How to Easily Fix the Challenges of Slimline cards by Tracey

Slimline cards are such a popular trend right now, but along with anything new or different come challenges. Today I am sharing a slimline card tutorial and video that is coming later. I am tackling some of the challenges that I have found with these fun and trendy designs. So my post today is a little bit different. I am going to discuss the challenges I have found and offer some solutions as I create today`s card. I used Studio Katia Dotted Slimline Set 1.

CHALLENGE 1: Die doesn’t Fit on Platform
The 8 1.2” or lower slimline dies should fit onto a standard sized cutting mat for either a Gemini Jr. or Big Shot die cut machine.
FIX: You just have to be careful with lining up the die and paper because the fit is very close. Both standard platforms for the Gemini Jr. and Big Shot will cut a 8 ½” long die.

CHALLENGE 2: Paper Warping
My paper seems to warp when I run slimline dies through my electronic die cutting machine. Not a problem because they can still be glued flat but for me little things like that drive me crazy.
FIX: Cutting with my manual die cut machine provided a clean cut without any warping.

CHALLENGE 3: Slimline Dies Use Too Much Paper
Slimlines are fun, but I do find I go through a lot more paper. You cannot cut more than one slimline card base from an 8 1/2″ x 11″ piece of paper. So I looked for a way to maximize the paper when I’m making a slimline card.
FIX: You can cut a 8 ½” x 7” piece of cardstock for a card base and then the remaining paper can be trimmed down to a 8 ½” x 3 ½” rectangular panel that is the perfect fit for the slimline dies.

NOTE: I scored the card base on the short side at 3 ½”, folded the base and used a bone folder to crease the fold really well. I set it aside while I worked on the top panel.

CHALLENGE 4: Stamps Not Wide Enough
Most of my stamp sets are designed to fit on to a standard A2 sized card either horizontally or vertically.
FIX: For my card today I used the Artsy Trimmings stamp set to stamp all along the bottom of my panel with the rounded corners. I stamped the two separate stamps side by side so they look like one continuous row of crafty goodies! You can do this with pretty much all of your stamp sets, just fill in the space and have a bit of fun making a custom design.

CHALLENGE 5: Stamping a Customized Stamp with MISTI
Combining the two stamps together to create one continuous stamp in my MISTI just doesn’t work without resulting in an overhang.
FIX: I stamped the first stamp along the bottom left edge of the slimline die cut. I removed the stamp and lined up the second stamp coming in from the bottom right edge of the slimline die cut. I picked up the second stamp with my MISTI and then I used a piece of 2” Post-it tape to mask off the already stamped image so that I could easily ink up and stamp the second image and not spoil the image already stamped.

CHALLENGE 6: Slimline Die is Shaped
Today I used the Studio Katia Dotted Slimline Set 1 die set and I chose the die with the round diagonal corners which is really cool but makes it very difficult to create a card base the same size.
FIX: I cut my card base as a rectangle with four sharp corners. I dusted off my ‘Corner Chomper’ tool and used the ¼” corner rounder to chomp off the two diagonal corners–Perfect fit.

For the sentiment on my card I die cut the long banner from the Simple Trimmings die set. Then I cut the ‘Crafty’ die from the Artsy Trimmings die set from black cardstock, this is going to do in the centre of the banner. I then used the Trimmings Sayings stamp set to stamp sending to the left of the word crafty and hugs to the right of the word crafty to complete the custom sentiment ‘Sending Crafty Hugs’.

I covered the back of the banner with Studo Katia Double Sided White Foam Tape to give the white on white a bit of pop!

For a finishing touch I added some of the fabulous Studio Katia Pearls using the Studio Katia Embellishment Wand for a bit of fun! I used Studio Katia Moss Green Pearls, Studio Katia Ripe Persimmon Pearls, Studio Katia Stormcloud Pearls and Studio Katia Lemon Burst Pearls. Aren’t they pretty?

NOTE: Remember when adding embellishments that odd numbers usually work best!

I hope I was able to sort out a few of the technical challenges you might encounter with your slimline cardmaking and I hope you consider giving some of these tips a try!

Thanks for stopping by today and we’ll see you next time!

SUPPLIES:
Dotted Slimline Set 1
Artsy Trimmings stamp set
Artsy Trimmings die set
Simple Trimmings die set
Trimmings Sayings stamp set
Studio Katia Glue
Studio Katia Double Sided Foam Tape – White
Studio Katia Embellishment Wand
Studio Katia Moss Green Pearls
Studio Katia Ripe Persimmon Pearls
Studio Katia Stormcloud Pearls
Studio Katia Lemon Burst Pearls