Tag: Heat Pen

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Unlock Creativity: 5 Stunning Projects You Can Create with Just One Design by Megan Hardy

Crafting Creativity with Megan Hardy
Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Discover the magic of versatility with Megan Hardy’s creative designs! In this post, we’ll show you how you can transform a single design into five unique projects that are perfect for any occasion. From an etched acrylic sign with the Silhouette Curio 2 to a wood sign using adhesive vinyl, a personalized apron using Artesprix sublimation markers and paints, a sketched place card for stylish gatherings, and a dazzling foiled card featuring the triple mat stacked technique—this post is packed with inspiration and tips to make the most of your crafting tools. Do more with your designs and bring your creativity to life!

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

Each month in the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletters, I collaborate with an amazing designer to bring you a free file. Throughout the month, I work with the newsletter file to create and share a variety of projects, showcasing the many ways it can be used.

Make sure to sign up for the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter HERE for future free files & project inspiration.

Crafting Creativity with Megan Hardy

Project #1 – Etched Acrylic Sign with the Silhouette Curio 2

Etched Acrylic Sign with the Silhouette Curio 2 - Design by Megan Hardy

I used the Silhouette Curio 2 with the Power Engraver to etch on a clear acrylic sign.

Silhouette Curio 2 Acrylic Etching Engraving with the Power Engraver

In most cases, I prefer to etch on the backside of acrylic, however, I knew I want to paint on the back, so I etched the front for this design. The Silhouette Power Engraver leaves a pretty smooth finish, but that will also vary based on the actual acrylic being used and the fill options chosen. The only way to know how it will turn out is to test.

I use shapes in the Silhouette Studio software to create a “template” in order to align the design where I want on the blank I’m using. Just make sure to turn the “cut” line off for the template before you send it to etch or it will also etch the outer edge of your blank as well.

Silhouette Studio Setup for Curio 2 Etching

Also make sure to keep the design away from the taped edges or it could affect the etch results. I got lucky in this etching and it still etched through the painters tape, however, that can also gum up the Power Engraver tool too with the tape particles and adhesive.

Silhouette Curio 2 Engraving Tips

Additional Resources:

Don’t have a Silhouette Curio 2 to etch with? No problem!
Check out these other ideas for Acrylic Sign Decor with Silhouette HERE.

Supplies Used:

Project #2 – Wood Sign with Adhesive Vinyl

Wood Sign with Adhesive Vinyl decal - design by Megan Hardy

I grabbed a plain wood sign from my stash that I had picked up years ago in a Target dollar spot. Added a couple layers of paint to the sign and let it dry. Then measured the inside of the blank and used a rectangle as a template to size the design. Once I had the design sized, I moved my rectangle off to the left side and drew in some weeding lines with the line tools so it was easier to weed in pieces.

Silhouette Studio Software - Adding Weeding Lines to a Design

I also cut my material down to the size I need so I can save the adhesive on my cutting mat and don’t have to peel a full sheet of material off the mat each time. To do this I decrease the Transparency on the Page Setup Panel so I can reveal the cutting grid and know what size to cut my material down to.

Cutting Adhesive Vinyl with Silhouette

Now I am not using the adhesive on the rest of the mat and it will increase the lifespan on the cutting mat.

Weeding Lines on Adhesive Vinyl

Adding weeding lines in the Silhouette software may take a couple extra seconds before you send the design to cut, but can save you frustration when weeding adhesive vinyl.

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #3 – Sketched Place Cards

Sketched Place Cards with Silhouette - design by Megan Hardy

I love how these turned out! This place card was designed in the Silhouette software, using a rectangle, dashed line for scoring, and the pumpkin design from the Falling for Fall design.

Silhouette Sketched design with white pen - design by Megan Hardy

Let’s not talk about the fact that I created these for Thanksgiving dinner and then totally forgot to use them. There is always next year!

But, they turned out looking awesome! I love the painted liked texture that the sketch fill with the white pen gave it. Each one turned out just a bit different in the way the ink laid down and moved.

After creating these, I did a LIVE tutorial on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel sharing more on sketching tips and a demo using the Silhouette Electrostatic Mat as well.

Silhouette Sketching & Electrostatic Mat Demo & Tutorial

Watch that Sketching tutorial video HERE.

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #4 – Custom Apron with Artesprix Sublimation Markers and Paints

Custom Apron with Artesprix Sublimation - design by Megan Hardy

Artesprix sublimation products are a great way to test and investigate if you want to go deeper into the sublimation side of things. I used the Artesprix black sublimation marker to sketch out the design with my Silhouette.

Silhouette Studio Sketching with Artesprix - design by Megan Hardy

With Artesprix sublimation products, you don’t need any special paper! Plain ordinary copy paper is all that’s needed and if you don’t like what you’ve made, you aren’t out much. I love playing with the Artesprix products and seeing what can happen.

Once the main design was sketched, then I sponged on some paint in 2 shades of orange around the design to complete the custom apron.

Check out more details in the blog post HERE.

Sublimation Custom Apron with Artesprix Sublimation Markers and Paints

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Project #5 – Foiled Card Design with the Triple Mat Stacked Technique

Foiled Card Design with Triple Mat Stacked Technique - design by Megan Hardy

Make your cards pop with the Triple Mat Stacked technique and add heat foil to that for even more wow factor. I love combining things to make unique projects!

This was completed using a digital pattern in Silhouette Studio, setting it up for a print and cut, then using the setup for foiling the design before cutting.

Silhouette Print and Cut plus Foiling a Card Design with Triple Mat Stacked Technique

Foiling can really add a unique touch to your projects! It does take extra time in creating, but can definitely be worth it.

Silhouette Heat Pen Foiling for a card design

You can see this in action in this video – Quick Foil Card Design: Silhouette Cameo 5, Heat Pen, and Print and Cut video on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel.

Foil Card Magic with Silhouette Cameo 5 & Heat Pen

Additional Resources:

Supplies Used:

Find more designs by Megan Hardy at the Silhouette Design Store or on Etsy.

Follow along with Megan Hardy here:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MeganHardyDesigns​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganhardydesigns/

I love exploring how one design can inspire multiple creative projects! The Crafting Creativity blog series is your go-to source for endless inspiration, packed with innovative ideas, practical tips, and expert techniques to elevate your crafting. Whether you’re reimagining a favorite design, experimenting with new materials, or mastering advanced skills, these posts are here to ignite your imagination and help you bring your creative visions to life. Head over to the Crafting Creativity series HERE and discover where your creativity can take you!

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

5 Projects with 1 Design by Megan Hardy

Enjoy !

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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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New! Silhouette Heat Pen Setup & Foiling

The Silhouette Heat Pen is compatible with the new Cameo 5, Curio 2, and Portrait 4 (with adapter included with machine).

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

I’ve been testing out the new heat pen and wanted to share how to set it up in the Silhouette software. I will be demonstrating on the Curio 2, but the setup process is the same in the Silhouette software no matter which machine you are using that is compatible.

This written tutorial will be photo heavy.
I also have a video tutorial on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE
and a printable PDF available as a free download exclusively for confirmed newsletter subscribers.

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    Supplies Used in This Tutorial

    Optional supplies:

    How to Set Up the Silhouette Heat Pen for Foiling

    Step 1 – Set up cutting mat by placing cardstock on the cutting mat.

    For Curio 2 users only – tape Silhouette cutting mat to debris tray securely.
    It is NOT recommended to use the heat pen on top of the electrostatic bed. You do not want to damage the electrostatic bed or it will not function properly and will need to be replaced.

    Silhouette Heat Pen Setup Curio 2

    Step 2 – Unpack the Silhouette Heat Pen set and select the items you want to use.

    Silhouette Heat Pen Unpacking

    The Silhouette Heat Pen set includes a 1 mm heat pen, 2.5 mm heat pen, roll of Silhouette masking tape, roll of gold foil, and roll of silver foil. 0.5 mm, 1 mm, and 2.5 mm heat pen, roll of Silhouette masking tape, roll of gold foil, and a roll of silver foil.

    I used the 2.5 mm heat pen and the gold foil for this tutorial.

    Step 3 – Install the Silhouette heat pen in the Tool 2 carriage and a Silhouette blade in the Tool 1 carriage of the machine.

    Silhouette Heat Pen Installation

    The Portrait 4 only has 1 tool housing and will need the power adapter installed prior to installing the Silhouette heat pen (power adapter is included with the Portrait 4 – do not throw it away or lose it). Check out the Portrait 4 unboxing HERE for more information.

    Do not worry if the light does not turn on immediately on the front of the Heat Pen. It will come on as the project is set up.

    Step 4 – Set up design in the Silhouette software to foil & then cut.
    You do not want to cut the foil. Silhouette makes it easy for us to set it up for one action and then the other.

    First, set up the Page Setup Panel for the machine you are using, the cardstock size and orientation.

    Silhouette Studio Heat Pen Setup

    I selected the design I wanted – Hi by Diva Watts Design – Design #399489 and drew a rounded rectangle around the design with the Drawing Tools on the left side.
    Then with both the design and the rectangle selected, I used the Center Align tool in the top Quick Access Toolbar (QAT).

    Placing the design at the bottom of the sheet of material can make it easier to set up the foiling process and you don’t have to work around the housing. With the Cameo and Portrait machines, it will also make it easier to remove the foil as you do not want to unload the mat between the foiling and cut process.

    Silhouette Studio Hot Foil Design Setup

    Select the design and open the Specialty Tools Panel in the top right corner, directly below the Page Setup Panel. Choose the Heat Pen Panel and choose your fill pattern and spacing. I used the cross-hatched pattern and the default fill which showed as 0.016″.

    Then I changed the line color of my foiling design to blue using the QAT Line Color option in the top left corner. This is going to allow us to use the Send by Line Color option and set up the design for foiling first and the cut second.

    Click the Send button in the top right corner.

    Silhouette Send by Line Color

    Choose the Line option at the top right of the Send tab. Uncheck the red color. Keep the blue color checked and select the “2” option for Tool 2.

    *Tip – I do not use the pause option between foiling and cutting as pause does not always work properly.

    When the Silhouette Heat Pen is recognized in the software, a pop up will come up and ask if you want to start heating the Heat Pen.

    Silhouette Heat Pen Message

    There is no default material setting for the Silhouette Heat Pen currently in the software, but that is no problem. We can create one simply by clicking on the More button in the bottom right of the Send tab. This opens up the Advanced Material Settings and we can set up a material for our foiling.

    Silhouette Custom Setting Setup

    Click the plus sign on the right side to create a new material. Name the new material to designate what you want. Choose the machine model when asked and then select Carriage 2.

    Silhouette Custom Setting Setup Foil Action

    Next, select the larger + sign and select Add Foil Action.

    Silhouette Foil Action Setup

    With Carriage 2 still selected, click on the Sketch Action and choose Remove Action.

    Silhouette Custom Setting Save

    Adjust the settings for the foil, choose Save, and click the X in the top right corner.

    I started with a Force of 10. The only way to know what will work for your material, foil, design, and heat pen is to test it. Start with a small design and test, test, test!

    Silhouette Heat Pen Test

    Next, select the new material you created. The setting will be at the bottom of the materials list as a user defined setting.

    Verify that the correct color is the one you are changing and that the blue is the color that will be sent to foil.

    Step 5 – While the pen is heating, add foil on top of the cardstock in the exact location of the design.

    Start by taping the diagonal corners and pulling it as smooth as possible.

    Silhouette Foil Setup

    Then tape the other 2 corners. Adjust as needed until it is securely held and as smooth as possible. Any movement in the foil can cause the heat pen to catch and the project to be lost.

    Silhouette Foil Setup Cardstock

    Step 6 – When the Silhouette Heat Pen shows as Ready, click the Send button to send the job to foil.

    If using the Silhouette Curio 2, you will need to do the manual height detection. The height detection does not work accurately on clear or shiny surfaces, so you want to follow the directions to manually detect the height in the software. Check out the video tutorial for a visual on how I do this HERE.

    With the Heat Pen set up properly, the auto height detection is automatically disabled to allow for you to set the height manually. This is important to get an accurate reading of the thickness of the material with the Curio 2.

    Silhouette Foil Check

    Peek at foiling job when complete. Sometimes if it didn’t foil properly, you could send again if you don’t move the foil too much.

    Silhouette Heat pen Foil

    If it’s successful, remove the tape, save and reuse it.

    If using a Silhouette Cameo 5 or Portrait 4 , do NOT unload the cutting mat.

    Step 7 – Send the job to cut.

    Silhouette Heat Pen Cut

    Uncheck the blue cut line and check the red cut line. The blue lines will turn off and the bold red cut line should turn on. Select the appropriate cut setting for your material. Then click Send.

    Step 8 – Carefully remove the cut piece.

    Silhouette Heat Pen Project

    Keep in mind that if you have the force too high, it can cement the cardstock down to the cutting mat. Be careful removing it and a Silhouette spatula works nicely to help lift it without damaging it.

    Silhouette Heat Pen Project Removal with Spatula

    I also tested with Spellbinders hot foil and We R Makers Foil Quill Foil and both worked well.

    Silhouette Hot Foil Testing

    If cardstock does stick to the cutting mat, carefully remove it with a scraper, but don’t press too hard and remove the adhesive on the mat.

    Silhouette cleaning mat with scraper

    Just be careful and do not dig into the cutting mat with it.

    Silhouette clean mat

    Ta-da! Clean mat!

    This little scraper tool is also amazing at removing little bits of a cut design quickly and easily. Check out this video where I show that HERE.

    Silhouette Heat Pen Projects and Testing

    Have fun and just play!!!

    Check out the video tutorial on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE
    and grab the printable PDF available when you confirm the newsletter subscription HERE.

    Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

    Silhouette Heat Pen Pinterest

    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+

    **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.