Punched Love

If there are tools that I really save up for, they have to be border punches. As of to date, I already have eight of these. I know it’s not much compared to a lot of my scrappy girlfriends - one of whom admitted that she's so addicted she stopped counting - but I'm still eyeing some new releases from EK Success, Fiskars and Martha Stewart Crafts.

Border punches are great for creating borders, mats and unique designs on your scrapbook projects. Using them together you can create beautiful layers of paper strips on your layouts. Check out these layouts from Janine and Lucy. I love that they were able to use a lot of their border punches on their pages!

Since the craze for border punches, manufacturers have listened and have produced coordinating corner punches as well. Just look at Barbara’s “Love 4 Life” layout, showcasing the Combo Deco Fan Punch Set from Martha Stewart Crafts. Don't you just love that one of a kind shape the punches gave her background patterned paper?

Fabulous 5 by Janine Koczwara

Supplies: Paper: Rose Moka, Cardstock: Aussie Scrap Source, Chipboard: Twiddleybitz, Alphabet: Rose Moka, Pink Paislee, Rub-Ons, Transparency: Hambly Studios, Flowers: Heidi Swapp, Ribbon: Jenni Bowlin Studio, Paint: Jo Sonja, Ink: Tsukineko, Pen: EK Success. Tools: Stamp: BasicGrey, Die Cut Machine, Dies: Sizzix (Ellison), Border Punches: Fiskars, Martha Stewart Crafts.

Design Notes: By interspersing black amongst such bright colored papers, it prevents the colors from melding together and adds extra pop to the layout.

Journaling: These 5 bring so much fun to our lives, it is fabulous.

123 Me by Lucy Edson

Supplies: Paper: Making Memories, BasicGrey, Chatterbox, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Alphabet: American Crafts, Flowers, Brad: K & Company, Making Memories, Journaling Spots: Making Memories, Other: thread, pen. Tools: Border Punches: Fiskars, Martha Stewart Crafts, Other: sewing machine. Digital Supplies: Frame: Lily Designs (After 5 Designs), Software: Adobe PSE7.

Design Notes: I layered border punched paper strips with stitching and used labels to make little lists of my current faves. I did also a little pen work to outline the labels to make them stand out.

Journaling: What I'm loving: vintage inspired cardigans, ruffles, yellow, stitching, tulle, yoga, flowers, reading, paint, ink, color, my hair, butterflies, scallops, jeans, dangle earrings, my life and family, fabric, fabric, fabric, artistic friends, me.

Love 4 Life by Barbara Lochridge

Supplies: Paper: K & Company, Alphabet: American Crafts, Flowers: Petaloo, Bling, Leaves, Flower Centers: Prima Marketing, Ink: Ranger Industries, Pens: Uni-ball, Sakura, Other: die cuts, lace. Tool: Electronic Cutter, Cartridges: Cricut (Provocraft), Punch, Border Punch: Martha Stewart Crafts.

Design Notes: After punching the edges of my paper with Martha Stewart fan/shell corner and border punches, I inked them with distress ink to make them stand out more. I also used my silver Gelly roll pen to highlight my butterflies.