Scor-it: The ultimate tool for hand-scoring paper!

Welcome to Scor-it News, a monthly eNewsletter from the makers of Scor-it Boards and the Scor-it Mini.

In the Spotlight: Carolyn F. Guidry
It all started over 20 years ago when Carolyn Guidry ordered her first rubber stamp set. She was soon making stamped teacher gifts and batches of cards for friends. Her passion for the craft evolved, and as her expertise widened, wedding and party invitations became a specialty.

Like most long-time stampers, Carolyn's collection grew by leaps and bounds. When her son moved into his first apartment several years ago, she did what any good mother would - she sprang into action and took over his room, converting it into her very own "craft spot"! She's spread out, with seven 5-drawer chests and other "must-have stuff" filling her new space.

Carolyn is an inventive designer, a generous and energetic teacher who loves sharing ideas with others. When people express appreciation for a handmade gift, she always asks if they'd like to learn to make cards, too. She hosts workshops at local churches and senior care facilities, teaches customers who visit the Xpedx Paper Store in Houston where she works. To her, every day is an opportunity for "show and tell." She is thrilled when she can convince people that they are more creative than they think they are. When customers need unique invitations, she keeps the design within their budget, whether it's "Cadillac, VW, or a Buick in between."

Carolyn believes in hands-on learning, so she keeps a Scor-it Board near the check out, so customers can see for themselves how easy and fast it is. And speaking of fast - if there were a Speed Scoring Olympics, Carolyn would take the Gold. She can score 250 cards or invitations in 30 minutes.

Here's her method:
If you're right-handed, place the stack to be scored to the LEFT of the Scor-it Board, slide one piece at a time to the right and onto the board. Score, and in a fluid motion slide the piece to the right, off the board (continuing to the right), making a new stack as pieces are added.

Carolyn positions the Scor-it Board with the ruler is at the bottom and she doesn't use the Stop Guide because she says it gets in the way of her rapid sliding motions. She trusts her eye and the ruler to position repeated pieces in the right spot. A reminder: Left-handed scorers should start with the stack to be scored on the RIGHT and work in the opposite direction from righties. It's foolproof!

From her childhood in Louisiana and her Scotch, Irish, German, and Choctaw-Cherokee heritage, Carolyn gets the gift of storytelling. She has honed it during her years in Texas, where leisurely conversations trump curt exchanges. When she talks about the time she spent baking cheesecakes for New Orleans restaurants that didn't have their own pastry chefs, you're ready to head out for dessert. You have to laugh with her as she tells of her late husband's Cajun saying - instead of goodbye he would send friends off with an admonition in French that translates as "Don't drop the potato." She's a former dog groomer (oh, the stories she can tell about those days!), a proud mother with a son who works in technology and a daughter who works for NASA; she's the person you hope will sit next to you in a class - or better yet, be the teacher.

We're thrilled to put Carolyn Guidry in the Scor-it Newsletter Spotlight for September 2009, and want to thank her for sharing her terrific Scor-it Project of the Month," Chair Boxes. We know it's an idea that will come in handy.

You Asked, We Answer
Do you have any ideas for getting my kids into card making?
Absolutely! Tell them about Carolyn Guidry, the speediest scorer we know. She can score the fold lines on over two hundred cards in half an hour. Teach the kids to use the Scor-it Board and let them practice for a while to make sure they have the hang of it. Then challenge them to see how many cards they can score in five minutes, ten minutes, or whatever you think works best.

Give them the cards they scored as a prize, along with stickers and gel pens or other supplies so they can fold and decorate them. Provide envelopes and stamps, too. Encourage them to branch out, using the Scor-it Board for decorative embossed or de-bossed lines. Once you've given a demonstration, sit back and get out of the way - kids are willing to play and experiment; you just might end up being the student rather than the teacher.

I love my new Scor-it Sliding Ruler. Should I store it on the board when it's not in use?
Yes, it'll keep it nice and flat and the cat won't be able to knock it off the table.

I've heard about the Scor-it Sliding Ruler but before I buy it, I'd like to know why I need one! What can you tell me about this new Scor-it Board accessory?
The Sliding Ruler was developed by Tim Hammonds with input from local Pauline Hasund. He's the same person who designed the Scor-it Board, because he wanted to open up even more options for using the board. It's designed to stabilize your paper so it won't twist or turn while you're scoring (it's like having a third hand). It's useful for creating consistent starting and stopping points when you're making many cards with the same design. It's ideal for making embossed rectangles and boxes or star bursts where all of the corners meet. Plus, you can use it to create parallel embossed or de-bossed diagonals and diamonds and all sorts of other special effects and geometric shapes.

We think that you'll love how easily the Sliding Ruler glides. We know it's a good value, a versatile well-made tool that you'll be happy to have in hand.

Can I use the Sliding Ruler on my Scor-it Mini? Will my friends who have the Metric Scor-it Board be able to use the Sliding Ruler?
The Sliding Ruler is sized for the large (12") Scor-it Board and it has both inch and metric markings. Simply flip it around to use whichever measure you need.

Why would I need a Scor-it A-2 Envelope-it Template when I can open an envelope and trace around it?|
Good question! The answer is simple: Because the Envelope-it is durable metal and you can cut against it with a craft knife. It's reasonably priced and will last for many years - metal doesn't wear out - and won't bend or break when it's stored, plus you can clean the template it if it gets dirty. The Envelope-it is easy, fast and accurate. If you do like to trace around a template and cut with scissors, you can do that, too. Instructions are printed right on the template, it shows you where to score on the Scor-it Board, fold and apply glue. Also, go to: www,scorit.com / Help to view a tutorial on how to use the Envelope-it.

If you're a teacher, you're going to want several Envelope-it templates on hand.

Why is there a circle cut out in the middle of the Envelope-it Template?|
So you can position the template on your patterned paper. For example, if you're making an envelope out of a recycled calendar and you want the picture of the flower or puppy front and center, you can see where they go. And if you want, you can use the circle as a template to cut out circles, from your paper to create other designs.

Fun with the Scor-it Board
Click here to see what the M.A.D. Stamper has done with the Scor-it Mini.

My name is Sankari and I am on the 2 Sketches 4 You Fall Design Team. Thank you for sponsoring this week's challenge! I have never used a Scor It before this challenge and was SO excited to use it - I had so much fun! Attached is the project that I created using the Teresa Collins paper set with matching envelopes... I had a wonderful time making it.

More links to inspire and delight:
http://teresacollins.typepad.com/teresa_collins/2009/08/sunday-inspiration.html
http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/08/cuttlebugcreativly-yours-spotlight.html
http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/08/creating-accordion-fold-card-with-scor.html
http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/08/cuttlebug-creatively-yours-spotlight.html
http://binditall.blogspot.com/2009/08/origami-scor-it-and-bind-it-all-oh-my.html
http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-cuttlebug-folders-presenting.html
http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/07/fab-friday-tv-gatefold-friendship-card.html
http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/07/embossed-vinyl-business-cards.html
http://cuttlebugchallenge.blogspot.com/2009/07/cuttlebug-embossing-folder-preview.html
http://www.zutterzisters.com/leagalleryjuly.html
http://www.zutterzisters.com/jennifergalleryJUNE.html
http://prima.typepad.com/prima/2009/08/reader.html
http://www.zutterzisters.com/leagallery.html
http://www.zutterzisters.com/VickiGallery.html


Kim Sonksen	Cheryl Nelson

Did You Know?
Did you know that you can use the Scor-it Board to score random or evenly spaced diagonal lines? The Sliding Ruler makes it easy and fast.

Did you know that you can store the Scor-it Board standing upright to save space? It takes less than two inches of shelf space. Tuck it into a tote and suspend the tote from a hanger in the closet if your shelves are already filled.

Did you know that dark chocolate has been deemed heart healthy? We've been waiting to hear news like this!

Did you know that decorated envelopes induce smiles throughout their journey within the postal system? Use the Scor-it Board to create embossed lines, add a bit of color to the lines with sponged-on ink, and write the recipient's name and address between the lines. Do a bit of stamping, while you're at it. Hint: Choose colors that go with the postage stamp you plan to use.

Great Finds!
Check out www.craftsuprint.com, a web site filled with downloadable projects you can buy, print, cut, score and fold. There are wonderful cards, a variety of elements suitable for making hybrid cards, and more. If you are a designer, you can sell your work, too. Each artist receives royalties whenever his/her work is sold.

New from Karen Foster Design, Six Pack Favor-its and Dozen Delights Holiday Gift Set, with six or twelve wedge-shaped boxes, ready to decorate and fill. Get out your Scor-it Board and favorite papers! The pattern template used for cutting paper has two score lines where the flaps fold down to wrap the box lid.Though it's shown as a "12 Days of Christmas" Project in the photo, the Dozen Delights boxes are great for year round (bridal showers, birthday parties), plus they form a 6-pointed star (think Star of David for a bar or bat mitzvah, or for Chanukah).

Teresa Collins latest - the Friendship Accordian Card Kit, now available at the Scor-it Store
.

Get to the Core! Core'dinations is the only sandable ColorCore Cardstock. . . no white core! You can choose to keep the core color hidden or add your own creative touch with a variety of techniques. Try sanding, tearing, antiquing, embossing, scoring, edge distressing and many more to see why Core'dinations is so different than the basic cardstock. Check out the website gallery for inspiration... www.coredinations.com