I’m obsessed with balls. I need more balls. Lots of balls. Small, medium, and large sized balls. Colourful balls. 3D balls. These cool 3D balls that I found on Pinterest:
The image linked to a how-to at How About Orange. Jessica saw these balls in a CB2 catalogue and decided to figure out how to make them herself. Jessica was kind enough to share her templates for making the balls in three different sizes. So far, I’ve made a practice one with plain white computer paper and an official one with thicker lavender paper.
Whoops, didn’t think to cut inside the black lines on the white one. I got smarter with the purple one and not only cut inside the lines, but made sure that the sides of the pieces with no line marks at all faced out.
They’re really easy to make, but it takes forever to cut out the twelve flower-shaped pieces that make up the ball. And this is why I decided that I need a Silhouette for Christmas. With one of these babies, I can make balls to my heart’s content, because the Silhouette can cut out all the pieces for me.
I really don’t know much about the Silhouette – I’m assuming the Cameo is the latest and greatest incarnation? Of course, being the analytical guy that he is, hubby did some research and came across a similar product called the eCraft Die Cutter. The eCraft is cheaper than the Silhouette, so hubby thinks he can convince me that the eCraft is the way to go because it comes in purple. OK, that might work :-)
It also doesn’t require a mat for cutting certain kinds of paper. I’m not sure what that means, but I guess that’s a good thing?
if you have a Silhouette Cameo or an eCraft Die Cutter, I’d love to hear how you like it and what kinds of things you’ve made with it. It’s not a cheap machine, so I want to make sure it’ll be able to do all the things that I want it to do with it – like make balls! And maybe some of these cool things, like frosted vinyl:
3D art:
Even throw cushions:
I think Shelly at House of Smiths might be the Silhouette queen:
Oh yes, these balls are just the beginning!
If things go according to plan this weekend, I’ll have some project reveals for you next week. If not, well, I’ll have to come up with something else for you ;-)
Happy weekend!
I think I need one of these machines... santa are you listening!
ReplyDeleteTiffany {Living Savvy}
Wow - you can make throw cushions with a die-cutter? Wait....what the heck is a die-cutter?? You've got me Kelly, I'm way out of my league here, but I know you'll pick the right one (purple or not) and make some amazing things! I look forward to hearing all about them.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I never knew these machines existed and so compact! This is so cool.. I can't wait to see what you'll make!
ReplyDeleteI had never owned a die cut machine but after much research I chose eCraft over the more popular die cut machines mainly because of the "no sticky mat" was needed and mat maintenance & cartridges apparently drive up costs. I planned to do a lot of mass produced custom shapes requiring software like Make The cut or the free Inkscape. I am now an eCraft owner. Pros: No mats or cartridges are really needed because anything originating from the eCraft sd cartridges give you the option of differently spaced or number of "tabs" which holds the cuts in place while cutting. You may wish to keep the "tabs" after punching out the design or knocking them off with your fingernail or an emory board. The eCraft is also a plus for custom designed free or purchased svg. files which can be imported using the eCrat Pro software. This is a young product with limited editing software and a high learning curve unless you plan to do most cutting from the sd cartridges. Only one cartridge stocked with designs come with the machine. I purchsed the rest as individual files from the Craftwell website. Cartridges can be purchased from dealers or sites like Amazon & Overstock. The eCraft can cut sizes as small as 1" to 11.5". It has a roller attachment for cutting rolls of vinyl as well a tray for loading stackes of paper & front load for single sheets. It easily cuts scraps, 8.5" x 11", 12" x 12" (minus 1/2" margin). Cuts most any material that's 1mm thickness or less. The best way to cut fabric is to iron it onto a freezer paper backing.
ReplyDeleteCons: I have found that if I'm not cutting from the eCraft sd then it's best to use a "stabilizer". A stabilizer is a makeshift mat of a piece of med/ heavy 12" X 12" card stock. I use E-Z dot repositionable adhesive to secure my cardstock to stabilizer. I can reuse the stabilizer over & over & rub off any adhesive dots from cut design. The Yahoo forums were most helpful. The bloggers who are dealers are least likely to emphasize the fact that you pretty much need a "stabilizer" for most things to keep pieces from falling or jamming machine ruining lots of cardstock.
I am not a dealer just a crafter and this machine suits my needs without cartdridge expense. Inkscape, a free graphics program is good for generating svg. files for die cutting. Inkscape also has a learning curve so I just copy my b/w lined images into Inkscape from somewhere else and Path >Trace bitmap >Adjust (if necessary). This will save the image as a svg. file. Hope this was helpful.
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteDon't know much about either but love learning through others efforts. Love how these turned out especially the purple ball. How terrific that hubby does the research too. Looks like a potential winner love the pillows too!
Happy weekend!
Bette
Wow, this are so pretty! Hope you get one of those die cutters. All of that cutting out doesn't look fun!
ReplyDeleteWow, Tayfan2, thanks! I really appreciate all this great info. I think I know what I'm getting for Christmas now :-)
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteYour balls turned out beautiful....I commend you on your patience!! I look forward to seeing the new projects you complete....expecially the frosted vinyl!!!
Christine xo
Hello I'm french and I can't choose between this two machine too for Christmas ! I understand your problem ! I think I'm getting the ecraft too because of the price and no need a sticky surface under paper. Your balls are so cute !
ReplyDelete(Excuse my english...)
Have a good day !
Cristl.
www.ethanielle.fr
Coucou Ethanielle, alors es tu décidée ? eCraft ? Je reçois la mienne dans quelques jours. A bientôt :)
DeleteHello Kelly
ReplyDeleteI couldn't resist asking Santa (Hubby!) for one of the ecraft machines. This was also after quite a bit of research too. My machine arrived today! It has to be wrapped and put under the tree until Christmas day so I can't add anything to the info given by Tayfan2 above. I do feel like I made the right choice after reading the points made though! From what I can gather the ecraft can draw or cut without having to change from pen to blade. I have found info to suggest that the Silhouette Cameo has to be manually changed between the pen and blade.
I love the beautiful balls you have made and can't wait to see what you manage to create once you have your cutting machine of choice!
I will re-visit to see which machine you chose and what you have made with it after Christmas. I may even have mastered my ecraft by then and have helpful info for you!
Happy Christmas
Jeanette
x
Thanks for your feedback, Jeanette. It's good to know that the eCraft is the popular choice among everyone who's looked into both the eCraft and the Silhouette :-) I already have a couple of projects in mind for the eCraft, so I sure hope I find it under the tree on Christmas morning! Have fun with yours, and Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog, while googling (decorative balls) lol! But I actually have an ecraft and I love it so much! Tayfan 2 is right about the stabilizer, and I don't mind that at all! In fact, with it, I get unbelievable cuts, that I never got on any other machine. I work with Make the cut software, and I'm able to pretty much cut anything I want! The only thing I advice you to do, is not to go the Yahoo group, for info. Go their blog! (blog.craftwellusa.com)they have videos, and projects. The reason I say this, is because It took me a long time to get this machine, because the users in the yahoo group, kept being negative about it. I decided to try it out, and soooo glad I did! There is a learning curve, but it's not as bad as people say! I think you would really like this machine!
Jenny
Jenny, thanks for sharing your experience with the eCraft. I did get one for Christmas, but to be honest, my husband has done all the cutting with it for me. I'm feeling kind of intimidated by it! I need to just sit down and read all the information that came with it and not be scared to try things out. The worst that can happen is my piece of paper ends up in the trash, which really isn't such a big deal :-)
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