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I buy SU! card stock which comes in the 8 1/2 x 11. So I cut it at 5 1/2 to make two cards. I use (and I think probably 99.9% of stampers will agree) some kind of paper trimmer. I use the Fiskars one that SU! sells (yes, I'm a demo so I buy from myself ) There's lots of different opinions on which trimmer is the best, but you definitely NEED one!
Meant to add, to get a straight fold, I simply line up the corners and fold. Then I use a bone folder to get a crisp fold. Some people score to fold the card stock in half--I don't care for that method.
Some people score their card stock using the scoring blade in their cutter or something like Score Pal. 99% of the time, I just fold it and go! I crease it well with my thumb, some use a bone folder. Someday I'll get a bone folder just to try it out
__________________ Pegg Thomas Socialism is trickle up poverty.
Cut it with a paper cutter (I use Tonic - LOVE it!)
Then I line up the corners and fold. I hold own the open sides so they stay lined up and flatten the paper from that side back.
I find I have more even cards when I fold this way rather then using the scoring blade in a trimmer.
I just got the Scor-Pal and know I will use it for gate folds or any of the more complicated cards... but for simple card folds I'll still do it by hand.
I also use a paper trimmer to cut 8 1/2 x 11 card stock in half to 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 pieces. Then I match up the end corners and pressing with my finger from the center of the open side of the card back to the center of the fold side of the card; then out to each end of the fold. Hope that makes sense. Then I use the bone folder to sharpen the crease. Bone folders are cheap and I use mine constantly, I think it does make a difference.
Then if for some mysterious reason I am just a tiny tiny bit off on my fold, I "cheat" and use a small guillitine type trimmer to trim off the three cut sides of the card to even them up!
When I first started stamping/papercrafting many years ago, I got by with just basic quilting tools, lol...a large acrylic ruler, cutting mat and rotary cutter. That worked just fine for awhile, until I became a bit more knowledgeable about what I would need for stamping.
Not to say I have anything against paper trimmers, lol! Quite the opposite, I have several. Lots. Tons. <sigh> OK, maybe I have one thing against the trimmers...I can't find THE perfect one!
My advice would be to try and find a way to use some different kinds before you buy. A simple Fiskars personal trimmer, the kind that has a pullout ruler, would be fine to start with. It'll get your paper cut, and if you pay attention your cuts will be straight.
Like Betsy, I'm still looking for the one and only trimmer.
I'm one that likes to score before folding. I love the crisp fold that you get with scoring and it looks more professional not to have the tiny little lines in the fold.
Also, I used to be a bone folder user but I didn't like the gloss it left on the fold (and yes its a real "bone" folder). I saw a silicone folder that doesn't leave marks but it was $25! I bought a silicone pot scrubber at the kitchen store and works great - no marks. I put a magnet on it and hangs on my MM carousel.
And I have used a scoring "blade" on a paper trimmer, a bone folder and finally a scor-pal. The scor-pal is THE BEST way to get a perfect crease every time. Definately something to add to your ever growing list of needs!
Thanks for all the advice! I do already have a simple Fiskars trimmer with the ruler that comes out, but love hearing about all these other options. I'll look into them & see what works best... thanks again...
I love my Fiscars cutter. Just keep the swing arm end at the bottom, closest to you. Then push your paper up to the "lip" firmly so there's no slipping. Cut your paper at 5 1/2 (I marked mine with a sharpie so I don't have to think!!!). Then pull the blade down toward you with gentle pressure, this keeps the pressure on the paper and lets you get a clean line.
After you have your 1/2 sheet, just fold over but don't crease. Take it corner to corner and line it up carefully. Press from the outside edge in toward the "fold". I use the back of a metal spoon when I can't find my bone folder.
This method works like a charm... you'll have perfectly creased cards. (Until.... you decide, like the rest of us, to spend more $$$ on more tools!!!)
If I'm stamping with friends or at a crop and have forgotten my bone folder, I've used the edge of a stamp (wooden block) or an acrylic block to crease the fold. Improvise in a pinch!
Dee
__________________ My avatar is of our miracle baby Maddie, getting a bath in Grandma's kitchen sink!
Those that make their own card stock...
