Quick Tip: Cut four 5" x 7" mats from a single sheet of scrapbook paper

Earlier today, I was cutting 5" x 7" mats for a page kit and thought others may be interested to see how to get FOUR from a standard sheet of scrapbook paper (12" x 12").



The trick is to not make your first cut all the way across the paper. Otherwise, at most you will be able to create THREE 5" x 7" pieces.

Here's how you do it:
STEP 1: Make a cut 5 inches from the left side of the paper just over 5 inches long.

STEP 2: Turn your paper so that this cut is perpendicular to the blade and 7" from the top of the paper trimmer. Make a cut 7" from the edge starting at the top and stopping at the previous cut. If you are using a Fiskar's paper trimmer, you can use the horizontal handle of the blade casing as a guide for where to stop. This creates your first 5" x 7" piece!

STEP 3: Turn the paper 90 degrees counterclockwise and cut 5" from the left edge. This creates your second 5" x 7" piece!

STEP 4: Repeat STEP 4 to create the third 5" x 7" piece.

STEP 5: This leaves you with an odd L-shaped piece of paper. Trim the 2" square off to create the final 5" x 7" piece. 

Want a visual? Here's a video showing the process.



VIOLA! It's that simple! With a little practice you'll wonder why you settled for getting three pieces in the past!

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