Create your own nail art designs using a Silhouette Cameo or other craft cutting machine. Plus get tips and tricks on applying them and painting your nails.
It’s college football season and time for showing off your school spirit. Todd and I went to the first Iowa Hawkeyes home game this weekend, so I decided to try my hand at nail art designs using my Silhouette to show my Hawkeye pride.
Now, let me first say, this is my first try at nail art, period. I like to paint my nails, but I’m usually not one for designs, probably because I don’t have enough patience or a steady hand to do more than just paint my nails regularly. That may change now that I’ve figured out how to use my Silhouette Cameo to create my own designs and perfected the application process.
First I painted my nails with a base coat, two coats of paint and a top coat. I normally use Essie polish, but they didn’t have black and gold so I found some Sally Hansen but still used my Essie base coat and top coat. I chose to do my ring finger as the opposite color to make the design pop more. On my left hand, I did black nails and one gold accent finger. Right hand, gold on four with one black accent finger.
Then I let my nails dry completely. I mean rock solid completely, no tackiness remaining. You’ll regret it if you don’t. While I was waiting (not so patiently) I made my stencils on my Silhouette. I previously had created an Iowa Hawkeye stencil when I did stenciled garden rocks, so it was easy for me to size it down to fingernail size (about 0.25-.0.275″ wide). I also found a font I liked for the “I” to represent the University of Iowa font. I cut out four of each on regular vinyl just in case any of them tore in the weeding process.
After weeding my stencils, I cut them into small squares to fit better on my nails.
After my nails were completely dry, I applied the stencils to my ring finger nails, pressing firmly to try to seal the edges.
Then I applied a thin coat of black polish on the Hawkeye logo stencil. I only needed one coat on this one. With the yellow polish over the black nail for the “I”, I needed 2 coats.
I waited for the polish over the stencils to dry for about 30 minutes. Then I carefully removed the stencils. The “I” was a bit tacky still from the 2nd coat so it smeared just slightly. Another 5 minutes probably would have been perfect. Finally I did a finishing top coat and let it dry.
We had a great time tailgating with friends at the Hawkeye home opener and cheering them to a win against Northern Iowa! I can be a bit of a fairweather fan when it comes to going to the games, so I was happy for a day in the low 80’s.
Now on to enjoy the rest of our long Labor Day weekend… hope you’re making the most of it too!
Linked Up At: That DIY Party; Monday Funday
