I truthfully can't remember the last time I finished a scrapbook page without reaching intended for my we are memory keepers punch to include ideal finishing touch. There is certainly just some thing incredibly satisfying about the way these tools click through paper, turning a plain cardstock scrap straight into something that appears like it was appropriately manufactured. If you've spent any amount associated with time in the particular crafting world, you know not most punches are produced equal. Some obtain stuck halfway by means of, some chew upward the edges of the delicate paper, and others require you in order to put your whole body weight on the lever just to get a clear cut.
That's why a lot of of us finish up with the drawer full associated with tools from this specific brand. They just seem to get what paper crafters actually need. Whether or not you are straight into card making, junk journaling, or you're obsessed with organizing your planner, having a reliable punch makes the whole process a great deal less stressful plus a lot more fun.
Precisely why these punches are a staple in my craft space
Let's discuss build quality with regard to a second. Most of the we are memory keepers punch styles are built like tanks. I've experienced some of mine with regard to years, and so they nevertheless cut as cleanly today as they did the day I actually pulled them from the packaging. One associated with the things I appreciate most will be the versatility. They don't just stick to the basic groups or squares—though these people do those perfectly too. They have a tendency to innovate upon shapes that in fact solve problems regarding crafters.
Take the Corner Chomper, for example. It's probably their nearly all famous tool, plus technically, it's a heavy-duty punch. Prior to I got 1, I was using those tiny plastic material corner rounders that would break in case you looked at them wrong. The Chomper, though? It undergoes chipboard, leather, and multiple bed linens of cardstock like it's butter. It's that kind associated with reliability that makes myself keep coming back to their lineup whenever I need the new shape or function.
The magic of the 3-way corner punch
If I actually had to choose just one we are memory keepers punch in order to keep on my desk all the time, this would probably be among the 3-way corner punches. These items are brilliant mainly because they save a lot space. Instead associated with having three independent tools cluttering up your workspace, a person get three different ones in one housing.
We use the one that offers the 4mm, 7mm, and 10mm radii the most. It's perfect for when I'm making my personal tags or just want to soften the particular edges of a photo before gluing it down. There's another version that will does decorative "inverted" corners and the "scallop" edge, which is my go-to for making hand made cards look the bit more elegant without having to pull out a whole die-cutting machine. It's quick, it's easy, and it's an overall total game-changer for all those of us who like to craft in small pockets of time.
Obtaining creative with the Word Punch Table
Another preferred within the collection provides to be the term Punch Board. This isn't your regular single-shape punch; it's a system that will enables you to punch out there entire words or even names into your paper. I'll be honest, the very first time I saw it, I thought it might be a bit as well "fiddly" for me personally. But once I tried it, I actually was hooked.
You just line up the small letter blocks, take them in, plus press down. It's perfect for producing custom labels inside a planner or incorporating a recipient's name to a present tag. The best part is that will the letters remain perfectly aligned. I've tried to do this manually with individual alphabet punches prior to, and it constantly ended up looking like a ransom notice because I couldn't get the space right. This tool solves that problem completely.
Tips for keeping your punches sharp
Even the greatest tools need a bit of maintenance every today and then. If you notice your we are memory keepers punch is beginning to struggle or the particular edges of your own paper are searching a little fuzzy, don't toss it out. There are two really basic tricks to get it back in tip-top shape.
First, grab some light weight aluminum foil. Fold it over the couple of times so it's a few layers thick, and simply start punching. The particular foil helps to hone the metallic blades inside. After you've done that about ten times, grab some wax paper. Punch through the wax document several times to lubricate the mechanism. It sounds like a good old wives' story, but it is proven to work. It makes the punch glide very much smoother, and you'll spot the difference instantly.
Dealing along with thicker materials
One thing to keep in mind is that while the we are memory keepers punch is generally quite sturdy, every tool has its limitations. If you're trying to punch by means of something really thick, like heavy glitters cardstock or slim plastic, you need to make sure you're using the right tool for your job.
For the heavy duty stuff, I usually reach for the particular "Power Punches" or maybe the Crop-A-Dile line. These types of are designed with extra leverage. In case you attempt to force a standard ornamental punch through some thing it wasn't meant for, you might flex the internal springs or dull the cutter prematurely. A great rule of browse: if you need to lean your whole weight upon it to make it cut, you probably need the more heavy-duty version.
Organizing your punch collection
When you start collecting more of these, you'll realize they get up a reasonable quantity of space. They aren't exactly flat! I've tried several different storage strategies over the yrs. Some people want to hang them on towel rods making use of S-hooks, which appears really cool plus makes it easy to grab.
Personally, I prefer maintaining mine in shallow drawers. I put them out so I can discover the "preview" image at the top of the handle. This makes it easy to find the exact we are memory keepers punch I'm looking intended for without having to dig via a mountain associated with tools. If you're tight on area, the stackable nature of a selection of their more recent designs will be a major plus. They've clearly place some thought directly into how these things sit down on a corner.
Making DIY planners and magazines
If you're a fan of the disc-bound planning system, you probably know how costly the official inserts can be. This particular is where the particular Disc Power Punch comes in convenient. It's a specialized we are memory keepers punch that lets a person turn literally any kind of piece of document into an adviser page.
I love using this to add collectibles into my planner—like ticket stubs from a movie or the cute postcard I actually picked up on holiday. You just punch the edge, plus it snaps right onto the disks. It's also great for making your own custom covers out of laminated cardstock or even heavy chipboard. It provides you so very much more freedom than being stuck with what ever the big brands sell in the particular stores.
Last thoughts on these types of handy tools
At the end of the day time, crafting is intended to be a method to relax and have a conversation. Nothing ruins that will vibe faster compared to tools that don't work the method they're supposed in order to. That's why We don't mind spending a little additional on a we are memory keepers punch . You understand you're getting something that was designed simply by people that actually build.
Whether you're just starting out with the single corner rounder or you're looking to expand straight into border punches and alphabet boards, these types of tools are well worth the investment. They make the technical aspect of paper crafting—the cutting, the computing, the lining up—so less difficult, which leaves you with more energy to focus on the creative side. Plus really, isn't that why we all do this in the first location? To make something stunning without pulling our hair out in the process.