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Monday, September 30, 2013

Friends {Japanese Yorokobi}


I learned something new this weekend and I'm excited to tell you about it but first, let me show you something that I found out about the LD Japanese Yorokobi cutting file (SVG).


That there are some crazy intricate cuts in the files! I mean, they are seriously puny. I had imported the dolls at the original size (4" height), and noticed the fan and the mini slippers. They are super intricate! These dolls would look very cool when they are all layered and framed up as wall art but probably only when they are cut out in a reasonably large size. I can't imagine cutting them at a smaller size as the slippers would be challenging to cut with a personal cutting machine like the Silhouette Cameo. I had increased the size of the dolls as large as possible to fit within the registration marks for my hybrid (i.e. print-and-cut combined with traditional paper layering) card, and it was still impossible to cut the slippers out with my Cameo. Trust me, I tried. (UPDATE: I managed to cut the tiny slipper! See update at the end of the post).


The height of my dolls were 4.565" and 4.245" tall and all that I got from trying to cut the slippers out with my machine were shreds. Perhaps I could have had more success cutting them out with vinyl but at the time all that I wanted to do was to cut them out with the same papers as the outfit. If you  have tried cutting the tiny slippers out with vinyl, can you let me know if they worked? Anywayz...

...while I was picking at the tiny piece of what-should-have-been-a shoe-but-is-now-just-shredded- paper, it dawned upon me - why stop at a print-and-cut card base? I could print-and-cut a doll base!

And that was exactly what I did.

Click on picture to enlarge

The picture above show the layers that I cut out for traditional paper-piecing and those that I print-and-cut. Here are the dolls that I ended up with after putting the layers together:


Aren't they the cutest? Never mind the impossible (to cut) slippers, the printed faces looked so much better than if I had layered them. I was so happy that they turned out even better than I had imagined!


I assembled the dolls with foam tape and adhered to the card, a button that I made with my button machine. (More info on that is HERE in case you missed my post). Here are a couple of other buttons that I made with the same Japanese Yorokobi set ...


..and here's the finished card:


I took longer than usual to make this card because I was stumped by the tiny cuts but I am so glad that it all worked out in the end. In fact, I like the idea of a print-and-cut doll base so much, I'll be making cuttable dolls this way more often. Not only does a Hybrid Doll solves the issue of tiny cuts, it also makes it faster to put the doll together since there are less layers to assemble. On top of that, it saves me from using the skin-tone paper that may be hard-to-find. Sometimes a print-and-cut really works better than paper-piecing and if combining both would give a better end result, then why not? If you can't cut it, just print it, and chances are, it'll turn out to be quite alright. :-)

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Files used:
Japanese Yorokobi Cut It (SVG)
Japanese Yorokobi Paper Pack
patterned papers used for the dolls' kimonos are from My Mind's Eye- Stella&Rose "Hazel" 6"x6" paper pad.

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UPDATE: (10:18am pst, 9/30/2013)


I tried to cut the slipper again and I did it this time! It's really small but the Cameo did a nice job. Frankly, I'd still print-and-cut the doll base as I think it looks much better.

21 comments :

  1. Adorable creation and what a good idea to print n cut. I would like to print n cut with my Ecilps but it doesn't work as well as your Cameo. Although my Eclips will cut the tiniest cut and cuts like butter. Go figure! Looks like I need a Cameo for print n cut....lol Happy Crafting!

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    1. Misty, I really love the print-and-cut feature of the Cameo. Print-and-cut simplifies the creative process so that I can now create a lot more things for my kids that I wasn't able to before due to a lack of time. By the way, I tried cutting the slipper again just a little while ago and I did it this time! YAY!! I *knew* that the Cameo could do this! LOL! Please see the update at the end of the post above. :D

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  2. You are seriously one of the coolest crafters I've ever seen. I have so much fun reading your blog. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I was wondering what type of paper you are using? I have an issue getting clean cuts with textured paper in my Silhouette Cameo. Thanks!

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  4. Adorable project and great idea for print and cuts combined. I am really loving those buttons too. I read your post on them. Which ebay site did you purchase your additional button parts from. I am really excited about this machine.Will you please give us a tutorial on how to use the the Cameo and SSDE to make the correct size designs for this Button Machine .Thanks K

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    1. Hi K, It's been a while (over a year) since I bought the button maker and the button parts and that listing is no longer active but I know that there are a lot of vendors who sell them on eBay. I use my circle punch that I bought with my button maker to cut the graphics but I know that it can be done by print-and-cut with SSDE. Also, depending on the number of requests, I'll try to come up with a SSDE tutorial for it. :)

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    2. OK ,that would be great.Thanks K

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  5. Jin I know you've done crazy small cuttings before. If this stumped you, there's no way it can be done - I'm sure of it! =0 Your end results look darling - thanks for posting/sharing! <3

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    1. Thanks Nozomi! I actually tried cutting the slipper just a little while ago and I did it this time! YAY!! See the update at the end of the post above. :)

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  6. Thanks so much for the heads up on this! I purchased this set over the weekend but haven't had a chance to cut it yet. I love the idea of printing out the smaller parts, it saves so much aggravation! I love the way your card came out!

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  7. OMG - I think I had a ah-hah moment........did I really need to purchase the graphic set, too? I don't think so. It seems I only needed the cut it set to print out like what you did (right?) and then cut the layering pieces........is that how it was done in the above illustration, right? I did end up with the graphic file and imported the PNG image, did a trace............then????? I was lost.........I agree cutting those small pieces (eyes, cheeks, shoes) are a bear to cut and evn glue. Maybe LD could hv tweaked this part of the file.

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  8. This is again a brilliant idea Jin! :) Thanks for sharing, now I don't have to spend more buying face stamps.. :) I am struggling with print and cut but I know I'll get there! :)

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    1. Jin, I was wondering if this technique is also applicable for the Happily Ever After Princesses?

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  9. Jin

    I would love to see a video of how you made this card especially how you printed the shape part of the card from a cut it set. K

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  10. Hi Jin, I agree with comment above, a video would be so fantastic. This cards uses so many helpful techniques that us "newbies" need to practice with. I would love to see a video from start to finish-designing on computer, printing, setting up the cutting mat, cutting, and layering pieces until the card is done. How about it??? -Jamie L.

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