The Silhouette Challenge organized another successful handmade gift exchange. Like the card swap from a few months ago, participants were randomly paired and asked to get to know their partner and create a handmade gift that reflected that connection.
My partner was Melissa Stout from The Stamp Doc. We enjoyed getting to know one another and secretly planning gifts we would both appreciate. Melissa is a passionate cook, and I wanted to do more glass etching—so the pairing was perfect.
By chance I found a Pyrex on clearance at Target, which felt like a lucky find since Pyrex rarely goes on sale.
When etching glass, don’t use ordinary vinyl. Stencil vinyl provides a tighter seal and holds up better against the strong etching cream required for this technique.
I designed a monogram (I’ll post a tutorial later) and flipped it horizontally so it would etch correctly as a mirrored image. I also framed the monogram with a box to make weeding and placement easier. Be careful not to place the box too close to the design—etching cream can spread, and you don’t want excess cream getting on the pie plate.
With the stencil vinyl cut and placed on the mat, I used the Silhouette vinyl preset to cut the design. I’ve used that preset before without issue, but this time the blade cut a little too deeply and essentially cut the vinyl all the way through. Instead of discarding it, I adapted the process.
Cut transfer tape to size, allowing about a quarter-inch overlap over the stencil vinyl. Place the transfer tape over the design, flip the whole piece over, and press the transfer tape down, making sure to keep small internal pieces—like the center of an “o” or the negative space of an “S”—secured.
Peel the backing paper away so the stencil vinyl remains on the transfer tape. Carefully apply the transfer tape and vinyl to the Pyrex, smoothing out any air bubbles or creases with a scraper tool or a credit card.
When removing the transfer tape, pull back slowly and at a low angle to reduce the risk of lifting the stencil.
I originally purchased a glass etching starter kit, but if you already have stencil vinyl, you can get the etching cream separately. Always wear gloves when working with etching cream; it’s a strong chemical. If you’re sensitive to odors, this project might not be comfortable for you.
Using a foam brush, apply an even coat of etching cream over the stencil. Be precise and avoid spreading the cream past the edges of the stencil—any cream that reaches bare glass will etch.
The product instructions typically recommend leaving the cream on for 30–60 seconds, but I generally leave it on for at least five minutes before carefully wiping excess cream away with a paper towel.
While the stencil is still in place, rinse the cream off under running water. After removing the stencil, wash the Pyrex thoroughly with dish soap to remove any remaining residue.
Photographing the finished etched glass proved tricky—avoiding etching cream on my phone and capturing details on reflective surfaces is always a challenge—but I was happy with how the etching turned out. That was just the first part of the gift.
Since I already had the monogram design, I decided to make matching monogrammed tea towels. I cut the same design from freezer paper and, with the shiny side down, ironed it onto the towels using the cotton setting.
I used Tulip fabric paint—a tried-and-true choice—and brushed it evenly onto the towels. Some people wait hours or overnight to remove freezer paper, but I tend to be impatient: once the paint is dry to the touch, usually a few minutes with this paint, I carefully remove the stencil.
Overall I loved the finished gifts and hoped Melissa did too.
Melissa’s gift for me was thoughtful and perfectly on theme with the shabby-chic style I mentioned liking. She made a framed Maya Angelou quote embellished with fabric roses, created charming dress-shaped cards, included Jamberry nail wraps, and added pearl stickers. Everything was sweet and creative—exactly the kind of package that made the exchange fun.