For the last Silhouette Challenge of the year, I made a Damask Reindeer print to add to my Christmas decorations.
How I did It
- Download the damask paper in a colour of your choice from the link provided in the resources below and open it in the Silhouette Software. (I used the red damask design in the print above but the step by steps show it in black damask – not trying to confuse you – honest!)
- Next, open a deer head design of your choice. I used one from my library that included other elements. (see resources for link) I ungrouped and deleted the parts of the design I didn’t need.
- Place the deer head on top of the damask pattern. To make it easy to see what you are doing, select the reindeer and fill with a contrasting colour to the damask design. Then move to the advanced options in the Fill Colour window and adjust the transparency so the damask is visible under the Reindeer.
- Move and resize the deer over the background until you are happy with the placement and fill pattern. I intentionally placed the nose of the deer on a coloured part of the background and the center of the deer head over a seam in the design. A flourish on the background gave the eye area some contour.Resize the damask or deer as desired to get it just right.
- When you’re happy with the placement select both the reindeer and pattern and in the modify window (the reindeer must be on top) select “crop”
- Ta Da! It’ll look similar to this………….
- Select the entire reindeer head and set to “no cut” in the cut settings. Resize and position as desired.
- Print out and trim manually to fit your frame. If you wish to trim with your Silhouette machine, turn on the registration marks and add a cutting box around the design in the appropriate size and treat as a Print And Cut design.
- This technique will work with any JPEG image you wish to use.
Here’s a reactive gold foil version. I followed the same steps as above, but the print out must be made with a laser printer and black ink. I ran it through my laminator with gold reactive foil. You can see a foil “step by step” in this project.
Resources
- I used the “deer pocket card” design from the Silhouette Design Store. Design ID #36245.
- Mel McCarthy of MelStampz is sharing damask digital paper that is perfect for this project here. And she’s done all the hard work and converted it into a myriad of different colours. Pick a colour – any colour!
Want to Check Out More Silhouette Projects?
My Silhouette Challenge buddies and I are all sharing projects on our blogs today, so peruse the projects below for a wealth of Silhouette inspiration!
1. Beauty in the Mess // 2. JustTyra // 3. Dream a Little Bigger // 4. Simply Kelly Designs // 5. The Stamp Doc // 6. From Wine to Whine // 7. TheKimSixFix // 8. unOriginal Mom // 9. HaberdasheryFun // 10. Tastefully Frugal // 11. Sisters, What! // 12. Small Stuff Counts // 13. Where The Smiles Have Been // 14. Whatcha Workin’ On? // 15. Designed Decor // 16. Architecture of a Mom // 17. Decor Adventures // 18. Create & Babble // 19. Tori Grant Designs // 20. Tried & True // 21. The Thinking Closet // 22.Creative Ramblings // 23. Get Silvered // 24. McCall Manor // 25. Cutesy Crafts // 26. Ginger Snap Crafts // 27. My Favorite Finds // 28. Cupcakes&Crowbars // 29. Pineapples & Pinecones // 30. The Crafting Nook // 31. It Happens in a Blink // 32. Alayna’s Creations
Silhouette Giveaway
And I’ve saved the best for last. My Silhouette Challenge buddies and I in partnership with Silhouette America are hosting a mega-huge giveaway for not one, not two…but three winners! The prizes up for grabs?
- First prize: Silhouette Cameo Machine & +50 bonus designs. $349.49 value.
- Second prize: Silhouette Mint Custom Stamp Maker. $129.99 value.
- Third prize: $50 Amazon Gift Card to put toward Silhouette supplies…or whatever is on your wish list!
{This giveaway runs from December 14th until Monday, December 21st 2015 at 11:59p eastern and is open to anyone 18 years of age or older with a U.S. or Canada mailing address. You can read the rest of the terms and conditions in the widget below.}
So cute!!! I thought I’ve tried everything with my Silhouette, and yet I’ve never done this!!! Thanks for the tutorial! I guess I know what I am working on tonight 🙂
Thanks Dee, so glad you like it 🙂
Wow.. This is amazing. Love the Damask paper idea! Great tutorial and the info provided very thorough.. Thanks for sharing! – Marni @ HaberdasheryFun
Thanks Marni. Glad you like it. The beauty is that it doesn’t just have to be a reindeer. The technique works with any shape.
Love the contrast between the rustic antlers and classy damask…the result is a completely different feel from either one of them alone. And thanks for alerting me to the damask papers! (PS How many of these did you make!?…red, black, gold…) :^)
Thanks Eff.
Aren’t those Damask papers so gorgeous? Actually – the end results remind me a little of a tattoo! Maybe time for me to buy some of that tattoo paper!
I only made 2 – the black one was covered up by the gold foil – I would have run out of wall space if I kept going although I was tempted – He He 🙂
Tattoo… Ha ha… Now that’s all I can see when I look at them. LOL. Did you deliberately place the head on the design to accentuate the nose and give the impression of eyes, or is that just the nature of the damask pattern. Very effective either way.
It wasn’t my intention at first but as soon as I had the reindeer head on top the pattern I noticed the possibilities and then I deliberately resized and moved it around to get that effect.
Hi Pam, it’s becoming more and more apparent that I NEED a silhouette and that I must be the only crafter in America without one. Keeping my fingers crossed that I’ll win one because I’d love to make that reindeer cameo….in damask! Are you kidding me? Could not be any better.
Thanks, Lynn
Ha Ha Lynn – Good luck in the giveaway.
In the meantime while you’re waiting – download the software anyway from Silhouette (it’s free) and then follow my tutorial – You can create the design in the software without the cutting machine, and cut it out with scissors instead of the machine.
If you get a machine later you’ll have had practice some with the software by the time it arrives.
WOW.. this is fabulous!!!
Thanks so much Helen.