Lettering Delights: To buy or not to buy (Cut its Set vs Graphic Set)

Hello my crafty friends. Ever since I discovered the wonderful world that is Lettering Delights, I've always wondered about whether I should buy the SVG set (Or Cut-Its Set) or the graphic set. I'm sure you've wondered what the difference is... as have I.

I've recently discovered that both can be used for each other's respective function. An SVG can be converted to a file to be used as a graphic, and vice versa. I've found that using the SVG (or cut file) and converting it to a graphic would be easier than the latter. Although I have not tried the process the other way around, the SVG to PNG was quite simple with the help of Inkscape. = )

I did the conversion in my recent post about Christmas Tags. It was easy enough to convert an SVG from the Lettering Delights Merry Stitchy Set into a PNG file to use for the Print-and-Cut tag project.

So, if you ever find yourself wondering if you should by either, neither, or both, I'd suggest the Cut Its. But, it really does depend on how you craft. Maybe for certain files that just seem to have too many "pieces" or layers, you might already know that you will only be using the graphic function, and so the practical thing to do would be to purchase the graphic set. Or, if prefer to avoid the hassle of converting, do you buy both?

For me, I like having the option to do both and I don't mind the few extra steps to convert, so I will usually purchase the Cut-Its Set since I've gone through the process of the SVG to PNG conversion.

Anyway, I just thought I'd share my thoughts on Cut-Its Set vs Graphic Set. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this too, so feel free to leave a comment on how you decide what to buy and how you use your Cut-Its Sets and Graphic Sets.

Happy Crafting!

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Here's a few sets that are on sale now! =)

Happy Shopping and Happy Crafting!! = )

Christmas Tags = )

Updated with photos of my actual tags.

Hi everyone. I have not gone toooooo far. I've missed blogging these past two weeks. Trust, I've been in blogland -- visiting some of my favorites, like Under A Cherry Tree. Well, a few days ago, I came across one of Jin's fabulous tutorials on making some Christmas tags using Silhouette Studio and the Cameo.

Since I do not have the Designer's Edition (...YET) of the Silhouette Studio, I had to figure out a "knock off" version of Jin's awesome tags!

Before I begin, you should know that I did used a Lettering Delights Cut-it Set, Merry Stitchy. I aslo used Inkscape to convert my files. (Inkscape is FREE.)

1. Start by drawing a rectangle 4" x 2". This would be your guide as to how big you want your tag. 



2. Locate your desired cut-it file (in SVG) and open the SVG in Inkscape.

3. I chose Merry Stitchy 11, the Christmas Tree! In inkscape, select all (layers), and you can do this by hitting CTRL+ A. Then right-click and "group." After all layers are grouped, you can then save the file as a "PNG." I kept the file name Merry-stitchy-11, but you can rename to whatever you like.  (Note: Please make sure that your image is inside the rectangle workspace. I found that if you save a file and a part of the image is outside the workspace, it will get cut off when it's opened in Silhouette Studio. You may need to adjust the size a bit.)

4. Go back to Silhouette Studio and open your PNG file. (Note: the file will open in a new tab. This is ok. We will copy and paste the image later.)

5. Using the trace tool, select the trace area (the entire image) until the entire image is yellow. I unchecked the high pass filter and set my thresshold to 78%. Select Trace and Detach.

6. Once your trace is complete using the Trace and Detach option, you may drag your image away from the white background that was attached when you opened the image. You can now delete the white background image by selecting it and hitting "delete."

7. Now you are left with just the tree. =) Select the tree and copy it (right click and copy or hit CTRL+ C.)

8. Head over to the original tab you started on and paste the tree there (right-click and paste or CTRL+ P). As you can see, my tree is much bigger than the 4" x 2" rectangle, so just resize to fit. Mine was about 1.9". Then you may select and delete the big tree.

9. Draw a rounded rectangle below the tree, about 1.030" h and 1.745 w.

10. Next, while your rectangle is selected, select the Line Style Tool. You want the small dashes (second option, just below the solid line). You can now play around with the line thickness until you see what you like. Mine is at 5.5 pt. Make sure your End Cap style is "rounded." This will create circles instead of rectangles or squares.  (At this point, your original rectangle is no longer needed and you may delete it.)

11. Now it's time to create a shadow layer. Select both images and right-click and hit "offset." (If you have visited Jin's tutorial already, this is where I go back to her instructions and finish the tags.)

12. Because the line style for the rectangle is dotted, the shadow will come out like that too. It's ok. You just select the shadow dots and it turns into a solid line to follow the solid line around the tree.

13. Draw two circles. I made mine 0.3" and 0.1" and placed the small one inside the big one. This is for the hole you will be stringing your ribbon or twine through.

14. Select the two circles and place them on your shadow layer. Mine is at the top. Select just the bigger circle and the shadow layer and "weld" (right-click and select "weld").

15. Select the shadow layer and the small circle and change the line color to a gray (or whatever color you like - it will print with your tag).

16. Next, add your text and fill text in black. You're almost done!!

17. Finally, check your cut lines. Open the Cut Style window and you should see the shadow layer and the small circle lined in red. This will cut. If not, just select the layer(s) that have the red outline and set it to "no cut."

18. You are ready to replicate, print and cut! = )

My camera is going all crazy, so I couldn't take pictures of my actual tags... I'll try and update and post soon.
UPDATED!!

Please visit Jin at Under A Cherry Tree for the tutorial that inspired me to make these tags. =) If you have facebook, don't forget to "like" it too! (button is at the bottom of her post). = )

HAPPY CRAFTING!!

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And just a few short hours left to save on our Manic Christmas sale! Hurry offer ends tonight at midnight.

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It's a Cracker Box kind of day!

Hello Everyone! I've been playing around with the Lettering Delights sets that I just got Joanna's Pretty Picks Bundle and the Sew Stitchy Cut-its Bundle these past few days, I don't even know where to begin to post up my projects.

I was able to take a picture of the Christmas Favor boxes I was working on using the Cracker Favor boxes Cut-its Set.

Recipe
Cardstock from stash
Stampin up - Baroque Burgundy
My Craft Spot Merry Christmas Stamp Set
Lettering Delights Cracker Favor boxes Cut-its Set and Alpine Snow SVGs
Divine Twine in Cherry Red

Thank you all for stopping by. I hope to have more pics of the tags I have been slaving over! = ) I'm definitely enjoying my new Silhouette Cameo.