You guys. I’m in love. I finally got to play with my new Silhouette Cameo(!!!) that my hubby got me for Christmas! My poor machine was sitting in the box for weeks because we went on vacation and then I needed to buy a desk big enough to fit it! Once I got it out of the box and running this past weekend, I tested it out and made this little ditty:
And after that I was HOOKED. Oh my goodness. Amazing. So I decided to try another project on a slightly larger scale and that required a bit more technical skill. I really adore geometric art and foxes, so I thought, why not combine the two into some awesome geometric fox art??
What You Need for Geometric Fox Wall Art:
– Digital image that you can trace
– Silhouette Cameo or Cricut
– Vinyl
– Something to stick your vinyl on (like canvas, board, or paper)
– Tools like a craft knife and a bone folder for lifting up edges and smoothing
To start my project, I found a cool geometric fox outline online and altered it in Photoshop to it looked like I wanted it to. I wanted my Silhouette to cut out my lines, but knew that it wouldn’t be able to read my PSD image, so I found this awesome video tutorial:
I followed the instructions to make a trace of my image that my Cameo would recognize – it actually wasn’t that hard at all! I was so intent on making everything work that I didn’t take any screenshots of what I was doing in my Silhouette software. Sorry! Once I had my Cameo cut my image I was left with this:
It still blows my mind that a machine can do this! Though I have to say, the sound of the Silhouette working sounds like a dial-up internet connection that is dying a slow and painful death. But hey, it works, and I’m not complaining!
Now for the time consuming part – getting the image off your vinyl roll and onto your canvas. I don’t have any transfer paper, so I wasn’t able to easily just transfer my design. So, instead I went the tedious route of peeling and sticking things on the canvas. I realized that I could use both the negative and positive spaces to make two pieces of art (two for the price of one? I’ll take it!) So I started by removing the big black pieces and placing them on my canvas in the shape of the fox. Once that was done I transferred the outline (which was one big connected piece) and put it on a different piece of canvas. The most difficult parts was trying to get the negative space pieces exactly right since they weren’t all connected, like the outline was.
Also, I found out that Silhouette vinyl doesn’t stick extremely well to canvas. It sticks and will stay put, but it’s also extremely repositionable, which is both a blessing and a curse! I’m sure it would stick much better to paper that you could frame, but I already had the canvases on hand and wanted to use them! To get vinyl to stick better to canvas, paint it first.
After picking and positioning both my foxes, here’s the end result – beautiful geometric fox art!
{I’m calling them Salt and Pepper 🙂 }
I think these two might end up in our office once we repaint and remove the baby blue boat wallpaper, but for now I tried them out in a few spaces in our master bedroom.
I really like how they look side by side and I think I’ll keep them as a pair once I find them a permanent spot! I really love how they look on the wall but also tried them out on our dresser.
Where do you think they look best? I think I like how they look on a wall, but feel like the dresser would be a fun spot too if the dresser was painted a different color so they popped more. Wherever they end up, nothing will change how in love with them I am. These geometric fox art pieces feel like something that you would buy at the store and it’s totally crazy that I was able to make them myself!
Do you have a Silhouette or Cricut machine? What should I make next? I’m itching to try more projects!!
SOOOOO awesome my friend! And how exciting that you’ve now made two awesome projects with your new Cameo! Definitely feeling inspired to pull mine out of the box ASAP! Fantastic my friend!
Thank you so much, friend! I’m definitely hooked now and can’t wait to do more projects! You’ll totally have so much fun with yours 🙂
I love Salt & Pepper! They are so cute!! I love the globe too 🙂
Aww, thanks, Leigh Anne! I’m seriously addicted – where has this machine been all my life??
I don’t think my first projects on my Silhouette were nearly as ambitious! Those foxes turned out awesome, and I love them on your dresser. Get some transfer tape! 🙂
Aw, thanks so much, Laura! I’m a little surprised that I managed to pull of my first couple projects without royally screwing it up! lol. And I definitely will get some transfer materials – I tried using washi tape for this project but it failed miserably. Hah!
Ahhh I love Salt and Pep!! They are the cutest. And I’m still in awe that the Silhouette can do all that. I bought some Gold Foil paper at Michaels today to try so I guess I better bust mine out! Pinned 😉
I’m totally blown away by the fact that a machine can create such cool things, too. I definitely need to get me some gold foil paper! Can’t wait to see what you make 🙂 Thanks for pinning!
Ahhh, this is blowing my mind with awesome! What a great project (and the possibilities are endless as far as what to geometrize animal-wise :). Thanks for sharing on The Makers!
Thank you so much Amy! The possibilities are TOTALLY endless! I’m hoping to do an owl or maybe a bear sometime in the future 🙂 Great party!
These are amazing! I have only done the most basic things on my Silhouette! I need to try something with vinyl . . . because I love these!
Vinyl is SO fun, Bre! I just love how versatile it is. Can’t wait to see more of your projects with your Silhouette! These machines are just too amazing 😀
Ok I’m even more impressed now that I know you didn’t use transfer paper!? They look great!
Haha, thanks Lindsay! It was kind of a pain in the butt to do it all by hand, but the end result makes it worth it 🙂 Definitely looking into some sort of transfering material to help me out for next time! 😉
Love these!! Is there any way you could share the silhouette file? I’d love to make some for my home with my cameo!
Thanks so much, Jen! I’ll try to figure out how put the file on here! It’s also super easy to find an image you want on Google and then trace it using the youtube video I posted. This machine seriously blows my mind!
You can upload the svg file in Google drive and put the link in your post (at least that’s how I do it 🙂 I’d love to make one!
I love these! What a great idea! Transfer tape does make everything better. I use plain contact paper instead of the more pricey stuff and it has worked just as well and lasted longer. I don’t know what I would do without my Silhouette.
Oooh good idea with the contact paper, Elise! I heard transfer tape was pricey so I’m trying to find more budget-friendly options 🙂 I’ll have to check it out! I’m totally in love with my Silhouette too – I don’t know how I got by so long without it!
So foxy, Erica!! I love Salt and Pepper! Nice work! Makes me want a Cameo even more.:)
Thank you! And you should TOTALLY get a cameo! You’ll fall in love the minute you start using it. It’ll pay for itself in no time 🙂
I love the way these turned out! I love how you did the negative and positive – so smart! And, yes, the Cameo noises crack me up! Thanks so much for linking up at The Makers, Erica!
Thanks so much, Alexis! And I totally thought my machine was breaking when I first started the project, but it’s good to know it’s normal! haha Thanks for the great link party and have a fab weekend! 🙂
Interesting art item…. good conversation starter.
Thank you! I’ve definitely already gotten compliments on them from guests that have come over 🙂
I love these!!! I just got a silhouette too and I’m so excited to practice more with it. I just need more time to really dive in but this info is super helpful! Thanks for linking up at The Makers Erica!
Thanks so much, Corey! These were really fun to make and I’m glad the info was helpful! I definitely need more time with my Silhouette, too – I haven’t even reached the tip of the iceberg with all the amazing possibilities! Thanks for a great link party and have a fab weekend!
these came out awesome!! I can’t believe you’re a beginner. 🙂 A tip: put either a coat of white paint on your canvas, or a coat of polycrylic- it’ll stick better once all t he grooves of the canvas are filled in. AND, if you don’t read the Silhouette School blog definitely add it to your feed– it’s been a lifesaver for me!
Thanks for the tip, Stephanie! I thought about painting the canvas but then decided I was too lazy hah. Never making that mistake again! I’ll definitely be pre-painting them from now on 🙂 I’ll add Silhouette School to my feed too – her site seems so helpful!!
Oh. Em. Gee. This is awesome! Pinned it! I am working on our outdoorsy nursery right now and think a project like this would fit so perfectly in there!! Thanks for sharing, I love it!
These would TOTALLY be so perfect for an outdoorsy nursery, Laura! I think when I have a baby I’ll do an outdoor theme too – I’m already up to my neck in fox and owl decor! 🙂
Heyy we have the same rug! And the little lambskin guy too! Love the wall art. Might make something similar 🙂
Great minds decorate alike 🙂 I’d love to see what you come up with, Fariha! 🙂
Oh wow, Erica. These turned out fantastic. You’re making me wish I had a Silhouette Cameo… I’m missing out! Are Salt and Pep in the same room as that cool fox clock you made a while back?
Aw, thanks so much Carrie! And you should totally get one – the cameo is addicting! And yes! They are all in the same room for now – it’s getting very foxxy in there! Haha. Will probably move one or the other to our office once we do some demo and repaint 🙂
SO cute, Erica! I SERIOUSLY need to get one of those machines, I’m dying with all these adorb projects I’ve been seeing!! I love that you used both the positive and negative; so clever! I like them on your wall above your nightstand the best, 😉 Pinned for when I get a machine someday!! 🙂
Thanks so much, Amanda! You ABSOLUTELY NEEEEEEEEED to get a Silhouette! I’m seriously addicted and it’ll pay for itself in no time! Happy weekend, dear friend 🙂
Great project!! Not sure if you’re aware but transfer paper isn’t terribly expensive if you use those coupons at places like Joann’s or Michael’s. I’ve found that in my cough*cheap*cough ways that you can actually reuse some of the transfer paper over if you’re careful enough to keep craft supplies like glitter or even pet hair away. Total lifesaver.
Oh awesome! Everyone has been telling me that it’s expensive, but it’s good to know there are ways to get around the cost! Thanks for the tips 🙂
Erica these are amazing! Do you by chance have a design available to download or free or for sale?! This is exactly what I have been looking for for my best friend for Christmas! I’d love to make one!
Thank you!!!