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Best tool for making mats/borders for pics

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Jul '06 Pilotwife

I am fairly new to this whole scrapbooking thing and I am trying to stock up on tools. I am trying to find a tool for making mats/borders for pictures. I am having a hard time finding something that looks easy and actually works (my friend has the Friskars one, looks easy, but doesn't work too well).

Anyway, what do you guys recommend? Thanks!
Jul '06 Vivian Loves BLING

RE: Pilotwife: I am fairly new to this whole scrapbooking thing and I am trying to stock up on tools. I am trying to find a tool for making mats/borders for pictures. I am having a hard time finding something that looks easy and actually works (my friend has the Friskars one, looks easy, but doesn't work too well). Anyway, what do you guys recommend? Thanks!

All depends on how much you want to spend.

A good paper trimmer for making simple mats. Use deco scissors for borders for added variety. This is the cheapest way.

Then you have die cutting machines and frame dies. Like Sizzix.

Then you have Cricut, Wishblade , and similar machines like these. With WB you can design your own mats/frames and size them how you like.

If you've not invested in a die machine, I strongly urge you to check out the third option. It's more expensive up front but actually cheaper in the long run.

W!shblade Questions & Answers
Jul '06 Sassynai

RE: Vivian Loves BLING: All depends on how much you want to spend. A good paper trimmer for making simple mats. Use deco scissors for borders for added variety. This is the cheapest way. Then you have die cutting machines and frame dies. Like Sizzix. Then you have Cricut, Wishblade , and similar machines like these. With WB you can design your own mats/frames and size them how you like. If you've not inves...

My suggestions would be the Perfect layer it is awesome. I bought mine from QVC it is awesome I will see if I can find a link and PM it to you.
Jul '06 Nurse Kim

RE: Sassynai: My suggestions would be the Perfect layer it is awesome. I bought mine from QVC it is awesome I will see if I can find a link and PM it to you.

I too, use the perfect layer, it's the one tool i cannot do without.... I can't find the link but it 's from QVC

kim
Jul '06 Janellie

RE: Nurse Kim: I too, use the perfect layer, it's the one tool i cannot do without.... I can't find the link but it 's from QVC kim

Perfect layers is a must have. Easy to use and fast. I love it.
Jul '06 Scrapbook Queen

RE: Janellie: Perfect layers is a must have. Easy to use and fast. I love it.

I just use my 12" paper trimmer to make mats. It's easy, inexpensive and you can make any size your heart desires as well as trim your photos, make borders, so on and so on.... It's a must have!
Jul '06 Pilotwife

RE: Scrapbook Queen: I just use my 12" paper trimmer to make mats. It's easy, inexpensive and you can make any size your heart desires as well as trim your photos, make borders, so on and so on.... It's a must have!

My mom has the perfect layer tool by QVC, but we can't find it on their website

I guess I'll have to get it off ebay.

Thanks for replies!!
Jul '06 Nurse Kim

RE: Pilotwife: My mom has the perfect layer tool by QVC, but we can't find it on their website I guess I'll have to get it off ebay. Thanks for replies!!

hi there, we usually carry the perfect layer at the store the owner buys them from qvc in quantity and sell them at their cost she doesn't make any money off them she does it because its a great product and wants it to be available to every one we are sold out at the moment but if you want i can let you know when they come in

kim
Jul '06 Pilotwife

RE: Nurse Kim: hi there, we usually carry the perfect layer at the store the owner buys them from qvc in quantity and sell them at their cost she doesn't make any money off them she does it because its a great product and wants it to be available to every one we are sold out at the moment but if you want i can let you know when they come in kim
scrapperkim Said:
hi there, we usually carry the perfect layer at the store the owner buys them from qvc in quantity and sell them at their cost she doesn't make any money off them she does it because its a great product and wants it to be available to every one we are sold out at the moment but if you want i can let you know when they come in

kim

How much do they usually cost? I am thinking about bidding on one and want to make sure I don't get ripped off. Otherwise, if I can't get it by bidding on it, I would love to have you send me one when they come in. I'll let you know!

Thanks!!
Jul '06 Jennifer Priest

RE: Pilotwife: scrapperkim Said: hi there, we usually carry the perfect layer at the store the owner buys them from qvc in quantity and sell them at their cost she doesn't make any money off them she does it because its a great product and wants it to be available to every one we are sold out at the moment but if you want i can let you know when they come in kim How much do they usually cost...

I just use my 12" trimmer as well. It is one more thing that tool can do!
Jul '06 Chersascrap

RE: Jennifer Priest: I just use my 12" trimmer as well. It is one more thing that tool can do!

I love my perfect layers tool! Definitely a must have - I think that Stampin' Up also carries it.
Definitely worth the money!
Jul '06 Bev1

RE: Janellie: Perfect layers is a must have. Easy to use and fast. I love it.
janellie Said:
Perfect layers is a must have. Easy to use and fast. I love it.

I agree. Don't want to be without it:)
Jul '06 Kim222

RE: Chersascrap: I love my perfect layers tool! Definitely a must have - I think that Stampin' Up also carries it. Definitely worth the money!

Sometimes I use my sizzix, but mostly I just use my trimmer.
Jul '06 KristinG

RE: Kim222: Sometimes I use my sizzix, but mostly I just use my trimmer.

I use my 12" trimmer. I have purchsed 4 of them in the last 5 years. Broke one, didn't like one ( Fiskars purple), found a good one (Cutterpede), and finally the CM trimmer (my favorite).

Has anyone tried the magic matter? I saw it on DIY and it looked so neat, but it seems too good to be true...
Jul '06 Scrapbook Queen

RE: KristinG: I use my 12" trimmer. I have purchsed 4 of them in the last 5 years. Broke one, didn't like one ( Fiskars purple), found a good one (Cutterpede), and finally the CM trimmer (my favorite). Has anyone tried the magic matter? I saw it on DIY and it looked so neat, but it seems too good to be true...
LadyJohnstone Said:

Has anyone tried the magic matter? I saw it on DIY and it looked so neat, but it seems too good to be true...

I've had the magic matter fro years and I really like it for making mats of photos/things that aren't square (or if you want a different size than your circle cutter will do). It does take some practice but I like it and use it regularly! But remember you still have to cut it out by hand after tracing with it!
Jul '06 Janniemac

RE: Scrapbook Queen: LadyJohnstone Said: Has anyone tried the magic matter? I saw it on DIY and it looked so neat, but it seems too good to be true... I've had the magic matter fro years and I really like it for making mats of photos/things that aren't square (or if you want a different size than your circle cutter will do). It does take some practice but I like it and use it regularly! But remember you still...

i love perfect layers..... but..... does anyone else cut off layers from the rulers?? i'm thinking i need a new set because i have "trimmed" so much off the rulers.... needless to say, i am not a whiz with an exacto knife
Jul '06 Vivian Loves BLING

RE: Janniemac: i love perfect layers..... but..... does anyone else cut off layers from the rulers?? i'm thinking i need a new set because i have "trimmed" so much off the rulers.... needless to say, i am not a whiz with an exacto knife

That's why I have a metal ruler.
Jul '06 Photo_chick

RE: Pilotwife: I am fairly new to this whole scrapbooking thing and I am trying to stock up on tools. I am trying to find a tool for making mats/borders for pictures. I am having a hard time finding something that looks easy and actually works (my friend has the Friskars one, looks easy, but doesn't work too well). Anyway, what do you guys recommend? Thanks!

OK, as an art major a mat to me is what scrappers call a frame, and what scrappers call a mat, I call a mount.

Anyway, for cutting all of that I just use a paper trimmer. Frames are super easy once you get the hang of it. Of course I learned in school where my mats were graded!
Jul '06 Jerzgirl

RE: Vivian Loves BLING: That's why I have a metal ruler.

I am waiting for my perfect layers, won them on ebay...I think I paid 20.00
Jul '06 Icapturememories

RE: Jerzgirl: I am waiting for my perfect layers, won them on ebay...I think I paid 20.00

I too use perfect layers but I also use my 12 in trimmer. It depends on my mood and how buried the cutting glass is on my table!
Jul '06 Scrapperbee

RE: Icapturememories: I too use perfect layers but I also use my 12 in trimmer. It depends on my mood and how buried the cutting glass is on my table!

Is the magic matter the set of three little circles that you use to trace around any shape of an object to mat it? If it is, I have it, bought it at my LSS, and it really does work. I used it to cut the mat for the big pic in this lo.

http://www.scrapbook.com/scrapbook_layouts/showphoto.ph...
Jul '06 Miklin

RE: Scrapperbee: Is the magic matter the set of three little circles that you use to trace around any shape of an object to mat it? If it is, I have it, bought it at my LSS, and it really does work. I used it to cut the mat for the big pic in this lo. http://www.scrapbook.com/scrapbook_layouts/showphoto.ph...

Stamp It Up has a perfect layers tool too, but I bought mine on ebay very cheap.
Jul '06 Buggainok

RE: Miklin: Stamp It Up has a perfect layers tool too, but I bought mine on ebay very cheap.

I got the Perfect Layers from QVC but sent it back after I tried it out. It didn't seem to make the mats look much better than when I just eyeball or measure with my paper cutter.

It seemed kind of tedious to me to line the paper right up to the little ledge on the ruler. And the less I have to use an Exacto knife the better.
Jul '06 Nurse Kim

RE: Pilotwife: scrapperkim Said: hi there, we usually carry the perfect layer at the store the owner buys them from qvc in quantity and sell them at their cost she doesn't make any money off them she does it because its a great product and wants it to be available to every one we are sold out at the moment but if you want i can let you know when they come in kim How much do they usually cost...

Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, The Perfect layers are about 25$ I will let you know when they come in, if you don't have one by then also let me know when you get the punches, I put them in the mail yesterday (WED)

hugs
-----
kim
Jul '06 Scrapbook Queen

RE: Scrapperbee: Is the magic matter the set of three little circles that you use to trace around any shape of an object to mat it? If it is, I have it, bought it at my LSS, and it really does work. I used it to cut the mat for the big pic in this lo. http://www.scrapbook.com/scrapbook_layouts/showphoto.ph...
scrapperbee Said:
Is the magic matter the set of three little circles that you use to trace around any shape of an object to mat it?

Yep!
Jul '06 JENJEN59

RE: Scrapbook Queen: scrapperbee Said: Is the magic matter the set of three little circles that you use to trace around any shape of an object to mat it? Yep!

Perfect Layers...hands down!
Jul '06 BJscrapsalot

RE: JENJEN59: Perfect Layers...hands down!

another vote here for the Perfect Layers.. totally love mine!
Jul '06 Babynme8

RE: BJscrapsalot: another vote here for the Perfect Layers.. totally love mine!

I have stampin' up's layer tool it is super easy to use. I love it. I have also seen the same thing at a lss but don't know who makes it but its basicly 3 metal circles with a hole in it and a lip that lets you trace around your pic in different sizes. You can use a pen and then cut it out or use a tiny cutting blade.
Jul '06 KristinG

RE: Babynme8: I have stampin' up's layer tool it is super easy to use. I love it. I have also seen the same thing at a lss but don't know who makes it but its basicly 3 metal circles with a hole in it and a lip that lets you trace around your pic in different sizes. You can use a pen and then cut it out or use a tiny cutting blade.

Try the Magic Matter. I saw it on a DIY show once and it made everything look so easy!
Jul '06 Chocodlite2

RE: KristinG: Try the Magic Matter. I saw it on a DIY show once and it made everything look so easy!

I have a 12 inch trimmer & I also have the magic matter...Both are excellent tools for cutting pictures & mats...
Jul '06 Betsyhgp

RE: Icapturememories: I too use perfect layers but I also use my 12 in trimmer. It depends on my mood and how buried the cutting glass is on my table!

I use my 12 inch trimmer for regular mats and my coluzzle for shapes. I'm not sure if I spelledi t right though. LOL
Jul '06 Anaiv3

RE: Betsyhgp: I use my 12 inch trimmer for regular mats and my coluzzle for shapes. I'm not sure if I spelledi t right though. LOL

I use the perfect layers, but the mat that comes with it is not so good, after a lot of uses it will have all this lines and the green mat will start to fall out in little pieces...

Currently I discovered the Cutterpede 12 inch trimmer and I am starting lo learn how to use that for my mats.... But primraly I use my perfect layers obviusly with a good self healing mat...