Circle cutting?

Uh, nevermind. Found out it's around $60. Not sure yet if I'm _quite_ that into scrapbooking yet, as I'm still a beginner.

I'll figure out another option.

Do not buy that thing. It is horrible! I bought the circle cutter about 5 or 6 years ago then (before opening it) had the opportunity to use a friend's cutter. I have STILL never opened it. Of course the package is too "ratty" to return to the store. I highly recommend the Creative Memories shape cutters (No, I'm not a Consultant). I have no memory of how much I paid for it so it must not have been too bad (LOL). I have the circles, ovals and I think pentagons (it's just after 6am here, please don't make me go downstairs and check!) and the border thing. Definitely a great set of cutters. I use them all the time.

Cecelia

Thanks! I can't tell how they work from their website, or where to buy them. Buying online is not an option for me.

If I find something the right size and shape, like a wooden cutout or a box or something, and I cut around it with a rotary cutter or exacto knife, do you think that would work? Maybe Michael's has templates made of hard plastic? Couldn't find any on their website, but they don't have everything on there anyway.

Luna, When I first started scrapbooking, I received a circle cutting kit for a gift. I know it was less than $15 at Walmart or Michael's. I'm sorry, I don't have the brand name because I'm posting at work and the cutter is at home. :-(

Anyway, it has a cutting mat, a swivel plate with 100+ holes for different sizes, and a swivel knife. It looks really cheap, but it works great for me. You tape your picture or cardstock to the cutting mat and then insert the knife into the desired size hole. It takes a bit of practice to keep the circle plate pressed down firmly while you swivel the knife in a circle, not it's not hard.

I like it because I can SEE the area to be cut. I can also use my finger to swivel the circle around to test the size before cutting. I've heard Creative Memories has a nice cutting tool for circles and ovals but it has a dozen or so plastic templates that you have to carry around. My tool struck me as more versatile and compact. I've looked at those Fiskers too, but I've always been happy with my cheap little circle cutter.

For ovals, I use a plastic template. I use a grease pencil on photos or a normal pencil on cardstock to trace the same. Then using my craft scissors, but out the shape.

Hope this helps!

-- Amy L.

Luna, Creative Memories has a wonderful cutting system for ovals and circles. Or you can find templates for tracing and cutting. There are other systems for cutting but I have the CM and find it most satisfactory.

Hugs, Sabrina in Kentucky Inside me lives a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies. Tracy Briseno

I agree, I think the Creative Memories shape cutters are the best, I have used others and have not gotten the result that I had wanted. If you can look online, find a consultant in your area and call them for info and to order them. They basically are hard plastic templates (thicker) with grooves in them. They come with three different size blades that are made to fit in the grooves. You put your picture or paper down on the cutting mat, determine what size circle/oval you want, put the correct template down on top of your picture/paper and fit the blade into the grove and press down and around with even pressure...perfect circl/oval.

Luna, welcome to RCS. I agree with everyone else. The CM shape cutters are just amazing.

Here is a link to their cutting tools:

That sounds great, but ordering online is not an option for me, and I haven't found a store locally that carries them. I'll figure something out, thanks!

Luna, I don't have circle or oval cutters either, but I have an 8/5x11 stencil page that has ovals and circles on it that I use. I just trace it and cut it out with scissors. For a photo mat, I just stick it to the cardstock and cut around it. Pretty basic, and inexpensive. I think I got it at either Hobby Lobby or Walmart, and the package came with a couple of other pages with different shapes, rectangles and squares. It was one of the first things I bought when I first started scrapping, and I still use them! hope this helps!

Linda C

Thanks. Actually, I found exactly what I need at Michaels today. I can't remember the brand, and the thing isn't on their website, but it's a set of nested hard clear plastic ovals. They also come in other shapes, like stars and hearts, but they happen to be out of ovals at the moment but should get some more soon. It was between 7 and 8 dollars for the set, and I think I could get a good cut if I just hold one down and use an exacto knife. I think. I'll practice first.

Emailed privately.

To me? Didn't get it. Just remove the "NOSPAM" in my addy.

I'll try again now. If you don't get it, try emailing me mlderr AT gmail DOT com. And all send you the email back again. I think you'll be pleased.

Melissa in Seattle

Ok, done.

Luna, if you're talking about the coluzzle you'll need a swivel knife. It's just like a xacto except the blade swivels. I can't believe nobody here recomended the coluzzle system to you. It's the only thing I use for cutting shapes. I love it! I bought a starter kit that came w/ the knife, cutting mat, and two templates. If you use a coupon you can get it for $10 or $12. Good luck!

Katrina in KS

Thanks! That's exactly what I was talking about. I will get it if I decide to keep scrapbooking as a regular hobby.