Challenge 6 by Maxine

[Elizabeth]

These are all awesome!

[Phyllis]

All of these are very pretty.

[Gigi]

I SO GIVE UP!!!

I was so proud of myself - emphasis on WAS! I found a Celtic design online and converted it to an SVG - first time I ever traced something. Then I cut it out perfectly on contact paper THREE times - I could not get it onto the acrylic without ruining the design as parts of it were very delicate and it would not lay right. So I tried vinyl - first time cutting vinyl. Attached the picture so you know I got that far!! Yeah - that was the end of that one - it's a crumpled mess in my trashcan.

I am so done. I cannot do vinyl - at least not anything intricate. I really tried. I feel silly but yes - I am in tears. I really wanted to do this, but after four times I don't think I can do try again.

Really going to my corner now. I did get Lisa's book finished - not crazy about it either but will take pics tomorrow. Am really busy next two days but hopefully can get a few more things done before Friday at ???

So bummed.....

[Thyme]

Yes you can do vinyl!
Are you using transfer tape?

[pigtailpat]

Gigi - yes you can do it! Transfer tape makes it much better. Some people use clear contact paper. As an experiment I tried that last night myself, I don't like it. There is no substitute (in my opinion and this is just my personal preference) for the R tape that I got from US Cutter (in rolls). If you don't do alot of vinyl, then you can get transfer tape sheets from Tyler. I really like the R tape. It is the absolute best. You use a little plastic something (I have a squeezee - also could be a credit card) to go over the image from the front after the tape is applied and when you are releasing. The design you found and converted is simply wonderful. You have a lovely eye, and you can do it. Try again with the contact paper and transfer tape and see if it goes any better, before doing the real vinyl.

Pat

[Angel135612]

Gigi,

Don't be so hard on yourself. Why is it, we always want to pick an intricate design for our very first project with a medium we have not used before? I am totally the same way... I figure cutting out something other than paper can't be that difficult, but there is definitely a difference. Keep the design, try something a little less intricate for the challenge, and when you have practiced cutting vinyl and using transfer tape or contact paper to move the design, you can go back to your original design cut it out and use it, and it will be PERFECT!!!

I bought a roll of clear contact paper when I started working with vinyl, because I didn't know if I would like it or not. I found that I needed to "de" tack it a bit, so when I cut my piece to lay on top of the vinyl, I would take my hand or a clean cloth, and just pat it a few time so it wasn't so sticky. That helped the vinyl release when I was ready to put it on something. Once I did a few designs using that, I decided that I would rather use transfer tape, so I wouldn't have to detack it, and I got a huge roll.. so I probably won't have to buy any more for a very very very long time.

[LisaH]

Gigi! I know you can do this! I have faith in you, now you gotta have faith in yourself. Just take it 1 step at a time, use transfer tape, take it slow and easy, and you will have it done before you know it!!
Love ya Lady!!

[Gigi]

Ok - I hung in there and did it. It's not perfect (got some etching cream over the edge even though I tried SO hard not to!)
And I learned that etching cream will not work on silver mirror board, even though it looks like a mirror - exactly like it! Don't ask how I know that!

So today took two tries - amazing what happens when you use transfer tape

OMG - not sure I would say it was fun, but it was educational and I found more patience than I knew I had! Picture was hard to take but you get the idea!! (tried to take it at an angle to reduce the glare....)

**sigh**

[shirltop]

Gigi, that turned out beautifully! Way to stick to it and get it done! I am VERY impressed!

[pigtailpat]

I told you that you can do it!!Wonderful job!

Pat

[Angel135612]

That looks awesome Gigi...and for a first attempt it is great. The whole idea behind the challenges is to try something new... and you have done just that. Looking forward to your next project with etching.

[corwins]

Looks great Gigi

[JeannetteC]

That looks great Gigi! My first couple attempts at vinyl were quite the challenge too. But stick with it because it is worth it!

[PennyDuncan]

Way to GO Gigi!!! It looks FANTASTIC!!!

[Gigi]

Thanks everyone. I know it's flawed, but I finally got it after at least six complete cuts. I am no longer afraid to cut vinyl - its just the placing of it that is challenging, but I learned a ton (now if I just remember it! ) LOL

I know without your encouragement I would have totally given up, but I didn't want the vinyl to win! And I was so excited about my plan to put it on the mirrored silver (has a special name but cant remember) - looks just like a mirror, but man was that a disaster. The etching cream wiped right off after over an hour - no image remaining! Live and learn.....

Thanks again - you are all the best!

[CeCeCreates]

Gigi, it turned out just lovely. So glad you stuck with it!

[Gigi]

Thanks CeCe.

[Elsa]

Beautiful.

[Retta]

woo HOO!!! Way to Go Gigi.

[Gigi]

Thanks Elsa. And Retta - you crack me up!