Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
the only tool i use is my paper cutter, making sure i have the paper in straight and even, so the cut is straight....but not sure if that's really answering your question...
I use my paper cutter also, but I try my best to begin measuring from an original and truly straight edge of the cardstock. If I measure from one of my previously cut edges, I'm apt to get a crooked edge that is just enough off to be noticeable.
I use my papercutter also, and just add 1/4" to the size of the image I am making the layer to go around. That way the edge that shows all around is 1/8" which I think looks nice.
I use the MM precision paper trimmer and take time to line my paper up carefully. After the paper is lined up, I hold it firmly while I cut, so it doesn't slip and make the layers crooked.
I think most mistakes I've made when creating cards is when I am impatient and don't take my time.
Remember, we didn't take up this hobby to "save time", just money, right? Ha!:mrgreen:
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Ditto on the paper trimmer, i've tried freehand sometimes it works but sometimes i nearly repeatedly stab myself as my hands involuntarily jerk with the fibro! It can be hilarious. But my trimmer is my best friend.........literally!
Hugs
Tizzy xxxx
Me, too, on the right paper cutting implement. I use an eXacto guillotine cutter, and it's the best thing I ever bought for getting 0 degree angles. It has lines for you to line up your paper against, no slightly off with this baby!
I use the Perfect Layers tool system. I got it a couple years ago on QVC, but I think at one time Stampin Up sold a similar sytem. It does 8 different sizes. You start with the top (smallest) layer and go from there with it. I love it.
Perfect Layers is a great tool! It also helps if your trimmer cuts straight (so many don't!). Ones I've found that do cut straight is the Cutterpede and the 12x12 cutter by Making Memories. If you are hand cutting and layering your stamped cutouts a good rule to follow is to turn the paper (not the scissors) to get an even/smooth/rounded cut.
Here's another vote for the Perfect Layers Tool. I love it because it includes 16th's and I often layer my main image on black with 1/16' border for extra pop.
Stampin's up does not carry it anymore and QVC says no longer available. Try eBay?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Perfect Layers tool. I bought mine on QVC a few years ago. If you do a google search for it, you might come up with some dealers who still carry it. It was the best $22 investment in crafting tools I have ever made. I say it often, but it's true... if I had to give up my Perfect Layers, I would give up cardmaking. They are that invaluable to me.
I glue my smaller piece to my larger piece with rubber cement, let it dry and wipe off the excess (I can just hear the groaning....but I have never used anything cheaper or more efficient).
Then I trim it using a craft knife or x-acto knife or whatever you want to call it (there are all kinds of them on the market) and a thick clear plastic ruler that I got in a quilting shop that is clearly marked with 1/8 and 1/4 inch increments (vertically...not horizontallly...kwim?).
And you don't need one of those great big cutting mat....just get a little one (I think mine's 6x9). They're the same quality but way cheaper and you can just tuck it away when your done. I have MM 12x12 also which I absolutely love...but when I want real precision, I use my x-acto and ruler.
I'm not sure....but I think that what I have described is pretty much what "Perfect Layers" was.
Good luck!
__________________
Jo
Proud Fan Club Member
...sure it�s got a catchy beat, but can you stamp to it?
life is something that happens only when you run out of cardstock
I use drafting triangles with my paper trimmer. This gives me two straight edges in an "L" shape that I can snug my paper into. That way I know I'm getting a true 90 degree angle on my paper.
I use drafting triangles with my paper trimmer. This gives me two straight edges in an "L" shape that I can snug my paper into. That way I know I'm getting a true 90 degree angle on my paper.
What an awesome idea. I'm gonna hve to give that a try. TFS
__________________ Randa Trying to be a Breast Cancer Survivor Follow me on Twitter @craftjunkiesc
I use a Perfect Layers tool for perfect layers. Mine is from Stampin' Up and is now retired, but you can sometimes find similar ones for sale at QVC or on eBay.
I couldn't craft without my Perfect Layers tool and I have a back-up set stashed away. I can't even draw a straight line much less cut one, so this tool has been a small miracle for me!
The best method I've found is using the Scor-Pal mat that fits on Scor-Pal. It has many incremental marks so it's easy to use a ruler to mark both ends of the paper. I use a light pencil mark on the paper/cardstock and then cut. The 12 x 12 is a little bit of trouble but once you make the first cut, then you can see the markings easily.
I also use sandpaper if it looks a little bumpy or rough on the edges.
Hope this helps someone.
Another vote for the perfect layers tool here. I do eyeball sometimes but find that when I use my perfect layers tool, the layers really are perfect ;-)
__________________ Kathy
Proud Mama to Mason 4/3/99, Miles 5/25/02, and Maya 8/26/04
I love Perfect layers too. But I don't use it as often as I used to. Here is how I cut an image and layer it. Stamp your image in the corner of your paper. ( if the corner is not 90 degrees, use your paper cutter to square it up.) I use my fingernail to lightly crease the paper approximately Where I wish to cut it on both Remaining sides. Then I put the paper in my cutter and cut at the nearest 1/4". Now layering is a snap because I am dealing with an image that works out to a nice even number, to me, anything without eigths or sixteenth is 'even'. To make your layers, if you can't just add the layers in your head, place your finger on a ruler at the measurement your image is cut to. To add 1/4" mats, move your finger over 1/4" for each side, 1/2" in total. The measurement your finger is pointing at is tge size to cut your mat. For other amounts, do the same. I do love my perfect layers for matting custom cropped pictures though I try and use my method on them when I can, or square/bordered images or stickers I cut out around exactly or use as is so I can't use my method.
__________________ RebeccaEdnie Mixed Media Artist, Paper Crafter, Jewelry Designer SCSDirtyDozenAlumni Www.Boxofchocolatescrafts.Com YouNeverKnowWhatI’mGoingtoMake
Last edited by Rebecca Ednie; 08-22-2009 at 01:21 PM..
Reason: .
Location: along the bluffs of the Upper Mississippi River
Posts: 4,146
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had never heard of the perfect layers tool until a few months ago here on SCS. I thought it sounded WONDERFUL! Then here and there I read posts that said they never used it and/or liked the pltool. After reading the above reviews, I just may have to hunt one down!!!!
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
Use only one tool for measuring - if you measure with a ruler, then mark your paper and cut accordingly. Or if you use your papercutter's ruler, don't switch back to using a ruler. Often you will find that your ruler's measurements do not match your papercutter's measurements.
Try using a C-Thru ruler. It has a nice grid that helps me to layer. When I get ready to attach the layers, I lay the ruler along the edge of the cardstock at 1/8, 1/4" etc and then I can just lay the next layer along the ruler. It's straight everytime. The C-Thru rulers are inexpensive and come in a variety of sizes. I get mine at Michael's and Aaron Brothers. The only draw back is that because they are clear (with red lilne) I loose it on my messy work table!
Catching up on my newsletters after being on holidays. I have the grey Fiskar's cutter and the sliding blade always wobbles, especially near the bottom of my cut. I started using my quilting rulers, but it was time consuming to line it up perfectly and they were prone to slipping. I used some clear plastic (on bulk rolls in Wal-Mart) stuck to the underside of the ruler like a window cling but clear so it doesn't block the measuring lines on the ruler and it keeps it from slipping fairly well, but some accidents still happened. Now, I use the Scor-Pal with a cutting mat and use various different sizes of quilting rulers and an exacto knife. Until recently, my only 12" long one was a 1" wide, so for longer cuts, I paired it with shorter ones (ie. a 4x4", then a 1x6", and my 1x12" side by side would snug up against each other and the side and top fence to make my paper cut perfectly square and 6x12" long.) It sounds cumbersome, but in no time flat,you know exactly which ones to grab for any size needed and there's no slipping like with a plain ruler because there are "fences" on two sides. I recently got a new one that's 3.5x12", so I can make 1/2" combinations as well. For the non-standard sizes like 1/4 or 1/8", you can't use the side fence, only the top, making it a little more prone to slipping, so I tend to pair with the widest rulers and measure from the right to center if needed. I know some people think mine's "more difficult than it needs to be", but my layers and card bases are always square and so are my scores whereas theirs need trimming to compensate for bad cuts and/or scores.
Last edited by dogzruleca; 09-17-2009 at 07:19 PM..
Reason: clarification
I use drafting triangles with my paper trimmer. This gives me two straight edges in an "L" shape that I can snug my paper into. That way I know I'm getting a true 90 degree angle on my paper.
This sounds interesting. Could you please post a pic.
I have a Genesis trimmer but if the CS isn't straight, the cut isn't straight.
__________________ "I drive way too fast to worry about my cholesterol".
River City Rubber Works
Layers on cards
