Old Supplies, New Designs: Punches

I have a confession to make - I'm a scrapbook pack rat! I keep supplies forever, literally forever. I just can't seem to part with tools and supplies even when I know they are out of style.

Since I know I won't get rid of things, I've decided that I need to come up with creative ways to use the supplies and tools I've amassed over the years. One of the things I've managed to collect are paper punches. Large ones, small ones, whimsical and artistic--I've got quite a collection.

I've come up with a few new ways to use my punches, and they are making their way back off the dusty shelf to which they had been retired.

Recently I've started to incorporate my punched pieces into my collage art. By using the punches as layering pieces I've added more dimension to my collage work. On the Bon Voyage card shown here, I used numerous punches. Many of these items were punched from collage papers, or from papers that were stamped with collage-style elements.

This technique is especially handy when you are creating something in large quantities, such as greeting cards or swap items.

Another technique I've started using is to layer punches together to create more interest. Much more interesting flowers can be created by layering two or more different flower punches together. An eyelet, button, or stitched center adds lots of extra pizzazz.

The third technique that I have tried is to use my punches on materials other than paper. Sounds simple, I know! Honestly though, there are so many products on the market that are acceptable for use with your paper punches. The tags below use items punched from, cork, tin foil, and acetate.

Other materials that you can punch shapes from include:

• fun foam
• tag board
• cardboard
• corrugated paper
• waxed paper
• photo negatives
• photographs
• gift wrap
• laminate/contact paper

Other ideas I've come up with are:

• Using the negative space of punches versus the punched piece itself.
  
  
• Inking or chalking around the punched piece to make a negative image.
  
  
• Punching letters from multiple papers. Use different sizes or fonts and piece them together to make a ransom-note-style title.
  
  
• Before punching, run a strip of paper through a Xyron machine. After punching adhere micro beads, glitter, or sand to the sticky side of the punched piece for texture.
  
  
• Create custom background paper by adhering geometric punched shapes (such as circles or squares) all over a 12" x 12" sheet of cardstock. Add more interest by stamping or doodling within the shapes.
  
  
• Have a favorite punch? Use it as a template to cut a piece of foam in the same shape. A sharp matte knife is all you'll need. Attach this foam shape to a small piece of wood to create a custom stamp. If your foam is too thin use more than one layer. Attach layers using rubber cement.
  
  
• Create paper-pieced items by using your punches as a small element within a larger project.

Shop at the Scrapbook.com Superstore for all your Scrapbooking Supplies!
Enjoy 5-Star service, HUGE selection and LOW prices!
Click here to start shopping!