Dressed Up Border Punch Card.

American crafts
It really is all in the details when it comes to creating with paper and punches. Punches are amazing tools that can help you add the necessary details to any projects in the smallest and simplest of ways. They can stand along wonderfully and together with other elements they shine just as bright. So how do I dress up my plain border punches to add interest to a project?
For this card I have found my new favourite border punch (sounds familiar right) – well I really have. The humble border punch filled with lots of little circles. Perfect in every way!
For my patterned paper I used the Kaisercraft Bow & Arrow range of papers that worked perfectly with my design.
Step 1 - I used the punch to punch a border from salmon pink cardstock and a brown patterned paper.
Step 2 - I then aligned the punched strips off-set from each other so that the pink would show through the back of the brown strip layered on top and adhere it to the background of my card.
Step 3 - I made small pierced holes using my Couture Creations paper piercer and sewed small pink seed beads to the inside of the punched circles using the pilot holes I made. I also added some thin gold straight stitches to the card from one hole to another connecting the punched circles to each other.
Although not that visible on the card – I truly adds the most beautiful texture and dimension in a subtle way to my punched border. It just goes to show, that the simplest of details really can made a difference to those everyday punched borders – making your basic tools more functional.
Products used

Tonic Punches - pack a punch with borders.

American crafts
Border punches are such a versatile item for any crafter – whether you make cards, scrapbook or dabble in the possibilities of interior design items and crafts. Tonic punches are special punches – they are strong and versatile and available in a huge range of designs. Today I am sharing some ideas of what I did with my range of Tonic punches …

I used my punches to create subtle effects on a double page layout. I combined two different border punches to create a visual feast on my patterned papers and add interest to what would otherwise have been a bland straight border. I also used some of the beautiful Chiswick clear stamps to add images to my background which worked perfectly with my theme.

On my background I used a little birdie punch and punched the image out of plain cardstock. I then used ink and a sponge tool to ink through the punched image – the image acts as a stencil that can be used randomly on my background. It makes for a nice delicate effect without distracting you from what is really important on your layout.
I love how you can use the border designs on patterned papers and the designs don’t interfere with each other. I used two different punches on two different patterned papers and then layered them on top of each other for a dimensional visual effect.
Here you can see how I used all the bits and pieces from my punched borders on my layout. After I punched the borders, I kept the remainder of the punched strips which looks more like upside down waves – the lime green part. I also kept the tiny little dots from the border punch and adhered them to my layout using super tape.
Step 1 - I used a thin strip of off-cut cardstock to punch my little birdie.
Step 2 - Use a light brown ink and sponge dauber to ink through the tiny stencil to reveal your image. Move the stencil over the background randomly and keep inking to create the background.
How to use your Tonic Punches
Step 1 - The punches clearly indicate where to start your border punch. Line up the edge of your paper with the dotted line marked first punch. Press down the lever at the top to make the first punch.
Step 2 - With this step you only move the punched image on ‘halfway’ – so that you can only see a small bit of the punched image. You can clearly see that my first punched image is line up with the printed silver image on the base of the punch
Step 3 - Then you keep on punching and moving the image half a punch up and continue punching until your entire border strip is complete. You will then have to go back and punch the very first part of your strip by moving it through the punch from the opposite side and lining it up to complete the entire strip.
Step 4 - Once you are done punching the bottom part of your strip will fall off and you can keep this part as I have done to add another dimension to your art work by using it as another border.
Step 5 - To open up the punch simply pull up the cover at the back that catches all the little bits and pieces and remove them.
Step 6 - I used the dots and adhered them to my layout using super tape. Add a strip of tape where you want your dots to be adhered. Sprinkle the dots onto the tape and press down firmly with your fingers to make them stick. Remove the excess dots or whatever has not adhered to the tape. If you have any open bits you can sprinkle Chiswick glitter over the tape and shake off the excess. The glitter will adhere to the tape and add another dimension to your project (watch for a step x step tutorial in our next article).
Step 7 - By using double sided patterned paper I could simply turn over the remainder from my border strip and use it to introduce an accent colour to my layout. A fun and easy way to use up all those beautiful scrap papers we keep on hoarding.
Tips and hints
By clipping your punches closed you can store them in a drawer or box without taking up too much space
Punch through wax paper and tin foil to sharpen your punches again – it is that easy and works really well
Remember that punches really aren’t made for thick cardstock and by punching through certain materials you could jam and essentially damage your punches for good
Always clean your punches regularly by removing pieces of off-cuts from the catch area – this will also avoid it getting clogged and accidentally open and making a big mess

The ingenious (patented) gearing mechanism takes all the effort out of punching from the user meaning even the most ornate shape can be punches effortlessly

Products used
Simplicity Border Punches - Dotty Border pct778
Simplicity Punches Flora & Fauna - Birdy pct 784
Simplicity Strip Punches - Daisy pct 770
  Simplicity Border Punches - Victorian Border pct 763
Clear Stamp – A La Mode 140 x 180mm (ER-A8)

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