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Hey all.....I am cutting impared. I love the look of cards where there is a stamped image or two cut out and such, but I SUCK AT THIS!!!! Is there a special pair of scissors of something I could be using? Any tips/tricks would be greatly appreciated.
Do you mean just cutting out a flower and putting it on a dimensional or something? The best are the SU paper snips! I have two pairs, one for me and one for MamaK. I also love the cutter bees if you don't wanna order the other from SU. They are awesome tiny sharp scissors...the BEST for ribbon cutting, no dull scissors fraying your ribbon! I want a pair of the honey bees for cutting sticky stuff.
I love SU's Paper Snips (only 9.95). They make clean cuts and the thin blades make it easy to cut curves. The pointy tips cut nice inside corners! I don't have any cutting advice, but just go real slow and have a nice, sharp pair of scissors!
__________________ -Flo Wife to Tim 10/23/99 Mom to Isabelle 5/4/04, Sam 8/16/07
I like the paper snips from SU! too. When you are cutting out an image, it helps to turn the PAPER as you go around curves, rather than trying to turn the scissors...you get cleaner cuts and don't get as many "snip marks."
I would also recommend the SU paper snips. I love the look of cut out images but always hated the actual cutting part. That changed when I got the paper snips, they really do make it easier.
I was like you at one time..HATED cutting anything with scissors...until I used the SU paper snips at a stamp camp that my upline had! Ordered a pair right away!
I use Judi-Kins Detail Scissors. I've had the same pair for years and love them. Some of my students prefer to do detail cutting with craft knives. Have you tried that? If you do, make sure your blade is very sharp. Also make sure you have good lighting so you can really see the edge of the blades.
All the hints and tips are great, but I'd add one more thing...along with turning the paper, you should use the whole length of the scissor's blade when cutting. You get a "choppy" look if you're constantly "snipping" at the design. Also, when cutting out fine details, put a piece of Scotch tape on the back side of the design. I find it gives the paper more stability. I also cut out the finer details first, then cut the body of the design.
__________________ "Life is much too important to be taken seriously." Oscar Wilde Proud to be a member of Mo's Digital Pencil Challenge DT! My BlogMy Gallery
Also, when cutting out fine details, put a piece of Scotch tape on the back side of the design. I find it gives the paper more stability. I also cut out the finer details first, then cut the body of the design.
That's a great tip about the Scotch tape! I never would have thought of that!
__________________
You don't have to take on the world, just get on its good side.
I've never tried the SU paper snips, but I've got a pair of Creative Memories scissors that I love for cutting paper and ribbon. My friend gave me mine, but I think they are only like $4 to purchase.
I thought my old scissors were just fine, but I used my Hostess rewards to try the SU! Paper Snips and I LOVE them! They are so sharp and when you use the whole cutting edge they cut smoothly. Just beware the ends are very pointy. I've bled using them when I'm not careful. Definitely keep away from the children.
I love the paper snips - they are the best! However, they are sharp. I now carry a bandaid in my bag so if I have an accident - I don't bleed everywhere - and I speak from experience.
I agree with the CutterBee or SU! paper snips. A couple other things to consider: turn the paper - not the scissors, and something else I just discovered that helps me is to put my thumb in one hole of the scissors and my middle finger in the other. Then I can use my index finger to steady the scissors which allows me to use the whole blade. Makes things much easier and smoother for me!
__________________ Dejah (janz)
"Smile and show me your stampin' hands!"
My gallery needs to be updated, but you can see some of my old stuff here!
Scissor question
