Lilies of the Valley with Freebie Silhouette Studio Cut Files

Similar cards and layout, but much different looks. I have been very fascinated with flowers recently, and this is just the latest in the line. The more nostalgia with the heirloom flowers, the better. This is another one of the flowers that my family seems to gravitate toward.  We all have it in our gardens, but it isn't the sacred pass me down that the Bleeding Heart is.  Most of my flowers are things that I have gotten from friends and family, and I'm thinking of doing the Silhouette Cuts for all of my favorites; especially if I can't find a pattern online.  

The flowers are shaped by cupping, you can see the instructions below.  I place a round dimensional adhesive dot on the back of them.  The stem had tiny dimensional adhesive dots right at the junction of the flower stem, and in some places I actually glued the rest of the stem down to the leaf. I left the end of the flower stem loose until I had placed the flowers at the end of those stem, and then used my trusty Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive to the very end. I let it drop down on the flower and let it dry in place.

I used the smaller stylus to make some veins in the leaf. I did this in a pattern that gives the leaf some life.  On a hard surface I start at the bottom of the leaf, just above the stem, and drag the stylus to the top of the leaf.  I then do similar motions but terminate the action further down the side of the leaf using just a bit of pressure. I did this about 5 or 6 times per side. I then used my hands to gently coax the leaf into a cupped shape.  On the top card I only glued the center of the leaf, from the bottom to about one inch from the top, which curves up off the paper.  On the bottom card I used more glue, but I don't like that as well.

The backgrounds are from my scrap paper pieces, and I have forgotten who they are.  The grid is done with DMVW Cardstock.  I used Prima beaded medallion, and an unknown clear stamp I've had forever, probably from Paper Wishes.  I used two white card bases from Paper Wishes, and Tim Holtz tea dye and black soot Distress Inks.  

Cupping-Shaping the Flowers

The trick to this card is the shaping of the flowers, and I have a tutorial on this that I used for a class that I taught a while back. The first step in the process is called Cupping the flower.  To do that I use the McGill tools that I have, but any mouse pad and larger stylus  will work.  Press firmly, but not so hard that you punch through the paper/cardstock. Go in a circular motion to form a bit of a cup with the petals. You will be surprised how easily they just curl up.  See the example below.  I don't suggest using a really small ball stylus. 

If you don't have a large ball stylus, you can use your finger nail edge by pulling it across the paper, and forming the petals to your desired shape.  I used fairly light weight cardstock for this project.

The Grid

I designed this grid using the Silhouette Designer Edition Software.  This started out as a circle, and I point edited to form an interesting shape.  I then made four copies, and fitted the shapes together in a square. It is important to get the spacing as even as possible.  I grouped four together in a diamond shape, and duplicated the grouped shapes until I had filled the page.  I had to adjust sizes, and ungroup to delete some single images, but finally got it onto the page in a good configuration.  I cut these out of a double sided heavier card stock.  I plan to use the grid for another project that I will share.  I will also cut this out of acetate, and use it for a stencil.

As you notice, I used some of the shapes as embellishments on the above cards.

The Blog Hop

The Free Downloads

I hope you enjoy this project, and the free downloadable files. Downloads are from Box.com .

Lilies of the Valley are Here
The Ornate Grid is Here

Bleeding Hearts Mother's Day + Free Download

All the women in my family family love bleeding heart flowers. It is sort of a tradition in our gardens. The plants are all derived from one plant, which came from Germany if the facts were passed down correctly. I know my plant came from my Great Grandmothers plant, as my mother received it from her.  My daughter's plant came from her Grandmother, as will my plant be given to my grandsons' wives.  

I designed the Silhouette Cut file myself, and will be sharing this with all of you.  I also designed the medallion that is used as the front sentiment.  I used a Martha Stewart punch for the border, and used Vintage Linen Distress Ink by Tim Holtz to distress everything including the sentiment layers, hearts Stem and flowers. I also used Gold Brilliance on the label and card, and I'm sad to say that my scanner and scanner just doesn't pick that up. It is really shiny and so pretty. The ribbon is also gold metallic, but I think it is reflecting my outfit, and making it black and less shiny.  I need to get my daughter here to give me an education on taking pictures like this.

To assemble the flowers I used really small glue dots to raise up the branch in a couple of places, and used Scotch Quick Dry to glue the rest. I left the flower stems loose until I put the flowers on.  I used a large stylus from McGill to shape the hearts, and make sure they were rounded.  I glued the white bottom portion to the red heart shape, and placed a larger foam dot in the hollow of the heart.  To place the flowers I lifted the stem, placed the heart under it so some of the stem hung over the groove of the heart, and then glued the stem to the heart.  I assembled the label in layers and glued the ribbon on the back. I used a foam dot to raise it up.

The inside sentiment is from Gina K, as is the dragonfly.  They are from the Whimsical Wishes stamp set.  I included a scan of the inside of the card.

Interior of card

Here are the links for the Silhouette Studio files.  They are free, but I would hope that if you use them on the internet that you give me credit for them.

Here is the Bleeding Heart Flower
Here is the sentiment label

I hope you enjoy the files. I hope all mothers had a wonderful and blessed Mother's Day.

Namaste

Links to More Silhouette Stuff from the Silhouette Challenge

Spring Hoop Home Decor - Daily Dwelling

I Heart Labels: Flour & Sugar Jar Edition - The Thinking Closet

A Numbers Game - Learning Numbers with Your Preschooler - Lil Mrs. Tori

My First Silhouette Challenge Group Project - Tanya's Creative Space

Personalized Garden Post & Grandma Book (Silhouette Mother's Day Presents) - Whole New Leaf

Girly Superhero Decor - Coley's Corner

"A Cup of Tea" Customizable Art Printable - Tried & True

The Lady in Hat "Thinking of You" Card - An Elegant Touch