Before we get started, let’s discuss the basics of working with punches. Punches come in various sizes, from very small to large. You can find basically any shape you need for your projects including squares, circles, hearts, stars, and even motif punches like trains, dinosaurs, cars, and handprints. Punches are generally made of metal and can easily cut through basic patterned paper and light cardstock. Handmade, mulberry, and other specialty papers do not typically allow a clean cut from punches. Vellum, however, can be punched nicely if you place a thin sheet of paper under the vellum and cut through both papers. To keep your punches in top cutting shape, add a bit of oil to the punch, but make sure it is thoroughly cleaned before the next use. Punching through a piece of wax paper several times will help sharpen the blade.
Both large and small square punches are used to embellish this 12” x 12” spread. On the first layout, large blue squares are layered with smaller pink squares to create the background for the title. A circle alphabet sticker is placed in the center of each layered square to spell out “Easter”. Adding circle stickers to the square tiles makes the title appear dimensional. To continue the spring theme, white flower eyelets are set in the corner of each letter tile. The second layout uses a single large square punch to adorn the journaling pocket. A square is punched from pink paper, a letter “e” sticker is placed in the center, and a flower eyelet is set in the corner, echoing the tiles in the first layout.
The layering technique is used in this layout as well. Large blue squares are punched and then smaller green squares were cut and layered to create title tiles. Instead of circle letter stickers, here square alphabet stickers are placed in the center of each tile to spell out “Happy Easter”. The small green squares match the green mat behind the photo, making the layout flow easily from words to photo to words. A strip of the blue paper used for the tiles is attached behind the double matted photo, and two flower shapes are punched from the green paper to match the mats.
The square punches in this spring layout are placed randomly across the top and bottom of the layout and serve as mats for the flower stickers. Purple eyelets comprise the center of each flower. The flower tiles match the background paper as well as the purple and green paper behind the photo.
This layout employs square punches in a different way. Very small pink squares are punched and spread around the layout like confetti rain. The tiny squares add to the fun photos and bright colors used throughout the layout.
Janlynn Corp. sells paper packs that include everything you need to create an 8” x 8” layout. Using textured papers and embellishments from the package, this layout features contrasting blues, yellows, and spring flowers. The title is created with nesting circle punches. The larger circle is made with the textured blue paper and the top circle is cut from white cardstock. The letters are stamped onto the cardstock to spell “Yum”. He does make those toes look quite yummy!
Tags are hot in scrapbooks, and you can create your own with a simple tag punch. In this seasonal layout, eight tags are cut from purple paper to make up the title. A cardstock sticker is placed on each tag to spell “Rain, Rain”. A clear adhesive droplet on top of each letter resembles the raindrops in the photo. Colorful eyelets complete the top of each tag. The tags are attached to the layout in a staggered pattern to mimic drops of spring rain.
This last simple shape cutter example is just for fun. This little tag is a perfect way to celebrate a friend this spring. Three daisy punches from Stampin’ Up! are used on Regal Rose and Apricot Appeal cardstock along with a Window Sheet. The flowers are layered together with a small hole punched in the middle and a brad to hold the flowers together. Then the flowers are attached to the tag with Stampin’ Dimensionals for a pop-up look and separated so each flower can be seen behind the other. The ribbon hole in the message card is made with a slot punch that fits the ribbon perfectly.
Simple shape cutters have endless possibilities. They work great for cards and tags and they can be ideal to use in scrapbook layouts too!
To find the products mentioned in this article and shown in these layouts, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.
