As soon as Christmas was over, Valentines started popping up all around and it really started putting me in the mood. I love putting out decorations around my home for the various seasons and Valentines is another favorite of mine. I've shared this in the past but I just made another one. I am donating a prize to my Soroptimist club to use. They give a prize away each month to encourage members to read the newsletter. Anyway, it was such a fun project and it looks so nice I just had to share again. This time I will include pictures and explanations of how I changed up the image to make it work.
I used the 2 Windows design by Alaa'K from the Silhouette store item# 8541.
As you see it comes with two window styles. I deleted the one on the right and kept the one on the left. That one I un-grouped and removed the window panes from the center then added a simple rectangle 2.5 x 3.75. The trick to getting it perfectly centered? Well, I used the shift key and selected each of the four rectangular slots above and below the rectangle I was adding and grouped them. Then I selected that "group" and the added rectangle, went to the "align" tool and selected "center" and it lined it up perfectly.
This is the basic shape. Now I needed to add legs and a side tab so that I could connect them together to make a screen. First, I selected all the shapes EXCEPT the outline and grouped them together. I left the outline separate because I will use the "point edit" tool with this to create the legs and side tabs.
The next thing I did was create a duplicate of the image and set it aside. I always do this when designing just in case something goes wrong and I need to go back to the beginning.
Now that I have a working image I turned on the point edit tool. It is a little hard to see in the image but what I did was add two edit points right next to each other on either side 1/2" in from the edge. That is where the arrows are pointing.
Then I selected each of the edit points and with the arrow keys formed the legs. I also moved the edge of each leg in .25" from the frame edge again using the edit points. The legs are .5" wide and you can turn the grid lines on to get the measurement right. I don't leave them on because they make viewing difficult so I use them and then turn them off. Once I had the legs made I duplicated the image because you will need one screen that does not have a side tab and three that do.
So, using the same process as I did for the legs I created a side tab
Once the side tab was created I created a straight score line so the tab would fold nicely. Group it all together and save. There you have the two basic shapes needed to make the screen. Cut three with tabs and one without.
The vellum I just cut with my table top cutter to 3.25 x 5 and glued them to the back of the screen sections.
Next I chose some designs to place on each of the screens. I honestly don't remember all of the ones I used but there are dozens of shapes you can choose from in the Silhouette Store. These I cut from the Silhouette brand Printable Silver Foil. It has a sticky back so it makes applying the shapes really simple and I love the shiny look.
Here are some close ups of each panel: For the sake of space I have made these images small but you can see them full size by simply clicking on them.
Now on to assembly:
Here are all the pieces for making the basic screen:
First you want to attach the vellum to each section. I use Aleene's Quick Dry Tacky Glue and it works great. Just a thin bead down each side and across the top and bottom and between the rectangle slots.
Then place the vellum on and press down. Set aside to dry.
Once the vellum has had a few minutes to dry bend each side tab on the score marks. Add glue to the "front side" of the tab then with the next section front side facing you lay it on the tab lining up the legs and the design so it will all be straight.
Do the same with the remaining sections until all four sections are connected.
Fold the screens accordian style so it will stand up
Now you're ready to embellish each panel with whatever designs you choose. Here is a pic of the designs I used to give you some ideas. Remember, with the Cameo you aren't limited by the size of an image because you can resize to fit. I just chose designs I liked opened them and brought them into the screen design so I could size them to fit.
I hope you enjoyed today's post and I hope you are inspired to make something too. If you do let me know I'd love to see what you make.
Kate