Designer: Susan Weinroth

The new Craft Premium Portable Paper Trimmer from Fiskars is a fabulous tool! The perfectly straight cut lines that it creates, makes cutting paper a breeze. And yet, there are so many more great ways to get “creative” with your paper trimmer, than just simply trimming paper. I’ve come up with a few fun (& easy!) projects that showcase some of these unique paper trimming techniques.

My first project involves using coordinated scraps to create a patchwork design and feel on your scrapbook page. Start by choosing a photo (or two!) to scrap, and then selecting a variety of color coordinated paper scraps from your scrap pile.

Next use your trimmer to measure and cut “patches” of paper to fill an 11x11 square piece of cardstock (that will then be mounted on background cardstock). Use the cutting guide on the trimmer to precisely trim each piece and then adhere in a patchwork style onto your layout.

After the patch-working is complete, add journaling and a title to one or more blocks. Use various sized Fiskars circle punches to accent the layout with complementary patterned papers. Machine stitch along the seams of where you’ve pieced different papers together. The finished result will be a fun and colorful page with a homespun look.

The second technique I played with uses the classic method of paper weaving, with a few Fiskars tools thrown in to make the process easier! Start by using your trimmer to cut various width strips of different patterned papers.

Next start in a horizontal fashion and make a light pencil mark on the left side of your card (or page) about the width of your paper strip. Use your Fiskars craft knife to slice the marked length open, so that the paper strip can be woven in. Secure the left side of the paper strip under the card/project with a small amount of adhesive.

Repeat the process of making a slice mark on the right side of your card/project and feed the opposite end of your paper strip through. The “rough” end of the strip can be trimmed on an angle and left visible as shown in the photo.

After horizontal strips are complete, weave more paper strips in a vertical fashion through the horizontal strips that are already in place. Use the craft knife “slicing technique” to secure one end of each vertical strip as well. Alternate (top vs bottom) which end of the strip is secured.

Once woven, use the Fiskars Ultra Shape Xpress tool and circle template to add a cardstock circle to the top of your card. Choose a greeting for your card, and then embellish with rhinestones and pearls.

My third project incorporates another Fiskars paper trimmer – the Portable Rotary Trimmer – and demonstrates a new way to use the Scallop Blade that you may not initially have thought of. I love the look of the “reverse scallop” – or the opposite side of what is left on your paper after you trim and create a pretty scallop edge on the other side of your piece of paper. Why not use those reverse scallops to embellish a project?

Start by trimming a variety of coordinated patterned papers with the scallop rotary blade attached to your rotary trimmer. Arrange your reverse scallop strips on your layout as desired.

I arranged mine at the bottom of a photo that I had double matted on cardstock. Adhere the strips and then add a title and machine stitching to your page to finish it off.

The layered look of the reverse scallops adds a nice element of texture to your page design!

I hope that after reading this article, you’ll look at your Fiskars paper trimmer in a new light! Think of waysbeyond just “trimming paper” to get the most out of this very versatile tool!