2009 Spring Squeeze Punches

Fiskars has four new spring squeeze punches (limited edition!) out right now, and our design team is here to show you some ways to spring into action with them!

Designer: Janna Wilson
My most prized scrapbook tools are my Fiskars punches…I’m especially fond of the limited edition punches that are themed.  I’ve used this “All-a-Flutter” butterfly punch on practically everything I’ve crafted since I got it a few months back.  It’s a MUST HAVE for your collection! Don’t limit yourself to paper projects when utilizing your punch stash…yes, of course you can only punch paper with the Squeeze Punches – but I encourage you to add punched shapes to your altered projects as well!  I really punched it up on this photo frame project.  You can pick up very inexpensive frames at discount stores anytime…I paid $2 for this one.

Butterflies are always in fashion and I love adding them to all types of projects.  For this frame design, the first step was to glitter a piece of cardstock for the background.  TIP!  Use adhesive sheets to get a great finished glittered look.
I created the layered butterfly accents with three layers of punched vintage dictionary print.  The first punch is completely adhered to the glittered background and the second two are just glued in the vertical center (body) of the butterfly.  I added a chipboard number on top to finish…notice how the foam adhesive is cut into a slim little strip?  I did this so that I wouldn’t disturb the “flight” of my butterflies.  Cut the adhesive BEFORE removing the backing to avoid a sticky scissor situation.

I added photos below the butterflies and finished the inner frame with strips of border punched (Apron Lace) cardstock.  To add a little title or quote, you can drill holes in th lower two corners of the frame with the Fiskars Craft Hand Drill.  Just glue an eyelet in the top to finish off the rough hole.  Use the Right Angle tool to curl wire and add the wire accent that holds the label in place.  You can also add a couple of squares of foam adhesive behind the label to keep it in place.

This project takes about an hour and is something really special…I love the vintage appeal that the dimensional punched butterfly accents bring to this project.   

Designer: Kelly Purkey
Doesn't this little Get Crackin' egg shape put a smile on your face?  It definitely makes me feel like spring is in the air!  There are so many fun ways to use this shape because it punches three little pieces out of your paper.  Put them all together or break them apart and you've got yourself a very happy Easter page!   

For my layout I used both the punched shape and the leftover negative paper with the egg punched out of it.  I started by punching eggs about 1/2 in. apart along Heidi Grace patterned paper.  The pieces are a little bit small so make sure you're watching as you punch.  Then I trimmed the paper that had been punched into a strip and cut it into small squares. 

Once I had done this with three different papers, I measured and trimmed squares out of the patterned paper again - this time without punching.  The solid squares were laid down first onto my page in a random pattern, and then I went back and added the Get Crackin' pieces on top with foam adhesive.  I had one negative punched piece left so I used it as a stencil to make a fun design on the background of my layout.  Set it down onto the cardstock and lightly color inside using a colored pencil.  This is a great way to use punches with patterned paper and make sure you're not wasting a single scrap!
 

Designer:  Lisa Storms

I created two projects with the new 'Chicky Baby' squeeze punch. It's a very versatile punch, not to mention ridiculously cute!  It can be used for spring projects, of course, but is also perfect for baby announcements and décor.  As soon as I saw this punch, I knew it would be so sweet in a baby's nursery. 

Here I painted two small 4" canvases using punches for an easy polka dot mask to create a whimsical background with my circle pop-up punch.

I really wanted the chicks to be fuzzy and discovered I could layer the negative punch from cardstock over yellow felt.  This is a great technique to use when you want to work with materials that would normally be difficult to punch. 

'Chicky Baby' can also transform into a super cute bird!  All you do is clip off the wing (I know, it sounds awful, right?) and replace it with a full-sized wing. 

Here I created a simple wing by punching out a comma, but you can try free-handing a wing or using a heart, or skip the wing altogether for a variety of different looks.  His feet can also be clipped if your bird is in-flight.

To create my card I added a simple letter sticker sentiment under my birds and traced a frame to cut out using packaging I had leftover.  I finished off my love birds with a trail of tiny hearts punched using the ¼" heart hand punch.

We hope you enjoy these ideas, as well as the many projects that will be posted in future featuring these super cute punches!

By Fiskars Design Team