Unsung Hero - How to use your Stampin' Trimmer

You probably think that your Stampin' Trimmer is a fairly basic, and easy to use tool. You are right, it is, but most of us are probably missing out on some of the features, or some of the ways to extend the life of our tools, because we don't realise what features our tools have.

If you don't own one yet, and are wondering why I love it, have a look at this post, Why do I love my Stampin' Trimmer?

Tip 1 - The blade is double sided

The Stampin' Trimmer's blade is double sided. This means that if you only cut from top to bottom, you will only get half of the potential life out of your trimmer. Make sure you are cutting in both directions. When you are crafting and you finish making your first cut, leave the blade at the bottom of the cutting track to try and remind yourself to cut from bottom to top next time.

Tip 2 - Rest your blade

This is your Stampin' Trimmer's cutting track.

There is a resting place at the top and the bottom of your cutting track where your blade or embosser can rest out of the way.

If you are embossing, rest your cutting blade at the bottom to try and reduce the risk of any mistakes (that is, cutting when you meant to score).

Tip 3 - push your card against the edge

There is a firm raised edge across the top and bottom of your Stampin' Trimmer so that you can push your card stock flush against it to ensure that you get a nice, perpendicular or square cut.

Tip 4 - the cutting mat is double sided

This is your Stampin' Trimmer's cutting mat.

It sits under the cutting track.

If you are getting rough edges on your cuts, before you change your blades you should try cleaning this cutting track. I just cleaned mine with a tissue, and then using my piercing tool to clean out the groove, and I pulled out plenty of dust and paper fibres. Small fibres of paper and dust get trapped in there and mess with your cutting. If you don't have time for that, because it is double sided you could try just taking it out and flipping it over, and come back to cleaning both sides later.

Tip 5 - the gridlines on the base of your Trimmer are spaced 1cm apart

If you don't need something measured exactly, to the millimetre, you can line yourself up to the gridlines. Even if you need exact measurements for your project, the gridlines still provide a good template for you to ensure that your card stock is straight before you cut by ensuring it looks parallel to the gridlines.

Tip 6 - the extender arm has a stabilising leg

You may not realise that your extender arm has a stabilising leg, kind of like a kick stand on a bike. This is to give you a sturdier base if you are cutting bigger pieces of card stock. Also the extender arm clicks into place, when it is clicked into place you will get a more true measurement, and have a good straight edge to push your card stock up against so that you get a square cut.

Tip 7 - there is a precision tip on your cutting blade

This tip is to allow you to start or finish cutting anywhere along the ruler on the cutting track. If for instance you are making a tri-shutter card, or a frame where you are cutting out the inside of your card stock, you need to make cuts that don't start or finish at the edge of the card stock but rather in the middle. This precision tip and the ruler on the cutting track allows you to start and finish the cut where you need to.

Tip 8 - there is a storage compartment under your Trimmer

It doesn't just hold spare cutting blades though it also holds bone folders, or your paper piercing tool, or your aqua painter or blender pen. You can also keep a small pair of scissors there.

Tip 9 - lock your cutting track

Your cutting track locks into place, so that if you are done with your Stampin' Trimmer and you are moving it around it doesn't fly open and bits don't fall out. Try to remember to lock your cutting track every time you are finished using your Trimmer.