Multi-Layered Mats Using Corner Slot Punches
By Barbara Eastwick
I think this is one of my favorite techniques. The looks you
can get are infinite, limited only by your imagination, and your
scrap supply! Layering mats by color, theme, or texture –
coordinating patterns with solids – the varieties are endless.
You can customize your mats to fit your photo or your
project. With a simple math formula (really, it’s simple) we can
layer mats up or down, and get a perfect fit every time.
So what are we talking about here? Corner Punches – the
kind that leave you a slot to insert a photo (or in our case –
another layer)! EK Success has a whole line of them – 2 lines
actually, there’s the Decorative Corner Slot Punches, and the
Card Creator Corner Punches (both lines work – please make
sure you find the kind that leaves a slot – there are decorative
corner punches that just cut your corners into decorative
shapes, and although these are nice – they won’t work with
this technique). Fiskars has a line of them – Photo Corner
Punches (be careful, they named their new line this, too – but
they don’t make slots – we’ll need slots). And Creative
Emaginations has a line of them, too. You may even find one
here or there from an independent company or a part of a
designer series of punches. No problem – this technique
works for all of them!
First we need to know how large to make our next layer mat.
Each punch needs to be measured once (I used to remeasure
every time, until I finally just marked the bottom with a
sharpie)! To measure, all we need to do is make a corner
punch, and measure the space between where the paper will
fit in the slot (the outer edge of the slot) and the edge of the
paper. Figure 1. (In this case, it’s ¼ inch).
We’ll take this number and double it. Meaning our mat needs
to be ½ inch smaller to fit inside the slots. The easiest way to
do this is to measure your mat (say you’re using a 4” x 6” mat)
and cut ½ inch from the top (or bottom) and one side (leaving
you an inside mat that is 3 ½” x 5 ½”). Figure 2 – the maroon
mat is ½” larger than the tan inside piece.
Now, if you’re smart (smarter than I was!) you’ll mark the
bottom of the punch – so you’ll never have to measure it
again! Figure 3. Most of my slot punches need a mat that is
½” larger than the insert. Some are ¼” (meaning that the slot
is 1/8” from the edge), and some create a mat that needs to be
3/8” larger.
That’s it for the math! Now we can layer to our heart’s
content! Here are some examples of the layering. To make
multi-layer mats, we just make our mats larger or smaller
(depending on the look we want), based on the size of the
punch. For cards, using the Card Creator Punches by EK
Success, we can make the corners slots on cards, and then
layer in our card fronts! Figure 4. I really love that look!
You can do this for photos, or journaling! Figure 5.
Notice the effect when you layer in patterned paper with
solids. Notice how you can sneak in some color or pattern to
match a theme without overwhelming the page or card. I love
to use this technique for my vellum quotes. Just cut the
vellum to the same size as the smallest layer in your mat. It
will fit over the paper, and into the same slot. Doing this, you
won’t have to worry about vellum glue – the vellum sits inside
without a problem.
By Barbara Eastwick
I think this is one of my favorite techniques. The looks you
can get are infinite, limited only by your imagination, and your
scrap supply! Layering mats by color, theme, or texture –
coordinating patterns with solids – the varieties are endless.
You can customize your mats to fit your photo or your
project. With a simple math formula (really, it’s simple) we can
layer mats up or down, and get a perfect fit every time.
So what are we talking about here? Corner Punches – the
kind that leave you a slot to insert a photo (or in our case –
another layer)! EK Success has a whole line of them – 2 lines
actually, there’s the Decorative Corner Slot Punches, and the
Card Creator Corner Punches (both lines work – please make
sure you find the kind that leaves a slot – there are decorative
corner punches that just cut your corners into decorative
shapes, and although these are nice – they won’t work with
this technique). Fiskars has a line of them – Photo Corner
Punches (be careful, they named their new line this, too – but
they don’t make slots – we’ll need slots). And Creative
Emaginations has a line of them, too. You may even find one
here or there from an independent company or a part of a
designer series of punches. No problem – this technique
works for all of them!
First we need to know how large to make our next layer mat.
Each punch needs to be measured once (I used to remeasure
every time, until I finally just marked the bottom with a
sharpie)! To measure, all we need to do is make a corner
punch, and measure the space between where the paper will
fit in the slot (the outer edge of the slot) and the edge of the
paper. Figure 1. (In this case, it’s ¼ inch).
We’ll take this number and double it. Meaning our mat needs
to be ½ inch smaller to fit inside the slots. The easiest way to
do this is to measure your mat (say you’re using a 4” x 6” mat)
and cut ½ inch from the top (or bottom) and one side (leaving
you an inside mat that is 3 ½” x 5 ½”). Figure 2 – the maroon
mat is ½” larger than the tan inside piece.
Now, if you’re smart (smarter than I was!) you’ll mark the
bottom of the punch – so you’ll never have to measure it
again! Figure 3. Most of my slot punches need a mat that is
½” larger than the insert. Some are ¼” (meaning that the slot
is 1/8” from the edge), and some create a mat that needs to be
3/8” larger.
That’s it for the math! Now we can layer to our heart’s
content! Here are some examples of the layering. To make
multi-layer mats, we just make our mats larger or smaller
(depending on the look we want), based on the size of the
punch. For cards, using the Card Creator Punches by EK
Success, we can make the corners slots on cards, and then
layer in our card fronts! Figure 4. I really love that look!
You can do this for photos, or journaling! Figure 5.
Notice the effect when you layer in patterned paper with
solids. Notice how you can sneak in some color or pattern to
match a theme without overwhelming the page or card. I love
to use this technique for my vellum quotes. Just cut the
vellum to the same size as the smallest layer in your mat. It
will fit over the paper, and into the same slot. Doing this, you
won’t have to worry about vellum glue – the vellum sits inside
without a problem.
Figure 5
Here's an example of an 1/2" size differential
mat (red mat on left) and a 1/4" size differential
mat (green mat on right). Notice that the 1/4
inch mat looks tighter, and closer together. I
love this look for bringing focus to the inside. I
use darker colors on the outside, and layer
inward, making each mat lighter in color.
The mat on the left uses a 1/2" differential, and
you can see more of the colors involved. I like
to use patterned papers mixed with
coordinating solid ones for this technique - as
the larger space allow more of the print to
show. (For demonstration purposes, I used
only solid colors for both of these examples.)
mat (red mat on left) and a 1/4" size differential
mat (green mat on right). Notice that the 1/4
inch mat looks tighter, and closer together. I
love this look for bringing focus to the inside. I
use darker colors on the outside, and layer
inward, making each mat lighter in color.
The mat on the left uses a 1/2" differential, and
you can see more of the colors involved. I like
to use patterned papers mixed with
coordinating solid ones for this technique - as
the larger space allow more of the print to
show. (For demonstration purposes, I used
only solid colors for both of these examples.)
Multi-Layered Mats Using Corner Punches
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
