How to cut a piece of paper

[Wednesday, July 29, 2009]

Ever notice how each page presents different hurdles? On one page, it might be finding just the right background paper. On another, it might be conjuring up a clever title. Yet another, might be making the journaling fit or even journaling at all. For this page, my challenge is the layout. I have five pictures (more than my ideal average), plus I need to allow room for journaling. Background won't be as important on this page because most of it will be obfuscated by the pictures, but I already know I want to use a sheet printed with faux marble.

I start with an X-shaped layout (three pix diagonally, then the other two on opposite corners). (image 1)

I think this is right tired looking, so I try a plus- or cross-shaped layout (+), but the pix won't fit even if I crop them.

I leaf through idea books and magazines, visit the Creative Memories Project Center, but I come up blank. A classic case of scrapper's block.

I ponder the subject matter for a while (where inspiration often lurks). I jot down some words that come to mind in my margin: outside, exterior, statuary, shrubs, garden, ramble, pergola. Then I wonder: could I somehow mimic the shade/encroachment of the pergola on the page, giving it a layered look? I shift the now-cropped pictures to the center, in a rectangular window pane arrangement. This will leave me room in each corner to place the shrubs. I consider the printed paper I didn't use on the previous page: holly/ivy. The leaves are all growing in the same direction on the paper, so I need to trim it to ensure the leaves will appear to grow in the appropriate direction on the page (down for the top and up for the bottom).

I plan to use the jumbo circle pattern, but I can't cut a complete circle. I'll have to cut two half-circles in the same direction (basically like two smiles on top of each other). While I'm contemplating this, Adam comes downstairs and wonders aloud what I'm doing. (He often finds me staring at some random spot on the table.) "I'm trying to figure out how I'm going to cut this piece of paper," I say. Always the comedian, he retorts, "Scissors usually work pretty well." I har-har back at him and thank him for the tip. He goes back downstairs to practice his chanter, which allows me to resume my thoughts.

I trim the paper in half first with the 12-inch straight trimmer then turn one half upside down. I use the jumbo circle pattern and the new 12 x 12 cutting mat to cut two opposing half-circles, one on each half of the paper. (image 3)

Following this half-brained idea yet?

After the half-circles are cut, I need to cut each half-circle in half, so I use the grid on the 12 x 12 cutting mat to help me mark the center before I cut (that cardinal rule of measuring twice before you cut applies to scrapbooking, too). After double-checking my pencil marks, I trim the half-circles with the personal trimmer. Now, I have four quarter-circles (image 4).

To make the effect more realistic, I trim the quarter-circles around some of the leaves with the multi-purpose scissors. I lightly trace around where I want to cut with my pencil. I'm so thrilled with the outcome of the first one, that I give myself a high-five (images 5).

I trim the rest then adhere everything with tape runner. I adhere the ivy corners with foam dots (image 6).

I don't have much room for a title and journaling, so I write the letters P-E-R-G-O-L-A with the black fine-tip and green round-tip pens. I trim them with the multi-purpose scissors and evenly space them charged with foam dots across the center of the page. I journal a couple of lines on some strips of cloud cardstock with the green fine-tip pen and add the strips across the top and bottom (image 7).