Tag: Silhouette

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Glass Etched Beach Themed Decor with Silhouette

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

I love glass etching and being able to take something plain and make it stand out. I am always on the hunt for glassware at thrift stores and I’ve found some really good things. Thrifting is a great way to make amazing projects and keep on budget too. And Etchall etching creme never disappoints! It is so worth it, and a bottle lasts me a long time and more projects than I can count.

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

Here is a recent find from the thrift store and I love how it turned out. Now, full confession, it takes me a long time to find a design I like and settle on. I’ll share a glimpse of that farther in the blog post.

Photo shows a glass home decor vase that is etched with Don't Worry Beach Happy next to a bottle of Etchall etching creme.

Steps to Etched Glass Projects

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

Glass Etched Decor Supplies

Glass Etched Decor with Silhouette

Gather the supplies. I use scraps whenever I can. As you’ll see through the photos my adhesive vinyl color changes. I grabbed a scrap of adhesive vinyl and unfortunately, it was bad. It cut fine, but when I went to weed it, I knew there was an issue because it was not easy to weed. And in my true stubborn fashion, I worked hard and weeded the entire thing and then it wouldn’t stick to the glass. I know better. And I still continue to punish myself and try to salvage it. I’m sure there is at least one other person reading this that understands.

Photo show a table top with supplies for glass etching that include adhesive vinyl, a craft stick, painters tape, Etchall etching creme, a glass vase, and a Silhouette Cameo 5 in the background.

A couple signs that adhesive vinyl has gone bad is that with a good cut it’s still hard to weed and the backing separates from itself. This generally appears that the backing sticks to the adhesive vinyl and is difficult to weed. This can also happen when the cut is too deep, but as you get more and more experience you will start to recognize old vinyl versus a bad cut.

I measure the blank and create the shape the same size in the Silhouette software using the Drawing Tools. Then it is time to find the design for your project. This takes me the longest time. I will go through so many options, but I don’t delete them, I just move them off to the side and keep on creating.

Photo shows a screenshot of the Silhouette Studio software with design choices for the glass etching project.

Glass etching is permanent and I like to ensure success, so I like to hit it with a little bit of heat. But, be careful and let the glass cool after this. Hot glass looks like cool glass. This step can help with little bits being held in place better. It can also help smooth out any areas that may have had allowed etching creme to seep underneath. I also add a layer of painter’s tape around the edges just in case any etching creme dribbles or runs. This has saved me so many times.

Photo shows a table top with adhesive vinyl applied to a glass vase and heat being applied to secure the stencil. A bottle of Etchall etching creme and a Silhouette Cameo 5 are in the background.

I then cover the entire stencil area where the design is with Etchall etching creme and wait 20 minutes.

Photo shows a glass etching project with the Etchall etching creme applied to complete the etch process.

When 20 minutes is up, I carefully scrap the Etchall etching creme off and put it back in the jar. Etchall etching creme can be reused and doesn’t lose its potency. After the excess is scrapped off, I will carefully wipe the design with a paper towel before running water in the sink and rinsing off any remaining residue. At this step, you do want to be careful not to dislodge any pieces of the design. It never fails that when an oops happens and the creme touches an area you do not want to etch; it will etch in seconds.

Once the Etchall etching creme has been rinsed, removed the stencil and painter’s tape, and then carefully dry the glass container. I love using Etchall etching creme and have perfect etches each time! I’ve compared etching creme’s and it is the best. Glass can have its flaws, which can cause some imperfections in the etch, but those are few and far between with Etchall etching creme.

Photo shows a look at the glass vase after the Etchall etching creme has been removed and the glass vase has been cleaned, dried, and polished.

I love it! That sounds like a broken record, but it’s true when I etch with Etchall etching creme. Now the only thing left to do is find the perfect thing to fill this glass etched decor vase with. I tried some shells and sea glass, but just wasn’t happy with how it looked, so I am still on the hunt for the perfect fit to this gorgeous piece.

Photo shows a finished look at the beach themed glass etched home decor project with a bottle of Etchall etching creme next to it.

Give it a try! But I’ll warn you, it might be addicting and then you’ll be on the hunt for more glassware to etch and more projects get added to your to do list.

Check out more glass etching projects HERE.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Photo is a Pinterest image of the glass etched beach theme decor with Etchall.

Enjoy !

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Silhouette Classes

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

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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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Custom Etched Monogram Gifts & Decor with Glass Etching

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

I love being able to create custom gifts for friends, family, and for events I attend. When I was brainstorming the 5th project for the month of July’s weekly newsletter I had several options. The one that beat out the other ideas was because it can be used as a gift for a family friend for the holidays. The winner? A custom etched monogram on a glass container with Etchall etching creme. This could be used for a candy dish, candle holder, home decor, or many other things. I’ll leave that up to the recipient to decide what to do with it.

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

Photo shows a look at a finished project with glass etching using Etchall Etching Creme.

Steps to Etched Glass Projects

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

Glass Etching Supplies

Gather the supplies. I started by grabbing a sheet of Oracal 651 adhesive vinyl in a color that I don’t really use often, however, I ended up using a scrap from my scrap pile because the design fit on it and I have a drawer full of scraps.

Photo shows supplies being used for glass etching with Etchall Etching creme that includes a craft stick, adhesive vinyl, transfer tape, and a glass dish.

Enlist a helper, whether you really want their help or not. Supervisor Goldy decided she was going to test out the tools and if I turned my back she would have taste tested the adhesive vinyl and transfer tape too!

Photo shows a yellow cat helping with the supplies for the project.

Measure the blank and create the design to cut for the stencil. For this project it does have a bit of a conical shape to the widest part of the vase, so I used the Conical Warp tool with the etched monogram design to help with that. I shared this technique in the March 2026 Crafting Community member exclusive tutorial when making etched martini glasses.
See more on the etched martini glasses HERE.

Photo shows a look at the Silhouette Studio software showing the glass etching design on the virtual mat.

Then I grabbed a scrap of adhesive vinyl and cut it with the Silhouette Cameo. Any Silhouette model machine can cut adhesive vinyl for stencils.

Photo shows a look at the Silhouette Cameo machine with a mat loaded with adhesive vinyl on it for the glass etching stencil.

Glass etching is permanent. So I do like to add a little bit of heat to the glass etching stencil when it has fine details. I do this carefully so not to burn myself and then let the glass and stencil cool completely. This step can help the adhesive vinyl adhere a bit better and smooth out any areas that may have had allowed etching creme to seep underneath. And then I add a layer of painter’s tape around the edges just in case any etching creme dribbles or runs.

Photo shows a look at the adhesive vinyl stencil applied to the glass container with painter's tape around the edges and a heat gun on the work space.

While you could cut a larger piece of adhesive vinyl with the stencil to avoid using the painter’s tape, then you run the risk of more wrinkles and the stencil not adhering completely flat on a curved surface.

I then cover the entire stencil area where the design is with Etchall etching creme and wait 20 minutes.

Photo shows a workspace with Etchall etching creme applied to a glass container.

When 20 minutes is up, I carefully scrap the Etchall etching creme off and put it back in the jar. It can be reused. Then I will carefully wipe the design with a paper towel before running water in the sink and rinsing off any remaining creme. At this step, you do want to be careful not to dislodge any pieces of the design. It never fails that when an oops happens and the creme touches an area you do not want to etch, it will happen in seconds.

Once the Etchall etching creme has been rinsed, removed the stencil and painter’s tape, and then carefully dry the glass container. Then admire the custom glass etched monogram project.

Photo shows a look at the finished etch when the glass is cleaned up.

I love how this turned out! A perfect gift idea with a custom etched monogram. And it was a very economical project to complete too! Glass jar from the Dollar Tree (which isn’t a dollar anymore, but still reasonable) and reusable Etchall etching creme that can make many, many more projects!

Photo shows a look at the finished custom glass etched monogram container with Etchall etching creme next to it.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Photo shows a finished glass etching project in a Pinterest format photo.

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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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 !

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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Easel Card Design with Silhouette

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Emerald Creek Design Team – July 2026

Today I’m sharing a card design where I combined a stamp from Emerald Creek and used it with an easel card cut file from Lori Whitlock. I cut all of the pieces for the easel card and then added special touches to it with stamping, watercolors, and a little bit of sketching with a pen. One easel card cut file can be used to create so many different kinds of cards. Or scale the card file up and use it as home decor too!

Photo contains an image of an easel card with a flower stamp from Emerald Creek.

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

Rather than keep the base of the card plain white, I chose to use the same flower stamp and stamp a few more along the bottom edge. I first stamped onto a sticky note and then cut around the stamped image to use it as a mask over top of the center flower, so the side flowers look like they are behind the middle image.

Close up look at the front of an easel card with a flower stamp from Emerald Creek and a Thank you sentiment.

Then I used a small Thank You stamp from Emerald Creek on the sentiment cut piece and then did a little bit of pen work around the edges to make it stand out. It is matted onto the same background paper as the top card piece and then popped up with foam tape. This little piece gives the card the support to create the easel part.

Photo contains an image of an easel card with a flower stamp from Emerald Creek.

Change it up with different flowers or focal designs and mix and match sentiments. One card cut file can open up a world of possibilities.

Photo contains an image of an easel card with a flower stamp from Emerald Creek.

It is great to have the option to be able to print and cut sentiments, but often times if I’m only making up a card or two, I know it will take me longer to find more designs to fill the page. Having a few key sentiment stamps can be very handy to finish up the card quickly.

This easel card style is one that you could easily have all the pieces cut and customize it as needed whenever you need a quick card to send out too!

The original file has holes around the scalloped edges, and I didn’t want those for this design. It was an easy modification to do by selecting the scallop piece, right clicking on it, and choosing release compound path. It may also need to be ungrouped too. Then I could move the large scallop piece away and deleted the small circles.

Supplies Used for Easel Card:

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

Enjoy !

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

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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Sketch Without a Mat on Any Silhouette Machine

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

Did you know that sketching without a cutting mat is possible on any Silhouette cutting machine? While most Silhouette users think of their machine primarily as a cutting tool, sketching is one of the most versatile and creative features available. If you’re creating a sketch-only project and don’t plan to cut through the material afterward, you can often skip the cutting mat altogether when your machine and material are set up correctly. In this blog post, I’m sharing how I created a matless sketch project using the May 2026 featured design from the Silhouette Secrets+ newsletter. You’ll find a quick video walkthrough, machine setup tips, sketch pen recommendations, a complete supply list, and additional resources to help you successfully create your own Silhouette sketching projects.

Are you subscribed to the Silhouette Secrets+ weekly newsletter? Each month, a talented collaborating artist is featured, along with an exclusive free design for newsletter subscribers. Throughout the month, I share a variety of project ideas, tutorials, and creative inspiration using that design to showcase the many possibilities that can come from a single file. Be sure to subscribe and download the current month’s featured design so you can craft along and discover new ways to get the most from your Silhouette machine.

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

Check out the video and information below and then add it to the list to try out if you have not already. Just play around with it and see what happens. Sketching with the Silhouette can add a unique element to your projects or just be fun to play around with and test.

Silhouette Secrets+ YouTube channel HERE.

Key Tips for Sketching with No Mat

Graphic design for a circular beach-themed banner featuring the word 'BEACH' in bold, colorful letters with waves and a sunset background. The design interface of Silhouette Studio is visible, showing settings for a cutting machine.

  • Set up the software for your page size and no mat in the Page Setup Panel.
  • Check the box for “Show Cut Border” so you know the parameters.
  • Make sure the Silhouette machine is clean and there is no debris that could create an uneven surface under the material or pen.
  • Move the right roller to a location it can be locked in place on the right edge of the material.
  • Make sure the material is completely flat and not bubbling up between the rollers.
  • If you do encounter skipping or issues, then try with a clean, debris free cutting mat to see if the extra support helps with your design.
Close-up view of a cutting machine with a blank sheet of paper ready for use, featuring controls on the right and a highlighted arrow pointing towards the machine's mechanism.

If you are cutting out the design after sketching, then I would recommend using a cutting mat. Cutting completely through a material with no cutting mat can damage the machine, cutting strip, or blade channel that runs under the blade housing.

Supplies Used for Sketching without a Silhouette Mat

A flatbed cutting machine with a blank sheet of paper loaded, placed on a teal work surface, surrounded by craft materials and storage solutions in the background.

A close-up of a hand holding a printed design featuring the word 'BEACH' with decorative waves and sun rays, sitting on a vibrant blue workspace next to a cutting machine.

And if you really want to see what your Silhouette can do, check out the Silhouette Sketch Pens & Sketch Pen Design Class – find that HERE. It is one of the most popular classes that I’ve created.

Sketched designs with Silhouette shown are for the Sketching Class by EllyMae with Silhouette Secrets+.

Additional Resources for Sketching with Silhouette

A colorful art piece featuring the word 'BEACH' with a sun and waves, surrounded by the phrase 'Happiness comes in waves.' Various art supplies, including markers and watercolor paints, are arranged around the artwork.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A woman is smiling and gesturing next to a Silhouette sketching machine that is drawing a design with the word 'BEACH' and stylized waves.

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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Silhouette Sketching on Mixed Media Paper + Print & Cut FAIL Retest | Creativation 2026 Demo

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

I attended the Creativation 2026 Tradeshow hosted by NAMTA and demoed in 2 booths on the trade show floor – the Pointer USA booth and the Glassboard Studio booth. This is my 3rd year attending this event and each year I learn even more! I love being able to share what I do and how I use products to create with. Creativation is a members only event for Retailers, Vendors, and Creative Professionals. But that doesn’t mean I cannot share the demos I did with you too! A new video sharing the sketching with Silhouette demo I did in the Pointer USA booth, supply list for the demos shown, and additional resources can be found below.

Whether you love mixed media art, watercolor techniques, cardmaking, journaling, print and cut projects, or sketching with your Silhouette machine, this demo is packed with creative inspiration and real-world testing!

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

Did you know I have classes too?
One of my most popular classes has been the Silhouette Sketch Pens & Sketch Pen Design Class – find that HERE.

Sketched designs with Silhouette shown are for the Sketching Class by EllyMae with Silhouette Secrets+.

When I first pitched this class to teach at an event a few years ago, I wasn’t sure how it would go over. I was shocked when it sold out within the first hour of the event registration opening. Sketching is so fun with the Silhouette and can give you a completely different look to your projects. Or just be fun to mess around with too!

Supplies for Sketching and Print & Cut Silhouette Demo:

A workspace featuring a cutting machine, sketches, and various crafting materials. The setup includes a laptop, printed designs of flowers, stickers, and instructional materials for crafting.

Additional Designs shown as sketch examples:

Additional Resources – Silhouette Sketching:  

EllyMae with Silhouette Secrets+ standing at a crafting table with various art supplies, including a cutting machine, paper designs, and watercolor paints. The backdrop features a colorful 'Dream Create Inspire' sign.

Watch the video demonstration of sketching and print and cut with Silhouette HERE – Silhouette Secrets+ on YouTube.

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

A close-up view of a Silhouette cutting machine with sketching and print & cut supplies, including a flower sketch on paper, a black Sharpie pen, and various cardstock colors.

Enjoy !

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Silhouette Classes

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

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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 !

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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DIY Glass Etching with Etchall on a Floating Frame

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

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

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

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

Steps to Etched Glass Projects

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

Glass Etching Supplies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

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

Enjoy !

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

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

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

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

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

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

Tips for Success in a Nutshell – Cameo Pro MK II

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Silhouette Cameo Pro models do not like bulk rolls.

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

Silhouette Roll Feeder Setup Properly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Load Material Properly

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

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

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

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

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

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

Listen to Your Machine When Loading Materials

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

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

Settings that Affect the Feed in Silhouette Studio

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

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

Feed the Vinyl Through the Machine for the Full Length

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

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

Test Cut, Test Cut, Test Cut!!!

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

Get Extra Vinyl

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

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

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

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

Enjoy !

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

Silhouette Classes

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

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

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

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

Silhouette Secrets+ with EllyMae

If you would have asked me last week if I was going to be making a Kentucky Derby hat, I would have said that it wasn’t even on my radar. And then we were given a challenge at work and my brain just started working on the idea. And pretty soon I had a summer beach hat in my shopping cart, and the idea was coming together.

First, before I go farther into how I made this, please know this hat would be for indoor use. Since it’s made from paper the designs would fall apart if it were rained on or splashed with water.

Kentucky Derby hats are unique and do not have to be identical to each other. This is one of those projects that you can really add your own personal details to and just have fun!

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

Next up was to start gathering the rest of the supplies.

I’ve had this large flower hanging around in my studio since I was working with the 3-D Flower Flamingo Design by Tanya Batrak in June of 2024. This file was one of the Crafting Creativity collaborations that I do each month with a new designer. Find more details on the projects created with that file HERE.

And I had some pink tulle from an adult fairy tutu I made about 16 years ago. Yes, that’s right, I keep supplies around a long time just in case. Except I purged the little flamingo flowers a couple weeks ago when I was cleaning. It never fails that when I let something go, I will want to use it the next week. I grabbed some ribbon and had the start to my supplies.

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

I didn’t want to buy any additional supplies even though I did look at some feathers, but I ended up cutting a feather design and then painting it with a metallic paint by DecoArts.

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

I took the black ribbon off of the hat and then added a green ribbon and hot glued it in place to secure it on the hat.

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

Next, I cut some lengths of the pink tulle and bunched it together and secured it with zip ties. Then glued it in place on top of the green ribbon.

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

Once the glue was dry on the tulle, I added more hot glue and secured the large flower. Then let that cool completely so it was set.

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

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

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

I thought about adding more. I cut some strips of papers in 2 shades of pink and white and then curled them, but when I started adding them to the hat, it didn’t feel right. So, for now, this project is finished.

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

Now, I will admit that I’m not a “hat” person typically. However, I put this on and looked in the mirror and I love the hat. I think it’s because it’s over-the-top and there really isn’t a wrong way. Kentucky Derby hats are big & bold.

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

Maybe someday I’ll make it to the real Kentucky Derby, but for now, this hat will be on display at work for the 152nd Kentucky Derby Day.

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

It was fun to make, used up some of my previous projects sitting around, and went together very quickly. And I saved the black ribbon exactly how it was so if I can also turn it back into a summer hat to use pool side too when Derby Day is over.

Supplies for DIY Derby Hat:

Save this for future reference by pinning the image below.

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

Enjoy !

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.