First Silhouette Project

I recently bought a Silhouette Cameo cutting machine.  I had received a gift of some money, held onto it awhile until I decided what I realllllly wanted, and then I waited for Black Friday as I'd read rumors there would be a good sale on the Silhouette.  I huddled over my computer just after midnight on Black Friday at Matt's parents' house to enter the discount code and order this little crafty machine (afraid they were a set number available at the great price.  Trust me, I wouldn't normally sacrifice the little sleep we'd been getting).

I knew I wanted to cut vinyl letters to make the Jesus Storybook Bible quote I posted about on Friday.  My plan was to cut the letters, place them on a canvas, and then have Asa fingerpaint the canvas in my mom's chosen colors (to work in her living room).

I tried cutting the letters from paper first to see how the machine worked.  It's pretty slick, and even Matt was so impressed he started planning some projects he'd "need" the Silhouette for. :)

I browsed all the (many) fonts on my computer and settled on just the right one.  I cut everything out of vinyl only to discover I made the font too big for the canvas I bought.  I exchanged the canvas for a larger size and waited.. Yup, I waited.  I was intimidated by the next step and just so very much wanted this project to turn out like it looked in my head!  I finally watched a video about applying the vinyl and realized it was very simple--nothing to be afraid of. :)

the "before" since the letters would be painted over and then peeled off, their color didn't matter :)

Next I took Asa, the canvas, and the paint to our bathroom (easy to clean floors) during Anna Reaghan's morning nap, stripped him to his diaper, talked about spreading the paint wherever he wanted ALL over the "paper," and watched him go.  He was so excited and I loved his little narrative about what was happening with the paint and canvas as he painted.  He knew this was a project for G-Ma, and that was really sweet too--he is very excited for her to see it!

after Asa painted the canvas

After painting, I plopped Asa in a bubble bath (it was necessary), let the canvas dry a little more, and then I peeled off the vinyl letters.  I did not wait for the canvas to be *completely* dry, because I didn't want any paint to peel up with the letters (as I've occasionally had happen when peeling painter's tape off a freshly painted wall).

messy hands = bubble bath time

 

gratuitous silly shot of Asa in the tub

We looooooove how it turned out.  I immediately texted my mom a picture (she knew this project was in the works, although not actually finished in time for Christmas delivery), but I can't wait for her to see it in person!

the finished product

We definitely will be doing this project again to make a canvas for our own house.  Or maybe more than one in colors to match the kids' rooms.  I'm not sure yet, but I love, love, love this! :)