Calligraphic Kitties

I have been playing around with an Apple Pen on my iPad. I was working to create animals with simple lines. In the end I had to switch to Adobe Illustrator on my computer but I did successfully create a series of sketches. The first batch is of kitties and I created the following 4 files:

The possible uses of these are many. I have never used vinyl but I would love one of the mandala designs on a t-shirt with real bows stitched on. Attempting a vinyl project with my Silhouette is still on to to-do list. I know I should but I am a paper crafter at heart.  And so with paper I first made a shadow box with the mandala.

And then I made a series of note cards. The creative possibilities here are endless. I'd love see what you can do with your paper stash to create some greeting cards with these files.

I also continue to expand my video tutorial skills as I made another video, this time on creating the mandala shadow box.

Cutting Files are here: http://3dcuts.com/mandalas/calligraphic-kitties

Tutorial is here:http://3dcuts.com/calligraphic-kitties-tutorial

Make this Illuminated Forest Scene with Grazing Deer

My first project this fall was to revisit the star shaped shadow box. I first used this for a Nativity last Christmas but I knew then it was perfect for a deer scene. The deer scene market is better earlier in the fall so I held off until this September. I am very pleased with the results.

Not only is the subject matter new but I also updated the construction techniques. I engineered a new interior side brace that holds the layers in their proper positions and helps you align them as you construct. The brace looks like the left image and the center stack held together by the braces is on the right.

Additionally I have started using a new type of illumination. Instead of the Tea lights I used a string of LED fairy lights. There are 20 on a flexible wire and they are much easier to design around. The are commonly available. I got mine from Amazon here......

I hope to be using these in more projects because I like how one switch turns 20 lights on/off. 

And am trying being an Amazon affiliate. We'll see if that works or if it is just a bother.

To Purchase:

• The file is available at my 3DCuts store here:
• And as always I have put together a great tutorial here.

Happy crafting everyone!

Marji

3dcuts.com

Halloween Svg Files for 2016

Oh, I have been having fun with designs for Halloween this year. The following files have been made available over at the store.

Haunted Ladders - Decorating for Halloween

• Cutting file available for purchase and download  for $1.99
• Tutorial is online here.

As a companion project I also design the Haunted Casket which can be displayed either vertically or horizontally. Optional LED tea lights can be inserted inside to add an internal spooky glow.

Haunted Caskets - with LED Tea Light

• Cutting file available here for purchase and download  for $1.99
• Tutorial is online here.

I also create a series of spider web files to 12 x12 card stock. These are available for 99¢ here

I hope you have fun creating centerpieces and spooky mantle arrangements for your holiday decor. Please share any photos you have. I'd love to see your creations.  You can share them on Facebook, or pinterest or send them to me at marji@3dcuts.com.

Happy crafting everyone!

Birch Shadow Boxes available in SVG - Finally!

Birch Shadow Box Cutting files are now available at 3dcuts. com Store

My file generating the most requests has been one of the very first I designed for the Silhouette store. It was designed for a very specific long skinny wall in my laundry room. It is one of my favorites as well and I finally have transferred it to SVG, pdf and dxf formats.

It took a while because my designing skills have improved and I wanted to re-do all of the engineering of this project. The boxes fit together much more closely and I have added the cut numbers to help identifying layers and locations. It makes following the directions much easier.

The file can be purchased here:

http://www.3dcuts.com/shadow-boxes-nature-themes/birch-shadow-box-in-4-parts

You can check out the tutorial before you buy here:

http://www.3dcuts.com/tutorial-birch-tree-shadow-box-1

For those of you with no cutting machine - consider this file as one that can be completed by hand cutting. Just use the pdf files. I'd probably have the lines of the tree back come into a straight point but the rest is very easy cutting.

Calligraphic Word Mobiles - A New Idea

It has been a busy design week for me.  This was one of those ideas that came to me in the shower, and by mid morning I had my first completed project, and a new concept to boot.

And then, by the end of the week I had expanded it to a series of designs plus an eBook!  The beauty of this idea is that it works for any word or name. You take that name, make and interesting design with the letters in it, reflect it, weld it and cut 6, The end result is a stunning mobile appropriate for many uses.

Because Valentine's Day is approaching, I started with a couple of designs for the holiday, some with LED candles and some without.

And  one for the best celebration of all - Birthdays!

I knew the possibilities were endless, so instead of trying to create them all, I instead wrote an eBook for you so you can do it yourself! It is a 17 page, step-by-step guide with pictures showing you exactly how to use the Design Studio software for the Silhouette to design your own Calligraphic Word Mobiles! 

I have put together 3 bundles:

• eBook only with supporting files and Assembly instructions - $1.99
• Cutting Files Bundle - includes the Friend, Love, Kiss and Happy Birthday cutting files in SVG,PDF and DXF format. $2.99
• Complete Bundle includes the eBook plus all the cutting files for just $3.49

All are available here in my store. http://www.3dcuts.com/calligraphic-word-mobiles

I hope you will try some designs and share them. Send photos!

Happy crafting!

Advent Calendar Tree • A New Design

It is no secret I love a design with good graphic elements. Combine that with nifty paper engineering and I am a happy camper.  I am very please with my newest design - a variation on the classic Advent Calendar.

This tree standing 17" tall and is easily constructed of 15 green paper triangle shapes that slide together. Place a small red triangular box filled with a treasure into each space. Start the count down to Christmas on December 1st.

The design of this unit makes this an easy project to complete. I have an extensive on line tutorial here with easy-to-follow step by step instructions.

Use your own creativity and paper choices to modify this design. I have made two variations so far!

• The cutting file is available here at 3dcuts.com.
• The step-by-step tutorial is online here but also provided in PDF format in the download.

Happy Christmas crafting everyone!

New Buildings for Tea Light Village

Finally, Tea Light Village has expanded.  Today I added a Cape Cod style cottage with center chimney and a school house with cupola to the buildings.  I also designed a winter maple tree to add variety to the village.  All files are available over at the store here.

Add standard LED tea lights and watch the village glow warmly with holiday cheer.

These tiny buildings are a great way to introduce yourself to 3D files. They are simple to construct and come with complete instructions.  After you have created the first set for your home, make more. They make great gifts.

Happy crafting!

Halloween Prep • Haunted Ledge Village

The haunted series of Ledge Village buildings and accessories makes a perfect mantle, shelf or Ledge Halloween display. It is small and each part fits on 8.5 x 11" card stock. The mansion is about 6.5" tall and less than 1" deep. The cottage is about 4" tall. This series was first introduced last year on the Silhouette Online store with just the tower mansion, a tree, a bat and a tombstone. This year I have expanded on the series to include a haunted cottage with boarded up windows, a casket that opens to reveal the creepy skeletal remains of some long departed soul, a rickety fence with scary black cat, and a different haunted tree.  I keep adding trees to my groupings because they really spark up the Ledge Village displays.

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I redesigned the mansion to include a few structural changes, more for ease of construction. I also did a better job with the spider web detail on the corner of the porch. I am especially please with the casket and skeleton cutting file.

The group of haunted files is available as one download for $3.99 here in my downloads store.

There are 4 step-by-step tutorials which you can review before purchase here. And you will find that construction of this project is quick and easy! It won't take from now to Halloween to complete!

Have fun making it and be sure to share photos with me.