New Silhouette Product Review: Meet The New Curio

Let's just say I'm really giddy right now! Squeal!

I just got the new Silhouette Curio! This machine is a compact crafting work-horse!

It's a very different product than Silhouette's previous machine, the Cameo; so it is hard to compare the two machines. It's like apples to oranges. So it's not necessarily an either or comparison...you may find that you need both.

The Curio boasts of a variety of new functions that utilize several new tools--allowing you to create with gusto. These new tools easily make the Curio the most versatile machine in the craft market to date!
It also has a very attractive retail price of $249.99

Let me go through all the things it can do...

Curio Capabilities:
It can cut
It can stipple (Metal and Foil--think pie safes!)
It can etch (scratches designs into the surface of metal)
It can emboss
It can score (using fine emboss tool)
It can sketch

Then to make things even more exciting...
it can do a combination of any of the above!!!

That's because their is a double tool holder on this machine--allowing you to put two tools in at a time.

Combo Capabilities:
print then emboss (think letterpress)
cut and emboss
cut and stipple
cut and score (blade and fine emboss)
cut and sketch
and a bajillion other combinations...I'm sure there's a math formula that can calculate the exact number of combinations...All I know that it's enough combos to keep my crafty heart a flutter!

Media compatability...
So in addition to cutting paper and fabric, you can cut thicker media with a special blade. You can also cut vinyl, heat transfer, and all the other fun fancy media (rhinestone templates) that you could cut with the Cameo...but the machine will take a few new forms of media too...like leather (for embossing,) metal (for stippling and etching,) and more!

I even saw them put in a block of wood at the Silhouette Summit, but that wasn't to cut it...it was so they could use the sketch feature to draw a design on it that they could burn into it.

Truth be told...people are going to start inventing their own uses for these tools and as crafters use the machine, they will be showing us what it is capable of and what to do with it!

What Comes in the Standard Curio box: 

A 8.5x6 inch base set which includes:

The plastic base to which all platforms or mats are attached. This base gives a solid foundation for a variety of projects that are passed through the machine.

There is a 8.5x6 inch sticky cutting mat.

A sticky embossing mat (it's padded for deeper emboss.)

There is one type 1 platform and two type 2 platforms--your Silhouette Studio software will tell you which you need for your project in the cutting settings. It will either tell you 1, 2, or3. 3 is a combination of using platforms 1 and 2 together.

All platforms snap easily onto the base via the snap posts which correspond with the holes in the mats or the platforms.

Additional box contents:
The Curio also comes with a Free 1-month Trial in the Silhouette store. You'll want to be a member of their download store eventually for unbeatable prices on designs.
The new Silhouette Studio Software (Version 3.4, updates are free to download online!)
You also get an instruction book

What is available separately:

An 8.5x12 inch platform set for those who enjoy larger projects.

That doubles the size of the cutting platform that it comes with!

There are also replacement mats and platforms.

There is also a Designer Edition of the Silhouette Studio Software available for those who want to be able to cut SVG designs.

There are also felt tipped pens designed for use with the Curio. (Also work in the Cameo and Portrait.) They are designed with a tip that works well with the Curio's stipple feature.

Things that I like...
I love the variety of things this machine can do. My brain is spinning with possibilities of different designs that I can create specifically for this machine. I want to utilize all of it's functions and I'll enjoy designing for it.

I really like how the crafting platform holds the cutting mats, and the variety that the different bases offer--such as the embossing base. It seems that the new base/platform system really does a great job in holding projects steady in the cutter.

Love that you can put really thick product in here...yes...I saw wood in the machine (not for cutting...but to be sketched on) Quoting from the Silhouette website:

"More clearance means more options. 

The Curio’s 5mm clearance allows you to etch, sketch, or cut on new project palettes. Think wood, foil, leather, foam, and even metal."

Disappointments...
Not many, really...but I cannot deny that I am disappointed that this machine only comes with an 8.5x6 inch base. However, I think that I can be quite happy with the 8.5x12 inch base when it comes out (Mid August.) I have to remember that the Curio is a different crafting machine altogether. It's a workhorse capable of many things--cutting is just one of the things it does. The other things that it does, don't necessarily need the use of a large 12x12 area. That's where I'll still get some good use out of my Cameo. I'll start designing my 3D projects with the 8.5x12 max area in mind.

Tell me what do you think of the new machine!

#HappyCurioDay
#NationalCurioWeek
#SilhouetteCurio

Silhouette instructions: Halloween Candy Bar Crate and Gable Boxes

Due to an "interesting" summer, it's been a while since I've had some new releases in the Silhouette store. I hope you had a great summer. Mine was good, but busy and challenging beyond belief. Now that the kids are back in school, and things have settled down for the moment; I hope to catch my breath and have a more regular release-schedule of Silhouette designs. 

To start things off this Fall, I have designed a grouping of Halloween-themed boxes and crates. I hope you will find them useful for Fall gift giving. I would love to see what you do with them. Remember, you can share your projects with us through my blog e-mail address found in the sidebar.

For these projects you will need this Equipment:

A Silhouette Electronic Cutting machine. This file works great with both the Silhouette Cameo and the Silhouette Portrait cutting machines. If you use the portrait machine, you will need to rearrange the pieces to fit in your cutting area. To move the pieces around individually, ungroup the file under edit.

For those of you who are new to my blog, and may not have heard about the Silhouette electronic cutting machine(the machine I used to cut this file out,) I put together a product review at this link. You can read other's reviews of the machine here. This machine will change the way you craft, and most importantly, you will get lost in the fun of it all!

Adhesive:
Glue (use a good paper glue like Tombow mono liquid glue it will not warp your paper.)
-and/or-
Double Sided adhesive. (I use a Scotch ATG 714 gun. Scotch got smart and made a similar one for crafters the Scotch Cat 085--it's quite a bit less $ than the 714. I like that it has a seemingly endless roll of adhesive. It saves a ton of money in the long run when compared to little craft adhesive dispensers. Especially if you buy the adhesive reels in bulk.)

You will also need these Silhouette Files:

spider and web gable box #66773
Halloween witch gable box #66750
Gable Box with Candy Bar crate #66749
Candy Bar Crate #66747
Design can be created with 1 sheet of 12x12 card stock

Candy Bar Crate instructions:
Cut the design out of double sided card stock that has a complimentary color or design on the reverse side.

1. Crease the center handle piece on dotted lines.
2. Crease both of the side boxes as shown.
3. Glue bottom tabs to the inside base of the box. (do twice. Once for each side box.)
4. If your small side tab is in front of the larger side tab, as in this picture, reverse them so they look like step 5.
5. Glue the small side tab to the inside of the side box. Flip down the scallops to reveal the reverse side of your card stock and secure it with glue or tape. (do twice. Once for each side box.)
6. Your side boxes should now look like this picture.
7. Now we are going to take the center handle section of the crate and attach the side boxes. Glue the back of the side boxes and the large side tabs that are sticking out. Attach the back of the box to the center handle section.
8. Wrap the large side tabs around the handle center piece so that it lines up with the scored dotted line. We will be folding this part underneath the bottom of the box. Look at the picture for placement.
9-10. Fold the bottom flap of the center section underneath each of the side boxes and use adhesive to secure.
11-12. Cover the bottom with the rectangle piece.
13-14. Cover the sides with the rectangle pieces with the fold-down scallops.
15-16. Fold the divider section, and glue to the inside of each side box.
17. Ta Da! You are done. Admire your work, look for anything that needs a little tweaking. Add a ribbon if you wish, then fill with your favorite candy bars.

Witch Gable Box instructions:
1. Open the file in the Silhouette Studio software. You will notice that color recommendations are made for different parts of the design. You can place those colors on your cutting mat at the same time according to the grid and how they show up on your screen. That is what I did in photo 1.
2. Glue the light green pieces to the black box as shown. I have designed this so it has as few pieces as possible for easy assembly.
3. Glue the eyeballs, teeth and tongue onto the box.
4. Glue the nose on, (it is the large oval with the little oval cut out of it, and the little oval that was cut out with the light green witch face parts.) Insert the light green highlight to the oval hole in the large nose piece.
5. Crease the box.
6. Fold the box around. Layer the bottom flaps as shown. The two slanted sides have a rounded rectangular piece that tucks slightly under the straight edge.
7. Insert the flat top triangle tab into the slot that is made. Adhere the side tab with glue or double sided-adhesive. Close the top by Inserting the top gable tabs into the slots on the top triangle pieces.
Now you are done! Fill it with goodies for your little goblins.

Candy Bar Gable box instructions:
This box combines the candy bar crate and the witch gable box instructions. With a few small differences.
Silhouette Studio set-up: This project requires 2 sheets of 12x12 card stock. You can resize and rearrange your pieces if you are using the silhouette Portrait.
Cut the Gable Box piece out of a contrasting color if you wish, fold it as instructed in the witch gable box above.
Now we will follow the numbered picture instructions.
1. Find your side box pieces for the candy bars.
2. Fold down the scallops and secure with adhesive.
3. Crease the side boxes as shown.
4-5. Fold the side boxes and apply adhesive to the tabs, as shown in pictures. You will end up with a box-like shape with extended sides jutting out.
6-7. Apply adhesive to the back of the box, and the jutting side pieces. Position the back of the box to the center gable box as shown, with the jutting side pieces lining up at the sides, then adhere.
8. Do this for both side boxes.
9-10. Cover the jutting side tabs with the fold over scallop rectangle pieces.
11-12. Fold the crate dividers.
13. Insert the crate dividers into the side boxes, secure with adhesive.
Fill with candy! You are done!

Silhouette or SVG cutting Tutorial: Circle Baskets

This week in the Silhouette Online Store, you will find several new baskets in my store section. These are all based on a simple circle and the main part of the basket can be assembled with brads or adhesive. If you choose to assemble with adhesive, feel free to delete the brad holes in the Silhouette studio software.

For this project you will need this Equipment:

An electronic cutting machine. The download is available in .studio format for the Silhouette Electronic Cutting machine. It is also available in SVG cut file format for most other cutting machines like the Cricut Explore. Both file types through the silhouette store...links below.

You will also need these Silhouette Files:

Circle Basket with bow Design ID #62208
basket scalloped circle with daisy Design ID #62212 
basket scalloped circle with scalloped bow Design ID #62211
basket with quadruple straight bow Design ID #62210
basket with triple pinched bow Design ID #62213 
flag circle basket Design ID #62209 

Cardstock is from my Summer Lovin' collection from Carta Bella pattern is "Sunshine" 

Open the file in the Silhouette software. Cut the file out in a double sided card stock.

Fold inward along the dotted lines. Line up the curved sides so the brad holes line up.

Insert a brad into the lower lined up holes. Place basket handle at side and line up brad holes and insert brad. 

Get the bow piece and curve it with your fingers.

 You could also curve the bow with a pencil or a pen.

Put tape or glue at the center of the paper bow. I used a Scotch ATG tape glider. 

 Pinch the bow at the center where you applied adhesive.

 Take the small strip and apply adhesive then wrap around the bow.

Attach the bow to the front of the basket with adhesive, or a brad. (Brad holes are not included for that option, you would need to use an awl to punch a hole first. )

 This basket is assembled much the same way as the basket above with only the difference of the flag front. 

 Cut the pieces out in traditional colors for the flag, or come up with your own creative combination. 

 Simply layer the pieces as shown in the photo above, then attach to the front of the basket. Fold and assemble as shown in the steps in the basket above.

Multi Layer Bow Instructions

Find the T shaped piece, this will be your bow center. 

 Curve both sides with your fingers or around a pencil.

Curve each of the other strips around your fingers or around a pencil.

 Attach each section at the center with adhesive.

 Stack the bow pieces on top of each other and apply adhesive between each layer.

 Finish the bow with the T-shaped section and wrap that tail around the bow to secure it. 

  This basket is similar to the one above, the layered bow is pinched in the center instead of straight. 

 This basket has a fun scalloped edge and a scalloped layered bow. Assemble the bow as shown above.

 
If you use glue, use wonder clips to hold your paper in place until dry. A good paper glue doesn't take long to dry...but clips certainly speed up the process even more!

If using glue, use a large wonder clip to hold the bow on while it dries. 

This basket features a large modern daisy-like flower. Simply manipulate the paper petals to fashion your flower how you would like. Layer the pieces and you have a fun embellishment for your basket.

Silhouette How Did You do that: Doily Edge Cups

Thanks for visiting today! Not only do I have a tutorial for you today, but also, If you didn't take the chance to enter the Silhouette Cameo giveaway that I am hosting...now would be a great time to enter! Details are at the bottom of the post!

Hope you are getting excited for Thanksgiving and then we'll be rolling into the Holidays shortly after that!

I know I am super excited! First off, I love all the family parties, and the excitement of the kids. One of the other things that I love is baking cookies and making candy to share with my neighbors. It's even better if I have something pretty to put my creations in. That's why I designed decorative cups this week for the Silhouette store.

These designs were made to be cut with the Silhouette Cameo or the Silhouette Portrait digital cutting machine. 

The digital cut lines for these cup designs are found in my portfolio at the Silhouette Store.

These cups can be used for gifting small treats, or using in your office for organization. They also would be fantastic as luminaries for battery operated tea lights.

To assemble these cups, you will use the same technique for all the designs. I will show you how to assemble the basic cup because it has a lid, and you will want to see how that goes together. I call this one the ice cream pint. (it's a little smaller than a pint of ice cream, but pretty close in size when finished.) 

I'll also show you how to assemble the window area on the window cups. 

All the other cups will use the same technique to assemble the base and to glue the side seam. 

Okay...Here we go!

1. Cut all the pieces from double sided card stock.

2. Bend the paper back and forth to "train it" into a curve shape.

3. Fold all the base tabs, and choose which side of the card stock you want to show on the bottom. I like the contrasting card stock color to show on the base.

4. Put glue on the tabs on the base.

5. Line up the tabs with the bottom edge of the piece of card stock that will become the container, and glue the first tab. I like to use Clover Wonder Clips to hold the card stock together while glueing. You can also hold the tabs with your fingers. (you will have to wait until it dries a bit if holding with your fingers.)

6. Start curving the card stock around the base tabs, and continue glueing all the way around. Notice that the tabs butt up right next to each other as you glue them around. Continue clipping as you go.

7. Finish glueing all the way around. 

8. Move onto glueing the side seam.

1. Put glue into the side seam, and seal with your fingers.

2. Turn cup on it's side and flatten the seam edge from the base to the top, making sure to smooth out any buckles or puckers. 

3. Hold until glue is set or clip until dry.

4. Move onto assembling the lid.

1. Fold the tabs around the lid, and apply glue to about half the tabs (you will add more as you go, you just don't want it to dry too quickly.) 

2. Start your slightly thicker strip of paper at the first tab. Hold with your fingers or a clip.

3. Continue to glue the strip around the entire edge of tabs until you come full circle, making sure to add glue where the strip ends overlap.

4. Get the slightly narrower strip, and glue this to the inside of the lid. Hold the strip inside the lid with your fingers or clips until the glue dries.

5. Find your circle piece and glue the top of the lid, and adhere the circle and smooth from the opposite side.

Let everything dry and place the lid on the cup. 

Fill with treats for a simple gift.

Now I'll show you how to do the window variation.

It only takes a few extra steps:

1. Before you start the steps above, you will want to glue the window into your cup.

2. You will want to cut the window shape that is slightly larger than the tree (in this case) from transparency film.

3. Glue the edges of the transparency down first.

4. Glue the rectangular shape with the tree window in it next.

5. While the glue is still tacky, train a curve into your card stock. Take the time to smooth out anywhere if the paper wants to buckle.

6. Go to the assemble the base section, and then follow through the rest of the steps. 

Silhouette Tutorial: Cutting Detailed Designs "Leafy Basket"

Yes! Whooo Hooo! We are tackling cutting detailed designs with your Silhouette today!!!




What?
Don't go now...
STAY...
I'll try to make this painless for you!
Promise!

Step 1 is for newbies to detailed designs:
Stop holding your breath...you can do this!
For all you detailed veterans and self proclaimed gurus on cutting detailed designs...I'd love for you to chime in on how you are able to achieve smooth cuts when going detailed...so feel free to comment with your tips and tricks!

Alright, I know there are some of you out there who have bought detailed designs but have yet to cut them due to fear. I'm going to set you up with a surefire way to achieve success!

Okay...if you've stopped holding your breath...you made it past step one.

Onto step 2...equipment check!
if your blade is old...or even somewhat old...set it aside. You will want to use a fresh blade for detailed cuts. This is the number one reason why people aren't successful with detailed cuts. I know that the blade you have in your machine is probably still good for other projects, so just set it aside, and mark it somehow. We'll use this new blade for this detailed cut. You can always put the old blade back in the machine for other projects. I set my old blade aside tonight...it's been cutting non stop for a few days...but will use it again for simple cuts. I like getting as much use out of something like the next person.

Step 3...mat check.
Check your mat make sure it is sticky enough that your design won't slide around. If it has been slipping, even a little on your last designs, then it's time for a new mat--but keep the old mat...it's still good for more simple cuts. (tip: use tape on the edges of your paper when cutting with an older mat...still works well on basic designs.)

Step 4...paper choice.
Detailed designs usually cut best on a regular card stock. You may be able to cut a design on paper, but you will have to slow down the cutting speed (see below.) If the paper starts tearing, you may have to choose another medium. That is just the nature of detailed designs. If you choose to cut thicker than normal card-stock, you will definitely need to do select the double cut setting (see below.)

Step 5...it's all in the settings!
Open your file in your Silhouette Studio software. Select cut, then change your settings as outlined below.
A. Speed: The first thing you will want to change is the speed...slow it down to 2 or 3.  This is the most important setting for getting your detail to cut correctly. Slowing the speed helps the blade turn corners nicely and not bunch up the card stock. If your card stock is bunching up, slow your speed down.

B. Depth: if you are cutting a paper or cardstock you have cut before, use the depth settings that has worked in the past for you. In addition, if you are cutting a thicker card stock, I recommend using the double-cut setting just to be sure that the design cuts all the way through. If you are unsure what settings are good for your paper, use the settings Silhouette recommends for your paper type, then choose test cut...which will cut a small area so you can see if the settings will work for your paper. If it's good to go...move on and click that cut button.

You may ask why select double-cut when you could just set the blade deeper. That may be an okay choice for simple cuts...but for detailed cuts...it's best not to try to "push the paper" too much as it will have to make lots of turns during the cut and might "chunk up" the corners. When you see your paper pushing up at the corners and not cutting all the way through, it means the blade is too deep. When you select double cut, it may not cut through on the first pass...which is fine, but in most situations, it will cut completely through on the next pass.

I am using Carta Bella Premium textured card stock. I like that it doesn't clog up my blade. The fibers are dense and work fantastic for detailed cuts. The settings that I use on detailed cuts are: speed 2, blade depth 4, and double cut.


 ****Please Note: In most cases, you should be fine after step four...but steps 5 and 6 will save you if things didn't go perfectly with that round.****

Step 6 Check your cuts before you unload!
I cannot stress this step enough. When your design finishes up, do not automatically press the unload button on your machine. Carefully lift a few edges of your design to see if you cut all the way through. Even if your test cut did fine, detailed designs can be a little trickier to achieve complete cuts. If your design is still attached in spots, leave the mat in the machine, and press cut again! You should be fine after this round. Then make a note to yourself that you probably should have gone one setting more on the blade depth. Even though you had to wait for it to cut all over again...it sure beats trying to battle freeing the design with an x-acto knife.

This should peel easily from the cutting mat. You want nice smooth edges like this, if they aren't, your settings need to be adjusted.

Step 7...Did I mention X-acto knife? 
Okay...usually this is totally unnecessary after all the above precautions...But if by chance there are 2 or 3 areas that are still attached where they should be cut through, you'll notice when you remove your design from the mat. Don't panic. Just get the X-acto knife out and carefully cut the areas that are still attached. You can put the design back on the mat to do this step.

Okay, now that your design is cut out, and quite nicely I might add...it's time to assemble it!

 For this basket, you will want to fold the sides first.

 Then glue down the reinforcing edge.

 Then curve the sides to "train" them into shape before glueing.

Put a dot of glue on each tab...a quick drying paper glue is what I suggest. This will get tacky fast and dry with a strong hold without warping the paper. FYI...Tombow Mono adhesive is latex based...so if you are allergic, choose another paper glue.

Clip or hold the tabs around the curve until set.

To clip the sides, insert the clip into the spaces that are between the leaves and pinch a tab and the basket side with the clip. There are only a few spaces on the sides that will fit a clip, so you can also pinch the front with the side as shown with the front middle clip in the picture above. It will warp the basket only for the time that it is pinched, then you can reshape it after the glue is set. You can also use your fingers.

Keep on gluing and clipping the sides to the front.

Now find the strips of paper for the basket handle. Please not the strip comes in three pieces. You can cut the basket smaller and just cut a single 3/4 X 12 inch strip of paper for the handle. However, I wanted to cut the basket at maximum size to show off the detail. If you have a silhouette portrait, you can resize this, to fit on an 8.5 X11 you will need to scale the design to 75%. You will want to cut the handle separately if working on a portrait so that you can maximize the design. The handle strip should measure approximately 3/4 X11 in that case.

Glue the handle pieces together.

Then glue the handle to the basket. You can hold this or clip it until set.

Bend the handle as shown above. (I've since added score lines here, I usually realize a couple of minor changes when I assemble a project for the first time...this is one of the changes that I made, so your design will have score lines for the fold here.)

Now pat yourself on the back! You did it! You cut a very detailed design and made a beautiful basket!

This basket will make a perfect table centerpiece!
-Samantha Walker