Decoupaged Letters (A scanner + A Silhouette = Spectacular results!)

I am super excited to be sharing this project!  My sister in law is a pinner but she is not a crafter.  Her idea of crafting is going to Etsy and whipping out the credit card.  LOL.  So our current relationship is...she pins….I say “I can make that” and we go shopping and have a craft day.  I will make a crafter out of her yet.  ;)  

Our most recent project was this adorable wall art for baby Jackson.  She is due May 5^th. (Baby Jackson is having a few complications though and momma's status has recently been considered high risk.  Lots of prayers for Jackson to stay in mommas tummy as long as possible.) 

I was super excited to put my new toy to work on this project.  I wasn't sure if it would work...but I thought if I just scanned in the image of each letter and traced it in Silhouette Design Studio...I would be able to cut out a perfect match. (Instead of the old tracing/exact-o knife method)

Guess what?!  IT WORKED!!!!!  

  

Supplies needed:

Wooden letters (We got ours at Michael's.  They come painted white and they are ready to hang with a screw hole in the back)

Paper of choice (We found this super cute paper at Hobby Lobby and it matches Jackson’s room perfectly)

Wooden shapes (We found these at Hobby Lobby as well…another perfect match!)

Silhouette

Scanner

Yes! Paste (or modge podge)

Let’s get started!

Using a scanner, scan and save an image (I saved as a JPEG) of each wooden letter in your project.  (Remember where you save your scanned images).  I have a HP Officejet 6500A plus all in one scanner/printer/copy/fax.   (I did have an issue while trying to use my sister in laws scanner (Canon – not sure of the model number) and the scanned image was not coming out in the correct proportion.  I would suggest testing this with one letter first to make sure that your scanner will cooperate with you. 

In Silhouette design studio select:

FILE tab…

Select MERGE….

CHANGE FILE TYPE to JPEG

SELECT YOUR SCANNED IMAGE (do you remember where you saved it?)

Your image will open in Silhouette Studio. 

Next we need to trace the letter:

• Open the TRACING TOOL…
• Click “SELECT TRACE AREA” button
• SELECT TRACE AREA by clicking to the right of your letter and while holding down the left mouse button; box in your letter leaving a small border around your letter.  (You may need to adjust high/low pass filters to get a completely closed path.)…
• Click on the “TRACE” option in the box on the right of your screen.
• CLICK ON YOUR IMAGE AND MOVE IT OFF YOUR MAT. (You can delete the image if you like….I waited until I was happy with my trace in case I needed to retrace the letter)…

Use the ERASER TOOL to remove any “specs” that may have traced inside of your letter. (You don’t want random dots cut in your letter.)

Now you need to REMOVE OUTER LATER of your trace. 

    ZOOM IN to the edge of your letter….

                DOUBLE CLICK to show points…
                SELECT/DELETE POINTS FROM OUTER LINE. 

                   There are a couple of ways to do this:

                         -Select points individually/right click/delete point
                          Once You get Started...you can move quite quickly by repeating:
                          right click/delete point
                        *Remember the undo button if you happen to delete the wrong point.
                         -To delete multiple points at the same time: 
                          hold down shift key/box in points/right click/delete point

You should now have a single lined trace of your letter.

- If you have any rough edges anywhere simply do a quick trace and it should trace a nice smooth line.
- I would print a test of this on plain paper with your printer to ensure a perfect match. Just print and lay your wooden letter on top. If all is well you are ready to cut out your letters!

Lay out your letters and paper and decide what paper you would like for each letter. 
I suggest alternating patterned paper with a solid color. 
When you have a pattern you like, cut out each letter. 

(TIP – DOUBLE CHECK THAT YOUR PATTERNED PAPER IS NOT UPSIDE DOWN WHEN YOU CUT. YES….I KNOW THIS FROM EXPERIENCE….OOPS…:-\ )

Now lets put this all together.    
         - Apply a layer of Yes! Paste or Modge Podge to the wooden letter.
         - Place paper letter on top and smooth out.
         - Apply another layer of Yes! Paste or Modge Podge.        
         - Use hot glue/Wood glue/E6000 to attach the wooden shapes.

         - Hang and enjoy!

Would you like to check out more 

Silhouette projects?  

I am super excited to be joining the monthly Silhouette Challenge group for the first time! This months theme is PAPER and all of the Silhouette Challenge gals are posting their projects today.  Get inspired by checking out the projects below...and don't forget to leave some love...you just might make someones day!

1. McCall Manor // 2. The Turquoise Home // 3. Creative Savings // 4. Sandpaper and Glue // 5. The Thinking Closet // 6. Sowdering About in Seattle // 7. Persia Lou // 8. From Wine to Whine // 9. Dream a Little Bigger // 10. Please Excuse My Craftermath... // 11. Play. Party. Pin. // 12. Everyday Paper // 13. Practically Functional // 14. A Tossed Salad Life // 15. My Favorite Finds // 16. The House on Hillbrook // 17. Adventures in All Things Food // 18. A Glimpse Into Barb's Life // 19. TitiCrafty // 20. The Experimental Home // 21. feto soap blog // 22. Creative Ramblings // 23. The Stamp Doc // 24. Ginger Snap Crafts // 25. Simply Kelly Designs // 26. Whats Next Ma // 27. unOriginal Mom // 28. Bringing Creativity 2 Life // 29. Cutesy Crafts // 30. My Paper Craze // 31. Create & Babble // 32. Grey Luster Girl // 33. The Sensory Emporium // 34. Lil' Mrs. Tori // 35. Black and White Obsession // 36. Mama Sonshine // 37. Weekend Craft // 38. Creative Carnival // 39. Peace, Love and Joyce // 40. Tried & True // 41. The Frill of Life // 42. Dragonfly & Lily Pads // 43. Get Silvered // 44. Minted Strawberry