Thanks for checking back! It time for part 3, in my 3-part series: S.I.P. which stands for Stamps, Ink, Paper. These are the basics, the building blocks of stamping and paper-crafting. If you missed it, go back and read parts 1 and 2 covering stamps and ink.
Paper is your canvas. It can also be your accessory or embellishment. Paper is a wonderful thing whether is plain, patterned or “specialty” (has added glimmer, shimmer or texture). It can be your basic background or it can take center stage to your project. I love paper so much, that often it is hard to not become a paper hoarder!! So where to begin? Let’s start with Basic White cardstock.
At Stampin’ Up! we offer Basic White cardstock and Thick Basic White cardstock. You will find that you typically use the Basic White Cardstock for the majority of your needs. Many times you will be making a card base from colored cardstock, and then adding Basic White cardstock as a layer, or for your decorative elements. But if your card base is going to be white, you may want to use Thick Basic White as it will perform better and be sturdier. Also, depending on your card elements or perhaps if you are making a white box, 3-D project or other item you may want to use the Thick Basic White in these instances. Basic White items are also available as Envelopes, note cards with envelopes, and 12 x 12 sized sheets.
Moving on to colored cardstock! The array of colors offered is extensive. Cardstock is available in the 40 main colors, plus the 10 In Colors (these are the trendy colors that rotate in 2-year cycles) as well as Basic Black and Very Vanilla. Colored cardstock is a staple to use as a card base and I will cover cutting and sizing later in this post.
Designer Series Paper, aka DSP, is our beautiful line of patterned papers. Some of these selections come in 12″ x 12″ sheets and some in 6″ x 6″ size. The packs of paper are offered in colored schemes or themes, are nearly always 2-sided, and sometimes include specialty papers that feature shine, shimmer, texture or other special and beautiful effects. DSP is a lighter weight paper making it the perfect choice for layers and special elements on your cards or projects. The colors in the DSP always coordinate with our main colors and/or In Colors so that perfect coordination throughout your project is possible and EASY.
There are a number of other papers offered in the catalog that are designed for more specific needs. It is fun to begin to experiment with some of these, including Glimmer Paper, Velveteen Paper, Foil Paper, Vellum Paper, Watercolor paper and more!
Let me give you the basics of cutting your paper down to popular sizes. These are the card you will most often be using. Although don’t allow these basic sizes to limit your imagination and creativity because cards can come in LOTS of different sizes and lay-outs.
You will want to have a paper cutter or paper trimmer of some sort so that you can create custom sized papers for your projects. Of course I recommend our Paper Trimmer (#152392) which helps you cut precisely measured and straight lines, as well as offering a Scoring Blade for making score marks when needed. Most of the time, you will be beginning with an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of white or colored cardstock. You can cut the piece in 1/2, down the middle of the short side (at the 5 1/2″ mark) giving you 2 pieces that measure 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. When you fold this piece in half, it creates a standard size card base. You can choose whether it opens side-ways like a book or opens up and down. So 1 piece of 8 1/2″ x 11″ cardstock becomes the base for 2 cards!
Cut along the short side at the 5 1/2″ mark
Now you have 2 pieces, 5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″. To fold, score at 4 1/4″.
Another way to cut your cardstock, is to cut it in half, along the long side (4 1/4″ mark). This will give you 2 card bases that each measure 4 1/4″ x 11″. With either style of card base described, your folded card will be a standard 4 1/4″ x 5 1/2″ card and will fit in our Medium envelopes which measure 4 3/8″ x 5 3/4″. This envelope size is commonly known as an A-2 envelope or an Invitation Envelope.
Cut along the long side at 4 1/4″.
You end up with 2 pieces of 4 1/4″ x 11″. Folded at 5 1/2″.
So, my friends, there you have the basics of paper! One thing I didn’t mention is the affordability of paper!! When stamping on white cardstock, you don’t need to be afraid of making mistakes. If you stamp something wrong, or get a smudge, just flip it over and stamp on the other side. Chances are, you are going to glue it down anyhow, and no one will ever see the mistake! If you really mess up, and need to toss that piece of cardstock, just grab a fresh one and begin again – it’s not the end of the world and won’t cost you a lot either.
Have fun getting acquainted with all our wonderful papers. And be sure to ask me for help whenever you need it. Happy Stamping!