So this...(+ more info)

Merry2005


totally should have gone into my Christmas Art Journal. But I got excited, started punching Christmas cards and adhering and all of a sudden I was done. And it makes me happy, regardless of size or album location. Simple and easy, kind of like last year, but still its own creation.


Once again, my square punch has worked it's magic.


Edited: Ok friends, let's see if I can address some of your comments and questions on this one.


The punch I used for this layout is from Marvy Uchida. It is either this one or this one. The body of the punch is red and the width of the square on the punch is just a bit larger than 1.5 inches. Too bad they don't put the product number right on the punch.


Since I am all about simplifying I came to the conclusion that I do not need to keep all the Christmas cards I received this year. I loved getting them. I celebrated each one that came through the mailbox. And now that Christmas is over I would still like to have a bit of a record of the cards from this Christmas, but I certainly don't need to hang on to them all.


IT IS OK.


How do I decide which part of the card to punch? I think what I have always loved about punching is that I am taking a bit of something and bringing it together with other somethings to create an entirely new something. When I was punching I tried not to think too hard. I laid my punch with the metal side up, slid the card in, and moved the card around using the window as a guide. When I saw something that looked just fine and I punched. Some of the photos were too large to get everyone in the square and that was totally OK. My vision was to bring together a bunch of bits of this year's cards - not preserve each one in its orginal state.


How did I keep it all straight? I actually debated a bit about not lining it all up this time. But in the end, the lines won out. I think the secret to keeping it straight is by starting with one of the top or bottom corner squares. If you want you could even measure to make sure the distances are the same from the edge of the square to the top edge and the side edge. I have gotten so I can eyeball it pretty good. I also laid all the squares out before I started adhering to get a general idea where the "big" square would be placed on the 12x12 cardstock.


Did I scan and reduce the cards? Nope, just punched them as is - big or small I found something to punch and then moved on to the next one.


Hope that helps a bit!

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92 thoughts

  1. MargieH says…
    12/29/2005

    WOW...what a square punch can do! Well, guess what I'll be doing with this year's cards! Thanks, Ali! Every year I go through this dilema how to get rid of these cards! This would make me happy too!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. ~leah g~ says…
    12/29/2005

    How cool and fun. I love it. . . I may have to try this one myself.

    Reply 0 Replies
  3. Amber Lee says…
    12/29/2005

    Ahh punches, gotta love them! This looks really cool. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. corinne says…
    12/29/2005

    well have to get me that punch! this looks great and love this photo of elsie. have fun today!
    corinnexxx

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  5. Valerie says…
    12/29/2005

    it's sooo cool! it's a great layout & LOVE the picture of Elsie & TJ, too!

    Reply 0 Replies
  6. karen says…
    12/29/2005

    great page!
    I'm working on something like this exact thing--but 2005 year in review!
    You did a beautiful job!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. liz says…
    12/29/2005

    this is beautiful!!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Lisa Russell says…
    12/29/2005

    Such a great idea! I LOVE my square punch!! Your Christmas art journal is just beautiful - thanks for sharing it with us!

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. Shell says…
    12/29/2005

    ooh, what size is the punch please? I have to get me some punches!!

    Reply 0 Replies
  10. katie says…
    12/29/2005

    oh my gosh--this is amazing! Such a great idea! love love love it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. Maureen says…
    12/29/2005

    This is *SO* fabulous! I want to do it but how do you do it? I have so many cards and pictures......and the pics are too big. Anyway, you are amazing!! Happy New Year :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. jen says…
    12/30/2005

    awesome, awesome..i "heart" the square punchie!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. Elsa says…
    12/30/2005

    I just love this.. Great page, great Idea.. I am definitely go to try this.. Which square punch did you use?

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. Sharyn (Torm) says…
    12/30/2005

    you make it look so good, yet i still don't have the nerve to do that. lol i'll just look at yours and pretend. ;)

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Sugar_Peas says…
    12/30/2005

    Very cool, was thinking about scrappin all the pics but didnt' think to reduce them so much. Love it. I see my girlies too! ; )
    Carrie

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Monica says…
    12/30/2005

    This is so, so cool! Love this idea! I was just looking at my stack of cards as I do every year not knowing what to do with them. They just take up space and we've been trying to simplify and clean sweep our lives. This is perfect!

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Lynne says…
    12/30/2005

    This makes me happy, too! I just love your work! One of the best things in 2005 has been keeping my own blog (what a great source of scrapbooking material!), and reading those of others. Yours is a great inspiration, and always provides such a creative spark! Thought you might enjoy this blog -- it's one from a member of the "everyday matters" yahoo group (hosted by Danny Gregory)... given the Christmas Art Journal prompt for using cut out snowflakes, I thought you'd enjoy it!
    http://nellynortay.blogspot.com/2005/12/more-fun-with-cut-paper.html
    Have a wonderful (and creatively indulgent!) new year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  18. Amy says…
    12/30/2005

    Absolutely lovely, as usual. I need to get a square punch...and a round one...LOL! I did however got out and buy Anna Quindlen "A Short Guide to a Happy Life" and it is wonderful! thank you! Happy New Year!

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Carrie says…
    12/30/2005

    Ah, that is so lovely, my friend!!! Makes me smile. I got a lot of the same pictures this year. :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. Elise Blaha says…
    12/30/2005

    Ali...your square punch has always rocked your pages. In fact I am off to buy one today and be totally inspired by you! :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. nadine says…
    12/30/2005

    this is so cool ali! i could never keep things that straight. especially since i don't have a square punch. i love that through the scrapping world, even i recognize quite a few of these faces!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Kristina says…
    12/30/2005

    VERY cool, Ali. Love it!

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. Kip says…
    12/30/2005

    great idea...what do you have it backed on?
    kip

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Candi says…
    12/30/2005

    Awesome! Great idea! Look at my cuties...hee hee...and Mr. Nolan!

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Raven says…
    12/30/2005

    That is SO darn cool.

    Reply 0 Replies

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