Silhouette Promotion – and House Number Project

 There is a great promotion going on, this week only, for Silhouette.  (Ends Saturday, Jan 22nd)

A couple of great deals:

–You can get a machine, 2 rolls of Premium Vinyl, 1 roll of Transfer, and a Home Decor CD – a $395 value, for just $225 – that’s a deal!! using the code “SUGARBEE”

–All Premium Vinyl is 25% off using the code “SUGARBEE”

Now remember, I bought my own silhouette, but they did send me this vinyl at no cost so I could try it out and let you know how I like it. 

I’m kind of a Silhouette newbie, even though I’ve had mine about 6 months.  First off, I’ve been using the software that came in my box.  But on the Silhouette Blog they show tutorials using some other software – so I checked it out and it turns out there’s a new, upgraded software and it’s free – HERE.  Just “download the latest software”.  Why didn’t anyone tell me this – I thought the last one was easy to use – this is even easier – LOVE IT! (Don’t make fun of my computer screen with the big booty in the back – it’s my sewing room computer, so I get the rejects whenever we upgrade our regular computer – I’m on the Craigslist hunt for a flatscreen, just so it’ll take up less room)

So, I’ve cut lots of cardstock and even some heat transfer stuff, but I’ve never tried vinyl.  I know, where have I been – have a cutter but haven’t tried vinyl.

A few things I learned about how to cut vinyl with a Silhouette:

–you don’t run vinyl through on your mat, so you can cut it as long as your roll.  That means your design can be 8 1/2 inches by 4 feet long, or whatever.  To do this just adjust the template size in your software.

–you use “transfer paper” – I didn’t know what it was.  Here’s a rundown:

 Cut your design and peel away the extra, so the design it left – it’s the “X”

 Take a piece of the transfer paper (it’s like parchment paper with a sticky side) and stick it to your design.  Rub it on.

 Then peel your design off it’s backing.  It should stick to the transfer paper.  Then stick it to your design and remove the transfer paper so just your design is left.

 The transfer paper helps hold your design while the sticky side of the vinyl is exposed.  Genius!

Moving on – projects using Premium Vinyl.  I’ll be showing a few throughout the week.  What makes Premium Vinyl different is it’s thicker, etc, and made for outdoor use.  Immediately I knew: House Numbers!  Our house numbers are on the mailbox post and so hard to see/find.  So I made some for the door – LOVE THEM! (yes, our Christmas lights are still up – it’s cold!)

 Sorry it’s a bad picture of the front door.  I wanted to back up and get the view of the whole house, but I was already standing in snow and didn’t want to venture further into it – see the sacrifices I make for this blog – brr! (oh and note I’m taking your fashion advice – I ditched the white socks – although I’m not sure “cream” is much better…)

 I used a free font from Kevin and Amanda (I think it was Wish I Was Taller), and I got the swirl design from the online Silhouette Store (once you open the software it has a link that opens the store for you) where all designs are $1.  I’m sure you could find some clipart decal and use that just as easily.

More ideas for Premium Vinyl projects coming this week.  Meanwhile you might want to order yourself some of it – using the code “SUGARBEE” for 25% off, or buy a whole machine with vinyl for $225.