This post contains affiliate links – click here to read my full disclosure.
This post is long overdue…you see, Silhouette sent me a Curio several months ago (when I was in the midst of frantic preparations for my sister’s wedding) and since then, I just haven’t gotten a chance to really play with it much yet! I’m still learning about it’s capabilities – and holding out my complete and total judgement on it until some new supplies come out – but I am finally sharing my first Curio project with you today!
One of the things that sets the Curio most apart from the Cameo and Portrait is it’s ability to handle thicker, rigid materials. You see, instead of loading just a flexible mat into the machine, you place the mat onto a hard plastic platform. This allows you to work with wood! Yippee! Now, the cut pressure and blade depth is still the same as the Cameo/Portrait, so you can’t necessarily cut those thicker materials (though rumor has it there’s a deep cut blade coming out at some point, so that may open up some new cutting possibilities!)…but you CAN sketch on them! That’s what I did for these DIY wooden place cards – I sketched directly onto wooden tags I’d purchased at the craft store to get a perfect hand lettered look without having to hand letter them myself! Good news for the awful handwriting crew, like me :-)
Here’s the run down on how I created these wooden place cards with my Curio! The inspiration came when I found these wooden tags at Michael’s for about 30 cents a piece.
I decided I wanted to go with the classic-yet-trendy chalkboard look, so I used regular old acrylic paint to paint them black. I could have used chalkboard paint, but I didn’t really care to make these reusable so I went with the cheaper black paint. After two coats, I added a coat of this varnish to give it a tiny bit of shine, a smoother finish, and more depth to the color.
The next step was to sketch on the name with my Curio! I just used pencil so I could go back over it with a paint pen. Check out that thick wood tag on the mat!! (If you’re wondering how the machine accommodates for different thicknesses of materials, there are removable foam mats of 1 and 2mm thickness that go underneath your sticky mat – so for a thicker material, you remove the mats, and for a thinner material like paper, you add mats. The software helps you know which mats to add based on your material!)
Because of the way the platform loads into the Curio the exact same way each time, you can line up things on your mat much more accurately than you can with your Cameo or Portrait. There is still the print-and-cut capability for even more precise cuts on paper, but by placing the tags on the mat exactly where I wanted them I was able to line up the names with the tags and get them nice and centered!
I used a plain white paint pen to trace over the letters. I did try using the paint pen in the Curio to skip a step, but the tip was too thick to do lettering this small (the tags are about 2×3″). If I had a finer tipped paint pen it probably would have worked! But it was easy to trace over the pencil outline to get that hand drawn look. After I’d traced the name, I free handed a border around the edge of each tag.
I debated about adding anything to these tags…gluing twine to the back to tie around a napkin, or maybe gluing them onto a pumpkin or something to put at each place. But since these are pretty versatile as plain black-and-white (and we tend to have the same crowd at my Grandma’s for family dinners throughout the year), I decided to just set them on top of the place setting. That way I can reuse them for Christmas, Easter, or other big family dinners just by switching out the rest of the table decor!
They turned out so beautifully! And they look lovely with my Come Thou Fount freezer paper stenciled table runner.
My wheels are turning with more ideas on how to use the sketch feature on my Curio…perhaps gift tags, thin wooden ornaments, or even small signs! It’s fun to be able to experiment with a new type of medium like this.
This post contains affiliate links – click here to read my full disclosure.
Subscribe to unOriginal Mom via email and get instant access to my library of FREE Silhouette Studio & SVG cut files - exclusively for email subscribers. Plus there's a new file added every month!
I have had it in a box for almost a year, looking forward to learning how to use it.
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win a Curio! It has been on my ‘want’ list for a while but is out of my price range right now! I could really get my crafting business going with one!
I love the idea of DIY wooden place cards using the Curio! It’s a fantastic way to add a personal touch to any event, especially weddings. Plus, it’s exciting to explore new crafting tools.
I love the idea of DIY wooden place cards using the Curio! It’s a fantastic way to add a personal touch to any event, especially weddings. Plus, it’s exciting to explore new crafting tools. nice post!
Great idea on using these tags for various family dinners! Versatile decorations really streamline setting the table. You might even consider using elements from the Infinite Craft game as part of your decor. Incorporating quaint crafts can add a personal touch that sparks conversation. Plus, it’s a fun activity to engage the family with, blending creativity and family time seamlessly!
This is a fantastic approach to family dinners! Using versatile decorations can indeed enhance the dining experience. I love the idea of incorporating elements from games like Geometry Dash for a modern twist. Perhaps you could create themed centerpieces inspired by the game’s vibrant colors and shapes. It could spark fun conversations and even encourage family members to share their favorite levels!
What a creative use of the Curio! Sketching directly onto wooden tags for place cards is such a unique idea. The chalkboard look with acrylic paint adds a trendy touch. I love how you described the process step by step, making it seem achievable for others to try. Can’t wait to see more of your Curio projects!
This is so cool! I love how the Curio can work with thicker materials like wood. Can’t wait to see more projects using this unique feature. 😊
Thank you! Your creative approach truly stands out—using Curio for sketching on wooden tags as place cards is not only innovative but also accessible thanks to your detailed guide. The chalkboard style with acrylic paint gives a modern, stylish flair. For those looking for even more unique DIY inspiration and engaging activities, I highly recommend visiting monkey mart for a fun twist on creativity and entertainment. Keep sharing your amazing Curio ideas!
Snake Game brings back old memories from school! I enjoy how the game gets harder the more you grow. It’s great for improving focus and reflexes. Super addictive and fun to play!
That’s awesome! The Curio’s sketch feature opens up so many possibilities. Gift tags and ornaments are great starting points. Have you considered incorporating layered cardstock for a pop-up effect? Or maybe etching details onto the wood before sketching? Thinking of games, it reminds me of strategizing moves in Uno Online! Keep experimenting; the possibilities are endless!
What I like most about Vidmate is its versatility. Not only can I download videos, but I can also access trending movies, music, and even live TV. It’s like an all-in-one entertainment app. Super helpful for someone who doesn’t want to switch between multiple platforms.
https://www.vidmate-apps.com/
Para todos los estudiantes, el estatus beca Benito Juárez 2024 es una herramienta básica. Te muestra fechas de pago, estado del registro y hasta posibles actualizaciones.
https://buscador-de-estatus.com.mx/
It’s exciting to see how the Curio can handle thicker materials like wood—perfect for your DIY projects! Your wooden place cards turned out beautifully, and the chalkboard effect is such a trendy choice. The precision with which you sketched the names is impressive. Speaking of creativity, have you ever tried designing on a cosmic scale with tools like Solar Smash? It’s a fun way to explore your artistic side! Check it out here: Solar Smash.
Great post, really enjoyed this one!
I appreciate the depth of research and clarity in your writing. The way you presented complex information so simply is remarkable.
Crafty projects, they always beckon, don’t they? These wooden place cards are a delightful touch, especially with the chalkboard aesthetic. I remember when I tried woodburning names onto spoons for a family reunion, what a disaster! The wood kept splitting, and it looked like the Dinosaur Game screen exploded. Thank goodness these cards used a gentler method. Now I am thinking about trying to laser cut something out of wood for my niece, and these are great and inspiring ideas.
The Aiims Escorts create exceptional nighttime experiences which showcase their trustworthiness because they deliver outstanding service with elegant presentation and customer-focused service that meets high-end needs.
Presentation details like these wooden cards set the tone before the meal is even served.
Thanks for sharing this. Great write-up. I especially liked your practical breakdown and examples. Thanks again for pu
Thanks for sharing this quality information with us. I really enjoyed reading.
This post shares a creative and approachable DIY project for wooden place cards, combining simple materials with a stylish chalkboard-inspired finish. It’s a great idea for adding a personal and handcrafted touch to table settings, especially for events or family gatherings.
Accede al buscador de estatus beca Benito Juárez y revisa toda la información relevante de tu apoyo educativo en un solo lugar. Consulta pagos, estado del registro y novedades recientes de forma sencilla. Esta herramienta está diseñada para ofrecer resultados claros, precisos y confiables, siendo ideal para estudiantes que necesitan verificar su beca Benito Juárez sin complicaciones.
Delta Executor offers stable Roblox execution support with responsive scripting performance and optimized gameplay tools. It includes updated compatibility enhancements, lightweight functionality, and smooth script injection capabilities. The executor is commonly used for its reliable performance and clean interface design.
These wooden place cards look fantastic! If you want more practical ideas on DIY Wooden Place Cards, free file merge tool is worth a look too.
These wooden place cards are so charming If you want more practical ideas on DIY Wooden Place Cards, merge PDF and image files is worth a look too.
If you’re comparing Instagram downloader tools, This is such a clever way to use If you want more practical ideas on DIY Wooden Place Cards, download instagram videos is worth a look too. It supports public stories, reels, videos, photos, and highlights, and the workflow is just paste the link and download.
These wooden place cards are such a clever If you want more practical ideas on DIY Wooden Place Cards, bulk OnlyFans downloads is worth a look too.
This is such a clever use of If you want more practical ideas on DIY Wooden Place Cards, OnlyFans download extension is worth a look too.
This is such a clever way to use If you want more practical ideas on DIY Wooden Place Cards, download instagram videos is worth a look too.
I appreciate guides that focus on helping readers understand the editing process instead of only listing features. The explanations here are well structured and offer useful context for anyone exploring KineMaster Download.
These DIY wooden place cards are the classy-meets-cozy touch that makes weeknight pasta feel like a rehearsal dinner—love the simple, rustic vibe!
This first Curio project sounds like such an exciting creative milestone! It’s completely understandable that exploring a new machine takes time, especially during a busy period like preparing for a family wedding. I like the honest approach of sharing a first project while still learning about the Curio’s capabilities and waiting to form a final opinion. New tools often become more enjoyable as you discover their features and experiment with different materials. I’m looking forward to seeing what other creative projects come from it as you become more familiar with the machine. For more fun conversations and connections, omezy is also a great place to meet new people online.
It is important to take into account several issues before opting for an `”Escort Mahipalpur”` solution. Professionalism, punctuality, confidentiality, and polite communication are among the most significant issues. Proper arrangements can be especially useful for tourists or local adults seeking socializing companions. It will allow you to plan everything better and minimize possible misunderstandings.
This is such a clever DIY project! I love how you used the Curio to sketch directly onto the wooden tags—that hand-lettered look without the actual handwriting struggle is genius. The chalkboard-style finish with the white paint pen gives them such a polished, elegant feel, and the fact that they’re reusable for different holidays makes them even more practical. I’ve been experimenting with similar projects lately, and I actually found a handy tool at https://claudewatermarks.com/
that helps clean up any hidden artifacts in AI-assisted text, which has been a game-changer for my craft tutorials. Thanks for sharing your process—I’m definitely inspired to try this for my next dinner party!
This DIY wooden place card tutorial is such a clever way to get that hand-lettered look without perfect penmanship! I love how you used the Curio to sketch the names first, then traced them with a paint pen—smart workaround for the tip thickness issue. The chalkboard-style finish with the varnish on top really gives them a polished, reusable quality. If you ever want to take your place card game to the next level with animated table numbers or even a video seating guide, check out Minimax AI video tools—it turns text into cinematic clips that could add a fun, modern twist to your holiday table setting!
This is such a clever DIY project! I love how you used the Curio to sketch directly onto the wooden tags — that hand-lettered look without the shaky handwriting is genius. The chalkboard style with the white paint pen gives it such a polished, classic feel, and I admire that you kept them versatile for year-round family dinners. If anyone is looking to add a musical touch to their next gathering, I’ve been experimenting with an AI rap generator that turns simple ideas into full songs, which could be a fun way to personalize a table setting or even a party favor. It’s free and easy to use, perfect for adding a unique vibe to any event. Thanks for sharing your process — definitely inspiring me to try something similar!Check it out here
These wooden place cards are a lovely example of a small detail making the whole table feel more personal. A concise process clip would also be useful for showing the cutting, finishing, and lettering stages; H3 AI for craft tutorial concepts can help prototype different visual treatments before recording the real project.
Wow! Reading about your Curio project and the ability to sketch on wood makes me think of the smooth, satisfying feel of a well-designed game. Like when I play “Speed Stars” – the controls are so fluid, and the gameplay just feels right. Can’t wait to see more of what you create with this!