I have another crafty project for you today and one that is an addition to the Jubilee celebrations. Today, I will show you how to make DIY cupcake toppers, with a jubilee theme using the Silhouette Cameo 4.

Last week I posted a recipe for Victoria Sponge Cupcakes, and this week I am posting a tutorial on an accompaniment to them. I am back with another cutting project and making these DIY cupcake toppers with a Jubilee theme.

I am making three different designs: a crown, a Union Jack flag, and a silhouette of the Queen’s head. All made using the Silhouette cameo 4, however, you could use whichever cutting machine you have. Two of the designs will use the straight cutting feature, with one using the fancy print and cut feature.

I have previously made a larger cake topper, but this time we are slimming it down and making them fit for smaller cupcakes.

So, if you would like some inspiration to make your own DIY cupcake toppers, then let’s get crafting!

DIY Cupcake Toppers

To make the Jubilee theme DIY cupcake toppers, you will need the following items. As I have said, I am using the Silhouette Cameo 4 to do so; and therefore, will show you how to use the accompanying software for this. This tutorial can be adapted to be used with other cutting machines, such as the Cricut, but some features and settings will probably look and work slightly differently.

Also, note some items on this list are affiliate links and will be marked with an asterisk (*).

• Silhouette Design Studio (I am using the designer edition; however, you only need the base edition for this project.
• Silhouette Cameo 4 (or other cutting devices)
• Cardstock – Here is the glitter cardstock I used* and the thinner card for printing*
• Printer
• Cocktail sticks*
• Hot glue gun*

DIY Cupcake Toppers – Crown and Queen Silhouette

For this part of the tutorial, I thought I would show you how to make the crown topper and the queen’s silhouette at the same time. This is because they use the same method to create.
Both are made with glitter cardstock; however, you can use whichever cardstock you prefer for yours.

Step 1 – Find an image

Now, I am not that great at drawing or designing my own image; especially on the computer. Therefore, I will show you a method of using a photo design and turning it into a cutting file.

Head to good old Google and search for a crown PNG image. I was able to find this crown image and these crown images online which are free downloads and available for personal use.
Similarly, I completed a search for the silhouette of the Queen’s head, downloading this onto my desktop.

Step 2 – Import to Silhouette Design Studio & Trace

Once you have found your design, it is time to open up the Silhouette design studio. As I said previously, I am using the ‘Designer’ edition; however, the basic edition can be used for this project.

You can open the images via the ‘open file’ option; or copy and paste it into the software. I like to have one working tab, opening the image and then copying this overall within the software.

Once the image is open, you want to select the trace option on the side tab. This looks like a butterfly icon.
Select the area you wish to trace, and drag the threshold slider on the tab, until it covers the outline of the image. Then click ‘trace’ and it will create cutlines of the outline of the images.

Step 3 – Resize and Cut

Once you have your designs traced, you can change the colour fill to suit so you can see how your design will look.

Resize the image to whichever size you like. I chose to size the crown approximately 5cm wide and the silhouette approximately 3-4cm.  Copy and paste the design until you have the amount of DIY cupcake toppers that you want. Align these so that you maximise the amount you can fit onto your page. If you have the designer edition you can select the ‘nest’ option which will align your designs to maximise the amount of space that you have.

Then head to the ‘send’ tab to cut out your design. I am using glitter cardstock and therefore adjusted the settings to suit this media.
One thing that I like to do with glitter cards is place this onto the mat glitter side down. Therefore if the design is a certain way, the image should be flipped/mirrored to suit. I also secure my cardstock with light grip painter’s tape to the cutting map. I have found that after a few uses the mat becomes less sticky and therefore the cardstock can move around when cutting.

Load the cutting mat and cardstock into the machine, then hit send when you are happy with the design. Watch the machine cut out the designs, then remove them once finished.

Step 4 – Remove from Mat and Attach to Stick

The next step is to remove the newly cut images from the mat. If you have the cut settings right, then the designs should just pop away from the mat and card stock. A top tip is to peel the mat away from the cardstock rather than the cardstock away from the mat. This reduces the potential damage to the cardstock and your design.

Once the designs are removed we can then attach the mini cocktail sticks to make them into the DIY cupcake toppers.

Use a hot glue gun, heating this as per the instructions, and place a small amount on the back of the design where you want the stick to be. Then, place the cocktail stick into the glue and if required place another small amount over the top of this. Allow the glue to harden and then the DIY cupcake toppers are ready to be used.

DIY Cupcake Toppers – Union Jack Flag

This cupcake topper uses the “print and cut” feature on the design studio, which I used previously when making stickers.

The idea of this feature is to be able to print out an image and then the machine cuts out where it is stated using registration lines. This is exactly what we are going to do for the final DIY cupcake topper.

Now, I did try to change this design up and create cutlines where the stripes/crosses were on the flag. But, try as I might I just couldn’t figure it out and just could not get the design to cut right. Therefore I changed route and decided to have a printed version.

Step 1 – Find Image & Set up Software

Like the previous toppers, we need to find an image. Again, you have to be careful with the copyright of images when using them in this software; especially if you go on to sell your designs. It is a bit easier for personal use, although you should still seek permission to use it.

Find an image of the Union Jack flag and save this to your desktop. Then open the design studio and import the image, or copy the image into the software.

When the software is open, it is important to set the page up so that we can print the design and then cut it. So head to the preferences tab on the right-hand toolbar. This should be the very top option available. Then click the registration marks option, turning the registration marks on.
This will set the registration marks that the cameo will scan and read before cutting. There should be a mix of square shapes and lines.

Step 2 – Resize Design and Print

Now that the page is set and you have your design ready, it is time to re-seize it to the size you want to make your toppers. I resized the flags to approximately 4cm wide and 2.5cm high. This size gives a nice little flag for the top of the cupcakes.

Before creating more of the flags (copying and pasting), you want to select the offset option on the right-hand toolbar. This is a star shape icon. Select the offset to go around the edge of the flag design, keeping this as close to the edge of the design as possible. This will create a cut line for the machine.
Once you have the offset, select both the offset and flag together, and group them. This should give you a red outline around the edge. Red is the default cut line colour, you can change this up to suit.

Once you have completed this, you can copy and paste the flags over the page, ensuring they remain within the registration marks border. As they are rectangular in shape, it is easier to place many onto one page.

When you have the number of flags you like, head to the print icon on the top toolbar, and follow through to your computer’s printer settings. Select print and the design should print out. I use a thicker paper / thin card to print my designs on.

Step 3 – Cut Designs

After the flags have been printed, line the page up onto the cutting may. Again, I used painter’s tape to help secure the mat, ensuring to keep this away from the registration lines.
Place the mat and page into the cutting machine, then go to the “send” tab on the design studio.

Select the correct settings for your medium, in this case, I am using the cardstock setting. Then select send and the machine should start cutting out the design.
You will find the machine reads the registration marks first, so ensure there is adequate lighting for the sensor to do this. If it reads the registration marks incorrectly, you run the risk of the design cutting wrong and cutting into your flags.

Once the machine has finished cutting, remove the flags from the mat in the same way as the previous DIY cupcake toppers.

Step 4 – Add sticks

This will use a similar method to the previous toppers in this post. If you want a one-sided flag, then use the hot glue gun and stick the cocktail stick on one edge, on the backside of the flag.

If you would like a double-sided flag, then we need to use some tape. I like double-sided tape, especially for card making, and it comes in really handy for this. Take one of the flags, and place double-sided tape across all four edges. Remove the tape backing and place a cocktail stick on one of the side edges. Then, take another flag, and line the edges up, placing this down wrong sides to wrong sides, pressing into place. This should sandwich the stick in between and give you double-sided flags.

That is how to make your own Jubilee DIY cupcake toppers using the silhouette cameo 4. Perfect for adding something to the cupcakes and celebrating the big occasion.

What do you think of this DIY? Will you be making your own DIY cupcake toppers? Let me know in the comments below!

DIY Cupcake Toppers – Video

Here is the video version of this post. It may be easier to follow along with the tutorial by the video. Don’t forget to like the video if you have enjoyed it, and why not subscribe to my channel to keep up with all of my creative and crafty antics on YouTube.

DIY Cupcake Toppers – Share it!

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