Tuesday's Trimmer Talk

Is it Tuesday already? Well, let's continue the trimmer fun with another spotlight, tip, giveaway, antic, and more. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the post for answers to yesterday's questions.

1. Spotlight
The 12-inch Decorative Trimmer by Creative Memories! The Rock Paper Trimmer and this wavy trimmer were omitted from the magazine column only because they're "specialty" trimmers, and we were mostly sticking to the basics in the mag. But that doesn't make this any less of a must-have.

2. Today's Tip
Several of you asked about "straight cutting" trimmers yesterday. Read more about that below. (p.s. the trimmer above does NOT cut straight...not at all, so I can answer that question before you even ask it. :-) As we were testing trimmers for the issue, we were reminded that papers and photos are frequently not perfectly square (or rectangular) themselves. One of us would say "hey, this isn't cutting straight!" but the next person would have no trouble with it. We'd lay the original on a cutting mat and realize that it wasn't perfectly square in the first place. So here's the tip: before you give up on a new trimmer, double check that it's not the paper that's causing your problems.

3. Giveaway
Drop me a line on this post, and I'll draw ONE winner who will take home the cool wavy trimmer pictured above! Need a topic to post about? Tell me what trimmer you use and what you like (or don't like) about it.

4. Team Antic
Here's a picture of Wendy with the hosts of a craft show on DIY. They were demonstrating the merits of glittery mod podge and allowing us to play with it ourselves. I can't remember the name of the show or the delightful hosts, but I do remember the glitter.

5. More
A few answers to yesterday's questions: Several of you asked if the Rock Paper Trimmer cuts straight. And I can attest that it does! It must be noted that I'm not the pickiest person in the world when it comes to "straight," though. I hate an uneven square as much as the next person, but if it looks square enough to the naked eye, then I'm not going to pull out my T-square and double check. (psst...I don't even have a T-square!) If you're super finicky about perfectly straight lines (and if you are, stand up and be proud!), then nothing beats a ruler and a craft knife. But there is a bit of a learning curve involved to get comfortable with the tools.

If you're a trimmer gal, I can assure you that we personally tested and approved every single trimmer that was featured in our March/April issue. If it was difficult to figure out, didn't cut straight, or didn't live up to expectations, it didn't make the cut. (hahaha) All eight of those trimmers can do the job, and do the job well. (We also refused to give away any sub-par trimmers on this blog.) 

Disclaimer: just like anything else, it's possible to end up with a "lemon" trimmer. For example, we had two different models of the exact same trimmer in the office over the course of a couple of months. One of them cut like a dream, and the other one was just a little bit "off." We received the "off" one first, and we just couldn't understand why so many people raved about the trimmer. Then when the second model came in, we were converted.

Comments

[Amber Willingham]

id love to have that trimmer just because i have a ton of aquarium picutres to scrapbook and other pool pics that would be perfect ! , I my self have been through several over the course of the last 5 1/2 yrs , Ive gone through SEVERAL fiskars and have given most all of them away :( ( love fiskars products the trimmers eghh not so much tho ) however i was gotten a cutterbee for my bday a few years back and LOVED IT until it broke :( gotta love cats right ? and now im using the basic green one from provo craft you can get at hobby lobby and i must say im pretty pleased with it also and its been the cheapest one yet ive gotten go figure ! Something else tho to keep in mind it your trimmers not cutting stright or is fraying off the edges some times its the paper its self other times it may be the track the blade runs in or your blade it self may be dull or have something caught up on it ! I hope that helps some folks what a great topic to discuss tho ! Have a Great and Blessed Day

[Jillian]

I have the old stand-by Fiskars trimmer. It works ok for me. But I REALLY like the wavy trimmer and today's my 30th birthday, so winning it would be really nice! :)

[Karen]

I have had a number of trimmers. Right now I'm very happy with the Purple Cows double trimmer (guillotine and rotary). I like that the rotary trimmer comes with three different blades and you can purchase others if you wish. It cuts very straight and the measurements on the trimmer are very helpful. I don't like how big it is as I have a very small workspace, but I put up with the size because of its performance.

[cathy]

I love my large rotary trimmer, but I go through blades like crazy! I don't know if it's me or the blades are made NOT to last!

[Shelley]

That would be so much fun to try!

[rita s]

I use the CM straight trimmer and love it. Oh, and I'd love to add this give-away trimmer to my stash. (=

[Lahni]

I have a fiskars trimmer and I hate it because it isn't straight. I also have a creative memories photo trimmer which I love but it's only good for photos because it's so small.

[ScrappyMommy]

I have a trimmer by Purple Cows called the "2 in 1 Combo Trimmer." One side features a rotary trimmer with interchangeable blades and the other side is a guillotine style cutter. I love that I can cut up to 10 sheets of paper on the guillotine side and that the two sides come apart so that I can take one side with me to crops and classes while I leave the other side at home. I am so glad I spent the money & bought this. I was skeptical at first, but this works great. If you have a get together you can break it apart, so you have 2 cutting boards. I wasn't sure how well it would cuts photo's, especially since you can touch the blade and it feels dull. But it works like a champ. You don't have to worry about your kids getting injured on the blade!

[Jess M]

I love my Purple Cow Trimmer. It's got both the guillotine and rotary in one. And I'll agree, it can be a bit "off" sometimes, but I'm not too fussy.

Thanks for the chance to win.

[Ari]

That's a nice trimmer. Mine is a quite normal one, it just cuts straight, but it is definitely its job and it dows it quite well!!
Ari

[Libby Brill]

Ahhh...trimmers. I am on my third trimmer! The first two were stationary blade trimmers and I finally graduated to the rotary trimmer. So much better!

[Lynne]

That is a fun trimmer! Cut wavy with no problem. Cool!

[bcre8uv]

Okay, that trimmer is just about the coolest thing since sliced...paper.

My go-to trimmer is my big Tonic guillotine. And yes, I do own a t-square.

~T.

[Etta]

I use a Fiskars, and I like it b/c it's portable.

[Joanne]

I love my Cricut trimmer....super simple to use, always gets things straight and I can easily see where I'm cutting. THIS one would be a nice addition to that! I need it!

[doris]

I use paper cutter (paper guillotine)and love it:) I hate cutting straight lines with scissors

[tape]

I have a Fiskars with a straight blade and the blade goes dull & needs to be replaced really quickly. Otherwise it's okay.

[Kristy]

The picture at the Mod Podge booth is Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza. You can see their show, Creative Juice on the DIY network. Rumor is they are shooting a new show too!
Their website is
http://www.cathieandsteve.com/

Carry on! : )