Photo Mat Template: Swap Related

[PrincessNancy96]

Ok, I don't know if my blonde has truely taken over but it dawned on me today that I was wasting a lot of 12x12 paper and not getting the total use of it for my photo mats.. so tonight, I created a template that will allow me to get 4- 4.5 x 6.5 bottom mats on one sheet...and 4- 4.25 x 6.25 top mats on one sheet.. with minimal waste (the rest can be used for other things later stripes, small deco box)...

Anyway:
First 12 x 12 template:
Bottom mat sheet...
make a square box at 11" (so take 1" off one side.. turn it 1/4th and take 1" off that side)...so when you re-measure you have a 11" x 11" square box..
I than marked the 4.5" and 6.5" marking around the page.. (I'll post a photo tomorrow"... in the center after you have marked all 4 sides you have a 2 x 2 square...
I cut the 2 x 2 square out w/ my exacto knife...
I then grabbed my cutter and 4.5" off.. it would measure it where my box was.. when I was finished making my 4 cuts, I have 4- 4.5 x 6.5 mats!!!


second 12 x 12 template:
I did the same for the 4.25 x 6.25 top mats...
make a square box 10.5 x 10.5.... (cutting off 1.5" off the 2 sides like above).
I than marked the 4.25" and 6.25" marking around the page.. (I'll post a photo tomorrow"... in the center after you have marked all 4 sides you have a 2 x 2 square...
I cut the 2 x 2 square out w/ my exacto knife...
I then grabbed my cutter and 4.25" off.. it would measure it where my box was.. when I was finished making my 4 cuts, I have 4- 4.25 x 6.25 mats!!!



Does that make any sense???... I felt like I was wasting a lot of paper and was so happy to find this solution!!! (most of you had probably already figured this out)..anyway, I get 2 LOs done w/ each 12x12 sheet of paper!!!

 

[Mickeyteacher]

Ok, so I'm interested becuase I have only been able to get three out of a sheet, but I'm a visual learner. I'm having a blonde moment! Do you have pictures?

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Give me a few minutes.. I need to take them and upload them.
Yep, I was only getting 3 mats too and was really frustrated...

 

[PrincessNancy96]

Ok, here is the 4.5 x 6.5 sheet.. (the 12 x 12 paper becomes 11x11)

here is the 4.25 x 6.25 sheet... (the 12 x 12 paper becomes 10.5 x 10.5)

 

[TinkerBean]

Brilliant!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

It's just too bad that it is quicker to cut the only 3 per page. I could whip those out lickity split. It takes me much longer to do the 4 per page.

 

[Kim1964]

That's great! I am going to print this so I don't forget it.

 

[hopemax]

It's just too bad that it is quicker to cut the only 3 per page. I could whip those out lickity split. It takes me much longer to do the 4 per page.

Yeah, that's why I just continue to do the 3 per page. I usually use the scraps to make other elements (tags, squares, etc.)

 

[SusieStone]

I cut all mine 5 by 7 and get 4 to a page by turn - turn - turn method. I then cut them to the specific size later.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I have pics too!! Although with Nancy's you get the 12 inch strip, but not on mine. This is how I got the journal box strips in my AK layout.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I use BAMB's method shown. Although when I get to that third cut, I just cut all the way up and end up with an ugly L and two straight pieces. Easier to stuff the left over pieces in the drawer that way.

 

[New England Eeyore]

Yeah, I owe a HUGE thank you to 123SA and BAMB who originally brought this up a few months ago. I have my system for getting the 4 out of a sheet just as quickly as I used to do 3. You just need a rhythm. I am LOVING saving so much paper.

 

[Michellepooh]

Yes, this was definitely one of the best tips ever posted! I used to waste so much paper!

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Yeah, I owe a HUGE thank you to 123SA and BAMB who originally brought this up a few months ago. I have my system for getting the 4 out of a sheet just as quickly as I used to do 3. You just need a rhythm. I am LOVING saving so much paper.

rhythm?

I agree. When I'm not being pestered there is a flow to cut, flip turn, cut flip turn. I even have the 4-1/4" sharpied on my cutting guide.

Unfortunately, I do get "mom, mom, mom" a lot and then I forget where I was. I have lots of 4-1/2 x 6-1/4 pieces.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

the rhythm is gonna get you, the rhythm is gonna get you, the rhythm is gonna get you..........

 

[PrincessNancy96]

I think I will be measuring BAMB's way instead...
Sorry for any confusion I have caused by over analyzing yet again..
*shakes head and decides to go on to bed*

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I think a combo of the 2 might be the way to go. Trim the outside edge first, then cut up the sides of the mats. It could work!

 

[TPCShauna]

I've been using BAMB's and 123SA's method for a few months and I must say it has saved me a TON of paper. Although I really like the idea of having that long strip. I can never get any length out of the 4 bitty strips because I've usually over cut.

And yes, I marked all the sizes on my trimmer.

 

[party of 3]

wow thanks ladies. i was wasting a ton of paper. i will have to look at this more closely when i cut my mats for the abc swap!
thanks so much!

 

[Mickeyteacher]

Love it! I will try this out this afternoon when I get to scrap for a few hours! Thanks for all the pictures ladies!
S