Fiskars 12" Rotary Trimmer

Reported by Julie Campbell

I am always drawn to whatever product is new and fresh on the market. I see an ad in a magazine for a new type of cereal, and somehow it makes its way into my cart on my next shopping trip. This "personality trait" also follows me in the crafting world. There are, however, a few products and tools that have stood the test of time and are not easily replaced by the newest gadgets on the venue. One of these tried-and-true products is my Fiskars Paper Trimmer.

I purchased my paper trimmer about five years ago when I really started to get interested in paper crafting. I went to my local Michaels store and purchased it with my 40% off coupon (originally around $50). You can still find this trimmer at most craft and hobby stores or at Amazon.com.

There are several reasons why I love this trimmer.

* It has a full 12" cut length. (I didn't want to get a separate trimmer later for my large scrapbooking paper.)
* It produces a consistent straight cut.
* You can cut several pieces of card stock at once.
* You can make very narrow and precise cuts without fraying card stock.
* Blades are easily replaced and are inexpensive.
* Additional decorative blades are available (scoring blades, perforating blades, various decorative blades)

There are a few drawbacks to this product. Because the trimmer is made to hold paper up to 12", it is really beneficial to have room on your tabletop to hold it. For those of you who are limited on space, the trimmer is very lightweight and can be stored easily. Also, you will need to periodically change the cutting blade. I try to change mine about once a year. I have found that if my blade seems to not cut as easily, sometimes the cutting strip needs to be rotated. The cutting strip is the four sided removable/replaceable strip that the rotary blade cuts against. Because it is four sided, you can get a lot of use out of this strip before it needs to be replaced.

I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that even though I have always had good results with this paper trimmer, I was curious about other "newer" styles of trimmers and recently purchased the Making Memories trimmer with the self-sharpening blade. Although I read several good reviews about this trimmer, I found that I could not recreate the straight, precise cuts that I was use to with the Fiskars Rotary Paper Trimmer.


Finally, I thought I would leave you with a card I recently created using my Fiskars paper trimmer. Notice how straight and precise I was able to create layers and borders for this project. I encourage you to try out this tried-and-true product for yourself!

Need a Buddy?

Reported by Lexi Daly

We've had a few requests for a review on the Paper Trimming Buddy by Marvy Uchida. I won it in a blog give-away a while back and I feel like I've finally played with it enough to let you know what I think. First, let me start with the descriptions and specs as written by Marvy Uchida. It is listed on their website for $29.99, with additional blades for $5.99 each and here's what they have to say:

The Ultimate Safety Trimming Equipment. It's easy to use and has 8 decorative blade styles. The Paper Trimming Buddy comes with 1 straight blade, 1 complimentary free-style handle and the Paper Trimming Buddy unit. All blades are sold separately.

• No exposed blade while handling.
• Patented Interchangeable finger guard safety system.
• Trims up to 10 sheets of 20 lb. print paper or 5 sheets of card stock. Also trims construction, mulberry and other specialty papers.
• 12 inch cut length
• Light weight and portable
• Swing out ruler for easy, measuring
• Replacement mat for the RPT900 are available.
• Cutting blade styles: straight, wave, scoring, scallop, pinking, victorian, perforating and rhythm.

The Paper Trimming Buddy is a very durable trimmer and includes a swing arm for flexibility and portability. In addition to the swing arm that extends the ruler measurements, the face of the trimmer includes a lined section divided into 1/8 inch increments and a 1/2 inch grid section, both of which are helpful for lining up the paper. The ruler measurements are also repeated at the bottom of the cutting section. The "tracking guide bar" lifts completely up, hinged at the top. The blade "casettes" pop in and out of the "tracking guide knob" in order to change the cutting style. Overall, Marvy Uchida has included some very helpful features.

I tested the Paper Trimming Buddy against the specs listed by the company and I found that I could in fact cut multiple sheets of card stock and paper, with both the straight and scallop blades. This is a definite plus, especially for the scallop blade--my other trimmer that has interchangeable blades only cuts through one piece of card stock at a time with the decorative blades. On the negative side, the arm opens somewhere around 5.5 inches, so it is not marked--frustrating for a card maker. While you can figure it out, I would prefer to have that line clearly marked since it is one I use often. Also not all of my cuts were straight, even though I thought they were lined up properly. The more firmly downward I pushed, the straighter the cuts seemed to be, so this could be remedied at least a little with practice and proper use. For smaller pieces, I lined up my papers very carefully with the grid--which I have to do with my other trimmers as well. Another positive is that the trimmer is very safe, with the blade nicely tucked away. This also impacts the storage and changing of the blades. Rather than loose blades, they are presented in "casettes" as shown here. In my opinion, this is one of the coolest things about the Paper Trimming Buddy.

Each casette is labeled with name and picture and has it's own color, and the blade is completely contained while not in use. The picture shows each casette with a strip of coordinating card stock cut with the blade. It is very easy to change from one blade to the next while working, without worrying about cutting yourself. The casette snaps into the blade cover, which then snaps into the tracking guide knob. With a quarter turn it is then locked into place, the blade pushed out and ready to cut. The casettes also work with the same blade cover on the free-style handle that comes with the trimmer, so you can make curved cuts, too.

It's a very easy system. As I mentioned earlier, I do have another paper trimmer that has interchangeable, decorative blades, but it is not nearly as user-friendly. The blades are completely exposed and it is also not portable. For this reason, I tend to reach for this one when I want decorative edges that are more difficult to do by hand. However, as the owner of a lot of trimmers, I have to say that the Paper Trimming Buddy is not my go-to trimmer for every job. For these cards, I did use it for every cut, straight and decorative, with nice results...

So, would I have purchased it if I hadn't won it? Possibly. I wish my cuts were consistently straight and I would love a deeper, more rounded scallop. But overall, I think it really is a cool tool and I do reach for it quite a bit!

edited to add: NanaBeth asked, "What is your go to?" I have two other "go to" trimmers, both by Fiskars--the 12 inch purple portable trimmer (next to my desk) and the 12 inch home/office rotary trimmer (on a work counter, for bigger jobs). In all honesty, I go to them most simply because I've been using them the longest. There are many times that I wish I had better, but I just haven't yet felt it necessary to invest the time and money into making a change. I do like how the paper trimming buddy fits into my set up and keep it at the ready with the scallop casette, my current favorite blade.

Tonic Guillotine Paper Cutter ... a must have tool

Reported by Julia Stainton

I love papercrafting and I love papercrafting tools and gadgets. If you were to look at my desk...you'd know this for a fact! I use my crafting tools daily and they really get a great work-out! Out of all my wonderful tools, there is one that I really would not want to be without... my Tonic Guillotine Paper Trimmer.

The Tonic Guillotine Paper Trimmer is a fabulous tool and one I use on every design I create. A good paper cutter is an essential tool and I love its clean precise cuts as well as its other wonderful features. I first started looking for new paper trimmer options late last Spring. I was extremely frustrated with the paper trimmer I had. It was a track-type model with blades that needed replacing all the time. This was adding up in cost quite rapidly and I just was not satisfied with cleanness of its cuts and on occasion, there was some play in the track leaving my cut less than perfectly straight. Another problem I had was if I needed to slice off a small fraction of cardstock to make my matting perfectly balanced. I just could not do that with the product I had. The result would be a nasty distressed looking edge if you wanted to trim off less than 1/8th of an inch.

I discovered this Tonic Guillotine Paper Cutter at my local scrapbooking store. It came highly recommended by the owner and I had a coupon discount so I decided to give it a whirl. I have been so thrilled with its performance over the past 8 months and it has more than paid for itself in refill blades. That is because this guillotine trimmer never needs sharpening or its blade replaced. The stainless steel blade sharpens itself with each pass and always gives a perfect cut. This paper trimmer is portable and extremely lightweight but is designed so well. You can cut through 4 or 5 layers of cardstock with ease. Do you like using chipboard...this trimmer also cuts through chipboard, leather, transparencies, burlap...I've tried them all.

One of my main concerns when purchasing a guillotine type trimmer was safety. We've all heard stories of those big heavy paper cutters that they had in grade school...fabulous but perhaps a little scary. I have five children in the house so safety is quite a concern for me. Now this might sound a little strange but I actually tried to cut myself (with caution of course) with this trimmer. Actually, the blade is not sharp at all. The friction and engineering of this product delivers a sharp clean cut without a sharp blade. There are also safety features built in. For your left hand, there are two clear places where you press down on the safety bar and keep it out of the way. The paper trimmer is designed to trim perfectly when the safety bar is depressed and I love how it is clear and you can see through it for perfect paper positioning.

If this hasn't already convinced you...here is a list of features that I love...

• It's portable...the handle and measuring bar extension can be removed and stored under the trimmer for portability and easy storage.
• Metric and Imperial measurements on the trimmer
• 1/2" increments on a molded grid on the cutter base make it easy to use and line up
• Self Sharpening blade means no more replacements
• Extremely light and easy to carry with orange handle at top of cutter
• Comfortable soft handle when cutting
• Safety bar is clear and easy to see through
• non-skid rubber feet on bottom of trimmer
• sturdy high-impact plastic base
• 12"+ base allows for easy cutting of 12x12 papers. There is extra room allowed to fit in those patterned papers that are manufactured a little longer
• extremely well priced
• no replacement blades to buy

Hints for using the Tonic Paper Cutter

To use the Tonic Guillotine Paper Cutter, simply slide the paper under the safety bar. Press down on oval spots with your left hand and slice with your right to get a precision cut. When you are cutting, you will always get a perfect 90° corner if you make sure your paper is butted right up to the top of the cutter. As there is no measuring device to the right of the blade...if you wish to trim off a certain small amount...simply measure the paper, subtract the amount you wish to trim off and then re-line it back up at the new measurement on the left side. It is very simple to get the hang of after a few tries. The one thing you cannot do with this Tonic Guillotine Paper Trimmer is score your paper. My old paper trimmer had a scoring blade option but I did find that with the play in the track, this was often not a good solution. If you wish to score your paper, I suggest scoring using a bone folder with a ruler or investing in a scoring board.

I'm thrilled with my Tonic Guillotine Paper Cutter and would highly recommend it. When paper crafting, nothing spoils a design quicker than sloppy looking construction and good clean precise cuts are essential. I also allow my older children to use this cutter for school projects etc. They are always thrilled with how great this posters and projects look and it is easy and safe enough for them to use. If you are thinking of purchasing a paper cutter, this Tonic Cutter is well worth the investment and will serve you well for many, many years. This paper cutter is also available in a full 12" base model and is perfect for paper crafters who use large sheets of paper and do not need the portability option. The Tonic Guillotine Paper Cutters can be found at your local scrapbook store as well as many on-line scrapbooking supply stores.

Fiskars Rotary Trimmer

Reported By Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

About a year ago, I wrote an article about my love/hate relationship with paper trimmers. You can read it here. A lovely woman named, Cheryl, read it and sent me a Fiskars Rotary Trimmer. She is one of the Fiskateers – a group of four women who host a website dedicated to Fiskars love. It’s a lovely community (I’m mostly a lurker there) and you should check it out if you get a chance. But, I digress….

I was thrilled when the trimmer arrived. I unwrapped it and immediately started to use it.

Ugh.

Yuck.

Ick.

Photos kept slipping. The trimmer was bigger than I was used to. The measurement arm extender thing folded out from the top rather than the bottom. I just wasn’t happy.

But, a funny thing happened as I kept using it. That trimmer and I started to get along! And here’s why:

1. This is the first trimmer I’ve ever owned where you can actually see where you’re cutting! Seriously! It’s amazing. You drop a clear guard and the rotary blade cuts right at the guard’s edge. I love that.

2. I have never replaced the blade. One year and counting. It still cuts photos and paper cleanly.
3. The face of the trimmer has a grid – which makes lining paper and photos up straight super easy. The grid is on both sides of the blade, so cutting small pieces is very easy!

4. The trimmer has rubber feet that grip the table.

5. For those of you who are safety minded (little kids around, etc.), the trimmer has a lock which keeps the rotary blade and arm locked down.

My only gripes are:

1. I'm annoyed at where they put the break in the ruler (where the arm thing comes out). It is in a really inconvenient place (at 4.25"), but I'm not sure where else they could have put it

2. The trimmer cuts straight about 90% of the time. Part of it is user error. I often find that the photo or paper is stuck to the face of the trimmer and needs to be adjusted carefully. I'd like it to cut straight 100% of the time.

This is the same trimmer that Heidi reviewed on Tuesday and I think her side-by-side comparison to the old Fiskars trimmer is spot on. Like her, I would definitely recommend this trimmer to someone looking for a portable trimmer. It’s my go-to choice these days! My advice is to stick with it past your initial impression. I think it's worth the wait.

Out with the old, in with the new!

Reported by Heidi Kingery


When I tell people I have a Fiskars paper trimmer, sometimes I get a look of sympathy. Oh, you have one of THOSE. Yes, I do, and yes, sometimes it is extremely aggravating. However, I have kept it by my side for years and years, not switching to any other brand.

Recently, when I went to Hobby Lobby to buy a new pack of blades (for the millionth time) they were all sold out and beside the empty space was a *New and Improved* Fiskars 12" cutter. Let's see, go somewhere else for new blades or just use my 40% off coupon and buy the new cutter praying it might work better. I didn't have to think long about that one. Into my cart it went, along with clearanced BasicGrey Dasher paper and a variety of self adhesive rhinestones for some reason I just had to have! That's a whole other subject though. Anyway, I was ready to get home and try it out.

Once I got it out of the package I realized just how different it was from the old one and just how much I was going to have to get used to it.

Here are the big differences:

Old- Measures paper 15" horizontally
New- Measures 12" horizontally

Old- Blade slider opens to the left.
New- Blade slider opens to the right (hard to get used to).

Old- Has ruler 1/3 and 2/3 of the way down the base.
New- Has ruler across the top and the bottom.

There are a few small differences like the size of the grip on the blades (the new one is easier to hold) and a lip on the top of the fold out ruler on the new one. And being a complete girl, the new one is cuter! I like the orange retro circles on it compared to the dull gray color of the old one. But let's get to the real difference, the straightness of the cuts. The new one is better by far with cutting straight. Unless you push heavily to the right or the left you will end up with a perfect cut every time. It's also a tiny bit heavier but still very light and extremely portable.

The older style retails for $24.40 on the Fiskars website and the newer one retails for $20.00. However, I found my newer one for $17.99 at Hobby Lobby and I used the coupon on top of that.

So, in the end I am happy they were out of the blades and I had to make a quick decision to invest in the new one. I'm going to assume the blades will need to be replaced as often as the older style also, which was for me abut every 4-6 weeks. If you have this cutter and you'd like to share your experience please leave a comment and tell us what you think!

Dear Santa...a papercrafter's list

Reported by Julia Stainton

Dear Santa,

This year I've been a very good girl. Busy crafting all year long, sharing my creativity with my family, friends. You didn't notice the occasional cobweb or dishes in the sink while I was oh so busy, right?

And so...I'd like to ask for a few small items just for me... {wink} OK... I don't expect it all for Christmas. I won't be greedy. But this is called a wish list, not an "I'm actually going to get it" List, right?

1. Bamboo Fun Med digital Drawing Tablet: I've had one of these tablets on my wishlist for months now. So cool...you can use them as a mouse, for drawing, adding notes, just about anything. I'm really looking forward to trying out drawing some images and doing a little digital scrapbooking. It looks like so much fun! This medium sized tablet is priced at $199.0 and you can also purchase the smaller sized version for $99.99. The Bamboo Fun Medium tablet comes with software including Adobe Photoshop Elements, Corel Painter Essentials and Nik Color Efex Pro making it a great value for your money.


2. Spellbinders Nestabilities - I love these Spellbinders Nestabilities dies. The Spellbinders Wizard is a die cutting machine, perfect for crafting. My favorite dies are the scalloped shapes. I have the ovals and squares but I'd really love a set of the circle dies and the rectangle sets as well. These Nestabilities dies are perfectly scaled to fit within each other and come as scalloped and plain shapes that work together. Matting is simple and easy. To make it even better, you can also emboss with these dies making them oh so wonderful! I love circle and scalloped punches but they have their limitations. The Nestabilities take up less space and you can die cut your shape into the design wherever you wish, as long as your surface will fit through your die cut machine. Another wonderful thing is the flexibility of these dies. They work really well with other die-cutting systems if you already own one. Sets retail starting at $24.99

3. True Color Ott Light - I love designing and crafting but oft-times, it can be late at night. Poor lighting can make matching colors difficult...not to mention the strain on your eyes. Ott lights are fabulous lamps that really limit eye strain and the colors stay true as in daylight hours. I'm really hoping Santa will see this list and bring me one for Christmas! Available online, as well as craft stores, these lamps come in a wide variety of styles to choose from. The portable version starts at $79.95 and is easy to take with you. One of these lamps should keep my colors true and keep me designing well into the night.



4. Robin's Nest Dew Drops - I just came across these darling little embellishments a few weeks ago. They are a beautiful embellishments and come in a wide array of colors. This would be a fabulous stocking stuffer and I can think of so many projects I could use these on. I think my biggest problem with these little beauties is which ones to choose! The Robin's Nest Dew Drops are tiny little transparent "pebbles" that are sooooooo pretty. They can be added to flower centers, adhered to a design and used in the same instances you would use brads or eyelets or used as water droplets on design. The Dew Drops are packaged in nail-polish style bottles and are easy to attach to your design with clear adhesive. My friend Ellen actually counted them for me. At more than 560 dew drops per bottle, this is a seriously fabulous and inexpensive embellishment at $4.99 a bottle.


5. May Arts ribbon - OK yes...I have lots of this. I'll admit it. But for a ribbon addict like me, you can never have enough! The wide variety of ribbons available from May Arts just keeps me coming back for more. May Arts ribbon is available for purchase from many on-line and retail stores and retails at $1.50 for 3 yards and up.Beautiful rich colors, velvets, double-sided ribbons, irridescent, ric rak...a stocking full of this ribbon would be absolutely fabulous for Christmas this year. Hmmmm...I wonder just how much ribbon you can get in one stocking....


Things to give...

I'm sharing some of my favorite items that would make super gifts if you still have some shopping to do. Ranging from rather expensive to perfect for the stocking...these items come highly recommended by me. :) Products I use almost daily and would not want to be without.

1. Rebel XT digital SLR camera - I just adore this camera. I honestly don't know where to begin. This camera has so many fabulous features. I love the digital SLR version, the lenses and accessories perfectly work together with my original Rebel SLR camera. I love the flexibility. I can change my lenses, my settings, the camera can work in a total automatic mode or if I want to take it up a bit, use a variety of manual settings. If you've never used a digital SLR camera, you will be amazed at the speed you can take photos at. My original digital camera was quite an expensive point and shoot style camera. I was so frustrated with it. I have small children and just could never get the hang of getting it to focus before they were off doing something else. You know how fast those little ones move! My suggestion is...visit your local camera store and try it out. They can explain all the features to you.


2. Tonic Paper Trimmer: My Tonic Paper Cutter is probably my most used tool. I love it! Clean, professional cuts, this paper cutter is easy to use and is portable to boot! If you hate continually purchasing refill blades or getting raggedy looking edges, this cutter is for you. I was so impressed to find that this trimmer can slice off just the slightest sliver of paper if you need the smallest of changes to the size of your layer. To be honest...when trying out this paper trimmer, I was a little concerned with how sharp it would be. I have small children in the house and craft near their play area. While this trimmer cuts cleanly, it is not sharp. I actually tried it out on my finger and was really pleased that it was very safe. Additional features of comfort grip handles, safety guards, a handle, convenient storage on the reverse side and even a 13" cutting surface that makes this trimmer friendly for those scrapbooking papers with a title on the edge. This trimmer is exceptionally well engineered. Smaller and larger versions of this trimmer are available as well. This portable 12" trimmer sells for approximately $38.99

3. Crop-a-dile: This We R Memory Keepers tool took the crafting industry by storm a few seasons ago. It's bright pink comfort grip handles and super heavy duty construction have papercrafters dusting off their eyelets and snaps and putting them back into their designs. I just love the flexibility of the tool. It is so easy to set eyelets and snaps in various sizes silently without strain. I have quite a few friends with wrist and hand difficulties and they have all had great success in using this product. The Crop-a-dile is now also available in green with a case for storage and portability. The Crop-a-dile is available on-line and in craft stores everywhere and retails at approximately $29.99 If you decide to purchase this tool, you won't want to miss the We R Memory Keepers Designer Eyelets and Snaps that are gorgeous embellishments and will make this present extra special.

4. Autumn Leaves Buttons - Buttons are so hot right now and so easy to add to crafting projects. Scrapbooking, cards, altered items, sewing projects...you name it, you'll find buttons. I love the texture and color they add to a design and buttons are super easy to group together for a bold look. Paired up with stitching, real or faux, buttons look fabulous. One of my recent favorite finds is this great Bag-O-Buttons from the foof-a-la line by Autumn Leaves. Each bag contains 6 oz. of beautiful buttons in coordinating colors in large variety of sizes. They come in a convenient little plastic bag that is resealable, very portable and easy to store. These buttons are sold in three color lines for $6.00 each. Mini versions of these packages are also available in other color lines at a lower price making it easy to fill in those little spaces in a Christmas stocking.

5. Rhinestone Singles: Bling, bling, bling...what is Christmas without a little sparkle?! I love these little packages of rhinestones. Perfect for adding to projects, they add just the right touch of sparkle. Easy to apply, these rhinestone Singles by Me and My Big Ideas, come in single color packs of varying sizes. In fact, each package contains ninety-six rhinestones. These embellishments are high quality, have a great sparkle and their multi-faceted shape is still slim enough to use on scrapbooks and card designs without adding a lot of bulk. With names like Fern, Poppy, Iris, Freesia, Hibiscus... I just couldn't resist buying one of each. These Rhinestone Singles packages retail for $3.99 and can be found in crafting stores or on-line. If Santa needs a little extra something to slide right into a stocking, this is a great little product to fill that hole.

Whatever you decide to buy and whatever Santa brings you this year...I wish you all the merriest of Christmases!

Catch the Wave Craze!

Reported By: Sharon Harnist

In almost any paper crafting magazine or scrapbook store you will see that waves are all the rage right now, so join me as I check out for the first time Creative Memories' 12-inch Decorative Trimmer . . .


As you can see, you get two products in one with this trimmer -- a wave and a swell cutting channel. The length for this trimmer is a full 12.5 inches, so this means it won't bend or crimp your 12-inch cardstock or decorative paper -- a nice bonus.


Additional features include:

>1/2-inch grid marks on the entire base, to aid in your paper crafting
> 30, 45 and 60-degree angle cutting lines
> Additional markings of 1/8-inch run along the top and bottom
> Extendable 6.75-inch side ruler
> Deep channels for the extra-long blades


A close look at this trimmer's blade reveals something I've never seen on a trimmer -- a beveled, very long V-point blade. This two-sided blade boasts 1000 cuts and my Creative Memories consultant suggests keeping a blade for photo trimming separate from the one to use for paper or cardstock, to ensure it is always sharp and won't tear your photographs. To date, I have not experienced any fraying of lighter weight cardstocks or printed papers when using CM's Straight Trimmer, which features the same blade -- another nice bonus! Perfectly straight cuts are also achieved with the straight trimmer . . . some of my other trimmers fail miserably in this area. But watch out for that beveled blade -- it's the sharpest I have experienced yet on a trimmer!


I have highlighted my favorite markings with a silver Sharpie permanent marker on the trimmer, to make for easier viewing and to find my most-used lengths quicker:


The precision of this trimmer and blade is unmatched in my opinion -- just look how thin of a cut you can get on the faux ribbon shape above!


So catch the wave craze and try out this trimmer, I'm sure you won't be disappointed . . . I sure wasn't!


*Note - The Creative Memories 12-inch Decorative Trimmer can be purchased from a Creative Memories consultant for $24 US; or the 12" Straight Trimmer for $20 US. Replacement blade cartridges are also available.

Making Memories 12" x 12" Precision Trimmer

Reported By: Tami Bayer

I finally broke down and bought a new paper trimmer. I've been looking for the right combination of sturdy, accurate, and cost effective for quite a while. The Making Memories 12" x 12" Precision Trimmer really delivers. Here are the main things features.

~It is self sharpening, so never needs a replacement blade.
~It doesn't lift open leaving the blade exposed, so no cut fingers.
~It has 1/2" grid across the whole cutter, making measuring more accurate.
~The grid also contains pre-measured templates for 4" x 6", 5" x 7", 8" x 10" and 8.5" x 11".
~It will cut a hair width accurately.
~It is a reasonable price, retailing for $49.99 US, and I used a coupon.
~It's sturdy and folds down making it portable. and easy to use on smaller projects.
~Magnetic ruler for scoring and holding paper in place while cutting
~Features a non slip grip while folded and unfolded.

I think it's a great cutter for the money, and I'm happy I purchased it. I haven't found any down-side to this product. I've used it to cut paper, cardstock, felt, and chipboard. It did them all with ease. If you are tired of spending money on replacement blades and cutting mats, this might be a good investment.

Have you played with this trimmer yet? What did you think? Let us know in your comments below!

Jen's Favorite Tool: Stampin' Up Cutter Kit

Reported By Jen Del Muro

One of my favorite tools is the Stampin' Up! (SU!) Cutter Kit. Although this tool is not used daily, I can definitely say that it is a key essential in my studio. The Cutter Kit contains 4 different tools: a rotary, a scoring tool, a perforating tool and a 7-sided distressing tool.

I have to admit that I really just got the tool for the distressing edges, but I have used all the tools and been quite pleased with the results. I never thought that I would use the rotary cutter. I mean, why would I need this thing when I have my handy dandy Fiskars cutter? (and, yes, I still have the old school Fiskars). Then came the day that I needed to make a cut that was curved. I put my curved object (a bowl in this for instance) on the paper and traced around it with the cutting edge. Viola...a curved cut.
As noted before, I didn't think that I would use this tool for all that it offers. I certainly never thought I would need the scoring tool, for the same reason that I *knew* that I didn't need the cutting one. Then the day came that I wanted to make my own pillow box, which contained a curved score. Hmmm...how was I going to achieve a curved score line with a straight scorer. (Insert light bulb going off in head here). I pulled out the scoring tool from the Cutter Kit and traced around my curved object (again, a bowl). I was able to get the results I wanted very easily and was quickly on my way to completing my project.

When I was explaining to a customer what the Cutter Kit included and came to the perforating tool, she said, "a Per-what tool?" I chuckled and told her to imagine coupons in the Sunday paper. Some of them are easy to tear out and some of them leave you tearing the entire page attempting to get them out. Well, the ones that are easy to tear out most likely have a perforation around them. I have to admit that this is the tool that I have used the least. I have made a cute little coupon book where the coupons could easily be torn from the binding because I perforated the paper. Julie Ebersole made a darling interactive card HERE. (Please note that if you are not able to see this link it is because it is in the Fan Club portion of Splitcoast).

Finally, I saved the best for last...well, at least in my opinion. The distressing tool is the whole reason I purchased the Cutter Kit in the first place I absolutely love how easy it is to use and the results that can be achieved. On the card that I have posted here, I used SU!'s Linen background stamp along with the distressing tool to achieve a worn fabric look. If you would like to see other ideas, Julia has several cards and projects in her gallery that show distressed edges, as well.

Please note, when using the Cutter Kit tools, it is best to use some sort of matting under your paper (or other medium) to protect your work surface. Depending on the tool being used, I use either a piece of cardboard or chipboard or a mouse pad. If you are interested in purchasing this tool, this kit retails for $16.95 and is available through your Stampin' Up demonstrator.

Fiskars Paper Trimmers

Sorry readers! This great review by Colleen Schaan somehow got lost in the shuffle last week. Enjoy!

Fiskars 12” Portable Paper Trimmer and Fiskars 12” Home/Office Rotary Paper Trimmer

Review by Colleen Schaan

I have always been a picky shopper…name brand or nothing. That is why I am a Fiskars girl. Growing up, my mother did a lot of sewing and I remember her saying, “Don’t use that scissors…it is my good one!” It was a Fiskars. Now that I am a grown-up, I bought my own Fiskars and I love it.

I started my journey into papercraft with scrapbooking. I quickly got tired of cropping my photos and cutting my paper with a regular scissors so I purchased a Fiskars 12” Portable Paper Trimmer. It was lightweight and had a large (12”) cutting span. I sliced through photos and cardstock with ease. The swing out ruler was a bit awkward but it did come in handy a few times. The blade was a cinch to replace and it even came with a scoring blade. (Beware…it is difficult to tell which is which unless you touch them…I don’t recommend that!) Because of the guide points on the cutting blade, I was even able to measure the length of a cut and cut the centers out of things. But, not everything was rosy …I soon found out that it could only cut one sheet of cardstock at a time (not really an issue for scrapbooking), and it really didn’t cut straight. The plastic guide rails that held the blade in place would bend with even the slightest pressure. I needed something better…sturdier…

When in doubt, buy bigger!

I really liked the Fiskar name (sharp blades and smooth movements), so I forked over the money and purchased the Fiskars 12” Home/Office Rotary Paper Trimmer. I quickly fell in love with this cutter! Even though it is much larger, it really does not weigh much. It does take up more room than the portable cutter, but as I use this tool every day, I can justify the space it uses. I can quickly and easily cut two or three pieces of cardstock at the same time. The base has two 12” rulers for easy measuring. The guide rail is metal and the cutting blade has a palm shaped handle that is comfortable even after vigorous use. The blade glides smoothly in the cutting track in both directions, which makes the cutter great for both left and right-handed users. Blades are easily changed and additional decorative and scoring blades are available. The only drawback I see it that the nut holding the blade tight can loosen after extended use. This sounds worse than it really is. There is an additional plastic guard that keeps the blade tight and secure and I just pause to retighten the nut every so often.

I know there are a lot of cutters and blades out there. Now-a-days, you can hear me say, “Don’t use that cutter…it is my good one!” It’s a Fiskars.

Carl Cutter 12" Heavy Duty Trimmer

Review by Sarah Moore























This is MY favorite trimmer. First the basic specs... straight from www.carl-products.com.

The choice for the most demanding trimming projects. Patented CARL locking rail mechanism holds paper firmly in place. Premium carbide blades ensure a precise, accurate cut. Sturdy metal base is calibrated and features preset measurements for common-sized items. Adjustable magnetic paper guide is great for making repetitive cuts. Trimmer also includes a handy storage area that includes an extra straight and perforating blade as well as an additional cutting mat. Trims up to 30 sheets of standard 20 lb. bond copy paper. Also trims card stock, black core artist mat board, 1/8" foam board, plastic sheets, acetate and much, much more!! Key Benefits ...
* Trims up to 30 sheets of standard 20 lb. bond paper
* Sturdy metal base is calibrated with preset measurements
* Handy magnetic paper guide for making repetitive trims
* Includes additional blades and cutting mats in storage tray
* Limited lifetime warranty (blades and cutting mats excluded)

WOW! Are you as excited as you SHOULD be?!? The Carl is all that and a bag of chips... I cut 13 sheets of Stampin' Up! Cardstock in my Carl at one time. It is a MUST HAVE machine for crafters who need to cut multiple sheets for swap preps, invitations... any bulk preparations. There is a tiny catch...

First off; this is not a CHEAP product. The Heavy Duty Cutters retail on average for (US) $80-120. Keep in mind however that it WILL last you forever. You will never need to buy another Heavy Duty cutter for as long as you LIVE. Note the lifetime warranty. Products purchased from ANY seller can be returned to Carl directly.

Second; there is a bit of a learning curve. Take a look at the picture above... See that bar the paper is butted up against? It is NOT Necessarily a 90 degree angle. It is a removable, magnetic, sliding bar designed to aid you in your alignment. It does have a tendency to wobble and move if you push a stack of paper against it with too much force.

I suggest that along with the purchase of your Heavy Duty Carl you get yourself an affordable metal or acrylic angle/triangle like this one... Be sure it is 12" tall if you have a 12" trimmer... 15" tall if you have a 15" trimmer. You can use this right angle to align your Carl's Magnetic bar when you are not cutting on the even inch lines (the even inch measurements are already marked with a straight line you can align the magnetic bar against.) After the bar is in place you can gently butt your stack of cardstock up to the bar. At this point you would lock the cutting rail and blade down. The paper is held very snugly by the cutting rail. Cut the paper by sliding the rotary knob up and down; typically 4-5 passes for a full stack of cardstock.

The grid lines can be troublesome for some. Users have commented that the 210 model only shows top and bottom measurements up to 11 1/2". But if you look at the picture above you will see that the last line on the grid, at the left is very bold... it is the 12" line. Now if you were cutting a slice at the 11 3/4" mark... well then OK... you might be frustrated. It's never been an issue for me. I should note; unlike my Fiskars personal trimmer and other trimmers I have tried; I have never experienced ANYTHING BUT perfect accuracy in measurement with my Carl.

The Blades are very sharp; but it is almost impossible to cut yourself with this trimmer as they are well covered and guarded. Carl also sells scoring and perforating blades for this model; though I have never used them. You can get a lot of life out of your blade; I have had to change mine twice in 2 years... but the mats the blades run on need to be rotated and flipped over regularly. It is easy to tell when the mats are "spent" and I have found I go through about 2 mats per blade.

The cuts produced by this cutter are PERFECT. No flaws, curves or frays. This of course is dependent on using the product correctly. This means installing the blade according to the manufacturer instructions and aligning the magnetic bar to a 90 degree angle.

To address some issues others have mentioned with various rotary trimmers; what's nice about the Carl is that the spot where the blade hits the paper is visible and not obstructed by the cutting rail/rotary knob. I can SEE what I am doing. I think the other key to the Carl Cutter's ease of use is the locking cutting rail. The paper you are cutting isn't going anywhere. No slippin' and sliddin'. Plus you can cut acetate, chipboard, cardboard and very heavy papers with the Carl... and it will cut them like buttah!

Negatives: you won't be bringing this to your crops... I like to use my Fiskars Personal Trimmer (similar to the euro trimmer reviewed earlier) for crops and my "one-card-at-a-time" projects. When I need to cut paper for 3-100 projects; my Carl is what I use. I use the 12" model; but others prefer the 15" because they like the ability to cut 12x12 paper on an angle. Anything larger is frivolous for the average crafter.

Be sure to note; the product described is NOT the same as the Carl Cutter "professional" series; available retail (us) $15-40. The Professional series (pictured at left) does NOT have a locking cutting bar, or an alignment bar. It also can only cut 3-5 sheets of cardstock. It is the professional series that you may have seen at Sams Club or Costco... it's is NOT the Carl Cutter touted by professional papercrafters. Look for the words "Heavy Duty", and product codes on the cutter; DC-210/220/238/250. I will say that many have been pleased with the other products in the Carl Line... I however cannot attest to their use or reliability.

Best prices? Most people are saying Ebay right now; expect to pay about (US)$100. Anything less is probably a GREAT deal. Remember that Carl has that Limited Warranty... so if you have any problems with your purchase; be sure to call them! Look HERE for a list of online retailers.

Amy questions? Comments? Please leave them below!

Fiskars 12" Euro Personal Paper Trimmer

Review By Amy Westerman














This is the trimmer with whom I have a love/hate relationship. Some days I love it, many days I hate it. What’s to love? Well, the Fiskars 12” Euro PersonalPaper Trimmer is extremely light and portable. I take this baby with me everywhere. It’s easy to measure accurately because the measurement lines on the aluminum surface are easy to read. Ruler lines extend from the top of the trimmer all the way down the trimmer, so paper can be accurately lined up from top to bottom. It’s got a flip out ruler so you can cut paper all the way up to 12 inches. The flip out ruler stores within itself when not in use, making storage easier.

To cut paper, you just need to flip up the cutting rail and slide your paper underneath. To make the cuts, just slide the blade up and down the rail. Sound easy enough? It is an easy trimmer to use, there’s no doubt about it. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to make a straight cut with it! It never fails, no matter how well I set my paper up with the measuring lines, this trimmer has a bad habit of not cutting paper straight! Grrrr!!!! I am constantly having to eyeball my cuts straight instead of relying on the inconsistent ability of this trimmer to cut a straight line for me! I don’t know why it’s such a problem with this trimmer. However, it seems to be a common problem voiced by other people as well, so I know it’s not just the operator... (me!)

Now, rest assured, despite the problem I outlined above, I can make this trimmer work for me 90% of the time. I still use it regardless of the problems I have making straight lines with it. I’m not ready to chuck it… yet.

The one huge problem I do have with this trimmer, and it’s a problem that is seriously causing me to research other trimmers, is the rate at which I go through blades! Good heavens, the blades Fiskars manufactures for these trimmers are worthless! I swear, the blades are fraying the edges of my paper after no more than 50 cuts! Think about it, this trimmer retails for (US)$19.99, typically. A pack of two blades retails for (US)$5.00. I can literally go through two packs of blades a month (I make lots of cards!), which, at $10 per month, would cost me an additional (US)$120 a year! Yikes! I could buy a top of the line paper trimmer for what I spend on blades alone for this baby!

The time has come….I’ve got to seriously look at what my other options are for paper trimmers. You can bet I’ll be reading these paper trimmer reviews at Craft Critique from top to bottom!

Creative Memories Paper Trimmers

By Melissa Norris

As a former Creative Memories (CM) consulant, I pretty much have all of their products. And love them all, of course. But I definitely think some of their best, and most versatile, are the 3 paper trimmers.

The personal trimmer was the first in the line, and by far is my favorite and most used. It is perfect for cropping photos or small pieces of paper. It features a 7-inch trimmer and has a very durable blade. It is topped with a self-healing cutting mat featuring a 1/4-grid to help you in trimming to the perfect size. There are rubber feet on the bottom to keep it from slipping across your work space. It also features an accessory drawer underneath. It's the perfect tool for cropping on the go! I personally have 2 of these, one in my scrapbooking bag and the other in the bottom drawer of my stamping supplies tote. I have been able to fit a corner rounder, scissors, journaling pen, tape runner, and the 3 blades from the custom cutting system in the drawer at one time. What a space saver! Also it's great for trips because you can pile a stack of photos in the drawer and then crop them on the drive. I have never had any issues with my cutter except for having a too long piece of paper and the end of the blade wrinkling my paper, but that is my own fault. Also the plastic bar that goes along the line of the blade to protect your fingers can prove a bit too wide when trying to cut small pieces but it can be taken off. Just remember to be careful! It cuts very smoothly and is lightweight. The entire trimmer (not cutting length) is 8.5" x 6". Overall I feel this is a great trimmer, especially to keep on your desk to make small cuts so you don't have to get out a bigger trimmer.

The next trimmer that CM came out with is the 12-Inch Straight Trimmer. This trimmer was introduced of their former system of using the cutting mat, blades, and a straight edge that wobbled around a lot during use. I have had the straight trimmer for almost 2 years and absolutely love it. It has surpassed its predecessor in its ease of use. It is very thin and lightweight which is perfect for when you want to take it with you and doesn't take up a ton of room storage wise. The box it fits in is only 2 inches high and 13 long. It cuts both directions and the blade is easily replaceable in the event it becomes dull (I still haven't changed mine and use it all the time). The blades are listed to last for approximately 500 cuts each way. The cutting length is 12 and a half inches and it includes an extendable, locking ruler for precise measurements. It also features a 1/4 inch grid covering the trimmer for easy alignment. If you want to cut angles or make perfect triangles there are 30, 45, and 60 degree angled lines to show you wear to cut. The base features gripping material so that the trimmer doesn't slide around you table and on the bottom of the cutting arm to hold your paper in place. The cutter slides very smoothly and locks on the ends for safety. The cutting arm does raise for ease in moving your paper around. It also features English and metric measuring units so it is great for anyone. I personally haven't found any flaws with it. The worse thing that has happened was the blade coming off but it was during my first day of using it, because on the ends it has an notch to help you remove the blade for replacement. I can understand how some, who have other trimmers, might not be as fond of it but if storage is an issue for you, or you go to a lot of crops it is great.

The 12-inch Decorative Trimmer is CM's latest release. It is very similiar to the 12-inch straight timmer in its look, design and features.. The difference is that there are 2 cutting paths. One path is waves and one is swells. They give you two different wavy designs, just one is tighter than the other. They cut both directions and the blades are replacable. It also features the extending ruler, degree marks, and 1/4 inch grid. I really enjoy this cutter and find myself using it often. The patterns can add a lot to your pages by making borders a snap. Like the straight trimmer I have never had any issues in using it.

Here are some samples I created to showcase what this unique trimmer can do...

All Creative Memories products must be purchased from an Independant consultant. If you do not currently have a consultant, you can use the Find-A-Consultant form on their website for assistance in finding one in your area. Please be sure to let us know if you have used any of these products and let us know what you thought so that we can include them in the reviews. Enjoy!!

Paper Trimmer Carnival!

Welcome to this week's carnival! Grab some popcorn, have a seat; and enjoy the read! Thanks so much to all of you wonderful bloggers for your contributions! Be sure to comment on these wonderful posts... and tell 'em Craft Critique sent you!


First up we have a review submitted by one of the bloggers over at Fisk-A-Teers. We are happy to share May's post with you about the desktop rotary and portable rotary trimmers by Fiskars. Thanks so much for contacting us May! Now our reporters are going to want to play with these new tools... we'd be happy to review them for Fiskars! (*wink*)

Lisa Andrews; owner of Scrapbook Circle; shares a great review of the Tonic Guillotine Paper Trimmer. Be sure to look at her cool kits at Scrapbook Circle too!

Linda at A Muse tells us why she loves her Mini Tonic Guillotine! Be sure to take a peek at the NEW spring release of stamps too... adorable stuff!

Amy Rysavy at Prairie Paper and Ink has a VERY thorough review of the Tonic Guillotine created for Stampin' Up! Wonderful post Amy!

Laura at Inky Dinky Doo bought a Digital Photo Trimmer from Purple Cows... lookee at what she has to say about it!

Enabler alert! Ellen Hutson at Simple Dreams has a SERIES of terrific posts about the "Create-a-cut". I couldn't choose just one so I will post the whole run of posts for you HERE. Projects, tips, tricks... all the features and a million reasons why you will WANT this product after reading! Be sure to scan all the way to the bottom of the page to see the pictures and features of this cool cutter!

Like myself, and 4 other people I know of... Lynn at Stamperosity won a Purple Cow 2 in 1 paper trimmer! Read about HOW she won it and why she LOVES it!

Joan at Paperlicious shares why when it comes to some tools; it pays to buy the best!

Lisa Johnson at Poppy Paperie has a Marvy Uchida paper trimmer with a scalloped blade... COOL!

Thanks again Bloggers! Be sure to play in our NEXT carnival! See the all the details in the sidebar on the right!

The Cutterpede :: Rotary Paper Trimmer

Today; from the perspective of a NEWCOMER to the world of Papercrafting... I give you Donna Lannerd's perspective on the Cutterpede; a simple, portable rotary paper trimmer.


The Cutterpede :: By EK Success
by Donna Lannerd

I have purposefully stayed away from the scrapbooking and paper section of the arts and crafts stores. I knew it would eventually get me. I mean that section keeps getting bigger and bigger. Then I joined a group of crafters which just happens to include a few paper crafters. Now I have to visit the paper section of the craft store whenever I go. I haven't bought too much paper yet but I did want to get one of those fancy paper trimmers and I am so glad I did. I believe if you are a beginner with paper crafting this is the first tool you should invest in. It really makes cutting easier.

I bought the Cutterpede, a rotary cutter paper trimmer. It can cut 12" x 12" paper and has this helpful arm extension with measurements up to 15". The arm also bends to get a right angle at the 6" mark and is good for checking the corners of your cuts. The rotary cutter is contained in a shuttle that you move to make your cut. Take special note that you only cut by pulling towards you and never away from you. I know that sounds bac