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Does anyone have a good tip on how to trim around a stamped image, leaving a small white border? Is there a trick to it? I have seen so many beautifully done pieces and wondered how they got it so perfect. I've no problem cutting on the line but when I'm leaving a white border I like it to be even all around and I don't think mine looks all that even.
The only thing I can suggest is practice! Find scissors that work the best for you and spend some TV time cutting images of all shapes and sizes. Your eye will learn how much border to leave for what size image and your hands will learn to cut without much thinking after a while. I consider myself a master cutter-outer and it's because I do it a lot.
Mary Beth
I have a pair of Cutter Bee scissors that I always use for cutting out images, and they seem to make all the difference. They're small and very maneuverable (word?) and can get into the tightest spaces. I'm not claiming to be an expert, but I DO find using them is a treat. Oh, and good lighting helps!
I agree that the secret is in the scissors and practise.
A friend of mine always uses a pair of decoupage scissors no matter what she is cutting out but I prefer a slightly larger set such as the Cutter Bee, as previously mentioned.
The bestselling book, Outliers, about people who are tremendously successful, whether in sports, piano playing, etc. (anything that requires physical and mental concentration), says that you need 10,000 hours of doing something to be really good at it. Wow!
And another tip, turn the paper when you cut, not the scissors.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
The bestselling book, Outliers, about people who are tremendously successful, whether in sports, piano playing, etc. (anything that requires physical and mental concentration), says that you need 10,000 hours of doing something to be really good at it. Wow!
And another tip, turn the paper when you cut, not the scissors.
Well I should be like triple or quadruple good at this stamping business then!
ROFL!
Michelle
Quote:
Originally Posted by buggainok
Like everyone says - practice, practice.
The bestselling book, Outliers, about people who are tremendously successful, whether in sports, piano playing, etc. (anything that requires physical and mental concentration), says that you need 10,000 hours of doing something to be really good at it. Wow!
And another tip, turn the paper when you cut, not the scissors.
The scissors you use will be paramount to the result you get. Very fine....very tiny ...very pointy scissors work best for me.
Move your paper as you cut...rotating it with the scissors as you go. for hard to get places...cut a notch into the space and then cut into from one side....does that make sense?
And as the others before me have said...practising is the best way to get it down pat!
When I learned decoupage, over forty years ago, I used cuticle scissors. I now have three pairs that I've purchased at the drugstore. Two have short blades, one has a bit longer blades. I choose which one to use based mainly on the type of paper and image I'm cutting. When cutting thinner paper such as a magazine image, these smaller scissors are easier to control. When doing heavier cs, sometimes I use my smallest Fiskars scissors. My best control is with the cuticle scissors, though. Yes, practice moving the paper.
You ladies are all so fantastic for answering my question. Thank you!
I thought I remembered someone (not since I've been on SCS) in the past telling about a trick to get perfect borders. I didn't pay attention because at that time I always cut on the line and had perfect results with that. I didn't even understand why people cut with a border at the time, so I didn't pay attention :( I guess in the end the trick was probably just what you all are telling me now - patience and practice make perfection. Oh, I do have proper tools: large, small, and detail scissors and I do do a lot of cutting. I just think some peoples' images look soooo perfect that I thought there was a secret on how to get that look. I did look at the tape that Paper Kissy provided - Thank you Paper Kissy! - and actually that's just the way I do it, too. I'm just not sure my results are as perfect. I guess I'll just have to keep practicing
sometimes if I do get close to the line all around, I touch up the edge with a stamp pad...I am all about the "aged" look. Uhm, or rather the 'fixed it!' look!
The sicssors that you are using makes all the difference. I bought myself a new pair of Martha Stewart craft scissors and they are wonderful, I love them!
When I learned decoupage, over forty years ago, I used cuticle scissors. I now have three pairs that I've purchased at the drugstore. Two have short blades, one has a bit longer blades. I choose which one to use based mainly on the type of paper and image I'm cutting. When cutting thinner paper such as a magazine image, these smaller scissors are easier to control. When doing heavier cs, sometimes I use my smallest Fiskars scissors. My best control is with the cuticle scissors, though. Yes, practice moving the paper.
I also used to do decoupage about 30 years ago, and also used the cuticle scissors. I particularly like the fact that they are curved. I have a pair of cutterbee, but I have to replace my cuticle scissors which have served me well. Perhaps its what you first get comfortable with and used to. If you get good results then you stick with that equipment. No doubt about it, practice does make a difference. Just jump in and start cutting.
Pointy edge scissors. I use the SU ones cause my daughter hoards my yellow (Cutter Bee or something like that) and Martha Stewart ones... and she's only 5! They all work the same though, you just need to relax and take your time. I love doing it.
Since you want a white border around the image, you can practice by lightly drawing a pencil line first and cutting on that line. You can erase any part of the pencil that still shows after trimming.
After you practice that a few times, you might find you don't need to draw the line first.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Crafts
Since you want a white border around the image, you can practice by lightly drawing a pencil line first and cutting on that line. You can erase any part of the pencil that still shows after trimming.
After you practice that a few times, you might find you don't need to draw the line first.
this is an awesome idea! i never thought of that... i love those magic erasers too, they are so gentle on the paper and work so well.
this is an awesome idea! i never thought of that... i love those magic erasers too, they are so gentle on the paper and work so well.
I'm not sure what a magic eraser is...? Sounds interesting. I did a search for it and found Mr Clean. Somehow, I don't think that's the one you're talking about. :lol:
I use one of those Pentel Click eraser sticks. The thing about drawing the pencil line first is that you get do-overs on your pencil line. When you are cutting with scissors, you can't go back and make part of the border wider again.
I don't think anyone can cut a perfectly even border every time, but I have found that with practice - and scissors that are comfortable for my hand - I do a pretty good job. I have a pair of scissors with short blades and squishy handles that are great to work with. Also, move the paper, don't twist your wrist around. Have fun!
Once you get a great pair of scissor for trimming don't use them for anything else, not ribbon, not anything sticky that may dull them. I have several pair of scissors for different reasons:
Little tonics with the serrated edge for ribbon
SU craft & rubber for sticky stuff
Little cutter bee scissor for trimming
Queen Bee and SU paper scissors for everything else (Yes I have 2 beacuse I'm always loosing a set on my desk when it's a mess)
Once you get a great pair of scissor for trimming don't use them for anything else, not ribbon, not anything sticky that may dull them. I have several pair of scissors for different reasons:
Little tonics with the serrated edge for ribbon
SU craft & rubber for sticky stuff
Little cutter bee scissor for trimming
Queen Bee and SU paper scissors for everything else (Yes I have 2 beacuse I'm always loosing a set on my desk when it's a mess)
Just my 2 cents, but how about using some white ink on the sides, after you cut it out. I use my black marker when I have white paper where I didn't cut close enough.
;)Cutting back on caffeinated beverages would likely help, too...just sayin'...
Betsey, you are so right! It definitely takes a steady hand...not something that should be attempted after a double shot venti!
Remember SU's layer ease product? It was supposed to make the job of cutting and layering easier, but man oh man! Those little metal circles were a pain! Not sure if I've ever managed to unload that product at one of my many garage sales! ;) But the SU Paper Snips work quite nicely.
Since you want a white border around the image, you can practice by lightly drawing a pencil line first and cutting on that line. You can erase any part of the pencil that still shows after trimming.
After you practice that a few times, you might find you don't need to draw the line first.
I'm going to have to give this a try. During the last few days I've made several cards using the large flower image from Eastern Blooms (one of my favorites), but none of my cutouts look all that impressive. I've used them anyway, trying to be forgiving, but I definitely need more practice! Thanks for all the tips.
Since you want a white border around the image, you can practice by lightly drawing a pencil line first and cutting on that line. You can erase any part of the pencil that still shows after trimming.
After you practice that a few times, you might find you don't need to draw the line first.
Judi, thanks so much for this tip. I tried it and it works for me! Apparently, I have more control judging space with a pencil than scissors, lol, but I'm very good cutting on the line so that's why it works. Maybe one day I won't need to make the outline
Judi, thanks so much for this tip. I tried it and it works for me! Apparently, I have more control judging space with a pencil than scissors, lol, but I'm very good cutting on the line so that's why it works. Maybe one day I won't need to make the outline
Thanks, again!
Cindy, I'm glad to hear that worked for you.
Your first post said you have "no problem cutting on the line," so I figured all you needed was to add a line.
Since you want a white border around the image, you can practice by lightly drawing a pencil line first and cutting on that line. You can erase any part of the pencil that still shows after trimming.
After you practice that a few times, you might find you don't need to draw the line first.
I just tried this for the first time, and it made a real difference! Thank you so much for this fabulous tip!!
The Magic Eraser referred to is a brand name for a plastic eraser, which has been around longer than my Mr. Clean eraser. Love them both, but definitely not interchangeable.
Your clic eraser should be exactly the right thing. It's a long white plastic thing in a colored plastic tube right? I love them, but have not found that any brand is any different (in fact, I have been known to use the cute little plastic erasers I bought for stocking stuffers: dinosaurs, apples... all the same eraser.)
The Magic Eraser referred to is a brand name for a plastic eraser, which has been around longer than my Mr. Clean eraser. Love them both, but definitely not interchangeable. Your clic eraser should be exactly the right thing. It's a long white plastic thing in a colored plastic tube right? I love them, but have not found that any brand is any different (in fact, I have been known to use the cute little plastic erasers I bought for stocking stuffers: dinosaurs, apples... all the same eraser.)
They are both referred to as "vinyl" erasers. I don't have both brands to compare side by side, but you are probably right that they'd work about the same.
Does anyone have a good tip on how to trim around a stamped image, leaving a small white border? Is there a trick to it? I have seen so many beautifully done pieces and wondered how they got it so perfect. I've no problem cutting on the line but when I'm leaving a white border I like it to be even all around and I don't think mine looks all that even.
Thanks for your help.
I find that the easiest way to do this is using a small detail scissors, Stampin' Up or Cutter Bee works best for me. You have more control over what you are cutting with a smaller detail scissor.
I try to do the whole image in one cut. I move the paper and keep the tip of my scissors pointed in the same direction for the whole image and don't start up again, just go around the whole image.
Trimming around a stamped image.
