Monday, December 24, 2018

Doodlebug Design | Christmas Town Place Cards

Happy Christmas Eve everyone!  Hopefully all of your shopping is done and you're just putting the final touches on Christmas!  I decided last minute that I wanted to add place cards to my Christmas table, so of course I pulled out some Christmas Town and got to work!  These little place card treat boxes were put together using the Christmas Town 6x6 Pad and the Icons Sticker Sheet!


Each box holds a sweet treat inside!


The boxes were pretty simple to make.  I used Tiny Gift Box die from Lawn Fawn and my Sizzix to make the boxes using papers from the 6x6 Pad.  Then I added the cute little Icon Stickers to the top...


For each place card, I created a box and chose a sticker from the Icons sheet.  I punched 2 circles using a 1/2" circle punch.  I also created name banners using the print and cut feature of my Silhouette, but you could easily hand write the names on a little hand cut banner.
To create the "stand" for each sticker, I folded each of the circles in half, then glued them together as shown in the second picture.
I used my powder tool on the back of each sticker to make it "un-sticky"  You could also use regular baby powder or corn starch as well. This is so it doesn't stick to everything once it's on the box.
Finally, I added some adhesive to the bottom of my sticker and stuck it to the stand I created.  This can then be glued to the top of your box.
Here are some close-ups of the individual place card boxes...




I can't wait to put them on my table!  That's it for me today...I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!


Monday, December 17, 2018

Doodlebug Design | Christmas Town Cut File Ornament

Hi Everyone!  Christmas is in full swing at our house, we are finally decorated and now the wrapping begins!  I love decorating our tree, looking back at the ornaments and remembering their stories.  I decided to create a new ornament this year, using one of the adorable Doodlebug Design Christmas Town Cut files... take a peek...


I used the Christmas Town Snowman Look Up file (SVG, Silhouette) to create a pattern for my ornament. First I sized the Snowman in Silhouette, then cut him from thin paper.  I used the paper pieces as a pattern and cut the Snowman from some fun Papertrey Ink Felt.  Then I just stitched him together!


I used some Doodlebug Sequins in Bubblegum and some seed beads for the cheeks.  The eyes and mouth are pieces of Beetle Black Doodlebug Sequins that I cut with a hole punch.


I wanted the arms to be a little more stable so I cut two of each arm and stitched them together, then stitched them onto the snowman body.


I added a swimming pool Doodlebug Sequin to the cute little bowtie and some tiny black buttons from my stash.


Finally I stitched the year on a scrap piece of felt and stitched it to the back of the ornament so we know what year it was made.  He look so cute on the tree!


That's it for me today, thanks for stopping by to peek!







Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Lori Whitlock | December Creative Team Blog Hop


Hi Everyone!   It's time for the December Creative Team Blog Hop over at Lori Whitlock!  You should have arrived here from Traci's Blog.  Here's the order for today's hop!

The Christmas Season is in full swing!  I decided to make this fun A2 Santa Chimney Box Card (SVG, Silhouette) to have on hand for someone special!


The papers, sprinkles and sentiment are from Doodlebug Design.

There's a sale happening in the Lori Whitlock SVG Shop!  Use code DEC2018 to get 30% off all SVGs and Commercial Licenses!


Also, how about a free file!!  This file is free for today only!  No code or minimum required.




Finally, how would you like to win a $20 Coupon to Lori's SVG Shop!



a Rafflecopter giveaway

That's it for me today, your next stop on the hop is Brandie!  Have a great day!


Monday, December 10, 2018

Doodlebug Design | Christmas Town Tags & Bags

Christmas is officially 15 days away!  Hopefully you have some shopping done... I'm actually in good shape this year, mostly because all of the "kids" I need to purchase for are in their 20's and 30's and prefer gift cards!  I don't love giving gift cards, but sometimes they really are the perfect gift, so I've made it a point to wrap them in something special!  This year I decided to wrap them in cute bags with some tags made with the Christmas Town Odds & Ends Pieces.  I made the tags for the gift bags, but they could be used for any gift!


For the tags (and bags), I used a few different cut files from Lori Whitlock's 2 on 12x12 Tag Bag Bundle, but there are plenty of cut files and dies you could use, or even create your own tags using a trimmer and punches.  Once I cut the tags from the Dot Strip Petite Prints, the fun began!  I had fun making little scenes with the Christmas Town Odds & Ends, along with some of the different sprinkles.  Here are some close-ups...







I added a To/From stamp to the backs of the tags to add the recipients' names.  I topped them off with some Doodlebug Chunky Twine.


These tags could be used for any gift at this point.  I added them to some small bags from the cut files, and some papers from the Christmas Town Collection. I filled them with some treats and the cards!



Now I just have to finish putting up my tree so that I can place them under it!  Have you made any tags, or gift wrap with the Christmas Town Collection?  We would love to see them!  Make sure to tag @doodlebugdesign on Instagram and Facebook!  That's it for me today, thanks for stopping by to peek!

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Lori Whitlock | Silk Screen Nativity Banner Tutorial

Hi Everyone!  The holidays are in full swing now and as I was starting to decorate, I thought it would be fun to create a Nativity Banner using the new Silk Screen Kit from Silhouette.

I started with some blank canvas banner pieces , the Full Nativity Child is Born 2 File (SVG, Silhouette) and the Silk Screen Starter Kit.  I assembled the silk screen frame according to the directions included in the kit.  Next I set up my design in Silhouette so that it could be used in the frame.


First I ungrouped the file so that I could resize and move around the individual pieces and delete those pieces I wasn't including in the banner.


My banner pieces had a design area that was approximately 4.75" square.  I drew a square that size on my mat as a guide, to help me re-size each figure in the file so that it fit nicely into the design area.


Once they were all resized, I got ready to set them up to be cut.  In the directions included with the Silk Screen Kit, it recommends that your design be able to fit into a 10.5" x 7.5" space so that it will fit inside the frame.  I drew a rectangle that size on my mat as a guide, and added the shapes. Before grouping the shapes together, I mirrored each of the figures.  You always want to mirror when using Heat Transfer Vinyl so that the design is going in the correct way when complete.   I ended up with 4 separate files to be cut.



Now I was ready to cut the pieces from the heat transfer vinyl included in the kit.  The directions with the kit recommend you center the design to be cut on the full piece of vinyl (the piece is 12"x15".)  I decided to use my 24" cutting mat rather than just loading the vinyl directly into Silhouette.  I set up my Silhouette to include the 12"x24" mat and changed the page size to 12" x 15".  I added one of my designs to the page, and centered it.


Once it was all set up I sent it to cut.  The directions called for using a blade depth of 2, but after a few test cuts, I ended up using a depth of 6.  I loaded my mat with the vinyl on it (shiny side down)  and cut.  Once cut, I weeded the actual design (not the extra pieces around the design).  Once all were cut and weeded, I ironed each design sheet onto one of the silk screens provided in the kit according to directions,  and peeled away the shiny cover layer.  Be careful when doing this part.  You want to make sure that the edges of each design are firmly ironed onto the screen to prevent any seepage.  I found it best to wait for the ironed piece to be completely cool before trying to peel away the extra layer.

Now for the fun part!  The actual silk screening!  The first step is to prepare the design to be inserted in the Silk Screen Frame.

You want to cut a 2" square from each corner of the design to make it easier to insert into the frame.  Place the frame over the design (screen side down), making sure it's centered.  Pull up the sides outside the frame and insert the frame brackets to hold the screen in place.  Do this for all 4 sides.
For most projects, you would then arrange the framed screen over your fabric, and continue.  Since I had multiple designs going on different banner pieces, I centered the banner pieces around the designs on the back of the screen and taped them down.
Placing the screen on a protective surface (to prevent a big mess!)  I added a line of ink along one side of one of the designs.  Using the squeegee provided in the kit, I scraped the ink  over the design.  You may need to repeat this process to make sure it's all "filled" in.  I did this for each design on the frame, and then repeated the process for the other figures/banner pieces.  Once they were done, I let them dry overnight, and heat set them with my iron, using a piece of fabric in between to protect my iron.

All that was left was to stitch the banner pieces together!  I used some gold twine and stitched it down with gold thread using a zig zag stitch.  You could also attach the banner pieces to the twine using small clothespins!  Here are some close-ups...


That's it for me today, thanks for stopping by to peek!

Monday, December 3, 2018

Doodlebug Design | Christmas Town Cut File Cards

Christmas Card season is in full swing!!  When I saw the new Doodlebug Design  Christmas Town Cut File Collection, I just knew I had to get cutting!  The only problem was how to narrow down my selections, all of the little icons are just too cute!  I will definitely be making more soon... but I was able to narrow it all down for these cards...


As soon as I saw the adorable Snowman Look Up File, I knew I had to use it!!  His cute little face was too much cuteness to resist!  I decided to make a shaped card, and added a little banner using the Snowflake cut file from the Milk & Cookies Collection.  I used some Lily White Teensy Type letters to add the word JOY to the banner. I used some of the new Dot-Stripe Petite Prints to piece him together.


My next card is a box card I created using the Present Mouse cut file.  I made a box of the present file and had the little mouse pop up from inside!  The tag is from the Christmas Town Chit Chat pieces.  I also added some Doodlebug Sequins in Ladybug to the holly berry for a bit of sparkle!


Since there were so many cute little icons, I wanted to make a little scene card to showcase more of them!  I made a center box card using the base from this cut file from Lori Whitlock and made my own little scene using the Squirrel, Red House, Winter Tree, Tree with Snow, and Snowman with Hat files. Take a peek...


I added some Stickles to the snow for some shine and topped it off with the 'Tis the Season Banner from the Chit Chat pieces.  I love how this card folds flat, but then opens up to such a fun dimensional look!
Be sure to check out all of the Christmas Town Cut files in the Lori Whitlock SVG Shop Here and they will be coming soon to the Silhouette Store!  If you make something using one of the files, be sure to tag Doodlebug Design on Social media so we can see! That's it for me today, thanks for stopping by to peek!