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The Mother-Lode of Beginner Silhouette Tutorials: A New Gallery

The Goonies - show poster
source: imdb.com

Isn’t the term “the mother lode” just so evocative?

For some reason, whenever I say it, I think of a climactic moment from my favorite 80s movie, The Goonies.

SPOILER ALERT:  The kids have barely escaped capture by the criminal Fratellis and nearly escaped death by booby-trap as they follow where the treasure map leads them through the underground tunnels.  They reach some natural water-slides, which they of course slide down (wouldn’t you?), and they’re spit out into a body of water.  When they emerge from under water and wipe their eyes, they see before them One Eyed Willy’s pirate ship.  And on board?  His mounds and mounds of treasure.

They’ve hit the mother lode.

In similarly epic fashion, I give to you…

The Mother Lode of Beginner Silhouette Tutorials!

Now, as most of you know, this past year, I’ve been mildly okay, seriously obsessed with the Silhouette Cameo machine Mark gifted me for Christmas last year.  You see, to ensure I would actually use it and not let it just sit in the box, I gave myself a challenge.  A Silhouette Challenge.  And that was to use my new Cameo to complete 12 unique projects in 12 months.  And, I’m proud to say that as of last Monday with my {Rein}Deer Head Holiday Banner, I did it!

And I didn’t just do it alone.  But the Facebook Group I created as a support and inspiration for Silhouette users has grown to nearly 300 this past year and grows every day.  {Wanna join?}  Many of the gals in the group have grown to become true friends, and I am so grateful for the ways that they spur me on and help make our group a safe haven for Silhouette users of all levels.

The Silhouette Challenge!  12 unique projects in 12 months.

But back to my personal challenge: because I fell in love with my new Cameo and all that it could do, I went above and beyond just 12 projects.  In fact, I tackled 40 projects!  (And clearly, I ignored many a basket of unfolded laundry in order to make that possible.)

And so, the organizer in me wanted to put all my Silhouette tips and tutorials all in one place.  One crafty pirate ship stocked with booty for my fellow Silhouette users.  Argh!

Arrrrrgh!  I have a pirate's ship of booty fer ye Silhouette lovin' land-blubbers!

Now, I say that these tutorials are for beginners because I was a beginner myself this past year, and so I didn’t skip past the steps that may have seemed obvious to veterans.  I showed screenshots and photos of the play-by-play and probably gave way too much information…but I wanted to be sure that anyone, no matter what their experience level, could see a project and tackle it on their own!

This mother-lode is all ready and waiting for you in its own special GALLERY page.  I have it organized by material (vinyl, rhinestone, fabric) as well as by project type (holiday, baby gifts, wall art).  And as I continue to create new projects with my Silhouette, I will continually be updating this page, so you may want to pin the gallery graphic once you get over there, so you remember where to visit when you have a question!

Here’s a screenshot to give you a glimpse:

Screenshot of the Silhouette Project Gallery

So, what are you waiting for?  Click HERE to visit the Mother-Lode of Beginner Silhouette Tutorials!

Giveaway Reminder

Don’t forget, today is the last day to enter the $155 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway hosted by me and my Silhouette Challenge buddies.  That’s enough to cover the cost of a new Silhouette Portrait machine, so if you don’t yet have one of these magical digital craft-cutters, this may be your chance!  Click HERE and scroll to the bottom to enter that giveaway.

Silhouette Giveaway!

Have you told me your favorite Christmas movies?

Tuesday evening, I’ll be compiling all the data from my call for your favorite Christmas movies and creating a Top Ten Greatest Christmas Movies list!  I checked the data this weekend and let me tell ya, some of them are neck and neck.  It’s going to be a tough battle to the finish, friends, so be sure to cast your vote for your faves HERE.  Then, come back on Wednesday to see which ones made the cut!

The Top Ten Greatest Christmas Movies of All Time...compiled by The Thinking Closet & Friends!

Thanks for coming along for the ride this past year.  And happy looting!

{Linking up here.}

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14 Comments

  1. Job well done my friend!! I’m sure, like anything blogging related, that it took a lot of time to compile and get it out there. Your efforts have really paid off- I’m over there ALL the time trying to tackle HTV and Vinyl– those mediums have me shaking in my boots!

    P.S. you’re totally an overachiever that I look up to everyday :p Happy holidays, my love!

    1. Lisa, did you fill out the form HERE? Because if so, I didn’t see the request come through…can you complete it again? Just to jog my memory, so I’m sure to send you the email on requesting a group invite? We’d LOVE to have you join us!

  2. Lauren!!!

    Yeesh! I knew you had easily surpassed your 12 projects in 12 months goal. I saw that coming… BUT, holy moly!!! 40 projects!!! w00t! Yeah, move those to their own project gallery. They deserve it! 🙂

    Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season! Hugs!

    ~ Bethany

      1. Thanks for the generous applause, friend! And for the “Argh!!!” By the by, I love that you’re not only entertained by my piratical bent, but that you engage in the swashbuckling banter along with me! You’re a true friend, Bethany. A true friend! {Hugs back.}

  3. Your new collection page is absolutely amazing Lauren! You are such an inspiration, both in blogging and in crafting. I might be upping your page view count quite a bit as I come back here again, and again, and again….

    And great Goonies reference! You are definitely a child of the 80s. Love it!

    1. Why thank you, Kristy! And please know the feeling is so mutual as I’m continually inspired by you! (From a crafting standpoint, craftermath standpoint, and coding standpoint. Ha ha, that’s a lot of standpoints!) You’re welcome to visit the gallery anytime friend…and I look forward to adding to it through the upcoming Challenges we conquer together. So glad to have you as my Silhouette buddy! 😉

  4. AAAAAAAHHHH The Goonies!!! I laughed so loudly when I saw the image and read your description of the mother lode! Oh goodness… you are an entertainer!!! Ok so I will CLEARLY be needing this when I get my own Silhouette. Whenever that may be…
    This is going to be one amazing resource for all newbies and it was awesome of you to put it together!

  5. How awesome that you’ve created a gallery of projects for the Silhouette-newbies!

    Also, I love how you doctor up your photos. A pirate with a parrot on your shoulder?!?! Lauren – you’re fantastic!

  6. Okay, if you ever are wondering whether or not all this talk about your (freaking awesome) silhouette machines is working then wonder no more! cause it is definitely working. A friend of mine recently got one and of course i immediately thought of you. she is doing such cute things with hers as well! ugh, so cute!

  7. I pinned your gallery of projects! AMAZING!!

    I would also love to watch Goonies with you, Mark, and Lisbeth again sometime! 🙂

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