Mesa Arizona

Hi everyone!  It's new Cut File day in The Cut Shoppe and we've got some awesome new designs for you!  I always love it, when there is a new alpha in the Shop, and the Open Letter Alpha is definitely a new favorite.  There are so many great looks you can create with this alpha set!  I used it to create the word "Arizona" as a large background for the layout I'm sharing today.

 

I started my layout by tracing the Open Letter Alpha in Silhouette Studio.  If you are not familiar with this, it's really easy.  Just open the PNG image of your cut file in Silhouette Studio.  Then go to Object and select Trace.  The Trace window will open on the left hand side of Silhouette Studio.  Click Select Trace Area and then use your cursor to select over the entire PNG image.  After your image is selected, uncheck the High Pass Filter box and under Apply Trace Method, click Trace.  Now you can delete the original PNG design and your image is ready to cut.  After tracing, the design will still be one solid design.  To separate the letters, go to Object and then down to Release Compound Path.  This will separate everything in the image, so you can use Group to regroup each individual letter, if you want to before cutting.

Once I had the alphas traced and ungrouped, I chose the letters for the word Arizona.  Then I overlapped each of the letters and used the Weld feature in Silhouette Studio to connect them.  If you are welding letters or designs that have pieces on the inside, you need to select everything together and make it a Compound Path (which you can find under Object), before welding it together.  I cut all of the welded alpha background from White cardstock, because I wanted to add color using 6x6 papers from the Crate Paper Journey collection.  I just recut each of the individual letters and adhered them behind the outline cut file.  I kept the rest of the layout fairly simple, so the background work would stand out.  I clustered the embellishments near my photos, to draw your eye and to keep the background work uncovered.

This is one of my favorite techniques and you can create so many different looks, by the way you arrange the alphas and by the patterned papers you use.  We would love to see the ideas you have for using the Open Letter Alpha on your layouts and projects, so stop by The Cut Shoppe to pick it up!

And while you're there, you can check out the other new designs that are available this week!

 

Simple Layout

Good Morning

I hope you are all nice and well, today I made simple layout with our new member of the family, please meet Tyson, our kitten.

I have always had cats, dogs, guinea pigs and all sorts of other pets, how about you?

Products used:

have a nice day

xoxo

Boys Rule

I never thought I would get to use the Boys Rule digital cuts, 

but guess what I did.

Just Last week I got to watch my nephew. We went down to the racecar shop and I had him climb into one of the giant dragster tires. 

Seriously how precious is this photo!

I just love how this layout turned out. I used the 6x6 paperpad “better together” from Amy Tangerine. Who knew this line was so boy friendly!

I cut and layered and cut a layered.

This layout really took me out of my comfort zone. I’m not very good with pattern play, but I think I nailed it here.

I also used the Elle’s Studio March Kit, 

doesn’t the kit work perfectly here!

And don’t think you can’t put sequins on a boy layout; I managed to squeeze some Pinkfresh puffy sequins onto this layout.

Do you like to mix and match patterns?

Love

Hi! Irit here with a new fun project! I love the new I'll Fly Away cut file, it has so many possibilities! Cut it one time and you have enough goodies to keep you going for at least two layouts. Less talking, more showing. Here's my layout-

The files are used are these-

I started with cutting the background, and used it as a stencil with some modeling paste I colored pink. You can use it again and again!

The butterflies that are left can be accents on the layout, I chose to leave them white, but you can cut them from any color/pattern, or color them yourself with any paint you like!

For my title I simply chose the word Love from the Word to the Wise cut file. Instead of cutting it I used a pen to sketch it, and then did an offset cut. Super easy and looks so good!

You can see my process in the video-

Thanks so much for visiting, check out The Cut Shoppe for these and more awesome cut files! Have a great day!

Be a Pineapple

Hello everyone, Julie back with you today & let me start by wishing you all a very happy easter, hope you’re all having a great day & eating lots of chocolate eggs. My layout I’m sharing with you today is using The Prickly Pineapple, The Write On Alpha & The Kitschy Cursive cut files

I found this quote on pinterest & just knew it would suit my eldest daughter . I arranged the text down the right had side of a 12x12 piece of paper & cut it out on my silhouette, then using different shades of pink, orange & yellow I coloured a piece of watercolour paper, with gelatos, to back the cut file.

I cut two large pineapples & backed them with some patterned paper & added gold sequins in each box, to add sparkle. I layered my two photos & all my ephemera, in a vertical line, down the left hand side of the page, adding lots of pineapples, 9 last count, gold hearts, arrows & enamel dots. A few splatters of mist & the page was finished.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my page today & I’ll see you very soon xoxo

Never Let Go of Your Dreams

Hey there, friends!  Missy back with you again, and today I'm sharing a layout I created using the Girl Stuff Cut File.  I've been eyeing that adorable "Love" speech bubble for a while, and so I decided to make a page with it!

I created several copies of the speech bubble, placed them like I wanted them and then welded them together.  I used papers from a few collections...Shimelle Star Shine and Amy Tangerine Better Together.  Once I had all the opens spots backed, I went to work on my background.  I used acrylic paints, a stencil and a foam applicator to create the background design.  I also added some ink splatters.

I raised the entire cut file with pop dots and then I hand stitched around it.  I love how it turned out!  The dimension is so much fun!

I added some clear Shimelle stickers, a few flair buttons from A Flair For Buttons, and some Dear Lizzy alpha stickers.  There are also some small heart stickers from Simple Stories and MAMBI.

I used a few different blue shades of paint here along with some pink and golden yellow.  I love the pops of navy/royal blue in these collections!  Luckily I had some matching thread in my stash!

Here's one more look at the cut file...pop dots can really change the entire look of a design.  I really love how this one came out!

Here's the process video of this layout if you'd like to see how this page came about.  I hope it inspires you in some way!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

You & Me

Hello there! I have a layout to share with you using an oldie but a goodie cut file, Counting Stars. 

I had a beautiful piece of star vellum that I knew I wanted to use as a background. I thought that the Counting Stars file would be a great way to add dimension, but still keep with the star theme! I cut it out on white cardstock, and backed it with one patterned paper. Choosing just one pattern was a great time saver!

Next, I added some fun star and glitterly gold embellishments. You can never have too much gold! That completed the layout. 

I love rediscovering old favorites. Thanks for joining me today!

Hoppy Easter

Hi! It's Flora here and this is my first post on The Cut Shoppe blog. I am very-very excited. The new Hoppy Easter cut file set really caught my eye, maybe because I am in crazy spring-Easter mood already. I have chosen a family photo to scrap from last year when we were all together on Easter Monday.

The star of my layout is the huge title what I backed with Pink Paislee papers from C'est La Vie collection. I found some old My Mind's Eye Sky's the limit 6" papers in my stash what perfectly matched. I love how the pastel color combo turned out!

I have fussy cut the air balloons and the bird, then I have created two buntings. I also added enamel dots, paper flowers and in the end black labels to balance the dark spots of the photo.

From this cut file set my favorite is the bunny with the tiny tail. So cute! I had to add a mommy and little girl rabbit with flowers to my layout.

I also created few Easter greetings cards with these bunnies, you can find them on my blog.

I hope my layout inspired you to create some spring or Easter themed projects. Don't forget to visit The Cut Shoppe etsy store and pick up this great set of cut file. Have a wonderful day and happy Easter!