What's new

Questions ladies.....

DixieDoesPSP

DixieDoesPSP

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 10, 2012
Messages
1,504
1. I want to get a cutter thingy for Christmas...Ya know like the Silhouette or something like that.. What do you ladies recommend? I want to be able to use it with my goodies I get here.

2. Is there a good tutorial for creating shadows on Vellum? **This vellum stuff is driving me insane.
Oh wow I had a third question and it just went plum out of my head.......
Yeah guess that means I need more coffee...
:shrug:madness:banghead
3. Do you ladies use a laminator with your hybrid projects if so what do you use?https://the-lilypad.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/
 
Last edited:
I have a Silhouette. It's the only one I have experience with that you can use whatever files you want. If there are others, I don't know anything about them so I can't compare, but I have no complaints about the Silhouette. It's easy to use and does what it says on the tin.

1) Put the shadow on its own layer.
2) Load selection on the vellum layer.
3) Go down to the shadow layer.
4) Hit delete.

I only laminate if there's a reason to. Most hybrid projects there is not. I doubt the one I got is available in the US but it's nothing special. They're cheap and they still work. :)
 
I have a Silhouette Cameo and have really liked it. Before that, I had a Cricut Expression. It was an older model and I could only really use their cartridges with it. Cricut has come out with some new machines recently that I think are similar to the Silhouette. There are a few other manufacturers as well for die cutting machines, but I do not have experience with them. I'd google it and read reviews to see what might interest you.

For vellum, I use One Little Bird's Shadow Styles. I often adjust the opacity a bit but it is a great quick start.

I do a fair number of hybrid projects and I do not laminate anything. Certain projects, especially ones for kids, could probably benefit from laminating but I don't bother. ;)https://the-lilypad.com//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/
 
Last edited:
Thanks ladies I was leaning toward the silhouette. I didn't know you could only use cartridges on the cricut. Glad to know that. I really want to be able to print downloads from here so that's a no go.
 
I received a cricut two years ago and hardly use it. I would like to have a cutter that would allow me to design my own, which sounds like the silhouette, unless the fancier cricuts may, in which case perhaps replacing my really old (original 001 model!) one.

What Lorry said about deleting pixels. Also, just Jaimee storyteller reed had shadow styles, which includes tape/vellum shadow.

Laminating... there are cheaper ones at Walmart/target/the like, or staples/office max/etc.
I actually haven't gotten one yet. If the kids need something laminated for durability, I use contact paper, which is found by the shelf liner in grocery stores. Depends on what you're laminating. Those clear page protectors work for creating dry erase surfaces.
 
I have a Silhouette as well (the smaller one), and I honestly never use it. I don't have a lot of desk space so have to get it out and set it up every time. And it doesn't always cut right which is frustrating for me (user problem, I'm sure). That said, I do a ton of hybrid and usually just print things out on cardstock and cut them by hand. Actually faster for me :)

re: a laminator... I have a cheap one from Staples, I think, and use it quite a bit. Not for hybrid pages necessarily, but for elements and bookmarks and lots of random stuff. It also has to be dragged out each time, but is much easier and satisfying to use, IMO.
 
I also own the Silhouette Portrait and I LOVE it. The first time I used it to print and cut (nothing like jumping in with both feet) and I had a little trouble, but once I figured it out, I use it all the time and I don't even paper scrap! Lol! I made cards with it at first, then I've used it for numerous school projects for the kids and now I've been using it to make my own stencils for my art journaling and to cut out bits to put in my art journaling projects.
 
I use OLB's vellum shadow all the time too. But If I am in the mood to do it up a little more fancy I do it very similar to Melanie's tutorial ... check this out
https://the-lilypad.com/forums/show...ransparencies?highlight=melanie+shadow+vellum

I have wanted the Silhouette Portrait for a long time and when I started doing hybrid planner pages this past summer I was seriously considering hitting the buy button but JenE and Sarah talked me out of getting it ... and I'm kind of glad bc I don't have the time for it anyway. I'm lucky to get enough digi scrapbook pages done these days. But if you think you would play around and use it often I would go for it!
 
jenn mccabe said:
I use OLB's vellum shadow all the time too. But If I am in the mood to do it up a little more fancy I do it very similar to Melanie's tutorial ... check this out
https://the-lilypad.com/forums/show...ransparencies?highlight=melanie+shadow+vellum

I have wanted the Silhouette Portrait for a long time and when I started doing hybrid planner pages this past summer I was seriously considering hitting the buy button but JenE and Sarah talked me out of getting it ... and I'm kind of glad bc I don't have the time for it anyway. I'm lucky to get enough digi scrapbook pages done these days. But if you think you would play around and use it often I would go for it!
Click to expand...
I think this is an MPM subscription post? Tapatalk wouldn't let me view it. Could be the app, or idk.
 
It's an MPM post indeed Kristina!
I have bought shadow styles a long time ago and it has a vellum setting. I just click that and done! I mihgt be able to figure out where I got it from.

And that's all I can add to this post.
 
I laminate often (kindergarten Homeschool) . I bought a fellows laminator from Costco. And I buy the knockoff cheap laminator sheets off Amazon. They work great for my needs, and I haven't noticed a difference from the Scotch ones. Just make sure you get the right weight if you are looking for a specific thickness.
 
Wow you ladies all have great additions to this thread. I am so into all the little gadgets and such. I could definitely see me using this to help Wyatt with school projects etc etc. For example he has to do a book every week as extra credit for his class. I see it as fun but he see's it as a pain. I bet if I had this and used it to help him he would enjoy it more.
 
Ha Ha Okay now we have a cute little blonde frog running around the pad? Now I hope this is not Bart's girlfriend because if she is we need to have a long chat about Bart's loose ways. Ha Ha Ha
 
bestcee said:
I laminate often (kindergarten Homeschool) . I bought a fellows laminator from Costco. And I buy the knockoff cheap laminator sheets off Amazon. They work great for my needs, and I haven't noticed a difference from the Scotch ones. Just make sure you get the right weight if you are looking for a specific thickness.
Click to expand...

OH, that reminds me. My laminator definitely works best with the same name brand sheets. I made the mistake of buying a different brand b/c they were cheaper and every time I use them I get bubbles. Drives me NUTS but sadly I have 60 sheets to go through b/f I will buy more, LOL. Pretty sure my laminator is Scotch. And the Scotch sheets work MUCH better than the ones I bought (they were not even knock-offs, just a different brand). That's my experience anyway.
 
jenevang said:
OH, that reminds me. My laminator definitely works best with the same name brand sheets. I made the mistake of buying a different brand b/c they were cheaper and every time I use them I get bubbles. Drives me NUTS but sadly I have 60 sheets to go through b/f I will buy more, LOL. Pretty sure my laminator is Scotch. And the Scotch sheets work MUCH better than the ones I bought (they were not even knock-offs, just a different brand). That's my experience anyway.
Click to expand...
My scotch laminator died after less than a year, and I hadn't used it very much. My mom's did the same, and I hated the bubble thing. I ended up spending about $10 more on this laminator, and it's held up way better! And it doesn't care what brand laminator sheets I use, no bubbles!
 
bestcee said:
My scotch laminator died after less than a year, and I hadn't used it very much. My mom's did the same, and I hated the bubble thing. I ended up spending about $10 more on this laminator, and it's held up way better! And it doesn't care what brand laminator sheets I use, no bubbles!
Click to expand...

good to know! I like knock-off supplies when they work well. I may have to try that brand if my scotch dies :)
 
Back
Top