We are so excited about the release of Lia Griffith’s first book: Cutting Machine Crafts with your Cricut, Sizzix or Silhouette: Die Cutting Machine Projects to Make with 60 SVG Files.
Phew, that’s a long title.
Most of you will already be acquainted with Lia Griffith.
Her new book is now available to order on Amazon.
She’s our favorite professional craftswoman, a world-renowned DIY designer, not to mention stylist, photographer and educator.
Take a look at her in action on Access Hollywood:
We’re long time fans of her website, where she serves up the most beautiful and innovative tutorials, printables and all-round inspiration.
And now, she’s finally packaging up that expertise and creativity in this, Cutting Machine Crafts, her first book.
It’s already the number one new release in Amazon’s Seasonal Crafts section, and it’s currently available for pre-order, with the actual release date being May 1, 2018.
Let’s find out more…
Post Contents
‘Cutting Machine Crafts’ by Lia Griffith
The Projects
Just in time for Spring, and all the accompanying crafting joy that the season brings, Cutting Machine Crafts includes access to a whopping 60 SVG files and step-by-step tutorials to over 50 craft projects.
The projects are hugely wide ranging in scope: everything from kids crafts, seasonal holiday decorations and even high-end, sophisticated home decor ideas.
If you’ve ever wanted to use your cutting machine to create a vase of Gerbera daisies, potted cactus plants (with no dirt required) or Scandinavian botanicals, then this book is definitely for you.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for projects to keep the kids busy all Summer, you can’t go wrong either.
From lovable monster hugs and colorful insects to magical unicorns, Cutting Machine Crafts is full to the brim with kid-friendly, easy-to-follow, pieces.
We think the homemade decorations projects are where this book really comes into its own, however.
Exquisitely beautiful cake topper tutorials are just the tip of the iceberg: Cutting Machine Crafts also offers peony wedding bouquets, a romantic Valentine’s Day table, as well as super cute bunnies and carrots for the Springtime.
Whatever the occasion, you’ll find a reason to decorate with this book.
Another thing we love about this book is the amount of flexibility on offer here. You can use different materials — paper, vinyl, heat transfer vinyl, cardstock — not to mention different colors to create an endless wealth of different crafts from each project.
Have fun with it — experiment!
One thing’s for sure — you can spot the creative design and intelligent teaching that Lia Griffith is already so well known for in each of the projects included.
As with everything she puts her name to, the quality and attention to detail here is paramount.
The Instructions
Truth be told, if we were offered either a video tutorial or a book to complete a craft project, we’ll usually choose the video every time.
In our opinion, they’re much easier to follow, allowing you to match the instruction with action as you watch on screen.
Many crafting books, on the other hand, are vague and not quite detailed enough for you to be sure exactly what you’re meant to be doing at every step of the way.
For kids, especially, they can be a bit of a nightmare.
But we’re happy to report that that is definitely not the case with Cutting Machine Crafts.
It’s incredibly clear and easy to read — so much so that most kids will be able to follow along with no problem at all.
Most of this is down to the level of detail on offer here. Every project comes with a step-by-step guide and each step is illustrated with a detailed, up-close photograph so there’s absolutely no chance to get confused.
How do you access the 60 free SVG files, we hear you ask?
Easy peasy — just use the code that comes with each book to download the files directly from Lia Griffith to your cutting machine software.
At that point, all you need to do is cut out the materials and then assemble them into the finished crafts per the book’s instruction.
Should You Buy ‘Cutting Machine Crafts’?
So, who’s in the market for Cutting Machine Crafts?
Well, first of all, you’re probably going to need a cutting machine. Lia defines this as a Cricut, Sizzix or Silhouette machine.
You don’t need to have the latest machine from these manufacturers (although it will be awesome using the Cricut Maker 3 to create some of these crafts using fabric!) although you will need to have access to your machine’s software in order to take advantage of the 60 free SVG files included with the purchase of the book.
Having said that, if you don’t have a cutter or your machine doesn’t come with software, you can still get involved.
The free downloads also include a PDF version so you can simply print them off, trace the templates manually onto your materials and then cut them out manually using craft scissors or an X-Acto Knife.
There are really very few barriers to entry when it comes to buying this book.
The projects are both interesting yet well planned out enough to attract both advanced cutters, beginners and even kids (with some supervision).
The book itself is very well priced in our opinion — exceptionally so, when you take into account all the free SVG files you’re getting!
What have you got to lose?
Check Price on AmazonCutting Machine Crafts with your Cricut, Sizzix or Silhouette: Die Cutting Machine Projects to Make with 60 SVG Files is published by Clarkson Potter and available for preorder now.
It will be released on May 1, 2018.