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21 (More) Silhouette Tutorials Not to be Missed

Another month has gone by here at Silhouette School and with that 21 more Silhouette tutorials, tips, tricks, and 'first impressions' that you can't afford to miss.   In August I shared my first impressions on the Silhouette Curio (not quite a review and not quite love at first site), I revealed the secret to better and more stencil-friendly designs, I shared a whole slew of free Silhouette Studio cut files and I hopped on both YouTube and Periscope for your viewing pleasure!

Silhouette, Silhouette tutorial, Silhouette Cameo

In case you skipped school, here's a look back at all the Silhouette Tutorials from the last month.
  1. American Flag Blow (Free Cut File)
  2. Silhouette Tutorial: Easily Make Designs and Fonts Stencil Friendly
  3. Rhinestone Tools for Silhouette: Why I'm Giving Rhinestones a Second Chance
  4. How to Cut, Weed and Press (Glitter) HTV Without the Carrier Sheet
  5. How to Wrap Text Around Complex or Multi-Piece Designs
  6. Adorable Watermelon Card (Free Silhouette Studio Cut File)
  7. Silhouette Curio: First Impressions
  8. Heat Transfer Vinyl on (Stretched) Canvas: How to Use a Heat Press or Iron
  9. Sharpening a Silhouette Blade: Cutting Foil to Extend Its Life
  10. Vinyl Glass Block Tutorial: Silhouette School
  11. Free Mason Jar Silhouette Studio Cut File
  12. How to Create a Perfect Shape Template (without PixScan)
  13. Silhouette and Xyron: How to Use the Crafting Machine
  14. Magic Heat Transfer Vinyl Remover Review (Removing HTV Mistakes)
  15. Customizing the Colors of a Fill Pattern in Silhouette Studio
  16. School Bus: Free Silhouette Studio Cut File
  17. Free Silhouette Studio Zipper Card Cut File and Tutorial
  18. New Ways to Connect with Silhouette School
  19. 3D Textured (XPD and Techno) Heat Transfer Vinyl Tutorial
  20. Cutting & Weeding Distressed Fonts with Silhouette
  21. Activating (or Re-Activating) Silhouette Studio Design Edition
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. By clicking on them and purchasing products through my links, I receive a small commission. That's what helps fund Silhouette School so I can keep buying new Silhouette-related products to show you how to get the most out of your machine!

Thanks for coming to class today at Silhouette School.  If you like what you see, I'd love for you to pin it!
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American Flag Bow Free Silhouette Studio Cut File

It's Friday again and around here that means I give you a free Silhouette Studio cut file!  With Labor Day coming up, I'm sharing an American Flag Bow that can be used TONS of different ways.

Silhouette Studio, free cut file, american flag bow

Silhouette Tutorial: Easily Make Designs and Fonts Stencil-Friendly

Did you ever have a design you wanted to cut as a stencil on your Silhouette only to realize that parts of the design or font 'falls out' when you pick up the stencil.  You're left to hand place the inside of the design or letters such as 'o' or 'e' (that part's called the 'counter').

Silhouette Studio, designs, fonts

Well I have a little trick up my sleeve to help you easily modify designs and fonts so they're more stencil friendly.  It's all in the bridge.

Rhinestone Tools for Silhouette: Why I'm Giving Rhinestones a Second Chance

It's been almost a year since I've worked with rhinestones alongside my Silhouette. If you're at all familiar with using Rhinestones with your Silhouette you know it can be a tedious process. Well, I'm thrilled to tell you that because of some new rhinestone tools I'm giving rhinestones a second chance. 

Silhouette Cameo, rhinestones, essential tools, tools

And...not only that...but I have a whole bunch of awesome projects and rhinestone tutorials to share with you now that we're back to being friends again.

How to Cut, Weed and Press (Glitter) HTV Without the Carrier Sheet

Did you ever have a scrap piece of HTV that's large enough to cut but no longer has the carrier sheet? Or maybe you got a little ahead of yourself in your excitement about your shirt (glitter HTV will do that to ya) and pulled off the HTV immediately after cutting! 

Silhouette School contributors Becky and Glenna from My Paper Craze are here today to explain a simple trick so you can actually salvage some of those poor pieces of HTV even without the carrier sheet!

Glitter HTV, HTV, heat transfer vinyl, cut, weed, press, no carrier sheet, Silhouette tutorial

How to Wrap Text Around Complex or Multi-Piece Design

Today I'm going to share a little trick on converting text to path when the design involves multiple pieces.   I'm often asked how I know so much about how Silhouette and Silhouette Studio. The simple fact is I use it daily and I play around with it. This is one of those things I figured out just while trying to create a design. I'm sure it's not the only solution for this problem, heck, I don't even know if it's the 'right' way to do it - but it worked for me and so I thought I'd share it with all of you.

I was creating a set of Pear mason jar mugs for a friend and her husband who live in 'Pear Country'.  I wanted to put the saying 'a great pear' under the two pears.  I wanted the text curved under the two pears.   Curving text around an object is called 'Text to Path'.  I've gone over it extensively here and here and here.

Silhouette Curio: First Impressions

Silhouette Curio, review, first impressions
As you may know if you follow along with Silhouette School on Facebook, Instagram, or Periscope I got my hands on the Silhouette Curio on Tuesday.  I've had about a full day to play with it and so I thought I'd give you my first impressions.
 
By no means should this be considered a Silhouette Curio review - it's not. I haven't had nearly enough time with it to offer that - yet. I will. For now this is me as a new user, just like you will be, if you decide to get a Silhouette Curio. This is me knowing the Silhouette Studio software inside and out and this is my honest first impression of the Silhouette Curio. 

First off - you should know the biggest differences in the Silhouette CAMEO vs Curio are the Curio's focus is in embossing, stippling, and etching all with larger clearance for thicker materials, a dual carriage for tools with a much smaller cutting area.  The CAMEO's focus is more on cutting a wide variety of materials with a larger cutting area. 

Heat Transfer Vinyl on (Stretched) Canvas: How to Apply with a Heat Press or Iron

About a year ago I shared a tutorial on how to put vinyl on canvas.  Today I'm going to show you an even easier method - that swaps out adhesive vinyl for heat transfer vinyl on canvas.
Silhouette tutorial, HTV, heat transfer vinyl, stretched canvas, canvas, heat press, iron

Start by creating your design in Silhouette Studio.  I decided to use silhouettes of my kiddos.  I explained, in detail, in this tutorial how to turn photos into silhouette cut files. Head (no pun intended) on over there and check that out if you'd like to do a similar design.

Sharpening a Silhouette Blade: Cutting Foil to Extend the Life of a Blade

Silhouette, Silhouette blade, sharpening, cut foil, cutting foil
A few months ago I put the foil ball method for sharpening a Silhouette blade to the test.  Let's just say I wasn't too impressed as I went into detail on here.  It make sense that cutting foil with the blade  which is why I decided on another method.  This time instead of balling up the aluminum foil and poking the blade in and out of it I actually cut the foil with the blade.

I'm just going to put this out there right off the bat - sharpen your blade at your own risk.  I would honestly just recommend you buy a new cutting blade if you're sure it's a dull blade that's causing your cutting issues. But if you'd rather not spend the $8 on a new blade every 4-6 months, then carry on. 

Rip off a sheet of foil from the roll about the same size as the Silhouette cutting mat. It's already 12" wide so you just need to cut a piece that's about 12" long too.  Stick it right onto the mat trying to make it as smooth and wrinkle-free as possible.

Vinyl Glass Block Tutorial: Silhouette School

I've gotten a lot of requests for a vinyl glass block tutorial and while I admit I'm not a huge fan of them, I must give the people what they want. So today I'm going to show you how to make vinyl glass block decals with your Silhouette.
Silhouette Cameo, vinyl glass blocks, Silhouette tutorial

Lots of people add lights inside and/or a bow on top, but I decided to go a little bit of a different route.  I made a glass block piggy bank as a baby gift for a friend of mine who welcomed her fourth boy.  Clearly she doesn't need any more toys....and I'm sure her onesie collection is rather large.

Free Mason Jar Silhouette Studio Cut File

Silhouette Studio, free cut file, mason jarIt's Friday and that means it's time for another round of Freebie Friday! That's where I give you a Silhouette Studio cut file for free!

This week I'm sharing a set of mason jar cut files courtesy of My Vinyl Direct.

Now usually you can pick up the coordinating SVG design from My Vinyl Direct with the purchase of the matching mason jar acrylic blank, but sharing is caring - so I have it for free for ya!

I used the file to create a pineapple-inspired monogrammed mason jar keychain. For cuteness sake, right?!  Pineapples are like all the rage right now and you can't go wrong with mason jars or monograms. Put them together and you've got pretty close to perfect. IMHO.

How to Create a Perfect Shape Template (without PixScan)

We all know how versatile our Silhouette machines can be, but one of the more difficult tasks is to create files for custom objects.  This is what I found out when we attempted to work on one of these amazing tile Christmas ornaments that have been floating around the crafting world lately. Although a few different templates are being passed between friends, what do you do when a template isn't available? Create your own, of course!

Silhouette Pixscan, Pixscan, create shape template, shape template

Silhouette School contributors Becky and Glenna from My Paper Craze are back today to show us how - and they're sharing a method everyone can do - even if you don't have Pixscan.

Silhouette and Xyron: How to Use the Crafting Machines Together (Free Silhouette Studio Cut File)

I have a confession to make....I'm one of the people I tell all of you not to be. Not with my Silhouette, but with my Xyron Make a Sticker Machine.  I got not one, but two for Christmas. I still have both...only because they've been sitting in their boxes in the corner for so long that I can no longer return one.  And so I now am the proud owner of two adhesive/sticker machines aka Xyrons.

Silhouette, Silhouette Cameo, Silhouette Studio, free cut file, Xyron

It wasn't until my six year old decided she wanted to do a craft project on her own that I thought I'd pull out the smaller version and let her have at it. The Xyron is actually really kid friendly: there's no heat, batteries or electricity required AND NO MESS!  Just turn the knob and you can turn paper, photographs, even ribbon into a sticker.

Magic Heat Transfer Vinyl Remover Review (Removing Glitter, Smooth, Printable, & Holographic HTV)

I've shared several techniques for removing Heat Transfer Vinyl mistakes on Silhouette School - but today I'm going to show you the easiest and quickest one yet!

heat transfer vinyl, HTV, magic HTV remover, glitter, smooth, printable, holographic

Well, let me just tell you...some days it's good to be a guinea pig! Holy shnickies I was literally about to throw out this burlap pillow cover since I put the wrong state on it (that was a palm to forehead moment) until it met the Magic Vinyl Remover.

Customizing the Colors of a Fill Pattern in Silhouette Studio

If you haven't discovered the beauty of the Fill Pattern tool - you're gonna need to check that out.  It's amazing for mock ups and print and cuts. The only problem is you are kind of stuck with the pre-set colors of the pattern - until now.  If you have updated to Silhouette Studio V3 (and there's no reason you shouldn't) you can use the Shader Effects tool to change the entire design's colors. However, if you are still on V2 or you want to change specific pieces of a pattern - you're unable to do that...until now.

Silhouette Studio, change colors, fill pattern, Silhouette tutorial

Silhouette Studio comes with more than two dozen patterns. You can add more by dragging and dropping into your My Patterns folder if you have Designer Edition. But if you don't you can stretch the ones you have by changing the colors.

School Bus: Free Silhouette Studio Cut File

It's Friday and that means it's time for another round of Freebie Friday here on Silhouette School. With the start of school just around the corner, this week I'm sharing a cute school bus file!

Silhouette Studio, free cut file, school bus


You can swap out the text along the side of the bus to customize with your child's school or the grade they're going into if you'd like! 

Free Silhouette Studio Zipper Card Cut File and Tutorial

Today we have a fun tutorial on how to make a zipper card with Silhouette. My favorite ladies from My Paper Craze are back with the tut and a free cut file! I'll let Becky and Glenna take it from here...

Although I love all the vinyl and t-shirt projects, sometimes I enjoy going back to the basics. Today I have a neat little interactive zipper card to dress up your business cards.
Silhouette Studio, free cut file, zipper card, Silhouette tutorial

We first found zipper cards through our paper crafting expeditions such as our Zipper Die Kid's Interactive Birthday Card. It was so much fun, we decided to make our very own Silhouette cut file and found a new way to use it: a business card holder!

New Ways to Connect with Silhouette School

Silhouette School Blog, Silhouette School, Silhouette tutorial
Times are a-changing and that means Silhouette School is changing with them...since Silhouette School started about 20 months ago there's been some changes to the way we connect with all of you and we've recently added some new options for those who prefer videos, live demos, mobile-friendly school and lessons straight to email!

Aside from the blog (obvi) - there's always Facebook, of course, Pinterest and Instagram  - which combined are more than 80,000 followers strong!  And there's good 'ol' fashion' email, which either myself or Ashlee, my assistant, strive to respond to within 24 hours.

After a brief hiatus, the email newsletter is back up and running and it's available for free - you can choose between daily or weekly email delivery to stay on top of new lessons on the blog.

The newly updated Silhouette School mobile site is up and running easier and more search-friendly than ever for times when you're looking for Silhouette tutorials from your phone.  You can even get an app-like icon on your phone's home screen.  Please know, you won't find it in the app store because it's not an 'app' it's more like a bookmark.  Here's how to add it to your phone's home screen...

iPhone users:
  • Go to www.silhouetteschoolblog.com from your phone's browser.  
  • Click the Bookmark tool along the bottom 
  • Add to Home Screen 
  • Add 
  • By simply clicking the icon it you'll get straight to Silhouette School blog.  
Silhouette School Blog, Silhouette School, Silhouette tutorial
Android users:
  • Go to www.silhouetteschoolblog.com from your phone's browser
  • Press the menu key 
  • On the screen that pops up press "add to home screen" 
  • An icon should show up on your home screen.  
Prefer video? I've been semi-resistant to YouTube for a bunch of reasons, which I won't get into, but I've recently been picking up the pace to enhance the written tutorials further. You can find my still relatively slim channel on YouTube if you prefer to watch over read.

And last but not least - the newest addition - a brand new live broadcasting video app available for both iPhone and Mobile called Periscope. ( It's free to join and once you do just search "SilhouetteSchool" and follow along) Periscope I like more than YouTube because it's quick and there's no editing video involved.  It's just fly by the seat of my pants - which sometimes proves rather humorous or disastrous.  I bring you into my craft room and we see what happens.  Lots of times I'm demoing new products or sharing a quick technique or trick or just sharing what I'm working on at the moment. There will always be a follow up tutorial on the blog - usually not the same day - but it's not out of the question.  One thing to know about Periscope is if you can't catch the broadcast live, you can always watch it back later  - but only for 24 hours.  Also, if see a product that I demo on Periscope be sure to check out the brand spankin' "As Seen on Sil School Periscope" page on the blog under the "Product Reviews" tab for more info or to pick one up for yourself!
 

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3D Textured (XPD and Techno) Heat Transfer Vinyl Tutorial (And Free Silhouette Cut Files)

We have a special guest blogger at Silhouette School today.  I'm happy to introduce you to  Christine from the Cutting for Business blog! I'll let Christine introduce you to this awesome new textured 3D HTV.

Silhouette Cameo, 3D heat transfer, Silhouette tutorial, Silhouette Studio, free cut files

Cutting & Weeding Distressed Fonts with Silhouette

Did you ever download a distressed font but worry about how difficult it's going to be to weed?  Fear not!
Silhouette Cameo, cutting, weeding, distressed fonts 
Three of my favorite distressed fonts - Brawls Rough, Furach, and Bronks Script - came with a recent deal from The Hungry JPEG. (That deal's now expired but a new one is up!) My favorite among the favorite is the Brawls Typeface Rough so I'm going to show you how to cut and weed distressed fonts using Brawls as an example.

Silhouette Cameo, cutting, weeding, distressed fonts