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When deciding what size to make cardstock when you are stamping an image on a smaller piece of cardstock, round up to the next measurement on your ruler (like if a tree fits on a piece of paper that’s a little more than 3 inches, make it 3 1/4”). Then, when you cut multiple pieces, you will easily be able to measure the next piece on your cutter.
You can also use the stamp block size that fits your stamp perfectly to determine what size cardstock to cut. Example: again, stamping a tree, measure the size of the block the tree is on, then cut your cardstock that size. You should then be able to line up the stamp block with the cardstock to center your image (assuming you mounted the image in the center of the block). If the block is much larger, just measure around your image instead and round up/down.
To add a mat to cardstock, add 1/4” to the size you are matting. So, in the tree example above, if the tree is on a 3 ¼”x 3 ¼” piece, then your mat will be 3 ½” x 3 ½”. You can also add/subtract 1/8" after you are used to the 1/4".
Cut 8 ½” x 11” cardstock in half for Stampin' Up! Medium (invitation size) envelope size cards.
The front of the card base is 4 1/4 x 5 1/2, so you can cut the next layer 4” x 5 1/4” or 4 1/8" x 5 3/8" (to make the way I usually make cards where the front is colored cardstock and it’s smaller than the base (half sheet of 8 1/2” x 11).
Don’t glue anything down until all stamping is done unless technique requires it. Then you can turn it over and try again if you mess up!
