Also suitable for printing and hanging on your fridge to help keep you focused on what's important. Heck, if you've got the skills, make it into a magnet!
But, if it doesn't help you, drop it! ;-)
Showing posts with label Quotes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quotes. Show all posts
Friday, August 31, 2012
Vision board motto (Free printable)
One of my favorite quotes by C.S. Lewis. Taken in or out of context it has so much truth to it. And so applicable for a Pinterest Vision Board, wouldn't you say?
Also suitable for printing and hanging on your fridge to help keep you focused on what's important. Heck, if you've got the skills, make it into a magnet!
But, if it doesn't help you, drop it! ;-)
Also suitable for printing and hanging on your fridge to help keep you focused on what's important. Heck, if you've got the skills, make it into a magnet!
But, if it doesn't help you, drop it! ;-)
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Wisdom
"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that."
Albus Dumbledore - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Albus Dumbledore - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Marriage Advice Printable
When Kevin and I got married we received an 8x10 framed copy of a "Recipe for 'A Happy Marriage." After my Seinfeld post last week I was reminded of that recipe (which we have hanging in our kitchen) and decided to re-vamp and share it. I've actually seen several other versions of this same idea but I think it bears repeating.
Click. Save. Print.
This printable is formatted for a 4x6 card. You can try printing it larger but the quality won't be as good.
Digital scrapbook elements found at ShabbyPrincess.com - Holiday Recipe Collection
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mothers' Day Song
My husband has a long time good friend who, every Mothers' Day since I met him 5 years ago, never fails to mention his frustration at the hymns chosen for church that day.
It's not that he dislikes the songs that are chosen, he just gets a little irritated that one particular song is not chosen.
I think that most likely the title itself takes it out of the running for any chorister who maybe doesn't know the lyrics. However, he firmly believes there is no better song to sing on Mothers' Day because it is the one and only hymn that mentions Heavenly Mother.
So, to perhaps put his mind at ease (probably not though) for this one Mothers' Day, the hymn -
O My Father
O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?
For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.
I had learned to call thee Father,
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But, until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav'ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I've a mother there.
When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.
Text: Eliza R. Snow
(Emphasis added)
It's not that he dislikes the songs that are chosen, he just gets a little irritated that one particular song is not chosen.
I think that most likely the title itself takes it out of the running for any chorister who maybe doesn't know the lyrics. However, he firmly believes there is no better song to sing on Mothers' Day because it is the one and only hymn that mentions Heavenly Mother.
So, to perhaps put his mind at ease (probably not though) for this one Mothers' Day, the hymn -
O My Father
O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?
For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, "You're a stranger here,"
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.
I had learned to call thee Father,
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But, until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav'ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I've a mother there.
When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I've completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.
Text: Eliza R. Snow
(Emphasis added)
Friday, May 6, 2011
In Honor of Mother's Day
(I couldn't find a title or an author for this, it's been going around the web for years. If you know for sure who wrote it let me know, I'd love to give them credit.)
Untitled
Author Unknown
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family. "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for child care, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine.
That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of Independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a ceasarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honour.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.
I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.
"You'll never regret it," I finally say.
Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. The blessed gift of God - and that of being a Mother.
P.S. Yes, Kevin, I fall in love with you every time you reach for the baby powder. (So I love you a lot.) ~Amy
Untitled
Author Unknown
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family. "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for child care, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right. I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine.
That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of Independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.
That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a ceasarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honour.
My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time.
I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.
"You'll never regret it," I finally say.
Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. The blessed gift of God - and that of being a Mother.
P.S. Yes, Kevin, I fall in love with you every time you reach for the baby powder. (So I love you a lot.) ~Amy
Friday, April 29, 2011
Printable Foldable Mothers' Day Cards
I wanted these cards to be quick and easy to make for any forgetful child (of any age) or husband who happens to hop online at the last minute looking for something to give the mama. So I've included the full page sheets formatted to be printed on 8.5x11 printer paper and folded in the quarter fold card style.
Of course if you've found this post ahead of time and want to get down and dirty with some cutesy, scrapbook-esque card making, by all means reformat my little project anyway you see fit.
Digi-Scrapbooking elements used are from:
-Winkart Graphics and Kiss This Designs. Found in Rakscraps Nov 2010 Megakit
-Shabby Princess Designs Festival Collection
Quarter fold instructions
 |
Not overly elegant but it will give you something to sign your name to in about 60 seconds flat. It's the thought that counts, even if that thought is in the wee hours of Mother's Day morning.
Of course if you've found this post ahead of time and want to get down and dirty with some cutesy, scrapbook-esque card making, by all means reformat my little project anyway you see fit.
Generic Mothers' Day Card
Full 8.5x11 foldable sheet
From Husband to Wife on Mothers' Day
Full 8.5x11 foldable sheet
 |
Mildly Humorous Mothers' Day Card
Full 8.5x11 foldable sheet
Digi-Scrapbooking elements used are from:
-Winkart Graphics and Kiss This Designs. Found in Rakscraps Nov 2010 Megakit
-Shabby Princess Designs Festival Collection
Monday, April 25, 2011
Temple Observation
I found this sweet blog post through the Atlanta Temple's facebook page. It's written by a woman of the Catholic faith who went on the Temple tour a couple of weeks ago. I love how respectful and appreciative she is. It made me think of the experience I had as a tour guide and how special that was for me. It was so sweet to have the opportunity to welcome people to the Lord's house on His behalf. I really felt like my job was to say a few words and then get out of the way so they could just soak up as much of the Temple beauty and spirit as possible. I was nervous but I knew the more I just relaxed and let the Spirit do His thing, the better the tour would be. This song sums up that feeling nicely I think:
Friday, April 15, 2011
Quote of the Day
"Because we are being constantly exposed to the world's definition of greatness, it is understandable that we might make comparisons between what we are and what others are-or seem to be-and also between what we have and what others have. Although it is true that making comparisons can be beneficial and may motivate us to accomplish much good and to improve our lives, we often allow unfair and improper comparisons to destroy our happiness when they cause us to feel unfulfilled or inadequate or unsuccessful. Sometimes, because of these feelings, we are led into error and dwell on our failures while ignoring aspects of our lives that may contain elements of true greatness.
"In 1905, President Joseph F. Smith made this most profound statement about true greatness:
" 'Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual may make history, but they do not make real life.
" 'After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all mankind, is the truest greatness. To be a successful father or a successful mother is greater than to be a successful general or a successful statesman.' (Juvenile Instructor, 15 Dec. 1905, p. 752.)"
--Howard W. Hunter, "What Is True Greatness?" Ensign, Sept. 1987, 70
"In 1905, President Joseph F. Smith made this most profound statement about true greatness:
" 'Those things which we call extraordinary, remarkable, or unusual may make history, but they do not make real life.
" 'After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all mankind, is the truest greatness. To be a successful father or a successful mother is greater than to be a successful general or a successful statesman.' (Juvenile Instructor, 15 Dec. 1905, p. 752.)"
--Howard W. Hunter, "What Is True Greatness?" Ensign, Sept. 1987, 70
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Our Prophet
This is a clip from the Priesthood Session of General Conference (of the LDS church) in April 2008. President Monson always tells the best stories. He never fails to make me smile. I can't wait for Conference this weekend! I'm definitely feeling the need for a spiritual boost.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Random Insightful Quote of the Day
When a child is born, a father is born. A mother is born, too of course, but at least for her it's a gradual process. Body and soul, she has nine months to get used to what's happening. She becomes what's happening. But for even the best-prepared father, it happens all at once. On the other side of a plate-glass window, a nurse is holding up something roughly the size of a loaf of bread for him to see for the first time. Even if he should decide to abandon it forever ten minutes later, the memory will nag him to the grave. He has seen the creation of the world. It has his mark on it. He has its mark on him. Both marks are, for better or for worse, indelible.
~ Frederick Buechner,'Whistling in the Dark'
~ Frederick Buechner,'Whistling in the Dark'
Friday, March 11, 2011
Irish Blessing Subway Art
When I was a senior in high school I was in the combined school choir and there was a song we sang at the end of almost every performance. I’d definitely need some warming up before I could sing it today but the words have stuck in my mind over the years. So I did a quick google search to make sure I really was remembering the lines just right and decided to try my hand at some subway art.
I did it in green to display for St. Patty’s Day but I also thought a plain black and white version could be nice year round.
I sized these to be 8x10. I printed mine out on a full 8.5x11 sheet of photo paper and then just matted it with an 8x10 mat.
I've been admiring subway art for a while now but this is my first go at it. Lemme know what you think.
I did it in green to display for St. Patty’s Day but I also thought a plain black and white version could be nice year round.
I sized these to be 8x10. I printed mine out on a full 8.5x11 sheet of photo paper and then just matted it with an 8x10 mat.
I've been admiring subway art for a while now but this is my first go at it. Lemme know what you think.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Voice of Truth
I was driving my son to an appointment yesterday and I was listening to 104.7 the Fish when one of my favorite songs came on. Here are the lyrics... Love it!
Voice of Truth
by Casting Crowns
Oh, what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
You you'll never win
But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth
Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me
But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the Voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are the Voice of truth
Voice of Truth
by Casting Crowns
Oh, what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And he's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
"Boy, you'll never win,
You you'll never win
But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth
Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out
my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
"Boy you'll never win,
you'll never win."
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth
But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground
and the waves they don't seem so high
from on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me
But the Voice of truth tells me a different story
The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"
And the Voice of truth says "this is for my glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
I will listen and believe the Voice of truth
I will listen and believe
'Cause Jesus you are the Voice of truth
And I will listen to you.. oh you are the Voice of truth
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Irish Toasts
Health to the men, and may the women live forever!
~ ~ ~
Saint Patrick was a gentleman,
Who through strategy and stealth,
Drove all the snakes from Ireland,
Here’s a toasting to his health.
But not too many toastings
Lest you lose yourself and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick
And see all those snakes again.
~ ~ ~
'Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!'
(Happy St. Patrick's Day!)
~ ~ ~
May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.
~ ~ ~
May your casket be made from the wood of a 100 year old oak that I shall plant tomorrow.
~ ~ ~
There’s still time left before St. Patrick’s Day so I used 3 of these toasts to put together some little cards to drop in the mail or deliver with some treats.
I don’t know if you can tell from my photographs of the ones I printed out and put together but the “That I shall plant tomorrow” is being used as the inside of a folded card with the “casket” part as the front of the card. The other two are just flat cards. I printed mine on regular paper and then cut out the separate pieces and mounted them on cardstock. To print one of the cards, click on the image to make it larger and then save it to your desktop. Then open it or import it into a program to print it out. If you try printing one of the individual cards just from your browser, I’m not sure if it will let you size it down properly. The size they should be is about 3.5 x 4.5. The way I printed mine was all on one page like the image below and I just sized it to “fit the printable media”.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Easter Design
My craft group got together for its first craft night over the weekend and I’d have to say it was a general success. There was a couple of snags with getting the contact paper to adhere snuggly enough to a curved surface and I learned never to rush a glass etching project to catch up with the rest of the group. (Eek!) But even though my nice glass trifle/candy dishes ended up looking like something I’ll only be able to pull out for Halloween, I got to show off my Silhouette machine and have a good girls’ night in.
As the group was getting ready to leave we started talking about what our next project will be and we decided to do some sort of something to display for Easter. So this morning I hopped on google and some of my favorite blogs and started hunting for a really awesome Easter project. And while I didn’t come up completely empty handed I couldn’t help but notice that there just aren’t as many fantabulous Easter ideas out there as there are for a lot of the other holidays. So I decided to play around and see if I could come up with something shareable to throw into the void. This quote by President Hinckley is one that has stuck with me for a long time and I wanted to see what I could do with it.
And just so you know, comment luv and new followers totally rock my world (everybody loves a compliment right?) So pleeeeease let me know if you like this printable. I'm just getting started with this kind of thing and I'd like to know if I'm doing a good job. :-)
Enjoy!
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Master Bedroom Vinyl–with tips
You may remember my post from January sharing a couple of vinyl layout ideas I wanted to try. I asked Kevin which one he preferred and of course he choose the simplest of the options:
My taste is a little fancier but I wouldn’t have given him this option if I didn’t like it so that’s the layout I went with.
I wanted the “HOME” part to be as big as possible so adjusted my page size all the way up to 9 x 24 inches, which is the size of the $1.59 vinyl sheet from Expressions Vinyl. I sized the HOME up proportionally until it filled most of the red outlined box, which shows the cuttable area. I left about a half inch margin on the sides just to be safe. I started with the rest of the words in the same document so I could enlarge them too and see how they would look next to the HOME. Then, since I wanted a two-toned effect, I made two different Silhouette Studio documents, one for the word HOME, to be cut out in light brown; and one for the rest of the words, to be cut out in regular brown.
The Worstveld Sling Oblique font doesn’t allow you to make it bold but I wanted to make the letters thicker to make them easier to work with. So I added an offset. An offset traces a new cutline around any image. Then you can move it closer or farther away. I set my distance to .06. Then I deleted the actual text and it left behind the new cutline.
On to the cutting itself. I learned a few weeks ago that the default settings for speed and thickness are usually too high. You know they’re too high if the machine cuts all the way through the backing of your vinyl. If it does that, the pieces can start to pop out while the machine is still cutting and the popped up pieces can catch on the rollers and twist the vinyl all around, which obviously wrecks your project. So under the Cut Settings I selected the Silhouette Vinyl option but then lowered the thickness to 8 and the speed to 6.
I still haven’t figured out how to make the transfer paper work the way it’s supposed to so I just pealed the letters off the backing and stuck them to the wall by hand.
The Algerian font was pretty tricky to handle with all the fancy outlines. They kept trying to stick to each other and get in my way. But I figured that would be the case and waited to start this project until Jacob was asleep and I was feeling particularly patient.
Once again, I just eyeballed this project as I put it on the wall but I bet making a line with some painter’s tape would help a lot if you want to be sure everything is straight and even. The nice thing I’ve found about this vinyl (at least on this particular paint) is that I can peal it up and move it fairly easily. So if something starts to bug me because it’s uneven or whatever, I can take a second and fix it.
Anyone who likes my layout or text idea, feel free to use it yourself as I don’t claim to own the phrase “I get to come home to you” or any other part of it. I definitely would love a shout-out or comment if you do like it though, just cuz it’s nice to hear from people. Heck, if you have a Silhouette I'll even email you the files, if you'll become a follower of this blog and post about it on yours if you have one.
Segway to personal note: Beware, mild mushiness to follow.
I now wish to acknowledge my awesomely wonderful tech-savvy husband. Any of you who actually have a Silhouette
may be wondering why mine has a blue USB cable. Well, this is because yesterday when my mother-in-law came over for me to show her how to do wall vinyl, I realized with much embarrassment and “grrr-rawr” frustration that my Silhouette USB cable was no where to be found. I blame myself because I didn’t put it away in the box with everything else the last time I used it and I’m pretty sure my two-year-old claimed it as his own at some point over the past week. Absolutely distraught, because I figured it must be some special kind of cord that only Silhouette makes, I conveyed my despair to my husband over Google chat while he was still at work. He offered his sympathy and promised to help me look for it later. Then, the minute he got home, he marched upstairs and in his awesome techie know how, examined my machine and discovered that the cord I was missing was in fact a regular printer cable, of which we own several. So after hunting in the closet for a minute or two he came back downstairs and announced that I could use my Silhouette again. My hero! It may seem small, but this is the kind of thing he does that reminds me how lucky I am on a regular basis. I love you sweetie!
Fonts: HOME- Algerian; The rest- Worstveld Sling Oblique
I wanted the “HOME” part to be as big as possible so adjusted my page size all the way up to 9 x 24 inches, which is the size of the $1.59 vinyl sheet from Expressions Vinyl. I sized the HOME up proportionally until it filled most of the red outlined box, which shows the cuttable area. I left about a half inch margin on the sides just to be safe. I started with the rest of the words in the same document so I could enlarge them too and see how they would look next to the HOME. Then, since I wanted a two-toned effect, I made two different Silhouette Studio documents, one for the word HOME, to be cut out in light brown; and one for the rest of the words, to be cut out in regular brown.
The Worstveld Sling Oblique font doesn’t allow you to make it bold but I wanted to make the letters thicker to make them easier to work with. So I added an offset. An offset traces a new cutline around any image. Then you can move it closer or farther away. I set my distance to .06. Then I deleted the actual text and it left behind the new cutline.
On to the cutting itself. I learned a few weeks ago that the default settings for speed and thickness are usually too high. You know they’re too high if the machine cuts all the way through the backing of your vinyl. If it does that, the pieces can start to pop out while the machine is still cutting and the popped up pieces can catch on the rollers and twist the vinyl all around, which obviously wrecks your project. So under the Cut Settings I selected the Silhouette Vinyl option but then lowered the thickness to 8 and the speed to 6.
I still haven’t figured out how to make the transfer paper work the way it’s supposed to so I just pealed the letters off the backing and stuck them to the wall by hand.
The Algerian font was pretty tricky to handle with all the fancy outlines. They kept trying to stick to each other and get in my way. But I figured that would be the case and waited to start this project until Jacob was asleep and I was feeling particularly patient.
Once again, I just eyeballed this project as I put it on the wall but I bet making a line with some painter’s tape would help a lot if you want to be sure everything is straight and even. The nice thing I’ve found about this vinyl (at least on this particular paint) is that I can peal it up and move it fairly easily. So if something starts to bug me because it’s uneven or whatever, I can take a second and fix it.
Anyone who likes my layout or text idea, feel free to use it yourself as I don’t claim to own the phrase “I get to come home to you” or any other part of it. I definitely would love a shout-out or comment if you do like it though, just cuz it’s nice to hear from people. Heck, if you have a Silhouette I'll even email you the files, if you'll become a follower of this blog and post about it on yours if you have one.
Segway to personal note: Beware, mild mushiness to follow.
I now wish to acknowledge my awesomely wonderful tech-savvy husband. Any of you who actually have a Silhouette
may be wondering why mine has a blue USB cable. Well, this is because yesterday when my mother-in-law came over for me to show her how to do wall vinyl, I realized with much embarrassment and “grrr-rawr” frustration that my Silhouette USB cable was no where to be found. I blame myself because I didn’t put it away in the box with everything else the last time I used it and I’m pretty sure my two-year-old claimed it as his own at some point over the past week. Absolutely distraught, because I figured it must be some special kind of cord that only Silhouette makes, I conveyed my despair to my husband over Google chat while he was still at work. He offered his sympathy and promised to help me look for it later. Then, the minute he got home, he marched upstairs and in his awesome techie know how, examined my machine and discovered that the cord I was missing was in fact a regular printer cable, of which we own several. So after hunting in the closet for a minute or two he came back downstairs and announced that I could use my Silhouette again. My hero! It may seem small, but this is the kind of thing he does that reminds me how lucky I am on a regular basis. I love you sweetie!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Vinyl Ideas
Ok everybody, I’m officially done hanging pictures (at least for the time being.) Now I need to decide on something to do in vinyl. I have 2 walls I have ideas for and all I need from you guys is comments on which fonts you like best. Of course, Kevin hasn’t even seen any of this yet and I generally give him the right of veto if he absolutely hates something. But I’m pretty sure one of these will do the trick.
Wall #1 (Master Bedroom)
Chosen quote with font options:
I’m not 100% sure which vinyl colors I’m going to use either. The only colors I have in my possession at the moment are dark brown and red. As you can see though, I don’t have any red in my master bedroom décor so I’m thinking a gold or tan to go with the bedspread might be best for the Home part and then I’ll use the dark brown for the rest.
Wall #2 (Kitchen)
Chosen quote with the font I’m pretty sure works best:
I might try to get funky and curve the up under the clock but I’m not sure I possess those skills quite yet. And if anyone else has a better, fun, time related quote to share, I’d consider using it instead. I think I like this one best though.
Now tell me what you think!
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