Category: Projects

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Why Every Crafter Needs a Magnetic Glass Craft Mat in Their Studio – My New Favorite Tool!

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

If you’re anything like me, finding the right tools for your creative space can make all the difference—and I just added a new one to my studio: the Magnetic Glass Craft Mat. I am loving it! From its sleek, sturdy surface to the strong magnets that keep materials perfectly in place, this mat has quickly become one of my absolute favorite tools. Whether you’re a paper crafter, vinyl user, or mixed media enthusiast, this is one studio upgrade you may find useful too!

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

I have seen these craft mats advertised previously, but I got an in-person look at them at the 2025 Creativation in Seatle. I’ll be honest, I am usually anti-glass in my studio because you just never know what I will stumble across or drop. But I took a chance, and I bought this, and I love it!

This post is not sponsored by Glassboard Crafts or an advertisement for them. I am sharing a new tool I invested in and added to my craft space. I am asked often about tools I use and after requests by followers created a page on the website for “EllyMae’s Craft Supplies” – Find it at the top of the Silhouette Secrets+ website or click HERE.

In full disclosure, I am now an affiliate with Glassboard Crafts, and I do have a coupon code that can save you 15% on your order. Bonus for you if you decide to add this to your tools.

Use code SILHOUETTESECRETS to save 15% on your order HERE.

A magnetic glass craft mat with blue clips and a ruler on a wooden surface.

I knew I wanted a solid color because I record videos and a design can be distracting in the videos and white makes my camera go crazy trying to auto focus, so I chose a solid that I thought would be good. But I am drooling over all the patterns, and they just keep coming out with more.

One thing I didn’t think about until I tried to take photos to share is the reflection. Reflections always get the better of me. The surface reflects very, very well as you can see with my recording lights.

A Magnetic Glass Craft Mat on a wooden surface, featuring three teal magnets, a teal ruler marked with numbers, and a small gingham patterned piece of material. The mat has a grid design and reflects light.

But I’ll work around that and adapt.

How I’ve Used My Magnetic Glass Craft Mat

Does everyone need this? Probably not, but I am loving it for 2 reasons – the heavy-duty magnets and the ease of cleaning up.

Lately I seem to be creating with more products that can be messy such as mixed media gel sticks, paints, paint markers, watercolors, and more. I am expanding my wheelhouse and loving the experimentation. But that can be messy too! At least for me.

Here are a few ways I’ve used it so far in the month since I received it.

First, I was working with stencils, Kingart mixed media gel sticks, and mixed media paper.

Top-down view of a creative workspace featuring colorful markers, watercolor brush pens, paintbrushes, and sketch pads with floral designs, along with an eraser and a ruler.

This was for a video tutorial on creating a layered stencil in Silhouette (find that HERE). The magnets worked to hold the mixed media paper in place while working with the stencils. It could also be used to hold the stencils in place too; it would just depend on the thickness of your stencils and what magnets you have available to use. I ordered a 6″ magnetic ruler and have 4 of the mini pawn magnets.

An overhead view of a creative workspace featuring a magnetic glass craft mat with tools and materials for crafting, including brushes, markers, and papers with floral designs.

I also used it as a palette to test some different techniques. I just scribbled the mixed media gel sticks on the glass surface, added a bit of water, and then used a paint brush to pick up the color. When my images didn’t turn out quite how I wanted, I simply used a paper towel to wipe up the water & remaining color.

Next up was painting pieces for a wood sign.

A craft workspace featuring a glass mat with various art materials, including paint markers, a wooden tiki figure, and a green painted half-circle with a leaf pattern, along with the words 'A LOHA' displayed prominently.
Aloha design by Diva Watts Designs – Design #475500

I was using a combination of Posca Paint Markers and acrylic paint on this sign. The smaller pieces were easily colored with the markers, while larger pieces were a bit messier and needed more coverage.

I used the glass mat as my paint palette and to catch my mess when painting the larger pieces.

A craft workspace featuring a Magnetic Glass Craft Mat with various art supplies including paint markers, a ruler, and a small wooden piece. The surface has traces of paint and a round masking tape outline.

I love how this sign turned out. The tiki is a bit dark in the photos but shows up better in person.

Image of two decorative crafts: a wooden tiki figure on the left and a circular sign featuring vibrant colors, the text 'ALOHA,' and a tropical design on the right.

And one project leads to another. While the sign was drying, I was already on to cutting the pieces of a larger tiki on the left side. No paint needed with this one, just two types of wood. And he quickly disappeared after being glued together as my husband claimed it for his office at work.

Next up was more paint markers – this time Sharpie Creative Markers on glass. This is the messy side of things. I applied adhesive vinyl to the backside of a glass frame, then colored in sections of the design with the Sharpie Creative Markers.

An intricately designed transparent glass mat featuring colorful hand-drawn flowers and greenery, with several paint markers arranged above it.

I could have used the magnets to hold the glass in place, which is completely an after thought. Instead, I was using the magnets to hold the rest of my markers from escaping, which you can’t see in this photo.

And while I had the Sharpie Creative Markers out, I really stepped outside my comfort zone and did a little doodling on a hat. Before I used each marker on the hat, I would scribble to make sure it was flowing well on the glass mat. A wet paper towel will make this easy clean up.

A black baseball cap decorated with colorful flower designs sits on a crafting mat next to a drawing pad and various markers.

I took a watercolor class from Tracy Weinzafel earlier this year and ever since have been experimenting with different mediums and drawing the flowers taught at the event over and over for multiple projects.

I love new tools and craft supplies! Check out other supplies I use to create with HERE.

Find these Magnetic Glass Craft Mats at GlassBoard Studio HERE. If you decide to add this tool to your toolbox, use code SILHOUETTESECRETS to save 15% on your order.

Watch for new patterns released and I’d love to hear your favorite below, even if you are just window shopping and dreaming. That’s how it all started for me!

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

An overhead view of a craft workspace featuring a gray magnetic glass craft mat with sketches, colored markers, and a decorated black hat. The workspace displays various designs and tools used for crafting.

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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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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How to Make Custom Magnets with Artesprix Sublimation Ink Pads | Easy DIY Sublimation Craft

Looking for a fun and easy sublimation project you can make at home? These custom magnets made with Artesprix Sublimation Ink Pads are the perfect DIY craft! Using your favorite stamp set, you can create unique designs, add color to the design, or play with ink backgrounds for a bold look. Whether you’re making personalized gifts or adding a pop of personality to your fridge or workspace, this project is a great way to explore sublimation with vibrant, professional-quality results. I’ll share how you can make your own custom sublimation magnets today!

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

An assortment of Artesprix sublimation ink pads in various colors, displayed alongside hexagonal magnets featuring colorful butterfly designs.

Artesprix Sublimation products make it so easy to create many different projects. In the current line up of products Artesprix has sublimation markers, paints, ink pads, and ink refills. The possibilities are endless in what can be created with them and the only thing you have to do is GET STARTED!

You don’t even need a plan. Just start creating and see what happens. One of the great things about the Artesprix Sublimation products is that they only need copy paper to work. Yes! Copy paper! So if you decide you are not “feeling” what you’ve created, set it aside and try again.

I have been itching to use some new Arden Creative Studio stamp sets that I had ordered. These are designed by Katie Pertiet, who I recently met again at Creativation 2025 in Seattle. I love seeing the designer work with their products and I do wish I’d recorded more of that. On my list for next year!

A flat lay of crafting supplies for sublimation projects, including Artesprix ink pads in various colors, sublimation coasters, a clear stamp set labeled 'Ledger Wings', and a roll of heat tape.

Supplies for Custom Magnets with Sublimation Inks:

A display of custom hexagonal sublimation magnets featuring colorful butterfly designs created using Artesprix Sublimation Ink Pads, arranged on a wooden surface alongside the ink pads.

Watch this tutorial HERE on the Artesprix YouTube channel.

Check out more of my Artesprix sublimation creations HERE.

I’ll be sharing more so make sure to follow Artesprix on social media to see more projects!
YouTube channel
Blog
Facebook Page
Iron-on-Ink Inspirational Facebook Group

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Flat lay of Artesprix sublimation ink pads, heat tape, and custom magnets featuring butterfly designs on a gradient background.

Grab some Artesprix sublimation products and get to creating today!

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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How to Turn a Flat Design into a 3D Felt Stuffy with Silhouette and Rotary Blade

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

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!

Screenshot of the Silhouette Design Store featuring designs of Bosh the Cat and Grumpy Bosh the Cat, with a logo of Sarah Hurley.

Find these designs by searching “Bosh” in the Silhouette Design Store HERE. Follow Sarah Hurley and Bosh on Facebook and Instagram too!

Now, first let’s give credit to the inspiration for the project. Bosh the cat.

A close-up image of a gray cat resting on a surface, with a coffee cup visible in the foreground and a window in the background.
Bosh – photo courtesy of Sarah Hurley

I just can’t resist that face and he always makes me smile when I see his updates! Thank you Bosh for inspiration!

Don’t let a flat design fool you into thinking that’s all it can be used for!

Supplies Used for Cutting Felt with Silhouette:

Setting Up the Design for Cutting Felt

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.

Screen capture of design software showcasing a cat cut file for creating a plush stuffy, with outlines and dimensions displayed.

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.

Screenshot of Silhouette Studio software displaying a design of a cat-shaped stuffy ready for cutting, including settings for cutting fabric with a rotary blade.

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.

Illustration of a cat design in a Silhouette software interface, showing the rotary blade cut method and blue guide lines indicating cut paths.

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.

A screenshot of the Silhouette Studio software displaying a design for cutting felt. The design includes stylized cat shapes in pink and blue outlines, along with settings for the rotary blade on the right side.

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.

A Silhouette cutting machine with a blue cutting mat displaying pink felt shapes cut with the Silhouette Rotary Blade.

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.

A screenshot of the Silhouette Studio software displaying various cat face designs, including eyes and whiskers, along with cutting settings for the Silhouette Cameo machine. Shows the hooks and loops of the Rotary Blade action.

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.

A flat cut felt design of a smiling cat face with pink ears and a black whisker detail placed on a person's lap.

And don’t forget to add Poly-Fil before surgically closing the stuffy up.

A pair of black felt cat plushies with contrasting pink features, displaying different facial expressions—one appears happy while the other looks grumpy.

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.

I shared a quick video look at creating this project on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel. Check it out HERE.

Two plush felt cats, one with a happy expression and the other with a grumpy face, both showcasing the transformation from flat designs to 3D stuffed toys.

Additional Resources:

Here are a couple more felt projects that I’ve cut with the Silhouette Rotary blade in the past.

A person holding a handmade plush toy resembling a red panda, with a decorated Christmas tree in the background.

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.

A variety of colorful felt pieces arranged on a cutting mat, including shapes for crafting a plush toy design.

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.

A handmade felt otter plush toy being held, featuring brown and beige felt with black button eyes and a blue accessory in its paws.

Watch the video here

Check out the Crafting Creativity blog posts HERE for more inspiration on how you can take your designs farther!

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A flat cut file design featuring two felt plush cats, one with a happy expression and the other with a grumpy expression, alongside text that reads 'Flat to Fluffy!'.

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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Crafting with Abstract Florals: 5+ Creative Project Ideas Using Clikchic Designs

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

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!

Collage of vibrant floral designs featured in various handmade projects including greeting cards, tags, charms, and bookmarks, showcasing the versatility of digital designs.

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

A great big THANK YOU to Clikchic Designs for being the May contributing artist for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter. These gorgeous abstract floral designs can be found in Clikchic Designs artist store on the Silhouette Design Store site.

A collection of abstract floral designs in various colors, featuring purple, pink, and green blooms, as well as leaves, showcasing the artistry of Clikchic Designs.

Sign up for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter HERE for future free files & project inspiration.

Crafting Creativity with Clikchic Abstract Florals

Project #1 – Custom Shaker Card

A hand holding a Mother's Day card embellished with colorful floral designs, positioned in front of a crafting machine and various crafting tools.

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.

Digital design interface displaying a shaker card layout featuring floral elements and a 'Happy Mother's Day' greeting.

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.

Close-up of a hand-decorated card featuring colorful abstract floral designs in shades of pink, red, and blue, adorned with green leaves and sparkly embellishments.

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.

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #2 – Sketched Card Backgrounds

Two birthday cards featuring abstract floral designs, one with a pink flower and the other with a blue flower, placed on a wooden table beside a container holding more floral stickers. A black pen and a white gel pen are also visible.

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.

Two handmade greeting cards featuring colorful floral motifs with the text 'just for you' at the top. The cards are displayed on a wooden surface alongside a Gelly Roll marker and a black pen, with additional floral stickers in the background.

I think this one is my favorite of them all, but I think I’m drawn to this pink flower for some reason.

A birthday card featuring a colorful floral design on a white background, surrounded by the text 'happy birthday' repeated around the frame. In the background, a cutting machine is partially visible.

They are all gorgeous when paired with the Abstract Floral designs by Clikchic Designs.

A birthday card featuring a watercolor-style pink flower with dark outlines, positioned centrally within a black frame. The words 'happy birthday' are printed around the frame in a playful font.

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.

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #3 – Shrink Plastic Projects

Have you ever used shrink plastic before?

There are so many things you can create with shrink plastic. From wine charms, bracelet charms, earrings, tumbler charms, tool charms, and more!

A variety of shrink plastic charms and earrings featuring abstract floral designs, displayed on a silver tray. The collection includes two flower-themed earrings, decorative tags, and a bracelet adorned with floral motifs.

Here is a look at my printed page using Silhouette Shrink Plastic Sheets.

A hand holding a printed sheet featuring various colorful abstract floral designs, showcasing purple, pink, and blue flowers alongside the word 'INSPIRE'. The sheet is being prepared for use with a cutting machine in a crafting workspace.

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.

A digital design workspace in Silhouette Studio, showcasing colorful abstract floral elements with the text 'INSPIRE'. Various floral shapes are arranged for cutting on shrink plastic.

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.

A pair of beige scissors with a protective cover sits on a grey surface, alongside a handmade keychain featuring a bookmark that reads 'INSPIRE' decorated with pink flowers and colorful beads.

I love watching it shrink when heat is applied! Check out this quick video on the Silhouette Secrets+ Facebook Page, on Instagram, or on my YouTube channel.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #4 – Custom Sign or Chalkboard Sign

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.

A decorative black sign featuring a colorful floral border and the text "Create THE THINGS YOU WISH EXISTED" in white and pastel hues.

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!

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #5 – Cards with Unique Backgrounds

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.

A collection of colorful floral stickers featuring various flower designs in shades of blue, pink, and red, arranged on a light blue background.

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.

Four handmade birthday cards featuring abstract floral designs in various colors, each with the text 'Happy Birthday' displayed prominently. The designs include a mix of pink, blue, and purple hues, set against a white background.

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.

Here is a close up look at one of the cards.

A birthday card featuring a pink flower with green leaves, against a background of blue and purple leaf patterns, with the text 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' prominently displayed.

You can do this too! Check out the video How to Make Stunning Card Backgrounds with Stencils & Digital Patterns in Silhouette on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel.

A digital tutorial for creating cards with stencils and patterned designs, featuring a split-screen image of the design process on a computer and finished card samples showcasing floral elements.

I am sharing my process of design creation, mistakes, and explanations of how and why I did things too!

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #6 – Custom Tag Designs

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.

Two colorful birthday tags featuring floral designs, one with a blue flower and another with a red flower, both embellished with 'Happy Birthday' labels.

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.

A person holding a printed page with an abstract blue and purple design, showcasing swirling patterns. In the background, there is a white printer and part of a calendar visible.

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

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

Find more designs by Clikchic Designs at:

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!

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

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.

Check out the Crafting Creativity series HERE.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A collage of various handcrafted projects featuring abstract floral designs, including greeting cards, jewelry, and a chalkboard sign, all showcasing the versatility of Clikchic Designs.

Enjoy !

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Silhouette Classes

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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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DIY Abstract Sublimation Coasters with Artesprix Markers

If you’ve been curious about trying sublimation, this is the perfect place to start! I’m sharing a beginner-friendly project —DIY abstract coasters using Artesprix Sublimation Markers. The Artesprix Sublimation markers make it so easy to play with color and design, no matter your skill level. Whether you’re brand new to sublimation or just looking for a quick, creative project, these coasters are a fun way to jump in. Grab your heat press and let’s create something bold, vibrant, and totally unique—no perfection required!

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

A variety of Artesprix sublimation markers arranged next to colorful abstract coasters, featuring geometric designs, on a wooden surface.

This is a project that anyone, even little ones, could do! There is no wrong way to do it.

This is a great way to see what all the colors in the marker sets will look like when heat pressed. With sublimation inks, they will appear duller until the high heat and pressure is applied and that is when the colors really pop.

Here is a closer look at the finished Artesprix polished sublimation coasters.

A collection of four colorful abstract coasters decorated with various geometric patterns, created using Artesprix Sublimation Markers, arranged on a wooden surface alongside the markers.

I would recommend letting the copy paper dry completely after adding in the colors. Mine was still a bit damp in areas from my coloring and you can see a few spots where the black bled a little bit. But, that’s what also makes it unique! It does not have to be perfect or match anyone else’s design.

Supplies for DIY Abstract Sublimation Coasters:

Colorful DIY abstract coasters designed with Artesprix sublimation markers, arranged on a wooden surface with additional markers and supplies in the background.

Watch this tutorial HERE on the Artesprix YouTube channel.

Check out more of my Artesprix sublimation creations HERE.

I’ll be sharing more so make sure to follow Artesprix on social media to see more projects!
YouTube channel
Blog
Facebook Page
Iron-on-Ink Inspirational Facebook Group

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A display of colorful abstract coasters created using Artesprix sublimation markers, featuring geometric designs, with a variety of marker colors and additional sublimation supplies in the background.

Grab some Artesprix sublimation products and get to creating today!

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!

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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 Save As PNG in Silhouette Studio

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

If you’ve ever created a design in Silhouette Studio and wanted to use it outside the software—whether for DTF (Direct to Film) printing, sublimation, print-and-cut, or any high-quality print project—this guide is for you! With just a few simple steps, you can save your design as a transparent PNG file directly from Silhouette Studio. This method is perfect for uploading to services like Siser®’s Easy® Transfers for vibrant, press-ready DTF prints, but it’s also a great option for any project that needs a clean, high-resolution image. In the video below, I’ll walk you through how to export your design as a PNG and show you exactly how to upload it to the Siser Easy Transfers site to order custom DTF transfers—plus, you’ll get tips to ensure your file is properly formatted for print success. You’ll also find written step-by-step instructions below the video in this post to make it even easier to follow along.

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

Find the video below or on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE

In the video linked above, I show how I created the design featured. I am going to skip right to the steps of saving as a PNG from Silhouette Studio Business Edition. If you would like to see how I create the design, check it out in the video HERE.

When creating your own designs, make sure you are starting with high resolution images. Photos and digital files that are 72 dpi are designed for internet quality images and you want 300 dpi for print quality.

How to Save As a High Resolution PNG File

In order to save as a PNG file type or any other file type, the Silhouette Studio Business Edition upgrade is needed. Find more details on Silhouette software upgrades HERE and how to activate an upgrade on the Silhouette software HERE.

Note: if you are on a MAC, the screenshots below may look a bit different as I am using a Windows computer, however, the process is the same.

Select all parts of the design to be saved. This can be done by left clicking and dragging across the entire design to “rubber band” select everything the mouse moves across.

Silhouette Studio workspace displaying a colorful 'create' design with a gradient background and the text in pink. The interface is shown with tools and options available.

In the top left corner of Silhouette Studio, select File > Save Selection > Save to Hard Drive.

Screenshot of Silhouette Studio showing the steps to save a design as a PNG, including the menu options 'File', 'Save Selection', and 'Save to Hard Drive'. The design features colorful text that says 'create'.

Using this method will save the design at the size created and not the entire art board. I explain and show a demonstration of why I recommend this method in the video tutorial HERE.

Choose the location you want the file to be saved, name the file, and change the Save as type at the bottom to PNG (or whatever other file type you’d like to save as).

Screenshot of the Silhouette Studio save selection window, showing options to save a design as different file types including PNG.

Silhouette has a default DPI (Dots per inch), this is NOT print quality. Highlight the number and change it to 300, then press the Enter key. You will notice that the Pixels for both Width and Height increase. Pixel size is directly related to DPI.

Check the box next to Transparent background if you want a transparent background.

Silhouette Studio export settings window showing options for width, height, dots per inch, and transparent background.

PNG and JPEG files are rectangle shaped files. If a PNG was not designed with a transparent background, it will show as a white rectangle behind the design. JPEG files do not have transparent backgrounds.

The maximum pixel size that can be saved for either width or height in Silhouette Studio is 10,000 pixels.

Make sure to press Enter after changing the DPI or the change will not take effect.

Click the Save button to save the file as a PNG.

Screenshot of Silhouette Studio showing the Export Bitmap settings with options for width, height, and DPI, along with a colorful design in the background.

Check the file in the saved location to make sure it saved as you want. On a Windows computer, in the Windows folder, move the mouse over the image and it will tell you the pixel size.

Screenshot of a computer window showing a file directory with a saved PNG design titled 'Create Shirt Demo Silhouette'. The design features a colorful gradient background with the word 'create' in pink cursive font.

To change how you view files in the Windows Folder, select View at the top and select how you want to see those files in the folder.

When using those steps, the design should be saved at 300 DPI from Silhouette Studio.

Upload your high resolution designs and order Siser® Easy® Transfers DTF prints HERE.

Screenshot of the Siser Easy Transfers website interface, showing options to upload designs and instructions for getting custom DTF (Direct to Film) transfers.
Siser Easy Transfers DTF Uploader

Supplies I used in the design featured:

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Instructional graphic showing the steps to save a design as a PNG file in Silhouette Studio, with highlighted options for width, height, DPI, and a 'Save' button.

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!

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.

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How to Craft Stunning Mixed Media Projects with Sarah Hurley’s Digital Files

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

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.

Three women standing in front of a sign for the Sarah Hurley Academy Pavilion at a creative event.

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.

If you missed these files in the April newsletter, you can find these mixed media files in the Mixed Media Dingbat Font – Volume 2 HERE.

Sign up for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter HERE for future free files & project inspiration.

Let’s Get Creative with Digital Mixed Media

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.

Artist Trading Card with Mixed Media Files 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.

Artist Trading Cards for Creativation with Digital Mixed Media by Sarah Hurley

I also designed these double sided so I could include my information on the backside.

NAMTA Creative Professional Backside of Found Art

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.

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

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!

A black t-shirt featuring a pink design with the word 'create' in a stylish font, surrounded by a dotted pattern.

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.

Close-up of a dark t-shirt featuring the word 'create' in a shiny pink metallic finish, surrounded by a pattern of smaller pink dots.

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.

I share how I created this design on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE.

A black t-shirt featuring a textured 'create' design in pink puff HTV, surrounded by dotted embellishments, with a colorful gradient background for the text.

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

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.

Two artist trading cards designed with mixed media elements featuring vibrant backgrounds and the text 'Enjoy Every Moment'. The left card showcases a grid overlay with colorful bubbles, while the right card has a marbled background with a dotted pattern.

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.

A look at the Silhouette Studio software print and cut page with the mixed media card designs.

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!

Close-up of a cutting machine with a mat displaying mixed media designs cut from cardstock.

Then I added the designs on top of a dark blue card base to make them stand out.

Two handcrafted greeting cards displayed on a wooden surface. One card features a purple polka dot design with the words 'You are' in a circular frame. The other card has a grid pattern in the same purple color with the words 'Best Wishes' arranged around a central circle.

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.

Screenshot of Silhouette Studio software showing a card design layout with circular sentiment designs.

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.

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #4 – Stencils

Stencils can be from many different types of materials. I grabbed some scrap cardstock and also cut some plastic stencil material as well.

A Silhouette cutting machine positioned on a wooden surface, next to materials cut for stencils with a mixed media design.

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.

A workspace featuring a white canvas with blue paint splatters, three bottles of DecoArt acrylic paint, a painter's brush, a color palette, and various art tools on a wooden surface.

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!

A painted canvas displays splatter designs in teal, with stencils of mixed media designs.

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.

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

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

Make sure to follow Sarah Hurley and watch for new designs:

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

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.

A collage showcasing various crafting projects featuring Sarah Hurley designs, including a black T-shirt with 'create' in pink, two colorful card designs, sheets with mixed media elements, and crafting supplies like paints and paper.

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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Create Stunning Backgrounds in Silhouette Studio Using Fill Gradients

Create Custom Backgrounds in Silhouette Studio
Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Have you ever explored the Fill Gradient panel in Silhouette Studio to create your own custom backgrounds? It’s a powerful feature that often flies under the radar—but it can completely transform your designs with just a few clicks. Recently, a fellow Silhouette user reached out asking for more details on how to use gradient fills for creating eye-catching backgrounds. So we explored exactly how the Gradient Fill Panel works —and I’ve got two great resources where I walk you through the process step-by-step. Whether you’re crafting cards, printable art, or layering cut designs, you’ll love what gradient fills can do!

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

Note: all screenshots and references are using version v4.5.812 of Silhouette Studio. At the time of publication, I am not recommending the current version 5, as it has too many bugs and issues in it. Silhouette Studio version 5 does have a bit different look and some things have been moved around. If you are on version 5 and want to revert to a legacy version, see how HERE.

The Fill Color Panel in Silhouette Studio has 3 tabs that include the main Fill Color, Gradient Fill, and Pattern Fill Panels. It is located on the right side and looks like an artists palette.

Screenshot of the Fill Gradient panel in Silhouette Studio, showcasing color options and gradient settings.

Gradient Fills in Silhouette Studio

Let’s get right down to the resources on Gradient Fills in Silhouette Studio.

First up is the LIVE Silhouette tutorial called Mastering the Fill Gradient Panel in Silhouette

We covered the Gradient Fill Panel in depth and you can see the demonstration in real time. There are so many options that you can create and play with!

And then I couldn’t stop playing with the patterns and took it one step farther and created custom alcohol ink background patterns. I was so excited I had to share that in this video below.

I took one of the gradient patterns I made in the LIVE tutorial and then added an alcohol ink texture on top of it and created 3 different alcohol ink backgrounds.

A person holding two printed gradient background designs showcasing a blend of colors, with a wall and a calendar visible in the background.

I printed this on 12″ x 12″ cardstock and also on Epson Presentation Paper – Matte. Here is a look at both of those print outs. Notice how the colors are a bit different. The material surface you print on can affect the final colors. The ink soaks into the cardstock more than on the presentation paper, which shows in the final colors. Both can still be used for different projects.

A great way to test and see how colors will look on different materials with your printer is to print out a test. Check out this post – Silhouette Studio: Testing Print Colors for more information and tips.

A greeting card with the text 'Make a Wish' displayed on a cutting machine in a crafting workspace.

Custom created backgrounds can be used for many projects. I used the sheets I printed and cut the pieces for this scalloped step card design by Lori Whitlock. Then stamped a quick sentiment and now have an easy to assemble card.

There is so much you can do with the Silhouette Studio software. Want to learn more? Check out these additional resources below.

Has this sparked ideas of what you could create? Let me know in the comments below.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Screenshot showcasing gradient fills in Silhouette Studio, featuring colorful gradients and a 'Create' text overlay.

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!

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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DIY Watercolor Tote Bag with Artesprix Sublimation Inks

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Looking for a fun and vibrant way to personalize your own tote bag? In this DIY project, I’m sharing how I combined techniques I recently learned from a class taught by my talented friend Tracy Weinzapfel to create a custom watercolor-inspired design using Artesprix Sublimation Inks. I took those creative watercolor techniques and transformed them into a one-of-a-kind sublimation design that pops with color on an Artesprix sublimation tote bag. Whether you’re new to sublimation or looking for fresh inspiration, this project is a perfect blend of art and function—let’s get creative and make something beautiful you can carry with pride!

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

A colorful tote bag featuring a hand-drawn floral design with various flowers and a blue background, surrounded by Artesprix sublimation inks and a marker.
Royal Talens Mixed Media Pad with Artesprix Sublimation Inks watercolor technique

You do not have to be an artist to do this! All you need is the ability to let yourself go and see what you can create. I share tips in the new video that help me create this and allow myself the freedom to just let it go.

Here is a look at watercolor image before I added in the black outlines with the Artesprix black sublimation marker.

An artistic workspace featuring a watercolor painting of flowers in progress, surrounded by various bottles of Artesprix sublimation inks, a paint palette with mixed colors, and a yellow pencil, all set on a wooden table.
Royal Talens Mixed Media Pad with Artesprix Sublimation Inks before outline

The black sketched outline really makes it all pop and come together. Keep in mind that sublimation inks do not show their true colors until they are heat pressed for the full time and temperature. Once pressed, you will see those colors brighten and become vibrant.

Supplies for Custom DIY Watercolor Design Sublimation Tote:

A DIY craft setup featuring a white tote bag with a colorful watercolor flower design, alongside various Artesprix sublimation markers and bottles of sublimation inks on a wooden surface.
Royal Talens Mixed Media Pad with Artesprix Sublimation Inks watercolor technique

Watch this tutorial HERE on the Artesprix YouTube channel.

I’m completely hooked on crafting with Artesprix products—every time I use them, my creativity sparks and fresh project ideas start flowing! Combine using Artesprix with your cutting machines or just allow yourself to play all on your own. There are so many possibilities.

I would highly recommend just playing around and see what you create, but if you just don’t feel comfortable drawing freehand, you can always set up your cutting machine to sketch with a pencil too.

Here is a sample I did using a mechanical pencil using a Flower Sketch design.

A Silhouette cutting machine set up on a table with a pencil in one of its slots, ready for sketching a design on paper.

Since it is pencil, it is harder to see. Here is a close up of this sketch flower design.

Close-up of a silhouette cutting machine, with a faint outline of a flower design on the paper below.

Since pencil does not transfer to the sublimation blank, I’m not worried about the drag marks, but you could adjust and play with settings to get it just right if you wanted. When using pencil, keep in mind that it will dull quickly, but you can always send it back through again as long as you do not unload the cutting mat.

Sketching with your machine can be done with any pen, marker, pencil that can fit in the pen adapters. Find more resources on sketching with Silhouette HERE and all about sketching supplies HERE.

A vibrant watercolor illustration featuring colorful flowers, including pink, red, and yellow blooms against a light blue background, created on a sublimation tote bag.

This hand drawn design was inspired by Tracy Weinzapfel and her amazing talent as an instructor. I am so glad I signed up for her Fresh Start in Art 5 Day challenge when I saw it.

Check out more of my Artesprix sublimation creations HERE.

I’ll be sharing more so make sure to follow Artesprix on social media to see more projects!
YouTube channel
Blog
Facebook Page
Iron-on-Ink Inspirational Facebook Group

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A custom sublimation tote bag featuring a colorful watercolor design with various flowers, alongside Artesprix sublimation inks and a pen on a wooden surface.

Grab some Artesprix sublimation products and get to creating today!

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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Crafting Creativity with Nitwit Collections & Silhouette

Nitwit Collections Digital Kit
Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

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.

Nitwit Collections Logo

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.

Sign up for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter HERE for future free files & project inspiration.

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!

Silhouette Print and Cut Class - Step-by-Step

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

Layered Card Design with Nitwit Collections Warm Embrace Kit

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.

Silhouette Studio Design File of Framed Card

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.

Layered Card Design with Nitwit Collection Warm Embrace Knick Knack Digital Kit

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.

Designing in Silhouette Studio with Nitwit Collections Digital Kits

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.

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Supplies Used:

Project #2 – Seagull Card Design: A card to WOW!

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!

Seagull Card design with Warm Embrace Knick Knack kit by Nitwit Collections

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.

Seagull Card Creation Behind the Scenes look

After I made the prototype, I could then bring it all together in the Silhouette Studio software to create a cut file.

Seagull Card Creation Design File Process

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.

Seagull Card Design with Nitwit Collections

Here is a collage of how this card looks finished out from a few different angles.

Seagull Card design with Nitwit Collections Photo Collage

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 shared some of the tools I used to create this card file in Silhouette in the LIVE tutorial – Silhouette Studio Secrets: Design Smarter with These Powerful Tools

Silhouette Secrets Tutorial - Design Smarter with These Powerful Tools

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #3 – No Peeking Gift Bag Topper

These are so easy to create and can add a unique look to any gift bag. Plus it hides the contents until you are ready for the recipient to see it.

No Peeking Gift Bag Topper created with Nitwit Collections digital kit

Here is a close up look at these layered designs on the gift bag toppers.

Close Up of Custom Gift Bag Topper Layered Design with Nitwit Collections

Such an easy thing to add to make a gift bag stand out.

Custom Gift Bag Topper with Nitwit Collections Digital Kit

I shared how I created this design in Silhouette Studio in this video – DIY No Peeking Gift Bag Topper in Silhouette Studio on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE.

No Peeking Gift Bag Topper YouTube video tutorial

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #4 – Custom Sticky Note & Pen Holder

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!

Custom Notepad & Pen holder with Nitwit Collections

Here is a close up look at the design layered on the front of the sticky note holder.

Close Up of Sticky Note & Pen Holder design by Lori Whitlock with Nitwit Collections

Supplies Used:

A great big THANK YOU to Nitwit Collections for collaborating for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter!

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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!

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Crafting Creativity with Nitwit Collections Digital Kits

Enjoy !

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