Punched frame tutorial...

Quite a few people liked the card with the punched frame that I posted yesterday - thank you for your lovely comments. I really appreciate them.

I know that a lot of people, like me bought the set of five punches from Docrafts that were such an amazing bargain so when Carole asked if I could do a tutorial on how I created the frame I was happy to give it a go.

This is the punch I used - I can't remember the name, but I'm sure that the other punches in the series or any similar kind of punch will work in the same way. Infact I must have a play with the others I bought soon.

Anyway on to the tutorial. I used good quality paper for my frame and started by punching one shape at the edge of the paper. As you can see the paper needs to go into the punch as far as it can go. This is really important to get the punched shapes lined up properly.


Here is the punched shape that has been done carefully with the paper butted correctly in the punch.

Another example when somebody wasn't been quite so careful - a drunken punch methinks. Not so bad if you are only doing one shape but a disaster if you are trying to line them up!

Now on to the second punch. As you can see in the photo you need to insert the paper again ensuring that it is correctly butted to the end of the punch and also with half of the previously punched shape showing. You have to be as accurate as you can with this, but it's not too difficult and a little play on scrap paper will help. It can't be too tricky cause I can do it!!

Here are the two punched shapes...

Now continue punching in the same way until you have a border - I think this alone would be fabulous used on cards. However, to carry on to make a complete frame we need to turn the corner.

When the paper is butted into this particular punch there is a border of just over half an inch after the punched pattern.

To be able to turn the corner you need to measure and mark a line which is just over half an inch from the edge of the last punch. See photo because it's quite hard to explain.

Then cut along this line so that you have a new edge which is perfect for inserting and butting into the punch.

Now turn the corner and line up your punch with the last punched shape. Remember to be really careful about butting the paper up to the punch.

Continue punching as before - yeah the frame now has two sides!!

Repeat the turning the corner process and make side number 3.

Now this is where you need to cross your fingers too, because the last side is done in the same way and if all is well after only two punches the frame will join up. I think my first one was slightly out, but it didn't show too much.

This size is perfect for 6 x 6 card, but obviously if you do the sides with more punches you could make the frame as big as you wanted. I think it would be fantastic for a scrapbook page. If I ever get round to scrapbooking.