Now on to today's post, which hopefully Blogger will post in a timely fashion....
Today's Tip is one of those that, on the one hand, seems like a no-brainer, but, on the other hand, makes life so much easier!
After getting sick of doing the same math over and over, I made a simple, handwritten index card, which I posted on my bulletin board right over my workspace, with a list of dimensions for cutting stamped panels to matte evenly on a standard 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" card. It lists the sizes for cutting panels in quarter-inch increments. (Those of you who live in countries where "standard" is different can easily adapt this idea for yourselves.)
I typed it up for those of you using American measures. Hopefully, you can save it and print it for your own use.
If I cut a 4 1/4" x 3" stamped, panel, for instance, all I have to do is move up a quarter inch to get the measurements for a 1/8" matte all the way around the stamped panel. For a thinner 1/16" matte (as on yesterday's card), it's easy enough to just add 1/8" to the dimensions of the stamped panel.
I hope this makes sense.
And here is a happy CAS card that utilized this little chart.
Design Discussion: Please note how I rooted the flowers in the open space provided by the sentiment. I just love the way that looks!!!!
Supplies
stamps: Shady Tree Studio
ink: Memento
paper: PTI white, SU brilliant blue
accessories: dimensionals.
Personal News: My son Jack, who has high-functioning autism, was released from private occupational therapy Wednesday! After four years, he's finally functionally appropriate for fine motor and hand-eye coordination! YIPPYYYYY! He continues to receive OT through our school district, but this is a wonderful milestone for him to meet...and one less regular therapy session to cart him to! His developmental pediatrician saw Jack yesterday and is blown away by his progress. Jack truly has blossomed in the past six months. He's even one of the best readers in his regular 2nd grade class! Needless to say, we're on Cloud 9 around here right now, and I just had to share!!!
Hey Simplicity, thanks so much for the dimensions! You're right, a no brainer but still makes life sooooo much easier having it written down for reference! Great idea. I was like you in that I was constantly doing the same math over and over and now, thanks to you, I don't have to. I only have the first 3 measurements written down, so thanks again. Love your work!
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Susan, thank you so much for writing up the dimensions! I'm printing it off and putting it right by my paper cutter. I'm always doing this crazy mental arithmetic with fractions and lots of the time, I don't end up with an even matte and have to trim part of it. I can't believe I didn't just do what you did and write it down!
ReplyDeleteGreat news about Jack! I volunteer at a stable that does riding lessons for kids with disabilities and we do a lot of work with the kids on fine motor skills by getting them to do up the bridle and the girth, groom the horses, use the reins, etc. - it's wonderful when they finally learn to manage it.
I for one will print these off to have at my work station!!!! Thanks Susan.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jack.....what a winner, so pleased to hear your good news!
Now, this card is delish.... I love this little set from Nancy.....her sentiments are beautiful it's on my never ending wish list lol.....we all have them ....right?
Susan, So happy for your family. Jack's news is terrific...it thankful brings tears to my eyes. Awesome news! Thanks for sharing your struggles, triumphs, and your heart.
ReplyDeleteObviously, all the crafting shares are great too, but it is you and your personal take on things that make me keep coming back each day.
Susan, Fabulous, fabulous news on Jack!!! So happy for Jack and your entire family. Thanks for the dimensions...will definitely use them!
ReplyDeletelove the way that looks too!
ReplyDeleteand yay jack! that's amazing news
WAY TO GO JACK!!!! Great news!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan, for the dimensions chart. I'm printing it out and it will have a permanent place on my work table.
Kudos to Jack!!! Awesome news. Love the card and thanks for the tips. Will print off when we get home.
ReplyDeleteSusan, thank you so much for the post. I've printed the chart, and will refer to it often! I'm nearly embarrassed to confess I didn't even think to mat proportionally, which explains why I was always so impressed (but didn't know why) that your matted cards always looked so wonderful. Today's post is a real "duh" moment for me, and I thank you for it. Your card is lovely, and a perfect example of what a difference careful planning can make. And a BIG congrats to Jack! You've all worked so hard to make this happen, and we're thrilled for you. Jack has got to be so proud of himself. A big high five to you, Jack!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue for repeating what I say to myself too often. Duh, why didn't I think of that. I do measure every single time and am always thinking, okay, if I cut off this much for the first mat, then I cut off this much for the next... I will print out the chart. Love, love, love your blog. You continue to be the #1 in my favorites list. So happy for Jack, AND you. : )
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to hear about Jack's progress and success! Yippee!!!!
ReplyDeleteGo Ja-ack, Go-ja-ack....picture me singing
ReplyDeleteGo-Mom and Dad for you faithful confidence and perseverance. God enormously and extravagantly bless all those who helped Jack in this
blessings
patti moffett
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the dimensions sheet. That is going to be so helpful. And what good news about your son!
ReplyDeleteLove your card and what great news about your son!
ReplyDeleteGreat news about Jack...please pass on my congratulations to him for working so diligently to improve himself....no doubt you had a big hand in it too.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely love this card....this is what you were born for!!!! LOL!!!
First, two thumbs up for Jack-wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLove your card-perfect place for those flowers.
Beautiful card and thanks for the matting cheat sheet, you can bet I printed it right out!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Jack, what wonderful news for you all!
Susan, what wonderful news about Jack!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the print-out for matting panels. Making cards without alot of mental math is always a joy.
GO Jack! I know you must be so happy!!!
ReplyDeleteThe card is beautiful (of course!) and I've printed that great cutting aid to have handy when I'm matting....Thanks, Susan!
Great News about Jack!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and your family.
P
Congratulations to Jack (and your family)! Great reward for all the years of therapy. Enjoy your ride on the cloud!
ReplyDeleteGreat news about Jack. Kudos to your family and his entire team! What a blessing. This certainly belongs in the "Things I'm Grateful For..."
ReplyDeleteThe card is beautiful. And thanks for the chart.
What milestone for Jack! You sound so excited and happy, rightly so! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the measurement chart. I need it!
Thank you! It's so easy to get confused and cut the wrong size. I've been writing down my dimensions, but this is great to have it all in one place. Wonderful to see your family news too. I'm not a stamper, but I love to make cards and love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy to hear about your son. What a blessing. Also thank you so much for the measurements. That will really help a lot.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Jack. It's so good to see great progress. And many thanks for the chart. I'll print it and refer often.
ReplyDeleteGreat news for Jack (and you). What a joy it must be to see such progress. xx
ReplyDeletePretty card, and such wonderful news about Jack!!
ReplyDeleteI know you are so pleased about Jack! You are in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jack! That is great work.
ReplyDeleteSusan, nice card ;)
Ah I am so thrilled to hear your great news about Jack, even I'm over the moon!
ReplyDeleteReally like today's card and do see what you mean about 'rooting the flowers'. Thank you for all the advice you share, you are very generous & like the other bloggers I'm thrilled with your matting chart. Mwah Mwah
Mary Mac
very pretty!
ReplyDeleteglad to hear your great news on your son!
Susan, I love how you placed the flowers by the sentiment - great idea!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Jack ~ fabulous!! Way to go!!!
and to Nick too for his accomplishment with spelling!!
Thank you so much for the matting information. And congratulations to your son!
ReplyDeleteYay Jack!
ReplyDeleteThat's terrific for Jack, and of course the whole family. Your little measurement card is brilliant... because you know I just pencil it out EVERY TIME. :P Lovely card, too. :)
ReplyDeleteSo very nice to hear the good news about your son. I"m happy for you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the dimensions (printing them out now), and for sharing your card - it's wonderful!
Susan I LOVE this card and also LOVE the position of the flowers...Its perfect! And I am so happy to read the great news! Blessing to you all...Hugs...Cookie :D
ReplyDeleteJust a comment on your news about Jack. So happy for you all. I too, have a son with autism. He turned 21 just a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteHe is about in the middle of the spectrum. He still has some challenges with motor skills and putting pressure on things.
Wishing you all the best!!
T. Blue
Yippee for Jack! And for you all.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the measurements and beautiful card.
I do like the way the sentiment wraps around your image.
ReplyDeleteWhat great news about your son.
Wonderful news about your son, Susan. I'll bet that other milestones will be coming in rapid succession now! Love this card. The colors are so crisp and happy and the layout is perfect!
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful news! I am sure that Jack's progress is due to everyone's hard work and perseverance (including Jack)!
ReplyDeleteWay to go Jack!I m really happy for you, i trully believe you have been a big part of his progress...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Jack!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful news about Jack! Congratulations Susan. Thanks for the measurement chart. This will be very helpful.....
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this awesome chart. What a handy thing to have! :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
ReplyDeleteNice blog. Keep sharing.
ReplyDeleteHello Simplicity, I am new to your blog. I know it has been years since you made that post regarding Jack, how is he doing? My sorority sister has a son who is autistic, I will keep you lifted in positive thoughts and prayer.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I am new to card making (Dec 2014) so I struggle through sizing my cards and creating mats that are the right size. I love your chart, but I must admit that I don't really understand it. Can you tell me how or where to learn this very basic step? Thanks so much
Jack is doing very well. He graduated from private speech therapy about a year ago and continues to receive OT and Speech (pragmatic, social) through the schools. He is well liked by his typical peers, enjoys inclusion classes (with modified curriculum) for Social Studies and Science, attends intervention classes for Language Arts and Math (he's pretty weak in math but doing extremely well with reading), and goes to Band, Art, PE, and lunch without an aide. He plans on doing show choir next year in 7th grade.
DeleteIf you live in the US, a standard card size is 4.25" x 5.5"...half a sheet of card stock folded in half. The chart shows the sizes to cut panels for even matting all the way around on a standard card. That just means your stamped panel fits evenly on the card. And if you want to mat the stamped panel, all you need to do is move up one on the chart, cut the mat to those dimensions, and it will make a perfectly proportioned mat.
If your stamped panel is 3.75" x 2.5", for example, you can cut a mat for it that is 1/4" larger on both sides...4" x 2.75". If you look at the chart, you just need to move one increment larger for the mat. The finished mat will stick out from under the panel 1/8" all the way around.
I hope that helps, and welcome to Simplicity!
Thanks so much for the chart! It will help me out a lot!
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