Ledge Village • Ski Lodge

Note: Cutting Files are available here!

Winter is here and time for a new addition to your Ledge Village. What better house than a winter ski lodge in the style of a Swiss Chalet?

Project Description: 

The Ledge Village is series of 3D buildings and accessories that can be combined in a mix and match fashion to build tiny villages on small ledges around your home.  The buildings are thin, with all detail on the front so they fit on small trim ledges. This tutorial is for another house style, the Ski Lodge in the style of a Swiss Chalet.

Other files in the Ledge Village series include:

• 3D Winter Tree • Tutorial
• 3D Fullerton House • Tutorial
• 3D Tower House • Tutorial
• 3D Haunted Mansion • Tutorial
• 3D Library • Tutorial
• 3D Fire Station • Tutorial
• 3D Store 2 and Park Bench • Tutorial
• 3D Dormer House • Tutorial
• 3D Train Station • Tutorial
• 3D Backyard Necessities - Outhouse and Swing • Tutorial
• 3D Store and Gazebo File • Tutorial
• 3D Barn File  • Tutorial
• 3D School House File  • Tutorial
• 3D Church File  • Tutorial
• 3D Cottage File • Tutorial
• 3D Two Story House File • Tutorial
• 3D Greek Revival House File • Tutorial

And there are more to come!

Ski Lodge House Tutorial

Tutorial assembled using Silhouette Software Release 2.7.18. This tutorial assumes you already know how to use the Silhouette and Silhouette software.

Supplies Needed:

• Template from Silhouette On-Line Store here.
• Glue dots 3/16"- a few removable ones as well
• Silhouette Cameo or Portrait
• Card Stock 

Steps for completing the Ski Lodge House:

1. Download the cutting file for your Silhouette Cutting machine from the Silhouette Online Store here.

2. Prepare the files:

• The downloaded Silhouette file for the Ski House looks like this. Note this picture was taken before I added the 4 skis.

• It is laid out on a 12 x 12" mat and needs to be split into separate files for cutting. Each file will fit on an 8 x 10" piece of card stock so it will work on both a Cameo and Portrait cutting machine. 
• The parts may be grouped together. Click on it once to select it, then go up to the OBJECT Menu in the Silhouette software and select UNGROUP. This will split it into the separate pieces which you can copy and paste into new Silhouette files (FILE Menu to NEW).

• Copy the house front and shudders and paste it into a new file.

• Copy all the other pieces except the tree and paste those into a new file.

• Cut and paste the tree into a new file, rotate it and create two copies for a total of 3 trees. If using this pattern for a ledge village which will be mounted against the wall, cut only 3 trees. If you are creating a free-standing tree, cut 4.

3. Cut the files.

• The settings will depend on the paper you use. I have been using white index card stock and cutting at a speed of 3, a depth of 33 and the blade set to 3.
• Carefully remove the cut files from the backing mat.

4. Add all the details to the front of the chalet before assembling the chalet. Start with the shudders.

• It is easier to add things before the house is glued into shape.
• Start with the shudders. Add glue dots to the back side of each set.

• Position them over the matching windows and press in place.

• Before adding the porches, bend open each of the doors slightly.

5. Construct both porches and add those to the front.

• Fold the bottom of the porch back. There is no dotted line here. You just fold it back right at the base of the fencing as shown in the image.

• Each end folds back as well. Again there is no dotted fold line but there should be two uprights and one space on each end.
• Fold up the tab and glue in place using a glue dot.
• Do this on both ends of the porch railing

• Next fold in the tab at the end and fold the tab on the bottom up and over it forming the end corner. Hold in place with a glue dot.

• Repeat for both ends of the porch.

• And repeat for both porch railings - both the short one and the long one. Note that I have added a section of fencing to the cutting file also. This is not a porch railing and there only if you want to add an optional picket fence to the display.

• Attach the porches to the front of the chalet.  The short one goes below the top door. The long one goes below the double doors.

6. Add the skis.

• Also add the ski sets to the left and right of the lower door.
• Use a round tool to slightly curl the tips like skis.

• Add a dab of glue and glue the skis in a crossed arrangement.

• Glue them to the wall of either side of the ski lodge.

• That completes the additions for the front.

7. Construct the house.

• Fold all the dotted lines backward away from the porches.

• Tuck in the tabs along the bottom and use glue dots to connect them to the side walls. 
• Keep things square.

• Next glue the tab at the roof peak together.

• Put glue dots along all the wall and roof edges and glue the house back in place.

• Add glue dots to the roof and add the top roof. Note this photo was taken before I added the scalloped edge. Fold over the scallops to create the decorated trim so common in Swiss Chalets.

8. Assemble the tree.

• Cut 3 tree patterns. Leave 1 flat and fold 2 in half.

• Glue the pieces together matching the diagram below. It is a view from the bottom looking up.
• The black line is one tree left flat.
• The red line is the second tree with one half glued to the flat back tree. The blue line is the third folded tree with the other half glued to the back tree.

• Put the tree with the chalet and display.
• You can also cut another smaller tree to add to the grouping.

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© 2013 Marji Roy, Ashbee Design

Sharing this post at some of these link parties. They are worth checking out for other ideas.

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Accordion Tree and Star Card Tutorial

Note: The cutting file is already up on Silhouette here.

Project Description:
Over the past 30 years I have designed and made by hand many different Christmas Cards. (Click here to see all the many designs.) This accordion style Christmas Tree card is my design for 2013. You are getting to see it even before I send it to my friends and family! It is simply 2 cut files, folded and glued together, quick and easy yet fascinating because of the interplay between the two layers.  The accordion fold allows it to stand on its own. The design is sized to fit in a standard A2 invitation envelop. I cut my card from 8.5 x 11 white index card stock and used a dark green envelop.

Accordion Christmas Tree and Star Card Tutorial:

Tutorial assembled using Silhouette Software Release 2.7.18. This tutorial assumes you already know how to use the Silhouette and Silhouette software. It can be cut on both Cameo and Portrait Silhouette machines.

Supplies Needed:

• Template from Silhouette On-Line Store here.
• Spray adhesive
• Silhouette Cameo or Portrait
• Card Stock
• 4" x 8" scrap piece of cardboard (optional)

Steps for completing the Accordion Tree Card:

1. Download the cutting file for your Silhouette Cutting machine from the Silhouette Online Store here. This is how the file is set-up. It almost completely fills 1 8.5 x 11 sheet. If working on a Portrait Silhouette you will need to copy each half to its own file and rotate it to fit it within the 8" cutting width.

2. Prepare and cut the file.
For Cameo users it is set to cut.
For Portrait users do the following:

• Note: If the file is grouped together, select it by clicking on it, go up to the OBJECT MENU in the Silhouette software, and down to the UNGROUP command. This will allow you to copy individual elements and paste in a new file (FILE MENU to NEW).
• Copy and paste each card half into a new file and rotate it 90º.
• Here are the cut parts:

3. Fold the each piece as shown in the photos below. 

• Fold along the dotted fold lines.
• The top piece folds back on the center star fold and up on the two side folds as shown.

• The back piece folds the opposite way, forward on the center fold and back on the two side folds as shown below.

• Practice intertwining the two halves together BEFORE you apply adhesive. You want to understand how they nest together so you can accurately place them once glued.
• The front goes over the back, lining up outside corners. The two trees on the back protrude through the front layer.

3. Now glue the two layers together. 

• I have a cardboard box set up as a spray glue station. You can use regular paper glue if making just 1 or 2 cards. I will be making 70 so I work for mass production!
• Glue is to be applied to only the two outside panels of the the front piece. I cut a piece of heavy cardboard 4" x 8". 
• Place the cardboard over the center two panels of the backside of the front card section and apply spray adhesive. Work carefully to not get ANY glue on the center 2 portions.

• Place the card front over the card back, making sure the trees protrude through, then carefully line up the corners of the left side and press in place.

• Working quickly, move to the right side and line up those corners and press in place.

• This is what the card looks like from the top when properly assembled. Bend it back and forth to make sure everything is correctly lined up.

• Now make enough for everyone on your list!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with creating!

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© 2013 Marji Roy, Ashbee Design

Sharing this post at some of these link parties. They are worth checking out for other ideas.

Motivate Me Monday, Mop It Up Monday, Alderberry Hill, Metamorphis Monday, Tuesday Treasures,Today's Creative Blog, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Not Just a House Wife, The Inspiration Board, Romancing on a Dime, DIY Dreamer, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Transformation Thursday, House of Hepworths, Craftberry Bush, Jennifer Rizzo, One Artsy Mama, Craftionary, Flaunt in Friday, Tater Tots and Jello, Show and Tell Saturday, DIY Showoff, I Gotta Try That, Kathe With an E, The Girl Creative

DIY Christmas Card Design • Chevron Tree

Note: The cutting file is up on  Silhouette Online Store here.

Project Description:
Over the past 30 years I have designed and made by hand many different Christmas Cards. (Click here to see all the many designs.) This Chevron Tree was first designed by me in 2005 (which was before I was blogging and before I owned a Silhouette). I cut 70 of them by hand. I have redesigned this card so that it can be cut using the Silhouette and made the file available at the Silhouette store. It is far faster! The design which features a 3-D folded chevron is sized to fit in a classic business-sized envelop which can be purchased in colors during the holiday season.

Chevron Christmas Tree Card Tutorial:

Tutorial assembled using Silhouette Software Release 2.7.18. This tutorial assumes you already know how to use the Silhouette and Silhouette software. It can be cut on both Cameo and Portrait Silhouette machines.

Supplies Needed:

• Template from Silhouette On-Line Store here .
• Glue - or adhesive tape
• Silhouette Cameo or Portrait
• Card Stock in red, green and white

Steps for completing the Chevron Tree Card:

1. Download the cutting file for your Silhouette Cutting machine from the Silhouette Online Store here. This is how the file is set-up.

2. Prepare and cut the file.

• Copy and paste the chevron pattern into a new file and cut from white card stock. If making multiple cards, you can fit this pattern 3 times on each 8.5 x 11" piece of card stock.
• Note: If the file is grouped together, select it by clicking on it, go up to the OBJECT MENU in the Silhouette software, and down to the UNGROUP command. This will allow you to copy individual elements and paste in a new file (FILE MENU to NEW).
• Copy and paste the smaller plain rectangle into a new file and cut from green card stock. If making multiple cards, you can fit this pattern 3 times on each 8.5 x 11" piece of card stock.
• Copy and paste the large rectangle plus the star into a new file and cut from red card stock. Only 1 will fit on an 8.5 x11" sheet.
• Here are the cut parts:

3. Fold the chevron pieces.

• Fold every other chevron down toward the base of the card being careful to fold evenly.

• Apply paper glue or adhesive tape to the back edges of the white piece and glue onto the green rectangle.  Place it to have an even border on all sides.

• Glue the red star to the white space above the narrow end of the chevron.

• Fold the red rectangle in half along the dotted fold line.
• Apply paper glue or adhesive tape to the back of the green rectangle and glue onto the front half of the red card.  Space it with a little more space at the bottom than the top.

• Add holiday wishes to the inside and send to your friends and family. 

• Suggestion: Print the holiday wish on white paper, cut to size and glue to the inside of the card. I always like to add the year to the message as well.  People tend to save handmade holiday cards.  There are friends that have 30 years of my handcrafted cards!

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© 2013 Marji Roy, Ashbee Design

Sharing this post at some of these link parties. They are worth checking out for other ideas.

Motivate Me Monday, Mop It Up Monday, Alderberry Hill, Metamorphis Monday, Tuesday Treasures,Today's Creative Blog, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Not Just a House Wife, The Inspiration Board, Romancing on a Dime, DIY Dreamer, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Transformation Thursday, House of Hepworths, Craftberry Bush, Jennifer Rizzo, One Artsy Mama, Craftionary, Flaunt in Friday, Tater Tots and Jello, Show and Tell Saturday, DIY Showoff, I Gotta Try That, Kathe With an E, The Girl Creative