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Can you use HTV on polyester, spandex and nylon?

July 28, 2021 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

using htv on polyester or spandex

This is a question I get asked all the time: "Since Heat Transfer Vinyl requires a high heat to apply it, can I use it on fabrics such as polyester, spandex and nylon?" I had the same questions as a beginner, because we've all heard you have to be … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Materials Tagged With: heat press, htv, nylon, polyester, spandex

Vertical painted and stained porch sign with contact paper stencil

June 11, 2021 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

contact paper stencil welcome sign

Lately, I've been sharing several lessons as I've been spiffing up my porch for spring. (Yes, for some of you it's already summer, but we are still having nights in the 40s here). I painted a door mat with our name using a freezer paper stencil. I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cutting, Designing, Materials, Projects Tagged With: contact paper, home decor, paint, projects, stencil, vinyl, wood sign

The trick to removing “baked on” vinyl

June 4, 2021 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

cracked baked on vinyl

Here I am again with another project for my front porch. I've already shown some custom-made layered letters I'm working on for a sign and my door mat. Once I had those up, I realized my address sign was looking pretty worn. (It's completely true … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Materials, Tips Tagged With: projects, vinyl

Personalized door mat with freezer paper stencil

May 20, 2021 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

personalized door mat

It was one of those "almost, but not quite" moments. My husband, noticing our front door mat was looking ratty, proudly brought home a new one. Only problem -- it wasn't exactly my ideal design. I had been planning to make a custom one. Famous last … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Materials, Projects Tagged With: door mat, freezer paper, home decor, paint, projects, stencil, vinyl

Top 3 tips for cutting paper

March 10, 2021 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

One of the most frequent questions I get is about how to have success cutting paper with Silhouette machines. If you struggle with getting a good cut without ripping, pulling or having it not quite cut through, you certainly aren't alone. That was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cutting, Materials Tagged With: blade, cardstock, cut settings, force, mat, paper, thickness

Unexpected surfaces to use HTV on

January 22, 2021 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

I gotta tell you -- HTV is probably my favorite material to cut. I rarely have to change my cut settings, don't have to use a mat (on pieces that are wide enough to fit under the rollers) and the plastic carrier holds everything in place really well. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Materials, Projects, Tips Tagged With: ceramic, glass, htv, leather, metal, projects, vinyl, wood

Understanding different types of vinyl

January 18, 2021 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

I get lots of questions about the differences in the numbers and brands of adhesive vinyl. The type and quality of your vinyl can make or break your project, so it's good to understand the differences. Today, I'm going to give you an overview of what … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Materials Tagged With: 631, 651, adhesive, oracal, vinyl

Top 2 reasons HTV doesn’t stick

December 16, 2020 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

If you've ever used heat transfer vinyl (HTV -- also known as heat transfer material), you've probably had trouble at least once with it not sticking, or falling off after a wash. You're not alone! This is a VERY common problem and the vast majority … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Materials, Tips Tagged With: htv, pressing pillows

My entry for Silhouette’s gift wrap contest

December 3, 2020 By Cindy Eckhoff 1 Comment

custom gift wrap with silhouette cameo

Recently, Silhouette America held a contest for their blog affiliates. The challenge was to come up with gift wrap and a gift tag. That's it -- that's all they gave us. We had free reign to do whatever we chose. The winning designs will be featured … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing, Materials, Projects, Tools and Accessories Tagged With: cardstock, christmas, crepe paper, Curio, flower, foil, foil quill, gift wrap, singe quill, tag, wood

First Steps in rotary blade: crepe paper dogwood flower

November 20, 2020 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

crepe paper dogwood flower

Have you heard about the crepe paper flower craze? For a relatively low cost, you can make beautiful, life-like flowers from crepe paper. Really -- you won't believe that aren't real. I'm not talking about the cheap-o kind of crepe paper used for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Materials, Projects, Tools and Accessories Tagged With: cameo 4, crepe paper, flower, projects, rotary blade

Etched acrylic shoe tags

August 25, 2020 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

etched acrylic shoe tag

This past weekend I attended a family wedding. The bride is well known for wearing Converse tennis shoes constantly. So, we decided to wear regular shoes to the ceremony and then change to our own Converse for the reception. Most of the females wore … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Machines, Materials, Projects Tagged With: acrylic, Curio, etching, projects, shoe tag

Tuesday quick tip: dealing with tiny pieces of weeded vinyl

July 7, 2020 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

Today's quick tip is one I used recently when creating a stencil from vinyl. I had a ton of little dots to weed away. Weeding isn't the problem -- it's what to do to corral all those little pieces once they are off. My solution? A lint … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Materials, Tips Tagged With: quick tip, vinyl, weeding

Vintage-look sign letter on acrylic

July 3, 2020 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

Our family room is decorated to express, well, our family. There's an old Disabled Vet license plate that was my dad's, a football, locker baskets with tags whose numbers are our old house numbers, an old Clue board of my mom's and more. For years … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Designing, Materials, Projects Tagged With: acrylic, paint, plexiglass, project, sign, stencil, vinyl

Frugal Friday: Ways to use leftover foils

May 29, 2020 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

I admit it -- I LOVE all things shiny! That's why I really like to use foil in my crafting. It's also why I have lots of leftover pieces of foil. I just hate to throw those pretty things away. If you're like me, then read on and I'll show you all … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Materials, Projects, Tips Tagged With: earrings, foil, frugal friday, htv, leather, projects, scraps

Wood tile message board

March 24, 2020 By Cindy Eckhoff Leave a Comment

Today I want to share with you how to make this cute little message board. I based it on one I saw at one of the craft stores. It wasn't super expensive there, but I was looking for an inexpensive craft I could do with a group of ladies. This message … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Materials, Projects Tagged With: letterboard, message board, projects, scraps, vinyl

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