When we do scrapbooking there are many projects which will require you to fold or cut the paper or even both. There is no doubt that paper can take on fascinating shapes if you fold and cut it creatively, but for someone who is new to scrapbooking these are essential skills that are worth taking the time to perfect. Badly cut or untidily folded items can make your project look sloppy and untidy, rather than the professional offerings you intended them to be.
Scoring and Folding:
Scoring before folding your card makes the fold look more professional. For scoring, you can use a stylus, the back of a craft knife or a specially designed paper folder. A cheap scrapbooking idea and solution that can work just as well is an empty ball point pen. Using a ruler you slide the scorer along the paper where you want to fold it, and voila a perfect line to fold on. Most people prefer to score on the inside fold. Make sure that your first fold is accurate and neat, or every subsequent fold will be wrong and your finished project will look uneven. If the card is very thick or has a coating over the top, then first score the fold lightly with your craft knife just breaking the surface. Make sure that you practice this on a scrap of the same card first.
I use scoring and folding in most of my layouts, as I am a great lover of putting loads of photo’s on one layout. In this way I can make professional looking mini booklets to adorn my pages. By scoring and folding each page 2cm from the left edge allows for easy page flipping without your cardstock getting horrible creases.
Folding Curves:
This scrapbooking idea and solution requires that you lightly score the curve by either doing it freehand or making a template of the shape to guide you. Make the fold by pinching along the scored line a few times with your fingers.
Cutting:
Cut cleanly and accurately, and jagged and snagged edges will look messy. The two basic tools that you will need to have in your scrapbooking kit are good quality scissors and a craft knife. Choose a craft knife that has renewable or interchangeable blades. Use long, pointed blades for tricky shapes and a triangular blade for cutting more sturdy materials. If the blade starts to snag the paper, it is time to get it changed.
By folding and cutting your own card blanks, you can create a greeting card or mini booklet for your layout in any desired size or shape. This way you will have more to spend on fancy decorations for your cards and layouts for truly unique works.
