Three Things : For the Love of Punches
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Regular readers know about my affinity for the Marvy Giga square punch. It is probably my most used tool (next to the crop-a-dile). Punches tend to be a bigger ticket item but are in it for the long haul especially if you use them often. They are a tool that can be used over and over (and over) again - making it really worth the initial cost. Here's a look at two of my favorites and one new one.
Marvy Uchida Giga Square Punch : This is my all time favorite, most recommended punch. It is often advertised as a 3-inch punch (they measure it on the diagnol), but it is actually just about 2 1/4 inches across and down. I use this one all the time for photos and patterned paper squares. See examples below.
Paper Shapers Small Corner Rounder : Another classic. Another tool I reach for often that adds just a little touch of softness to the corners. I often use these on the four corners of a gathering (see the second layout below) to bring the whole thing together.
McGill Bracket Punch : This is a fun new punch that I imagine would get a lot of use around here as well. Love that they can be mixed and matched and would be fun to play around with some patterned paper.
Here's one of my all-time favorites from 2005 using the Marvy Giga punch (I think it's time to do a new one of these):
And another one that uses both the Giga punch and the corner rounder:
[ from Life Artist:Notes from Today stamp from Catslife Press.]
[ Three Things is a weekly product series : check out the archives here. ]
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36 comments
I totally agree with you on the Marvy Uchida Giga Square Punch...I bought one a few weeks ago at Michaels and it has made my life so much easier!
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I haven't seen those parenthesis punches before, very cool!
Question: Have you had to replace your Marvy square punch after a while of using it a lot? I noticed that mine was getting very dull, and it was starting to rip the photos a bit. Is there a way to sharpen them? I have tried the tin foil and it didn't work too well. I just recently bought a new one.
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I love punches as well...SOOO worth the initial cost-they last forever and can be used so much.
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I've had the square punch for ages, but don't use it as much as I would like. I've just never gotten a clean cut with it...and I've tried all the tricks I know...punching through foil, punching through wax paper, punching through sandpaper. Is there something I've missed?
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Wonderful three things, Ali. I didn't know about that bracket punch! Nice.
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I love the square punched collages...and that bracket punch is dreamy looking (gonna have to get that one). I loved the layout w/the PECs...my son is starting to work with those and your layout is a great take-away for me. As always, thanks for sharing!
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Love the bracket punch. Just ordered it! Thanks for the recommendations!
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I have a collection of punches, but find I only use some of them. There is a nice new once out that punches the corner and you continue the punch along the side as a border. I love using this one.
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Hi Ali,
By the way, really excited to hear you are having a girl! I scraplifted the AM routine and did a bedtime routine for my kids for March 2007. I loved the geometric shape of the layout. I am amazed at how we have changed since that time (no more diapers to change!) I need to do another one too. Thanks for the post!
Lesley
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That's one of my favorites of yours too.
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I too have a love for square punches, Ali! My newest square punch that I love is the ginormous square punch from EK. It also has a scalloped punch that it can nest inside of. Makes for an easy layout for lots of pictures. I love your am routine layout. It is one of my favorites! Thanks for sharing!! http://www.eksuccess.com/products_detail.php?product_id=9954&sess_id=2f61a1a0cc67457abc33ab3d38321bc1
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Do you only use the crop-a-dile for hole punching? I don't see a lot of eyelets and snaps on your layouts. Also thanks for the info on the square punch measurement -- I had no idea they were sized on the diagonal.
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I have ended up buying a new square punch (tried the foil thing as well). All the ones I have had have not been perfect - they leave little bits off the edge, etc. I figure that is part of the "imperfection" of the craft.
I mainly use the crop-a-dile for hole punches :). Nope, not a lot of eyelets on my pages. The crop-a-dile is so great for going through chipboard.
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I actually just bought the Marvy punch in the 3' circle yesterday and LOVE it!!! And I love that am routine layout too Ali.So, so cute.
Grateful for all your info and tips and love. Appreciate it much.
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Love the am routine page. I'm looking forward to making a similiar one... as soon as we've hit our am stride.
That bracket punch ROCKS! Oh I really love that and would love to see it in my stocking! I'll make a note of it!
thanks!
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Hi Ali,
Just wondering if you still have you Cafe Press shop? I've been wanting one of your life artisit t-shirts forever and now i've finally got round to ordering one, i can't find the link! Please don't tell me you closed the shop!!
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THAT EXPLAINS IT...
How you line up these photo collages. With a paper cutter, I end up not trimming one exactly square and it throws of the whole thing, especially if I'm butting them all together. We all know I need my straight lines.
I only have the nesting ones from CM. I may have to invest in a mega punch. My largest is 1.5" up and down. First, I may try some geometics since I have four squares and four circles already, and a coluzzle. I need to get busy!
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Oh yeah, you have inspired me to get my punches out and use them. I need to get the big square one. I just bought the one that looks like a spiral notebook.
Love your a.m. LO and the one where you used the corner punch too.
TFS
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Hey Ali, we met briefly at Artfest last year. Anyhoo, I snagged a quote from the NY Times article that mentioned you (on Sunday) and thought I should give you the heads up. Hope that's ok....
mbshaw.blogspot.com
if you are interested.
Mary Beth
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I love punches too! Thanks to share your tip and tricks! I would have the mega square punch ... it's very nice and useful to make scrapbooking with more photos!
Bye from your fan from Italy!
Giulia
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