Free File Friday: Use a cut file background

Happy Friday and welcome back to Free File Friday!

 For this round of FFF, we are challenging you to use a cut file background.  

Here are just a few you can find in Paper Issues online store.

 There are hundreds more, so don't stop looking until you find exactly what you need!

I went with the sunburst background as I had it painted and cut earlier this summer

 and knew it was time to put it to use.  

Does anyone else cut several cut files ahead of time, knowing you will use it later?   

 It often helps me speed up my design process knowing I have a built-in layer to work with!

I stitched a frame of Fancy Pants Hello Sunshine floral paper over the cut file edges as my sunset photo was of a darker silhouette of my daughter and this helps to balance the photo. I love the dimension and shadows of the paper edges and the sun cut file as it is only adhered with the sewing on the outer edges. You can find more details on my blog.

Let's get going with more background inspiration from the rest of the team!

Amanda used the gorgeous Mark Your Spot cut file to go with her lovely photo of her children.  I love the soft colors peeking through.  Amanda mixed Amy Tangerine's On a Whim and Pinkfresh The Mix No. 1.  These colors and patterns are so beautiful together. Definitely "all the feels" with this cool design.




Kelly was clever to trim off the extra heart border and use the monarch butterfly image for a big layer on her background. This is a great example of showing how to alter your cut files to make them work for your design. Kelly was able to use the remaining heart on another layout. This beautiful one canoe two Creekside collection is perfection for her beautiful waterfront wedding photo. She finished off her sweet design with the We R Stitch Happy wavy gold stitched border.



Michelle used the Dream Big collection by Fancy Pants and the cloudy background with her daughter's pretty selfie photo. I love the scattered stickers and ephemera throughout the clouds.  The patterned paper in some of the clouds adds even more to her already cool background!




Devra rocked the diagonal stripe background and the alpha set for her title.  This is such a fun and colorful design using Amy Tangerine Hustle & Heart.  Check out her awesome hand stitching on the alpha. The cut file alphabet looks so great against the wide stripe The Bright Side paper and coordinates perfectly with her photo. I love all of the angles and modern art feel this layout has!




Rachel paired the cloud cut file with a bold polka dot paper by Shimelle's Little by Little collection. I love how this looks peeking out from the layers of clouds.  All of the embellishments add such whimsy to her design and yet the focus is still her son's happy photo! Look even closer and note the cool stitching she added to each solid white cloud.




Ann is wowing us with the Count Your Lucky Stars background.  It has such fun dimension as it is foam mounted onto her background paper which gives it such a slight shadow and depth to make it pop. I love how the Fancy Pants Dream Big stars look stacked against the stars. This is the perfect way to document an epic vacation photo with this dreamy look!




Cat is rocking the rosey posey background and she is such the mix master of so many awesome collections. She has used a collection of swag bag bits along with Pebbles Girl Squad and Amy Tangerine's Hustle & Heart. Yes, to peonies all the time. This is the perfect photo to use with the floral background and various patterned papers from Dear Lizzy Lovely Day.




Anna has the the triangles working for her beautiful layout of her daughter.  It is a pretty pairing of Pink Paislee Oh My Heart with the ombre painted paper and how awesome is her daughter's matching hair!?! The cut file title words and parts of the triangles are stitched onto the background adding such fun texture.

Thanks so much for sticking with this long post full of ideas to get you started this weekend!

  

I hope you are inspired to download and cut out a background

or use a background from Paper Issues that you have ready to go!  

These cut files are all in Silhouette Design Studio format. 

 If you need help converting the files there are links on each download page

 as well as on the top of the PI Blog home page. 

You can always use You Tube to find video tutorials for your exact machine.

Play along now through September 3rd and post your entries on the August Free File Friday thread in Paper Issues Friends and Fans Facebook group.

Tag us on social media so we can send some love. 

We absolutely enjoy seeing how you are creatively using our PI cut files.

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