Christmas Calendar (a Silhouette Print & Cut project)

Ever since I saw these darling December Calendar Print & Cut designs for the Silhouette I knew I wanted to create some sort of a wall project with them. I could have just used 1-25 for an advent calendar but I loved all 31 designs so I included the whole month in this custom frame I created for the Silhouette Blog. Add a vinyl die cut design to the wall and this is the final result. 

 

• Each of the squares is 2" x 2" (I cut 48 - 2" squares from different Making Memories patterned papers) and I simply adhered them to the back of the frame.
• I wanted to be able to use this frame year after year so in the Craft Robo software, I removed the optional days of the week from each Print & Cut design before printing. This is a great option if you want to customize these designs year after year...they aren't for this year only!
• I adhered each of the Silhouette Print & Cut designs using foam dot adhesive. The dimension in real life really just makes the designs "pop"!
• I added a few gems and rub-ons to several of the squares.

• I used a MM die cut in the center of the piece, adhered directly to the background. There's quite a bit going on in this design so I kept the "extra's" to a minimum.

 

• I added just a few clear buttons to some of the squares with poinsettias.

This entire project only took me about an hour and a half to complete. 

I broke it down into steps:

1. Open Print & Cut designs in Craft Robo software (no resizing was necessary for this project).
2. Print designs (I use Epson Luster Photo Paper for a nice crisp, clean image with no bleed).
3. Cut designs (I run mine through twice to get a nice clean cut through the photo paper). *tip* Use a new (or clean) cutting mat for best results.
4. Cut 48 - 2" squares from patterned papers (see list below for papers used).
5. Adhere squares to background of frame (the opening of my frame is 16"x 20". The actual frame is bigger.
6. Adhere dates using foam adhesive for dimension.
7. Apply rub-ons (I just added a flourish and a couple of snowflakes to 3 of the number shapes).
8. Add gemstones (I used several round ones and a couple of stars) to several of the designs.
9. Thread string through clear buttons and adhere to paper squares.
10. Put frame/glass back together and hang on the wall.
11. Die cut "Merry & Bright" using black and cream vinyl and adhere above frame on the wall.

Silhouette Print & Cut Designs:

Christmas_calendar_1_2281

 

Christmas_calendar_2_2282

 

Christmas_calendar_3_2283

 

Christmas_calendar_4_2284

 

Christmas_calendar_5_2285

 

Christmas_calendar_6_2286

 

Silhouette Die Cut Design:

phrase_merry_2291

Supplies:

• Poinsettia Flocked Mistletoe Paper by Making Memories
• Icon Dot Mistletoe Paper by Making Memories
• Argyle Mistletoe Paper by Making Memories
• Cardinal Mistletoe Paper by Making Memories
• Slice 8x8 Ledger Pad by Making Memories
• Rub-ons (Making Memories)
• Die Cut (Making Memories)
• Clear Gemstones by Hero Arts
• Star Gemstones (KI Memories)
• Clear Buttons (CTMH)
• String
• Black 1/2Inch Foam Squares 88/Pkg
• Cream Adhesive Vinyl by Silhouette
• Black Adhesive Vinyl by Silhouette
• SD Digital Craft Cutting Tool by Silhouette

I hope this has inspired you to start planning and creating some Christmas decorations of your own!

Have a great Thursday!