Fussy Cutting Making You Fussy?

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Special Edition: Fussy Cutting Making You Fussy?

Good Morning and welcome to another Special Edition post, brought to you by your favorite bloggers!  This week we are participating in the monthly Silhouette Challenge Group post — which is sure to be bursting with ideas and inspiration!

The inspiration for today’s post comes from our complete lack of patience for fussy cutting.  In case we have any newbies here today, fussy cutting is cutting out a shape or image with scissors or a craft knife.  We used to run into this a lot with our paper crafts that used stamps.  So what do you need fussy cutting for?  Well, being able to cut out stamps and images allows you to add dimension and extra character to your project, such as using 3D dots.  There are sets available that come with a die specifically made for that stamp, but not nearly enough to make an entire collection out of them (darn!).  Well, happy day, we have found a solution.  Allow us to demonstrate using a method developed for clear stamp sets that turned out to be quite simple.

The first step is scanning the acetate sheet that comes with your stamp set.  This is usually a thin plastic or printed paper that demonstrates what the stamps will look like.  We have chosen the Wicked stamp set from Close To My Heart.  If you don’t have an acetate sheet, you can simply stamp your image onto a sheet of paper (using dark ink) and scan (be sure to let it dry!).

So once you have the images scanned and saved to your computer, import the images into the Silhouette Studio software.  If you are not familiar with how to do this, check out all the wonderful tutorials on YouTube for a quick lesson.  We’ll wait here while you check them out.  Back already?  Okay, let’s proceed.  So now you have the images imported into Silhouette Studio, simply use the TRACE function to create the cut lines.  Once you have the cut lines, select the entire “stamp” area and create an OFFSET.  Again, if you are unfamiliar with either of these processes, check out YouTube.  Tip: when creating your OFFSET, remember that the thinner you have your settings on, the more careful you’ll have to be when stamping your image.

Now that you have your offset, you can move it to the side and delete the cut lines you created.  You don’t need these, only the offset.  Once you have your offset cut line set up on your page and ready to cut, feel free to cut away!

Some additional tips we have learned along the way…

• Matching stamp and die sets are still the easiest way to go AND they are portable when you go to crafting events.
• This method is also great for when you have a matching die, but want to create a layered look.
• Remember to save all of your stamp die cuts to your library so you can use them again for your next project!

Once you get done with the initial setup, using this feature to match your stamps is super easy!  It will help you add so much more than a “plain” stamp to your projects!  Here’s an example of what we were able to do using this shortcut…

So what will you be able to do using this alternative method to fussy cutting?  Do you have any other great ideas or tips to share with your fellow crafters?  We’d sure love to hear them!

And if you’d like to check out some more Silhouette creations, here’s a collection of projects by my Silhouette Challenge buddies… they always have fabulous ideas!

Crafting with Glitter Just Got Easier by Create & Babble

Birthday Invitations Homer Simpson Style by Black & White Obsession

DIY Planner Dividers by The House on Hillbrook

3D Haunted Forest by Chicken Scratch NY

Pumpkins and Peacocks Fall Mantel by joy & gladness of heart

DIY Cheers Garland by Rain on a Tin Roof

Wedding Gift Wrapping by It Happens in a Blink

Glitter Monogrammed Pumpkin by unOriginal Mom

Halloween Family Rules by Tried & True

Faux Stitched Speech Bubbles by Get Silvered Craft

A Mario Bros. Backsplash by Please Excuse My Craftermath…

Halloween Spooky Eye Luminaries by A Tossed Salad Life

Addressing Invitations with a Silhouette Cameo by My Favorite Finds

Halloween Party Treat Bags by The Thinking Closet

“Create” Wooden Pallet by Lil’ Mrs. Tori

Spooky Halloween Bats Garland by TitiCrafty

Decorated Pumpkins by Tanya’s Creative Space

Cute Wedding Card by Zanaree

Learn to Tie Your Shoes by From Wine to Whine

Cut Fabric With Your Silhouette by Cutesy Crafts

Cookie Lee Jewelry’ Gift Bags with a Purpose: Sharing Thankfulness by An Elegant Touch

Halloween Banner by Sowdering About

Interested in joining us for our group posting event next month? We’d love to have you.  Simply fill out the new member request form, and Lauren from The Thinking Closet will get you squared away.

Thanks for stopping by today!  We are (once again) entering this fabulous card into a few challenges.  Be sure to check out the other wonderful participants to see what they can inspire within you!

DL.ART Thankful Thursday October Linky Challenge

 2 Creative Chicks Spooktacular Linky Party

 Inspire Me Fridays #124

 Sunday Funday #14

Craftin’ Boutique Challenge #11

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Tagged: Card, cardmaking, Challenge, cut, fussy, group, halloween, silhouette, tutorial, witch