In Touch: September 2017

Hey everyone! Thanks for stopping by today! I have some fun projects ideas to share with you featuring the Scor-Buddy scoring tool. This is an essential tool for any paper crafter. It’s not just for scoring card bases. There are so many other possibilities. Today, I’ll be showing you the basics of the Scor-Buddy and then creating three projects that are anything but basic.

The Scor-Buddy features commonly used measurements that are clearly marked, which makes it easy to use.

To score a standard A2 size card, start with a piece of cardstock cut to 8 ½ x 5 ½ iches and score along the groove marked with an *
To create a quick gate fold card, score along the grooves marked with a
Need a brochure fold? Score any 11 inch piece of card stock at the grove marked with a Ñ.
Want to create a Z fold card? That’s easy too! Start with a piece of 8 ½ x 5 ½ inch card stock. Score at the * and the first . Boom. Done.

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Quick and easy, right? Since I also use the 5 ½ groove a lot, I marked that with a permanent marker, so it’s quick and easy to find.

The Scor-Buddy also has a magnetized area at the top to hold on to your brads, paper clips or a die in a pinch. It comes with its own scoring tool as well which securely locks in to place at the top of the tool.

The scoring tool included with the Scor-Buddy will work just fine, but I honestly prefer a Teflon bone folder. Teflon bone folders are known for their quality and they don’t leave a shiny mark on your card when used to reinforce your fold lines. In my book, it’s another must have tool.

I’m going to walk you through the basic folds in the video tutorial below. Then I’ll show you how to make a quick and easy box and a quick and easy bag. We’ll also talk about how you can customize the size of your box or bag to fit your needs.

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To decorate all of the projects, I’m using some new stamps and dies from the Essentials By Ellen line. I’m a sucker for anything holiday, and since it’s never too early to get a move on those holiday projects, I decided to create some projects to have on hand. I love that these products work so well together, which has allowed me to mix and match these products for different looks.

Let’s quickly talk about the measurements I used for the gift card box I created today.

Start with two pieces of card stock measuring 4 ¾ inches x 3 ¼ inches. Then score at ½ inch on all four sides. Do this to both pieces of card stock. You’ll have to use your scissors to make four small cuts. These cuts create the tabs that you’ll use for adhesive…and I’ll show you this in the video tutorial below.

For the gift bag I created, I started with two pieces of card stock cut to 6x6. I scored at ½ inch and then at 2 ½ inches. If you want your bag to have gussets, score at 1 ½ inches (right in the middle of the two score lines that you’ve already created), but don’t score all the way down. I find this step easier to do once I’ve created the score line along the bottom of the bag. I turned the paper 90 degrees and then scored at 1 inch. Repeat these steps on your second piece of card stock. Once again, you’ll have to use your scissors to make a couple of cuts…but this is the base of your bag. I’ll show you how to put it together in the video tutorial below.

I love this bag because you can use your favorite 6x6 patterned paper to create a custom bag. The finished size is perfect for all kinds of goodies. The finished bag measures 5 inches tall x 3 ½ inches wide x 2 inches deep.

Want to create your own box? Here’s a little formula for those who love math.

How big do you want the top of your box to be? In my case, I wanted the box to house a gift card, so I wanted the top of the box to measure 3 ¾ inches x 2 ¼ inches.
How deep do you want your box to be? This is your D value. Since a gift card isn’t very deep, I only needed a box that is ½ inch deep.

To find your paper size, just add 2 times the depth or 2D to each side of your of your top size. 3 ¾ + 2(1/2) X 2 ¼ + 2(1/2) giving me a finished paper size of 4 ¾ x 3 ¼. Then simply score all the way around at your D value. In this case, it’s ½ inch.

I always recommend using scrap paper to try out your box first, before using your last two pieces of your favorite patterned paper.

Want to create a custom size bag? Here’s a little formula for that!

How tall do you want your bag to be? This will be your T value. In my case, I wanted my bag to be 5 inches tall.
How wide do you want your bag to be? This is your W value. My bag measures 3 ½ inches wide.
How deep do you want your bag to be? This is your D value. My bag is 2 inches deep.

To figure out your paper size for side one

W + D + ½ inch

For side two

T + ½D

Score side one at ½”, then at D + ½ inch

Score side two at ½ D value

Here’s what my formula looks like with MY measurements plugged in.

3 ½ + 2 + ½ = 6 inches for side one

5 + 1 = 6 inches for side two

My scores were then created at

½ inch and 2 ½ inches on side one

AND

at 1 inch on side two.

*remember, if you want to create a gusset, you’ll also score side one at ½ D + ½ inch. This is a partial score line that should not extend past the score line created on side two.

AND YOU THOUGHT YOU’D NEVER USE ALGEBRA IN REAL LIFE!!!!

I addition to cute little box and bag, I also created a fun gate-fold card. To keep it closed, and add a decorative element, I created a belly-band that slides over the entire card. I kept all of my decorative elements adhered to the belly-band rather than the card front to make it easy to slide on and off.

In addition to creating boxes, bags and specialty-fold cards, I love to use the Scor-Buddy to create score line accents on my cards. These simple little additions can add depth and texture to a clean and simple card.