Halloween Treat Jar Tutorial

 

I love canning jars.  They're perfect for so many things!  I use them as drinking glasses, flower vases, organizers... and today I'll show you how you can use them to package your Halloween treats.

For this project, I'm using Studio Calico's new Halloween stamp set - in both the acrylic & digital form.  The digi stamps work really well with digital die cutters & I'm using the skull & cross bones image along with my Silhouette.

Open the png file & trace the image.  Once traced, select the image, click on the "Object" tab & then scroll down to select "Release Compound Path."  This allows you to separate the main skull & cross bone image from the outline.

The picture below shows the separated images.  The cut lines on the left are for the outline (which will be cut from black vinyl) and the cut lines on the right are for the main image (which will be cut from white vinyl.)

 

After you cut each image, remove the excess vinyl.

 Apply transfer tape over each piece.

 

Apply the black vinyl first & remove the transfer tape.

 Carefully align the white vinyl & apply.

 I always like to dress up the jar lid a bit.  Use the lid as a template & trace & cut out a circle from patterned paper.  (This paper is from The Underground Card Kit.)

 Use the images from the Halloween stamp set to create a tag.  I used a roller date stamp to add a little detail & stamped the word "poison" using Orange County ink.

 These Halloween Oreos are just too cute!  I'm hoping that by packaging them in a spooky jar that my boys won't eat them all.  ;)

 I used the orange twine from the card kit to tie the Evidence tag in place.

These would make adorable gifts for teachers, coworkers & friends (or just keep if for yourself!)  The whole process is really quick & I love the results. I hope you give it a try!

Studio Calico T-shirts {tutorial}

I love finding new, practical ways to use my scrapbooking products.  Each month, Studio Calico releases new digital stamps, brushes, cut files & printables... and believe me, they're not just for digital scrapbookers!

Recently, I've been using some of my digital goodies to broaden my wardrobe.  The Studio Calico designs are so trendy, so they're the perfect base for some fashionable new duds.  Here are a couple of T's I made that I'm kind of in love with:

 

Want to make your own Studio Calico t-shirts?  It's easy & inexpensive!

First, you'll want to take a look around the digital shop & find some stamp brushes or cut files that inspire you.  Each month, new designs are released & old designs are retired, so you don't want to miss them!

Here are some designs that are available right now:

 

Camelot Project Life Brushes

 

Camelot Scrapbook Kit Brushes 

 Camelot Brushes by Suzy Plantamura

You'll also need a Silhouette die cutter.  The digital files all come with .png images that can be opened in the Silhouette software & traced to make cut lines.

Once you have your image open, traced & sized to fit the front of your t-shirt, you'll want to flip the design horizontally so that it is mirrored.  (This is EXTREMELY important, otherwise your image will be backwards once applied.)

 

Once mirrored, make sure your cut settings are appropriate for the material you are using.  (In my case, I used flocked Heat Transfer Material.) I found that by following the recommended blade depth, speed & thickness settings, my vinyl cut perfectly.

Heat transfers are insanely easy to use!

I purchased this Heat Transfer Starter Kit, which includes multiple colors of heat transfer vinyl & flocked heat transfer vinyl, as well as a Silhouette Hook tool (extremely helpful when you're working with detailed images), a download card good for 10 heat transfer designs in the Silhouette shop, an idea booklet and instruction guide, and an instructional DVD.

From here, just follow the instructions included in the kit.  (Basically, you load your vinyl, cut, remove any excess vinyl so that only your design remains, & iron it on for 1 minute.)

It's easy, mess-free, & the designs look like something I would purchase at the store.  I've washed & dried one of my T's & it still looks great!

I found my t-shirts at both Hobby Lobby & Joann's for about $2 each.  (Both stores always have coupons that you can use.)  I purchased a basic canvas tote from there too & I'm planning on using some of the Lindsay Letters "outdoor" themed brush files to customize it.

Thanks for taking a peek!  I hope you enjoy making your own designs!

*Be Brave shirt uses stamp brushes by Lindsay Letters for Studio Calico that are no longer available.  (Coordinating clear stamp set is available & can be found here.)  For similar designs By Lindsay Letters, check out the Camelot Project Life Brushes & Scrapbook Kit Brushes.

*Hello shirt uses a stamp brush from the Camelot Brush set by Suzy Plantamura.