In college I carved out a wood gavel for my hubby on a giant lathe and sculpted a bust of him from clay. I sewed Halloween costumes for my son and myself, macramed, crocheted, knitted, cross stitched, smocked, creweled and made dip and drape carolers. But somehow, when the serious business of life took over, I loss contact with that creative, crafty side of myself. And, you know what? I've missed it.
Imagine how excited I was when an e-mail arrived in my inbox recently from the company that makes the awesome Silhouette digital cutting tool, asking if I'd like to try their product. Plus, they would be willing to giveaway one to a reader of BNOTP! :)
I had to think about it...for a 1/2 second, before I said, HECK, YEAH! :) Before my machine arrived, I was already scheming about what my first project would be. Yesterday I shared a few updates I've made in my home office. See those baskets on the floor under the desk?
Today, the desk unit those baskets will go in will arrive, and when it does, I'll be ready to put those baskets to work thanks to my Silhouette. :)
Update: Unit arrived and here's how the office looks with it in place. Nice to get the baskets off the floor. :)
I had so much fun yesterday learning how to use this amazing machine. Is there anything better than seeing something you have dreamed up come to life? I had been puzzling for a while over just how I wanted to tag/label these baskets. My silhouette provided a cute solution.
This room will be a sewing and craft room, in addition to a home office.
I'll keep some of my oft used sewing supplies here in the top basket, so the tag reads, "Sew Fun."
This basket is tagged "Bee Crafty" since it will hold crafting supplies.
I used standard card stock, chose a graphic that came with my Silhouette, picked my favorite font and added the wording/phrase I thought up for my tags. After I cut the flowers on my Silhouette, I added little "bee" embellishments I already had to tie my flower tags in with the bee pillow in this room...
And with the bee push-pins on the bulletin board above.
It was so easy to make these tags. With the silhouette, you can add new cutting lines or take away the ones you don't want. I wanted the center of my flower to remain intact, but I wanted the wording I created to be cut out, so I could create a contrasting color behind it. I followed the simple instructions I found in the online manual to delete the cutting lines that would have removed the center of the flower and it came out just the way I wanted. :) Happy Girl!
The Silhouette comes with access to a library of cute graphics and the flower one I chose to use was included in that library. It also arrives with a $10 gift card tucked inside so you can purchase additional graphics right off the bat. There are hundreds and hundreds of awesome graphics in the Silhouette Online Store and most are only .99 cents. Once you purchase a graphic, it's yours to use over and over. I love all this virtual storage, makes it so easy to own all the graphics you need to create beautiful treasures like these below:
Do you love scrap booking?
I'm busting to try my hand at making my own custom greeting cards.
Isn't this about the cutest thing ever???
Silhouette even has heat transfer material that will allow you to customize jeans.
Or, a shirt!
What a great way to turn a t-shirt into something really fashionable. You won't see yourself coming and going when you're designing your own clothing!
So, if you've lost your crafting groove over the years, or if you would just like to take it to another level, here's your chance! Move over Stella, it's our turn now. ;)
AWESOME SILHOUETTE GIVEAWAY: Kick your crafting groove in high gear!
Silhouette is generously giving away a Silhouette Digital Cutting Tool and Heat Transfer Bundle valued at $329.99 to a BNOTP reader. The winner will be chosen by a Random Number Generator.
In addition to the giveaway, Silhouette is giving BNOTP readers who purchase this bundle a great discount. With the promo code, NAPS, this $329 bundle is discounted to $219 and includes: a Silhouette Cutting Machine and 3 rolls of heat transfer material (savings of over 125 dollars!) So if you don't win or don't want to wait to see if you win, use the code NAPS to receive your discount.
You can read more about this offer HERE. This promo code is only valid from May 17th through Tuesday, May 25th.
Do you already own a Silhouette? With the promo code, NAPS, you get 25% off all heat transfer material.
How to enter the Giveaway: There are lots of ways to enter!
I'll be using a Random Number Generator for the Giveaway so increase your chances of winning by entering any or all of the following ways:
1. Leave a comment on this post.
2. For a Second Entry: Visit the Silhouette site HERE, check out their awesome graphics and products, then leave a comment on THIS post with something you would love to try on your own Silhouette machine.
3. For a Third Entry: Like Silhouette on Facebook HERE. Be sure to mention your participating in the Giveaway with Between Naps on the Porch. Don't forget to leave a second comment on THIS post since I'll be using a random number generator to select the winner.
4. For a Fourth Entry: Tweet or Post about this giveaway on your Facebook wall with a link back to the giveaway post and leave a comment on THIS post letting me know for your additional entry.
5. For a Fifth Entry: Mention this giveaway in a blog post with a link back to this post. (Again, please leave a comment on this post.
Giveaway ends midnight, Monday, May 23rd.
(Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents due to shipping restrictions.)