I’m thrilled to take part in the Silhouette Challenge! The Silhouette Challenge is a monthly group posting event that happens on the second Monday of every month at 10 a.m. Eastern. The idea is to try a new material or medium with your Silhouette machine and share the result on your blog.

This month, participating in the challenge allowed us to host a GIVEAWAY: a $155 Amazon gift card. Read on for a chance to enter and to see projects from other Silhouette Challengers.

I’m relatively new to the Silhouette Cameo, so I chose to work with vinyl this month. I’ve long admired witty vinyl signs from Etsy and craft shops, and with the holidays coming up it seemed perfect to make a Christmas-themed sign for my mantel.

I recently bought a vinyl starter kit from Amazon. The kit included an instructional DVD, four colors of vinyl, an idea book, a download card for exclusive designs, a vinyl hook, and a scraper.

The kit was a solid starting point. I found, though, that video tutorials on YouTube and advice from experienced Silhouette bloggers were even more helpful than the DVD.

I like to add an upcycled element to my projects. While cleaning my parents’ office I found a frame that needed refreshment but had great potential.

I painted the glass with Valspar chalkboard paint from Lowe’s. This is a simple, budget-friendly way to turn a framed piece of glass into a chalkboard that already has hanging hardware. Apply two to three coats of chalkboard paint to the glass. For this project I planned to apply vinyl rather than use chalk, so I didn’t condition the board with chalk first.

Tip: If you plan to use the board as a chalkboard, rub a piece of chalk on its side across the entire surface and then wipe it clean before first use. This helps avoid a “halo” effect when you begin writing.

I used a cut file from the Silhouette store that features the quote from the movie Elf: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” It felt perfectly suited to my mantel sign.

Before cutting vinyl, set the Silhouette cut settings to vinyl and the blade to 2. Avoid higher blade settings because they can cut through the backing.

You don’t need to use a cutting mat for vinyl. When loading material into the machine, choose “load media” rather than “load mat.”

After cutting, trim the vinyl and transfer paper to size using a ruler or paper cutter. These materials usually come on rolls, so cutting them to a manageable size makes the rest of the process easier.

Use the hook tool to weed the excess vinyl—carefully peel back the unwanted vinyl, paying attention to small interior pieces like the center of an “R.”

Warning: Vinyl sticks to vinyl. If a peeled scrap folds back onto your cut design you may need to recut and start over, so work carefully and patiently.

Once all excess vinyl is removed, place the transfer paper over the design. Use the scraper tool to firmly press the transfer paper onto the vinyl, going over each area several times to ensure the letters adhere to the transfer paper.

Test a corner by peeling the transfer paper back slowly. If the vinyl lifts with the transfer paper, peel the rest away completely.

Position the transfer paper and vinyl onto your dry chalkboard, aligning with the grid lines to keep it straight. Use the scraper again to press the vinyl onto the board, applying firm pressure across the whole design.

When ready, peel back the transfer paper low and tight to leave the vinyl design on the board.

For the frame, I painted two coats of Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old White. To achieve a distressed, shabby-chic look, I applied a small amount of Espresso Wax from Shabby Paints with a dry brush and lightly sanded the edges so some of the wood shows through. Don’t over-sand—subtle distressing is best.

This project has become one of my favorites. Vinyl was surprisingly easy to work with, even for a beginner, and the finished sign fits perfectly on my mantel.

Want to Check Out More Silhouette Projects?

My Silhouette Challenge friends are sharing their projects on their blogs today. Browse the list below for lots of creative inspiration.

2013 Snowman Christmas Card by Please Excuse My Craftermath…
Christmas Hoop Art by Lil’ Mrs. Tori
Silhouette Nativity Advent Candle Box by One Tough Mother
Christmas Party Photo Booth Props by unOriginal Mom
Another Stenciled Tea Towel by Cutesy Crafts
Silhouette Gift Tags by Rain on a Tin Roof
Snowflake Pin / Ornament by Coley’s Corner
State Sign Couple Gift by It Happens in a Blink
Mason Jar Christmas Ornaments by Vintage News Junkie
Merry Christmas Wall Decor by One Artsy Mama
Deer Head Holiday Banner…featuring Santa’s Reindeer by The Thinking Closet
Restore your UGGS (with PAINT) by From Wine to Whine
Monogrammed Snowflake Ornaments by Architecture of a Mom
Christmas Countdown Sign by The Girl Creative
Elf Chalk Sign: “The Best Way to Spread Christmas” by Weekend Craft
Glittery Christmas Subway Art by The Turquoise Home
Sketch Pen Labels by Sowdering About in Seattle
Snowflake NOEL Sign by My Favorite Finds
DIY Holiday Hostess Gift by Everyday Paper
Folding Nativity Backdrop by Chicken Scratch NY
Recycled Glass Jar Advent Calendar by Nearly Handmade
Reindeer Card: Double-Sided Print & Cut by GetSilvered
Personalized Block Ornament by Suburble
Paper Medallion Christmas Tree by Create & Babble
Mini Mid-Century Homes by Tried & True
Glitter and Vinyl Minecraft Christmas Ornament by A Tossed Salad Life
DIY Countdown to Christmas Refrigerator Style by My Paper Craze
Reversible Recipe Holder/Block Frame by The Sensory Emporium
DIY: Lettered Christmas Pillows by The House on Hillbrook
Simply Charming Christmas Ornaments by Life After Laundry
No Glitter was Worn by GiveMeAPaintbrush
Make Easy Ornaments from Paper Circles by Bringing Creativity to Life
Cutting Machine Embroidery Applique by Terri Johnson Creates
“Believe” Christmas Banner by Daily Dwelling
DIY Christmas Nativity Card by Pitter and Glink

Do you have a Silhouette machine?

If you’re looking for inspiration, support, or troubleshooting—or you’d like to join our group posting event next month—consider joining the Silhouette Challenge Facebook group. Fill out the new member request form through The Thinking Closet and Lauren will help get you connected.

$155 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway!

Here’s what you need to know:

Giveaway runs from Monday, December 9th – Monday, December 16th at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Open to anyone 18 years or older. International entries are welcome.
Thirty-one bloggers from our Silhouette Challenge Facebook group helped make this giveaway possible, which means there are 31 different potential entry methods.
Prize: $155 Amazon Gift Card
The winner will be contacted by Lauren from The Thinking Closet by email and will have 48 hours to respond—check your spam folder.

This project reinforced that vinyl is an accessible, fun medium for beginners and experienced crafters alike. Happy crafting!