Back-to-Basics: Paper Trimmers

Perhaps the most essential tool for beginning and seasoned scrapbookers alike is a quality paper trimmer. Like other scrapbooking tools, there is a wide variety and quality of paper trimmers available.

Paper trimmers have come a long way. I remember being excited the first time I saw a portable personal paper trimmer. I still remember the large metal paper trimmer at the church library or elementary school. I'm pretty sure that thing could cut your leg off if you really needed it to. It's massive and I can still hear the THWUNK sound of metal grinding on metal as it chopped huge stacks of paper all at the same time.

If you are like me, you've tried a variety of trimmers and found that not every trimmer is as easy-to-use, portable, and affordable as others. Some will cut several sheets of paper at a time and others are lucky to cut one. Some come with multiple blades to cut fancy designs, score your paper, or even give the paper a hand-torn look.

Let's look at some of the options available:

Small Trimmers - 5" to 8.5"

A small trimmer is perfect for taking with you to scrapbooking crops. It is perfect for cutting photographs and paper scraps, but isn't very helpful if you are trying to cut paper larger than the trimmer. Most small trimmers are in the $10.00 price range.

Even small trimmers have some amazing features. For example, let's look at the Cutterpede 5" personal trimmer. It has a matting guide, an elbow that sets the position for 5" paper size, a ruler that swings out for larger projects, a magnetic lock to hold the cutting bar in place, and gripper feet on the underside to ensure your work doesn't slide. It also easily folds up for portability.

Standard Size Trimmers - 12"

This is the most popular size of trimmer among scrapbookers because it can cut photos and paper scraps as well as 12x12 paper. I've found that the blades tend to wear out quickly so make sure you get one that has blades that can be easily replaced.

Also, look for a trimmer that has measured guides on the base. It helps with paper placement and to make sure your paper is straight. Fiskars has a wide variety of 12" paper trimmers. Fiskars is a name you can trust when it comes to the cutting business. Most 12" portable trimmers are around the $20.00 price range.

If you scrapbook at home and don't necessarily need a portable trimmer, there's a huge variety of stationery trimmers. They are generally a more heavy-duty machine and will cut more than one sheet of paper at a time, with a cleaner cut. These trimmers start around $59.00 and go up from there. You definitely get what you pay for.

As you make a decision about a paper trimmer, keep in mind what you'll be cutting, the weight of your paper will determine the type of trimmer you'll need. Also keep in mind portability and price. If you've used a paper trimmer you absolutely love and couldn't do without, be sure to let me know and I'll pass the word along.

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Back-to-Basics: Adhesives

Today I want to discuss one of the most basic elements of your scrapbook--adhesives. As a new scrapbooker it can be confusing knowing which kind to use. They come in a multitude of choices.

Scrapbook pages are no longer just two-dimensional with pictures, paper, and stickers. There are now many 3-D elements such as metal, fabric, and ribbon. There are different adhesives that work best with each of these unique elements.

First of all, keep in mind that any adhesive you use on your scrapbook must be photo safe, particularly when you are adhering the actual photographs. You want them to be preserved over time and using acid free adhesives will ensure their safety.

Here are a few adhesive option for you to consider:

Photo-Corners: These are the oldest and most basic adhesive. I remember looking through photo albums as a child and seeing them, long before scrapbooking was popular. They were intially used because it allowed photographs to be attached to the page and still be easily removed. They are ideal for vintage photos or anything you don't want permanently attached to the page, and they now come in fun colors and designs.

Glue: This comes in many forms. You can get it in bottles, pens, and even preformed dots. It is the most versatile adhesive and glue pen allows you to put even a tiny dot, anyhwhere you need it. It comes in permanent and repositionable varieties and there are also specialized glues made specifically for fabric and metal. And don't forget the plain old glue stick. It allows you to cover a large area quickly. Make sure you get acid-free glue sticks and don't just use the ones made for school projects.

Adhesive Sprays: The advantage of a spray is that you can get even coverage over a large area. They are also usually transparent and work very well with vellum and other papers you can see through. Make sure you cover anything you don't want sprayed. They can be a little messy.

Tape: Most scrapbookers use double-sided tape to adhere photos and page elements. It comes in many forms such as strips, and pre-cut squares. There is a multitude of tape dispensers on the market. My favorite ones are the refillable type you can use over and over. The square can be used to adhere smaller items and strips for large photographs and matting. There is also foam tape which adds a unique three-dimensional look to your scrapbooking projects. It's particularly fun to use on titles and any other element you want to "pop" out.

I personally use mostly tape and occasionally glue sticks and dots. I like glue dots for attaching metal and heavier embellishments. It's stronger than tape and holds them in place. Experiment for yourself with the different options and use whatever you like best. Although not very exciting, it's an essential element to consider and there are tons of varieties to make your scrapbooking easier.

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Back-to-Basics: Cropping

I thought occasionally I'd blog about some scrapbooking basics. Lots of you are experienced scrappers, but I know there are a few beginners out there as well. Hopefully even the experienced scrappers can glean something from the information I share. And as always, I'm open to any suggestions, tips, or techniques you've picked up and would like to share.

Trimming your photographs is one of the first things that most scrapbookers are taught. At first, it seems difficult to do. Cut my pictures? You've got to be kidding. But, we do this for several reasons. The first of which is that allows you to fit more pictures on the page. It can also create a focal point for your page and removes distracting or unnecessary background images.

When I first started scrapbooking, back in the early '90s the trend was to crop your photos into unique shapes; circles and ovals were the most popular, but it wasn't unusual to see hexagons, hearts, and even stars. The current trend is focused less on the shape of your photograph and more on the quality of the photo. Close-up photos are very popular. You can achieve this look by cropping them closely even if the original photography wasn't close-up. It is especially easy to do this with digital photos. You can crop and enlarge them on the computer before you ever print them.

Tip: This may be personal preference, but when cropping photos, avoid using decorative scissors. The fancy edge draws your eye away from the photo and becomes distracting. Instead, use the decorative scissors to cut mats for your photos from complimentary colors of cardstock. This allows you to still have the decorative edge, without taking away from the photo itself.

When cropping photos, show only the most important parts of the picture. There are several different cropping techniques you can use. You can use scrapbook templates, silhouetting--cutting around the main subject, or bumping part of the picture out beyond the “frame”. Feet, hands, hats, balloons, are ideal. You are limited only by your imagination. Remember, to not overuse unique cropping techniques. They stand out and you don't want them to become common throughout your scrapbook or they lose their appeal.

Cropping effects are a great scrapbooking technique to add character and personality to a page. However, try not to go overboard. It is easy to fall victim to wanting new and exciting effects on every page. Remember you want to get your pictures into a safe album with journaling--not waiting in boxes for years while you cut paper into intricate shapes for every single shot!