This month I wanted to experiment some more with my sketch pens and try out multiple colours on one project.
I made some faux stitched speech bubbles that I could use as elements for cards or to decorate gift wrap.
Here’s a basic “how I did it” and a few tips I discovered along the way. Links to the files are down the page a bit!
- Each speech bubble is grouped together to make it easy to resize or move. The design will have to be ungrouped to change the cut settings.
- For a multi colour design, colour in the cut file using the fill bucket and/or the Line Colour Tools in theStudio Software with the colours you wish to use. This helps avoid confusion when you are adjusting the cut settings before sketching out.
- When you’re ready to sketch, replace the blade with your pen (I used black first) and load your paper and cutting mat into your machine. Important: Do not unload again until you have finished the entire project including sketching & cutting.
- I selected the entire page and in the Cut Setting window and set everything to “No Cut”. Then I selected just the parts of the page that were to be sketched in black and reset them to “Cut”. This seemed quicker than doing it the other way around.
- Send it to the Silhouette for cutting. In the Silhouette Cut setting window select ” Sketch Pen”
Here it is after the black areas have been sketched.
- Now switch the pens for the next colour. As before, change the entire page to “No Cut” and then choose just the bits to be sketched in the new colour and set them to “Cut” You may have to ungroup parts of the design eg: The word Hello above was in two colours so I had to ungroup the whole word to choose the letters individually. If your word is all the same colour there’s no need to ungroup.
Here’s a progress shot – so far I’ve sketched in Black, Red, Green & Blue and just have Orange, Purple & Pink to go. I used every colour in the starter pack except the Yellow 🙂
It didn’t all go smoothly though. No idea why but for some reason the pen skipped a few random spots. (below) I just re sketched those parts of the design. Fortunately the second time around it covered up the skipped bits too. ( Lately, I’ve tried “double cut” and the second pass of the pen usually picks up any missed bits.)
- When you’ve finished all the sketching, replace the pen with the blade ready for cutting. adjust your cut settings. This time you only want the outlines set to “Cut” everything else should be on “No Cut” It should look something like this:
The font I used is called Print Clearly. I really like it with the sketch pens.
Want to make these speech bubbles? You can download my Silhouette Studio File below.
The basic file – choose your own colours etc
The coloured file – the same as my samples
The coloured file can be used as a “Print & Cut” if you don’t have sketch pens. Just adjust the line Style settings of the parts to be printed to 0.75 thickness and leave the outside cut line at 0.00 – then Print & Cut as usual.
Want to Check Out More Silhouette Projects?
This post is part of “The Silhouette Challenge” where fellow bloggers participate in a monthly challenge to create a new project with their Silhouette Machine.
Please check out the links below to see what everyone else has created in the last month.
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
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
Fussy Cutting Making You Fussy? by My Paper Craze
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
This project linked up at Silhouette Challenges
Cuteness!
Thanks Stephanie 🙂 They’re fun aren’t they?
So cute!! Pinning to my “gift ideas” board.
Thanks Meredith, I love pins!
Stopping over from the Silhouette Challenge.
Your speech bubbles are so stinkin’ cute!! This project makes me want to splurge on a pen holder, right now!
Much Love,
Trisha D.
Thanks Trisha, I did these with the sketch pens so there’s no need for a holder. I did just get a holder though but I’m yet to try it out.
Love it! I ordered the sketch pens but haven’t had the chance to play with them yet. I’ll try your idea, thanks.
I’m sure you’ll have lots of fun with them Glenna. I love mine!
These turned out so cute! I love the font!
Thanks Tori. Yes, I’ve used this font a lot – it’s very versatile.
This is awesome! I really need to stop dragging my feet and try using my sketch pens. Maybe next month!
Thanks for visiting Randi. The pens are fun!
Fantastic idea. Congrats. They all look great.
Helen
Thanks Helen 🙂
These are so cute! I love the “stitching”!
Thanks Jessica. The only type of “sewing” i do these days 😉
Adorable! I love the font you picked. I guess I need to get some of those pens now!
Thanks Alecia. the pens are great but you can always Print and cut the designs in the meantime.
Yes, the font choice is great for this project – – and as a speech bubble fanatic (I use them as much as possible), I’m a big fan! The faux stitching adds a sweet dose of whimsy. Thanks for offering up a free cut file, too! Schweet! 😉
P.S. I, too, do double cut with my sketch pens, and it seems to cover any skipped marks quite well.
Thanks Lauren. Yes, that font is great for sketching or printing but lousy for cutting 🙂
What cute bubble cards.
Thanks for linking up. over at Silhouette Challenges
Have a creative day.
Nana
Love it! thanks for playing along with our challenge at Silhouette Challenges!!! Lee-Ann 🙂
Thanks Lee-Ann – The challenges are always fun!
Thanks for the great instructions, pictures and files. I bought the sketch pens but have yet to use them and now I see it looks easy. Great job sharing your talents!
Thanks Erika, My pleasure – glad you found me here 🙂 The sketch pens are lots of fun to use – I don’t get mine out often enough 🙂
Wow, Pam, I really love this tutorial! I have yet to try sketch pens in my Silhouette, so maybe this will get me to venture out a little! Thanks so much for sharing!
Super cute cards! You did a great job with the faux stitching feature.
Thanks for linking up over at Silhouette Challenges
Have a creative day.
Pam
I like the project and the instructions. Thanks for sharing.