Bella Blvd Studio Blog: Silhouette March Promotion

We have two posts going on today. Scroll down to see our "Cards On Thursday" post!

Silhouette's March Promotion went live today, and we are excited to help them spread the news, while sharing some new project inspiration along the way.

We were encouraged to use the Silhouette Studio Designer Edition software in the creation of our projects. We set up two of our layout designers, Gina Lideros and Becki Adams, with this new software and in a little over 24 hours, they came up with some fabulous layouts to share with you today, along with a few peeks into how they used the sofware in their design process.

“Fashionista”, by Gina Lideros.

I wanted to create a layout that was as fun and fresh as my daughter's fashion sense. I started my layout by creating a triangular file in Silhouette and using the designer edition software to modify it. After I cut my Freestyle Sophisticates paper (Peep) I placed alternating strips of designer tape under my paper and then stitched on top. I added in pieces from the Engaged At Last collection and finished off my layout with some fabulous Bella feathers.

First I created a triangular shaped background using the polygon tool. I used the copy and paste feature to repeat the pattern. After I was done creating my triangle background I used the group feature to group my background together.

Next, I selected the Shear tool that comes with the designer edition software. I then selected the Horizontal shear 30 degree angle from the box on the right side. This gave my triangles an elongated look. After getting the desired angle that I wanted I sent cut my file and then used it as a background for my layout.

Supplies:
Engaged At Last Collection: Bachelor Extras, Alpha+Bits Stickers; Sand & Surf Collection: Borders; Freestyle Sophisticates: Freestyle Peep, Freestyle Scallop; Feathers: Bell Pepper, Oreo Black; Designer Tape: Gray Chevron, Ice Stripe, Gray Dot, Combo

“Dream Big”, by Gina Lideros.

I had this self portrait of my daughter that she took using her camera phone. I just loved the way the sun rays reflected on her in the background. I used that as my inspiration to create my title. I used the designer edition software for Silhouette to modify a title "dream big" that I had purchased in the Silhouette online store. Bella Blvd's Sand & Surf collection was perfect for the theme of my layout. I kept the background of my layout simple so that the focus could be on the title work and the photo. I finished off my layout by adding in a fun mix of Bella feathers, buttons and designer tape.

To get started, I opened up a file that I had purchased in the Silhouette online store (Dream big by KI Memories). I sized my title to the dimensions that I wanted and then selected the advanced knife tool that comes with the designer edition software.

When selected the knife tool will open up a window on the right side. The advanced knife tool comes with 11 different blades. This is a great feature of the designer edition. I selected the straight edge knife and positioned my blade in the bottom right hand corner of my title. I then sliced into my title in an upwards angle.

After I cut the first angle I continued making more cuts in an upward angle until it appeared to look like a sunburst. After I achieved the desired sunburst effect, I cut out my title out of different pieces of pattern paper from Bella's Sand & Surf collection. And then I pieced them together on my layout.

Supplies:
Sand & Surf Collection: Flying High, Paradise, Surf's Up, Borders, Under The Coconuts, Cute Cuts, Miniatures Stickers; Flags: Sand & Surf; Freestyle Sophisticates: Freestyle Pickle Juice; Feathers: Pickle Juice, Pony; Designer Tape: Yellow Chevron, Ice Stripe; Button Market: Checkers, Bursts

“Summer Treats”, by Becki Adams.

For this layout I wanted to create one of my very own designs from scratch. So I started with a rectangle. The rulers that come with the Designer Edition were so helpful with this design because everything needed to line up perfectly in order for it to look right.

I used the shear feature to make the rectangles into parallelograms. I then copied and pasted the design several times along the bottom and left hand side of the page.

After cutting my design I attached the negative space to a piece of cardstock that had decorative tape on it. I finished the layout with lots of goodies from the Sand & Surf line. I'm so excited to have a layout created with my own design using the Designer Edition software.

Supplies:
Sand & Surf: Surfs Up, Paradise, Sand & Surf Chipboard Icons, Miniatures Stickers; High Five Alpha Stickers: Gulf; Sienna Chipboard Alphas: Pony; Designer Tapes: Hot Pink Dot Tape, Yellow Chevron Tape; Ciao Chip: Clouds

“Heartbreaker”, by Becki Adams.

I started my first project with a heart from Echo Park out of the Silhouette store. I knew I wanted the title of my page to be heartbreaker so I tried out one of the different knife features on the designer software.

I used the triangular knife to cut the center heart and make it look broken by cutting down the center and moving the right half of the heart slightly to the right and down.

For this particular design I used the negative space and backed it with cardstock that I had covered with decorative tapes. I wanted more attention drawn to the hearts so I used my black pen to create some faux stitching around the hearts. I wanted this layout to be about how my little guy has such blue eyes and blond hair that he's sure to be a heartbreaker when he gets a little older. I love how it turned out and how easy it was to create in the Silhouette Designer Software.

Supplies:
Love And Marriage: Smokeys In Love, Just Write Journaling Stickers; Sand & Surf: Alpha+Bits; Designer Tape: Cotton Candy Chevron, Hot Pink Dot, Piggy Pink Stripe; High Five Alpha Stickers: Piggy-Punch, Blue

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Silhouette makes some amazing products, and scrappers everywhere are addicted to these machines. If you've been thinking about purchasing either the Silhouette Portrait or the Silhouette CAMEO, now is a great time to make it happen. Please click HERE (make sure to use this link, as it's the only place our promo code will work) to take advantage of this month’s discount and don’t forget to enter "BELLA" as the promo code to get these special offers.

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Silhouette is so incredibily generous that they are providing us with a Silhouette Portrait to give away to one of our lucky blog readers!!! If you don't already own one of these amazing machines, just leave us a comment to be entered in our random drawing. Comments will remain open until Sunday evening, and we will announce a winner on Monday, March 4th. Good luck everyone!

Comments

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What an awesome giveaway!! And I love all the inspiration from the DT members! :)

Posted by: Kathleen | February 28, 2013 at 06:46 AM

What an amazing giveaway!! I don't own one and have always wanted too!! I love love love what everyone created today!! I am IN LOVE with the hearts on Becki's lo!!! Toooooooo cute!!

Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | February 28, 2013 at 07:33 AM

What a great giveaway! Love how the DT used the machine to make their layouts!

Posted by: Sandy | February 28, 2013 at 07:36 AM

What an amazing giveaway! I have a Cameo but the portrait would make the most amazing birthday gift for my friend who doesn't have one!

Posted by: Brenda | February 28, 2013 at 09:32 AM

Wow, stunning layouts!! I would so love to win this Silhouette-it would be a great addition to my crafty arsenal!

Posted by: Margie Visnick | February 28, 2013 at 09:45 AM

Those layouts are beautiful!!!! Love what hey did the Silhouette!! Make me want one even more!

Posted by: Laura G. | February 28, 2013 at 10:17 AM

WOW, what a giveaway. I do not own a Silhouette, but would love it. I love all the things I have seen it can do and make. I have to go get busy making some cards, great ideas. Thanks!

Posted by: Carolyn Staat | February 28, 2013 at 10:26 AM

What an awesome giveaway! I don't have either so thank you for the chance to win!

Posted by: carrie | February 28, 2013 at 11:14 AM

Pick me!!! Love the Bella Blvd. inspiration.

Posted by: Lisa McD | February 28, 2013 at 11:22 AM

I love my Portrait and would love to win one for
My daughter. Thanks for the chance to win.
This is an outstanding gift! Love all you share
With us!!

Posted by: Peg Smith | February 28, 2013 at 11:25 AM

Oh, I would love that so much! Thank you for the opportunity to use that awesome little machine!

Posted by: Melissa | February 28, 2013 at 11:34 AM

Wow! What an awesome giveaway! Thank you for the chance - everyone I know has one but I just don't have the budget for one right now so winning one would be amazing!!!

Posted by: Alice Z. | February 28, 2013 at 11:45 AM