Silhouette #3 • Lacy Trees

I am starting to get the hang of my new Silhouette cutting tool. I am exploring more of the software tools and learning as I go. My third project is based on a simply beautiful design I found on Pinterest and had saved in my Christmas Ideas folder. I used the shared .pdf template from Ninuska, learned how to import it into the Silhouette software and transfer it to cutting lines to create this lacy Christmas Tree in white card stock.

And then I made two more........

Aren't they stunning?

The design of the lace pattern is not mine but offered for download on the Ninuska blog here. The craft person demonstrating cuts this beautiful design out by hand and if you don't have a cutting machine, you can as well. Gotta say, I am glad I have a cutting machine!

Source: Ninuskan Blog

What I did with the design was to download the pdf at the above site. I then opened it in photoshop and filled the outline with black. 

I didn't do that first time round though. There was a learning process of course. I opened the file within the Silhouette software, investigated in the help files how to trace an imported design. I followed them and came up with the following cutting pattern. Notice how each line is outlined on both sides? That translates into every line being cut twice with a slight space between them.

I was fairly sure this wasn't what I wanted. I played with the various trace settings and couldn't get it to read the black lines as a single cut line. I decided to try the cut anyhow and see what happened. Yup, the tree cut but there were all these double cuts leaving a filigree ribbon.

After a little Googling I decided the shape need to be filled with black. After exploring the different tools in Silhouette and being unsuccessful in filling the shape, I opened the pdf in Photoshop and filled it with black. The trace command worked beautifully with the default settings and I cut out two trees using the Silhouette. MUCH faster than with an exacto knife!

My skill at separating the paper from the mat has improved and I didn't experience the tearing problems I had on the first project. I don't pull the paper off. Instead, using the little chisel tool that came with the cutter, I pry it up from the bottom side. I sneak the plastic chisel under and the paper lifts.

The other change is I arrange my paper and the mat so the feeder rolls don't press on the paper but instead track on the edges of the mat.

I cut two identical trees and then, using my sewing machine, I stitched them together right up the center.

I folded them along the stitched seam on both sides to create a standing tree.

Using the re-sizing tools built in to the Silhouette software, I reduced the pattern, cut two trees, reduced it again and cut two more. This created three trees of different sizes.

The display potential of these delicate trees is endless.

Right now I have them on the coffee table between the sofa and the wood stove. There! My first Christmas decoration is in place. 

I think I need to build a fire. It is snowing outside. Time to sit, enjoy a fire, some hot chocolate and admire the trees, both inside and out!

Previous posts of interest:

• Silhoutte Learning • Jar Labels
• Silhouette Beginnings • Learning How
• Paper Christmas Tree Ideas
• DIY Christmas Card 2011
• Three Decades of Handmade Christmas Cards

©2012 Ashbee Design, Marji Roy

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