How to Make a Quilling Circle Template Board by Hand - 5 Easy DIY Ideas - Free PDF Pattern

My Circle Template Wish List

We quillers can buy circle templates from Quilled Creations, and dollar stores, but they all have pros and cons. So I designed my own DIY circle template with the following wish list:

• 4-6 multiples of the same size circles 
• diameter shown in both inches and millimetres
• 10 increments between sizes from 3/16 to 1 inch (5 to 25 mm)
• deep enough to prevent coils from springing out
• solid template, so it doesn’t bounce around
• ruler
• length of quilling paper strip needed to fill the circle

The paper length is my favourite feature because now I just have to write one number down when I’m designing patterns. The paper length is only a suggested length, because it’s based on the conventional quilling paper I have in MY craft room. If you’re using thicker paper, a different tool, or if you want fuller or looser coils, then these lengths might not work for you. In that case, then simply scratch out my measurement, and write down your own.

Watch my tutorial showing how to make a Quilling Circlet Template:

How to Make a Quilling Circle Template Board

Step 1: Download my free PDF template 

Step 2: Print onto card stock

Step 3: Choose a method below

Method 1: 

Make circles out of quilling paper, using a crochet hook or any other item with the exact diameter needed to match the circle. Ensure your strip width is shallower than the coil you plan to place inside, so you can still pick up your coil again with tweezers.

Method 2: 

Nylon or metal flat washers are inexpensive items at a hardware store. Match up the inside circumference and glue them down with Scotch Quick-Dry Adhesive, ideal for gluing metal or plastic embellishments. I only dab a little glue to avoid it squishing out from the bottom. The depth of the washers seemed just right for 1/8” width quilling paper strips. I even stacked two nylon washers together for 1/4” width coils, and it seemed to hold.

Method 3: 

Mat board strips cut to 3/8 wide x 5 inch long fit in between each row perfectly. Glue down these “fences”, and allow your coils to expand between them.

Method 4: 


Adhesive foam squares from the dollar store placed on either side of a circle will also act as a fence to keep your coils contained. 

Method 5: 

Circle cutters such as NT Cutter or Olfa will cut a clean circle out of your card stock. To raise the template off your work surface, simply add mat board strips underneath.

Although these 5 methods above will work, I will readily admit I prefer cutting my circle template with a Circuit Explore Air cutting machine. I plan to go into further detail in a future tutorial and video.

I hope you like my Quilling Circle Template Board – leave me a comment below and tell me what is your favourite template. If you have a way of making yours, please share your ideas with everyone in the comments below so we can all learn together.

Quilling Curve Challenge - Day 7

Quilling Curve Challenge – Day 7

How have you improved your quilling in the past 7 days? 

Did you practice curving these 6 shapes using my 3 simple techniques? Did you see improvement? Were you able to achieve the smooth arcs more quickly?

In this video, I'm going to show you how to tackle the challenge using conventional quilling strips and a standard needle tool, just so you know you can do it regardless of type of paper or tools. Heck, you can even make shapes with a toothpick and ruled paper!

Download the PDF template, watch the video tutorial, then tag me #7dayquillingchallenge and/or @paperzen_cecelialouie – I'd love to see what you make!

Take the 7 Day Quilling Curve Challenge

7 Day Quilling Curve Challenge

I have a challenge for you – if you choose to accept it. 

Practice your quilling curves a few minutes a day for 7 days. Compare how you did on day 1 to day 7, and see how you’ve improved.

If you’ve watched any of my other videos and see how I tame my paper to follow curves and want to do the same, then this challenge is for you. Challenge other quillers you know and try practicing together.

Quilling Snowflakes - Free Pattern and Tutorial

Quilling Snowflakes - Free Pattern and Tutorial

Do you want to make a quick and easy snowflake? It's easy to line everything up using my free pattern and template.

As with all my patterns, you can simply lay your strip on top of my template and cut it to the right length – no rulers needed!

No Peeking Gift Boxes

Paper Gift Box Die Cutting with SVG files and PDF instructions for Silhouette and Cricut Explore machines

I am so thankful for the time everyone offered me on the Make The Cut Forum. Below are some responses I got from my testers and the above photo taken by Brigit. I love the way she inset those panels and inked the edges of the tags - something I've only recently learned about.

Brigit (Zing): I love the design of your bow it's so pretty when put together, I used glue though. The pillow box I just did after the zing plugin and it cut perfectly, I love it, it went together so nicely, here they are.

Laurie (Cricut): have cut out three of the gift card boxes. The perferations work differently on different types of paper. It worked great on a doublesided 12x12 sheet. I used some solid regular card stock and it was much more difficult to fold the end flaps. But all in all they cut out great and are really neat little boxes. Such a great idea.

Pam (Pazzles Inspiration and the Pro software): Your bow worked out fine for me except that sometimes I'm a little fumbled fingered..lol  I mainly  create and design greeting cards and rarely do scrapbooking and when I cut your files, I actually used scrap papers that I had on hand.  I cut the cube box using some GA Pacific White Card from Walmart and for the Pillow Box and Bow I just used some lightweight paper because I think those two items would be better cut from it than from cardstock.  You are more than welcome to use my comments as they are quite nice cutting files!

Die cut spider

Scary movies know thrills are intensified by allowing your imagination go wild before they reveal the ending. Here's my teaser - stay tuned for more. Happy 1st of October!

Silhouette Pen Comparison

Found a pack of 12 Mini Gel Pens from Staples for $4 and hoped it would fit my pen holder from Silhouette. I was disappointed to see the pen won't go into the holder all the way. The Pentel Metallic Gel Roller fits though!

I took Staples and Silhouette pens apart and realized the Staples pen length was longer, but other than that it was about the same as Silhouette's pens. So I stuck the cap on top and taped the whole thing to prevent it from moving. After my Silhouette pens run out, perhaps I'll just cut down the Staples length and that will be my instant refill.

Here are the comparisons of all 3. Just click on the thumbnails to see a good enlargement of the details.

Animal Gift Boxes / Party Favors

I have wanted to make these party favors since laying hands on my Silhouette die cutter, as I've always been into boxes. After quite the learning curve, I've finally posted my patterns on Etsy. I've made 5 different animals, perfect for a baby shower or a jungle themed birthday. Thanks for looking!

 

 

 

Transformer Birthday Card (Vinyl)

My most complicated die cut vinyl card to date – 5 colors and tiny details that added up to a card I hope my 11 yr old neffy-poo will remember. I got the vector file at Vector Junky but some of the details were so fine I had to open up the areas, as it kept getting caught in my blade.

Silhouette vs Cricut Adhesive Mats

 
The debate over which model of digital die cutters has been going on for years. I hadn’t realized Cricut was not limited to cartridges, and was able to cut anything I designed using third party software called Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL). So of course I had concerns about my Silhouette (aka CraftRobo), which is not as wide and can’t cut as thick. My doubts were finally assuaged after seeing this wonderful post by Kwerner Design, showing the differences in cutting. So although Silhouette wins hands down on cutting finesse, I’d have to say Cricut’s mats trump Silhouette’s.

The Silhouette mat (8.9″ x 13.5″) is thin, so if I cut too deeply, I could go through it if I used the deep blade depth on thin paper = ruining my $25 blade. The adhesive is evenly coated, so my paper and card stock curls until enough lint has been worked into the surface. It helps if I put my paper face down on the table and peel the mat away.

Then I learned Cricut sold mats double in length (12″x24″) and cost half the price at Joann‘s – I just trim it down to fit. Not only is it thicker by far, you’ll notice a mottled texture in my close up shot – I think it helps with the release of my paper. I’ve seen videos showing blotting the mat with a clean white t-shirt until that perfect stickiness is achieved. I love having the best of both worlds.

DIY Soccer Jersey Placecard

Since blogging about the soccer themed place cards made for my nephew’s baptism, I’ve been asked about them numerous times. I used an electronic die cutter (Silhouette) to cut them out, but there’s no reason why it can’t be done by hand.

I’ve made a PDF with fillable name and number to print out. You can cut them by hand or use the SVG files on your electronic cutter (Cricut or Silhouette with Designer software).

Please credit my blog and I’d love it if you could comment with a link to your blog or a photo of how your project looks. Your enthusiasm keeps me inspired!

Die Cut Jersey Place Cards

These place cards were cut in the shape of soccer jerseys, with each name and table number showing the guests their seating.

A hazard of printing all the way to the cutting edge on coated card stock is powdered toner flaking off. A nice way to pick up all the toner is to wrap packaging tape around your hand with the sticky side out. Gently skim the surface of your paper, picking up the toner before it has a chance to coat the adhesive mat of your die cutter, thereby ruining future adhesion. Note to self: leave a white margin next time!

If you’d like to cut these jerseys, here are links for a fillable PDF (yes, it'll look just like the font you see here), SVG, and DXF file.

Ice Salt Shaker

Winter has come to Vancouver and instead of reaching into the plastic bag of salt (which is always in a threatening state of spilling because we’re too lazy to re-tie), I decided to poke holes in the lid of a a plastic container (held nuts) to make myself a large scale salt shaker. I was given an industrial strength hole puncher used in shipyards – it cut through the 1/8″ plastic lid like butter. Of course, I just had to customize it with my die cutter. Note: don’t leave it outside, as salt can solidify into a single block.

Birthday Cards in Vinyl

Saving these scraps of vinyl from the landfill gives me a total thrill because something so nice can be made from nothingness – kind of like a MacGyverism. Still learning which fine lines don’t cut well on vinyl. I was shocked brushed metal (kind of like heavy duty aluminum foil sticker material) is offered in vinyl and couldn’t wait to use it on the blue card – it just made it!

I used Adobe Illustrator to layout the elements, and Sillhouette/Craft Robo to cut vinyl, then manually aligned as straight as possible. The vector illustrations are free and found via these links: Lovely Flowers / Happy Space Pack

Die Cut Dragonflies

I envisioned a dragonfly cut from translucent paper to allow light to pass through the wings. The wings are supported by a base to give it varying heights. The body is glued on top and the tail is slight curved, which hubby assures me is more realistic (he knows from catching enough of them). I wonder if it would make a nice mobile or wall art – fragile though.