Geek Lab with Hannah

Aloha!! It’s Hannah here with you today! Lately I have been loving adding my own brush script to my layouts. It is a fun way to add a bit of me to the layout. It makes the layout seem more homemade and has an unique touch.

Today I am going to be sharing with you how I take my own brush script and making it into a png file so I can add it to the Silhouette Software and add it to an exclusive Clique Kits Cutfile.

At the end of the blog I’ll also have a video tutorial that I put together sharing this same info as well in case you like to see what someone is doing in order to learn. I hope you will save that video in your Youtube info so you can refer to it the next time you want to add a png to a cut file.

Adding your own brush script to a cut file is so easy.  It just takes a few extra steps and a piece of you is injected to your layout.

First, use some card stock or watercolor paper, watercolor paints, and some watercolor brushes. I prefer to use black watercolor or at least a dark color paint so that it shows up when you can your image. I also like thicker paper because it won’t warp also allowing for a crisper and cleaner file when you scan it.

Brush script out the title or word you want to use. I find in general with brush script, practice makes perfect. Also know that it is not going to be perfect and that is generally the look I am going for. If you want it close to perfect keep trying until you get the look you want.

You will also need a scanner that is connected to your computer. Mine is wireless so I can do everything right from my computer. Scan your image however your system allows you to do. (My scanner will scan if I go into the system preferences and switch the printer to the scan section.) I like to scan at 300 dpi because I will also get a cleaner clearer image. I scan and save my image to a PNG at this point. You can scan and save as a JPG and switch it to a PNG later.

You will need a PNG in order to use it in the Silhouette software.

I decided to use the Sun exclusive cut file for July. I pull up the Cutfile in my Silhouette software like I normally do when I am going to cut it. I like to open it using the SVG file, because all the cut marks are already added. It’s one less step.

You can open it in a png and then trace it to add the cut lines. Make sure you the High Pass Filter is selected and the value is high enough to get all the intricate cuts of this file.

I also recommend that when you cut this file out you use a nice sharp blade and double cut it. This will ensure that your file be cut right and you don’t have to redo it.

You will need to pull up the scanned cut file in another window in your silhouette. Select the words or phrase in the software with the trace tool. Select the High Pass Filter up the value until everything you want to cut is in yellow.

If there is any part of the image you don’t want cut this is a good time to select the image and select release compound path. This will separate the lines in the image, allowing you to select and delete certain areas of the image. (I show how to do this in detail on the tutorial, as I had info on the image I didn’t want to cut.)

When all the lines you don’t want to cut are deleted, then reselect the image and select Make Compound Path. This will connect all the words in the phrase so you can move them together.

When this whole image is selected (the phrase or word you brush scripted), Copy it.

Click back on the Exclusive Cutfile from Clique Kits, and paste the brush script into the exclusive file. Adjust the brush script to whatever size you like, inside the middle of the sun.

All your cut lines should be in red, since you already selected and traced the outlined phrase you are adding.

From here you cut the file as you would any other cut file.  Adjusting the settings according to the paper you are cutting on.

Here is the tutorial video showing you all this info I explained.

I used a piece of patterned paper from the July Pool Party Main Kit, from Bella Blvd. I wanted a fun pop with the cool design.

I kept my layout really simple so that this amazing cut file would shine.

You can watch my process video of this layout below.

 

Here is a look at my finished layout, with some watercolor behind the cut file so it peeks through all the cuts of the file.

Thanks for joining me today. I hope you try and share with us how you use the Clique Kits Exclusive Cutfiles!!

Favorite – Guest Contributor Kareen Dion

Well hello again!
It’s me!!! Kareen. I’m back with another layout. Yeah!
I, of course, used the Sorbet May kit? Did you fall in love with it?
Not yet? Well, what are you waiting for!

So, here is my layout!
For the background, I used the Kaisercraft paper from the kit.
It was perfect for watercolor and for a resist effect. 

Some close ups :
As you can see, I used a lot of embellishments from the kit. I only add flowers. 

I also used a 3″x 4″ card from the 12″x12″ Kaisercraft paper.
I watercolored it the same color of my background.

I also used the printables that goes with the kit. A good way to embellish your layout!

And a little extra today…. I made a video!

Thanks for stopping by and see you next time!

Art Studio: Amazing view

Hello friends! Maryám here again to share another layout using the April 2017 kit. If you want to get this kit, just click here, we still have a few left.

For this layout, the first thing that I did was cut a cut file on my Silhouette Cameo. Then I took my watercolors and I used the “packaging” tecnique to do some big watercolor splatters of pink and yellow color.

After that, it’s time to do the funniest part, yes! Embellish the page. I put some flowers, stamped a instax camera from an Altenew stamp that I got from the shop, added some enamel shapes and some stickers from Freckled Fawn.

And for the cut file, I backed it with one of the project life cards that I designed for the kit, with vellum paper, and also with one of the Paige Evans paper.

Here is the result:

Here are some close-ups:

For the title I used one of the words from Freckled Fawn, and the white alpha from Elle’s Studio, but as you can see it’s not white, that’s because I painted it with a gold pen from one of our previous Traveler’s Notebook kit.

I hope you liked this layout. If you have any questions about this project just let me a comment below. Thanks for stopping by!

Guest Contributor – Angie Pond

Happy Monday everyone!!  We have been so thankful this month to have our April Guest Contributor Angie Pond sharing so much inspiration with us!  Today I have another layout Angie created using the April kit!  Make sure to follow Angie on her blog to see more of her fabulous work!  Now lets get into her layout using the April kit and the fabulous printables designed by Creative Director Gia Lau!

For the April challenge, I drew inspiration from the different blocks of paper that are shown in the sketch. I used many of the beautiful papers from the Jelly Bean kit and treated each block of patterned paper almost like it’s own little layout.

I used one of the exclusive cut files under my photo. I cut it on white card stock and painted it with watercolors. Then I simply cut it apart and used it as an additional layer under the cute photo of my nephew on his first Easter. 

Most of the embellishments on my layout are from the printable files that come with the kit each month. I adore that cute bunny and I even used the “Happy Easter” printable as my title.

The flags in the upper left block of my layout are from the printables as well and they make a great addition along with my journaling.

In the section where my title is, I hand cut a few clouds and used that printable doily shape almost like a sun. The pink cloud comes from one of the Bella Blvd. clips that came in the kit. I simply cut the clip part off and adhered it to my layout.

I did some stamping on the block with the pink polka dots. I used just some black ink and a circle outline stamp to add some more interest to the paper. I pair the word labels and the circles from the exclusive printables with a few enamel dots from the kit to complete that section of the layout.

Thank you Angie for another awesome project using the April 2017 Kit!!   I love all the details in your page and love how you used the exclusives!!  Here is a look at Angie’s completed layout!

Thank you all so much for stopping by today!  Please remember to leave Angie some love down below!  We still have a few April kits left in the shop right now and we also have a great kit sale going on!!  Have a wonderful day!

Yearbook: Beautiful

Hey CK friends! I’m here to share my third project made using the beautiful April 2017 Jellybean Kit. For today’s layout I wanted to document a photo with flowers, so I thought in the flower’s paper that came in the kit.

What I’ve done was fussy cut some of the flowers, and put them on the left side of my page. Then, around the flowers I created a cluster of embellishments, including enamel shapes, some leaves cuts, etc.

Here are some close-ups:

My title for this layout was “beautiful”. I chose it because the flowers of the photo are just beautiful. I don’t like so much to take flowers photos but I this one just stole my heart.

The journaling is about where I took the photo and how much I love that place.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. And don’t forget to document those simple things or moments that we have in our lives.

Happy Sunday!

Field Notes: Explore

Hello friends! Maryám here with you today to share a two-page spread of my Traveler’s Notebook. First of all I wanted to remember you that we opened a new Traveler’s Notebook kit subscription, so If you didn’t see it before, you can read all the details here.

Okay, after of that introduction… Here are my pages:

On the right side I put a strip of one of the papers of the kit, I added a flower and I also put my journalinig.

On the left side I put a photo of a botanical garden that we visited the last summer, and behind the photo I put some leaves cut with my Silhouette Cameo. They look super cute on the page, I like the texture that they add to the page.

And for my title I used a word that came in my kit.

I hope you liked these pages, and don’t forget to check out the new Traveler’s Notebook subscription, the kit that is coming are just beautiful!

See you tomorrow,

Geek Lab: Better Together

Hello Friends! I’m so happy to be back here at the Clique Kits blog. First of all I’m going to do a quick question, Did you see the cut files of this month? If you already saw them, I know you will think the same than me, they are just beautiful, especially the flowers cut file. I just couldn’t resist myself, so I created a layout using that cut file. Now, I’m going to show you the result of it.

 

For backing the flowers I used one of the Paige’s papers that came in the kit, and for the other strips I used the same paper, but back side of it.

I also used some of the stamps from the sponsor of the month Latina Crafter. They have a lot of beautiful stamps (in english and spanish), you should check their shop.

Here are some close-ups to see the details a bit better.

I hope you liked this layout, and if you have a Silhouette Cameo or any other cutting machine, you should use this cut file.

See you soon guys!

 

Mixed Media Monday On Youtube: Playing along with the April Challenge

Aloha My Scrappy Friends!! It’s Hannah with you today. I am using the April “Jelly Bean” Kit to make this Pocket Page Spread today.

This pocket Page Spread I made for the April Challenge using Latina Crafter Stamps. I had a small almost 3X4 size alpha stamp. It is the perfect size for Pocket Page cards or smaller titles. From the minute I saw the stamp I know this was how I would use it. Let me tell you, it was fun, I had a hard time not using this stamp on every card in my spread.

For my pocket page spread, I am doing it monthly. This means for me, I just think about filling pockets. I don’t worry about having two protectors per week. This means that some protectors have two or three days and some have more. This all depends on what is going on in my week. This time period I am documenting is March 1 and 2nd 2017. I am using Design A and then I add a 6X12 protector to go with the one side of the Design A. There was a lot going on at the beginning of the month and I also like to make sure I have enough journaling for my pictures.

I also like to really pretty cards in my pockets especially when I use a kit on my spreads. Using a kit helps keep my selections limited which I really need. I will way overdo it. This year I am really working on keeping it simple to make sure I focus on the stories and photos that happen throughout the month.

Even though I am using a kit, I still love to infuse me into the kit I am using. This April “Jelly Bean” Kit is so colorful it really inspired me to get creative. Mixed Media allows me to play and add to my kits and infuse me into my spreads. The amazing thing is you don’t have to do much with your mixed media to make it special to you.

I started off by printing off the exclusive printables from the April Kit. These printables are designed and coordinate perfectly with each kit.  I used this as my starting off point and what also inspired me.

I used white cardstock, cut into 3X4 size cards. I decided not to use Gesso to prime my cards, I knew I would try to stamp as well, I wanted my drying time to be shorter. I also wasn’t sure how this stamp would stamp on gesso, would it smudge? I didn’t want to take that chance. I knew I was going to keep my cards simple too. This often helps me decide whether priming the cards is necessary.

I chose to use watercolors. On one card I just spread the top with an orange color. I added small tiny flowers on both ends of the orange paint. These flowers were similar to the ones in the collection. When paint dried I used a black dye ink and stamped the word Joy in the middle.

I cut the card down and backed it on the Bella Blvd Daily Details Paper. With my journaling, a roller date stamped on and a puffy sticker, this card is so cute and matches my spread.

I also mixed the exclusive designed pocket page cards in my spread as well. I loved this card with the hearts at the top.  It had the right amount of space to journal about the Blog Hop we had on March 1st.  I added some Freckled Fawn Enamel Dots next to the hearts for a little extra something and left the card alone.

I have found with my pocket pages less is more.

For my other mixed media card I added half circles with watercolor on the bottom half of the card. I used the exclusive printable as inspiration. There was a similar card but I wanted to change up the colors and make them match more of what I had used. This is the cool thing about mixed media. You can tweak and alter your kit and make it work for you.

I Used Joy again with my Latina Crafter Stamp. I stamped once in full ink and then continue stamping until the ink was all gone. This ombre look looks really cool on the different color paint.

After I finished the card I outlined it with my black pen and added this card with an image of a text message I had with a friend. This is a fun way to add conversations and interactions with family and friends without having a major picture.

Throughout my spread I added lots of stamped words with my new Latina Crafter Stamp.  Seriously it was so much fun.  Added with this Freckled Fawn Foam word and some exclusive printables my coffee photo is really fun. It makes a simple photo and gives it some piazza.

I also used the Stamp on my Photo that I had a longer story/journaling on in my pocket page spread. This is why I used a 6X12 protector. It took a bit to figure out the arrangement on the page but it was fun designing on a different size layout. I printed my journaling from my laptop in a funky typewriter font. this allowed me to add more journaling than I could write out. I also was wanting to use journaling I had right from my FB acct, which is a simple copy and paste for journaling. I had already wrote the words earlier, sometimes there really is no need to re write the journaling.

I keep the 6X12 layout simple, with some epoxy sticker add ons and some printables.  

I hope you check out the april challenge blog post and see all the details and join along. Make sure you tag us so you can be entered into the drawing for the sponsor’s prize. We love to see all you in the Clique have made using your kits!!

Make sure you also check out my process video for this spread.

 

Can’t wait to see you around!! Have an Inspired Day!

Clique Agenda: April planner spread

Hi! Donna here for the third time in a row this week and I hope you’re not yet tired of me. For today, I am sharing how I setup my first two weeks of April using the Jellybean kit. I used my A5 Prima planner which is my planner for all my design team stuff.

I started by coloring the alpha stickers with watercolor. This is pretty fun to do, just color the letters you want to use so it’s not that messy. Let it dry first before unsticking the alpha stickers so it won’t tear.

Then I cut a strip of patterned paper and adhered to the inner edges of the insert where you cut the holes. I also used watercolor to add some colors to one of the doilies I used in my spread.

 

I turned one of the flairs into paper clip as well as one of the flowers in the pack

I also made use of the journal cards as you here in the image below.

Notice the stamped words? Since I don’t have a nice pink ink available, I used watercolor instead. (The little one decided she likes to turn the poor stamp into teeny tiny pieces.. RIP to my one and only pink ink lol!). Just a bit of water, almost dry brushing watercolor onto the word in the stamp (like coffee and love) and gently stamp on to the surface. The stamps I used were by Latina Crafter.

That is all from me today!
Thanks for dropping by!

(Note: Date stickers not included in the kit. It’s a digital file I printed and cut with my Silhouette Cameo)

Happy crafting,

 

Art Studio: This is bliss

Hello! Donna here once again!
Will be sharing my second layout using the April kit, “Jellybean”.

I used the floral cut file again, using the same technique I did on my first layout I posted yesterday.

I brushed gel medium inside the floral cut file, adhering them at the same time. After it has dried, I used my watercolors to color inside the cut files. I mixed various colors, based on the floral included in the embellishment pack.

Then I used one of the journal cards to mat the layers of photo and doily for a bit of height and some messy thread for a bit of texture. To make the white small alpha stickers stand out, I matted the alphas to one of the colorful patterned papers in the kit.

 

This is how the layout looks like.

I hope you like it!

Thanks for dropping by.

Happy crafting,