Disc Matting tool

[meliatx]

I wanted to know what everyone thought about Magic Matter or the ones in the new Stampin up catalog. I need something to mat my Christmas tags. I can't tell if the ones in Stampin up can use a swivel knife. All it says is pencil not included. I don't want it if I am not cutting at the same time. If I have to cut with a scissors after I "draw" a mat line, it will not look as precise. Ideas on the ones at Micheals. Mine was sold out today. Of course because my DH was willing to let me go in quickly while my DD who is 2 was in the car. I still used my coupon to get the swivel exacto knife.
Thanks. I can't wait to get started on Christmas and Thanksgiving. I have had enough of thankyous and bdays.
Melia

[papercuties]

Personally I am not that fond of it. I've used it at camps and meetings. I guess I am so used to doing it by hand.

I do know people that really like it though.

Have you used it before?

You place a sharpened pencil insode the center hole and trace around the object being matted.

I kinda had a hard time keeping the piece of paper down while tracing and keeping the disc in place at the same time.

[hsmom71]

only two times. It's easier for me to do it by hand. If you are totally awful at "eyeballing" it... they might be worth it.

[alasku2stamp]

I bought this about a yr ago and just used it the other day. It was ok. You have to be careful to keep the paper down. I am gonna try to use it more to see if I will like it if I just use it more often.

[meliatx]

Thanks for your input. Splitcoaststampers strike again!
A friend of mine says that she uses it with a pencil as well. I think I will demo hers before I break down and buy it. Thanks again!

[kiki]

I guess this is about Layer Ease....I use a mechanical pencil and it works great. SU paper is the best to layer around because of its thickness, I 've tried other thinner brands of cardstock and it can be more difficult. I also use temporary adhesive or painter's tape to hold down the piece I am attempting to layer around. Make sure to hold your pencil completely parallel to your paper. When you cut rounded corners, move the paper and just let the scissors gently cut.

I have a tag tempate that you draw in the channels and then cut (can't think of the brand name), it has nested tags so matting is fairly easy after cutting.

I also have a Coluzzle mini tag template (about $20) and love it too. I love tags.....

[justheather]

Magic Matter makes the matting tool in the SU catalog. It does not cut...you use a pencil and then cut along the drawn line.

I love mine when I use it for odd shaped items. I don't generally use it for straight lines.

Having said that, I wouldn't touch one with a built in cutter with a 10 foot pole. Here's why:
As you're tracing around, sometimes you hand will slip...either inside or out. If you're using a mechanical pencil, it's no big deal. You simply erase the stray line and continue on. If you're cutting, you need to start over...from the original image and cutting that out.

See if someone near you has one you can try before you buy it...you may like it more than you think (or, of course, you may hate it...and then you saved yourself $13).

[BasketBonnie]

I have both the Magic Matter that SU sells and the Magic Matter that you use a swivel knife with. In my opinion the one with the swivel knife isn't that wonderful. Since it can slip easily while cutting and you have to start all over. I just use the regular one instead. HTH

Bonnie