7 fun ways to get creative with SVGs

7 fun ways to get creative with SVGs | H is for Home

SVGs or ‘scalable vector graphics’ to give them their full name are easy and convenient to use in crafty activities of all types. They’re especially suitable for designs that incorporate simple line drawings and text.

Many of the popular (and some free!) design programs can handle svgs, including Photoshop, Illustrator and Inkscape. They are also compatible with crafting software such as Cricut, Silhouette, SCAL and Scan N Cut.

An svg is scaleable, i.e. the image can be created to be as small or as large as you need it to be and it won’t loose any of its detail and definition. There’ll be none of that unattractive pixelation or fuzziness in your finished product like you do with jpeg or png files. So, whether you’re doing something small-scale or need to blow it up to billboard poster size, this is the type you should use.

SVG files can be viewed and downloaded from the internet or sent and received as an email file attachment. Compared to the aforementioned jpeg and png, an svg is a smaller file

They’re the ideal starting point for creating personalised gifts for friends & family and decorative items for yourself and your home. Here are just a few of the ideas that we’ve come up with for using svg files for your inventive projects.

Card making

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Blue Penny Custom Creations (@bluepennycustomcreations)

Celebratory events such as birthdays, Valentine’s Day, Easter and Christmas are often marked with the sending or exchange of cards. You can produce your own with that extra special, personal touch. Also, they’re perfect for designing DIY wedding, party and shower invitations – business cards and flyers too.

Framed wall art

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Love Sophie (@lovesophieuk)

Do you have a favourite quote or are you or someone you know famous for your catchphrase? Create an artwork incorporating this or an inspirational phrase or saying. And then there are word clouds which could be devised via a favourite subject. Print them up and pop them in a frame to make a great wall display.

Stamp making

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Labiri ラビリ (@laabiri)

Carving your own rubber stamps is a great way of creating bespoke designs. Think of those regular multiples such as manually printing your logo on business stationery or stamping your return address on the outside of envelopes and packages.

Fashion & textiles

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Evelina Londoño (@_evylondono_)

The scope of fashion and textile items that can be transformed by embellishing them with svg illustrations is almost endless. Add decals produced using svgs to T-shirts, baseball caps, tote bags or baby clothes. Aprons, tea towels and cushion covers can be customised to coordinate with your décor.

Journaling

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Celestial Savagery (@celestialsavagery)

There are some beautiful examples of Bullet journals on Instagram. Some journal-keepers are blessed with a talent for calligraphy and drawing freehand images. But what if you’re not that lucky and you want to start your own journal? You can decorate it beautifully with colourful washi tape, stickers and paper-cut SVG illustrations.

Embroidery

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Bee Cardamomo (@apiculae)

SVG image files are perfect for use as patterns for creating intricate decorative embroidery hoops. If you’re an embroidery newbie, you can learn by starting with a simple monogramming SVG image template.

Body art

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Kareen Singh (@kareen_sing_h)

Tattoos are incredibly popular; have you been inked? If you’re not ready to commit to a permanent tattoo, you can toy with semi-permanent henna. Find a SVG file you like and use it as a stencil for your one-of-a-kind henna body art.

Can you think of other projects in which you can use svgs to create something attractive, imaginative and custom made?

[disclosure*]

Moody, crafty kitchen

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Sarah Simonds (@myoffthewallinterior)

Instagram always proves such a source of inspiration! I happened across the feed of Sarah Simonds who creates the most beautiful macramé and terraria; this is a shot of her moody crafty kitchen. Have a swipe across to see a selection of the work she produces.

Sarah sells her textile designs online on Etsy as well as running workshops from her home ‘cabin’. She describes herself in her own words:

I’ve always been a creative and had a very keen interest in Interiors, taking my first room completely dark some 12 years ago now…. with a push from my daughter I started my instagram account, not knowing how it worked and not really posting much……. well… as time went on.. I gained in confidence and this year I started my own small business and opened the doors to my little Etsy shop where I sell my Macrame. Another love of mine is Terrariums as you will see from my squares that botanicals are an absolute passion too!

When we moved to this property 12 years ago there was just a patch of grass front and back dotted around the edge with a few mature trees…. over this time we have hand dug and designed a tropical garden suited to UK climates …. all the work in the house and garden has been done by myself and long suffering husband ‘Plumber Dave’ on a very limited budget and with lots of imagination thrown in too!!!

  1. Dulux Velvet Truffle 1 paint
  2. Tahlia 3-light chandelier
  3. Macramé wall hanging
  4. Enamel Turkish coffee pot
  5. simplehuman 50-litre rectangular pedal bin
  6. Howea forsteriana potted plant (Kentia palm)

Get their look

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Howea forsteriana potted plant (Kentia palm)
Howea forsteriana potted plant (Kentia palm)
simplehuman 50-litre rectangular pedal bin
simplehuman 50-litre rectangular pedal bin
Enamel Turkish coffee pot
Enamel Turkish coffee pot
Macramé wall hanging
Macramé wall hanging
Tahlia 3-light chandelier
Tahlia 3-light chandelier
Dulux Velvet Truffle 1 paint
Dulux Velvet Truffle 1 paint
Howea forsteriana potted plant (Kentia palm)
Howea forsteriana potted plant (Kentia palm)
simplehuman 50-litre rectangular pedal bin
simplehuman 50-litre rectangular pedal bin
Enamel Turkish coffee pot
Enamel Turkish coffee pot
Macramé wall hanging
Macramé wall hanging
Tahlia 3-light chandelier
Tahlia 3-light chandelier
Dulux Velvet Truffle 1 paint
Dulux Velvet Truffle 1 paint
Howea forsteriana potted plant (Kentia palm)
Howea forsteriana potted plant (Kentia palm)
simplehuman 50-litre rectangular pedal bin
simplehuman 50-litre rectangular pedal bin
Enamel Turkish coffee pot
Enamel Turkish coffee pot
Macramé wall hanging
Macramé wall hanging
Tahlia 3-light chandelier
Tahlia 3-light chandelier
Dulux Velvet Truffle 1 paint
Dulux Velvet Truffle 1 paint

Our new haberdashery section

Our new haberdashery section at Todmorden Antique Centre
We’ve added a haberdashery section to our Todmorden Antiques Centre pitch this week. It’s not quite big enough to call it a haberdashery ‘department’ as yet – like those fabulous places of yesteryear that used to take up the whole floor of a department store… but out of small acorns giant oak trees grow! So you never know where this will lead.

Our new haberdashery section at Todmorden Antique Centre

Not that we’ve got any intentions of cornering the world market in sewing accessories. We just wanted a small area where we can display and sell the lovely vintage fabrics that we pick up from time to time. In addition to these fabrics, we’re also going to add other related items such as tools, threads, bobbins, work boxes and so on. Also, mannequins and shop display pieces.

Collection of vintage cotton reels in an antique wooden bowl

If you’re ever in the area, please pop in. You’ll find our pitch – including the haberdashery section – along with hundreds of other items being sold by various dealers housed in the same building.

A papercut you’ll want to receive!

Personalised, handmade papercut from Twenty Fingers | H is for Home

Hi guys! We’ve got a wonderful giveaway offer this month from Lana & Ivan over at Twenty Fingers.

We’ve recently had a wedding in the family – and we presented the happy the couple with this gorgeous, framed papercut to commemorate their big day.

You could go for the kettle, toaster or cruet set gift option, but we felt that this is a more personal choice. If you missed the big day, paper is the traditional 1st anniversary gift, so you’ve got a second bite of the cherry!

Detail of a personalised, handmade papercut from Twenty Fingers | H is for Home

A papercut can be displayed against a wall or window – and are a perfect reminder of a special occasion. It’s not all about weddings, though – it makes a great gift to yourself or others for all manner of event or celebration.

Detail of a personalised, handmade papercut from Twenty Fingers | H is for Home

Have a look around the Twenty Fingers website for ideas. You can choose any standard-size framed papercut with standard glass. Comment below about for whom and for what occasion you’d design your very own bespoke, hand-made papercut.

Twenty Fingers bespoke, hand-made paper cut

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