Hello everyone!

Today I am sharing tips for one of my favorite techniques and one that I use on almost every card – Fussy Cutting Stamped Images!  What is fussy cutting?  It is cutting out an image by hand. 

The mouse from Quirky Animals Set One is featured on today’s card and in all the pictures below.  The small circle and button die from Kup Topper Die Set were used to create the cheese.  No freehand circles; I may like fussy cutting, but if a die is available I will use it.

Fussy Cutting Top Ten

1.  Stamp and color the image first – I don’t even want to admit the number of times I cut the image out first and then completely messed up coloring and had to toss it.

2.    Use super sharp scissors – I love my Cutterbee scissors because of the small size, sharpness, and the fact that the blades cut all the way to the pointed tip.

3.   Cut on the stamped line or leave some space – the choice is up to you.  Leaving space is a little more forgiving because it is harder to notice mistakes.  If cutting on the line and too much is cut away use a black marker to add back the line if needed.

4.  Angle – Hold the scissors at a slight angle away from the image.  This pushes the cut edge down and away from the image for a cleaner cut.

8.  Clean up – Once the image is cut out go back and clip away any stray paper with the tip of the scissors.  Clip off any sharp corners too.

9.    Fussy cutting is portable – Take it with you!  I almost always have scissors and images waiting to be cut out in my purse.   Waiting rooms are a great spot to fussy cut.  My number one spot to fussy cut is in the car.  I carpool to work and on the days I am not driving I am in the passenger seat cutting away (or taking a nap because I was up late crafting – shhhh!).

10.  Practice – Remember what your Mother always said…Practice makes perfect!

Thanks for stopping by today!  Happy Stamping and Fussy Cutting!

Smiles,
Julie