Wireless photo printing makes it easy to personalise your crafting projects, whether it’s with images of yourself, your kids or even your pets.
Follow these easy steps set out by Alice from Handmade by You to learn how to make a vintage-style silhouette card that is ideal for Mother’s Day, Easter and special birthdays.
The following project is an easy craft project that everyone can do for fun or as something to sell (once you’ve got your designs right).
Materials needed
- Epson Expression XP-605 printer
- Digital camera phone (preferably on the same wireless network as your printer)
- Light coloured card
- Contrasting coloured card
- Blank greetings card
- Black acrylic paint
- Foam applicator
- Sticky foam pads
- Small scissors or craft knife
- Pen
Step 1: Taking and printing your photo
Get somebody to take a photo of your head and shoulders, in profile and against a light background. Get as much of your head and shoulders in the shot as possible, and ensure your face fills the frame. If you have the Epson iPrint app, change the settings of your photo to black and white and select 4 x 6 dimensions. If you don’t have the Epson iPrint app, you can open your photo in your gallery, and press print from the list of menu options. Print your profile photo onto light coloured or white cardstock.
TIP: Print in black and white if possible. This will make it easier to see your profile and all its details.
Step 2: Outline your profile
Using a black pen, trace the outline of your profile, picking out distinguishing features such as the shape of the lips and the style of hair. Draw round your profile, playing close attention to the little details and gaps that need to be cut out. Draw round your shoulders, and then round off the image by drawing an arc through the chest, slightly lower at the back than the front, as you would see on a cameo brooch.
Step 3: Cut out your silhouette
Carefully cut out your image, paying close attention to the details. Use a craft knife to cut out any circular portions, such as the gap between a ponytail and the neck.
TIP: For larger portions of the silhouette, such as cutting out the majority of the background, you may find it easier to use bigger scissors. Just switch back to small scissors for little details.
Step 4: Paint your profile
Apply black acrylic paint to one side of the image. The paint should dry very quickly, after just two or three minutes.
TIP: Flip your card and paint on the non-printed side.
Step 5: Create the layers of your card
Create an oval shape in word, or draw one freehand if you are particularly steady of hand, and print directly on to the contrasting coloured card. Cut the oval out, and stick foam pads on to one side. Using your foam pads, attach your card oval to your greetings card, and then your silhouette to your card oval, creating a decoupage effect.
Step 6: Decoration
Stick to vintage styling in keeping with the cameo / silhouette feel. Use lace trimmings, or pearl brads around the edges of your card, and consider script style calligraphy for your message inside.
For more information
For more vintage inspired crafts, visit www.handmade-by-you.co.uk for details of craft workshops and parties. For more easy to print papercraft templates, check the Epson Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/EpsonUK.