By Angie Felix

Using Templates

Whether you’re a card maker, scrapbooker or love paper crafting in general, templates are a tool that you shouldn’t be without. For beginners and advanced paper crafters alike, templates allow you to create unique, perfectly coordinated and personalized elements at home, rather than buying pre-made items.

Envelopes, tags, slide mounts and decorative folds are all easy to create with the help of templates. How do you get started?

Here’s How:
First, select the template you wish to use, whether it’s an Office Envelopes, Slide Mount Mania or Tags Template. Then, pick the paper you wish to use to create your element.

Use the handy gridlines to help you line up the template on your paper. Find the design you wish to use and trace it with a pencil. Tip: To keep the pencil lines from showing, trace the design onto the back of your patterned paper. Or, for a fun accent, use a black pen or gold or silver metallic gel pen and trace on the front—you’ll get a nicely outlined design!

Once you’ve finished tracing the design, take the template away and set it nearby for reference. Place your paper on a cutting mat and use an X-acto® knife to cut—pay special attention to areas on the template that indicate folding lines and be sure not to cut these! Use a metal-edged ruler to help you cut the straight edges.

Now simply fold the design along the designated lines as shown on the template. On a Diamond or Lattice Folds design, fold the chevrons from the bottom up, then press gently for a straight crease.

For envelopes, fold the sides inward and press to form a crease. Fold the bottom flap up onto the sides and press to crease. Glue the bottom flap to the side flaps and fold the top flap down, if desired.

Special Tip: If you want the back inside portion or open flap of your envelope to be of the same paper as the outside or to coordinate (rather than being white), make your fold lines, then trace around the outside of the edges of your envelope onto the back of the paper you wish to use. Cut out the patterned paper and glue over the white portion—that’s how Susan made the back portion of her pocket green textured, matching the outside of the pocket in the layout you’ll find featured in this month’s Top Trends column.

For great ideas on using templates in paper crafting, check out Terrific Template Ideas or visit the Templates section of www.paperwishes.com.