Cake Cut-Out Card

This cake cut-out birthday card was originally featured on the Silhouette Blog, but now you can read it all below. I’ve got tips on using some Modify functions in Silhouette Studio (you know, the confusing ones like “release compound path” and “subtract”), so read on…

Hello, Silhouette friends!  Kelly here to show you a couple of nifty tricks the Silhouette Studio software can do for you to get a cut-out card like this.

We’ll be using two rectangles, so go ahead and draw one rectangle that is 4.25” high by 5.5” wide.  Then draw a slightly smaller rectangle that is 3.9” high by 5.15” wide.

I found a cake file with a great outline shape that has lots of charm.  I resized it to 3.423” high by 2.865” wide.  This file has some cute inner detail, but I wanted just the outline.  As you can see in the image below, ungrouping it does not remove the white inner space, so we have to release the compound path.

In its original form, the design is a single piece with holes in it.  When you release the compound path (look in your Modify Window or right-click for a pop-up menu), it turns this single layer into three separate pieces that can now be moved apart and treated separately.

Now that we have our cake outline, it’s time to use it like a cookie cutter.  I often fill the shapes with color when working with the Modify tools so I can make sure the layers are in the correct position.  As shown in the image below, move the cake slightly off the edge of the smaller rectangle.  Make sure the cake is the upper layer.  In the Modify Window, choose Subtract.

Now you’re ready to cut any more embellishments for the card and assemble it.  The larger rectangle created at the beginning can be cut from your paper of choice and then adhered to a plain cardstock card base.  I always use dimensional adhesive (foam squares, etc.) for window or cut-out cards like this to give it the most visual impact.

Silhouette Shapes:
Birthday Cake by Jamie Koay
Miss Kate Birthday Words Set by Miss Kate Cuttables
Chevron Banner by Sarah Hurley