Circle punch tricks with Aly Dosdal...and one more!

Good morning!  Aly here!  Last month I shared how to create a flower accent using a scallop circle punch, and last week Lisa challenged us to use as many punches as possible on a project.  With punches on the brain I thought it would be fun to share a few unexpected ways to use a basic circle punch.

Faux Scallop Border

Use your circle punch to create a faux scallop border by either cutting the circles in half or tucking them halfway behind a border and lining them up next to each other.

For this card I used my Epiphany Crafts Shape Studio Tool to punch small circles out of my patterned paper (you can use any size circle punch for this).  I then lined them up in a row and tucked them behind my corrugated cardboard to create the look of a scallop border.

Supplies: patterned paper, kraft card base, corrugated cardboard, wood banner, baker’s twine, decorative pins (Jillibean Soup); Shape Studio Tool Round 14, bubble cap, felt flower (Epiphany Crafts)

Concentric Circle Accents

If you have two circle punches that are just slightly different in size, you can create concentric circle accents.  Punch a circle from your patterned paper with the smaller of the two punches first. 

Then place the paper into the larger punch and use the viewer to line up your smaller circle so it is just off center.  Punch a larger circle.

 

Supplies: patterned paper (Bo Bunny Press), alpha sticker (Jillibean Soup), ribbon (recycled from old dress), circle maker (Creative Memories)

You are left with a cool accent that you can add to cards, layouts, or other projects.  Make several concentric circles in different sizes for a graphic border or background.  Note: you can also use a circle cutter for this.

Easy Flowers

Use your circle punches to create easy flowers for cards or scrapbook pages.  Punch a circle, and then place only part of the circle back into the punch to create leaf and petal shapes.

 

Create simple flowers by punching a circle for your background and adding some adhesive.  Then create several petal shapes using your circle punch as explained above and add them to the background circle.  Punch a small hole in the center and add a brad (or button).

 

Supplies: patterned paper, brads (Bo Bunny Press); circle maker (Creative Memories), distress ink (We R Memory Keepers), paper trimmer with wavy blade (Creative Memories)

I hope these ideas have helped you see your basic circle punches in a different light.  Give these try, or see if you can come up with more unique ways to use a circle punch on your next project.  Post a link to your creations if you do!  ~ Aly

Want to know what we were doing yesterday?  We were celebrating with a game of...

Click HERE to join us to play the SCT version of "Let's Make a Deal!  Oh and by the way, I peeked behind Door No. 2 last night and saw something you just might want in your scrap room! 

~  Catherine

 

Comments

[Marlene O]

Thank you for the wonderful tips for making use of our punches in alternate and additional ways.

[Carol Hartery]

Thanks for the fun ideas!

[Joan Tipping]

Love all of the above ideas and can't wait to get started on the cards. Thank you!

[cwrobbel]

Love every single card :) TFS

[Melinda T]

Great ideas on how to get more out of my circle punches! :)

[Brenda B.]

Who knew a circle punch was so versatile? Love these ideas.

[Gloria Nunn]

Amazing what you can do with a circle punch!

Thank you so much for sharing! Great tips!

[denise]

Wonderful ideas!!

[Creationsinbloomat.blogspot.com]

fantastic ideas for the circle punches. I love your tips. thanks for sharing.

[Kathy]

Such great, useful ideas! Love the circle borders...easy to adjust size with them!

[Barb in AK]

This is a great article---and lovely uses of the circle punches. I'd love to see more ideas using punches :-)
Remember the "Punch Your Art Out" books? I always loved them, but I haven't used my punches in years. Keep the ideas coming :-)

[Nene Mackey]

I really enjoy using my tools for more uses! It is a good way to think " green". Thanks for the ideas!

[Tracey]

Such fabulous tips and projects!!

[Pam Spradlin]

So many new ideas for my circle punches...thank you for sharing!

[Lee-Anne]

Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing!

[Amy Jones #8546]

I really need to get a circle punch. I have seen so many neat things created with it. Including your flowers. Lovely job. Good thing I picked Door #2...Just hope I am the winner now... :) Thanks for the idea's.

[Carla]

thanks for the great ideas!!!!!!

racincrafts at aim dot com