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It took me most of the night, but I did it! Is there any kind of tool that will help me line up the parts of my card so they're not crooked? I think my eyes aren't on straight or something. lol I can't seem to get the different parts of the card on straight no matter what I do. I'm not real happy with this card, but I'm telling myself that it is just a beginning and I actually made a card!
If you want to, you can check it out here:
Your colors and layout are very nice, but you're right, it's a bit wonky!
Perhaps working on grid paper (like the large SU grid paper that comes in a pad) would help. If that doesn't do the trick, I guess you'll just have to measure with a ruler & make pencil marks.
You're right to be concerned about the crooked layers & elements. It's the sort of thing that seems minor, but can be very distracting. Once you find a system that helps you keep things straight, you'll be off to the races!
__________________ Hi! I'm ISO the Fun Stampers Journey stamp "Say Cheese" AT-0167. Thank you!
oh, wow, Lydia -- what a cool idea. i have been considering getting a grid board. can now see that, when i do, i want to also throw in your secret weapon.
I liberated our laser level from its lonely place in DH's basement workshop a while back. It's been awesome!
There are a couple products that are specifically for paper crafters. I don't have either one, but they look helpful (if they work as advertised!) One is the SlideWriter Laser Guide and the other is the KellyCraft Get-It-Straight Laser Square.
ETA I don't know how these would work for placing layers evenly. Getting layers centered on each other is a different job than getting something (writing, stamps, elements) in a straight line.
__________________ Hi! I'm ISO the Fun Stampers Journey stamp "Say Cheese" AT-0167. Thank you!
Last edited by TheOtherMeg; 03-29-2014 at 08:17 PM..
I often have issues when I layer stuff. I like to hide my mistakes with ribbon or an embellishment. On your card, I would probably have taken one of those flowers and put it in the lower right portion of your layered cardstock. I think that would help hide that it is crooked. I love Lydia's secret weapon - I am going to have to try that :-)
Well, I've tried a ruler and pencil marks on other things and that comes out crooked too! lol I'm not sure how I could use the grid paper because when I put it on to line up the new layer, wouldn't that hide where I'm putting it on the bottom layer?
I would like to Lydia's secret weapon, that might work. Where would I find one of those?
Well, I've tried a ruler and pencil marks on other things and that comes out crooked too! lol I'm not sure how I could use the grid paper because when I put it on to line up the new layer, wouldn't that hide where I'm putting it on the bottom layer?
I would like to Lydia's secret weapon, that might work. Where would I find one of those?
Sometimes, grid paper is helpful if you can visualize the lines going through. (It's not foolproof, but it generally is more reliable than relying on my own brain to help me envision a straight line.)
Sometimes, I will have a strip of something (border, ribbon, extra paper) that is longer than the card, so you can use the lines on either side to help you line up whatever you're attaching, then trim it off.
I love winging it Jo! You did fine on your first card. Sometimes a bit crooked is charming! Just play and have fun. I found that the more I agonize over color and straight, the worse I do.
Try the Perfect Layers Mini Rulers . They are good though you do have to work from the top down rather than the bottom up IFYSWIM. Their advertising banner is going across the top of the forum today (in the Uk at least). There is also a thread on here about them but I can never figure out how to copy these things on the iPad! Just search Perfect Layers.
Ruth
I concentrate on lining up 2 corners before I do the final push down to adhere. If your cuts are accurate, by lining up 2 of the corners, the rest should be even also.
My trick for keeping layers straight (until I can get Lydia's secret weapon) is using grid paper and a see through ruler (e.g. Tim Holtz ruler) to line up the grid lines at the top and bottom of the card/panel as well as finding the center point on the card. Once all that is done, I butt my layer right up to the ruler - perfectly straight every time. Took me a bit of time and practice to get it right, but it has really helped me keep things straight and not rely on my eyes.
Look forward to seeing what other cards you create!
Since I have a problem keeping layers straight, I usually put my top layers on a angle instead of straight or in the middle. I never could sew straight either!
Welcome to the wonderful and addictive world of card making. You might want to check out some of the SCS card swaps on the SCS Swap forum. I think they're loads of fun and I am always learning new things. And there are swaps for lots of things other than cards. Swapping is one sure way to get lots of practice using different products and techniques and good design principles and color selection (just fyi, I'm particularly design and color challenged lol).
And of course SCS has lots of challenges, too. I don't do those only because of time crunch - I need the time that I get with swaps. Some folks can whip their stuff out pronto, but that is not me.........
As for getting things level, something that I am going to try was suggested by Julie Ebersole. She said that when she's trying to line things up, she turns her card (or whatever it is) upside down and she said she doesn't know why, but that works and it really helps her to get things straight. Go figure...............
__________________ "May your mind whirl joyful cartwheels of creativity." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie.
Great job on your first card! It's a fun and relaxing hobby, that's for sure.
One thing I do for easy layering is to use a liquid glue. I use Tombow Mono Multi (in the white bottle with the green cap). Using a liquid glue gives you "wiggle" room. You lay your top layer down and you have a bit of time to slide it around until it's positioned just right. This usually works for me but I still get crooked layers once in a while because the glue dries too fast. It definitely helps though.
I doubt if anyone's first card is even close to perfect. Heck I have been making cards for around 5 years, and I still have imperfect cards (at least to me) and I make at least 5 or more cards a week.
I have found that if I use a grid or ruler or anything else, I seem to do worst. I just eyeball it the best I can. I do try to turn my card long way and line up the top edge and the right side. It works about 98% of the time.
Also I have been know to trim the bottom and top and even the side that opens on my base after it is done.
Great job. You've gotten great ideas/suggestions on here. Just keep in mind- it's homemade, not "manufactured". It shouldn't look "too" perfect. This from someone who can't cut straight with a paper trimmer...
Just made my first card!
