Punch It Out

Are you addicted to punches as much as I am?! I have to admit that I’m a little more than obsessed and have noticed that in the last several months I really haven’t completed a project without using some type of punch on it. Whether it’s a border punch, a corner rounder or a shaped punch, they are all the rage right now and showing up on projects everywhere. Using punches on your cards, projects and pages can really give it that perfect touch and make the project pop.

I’m a huge fan of grid designs and punches are perfect to use with this type of design. Like Izzy, you can take some of your favorite pattern papers, punch out several shapes and it makes a beautiful design! Like Izzy, Robin went with a grid design, but instead of punching out the grid, she embellished them with doily and butterfly punches.

Close To You by Izzy Anderson

Supplies: Paper, Alphabet: Crate Paper, Cardstock, Tags: Bazzill Basics Paper, Chipboard: Making Memories, Glaze: Ranger Industries, Pens: Signo (Uni-ball), Other: ribbon. Tools: Punches: Marvy Uchida, Border Punches: Fiskars.

Design Notes: I love using a square punch because it's easy to showcase pretty papers without overwhelming the page and it makes quick work of a layout. The chipboard bird and star were plain and I covered them with Crate scraps. For the bird, I added an eye and wing. On both, I added a bit of Glossy Accents.

Journaling: The journaling is the opening lyrics from the Carpenters' song, “Close to You.” Why do birds suddenly appear? Every time you are near? Just like me, they long to be Close to you. Why do stars fall down from the sky? Every time you walk by? Just like me, they long to be Close to you. I made the simple tag tucked under the photo to give the date and baby's age.

Photobooth Fun by Robin Tarbert

Supplies: Paper: American Crafts, October Afternoon, Lily Bee, The Girls’ Paperie, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Chipboard: Buzz and Bloom, Alphabet Stickers: October Afternoon, Flowers: The Girls’ Paperie, Die Cuts: K & Company, Martha Stewart Crafts, Stickers: October Afternoon, Lace: K & Company, Buttons: Studio Calico, Rivets: BasicGrey, Eyelets: American Crafts, Ink: Tim Holtz (Ranger Industries). Tools: Punches: Martha Stewart Crafts, Fiskars, Creative Memories.

Design Notes: I treated each square of the grid like it was its own little layout and embellished with patterns and pieces from the other squares to tie the whole thing together.

Best Good Friend by Christa Paustenbaugh

Supplies: Paper, Ribbon, Pearl/Chip: Pebbles Inc., Alphabet: Jillibean Soup, American Crafts, Paint: Making Memories, Pens: American Crafts. Tools: Punches: Martha Stewart Crafts, Border Punch: Fiskars.

Design Notes: I punched various papers with the Fiskars border punch then layered them so that I had room to journal in between. It provided texture and a place to journal.

Journaling: Ella and Sam became good buddies at Paradise Point Preschool. They love to be silly and laugh! She taught him Barbies and he taught her light sabers!