Tag: Mixed Media

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3D Mixed Media Canvas Creation with Silhouette

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

When we were told as Creative Professionals with NAMTA that we would have the opportunity to display our artwork at the 2026 Creativation event, my brain immediately started thinking of ideas and I started a list in my phone. We were allowed to have 2 – 12″ x 12″ canvases on display in the entrance hall for the conference and were given a theme of red, white, and blue. This was an opportunity to display our art and share our skills. I love building things, so a 3D mixed media design was a no brainer for me. This was one of those projects that I started with a few basic ideas and built the project as I went. Sometimes that’s just how it goes. Some things might work together along the way and some things might not.

I love building 3D projects! There is just something about taking flat materials and molding them into a final 3D project. Having a cutting machine like a Silhouette or Siser Juliet or Romeo opens up a lot of possibilities to cut designs for 3D creations. The biggest factor that goes into it all is – TIME! It takes time to design, build, and modify things as you go along in the process.

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

In this blog post, I’m sharing a look at the behind the scenes of creating this 3D Mixed Media Canvas: Time to Sparkle with a few still photos & the supply list. Check out the video at the end of the blog post for additional shots of the process as well.

First, here is a look at the finished project.

Photos shares a look at the finished Time to Sparkle 3-D Mixed Media Canvas project completed by EllyMae at Silhouette Secrets+ by Swift Creek Customs.

I started by gathering some supplies to get started. I had to order new inks to print the background papers. These 3 are designs by Clikchic Designs and can be found in the supply list below. I am able to print borderless with the Canon TS9521C printer. I ordered Oracal 851 glitter adhesive vinyl in red, white, and blue from Vinyl Spectrum. The entire theme of this canvas is to sparkle, so I embraced that fully.

Photos shows supplies on a desk that includes printed backgrounds, glitter adhesive vinyl, Mod Podge, a 12" x 12" canvas, TCW Stencil Butters, and tools that will be used to create a 3D Mixed Media Canvas.

I first started by cutting down the background paper for the backside of the canvas to fit within the frame. Then added layer of Mod Podge to the canvas and to the backside of the blue patterned paper. Smooth that down as much as possible. Adding the Mod Podge to both the canvas and the back of the paper helps it to adhere smoothly. Once it’s down flat, then I added another layer of Mod Podge Sparkle on the front of the blue paper. Let this dry completely.

Photo shows a bottle of Mod Podge and Mod Podge Sparkle that has been applied to the backside of the 12" x 12" canvas for the 3D Mixed Media project.

While that was drying I set up the design for cutting from Oracal 851 Glitter Adhesive Vinyl in Silhouette Studio.

Photo shows a screenshot of Silhouette Studio and the design set up to cut multiple layers of adhesive vinyl using layering marks.

Then I cut each color of glitter adhesive vinyl. For each layer, I cut the color and the green rectangles. The green rectangles are designed as layering marks that are used to line up the layers exactly. While it might use a little more material when using these marks, I find I get a much more accurate layering. This is one of those techniques that no matter how you do it, practice makes it better.

Photo shows a look at the layered adhesive vinyl design with 3 colors using layering marks to line up each layer.

While this design is not technically layered, the colors are in a specific location to each other, so I used the same technique with the layering marks and it worked out great!

Then I carefully applied the adhesive vinyl to the front of the patterned paper. This will be the background that shows through on the busted canvas.

Photo shows a look at the adhesive vinyl design applied to the patterned paper background for the 3D Mixed Media Canvas project.

Once the backside of the canvas was dry, I flipped it over and applied a layer of Mod Podge to the front of the canvas and to the backside of the pattern paper for the front. Once it was flat on the canvas, I applied a layer of Mod Podge Sparkle to cover the entire paper on the front. Let that dry completely before moving on to the next step.

Photo showing the patterned paper attached to the front of the canvas with Mod Podge and the background paper completed for the 3D Mixed Media Project.

Once it’s dry, then I flipped the canvas over and used a box cutter with a ruler to slice through the paper & canvas layers in multiple directions. This will allow the front to be rolled out for the “busted” canvas technique.

Photo shows a look at the front of the canvas after it's been cut and the edge rolled back to create the busted look for the 3D Mixed Media project.

I have made several of these busted canvas projects and I found that it was much easier to glue the rolled edges down and have them stay if the pieces were “trained” first before gluing down. To do this carefully roll the sections back and hold for a little bit. Then let it sit for awhile. Repeat this step as needed. I found I was much more successful in having the curls hold with hot glue when I did this as the paper didn’t lift or try to go back to it’s original shape. Since there are several layers of glue, paper, and canvas, it can be a bit stiff.

Once it has sat in “training” for a bit, then I glued each end down onto the canvas with hot glue and held it in place until it cooled. Repeat for any stubborn sections.

I have several other pieces to this project so while it’s in “training” or things are waiting to dry, I would move on to the next element of the design.

Photo shows a work space with craft supplies and cut pieces from cardstock to create 3D sparklers along with an assembled firecracker box for the 3D mixed media project.

I did not get any photos of the first 3D firecracker I created that’s shown in the top left corner of the photo above. As you can see, I have 2 copies. The first was a proto type that I cut and assembled to see if it would work with the layout. Then I decided to cut the box out of glitter cardstock while I was cutting the pieces for the sparklers too. These sparkler designs by Paper Beats Dynamite are fantastic with excellent written instructions.

The rectangles of color are glued to a bamboo stick and then once the glue is set, are rolled and glued around the stick.

Photo shows a close up look at creation of the 3D Sparklers for the 3D Mixed Media project. Hot glue was added to the ends of the bamboo skewers to look like it was melting.

On the end of each skewer, hot glue is drizzled from where the cardstock strip ends to the end of the skewer to make it appear like it’s melted.

Photo shows a look at creating 3D Sparklers using embossing powder on the ends to make it look like it's melting and on fire for the 3D Mixed Media project.

A layer of gray acrylic paint was applied over top of the hot glue and the cardstock. Then I used black and red embossing powders on the end of the sparklers to make it look burnt and burning or hot.

Next I cut more glitter cardstock for additional firecrackers to add to the canvas.

Photo shows glitter cardstock squares on a table with some rolled and some flat. These will be used to create 3D Firecrackers for the 3D Mixed Media Canvas.

These squares are rolled up and glued together to create a firecracker and I found it was easier to “train” them first and let them hold that shape a bit before gluing together. Once the glue was set, I could start adding them randomly to the bottom of the busted canvas section using hot glue.

Photo shows a bunch of assembled glitter cardstock 3D firecrackers on a work space. These will be elements added into the 3D Mixed Media Canvas.

Now, I will admit that I don’t typically like to cut glitter cardstock. It literally eats blades and can be difficult. But this project it was worth the effort it took. However, I am shocked that I actually got it all cut without issues because this is what my blade looked like after I was done cutting all these pieces.

Photo shows a look close up of a Silhouette blade with the cap off and the glitter debris that is filled inside the blade after cutting lots of glitter cardstock for the 3D Mixed Media project.

Next, I wanted to add another element in – beading. I even had my supervisor, Goldy in on this one. She wasn’t much real “help” but she made sure to keep me focused.

Photo shows a cat supervising and "helping" with wire and beads on a board.

Since this is a 3D mixed media art piece, I added another hobby of mine – beading – into the design elements. I strung beads in red, white, and blue on a wire and then bundled the colors together to create 3 different firework bursts. The one thing I did not take into account on this element was the weight of the beads and wire when finished. It all worked out and a LOT of hot glue held them in place.

Photo shows a workspace with a variety of craft supplies on the table that are being used to create the 3D Mixed Media Canvas. With 3 beaded bundles in red, white, and blue in the foreground.

I love how this all came together and the entire process of creating it piece by piece. 3D creations are one of my favorite things to do, but I don’t always take the time to do it.

This 3D Mixed Media Canvas may not be a project that you recreate, but I hope it inspires you to think outside the box and to combine and create ideas that reflect you as an artist. Every individual reading this has the creative spirit inside of them whether you believe it’s there or not. Sometimes you just have to let it out and let it flow, not try to control it or have the exact plan at the beginning.

Supplies Used for 3D Mixed Media Canvas:

Want to see a little bit more? I’ve created a video sharing even more of the photos behind the scenes in creating this process.

I love seeing what others are creating and their talents and skills. Check out this video I did from the Creativation 2026 entrance hall sharing a look at all the canvas creations by the Creative Professionals on Instagram or Facebook.
Each canvas is unique and no two are alike!

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Photo shows a completed 3D Mixed Media Canvas project Pinterest pin layout.

Enjoy !

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Create More: Creative Projects with Wispy Willow Designs

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

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

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

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

Create More: Crafting Creativity with Wispy Willow Designs

Project #1 – Print and Cut Stickers

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

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

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

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

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

Supplies Used:

Additional Resources:

Project #2 – Home Decor Tiered Tray Sign

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

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

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

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

Supplies Used:

Project #3 – Round Ornament Design

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supplies Used:

Project #4 – HTV on a Tote Bag

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

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

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

Supplies Used:

Tips For Working with HTV

Cutting Multiple Colors at Once

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mirror the Design Yourself

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

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

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

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

Pressing Multiple Layers and Colors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Additional Resources:

Project #5 – Sketch & Mixed Media Design

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

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

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

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

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

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

And I put together a video of this project below.

Supplies Used:

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

Featured Designer – Wispy Willow Designs

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

Find more designs by Wispy Willow Designs

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

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

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

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One design can be used in so many different ways. If you’re looking for even more inspiration, tips, and creative project ideas, be sure to browse the Crafting Creativity section on the Silhouette Secrets+ website — click HERE to explore!

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

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

Enjoy !

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+

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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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!

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

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae
**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher, but I may get compensated for sharing.

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

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

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

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

Glassboard Studio Demo – Project Remakes with Glassboard Mat

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

Behind-the-scenes look – Glassboard Mat Demo

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supplies Shown in the Glassboard Mat Video Demo:

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

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

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

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

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

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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Creative Projects with Mixed Media Designs

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

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

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

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

Crafting Creativity with Sarah Hurley Mixed Media Designs

Project #1 – Easy Shaker Cards with Mixed Media Designs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supplies Used:

Additional Resources:

Project #2 – Laser Cut Sign Background

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supplies Used:

Additional Resources:

Project #3 – Stencils with Mixed Media Designs

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

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

This project uses the mixed media files in 3 different ways

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supplies Used:

Project #4 – HTV Shirt Designs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Supplies Used:

Additional Resources:

Project #5 – ATC (Artist Trading Cards)

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

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

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

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

Supplies Used:

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

Featured Designer – Sarah Hurley

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

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

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

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

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

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

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One design can be used in so many different ways. If you’re looking for even more inspiration, tips, and creative project ideas, be sure to browse the Crafting Creativity section on the Silhouette Secrets+ website — click HERE to explore!

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

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

Enjoy !

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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Sketching with Silhouette & Watercolor Finish | Easy Mixed Media Project

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

I love all the options available with cutting machines and I love to combine different techniques to see what will happen. I’ve been testing and playing around with some mixed media paper and love how crisp it cuts, even with a well used Silhouette Autoblade! I will be demoing sketching with a Silhouette machine in the Pointer USA booth at Creativation and thought while I was prepping for that, I’d share some of the footage and photos I took during the process.

I am not a watercolor artist, however, I have taken a few classes and have found that I really enjoy the process and with the help of my Silhouette machine, if I mess up, I can simply sketch out another design and try again.

I have included a supply list, additional resources, and a link to the YouTube video on the Silhouette Secrets+ channel below.

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

The first thing to do is gather the supplies for the project. Since I will be using watercolors on this project, I needed a pen that would not bleed and found that the Sharpie felt pen held up to the water and did not bleed with the mixed media paper. See a full supply list below in this blog post too.

A workspace featuring a cutting machine, a sketchbook labeled 'Pointer Art PRO' in mixed media format, a black pen, a blue sheet of paper, and a pack of Sharpie markers.

I also tested with a waterproof pen by Pentel and it worked too. When sketching with a Silhouette machine, the machine draws the cut lines that you see on the screen. It is not automatically filled in. The type of pen tip can make a difference as well as the design, and the size of the design too. When a design is enlarged, the gap between the “cut” lines gets bigger too. This can be more noticeable if the pen doesn’t draw a thick enough line to fill it in. There are ways to fill in a design to be sketched and I’ll included additional resources for sketching below too!

Here is a look at the design of the Protea flower I used. When I am sketching and then cutting, I will set the sketch lines to blue and then the red is a cut line. Then I’ll use the Cut by Line option on the Send tab to tell the machine what I want it to do first. I like to sketch then cut, so the design stays in place.

Design software interface displaying a sketched protea flower illustration on a digital canvas with settings for a Cameo cutting machine.

While there are presets in the Silhouette software, that is just a starting point and each pen can be different. A force of 7 is the preset and I found with the Sharpie felt tip pen, that it is way too much. I was able to get a good sketch with a force of 1. When using a felt tip pen, if too much force is used, it will smoosh the pen tip and results may not be good after.

Screenshot of a design software interface displaying tool settings for cutting and sketching on textured cardstock, including actions and material options.

Do not unload the cutting mat after it sketches if you are cutting after. If using the same tool holder, uninstall the pen and install the blade, then uncheck the sketch line in the Cut by Line Color panel and check the box next to the red color for the cut line. Adjust the settings for the cut and send that to complete the cut.

And then I simply started playing around with the watercolors. I looked up a photo online of a protea flower for some color combinations and just started playing.

A colorful watercolor painting of a flower in shades of pink and yellow, presented on a blue background. The artwork is displayed on an easel next to a set of watercolor paints and a color chart.

Check out the video below.

I have also added a Sketching Playlist to the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE.

Sketching with Silhouette & Watercolor Finish Supplies

Additional Resources on Sketching with Silhouette:  

A cutting machine with a sheet of black and white illustrations, including birthday designs, flowers, and animals, on a cutting mat. Additionally, colorful markers are visible beside the machine.

Have fun creating projects with your Silhouette machines!

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A colorful watercolor floral artwork displayed on a table next to a set of watercolor paints and a Silhouette cutting machine, with a sketch in progress.

Enjoy !

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

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Never stop learning! Let me help you take the anxiety out of learning with Silhouette and get to creating faster! My Silhouette classes are heavily focused on software, so you can take the skills & techniques taught and apply them to many future projects!

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**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher, but I may get compensated for sharing.

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How to Make Custom Stencils with a Silhouette Machine: Tips, Materials & Project Ideas

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Ready to unlock the full potential of your Silhouette machine? Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting out, stenciling is a fun and versatile technique that can transform almost any project. In this post, I’m sharing creative stencil ideas you can cut right now with your Silhouette—think custom doormats, etched glass, painted wood signs, fabric decor, layered art journaling, and more. You’ll also find must-know tips for designing stencils, multiple stencil materials that can be cut, and step-by-step tutorials below too! This blog post is packed with Silhouette information, tips, and tutorials—so make sure to bookmark it for future reference.

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

Stencils can be created from many different materials. Cardstock, adhesive vinyl, plastic stencil materials, and more! I’m sharing some of those materials below with tips and tutorials to help you design and create in Silhouette Studio.

Crafting Creativity Projects – Silhouette & Stencils

Project #1 – Custom Stencils with Silhouette Stencil Material

Create your own stencils with basic shapes and patterns in the Silhouette Studio software.

A silhouette cutting machine with a light blue mat displaying two custom stencils in geometric shapes, alongside a clear storage container holding small cut-out pieces and labels.

I created these 2 stencil patterns and cut them from the Silhouette non-adhesive stencil material using the Silhouette Autoblade.

Silhouette stencil material packs displayed on a work surface next to a Silhouette cutting machine.

Silhouette has both adhesive backed and non-adhesive backed stencil material as shown above. One might work better for your projects versus another. Since my plan was to use the stencil on a flat material like mixed media paper, I didn’t really need it to be sticky on the backside.

A Silhouette cutting machine positioned on a wooden surface with blue stencil material and cut-out shapes displayed.

I also kept all the negative bits that were cut out from this stencil for a possible future project. They could be used as elements on a card, creating a pattern on a card, as a stencil by itself, and more!

I used this stencil with some TCW stencil butter to create a background on mixed media paper.

Workspace with stencils, paint, and a heat gun, featuring teal and gold colors, used for crafting projects.

Then I pressed a piece of bubble wrap into the stencil butter to give it even more texture.

A sheet of white paper featuring blue, textured triangle shapes arranged in a geometric pattern. Tools and materials are partially visible on the side, suggesting a creative crafting project.

Make sure to let the stencil butter dry completely before touching it. I sometimes get impatient, so having a heat gun can be handy to help speed up the process too.

I shared how I created these stencil designs in the video below.

Supplies Used:

Handy Tools to Have:

Additional Resources:

Project #2 – Stencils with Adhesive Vinyl

I use adhesive vinyl for many different projects as a stencil such as glass etching, painting, or in this project below – I was trying it with a Scorch marker for wood burning.

When creating a stencil with adhesive vinyl, weed out the design and that creates the stencil. In the photo below, I have weeded the flower design out of the black adhesive vinyl. I use basic shapes such as a rectangle around the design to create the outer edge of the stencil. The actual project I’m creating will determine the size of the shape I place around my design for the stencil outer edge. For projects such as painting or glass etching, I will give myself plenty of space around the design. For something smaller, as shown below, I don’t need as much extra space since it will be close to the edge of the blank being used.

Workspace featuring a Silhouette cutting machine with various stencil designs on a blue mat, alongside wooden shapes and craft tools.

Now, in this case, my project failed, but I’m still sharing it with you because it happens! Projects don’t turn out, projects fail and what you see on social media is not always reality.

Four painted wooden teardrop shapes on a wooden surface, with a Scorch marker positioned nearby.

These wood earring blanks were a bit too porous, and the Scorch marker liquid just bled too much. It looks more like those therapy cards – What shape do you see?

And that’s just how it goes sometimes. Some projects fail!

Here is another example of adhesive vinyl cut for stencils that I was using for glass etching.

A Silhouette cutting machine with five custom cut designs featuring a longhorn skull and the number '3-7-77' on a blue surface.

And this one turned out fabulous!

A crystal decanter with a matching set of four engraved glasses, each featuring a bull skull design and the inscription '3-7-77'. The glasses are positioned next to the decanter on a neutral backdrop.

Additional Resources for the tools I used to create the design:

Supplies Used:

Project #3 – Layered Stencil with Plastic Stencil Material

We see a lot of questions by users on cutting stencil materials. Typically, it is in reference to plastic materials that a user is trying to cut. While Silhouette machines can cut a lot of different materials, there are limits and it is not just about thickness, but also density and composition.

A hand holding a stencil sheet with flower patterns, positioned next to a Silhouette cutting machine on a workspace with a cutting mat.

Another thing to keep in mind is that stencil material is plastic and plastic will dull the blade quicker than other materials. It is perfectly normal to have to increase the blade settings or passes the more that is cut. And if you are cutting this material a lot, you may go through more blades than other thinner, easier to cut materials.

I cut this 6 mil stencil material using the preset for Stencil Material in the Silhouette Studio software. All I changed was to increase the passes to 2 and then when that started having a few hang ups, I increased it to 3 passes.

Screenshot of Silhouette Studio software showing a design workspace with flowers and circles. The interface displays cutting settings and options for stencil material.

The settings that work for you will depend on the blade sharpness, material, and your machine. There is no perfect setting that works for all users magically.

I do recommend cutting one stencil design at a time. This way you can catch any issues before you’ve wasted time and materials.

Do not unload the cutting mat before you check the cut and if it did not cut through you can send it again.

I was using the same Autoblade that I used with the Silhouette Stencil material mentioned above and it’s still going strong with the settings pictured above on the 6 mil stencil material.

The hardest part for me was that I had to stop the design and creation process and move on to other things. Once you get started cutting, it is easy to get wrapped up in the projects. Here are a couple more I cut before I moved on to the next phase – using the stencils.

A Silhouette cutting machine with two stencil designs placed on a wooden table. One stencil features floral patterns, while the other has text with an inspirational quote.
​Designs by Kassy’s Parlour

Now to test the stencils with some Kingart mixed media gel sticks. I love how it turned out!

An assortment of colorful markers beside sketched floral designs and hearts on paper, with a ruler and crafting tools visible on a wooden workspace.

Want to learn even more on how I designed the layered stencil used to create the design pictured above? Check out video tutorial below or on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel.

And there is more!!! A follower asked for more design tutorials after seeing the video above. So, I also shared how to quickly design a flower and a heart in Silhouette too!

Click the images above or the links below to watch these quick tutorials:

Supplies Used:

Handy Tools:

Project #4 – Stencil Fonts

When working with stencils whether it is a design or a font, the pieces have to all remain in the stencil somehow. If a piece is completely cut out, it will fall out of the stencil.

Screenshot of the Silhouette Studio software displaying stencil letters with the text 'ABCDOPQR' highlighted in a bold font style.

For instance, for letters A, B, D, O, P, Q, and R, they all have “counters”, which are the centers of the design that would fall out when cut. In order to cut as a stencil and remain in place, the letter needs a “bridge” so it can be held in place when cut.

I typed in “stencil font” to the Silhouette Design Store search and many options come up. All kinds of styles and the perfect one will vary based on your project and taste.

A collage of various stencil font designs available for cutting with a Silhouette machine, showcasing different styles and fonts labeled with their names and prices.

A few I own are:

You can see my taste varies and some of these will cut better at larger sizes than smaller. Each project may vary and you never really know until you test it.

The fastest way to create a stencil font is to use a premade font file, but you can also create your own from a font. This works best with a bold font where you can make “bridges” to help hold the centers (counters) of the letters in place.

A Silhouette cutting machine is positioned next to a cutting mat displaying a stencil with the text: "MAKE WAVES, NOT WORRIES. GO WITH THE FLOW. DON'T BE CRABBY. SALTY AIR, NOT MOODS. SEAS LIFE'S MOMENTS. SHELL-ABRATE THE LITTLE THINGS."

I used a font style called Grossura to create the stencil quote shown above.

Once you see how easy it is to alter a font, you may not want to stop creating and the ideas may just continue to flow. See how easy it is in this video tutorial below or on the Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE.

Supplies Used:

There is so many different projects you can create with stencils! And you can apply the same techniques and design steps to other projects as well. I hope you’ve picked up a few new ideas and techniques!

Looking for more creative ideas and inspiration? Check out the Crafting Creativity blog posts for a treasure trove of fun and unique projects! Each month, I share a fresh collection of craft ideas designed to spark your imagination and help you expand your skills with confidence. Don’t miss out—your next favorite project could be just a click away!

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Collage of images showcasing custom stencils created with a Silhouette machine, featuring various designs and crafting materials.

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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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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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 !

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 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.