Posted on Leave a comment

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 !

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!

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.

Posted on 1 Comment

Retailer Recommendations by EllyMae with Silhouette Secrets+

One of the things I have enjoyed the most in this Craft Industry is meeting the people!
I have developed relationships with many cutting machine users, retailers, sponsors, companies, and industry influencers world wide in the past couple years since starting Silhouette Secrets+.
As you’ll see below, I work with many great retailers.

Today I am writing this as a blog post, but I do have a header on the blog for recommended retailers as well as design and font sites as well. The blog header is updated on a regular basis.

I know there are many, many retailers and suppliers worldwide.
My job is not to try to convince you that one is better than another.
I know that many users have a preferred vendor and that is great!
This is one reason I work with retailers from all across the country. Another reason is that each one of the vendors I’ve worked with carries something a bit different and I order different supplies from each.
I have listed the supplies below next to each retailer of things they carry or that I’ve used and ordered.
The rest is up to you!
I want thank you for using the affiliate links below as every little bit helps to buy supplies to create content, classes, and tutorials.
A great big THANK YOU to you for your support!

I also want to give a great big shout out to each of these businesses for their support as well – THANK YOU!

Watch for more new projects, tutorials, and classes coming this year too!

Listed in alphabetical order

Supplies – U.S. Based:

143 Vinyl
Acrylic blanks
Cardstock
Crafting Tools
Glitter
Use code SECRETS5 to save 5% off your order
*some exclusions may apply

CrafterCuts
Authorized Silhouette Retailer
Silhouette supplies: machines, blades, mats
Sewing Machines
Sawgrass Sublimation
and more
Enter code SECRETS to save 10% on your order

Expressions Vinyl (located in Idaho)
CLICK HERE
New sales often on adhesive vinyl and htv
Viny, HTV, Patterned vinyl, Mystery Boxes, Vinyl Club Membership, and more

H & H Sign Supply – vinyl supplies
Carries 24″ rolls of vinyl
CLICK HERE
Vinyl, Equipment, HTV, Blanks, Tools, and more

Heat Press Nation
Heat presses, Tee Pad It, EZ Off heat press cleaner, sublimation supplies, vinyl, Silhouette products – you will find it all here at Heat Press Nation.
Craft Pro 15” x 15” Heat Press – this is the one I use and my go-to press when I am at home
Pink Craft Press – 9” x 12” this is the one I travel with as it is only 35 lbs

Silhouette America
CLICK HERE
use code 10OFF to save 10%
Silhouette products

Siser North America
Online directory for Siser products
at siserna.com

Sparkleberry Ink
CLICK HERE

Patterned vinyl, HTV & sublimation prints, and more

Swing Design
CLICK HERE
Vinyl, Sawgrass, Roland, Graphtec, Sewing, DTF, White Toner, and more

U.S. Cutter for vinyl supplies
Carries 24″ rolls of vinyl
https://www.uscutter.com/
Vinyl, HTV, Sublimation, Equipment, and more

The Vinyl Spectrum
Fast Shipping!
Siser Juliet & Romeo + Siser Supplies
Vinyl, HTV, Glitter, and more
CLICK HERE

WoodPeckers – quality wood supplies
I use the plywood for cutting on the Glowforge


I also have an Amazon store as well because I personally buy supplies there too.
I have found many great tools and blanks on Amazon.

Amazon Store

Silhouette Secrets+ Amazon Store
Check out my Amazon store HERE.


Now, I do have a few contacts internationally, but I only add international retailers after I have a trusted referral source, since it’s not typically somewhere I can easily purchase from. And my experience as an international customer may be different than someone much closer.

Silhouette supplies – International
UK

Graphtec GB
https://www.graphtecgb.co.uk/

MDP Vinyl Supplier
https://www.mdpsupplies.co.uk/

Grafity
https://www.grafityp.co.uk/

GAB Vinyl
https://www.gabvinyls.co.uk/

Australia

Skatkatz – https://skatkatz.com.au/


Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Enjoy !

THANK YOU for your support! How can you help? Click HERE & buy a coffee.
Every little bit helps with the cost of running the site.

Looking for more in-depth, step-by-step classes, check out all of my online Silhouette classes on my Teachable site HERE.

SS Logo snip it

**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.