Must Have Supplies



Hello Friends!

 

I love my Silhouette Cameo. Have I ever told you that? I know I've said before that it's my favorite craft tool but I'm not sure that statement communicated the depth of my feeling. I design for my silhouette almost every day. I love design in general but the Silhouette is so satisfying because I can think of something in the morning and have it in my hands by that afternoon. That's not how it always happens but the potential for almost immediate gratification is great!

 

 

 

My favorite thing about my Silhouette is the print-and-cut feature (this, too, I may have mentioned before). It does, however, do so many other awesome things - you should check the Silhouette America website because I'm sure I'd miss one - and it seems as though they add new features all of the time.

 

 

When I create print-and-cut designs, they're always for 8.5x11 sized media. This is, obviously, so they can go through my standard-sized (not large format)  printer. There are a few supplies I always keep on hand to make sure that I can test print and test cut my designs repeatedly until I'm happy with the way they look.

 

 

The first thing I must have in my supply closet is 8.5x11 110lb. white cardstock. I usually buy mine from one of the big office stores but I think this brand on Amazon would work just fine. (I ordered some to test it out, I'll let you know how it does!) The reason I like 110lb. cardstock is because it's not too stiff to go through a printer but it has enough body to hold up as a folded box or a garland or a party invitation or a menu card.

 

I use white because I can buy a package of 250 sheets for so much less than it would cost to buy fancy scrapbook paper. That's not to say I don't LOVE scrapbook paper, I do, and I use plenty of it! It's just that I love designing most and it's much less expensive to design and test on inexpensive cardstock. And, finally, the white cardstock provides the perfect blank canvas for whatever color, pattern or design I'm working on.

 

 

The second thing in my supply closet is white 8.5x11 full sheet label paper. Again, I usually buy this at a big office store but these Avery labels are exactly what I'm talking about; these ones at worldlabel.com, too. They go through my printer with ease and cut beautifully on the Silhouette.

 

If I'm running low on either one of these items, I'm quick to jump on restocking. When the creative muse strikes, nothing is more frustrating than not having the right tools to bring your vision to life!

 

Stay tuned - more ideas to come!

 

~ M ~