Our family recently started scrapbooking as a hobby and have been slowly collecting a nice supply of scrapbooking equipment. In addition to die cut machines and specialty cutting tools, we’ve stocked up on a nice assortment of scrapbooking scissors, called “paper shapers.” These scissors work a little bit like the pinking shears seamstresses use to create a tooth-like edging on cotton fabrics.
The difference between a pinking shear and scrap booking scissors is the wide variety of blade styles. Scrapbook scissors can cut an amazing variety of patterned edges which nicely finish a scrapbooking project, and are very reasonable priced.
Scrapbooking isn’t the only way to use this scissors. Our family has found a wide range of uses for this terrific all purpose tool.
Edging photographs
Our photographs are stored in protective sleeves in albums. To add a little interest to the photographs, we trim out the edges using our scrapbooking scissors.
Finish the edges of gift wrap
Our mothers taught us that the best way to wrap presents was to fold back the ends of the paper, to leave a nice, crisp edge to be taped. Instead of folding back the gift wrap, we now cut the edges with a scrapbooking scissors to create a decorative edge.
Create decorative edging for decoupage projects
Decoupage is a paper craft that involves gluing cut paper to a solid surface, such as glass or wood. Instead of cutting paper with a straight scissors, try using a scrapbook scissors to create a more visual interesting effect.
Reclaim old greeting cards
Instead of recycling all those greeting cards, cut out some of the more interesting elements of the card with a decorative scissors. We cut down old Christmas cards to be used as gift tags or as mattes for holiday photographs.
Jazz up a plain greeting card and stationary
Sometimes the difference between a budget greeting card and one produced by a nationally known greeting card company are simply the embellishments. A plain greeting card can be jazzed up by merely cutting away the right edge with a paper shaper.
Do you still write letters the old fashioned way? A scrapbooking scissors can also be used to cut a decorative edging on the top edge of the stationary sheet.
Dress up a recipe card
Whether you are copying down a recipe for a friend, or to include with your bake sale brownies, finish the edges of the recipe card with a paper shaper to add a touch of elegance.
Dress up a newspaper clipping
For families who collect newspaper clippings of friends and relatives, use a scrapbooking scissors to dress up the clippings.
Add interest to a school poster
For science fairs and history day posters, using a scrapbooking scissors to finish the edges of the graphics and the text for a more visually pleasing display.
For any sort of paper product you may have in the house, a scrapbooking paper shaper scissors can be used to turn a ho-hum edge into some thing just a little more special. And where do you find these specialty scissors? Most discount department stores will carry a limited supply of paper shapers in the art section. The best value and best assortment however, are found at craft stores, such as Jo-Anne’s or Michael’s.
A single scissors typically runs around $3.99, with a variety pack of 8-10 scissors running in the $19.99 range. Using those fabulous craft store coupons for 40% discount will make the price of a paper shaper scissors quite affordable.
