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Thursday, September 1, 2011

Silhouette Monogram-Third Time Is A Charm

I received my Silhouette machine for my birthday, which was back in June.  I have used it to make a few projects so far, but had yet to try it with vinyl.  I ordered some vinyl right before we left for vacation and was happy to find it in the mail pile when we arrived home.

I went to the online store and purchased an "S" monogram.  I'm sure I could have designed something, but I really just wanted some instant gratification.  Well, so much for instant.

So far, so good.  It cut easily.
I had even purchased a tool to help me remove the vinyl from the backing.
I cut it to fit the top of a plain step stool my daughter has in her bedroom closet.  On my first attempt I tried to remove the entire backing and then put it down.  It was one of those bad scenes where it kept sticking to my fingers and the more I tried to unstick the more it started to stick to itself.  
Strike One.
This time I tried to remove all the negative portions first and then carefully adhere it to the top of the step stool.  I would definitely call this Strike Two.  I ripped it all off and started to try to figure out a solution. I read the instructions on the vinyl and it talked about a purchasing a transfer sheet.  I really didn't want to purchase anything else.  The more I read about what they wanted me to do with the transfer sheet, the more it reminded me of something else...
Clear contact paper.  Maybe this would work.  I had an unopened roll in the house.
I printed out the "S" monogram for the third time (trust me, I was feeling very sick about wasting so much vinyl).  Again I removed all the negative portions.
Then I cut a piece of clear contact paper to size and adhered it to the top of the monogram.  

Then I placed it on top of the step stool taking care that it was centered and level.  I then used a plastic card and rubbed over the contact paper where the pink vinyl was.  Then I crossed my fingers and started to carefully pull away the clear contact paper...
Then I did the happy dance.  It worked like a charm and the vinyl came off perfectly!  I rubbed out those bubbles with my fingers and now it's perfect.

What a pretty addition to my daughter's room.  Now I can't wait to make more projects using vinyl.

Be sure to stop back tomorrow to see what I did with the extra "S's" I had left over from my failed attempts.

-Judy

22 comments:

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Wow, I love the design you chose, Judy! Don't feel bad, I would probably have done the same thing. I'm sure there is some trial and error when first using these machines.

Sims Family said...

Thanks for the tip! That paper is expensive and I don't always want to wait til it comes in the mail. :)

Catherine said...

Great job! I got my silhouette a few weeks ago and I am making all kinds of goodies! My kids teachers got monogramed hand sanitizer for back to school just beacuase I could do it. Great tip for the contact paper. I get my tranfer paper from hobby lobby with a coupon when I can and then I reuse it until it just won't work any more. But I do have almost a whole roll of contact paper! Thanks again!

Susan Anderson said...

You are so clever. What a great solution!

=)

To the Toy Box and Beyond said...

Awesome job. My son took a class on this in hs He did pretty well with it although one of his projects is stuck on our fridge

At The Picket Fence said...

That looks just fabulous Judy! I love that pop of color and the monogram is perfect! :-)
Vanessa

Linda Jordan said...

What an awesome project! That is a great machine!! Thanks for visiting my blog & following me, I am now following you as well :)

Linda
http://lasteve1.blogspot.com

storybeader said...

wow! pretty neat! congrats. on being persistent! {:-Deb

Savannah Granny said...

OMG! I would have never thought of the contact paper. Fantastic solution. BTW it looks great I bet she loves the stool. I know I would.
I have been following you for some time and I love your blog. Thanks for your kinds comments and the follow.
Have a great holiday. Hugs

Karen said...

Wow that looks great, those machines are amazing. I would say you figured it out pretty fast. putting down sticky stuff is always tricky. Well done!

whitney said...

Adorable! I have the same problem when working with vinyl, or even tape for that matter! I'm for sure your newest follower! Please consider following me as well, I'm just starting out in the blogger world! :) Thank you and have a wonderful day.

Visits With Mary said...

Love your design...it really made a cute little stool...

Honey at 2805 said...

You did a fabulous job! Love the design and the color!

I appreciate your linking up to Potpourri Friday and helping to make my first linky part successful!

Emily @ RemarkableHome said...

Glad the contact paper worked. You can buy transfer tape from any sign supply company at a MUCH lower price than the silhouette store and it works better too. I have an ENORMOUS roll that I will probably never ever use up and I think it was 20 or 30 dollars. It is cheaper than contact paper, by far.

Dana @ Bungalow'56 said...

This is impressive! It turned out beautifully.
Dana

Pondside said...

Wow! That is lovely!

Birgit said...

That looks just great -- third tie is really the charm! :)

Greetings from Germany,
Birgit

PS: See my T post here! :)

lissa said...

I try vinyl also and it is difficult placing it on especially with skinny, curves like those.

great job!

Sandy said...

That's one fancy letter! I'm sorry but I did laugh at your three strikes. We just put some Disney vinyl stickers on our new travel van and that is how they worked with the clear top piece that you peel off after you apply it. Good tip and enjoyed your post. And your daughter will love that fancy stool with her initial.

Ellen said...

What a nice personal touch to your daughters room. Pretty design and you conquered.
Hugs,
Ellen

Jenny said...

Oh Judy, thank heavens.

I'm glad you hear it was sticking to your fingers! That's exactly what would have happened to me!

Your perserverance really paid off with the finished stool.

It is gorgeous!

I really love what you did with it!

Terrific transformation!

Thanks for linking.

A+

Unknown said...

Super cute stool!

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