#39: Fiskars Border and Corner Punch

I love-love-LOVE punches of all kinds, but I'm really impressed with one of the new Fiskars Border and Corner punches. I haven't seen them in stores, yet, but did purchase one at a recent Rubber Stamping and Scrapbooking show in Syracuse, NY.

The names of the punches are truly, truly awful (one that's a woven-type of style is called "Lattice Entertain You".....), but I just adore the beautiful intricacy of the one I purchased, called "Comin' Up Roses."

You must start with a square or rectangle that's measured in full inch increments. There are actually two punches, side-by-side: the corner punch and the border. You begin by pressing both simultaneously, then move your paper/cardstock along the very clearly marked base, pressing only the border punch, to make your design. When there's one inch remaining, turn the paper 90 degrees and repeat. One of the easiest punch systems I've ever used, with spectacularly intricate results. It almost appears laser-cut.

On this sample, I used a heavy cream paper matted on black cardstock, resulting in a simple, but elegant, sympathy card. With the right stamp and by substituting a pretty pink or green mat, and it could be a wonderfully feminine birthday card.

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Stamp: My Sentiments Exactly! Clear Stamps "Sympathy Sentiments" (Set #M123)
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#31: Best Wishes

There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes activity around here, but not a lot to show for it! I'm in the process of making a stack of baby shower invitations for the dear niece and her husband previously mentioned. I made way more samples than I probably needed, but for someone so special, you want everything perfect, you know?

Then there was this project... a wonderful friend and co-worker who is leaving her position. She's such a great person, and she deserved the best card we could come up with. However, there are enough of us who wanted to write something meaningful, and a regular-sized card just wouldn't do. I came up with a three page, 12" x 18" card (booklet) that allowed everyone to put down their thoughts, and not just be limited to a scribbled name. It was nearly impossible to come up with any stamping on that scale, so the use of laser-cut and metallic papers filled the void.

The "envelope" was a sheet of gold mat-board (for framing)-- I cut it to a size slightly larger than the card. The card was placed on top of the gold board and the whole thing tied together like a present with wide grosgrain ribbon.