Box frame. Writing on mount board.

 Box frames make really nice gifts for lots of occasions. They allow us to add dimensional elements to our projects while keeping everything protected behind the glass.

 These box frames often come with a pre-cut mount but when you know you only have one mount the pressure is on to get it perfect.

Heres how I get my frames right every time.

Open Studio and in the page settings menu set your page size to the same size as the mount the clever Swedish people frame I used was 9"x9" or 23cm x23cm


 

Next measure the size of the cutout where the photo will go and draw a square to match using the shape tool. I just draw any size of a rectangle and then adjust the size by entering the exact dimensions manually into the top bar.

Open the Align panel and select "center of page" this will move the selected shape to exactly the center. This is now your template for this type of frame. At this point I change the color of the line, as this line will not need to cut if I change it to a different color and set the same line colour to no cut, the next time I use the template the software will remember for me not to cut this line (handy because I'm bound to forget). You may also want to color fill this box as a visual reminder.

Open the text panel and select the font you would like to use and continue to add text to your project. Align the text only in the area where the mount board will be, taking care not to get too close to the edges as the lip within the frame will obscure the view of anything in that area.

Now comes the fun bit.

 Load your mount board on to the carrier sheet so the wrong side is facing upwards. Allow the mat to load into the machine. Use the control panel on the cutting machine to position the blade holder over the top of the mount board and place you chosen color of pen into the pen holder.
As your mount is thicker than other materials you would normally place into your machine to cut when you position the pen into the holder you may find that the pen is already touching the mount board. 

If we were to send the file to our cameo now, the pen may drag along the mount board marking it along the whole course of its path and not only where the text should be. To counteract this there is a simple trick, place a piece of scrap card below the tip of the pen then lock into position.

Click on the Send option and select action by line. Uncheck the box next to the color you drew the inner box in. From the drop down menu select sketch for the action and change the tool to pen

Make sure you have placed the pen in the corresponding holder if using a cameo 3

Send the file to the silhouette machine and allow the job to complete if the pen is still dragging, pause the machine and use a thicker piece of card to raise the pen nib a little higher. By allowing the job to complete you can check the position of your text and then make any necessary adjustments. 

When you are completely happy with the positioning, unload the mat and remove the mount board and turn it over to the correct side. Taking care to align the edges correctly reposition the mount board on the carrier sheet. Resend the file to the silhouette cutter or select repeat job on the cutter.

Position your scrabble tiles and/or embellishments and glue into place. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly before placing

back into the frame and closing up to aviod sealing damp into the frame.

 PRODUCTS USED:

Subway Art Family Box Frame

Hello Silhouette fans and happy April!

Maria here with you again with a very quick and simple project. It is my friend's twins birthday very very soon and as a last minute present I have made a family frame for them.

This is honestly a very quick project, I think it took me less than 10 minutes from start to finish! But I think the final result is gorgeous... I'll let you be the judge!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• Silhouette Cameo or Portrait
• Cardstock
• Patterned paper
• Deep box frame

Instructions:

First of all I open the Design Page Settings window, as the frame that I have is just over 8.5 inches square, so I want my mat to show that size so I know where I'll be working.

I originally wanted to make a family tree style frame, but to be honest, I couldn't find one that I liked for this particular family, which is really surprising as there are tons of them on the Silhouette Design Store. So I decided to just create my own from scratch, making it like a "subway art" piece.

So I chose my desired font and resized it to fill the page. I did the same with all the other names, resizing them to fit as needed as not all the words are the same length.

And you are ready to cut! Very straight forward, see?

However, just a little warning... You will be using the negative space on your frame, which means you have to be really careful when weeding your cut off the cutting mat, as you don't want to break any pieces!

UPDATE:

This is how you put the frame together. Deep box frames have a wooden insert that sits between the glass and the back of the frame. You put your cut against the frame, then the insert on top, and lastly you put your pattern paper over the insert. That creates the shadow :)

And here is the final project! I hope you have enjoyed it

Thanks for dropping by and read you soon! x

 | My Blog | Pinterest | Instagram

PRODUCTS USED