Wednesday, October 27, 2010

A Sneak Peek at something that arrived today...


Today I have a sneak peek for you of a new type of punch that will be available very soon from Martha Stewart Crafts.  We have seen single punches, double punches, embossing punches, pop up punches, stamp and punch sets, deep edge punches, double edge punches, border punches, corner punches, punch around the page sets and now...


Punch All Over the Page Punches!  This is a totally new concept for punching and I have had just a little time today to experiment with the "studded heart" punch that was sent to me to try out.


The punch is quite large and this particular punch has a large heart surrounded by tiny dots.   The heart would be simple to do with the Cricut but all of those tiny circles would take forever to cut and probably would not cut evenly since they are so tiny.


There are two parts to the punch, the base and the top punching part.  Four strong magnets connect the two pieces and you can place a sheet of paper or cardstock between them.  One corner of both the base and the top is flattened and you align these corners to set up the punch.  The magnets will only work properly when these are aligned, in other positions there will be some magnets that connect and some that don't.  One of the problems with standard punches is that their "reach" is only so far and you can't always get the punch in the place where you'd like to create the cut out.  This new type of punch solves that problem.


As luck would have it, while I was at my Dad's I went back to the store (well, I had another 50% off coupon...) and purchased this looped heart punch around the page set.  When I opened the package with the studded heart punch all over the page punch, I immediately thought about combining the two punches for a card.


I started with a 3 1/4 inch square of Core'dinations gemstone cardstock in pink and first punched all four corners.


I completed the punching with the border punch.  There are a lot of tiny leftover hearts which can be used for other projects if you have the patience to pick them up and save them.


 I took the punched square and placed it on the base of the Punch All Over the Page punch.  It is just a bit bigger than the base.


 I placed the top piece on the base - see how the left corner is the cut off corner on both the base and the top.  The magnets snap together with a very satisfying click.


 I pressed down quite firmly on the top.  It is best to use both hands to get even pressure for the punch.  Here you can see the large punched heart and tiny dots that are produced with this punch.


This is the end result of the punching - a nicely centered heart surrounded by dots and bordered with the loopy hearts.


I decided to add a red square (cut at two inches) to back the heart cutout.


 Since I had those tiny hearts leftover I added three dots of adhesive and added a row of hearts down the middle.  It is easier to put the adhesive on the large heart and place the small hearts on the adhesive dots than to get the adhesive on the tiny hearts and place them accurately.


I put together a quick card using the heart medallion.  This photo shows how I fussy cut the patterned paper so the design would be perfectly centered.  Paying attention to details like this will make your cards look much better when there is a strong pattern in the paper. 


 I attached the medallion to the cards using foam circles.  I recently bought these dots by American Crafts called "this to that" and I have been very happy with how easily the backing comes off.


Here is the simple card with the medallion added.  I really like the effect of the three tiny hearts in the center of the large heart.  I am not sure if the color choices are quite right  (I just grabbed some handy items on my craft island).


On the right you can see another possibility but the solid looks a bit too plain.  Perhaps some embossing or a patterned paper with a small repeat would be an improvement.

Keep an eye out for these new punches. There are ten styles that should be available soon.  I think they will be very popular.

A few other notes...

If you have been wondering about the contents of the cartridges for the new Cricut Imagine, the sample sheets and cartridge handbooks have been posted on the Cricut.com site.  Here is a LINK to the cartridge library section on the information page where you can download the sample sheets and handbooks.

There are also some "Green Wednesday" specials on the Nifty Fifties and Birthday Bash cartridges, some Imagine cartridges and the Cuttlebug Companion sets that coordinate with some of the recent cartridges.  Here is a LINK to the page on the site.

If you are interested in the exclusive Creative Memories cartridges, Reminisce Accents and Cheerful Seasons, there are just a few days left to order them this month.  You can click on the name of each cartridge to see projects and posts I have made for each cartridge. 

If you don't have a local Creative Memories consultant, I would be very happy to help you.  I think I have actually met the goal for selling enough to be included in the layout contest for the Cricut Cruise but a few "insurance" cartridge sales wouldn't hurt!  Here is a LINK to my Creative Memories personal website where you can order anytime 24 hours a day/7 days a week from anywhere in the US.  Thanks again to everyone who helped me reach this goal - I will be sending out the .cut files I promised as soon as I can finish testing them.

I tried a few other experiments with this new punch that I will show you another day.  I have been fighting a cold and it seemed to get the better of me today - probably because I am finally home and can have a rest.  I have nearly caught up with the emails and comments - if you are waiting to hear from me, I should have finished everything by tomorrow.

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35 comments:

  1. LOVE this! Way to go Martha! Your card is very pretty Diane.
    Hope you feel better soon!

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  2. oh that is such a pretty card.. I saw that type of punch in the store the other day, it was a different company, but same concept.

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  3. darling! It was about time this came out. I hate it when I can't do something I want to do and the means are not there.

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  4. Super cute cards and love that punch! I've been trying to stay away from punches, but you keep making me interested in them. Maybe one day I'll splurge and use my coupon to buy a set. Thanks so much for sharing!
    JeanH

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  5. I love hearts, so I've gotta have this PAP set, and I can't tell you how excited I am about the "Punch All Over" punch.

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  6. Ohhh Diane...Why did you have to show this to me. Now I have to have it. The card is so sweet. I have the border punch but gotta have the new one too!

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  7. Beautiful! These punches will be perfect for Valentine's Day! I can't wait to get my hand on some of these new punches!

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  8. Very pretty card, Diane! You gotta LOVE Martha...she has the best products on the market right now. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

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  9. Love these punches. Leave it to MS to come up with them. Can't wait to see them at the store.

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  10. Loved the card and the punch! When will it be ready? Hope they come out soon and have quite a few designs!

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  11. Love this new punch. I have a couple of the all around punches. I seem to not be able to get the punch to work correctly. I either have an uneven space at the end. Does the rectangle or square have to be certain sizes to make the punch work correctly?
    Thank
    Linda in Stanwood

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  12. ooooooh boy! Can't wait to see all the designs they release - I am certain I will NEED several!

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  13. This has got to be one her best punch set so far. I just love it.
    Martha is definitely the punch queen. When will this be out? Can't wait.
    Marcie

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  14. What a pretty card. I like the dble hearts around the outside and that new punch looks very interesting! Can't wait to see what else you do with it.

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  15. Such a pretty card! I love the punch! Can't wait to get my hands on one.

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  16. the card is awesome!!! and luv hat new punch..... thanks for sharing it with us..

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  17. Wow that is an amazing punch I love what you did with it. Thanks for the other info. All very helpful.
    Love your card.
    Linda
    http://cardsbylinda.blogspot.com

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  18. Gorgeous card Diane! Love that you can punch such a lovely shape where you actually want it! Can't wait to see more.

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  19. Congrats on meeting your CM goal. I hope you win the layout contest. It was great to meet you at the VF Circle meet-up. No wonder you have a cold with all the traveling you've been up to! Thanks for sharing this new punch. It's about time someone came out with this type of punch. Wish it was CM!

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  20. Pretty card! A great idea for a punch, too. I can't wait to see what else they come out with.

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  21. Beuatiful card! Love the punch too. TFS your great tutorial.

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  22. Love the punch! Great ideas!! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  23. Very cool. Fiskars actually came up with this concept last year, but it's neat to see another company coming out with some!

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  24. OMG, punches are really are getting more and more amazing! Can't wait to try this type out! Thanks for sharing. Your card is very cute!

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  25. This is a great idea and very similar to another brand of punches I saw yesterday. Love the card and how they work so well with the other punches.
    Kim xXx

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  26. Diane, I love these cards.
    Such a great idea with the punch anywhere punch.
    We have been needing that one.
    I love MS punches , glitter, well all of her stuff,TFS

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  27. Oh I love this....thanks for sharing, hope you feel better, it is hard to get rid of, took me 3 weeks, nasty cold....

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  28. You always have something awesome to share!

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  29. Thanks for sharing...love knowing what new punches are out. Very pretty card!

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  30. AWESOME new punches! And I love your card. Thank you for sharing the latest and greatest releases and their uses. I really love your blog! :D

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  31. Very Pretty Card-thank you for sharing your creativity!

    I saw these punches in Michael's yesterday.

    Hope you feel better soon.

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  32. I am glad to hear that you all are excited about the new punches.

    Nancy - I saw a large display of them in my local Michael's store this weekend - I am in Massachusetts and we are sometimes slow to get new things so I was happy to see them. I think there were ten or twelve different styles. Check your stores - they may be there already!

    Linda in Stanwood, you do need to start with the correct size of paper to get the punch around the page sets to work properly. I have an explanation at THIS POST and there should be a chart in the punch box that also gives you this information.

    I hope that helps

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