Jillibean Soup Bean Talk: Tutorial: Using Cut Files on a Layout with Jaclyn Rench

Hello Jillibean friends, I can’t wait to share with you a walk-through of a recent layout I’ve made. It includes two of my very favorite things: a Jillibean Soup cut design, exclusive to the Silhouette store, and the fun and eclectic Bohemian Brew collection.

Let’s go through the process, to put this layout together!

Step #1: If I know I will be using a cut file as a main design element on my page, I often like to create a rough draft of my page in the Silhouette Studio software. This step can be skipped, but I find that it allows for a better idea of size and placement.

Step #2: All of my pages include typed journaling. I like the fact that the Silhouette Studio software allows for me to lay out my text and print straight from the software. To do so, move all of the other elements off to the side, as shown, load your printer with the desired cardstock and select print from the file menu. The result is perfectly placed and sized journaling, each and every time!

Step #3: At this point, place the journaled cardstock onto your Silhouette mat, adjust machine’s settings as needed and cut!

Step #4: Now the negative portions can be removed from the silhouette cut and the cardstock can be trimmed to fit the background page. I chose the sweet Bohemian Brew ‘Peace’ pattern as my background paper and trimmed it to 8.5”x11”.

Step #5: Without a contrasting color to back the cut file, it would get completely lost on the finished design. I backed the word portion with dark grey cardstock for a nice bold pop against the white. Don’t forget to save the off cuts from your silhouette mat. I placed the original letters within the negative spaces, in order to allow for perfect placement of the ‘insides’ of the letters. You can see this demonstrated below in the letters ‘B’ and ‘O’.

Step #6: We can’t forget about the funky feather that accompanies our title. I used a number of colors and patterns to fill in the open portions of this design. Filling these spaces was a bit more tedious but packs a bit design punch when complete.

Step #7: At this point, the page is full of strong design elements – a patterned paper background, a significant portion of text and a large colorful title. It’s time to give the photo a more substantial presence on the page, as not to get lost among the other big elements. I cut four 3x4” pieces from the Bohemian Brew and 2 Cool for School collections, to act as a layered mat for my focal photo.

Here’s a look at how those pieces layer up to give the photo more weight and presence.

Step #8: Now it’s time to embellish. I pulled Pea Pod Parts and puffy stickers of coordinating themes and color schemes - reaching first for the Bohemian Brew diecuts and filling in with a few florals from Bowl of Dreams.

I arranged three clusters of embellishments in a visual triangle – creating movement and balance on the page. Two of the embellished groupings frame out the sides of my photo, while the third carries the viewers eye to the bottom of the page, accenting the large diecut feather. Here’s a closer look at each…

Here’s one more look at my completed page. I hope this walk though has inspired you to take a look at the large library of Jillibean Soup designs in the Silhouette Store. If you do, I’m certain you will find a great match to document a cherished story in your family’s history.

Just Be You Layout by Jaclyn Rench