Binder Clips and the Creative Memories 12 Inch Trimmer

Hi, this is Megan Jacks, Creative Memories Independent Advisor, and I'm here today with a quick tip on how to use your 12-inch trimmer and a couple of binder clips to assist when you're wanting to make inside cuts with your trimmer. When I say inside cut, I am talking about wanting to cut out a frame from the inside section of your 12x12 paper. It's a great way to save paper, especially if you're going to be layering additional large frames on top of each other. You can do that on your large background pieces to remove bulk, and I'm also then going to show you how if you're cutting mats from your 12x12 paper, how you can use those binder clips to assist with that.

Tools Needed:

12-inch Trimmer: Essential for making straight and precise cuts.
Small Binder Clips: About three-quarters of an inch wide, with the binder part being a quarter-inch. You don't need large ones; the mini ones work just fine.

Steps for Cutting a Frame:

Setup Binder Clips:
- Place the trimmer parallel to the table.
- Identify the white line that shows where your blade starts and stops.
- Place the binder clip on the metal arm at the one-inch mark for a one-inch frame.
- Place another binder clip at the 11-inch mark, ensuring the blade housing aligns with the clips.
Cutting the Frame:
- Lining up your 12x12 paper at one inch.
- Press down the blade; the binder clips will stop you at the right points.
- Rotate the paper and repeat, ensuring the binder clips consistently guide you.
Adjusting for Different Frame Sizes:
- For a 10x10 square: Keep the binder clip at the original position but adjust the paper alignment.
- For narrower frames (e.g., half an inch): You'll need to remove the binder clip and use a manual method to determine start and stop points.

Cutting Mats:

Prepare the Paper:
- Start with an 11x11 inch square by trimming one inch off each side of your 12x12 paper.
Set Binder Clips for Mats:
- Move the guide to 6.5 inches and place a binder clip at this mark.
- Align the 11x11 paper at 4.5 inches on the trimmer.
Cut Mats:
- Start at the 4.5-inch mark and cut until you reach the binder clip.
- Repeat by rotating the paper and making consecutive cuts to get four 4.5x6.5 inch mats.

Use these tips to create consistent and accurate inside cuts and photo mats. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message. Happy cutting!

Keywords

Creative Memories
12-inch trimmer
Binder clips
Inside cuts
Paper frame
12x12 paper
Photo mats
Crafting tips

FAQ

Q1: What size of binder clips do I need for this method?
A: For this method, small binder clips about three-quarters of an inch wide with a quarter-inch binder part work well.

Q2: Can I use larger binder clips if I don't have small ones?
A: Yes, larger binder clips can be used, but mini ones are ideal for this purpose.

Q3: How do I create a 10x10 frame from a 12x12 paper?
A: Align your 12x12 paper and use binder clips to guide your cuts at one inch from the edge, all around the paper, to cut out a 10x10 frame.

Q4: What if I need a narrower frame than one inch?
A: If you need a frame narrower than one inch, you will have to remove the binder clip and use a manual method to mark your start and stop points.

Q5: How do you cut mats for photos using this method?
A: Start with an 11x11 inch square paper. Then use binder clips set at specific points to guide the cuts, creating consistent 4.5x6.5 inch mats.

Q6: What should I do if my paper covers the numbers on my trimmer?
A: Using binder clips helps ensure that you start and stop at the correct points, even if the paper covers the numbers on your trimmer.