Matting Basics by Stephanie

Welcome to my first tutorial here at Make it Crafty.   

As the title implies this tutorial is about matting. I love to have lots of layers on my cards and normally mat with two colors. Using two colors gives the cards more dimension and separates like patterns when different patterned paper are used on a card.

Copic colors used: E13, E11, E00, E000, R12, N9, N7, N6, N5, N4, BG07, BG05, BG02, BG01, BG000, C4

Using different cutting measurements gives a completely different look to the card. In the card above I used increments of 1/4″. The card base is 6 x 6 and then my first matting was cut at 5 3/4″ x 5 3/4″, this gives a 1/8″ border all the way around. 

For the card below I used increments of 1/8″. The card base is 6 x 6 and then my first matting was cut at 5 7/8″ x 5 7/8″, my second matting was cut at 5 3/4″ x 5 3/4″. I added panels using the same 1/8″ increment but I also used three different patterned papers. Matting without a second color behind would have just muted the colors and not allowed the patterned papers to stand out and be ‘separate’ from the rest of the card.

Copic colors used: YG97, YG95, E13, E11, E00, E000, R12, E09, E08, E53, E51, E50, G24, N8, N7, N6, N4, N3, R27, R24, R22, E29, E27, E25, E23, R20, E44, T4, T2

Add dimension! Add some pop dots on your card base beneath the first mat, it makes your card pop. Don’t be afraid to add some to your layers and really make it pop. A little tip I learned is save the cuttings from your rubber stamps that you mount, these make great ‘pop dots’. Add a little adhesive and you make your pop dots any size you need!

So,  I challenge you to add lots of layers and mat your layers. Try using different increments. Lay out your papers and flip the around, light and dark if using solid colors and see which way you like it best. When you start cutting, start with a 1/4″ increment and an 1/8″ increment and double layer your mat   like what is shown above. Another increment I have been finding myself using is 3/8″. This is nice for the first layer on top of your card base, it gives a nice border.  Helpful hint that I think we have all done is to switch around your papers before cutting to see what you like best.

Hope you enjoyed my first tutorial here at Make It Crafty!

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