Photocentric and then watercoloring the images in with a watercolor palette by Pointer USA. This has become one of my favorite items to collect on the trade show floor!

One neat thing about this was that I was able to leave my paints exactly as you see on the glassboard mat and break for lunch. Then when I came back for my second demo shift, I simply reactivated the colors with a bit of water and continued creating.

Here are a couple photos from the demo remake. This shows the stamped image from the video and then I added with Lindy’s Gang Magical Shakers for the colors. I love the sparkle it has, but it may not come through well in the photo.

A close-up of a hand-drawn floral illustration featuring blue and yellow flowers on white paper, with a faint green grass detail at the bottom. In the background, a purple object is visible, along with a grid surface.

And then a sample of just the colors themselves from the video demo.

A close-up image of a watercolor art piece featuring colorful floral sketches including a pink flower and yellow flowers, alongside splashes of blue and green watercolors on textured paper.

In the video demo remake I was able to share multiple projects and show how I use the Glassboard Studio tools when I create. I lost track of how many different projects I was able to share, but here is a look at what was on my work space for this video.

A creative workspace featuring art supplies including Glassboard Studio mat, watercolor palettes, markers, and ink. It showcases various handmade cards with floral designs and decorative items like a hat and small pots.

I spy with my little eye… Stamped and watercolored images, custom faux wax seals – hot glue – print and cut images – Posca gold marker for accents, beaded pots of personality, sketching with Sharpie, painted faces with Liquitex, swatching and coloring with Lindy’s Gang Magical Shakers.

If you watch the video demo, you will hear me say that a year ago I did not own a Glassboard magnetic craft mat. I had to really talk myself into spending the money and ordering one. Now, I have 5+ in my craft studio and I do use them all. I have a couple on dedicated work spaces such as my beading & jewelry table, my main work space where I record videos, and a couple set up for a summer “craft camp”. I move them around as needed and I will admit, this is one of those situations where I purchased a couple of them simply because I loved the pattern and it made me happy. Impulse buy – probably!!! And not only have I added the magnetic mat to my work space, but the accessories like the Craft Catcher’s are right beside it too! I use them all the time.

After Creativation and doing the demo, I also added the HexaFlex Organizer Set to my work station as well. There is something about using a tool or storage accessory that gets me every time. Each year of Creativation I seem to add another new tool to my studio.

Supplies Shown in the Glassboard Mat Video Demo:

During the event, I like to be in the moment and I often get too busy & forget to post on social media and then after I get so far behind in posting and compiling video and photos, but there is lots to be shared and I hope to have more soon.

If you are on Instagram, I did put up a couple quick reels from the event.

And I also demonstrated in the Pointer USA booth with my Silhouette Portrait 4 and sketching on their mixed media paper. If you missed it, here is the remake of that demo too and also what failed on the show floor.

Want to see more from the Creativation Tradeshow floor? Check out these videos by my fellow NAMTA Creative Professionals that I was able to hang out with.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

EllyMae from Silhouette Secrets+ sharing demos with Glassboard Studio mats - Pinterest Photo.

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Creative Projects with Mixed Media Designs

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

When you hear “mixed media” do you instantly think of physical elements only? Or do you think of digital designs as well? In this issue of Crafting Creativity I’m sharing several projects created using Mixed Media Designs by Sarah Hurley. Whether you make the same projects or not, I hope it unlocks some inspiration and thoughts stirring around on what you can use designs for. The Crafting Creativity series is designed to spark interest and ideas on what you can create using one design file or a style of designs such as these mixed media designs.

Often times I think users get a cut file and think of only one possible project for it and then it might sit in our digital resources forever and not be used again. But, there is so much more that can be created with just one design. For more inspiration and ideas, check out the Crafting Creativity series HERE.

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Crafting Creativity with Sarah Hurley Mixed Media Designs

Project #1 – Easy Shaker Cards with Mixed Media Designs

Shaker cards can be very simple to make and assemble. It’s all about layers and creating a “pocket” to hold the shaker bits in place.

A crafting workspace featuring greeting cards with decorative designs, a color palette card showing a cake with icing, a purple glitter pen, tape, and a bag of small heart embellishments.

I used some glitter cardstock hearts that I’ve kept in a little baggie from when I was testing the Silhouette Electrostatic Mat cutting glitter cardstock. They have just been waiting for the right project.

I wanted to see how the design would look in 2 ways – with the mixed media design on top and as the background.

Here is a closer look at the design with the mixed media layer on top of the shaker bits.

A decorative card featuring a cut-out design of buildings with a pink background, showcasing the word 'Be' in a stylish font surrounded by empowering words like 'Thoughtful,' 'Happy,' 'Strong,' and 'Fearless.' Glittery accents and heart shapes add detail, enhancing the overall inspirational theme.

And a close up look at the design with the mixed media layer as a background behind the shaker bits.

A greeting card featuring a pink and teal design with glittery hearts, a message circle that says 'You are' surrounded by positive adjectives, and crafting materials in the background.

Watch the video tutorial below on how I created these designs.

Supplies Used:

Additional Resources:

Project #2 – Laser Cut Sign Background

This was such a random idea that popped into my head and I decided to try it and see what happened. I love how it turned out!

Wooden plaque featuring a butterfly design with inspirational text about growth and embracing change.

In the Silhouette software, I released the compound path and deleted some of the bits in the middle to make it a little more successful in cutting and create a larger space for the design in the middle. Then selected the entire mixed media design and made a compound path again.

Here is a look at the design before I saved as a svg to send to my Glowforge.

An open design software window displaying a decorative butterfly design with text, set up for a wood sign project.

I still need to finish this out and I’m not sure if I’ll add stain or just a protective sealer to it.

I then scaled the design down a bit and made a business sign too.

A decorative wooden sign displaying the name 'EllyMae', the business 'Swift Creek Customs', and the phrase 'Silhouette Secrets + Creator, Instructor, Maker'. It features a QR code on one side.

Supplies Used:

Additional Resources:

Project #3 – Stencils with Mixed Media Designs

Use mixed media designs to create unique stencils that can be used for many different purposes.

Two craft stencils held by hands, one with an abstract speckled pattern and the other with a series of circular cutouts, displayed on a grid background.

This project uses the mixed media files in 3 different ways

  • as stencils
  • as physical elements cut
  • as digital backgrounds
A colorful canvas featuring motivational phrases such as 'Be You, Be Unique, Be Unstoppable' and 'You Are Amazing, Brave, Thoughtful, Kind, Smart, Fearless, Loved, Talented, Unique, Strong'. The background has abstract paint splashes and patterns.

This project came together layer by layer. A collage of different mediums and materials. I love how it has turned out so far. I am not sure it’s completely finished, but I’m sure it will tell me one of these days.

Here is a close up look at some of the layered details on this canvas collage showing 3 different methods of using the mixed media designs.

Close-up of a colorful mixed media artwork featuring an inspirational quote that reads "YOU ARE Amazing, Brave, Thoughtful, Kind, Smart, Fearless, Loved, Talented, Loyal, True, Strong" on a pink background with various artistic textures and patterns.

I also used the stencils in a mixed media journal to practice with before adding to my canvas. My first attempt on the canvas the paint was a bit watery and ran under the stencil, so I set that aside and practiced a bit in the journal.

An artist's workspace featuring an open sketchbook with colorful paint strokes and a stencil. Various paint bottles are arranged in the background alongside paintbrushes and tools, indicating an active creative process.

Use the mixed media designs and cut the design from cardstock or other materials to create a physical element. Layer and add this to the canvas for even more uniqueness and interest.

A close-up of crafting materials on a wooden table, featuring two black butterfly cutouts and several black patterned overlays, alongside a cutting machine and a blue cutting mat.

Add a digital pattern to the mixed media design, print it out, and cut out in a shape to add another layer to the canvas.

A close-up of printed motivational phrases on a sheet of paper, featuring the text 'You Are' followed by positive adjectives like 'Brave,' 'Kind,' and 'Talented,' with colorful watercolor backgrounds in orange and pink.

Mixed media designs have so much potential on what they can be used for and in this case I layered the different elements and just kept building the canvas project.

Supplies Used:

Project #4 – HTV Shirt Designs

I created a couple different shirt designs using the mixed media designs and then cut out of HTV. The first one is cut from Siser Tiger Lily Puff Metallic HTV and another one of my favorites. I made one similar to this last year and it still looks great!

A navy blue t-shirt featuring the word 'create' in a stylish pink font, positioned over a patterned background of pink circles.

Next, I swapped out the Metallic Puff HTV and used a pattern HTV that’s in my stash along with a Siser Glitter Puff HTV. Although the glitter puff didn’t really puff up that much, it still looks great on the shirt.

Navy blue t-shirt featuring the word 'create' in bright green, surrounded by colorful confetti.

And one more creation. I’m not sure how I feel about this color combination, but I think it’s growing on me. I used Siser Glitter Puff HTV in orange and it didn’t puff up much either, but still looks great on the shirt.

A blue t-shirt with a colorful watercolor design featuring the word 'create' in bold, stylish lettering.

All of these shirts were created using the same techniques of an offset of the text and subtracting the offset from the mixed media design.

Supplies Used:

Additional Resources:

Project #5 – ATC (Artist Trading Cards)

Each year for Creativation I’ve made ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) and pass these out to others at the show. I used 2 of the mixed media designs on the background of the ATCs. These techniques could be applied to many other projects such as cards, bookmarks, stickers, etc.

A crafting workspace displaying a stack of colorful business cards with the text 'LIVE YOUR DREAMS' and 'ST LOUIS', alongside a card indicating creator information and a logo for Silhouette Secrets.

Watch the step-by-step tutorial on creating these ATC (Artist Trading Cards) below.

And check out the blog post on the ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) HERE.

Supplies Used:

It is amazing how one design or creative idea can be the spark for so many more projects!

Featured Designer – Sarah Hurley

A great big THANK YOU to Sarah Hurley for collaborating for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter!

Find more designs by Sarah Hurley at the ​Silhouette Design Store​​

Follow along with Sarah Hurley on her ​website​, ​Facebook​, and ​Instagram​.

Sarah also launched Stella Nova this past year too and I’ve enjoyed following along on that journey as well. ​Check that out HERE​.

A great big thank you to Sarah Hurley for collaborating with us this month!

Sign up for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter HERE so you don’t miss out on future collaborations.

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One design can be used in so many different ways. 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.

A collection of mixed media projects including a colorful notebook cover, personalized wooden sign, and various fabric designs featuring the word 'create' and positive affirmations.

Enjoy !

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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!

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**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.

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How to Make ATCs (Artist Trading Cards) with Silhouette

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Have you ever heard of an ATC? Or Artist Trading Card? They are a very popular thing to create to swap or pass out to other creatives at events or even through the mail. I had a good friend many years ago who collected them and would put them into trading card pockets. I thought it was such a neat idea. Then fast forward and I started attending Silhouette events and started making things to trade. Without even thinking about it, I was creating ATCs and swapping them. ATCs can be created with physical supplies or digital supplies and then printed. There is NO WRONG WAY to create one.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

When I’m traveling, I like to make digital ATCs, so they take up less room and are not bulky. And you don’t even need to own a Silhouette machine to create and print from Silhouette Studio. The Silhouette Studio software basic edition is free for anyone to download from Silhouette America.

Here is a look at the ATC design in Silhouette Studio that I created for Creativation 2026 that was held in St Louis. I used a colorful background pattern, mixed media design, and a font by Sarah Hurley, along with a St Louis svg I found.

Colorful graphic design featuring the text 'LIVE YOUR DREAMS' and 'ST LOUIS' against a vibrant background with abstract shapes.

Now, one thing to note, if you want to open svg files in Silhouette Studio, it does require a software upgrade to Designer Edition or higher. Find more details on that HERE.

Once I had the design how I wanted, then I grouped it all together and replicated the design and centered them all to the page.

Design layout featuring multiple artist trading cards (ATCs) with a colorful background, text reading 'LIVE YOUR DREAMS', and company branding at the bottom, displayed on the Silhouette Studio software interface.


I also wanted this one to be a double-sided ATC so created a second page by using File > Save As, then deleting the details inside the rectangles and adding new information. This ensures that the design placement is exactly the same for both sides.

Screenshot of Silhouette Studio software displaying a design for business cards with a template for ATC (Artist Trading Cards) stickers.

Now, the biggest thing about a double-sided print is figuring out how your printer loads, pulls the material through the machine, and which side it will print on. Every printer is different and the only way to know is to test it and make a few mistakes. It never fails every time I do this that I have a few I mess up.

A close-up image of printed stickers featuring the text 'Live Your Dreams' and colorful abstract backgrounds. A hand with a ring is holding the sheet of stickers.

Since my design is straight lines, I opted to not use print and cut and have the registration marks take up space or spend the time loading each page into the machine for it to be cut out. I grabbed 2 of my paper trimmers, a 12″ to cut the long lengths and then a smaller one to cut each card apart. It ended up being faster to do this than if I let the machine do it for me and I can get more to a page.

However, if I have a design that needs to be cut exactly around the design, then I definitely set up a print and cut project.

A crafting workspace featuring a paper trimmer, colorful printed cards with the text 'LIVE YOUR DREAMS' and 'ST LOUIS', various art supplies, and a cutting mat.

I share the full creation process of the ATCs in the video below or on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel.

Supplies to Create ATCs in Silhouette

Additional Resources:  

What will you create today? Sometimes it’s fun to just play around and put things together to see what happens, even if you don’t have a purpose for it at the moment.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A close-up of an Artist Trading Card (ATC) displayed on a cutting mat with colorful designs, featuring the text 'Live Your Dreams' and 'ST LOUIS'.

Enjoy !

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DIY Glass Etching with Etchall on a Floating Frame

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Looking for a creative way to personalize your home decor projects? Glass etching is a fun and easy technique that can completely transform simple glass surfaces into beautiful custom pieces! In this post, I’m sharing how I used Etchall etching creme on a floating glass floral frame to create a unique one-of-a-kind decor project perfect for displaying photos, pressed flowers, inspirational quotes, and more. The frosted etched finish adds an elegant touch while still allowing the beauty of the floating frame design to shine through. Whether you’re new to glass etching or looking for fresh DIY project ideas, this custom etched glass frame is a great way to create personalized decor with a professional look.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A decorative glass frame with etched floral designs and the word 'beautiful' featuring three images of bright orange hibiscus flowers.

Steps to Etched Glass Projects

  1. Create a stencil for etching.
  2. Clean glass blank with alcohol and allow to dry.
  3. Apply stencil.
  4. Mask off edge of stencil to prevent bleeding
  5. Apply Etchall Etching Creme and allow to sit for 20 minutes.
  6. Remove any excess Etching Creme and place back in the bottle.
  7. Wipe off remaining excess with a paper towel and safely discard paper towel.
  8. Run water in the sink and rinse off decal thoroughly.
  9. Remove masking tape and adhesive vinyl under running water.
  10. Rinse blank thoroughly.
  11. Dry and Enjoy!

Glass Etching Supplies

Gather the supplies. I am using a floating frame which has 2 panels of glass and the photos will be sandwiched in between the glass panels.

A silhouette cutting machine positioned on a work surface, with a package of an 8x10 float photo frame and several sheets of colored paper in coral and light blue.

I cut the adhesive vinyl with the Silhouette Cameo and weeded out the design for my stencil. Then applied it to the backside of the glass frame. I also taped off the glass panel edges with painters tape to make it easier to handle and not cut myself.

A creative workspace featuring a peach-colored cardstock with floral designs and the word 'beautiful' in script, surrounded by crafting materials including etching cream, a scraper, and a wooden stick.

Since there were some small details and pieces, I did apply a bit of heat to set the adhesive vinyl and give it a good seal. Be very careful here and let the glass cool before handling.

A person using a heat gun on a coral-colored stencil that features floral designs and blank rectangular spaces on a fabric surface.

Then apply a generous layer of Etchall etching creme and let it sit for 20 minutes.

An overhead view of a crafting workspace featuring a pink base with a brown adhesive design, a bottle of etching cream, tools, and a heat gun.

Scrape off any excess Etchall creme and put it back in the bottle. I scrape as much as I can and then use a paper towel carefully to wipe away any excess. Then rinse with a generous amount of running water until the glass is clean. Remove the adhesive vinyl stencil and rinse again.

A hand holding a transparent acrylic sheet with floral design and the word 'beautiful' inscribed, positioned over a wooden surface.

I add some of the bright, colorful flower photos that I had taken from my front yard a few years ago and it really made it pop!

Decorative photo frame featuring three images of hibiscus flowers, with the word 'beautiful' etched below and floral designs on top.

Take this idea and make it your own! What supplies do you have in your craft stash that you could make a custom glass etched

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A DIY glass etching floating frame featuring three images of vibrant flowers, with decorative floral patterns and the word 'beautiful' etched into the glass.

Enjoy !

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Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II Tips for Cutting Large and Long Vinyl Projects Successfully

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

The Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II opens up a whole new world of possibilities for makers who love working on a larger scale. From oversized decals and statement wall designs to banners, signage, and long-format heat transfer vinyl projects, this machine is built to handle it all—but success with long cuts comes down to more than just size. In this deep dive tutorial, you’ll discover practical, real-world techniques that help you get smoother feeds, more accurate alignment, and consistently clean cuts across extended lengths of vinyl.

Inside this post, you’ll find a quick breakdown of the key strategies covered in the full video, along with actionable tips you can start using right away. These insights are designed to help reduce common issues like material shifting, tracking errors, and uneven cutting—so your larger projects feel just as manageable as smaller ones. Whether you’re brand new to the Cameo Pro MK II or looking to refine your workflow, this guide will help you cut with more confidence and control on every long-format project.

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Watch the full deep dive video below and see a quick nutshell of tips below.

Tips for Success in a Nutshell – Cameo Pro MK II

Do you really need to cut 10 feet of material at one time?

If the design is one long design, then maybe yes. But, if it’s a bunch of designs, cutting it in smaller chunks can be more successful and less wasted materials and time in the long run.

Make sure the leading edge of the material is completely straight.

Set yourself up for success from the start. If the leading edge is crooked or uneven, then it will have a greater chance of failure because it will be more difficult to load straight.

Here is a look at my vinyl roll before I started. High rate of failure trying to use an uneven edge like this.

A Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II cutting machine with a large rolling blade and control panel, placed on a turquoise work surface.

I have a large self healing sewing mat and use a rotary cutter with an acrylic ruler to straighten out my vinyl edge.

Flat lay of a crafting workspace featuring a roll of black vinyl, a cutting mat with grid lines, a rotary cutter, and various crafting supplies in the background.

Silhouette Cameo Pro models do not like bulk rolls.

Bulk rolls can be very heavy and not easy to pull the vinyl off of.

Silhouette Roll Feeder Setup Properly

Make sure the roll is properly set up in the roll feeder on the front of the machine and is secure and moving freely.

Adjust the roll feeder screws to accommodate different roll thicknesses, but the vinyl should always sit on top of the roller of the roll feeder and roll freely. The roll should not be down in the roll feeder or resting on the table top inside the roll feeder.

The photo below shows improper setup of the roll feeder for this size of a roll. It is sitting down in the roll feeder and not on top of the rollers of the feeder.

A close-up view of a Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II machine with a red roll of vinyl installed on a teal surface, accompanied by a pair of scissors.

Adjust the screws and lengthen the roller support as needed to fully support the size roll being used.

Close-up of a Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II machine with a red roll of material beneath it, highlighting the settings and adjustments for material feeding.

For best results, always use the roll feeder stability bar. If the material roll hits the stability bar, then the roll is too big and can have issues with feeding properly.

Fully Support Vinyl the Full Length in front and behind the machine.

Vinyl that is hanging off a table is working against gravity to pull up and into the machine.

Load Material Properly

The line on the far left of the Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II is for use with a 24″ cutting mat. The line on the right side that the arrow points to is for all other widths of materials or mats.

Close-up view of a Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II machine showing the load lines on the machine.

The left edge of the material should be next to the proper load line and the left roller completely on the material.

Close-up view of a Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II machine showing the proper loading of 24" material.

The right roller should be securely on the right edge of the material and in a location it can be locked in place.

Close-up view of the right side of a Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II with material loaded.

Listen to Your Machine When Loading Materials

You will be able to hear it more than see it if the material catches on something as it is loading. There are multiple areas where materials can get hung up in the machine such as the bottom roller bar, the channel in front of the cutting strip, and the channel on the cross cutter on the backside of the machine.

Materials catching can affect the feed and if the vinyl is loaded straight. Crooked vinyl from the start will only get worse the greater distance it goes into the machine.

Settings that Affect the Feed in Silhouette Studio

On the Send tab in the Silhouette software, click on the gear icon in the bottom right corner. If you are having issues with feed and cutting specific designs, try adjusting the Cut Order Sorting settings to see if it helps.

Screenshot of Silhouette Studio graphic design software displaying the cut setup on the Send tab.

Feed the Vinyl Through the Machine for the Full Length

This can help identify if there are going to be any issues before you even put the blade in to cut. It can save you time and money in materials by doing this.

If you continue to have issues with a material catching in the machine, feed in 4″+ to advance the leading edge of the material past all of the areas it may be catching on. 4″ of material can save you time and material in the long run. Use that 4″ for scrap later for other projects.

Test Cut, Test Cut, Test Cut!!!

Cut settings that are too deep can affect the feed and whether the cuts will connect and complete. It will save a lot of materials, time, and money

Get Extra Vinyl

It’s always a good idea to have extra vinyl on hand for any mistakes or errors, especially if working on a deadline.

I share additional tips in the Silhouette Cameo Pro Unboxing as well.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

EllyMae with Silhouette Secrets+ demonstrating the Silhouette Cameo Pro MK II cutting machine with a roll of vinyl at her crafting workstation.

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!

shop classes
Silhouette step-by-step Classes by Silhouette Secrets+

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**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.

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How to Make a Kentucky Derby Hat at Home | Easy DIY Derby Fascinator

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

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!

Affiliate links may be present in the following blog post and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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.

A crafting workspace featuring a large straw hat adorned with a pink tulle decoration, paper flowers, and various crafting supplies including scissors and decorative elements.

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.

A crafting workspace featuring white paper feather cutouts on a grid cutting mat, surrounded by various art supplies like glue, paint, and tools.

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.

Flat lay of crafting materials including a large straw hat with a teal ribbon, white decorative feathers, pink tulle, and a large pink paper flower on a wooden table cluttered with various craft supplies.

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.

A crafting workspace featuring a large yellow straw hat adorned with pink tulle fabric and decorative elements like feathers, surrounded by various crafting supplies.

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.

A wide-brimmed straw hat decorated with a large pink paper flower and pink tulle, placed on a crafting surface with various crafting supplies in the background.

Then I just started adding the feathers, securing them with hot glue and letting it set up before moving it around.

A handcrafted straw hat adorned with a large pink paper flower and white feather-like accents, placed on a crafting workspace with various supplies.

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.

A woman smiling while wearing a large, decorative straw hat adorned with a pink flower and feathers, paired with a pearl necklace.

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.

A woman wearing a large decorative hat with a pink flower and tulle, paired with a black sleeveless dress and a pearl necklace, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

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.

A woman in a large, decorative hat with pink flowers and tulle stands on a balcony, wearing a black dress with a geometric pattern. She has a necklace and visible tattoos, with green trees in the background.

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.

Supplies for DIY Derby Hat:

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A woman wearing a large, decorated DIY derby hat featuring a pink flower and tulle, dressed in a black patterned outfit and pearls, standing outdoors with green trees in the background.

Enjoy !

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Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.

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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!

shop classes
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**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.