Hey there, friends! If you’ve been keeping up with the One Artsy Mama holiday posts, you may remember seeing this photo of some of the fun things we included in the special gift bag Little Crafter made for his teacher, Mrs. Wright. And some of you, particularly any Disney-lovers out there, might have looked at and wondered what that was hiding in the back…
Oh yes, Mickey lovers, your eyes didn’t deceive you…that’s a notebook we customized for Mrs. W. because she is a Disney fanatic. In fact, she even has a pair of Minnie ears she wears during Literature to signify that she can only “hear” the group of kiddos she’s working with at the time. So, when I found an inexpensive little red notebook while shopping for the other bag-stuffer goodies, I picked it up knowing we could Mickey-fy it for her using “Cammie” {my beloved Silhouette Cameo} and some adhesive vinyl.
It was super easy to do; all you need is:
– a notebook
– black and white adhesive vinyl
– a Silhouette cutting machine and software
This project is a perfect example of why I love the Silhouette machines so much and why I chose to get one {no, mine wasn’t free!} rather than buying a competitor’s brand. Silhouette software allows you to cut not just images from their own library or a certain set of cartridges, but to cut just about any file you want. So, I searched online for a silhouette of Mickey’s head, saved it, and opened it in my software.
Once I was in my software, here’s what I did.
Step 1: Size it to fit my notebook {top left}
Step 2: Select the trace feature and select the trace area {top right}
Step 3: Choose “Trace Outline” {bottom left}
Step 4: Move the original photo off the grid, leaving just the cuttable outline {bottom right}
Then, all I had to do was load my machine with black vinyl on my cutting mat and let “Cammie” do the work! I peeled the cut vinyl off the backing and adhered it to the center of the notebook!
For the name, I wanted to use a Disney font, so I found and downloaded “Waltograph” and then chose that in my Silhouette software to type text. Another awesome feature of the Silhouette; you can use any font you have on your computer! I typed Mrs. Wright’s name, cut it from white vinyl and stuck the letters onto the notebook. Voilá!
Quick, easy, inexpensive, and personal! You could easily personalize other things in just the same way; a binder, a wooden sign, a water bottle, a coffee mug, a cell phone case…the sky’s the limit to what you can do with adhesive vinyl and a cutting machine!
Right now, Silhouette is offering a great promo so you can get your own supplies to make personal projects like this: take a look!
1) You can get a Silhouette CAMEO® and 1 vinyl starter kit for $269.99
2) Buy a Silhouette Portrait™ and 1 vinyl starter kit for $129.99
3) All Vinyl starter kits are 25% off…starter kits contain:
- 4 sheets of premium vinyl (9″ x 24″ of black, white, dark pink, leaf green)
- 10 feet of premium transfer paper
- Silhouette hook
- Silhouette scraper
- exclusive download card good for 10 vinyldesigns
- idea booklet and instruction guide
- instructional DVD
4) Take 25% off all vinyl and transfer paper
Don’t forget, use the code ARTSY at checkout to claim your deal! I do receive a small affiliate commission when you use my code, so think of it as helping to send Little Crafter to his awesome school.
Hugs & Glitter,
Nicole Burkholder says
What a great gift. I love personalized things. Two questions for the total newbie: What’s the difference between the Cameo and the Portrait, and, after you use a sheet of vinyl (like for the letters) is it toast, or can you use it again to print again?
Meg Kra says
This is such a cute idea. I love the Mrs. Wright vs Write teacher. Too Cute!
dancers4life says
Haha, thanks!
lydiaf says
Love the personalized notebook. So clever!
dancers4life says
Thanks!
Nancy says
super adorable and simple. I need to get a silhouette!
Kadie says
What a cute notebook! I’m sure any teacher would be excited to have it!
Emily @ A Tossed Salad Life says
What a cute teacher gift! I LOVE VINYL. Or rather I’m completely obsessed with it!
Emily @ A Tossed Salad Life says
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Marilyn says
These are all wonderful….I LOVE the notebook and the tags….super cute!