Paper Punches for Scrapbooking Review

I've recently started selling die cuts that I make by handpunching cardstock and decorative scrapbooking paper in my etsy shop and have quickly discovered that not all punches are the same. I am going to give you my favorites and not so favorites of ones that I have used.

At first, I wanted to make handmade tags so I headed to Joanne's and purchased a Fiskars punch like this one. Boy was this punch ever hard to use. I thought at first that it may be the size of the tag and then discovered later that I had some smaller Fiskar punches that I have hardly ever used. It is too hard to punch and by the tenth punch you are wondering if it's worth it.

I have some Martha Stewart border punches like this Daisy Chain Trim punch that I rather liked. They punch smoothly and you don't feel like you are working too hard for it. But it's Martha so I wouldn't expect any less.

I also have a couple of EK Success punches like Mickey Mouse Punch that work very well. You can do repeated punching without feeling like you are working too hard for it.

So what your favorite punches?

Related items:

Brown Paper Bag Embellished Pens

I am always looking for ways to embellish pens and this is such a cute and inexpensive idea! I have got to try this. Get the instructions here.

Would go great with my handmade notebooks on etsy.

Make a Cute Mini Scrapbook Album From Toilet Paper Rolls



This is such a cute and inexpensive idea. It is also great for the environment. Think of all of the toilet tissue that you go through. Below is a great video that explains the steps needed to make one of these cute scrapbook albums.

You Tube Video

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How to Make Inexpensive Ribbon Storage for Only $1.50!!!

I am almost embarrassed to show you my ribbon box. I had the best of intentions when I purchased the pretty bins from Target and I thought they were the perfect solution. Well as you can see below...not so much. lol

  

So I started to rack my brain to think of a better storage option. I liked the ribbon storage that was a 3 dowels sitting on a round base but 1) I didn't think I would have room for that to sit on top of my small desk and 2) I wanted something a little smaller and something that could be added to if need be.

So it was off to Hobby Lobby to browse and see if inspiration hit and it did in the unfinished wood aisle. Here I found 5/8 x 12" wooden dowels and 2 x 3/4 wheels with a 3/8" hole. Perfect!



I probably could have gotten the finials as well to make it more decorative but I knew that the constant taking off of them would drive me crazy.

After attatching the dowel to the wheel, the first thing I did was prime the dowels with Gesso. I tried at first just to spray paint them white but the paint didn't seem like it wanted to stick but I don't spray paint often so it may have just been user error :).

Then the only thing left to do was paint it white and then add my ribbon and ta-da! Looks much better than the mess in my bin don't you think? Plus I discovered that the dowels fit almost perfectly inside my bin so I am going to slide the remaining ribbon in the bin that I don't use as often on them to keep the bin organized.

I like this option because it allows me the ability to move the dowels wherever I need them. I can have only the ribbon that I am currently working with on my desk while the other dowels can be tucked away. Hopefully this helps to give you ideas. Oh and here is the price break-down:

• The wheels were $2.99 for 4 ~ 75 cents each
• The dowels were $1.99 for 8 ~ 25 cents each
• The white craft paint was $.99 ~ 50 cents (used half a bottle)

So there you have it $1.50 for a pretty nifty storage option.

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Etsy Treasury: Harry Potter Handmade Items

Great Harry Potter themed treasury on etsy that is full of wonderful handmade items. Take a look here!



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Uses for ACEOs (Mini Altered Art Pieces)

I got into creating ACEOs last year and was instantly hooked. You can create a little piece of art in no time at all. I like to experiment with different embellishments and lately have been really enjoying using image transfers on my ACEOS. Most of them come from images that I see in magazines.

There are so many things that you can do with ACEOs including, but not limited to:

• Turn it into a magnet and display on your fridge or memory board for daily inspiration
• Frame it and group with other ACEOs for a very pleasing wall display or frame alone and sit on your desk
• Attach it to the front of a plain greeting card, the recipient will love it especially if you attach with velcro so that they can still have access to the ACEO later to display as they wish
• Use as a bookmark
• Use as place settings at parties and the guests can take them home later as party favors
• Set in a pretty box on a coffee table for guests to enjoy (just make sure that they are in plastic sleeves to protect from damage

Great books on the subject:

Every Woman Should Feel Beautiful etsy Treasury

Great listing for beautiful etsy items in gray, black and some with a hint of red. See the treasury here.

The treasury was inspired by a collage notebook that I created.