Technique Tuesday - How to Use Scallop Border & Corner Punches

Today's technique is how to use the Scallop Border Punch and Scallop Corner Punch together.  There are a few things that you need to remember when using these punches together.  First, you cannot dictate the exact measurements of the finished piece.  The individual scallops will do that.  Second, you need to start with a piece of cardstock that is at least 1/2" larger than your approximate finished size.  You will need:

Scallop Border Punch
Scallop Corner Punch
Paper Cutter
Cardstock cut to at least 1/2" larger than your desired finish size

 First, using the Scallop Corner Punch, place the cardstock into the punch lining it up with the straight edges of the punch.  Do not push the cardstock into the punch as far as it can go.  Punch the corner out.

 Next, using the Scallop Border punch, line up the punched corner with the image on the left or right side of the base of the punch.  Make sure that the cardstock is pressed tightly against the bottom edge on the other side of the punch.  Punch out the scallop border all the way to the end.

 Next, determine which scallop will be your turning point on the cardstock.  Using the Scallop Corner punch, align the scallop up on the left side and punch out the right side.  As you can see in the picture above, the cardstock cannot be seen on the left because it is lined up correctly.

 As you can see, there is a left over area which needs trimming.  Place it in your trimmer along the straight edge of the area you will be trimming off as shown below.

 Trim away the excess and line up again using the corner image on the Scallop Border punch.

 Punch down to the end of the row again.

 Repeat the process with the Scallop Corner punch.

 Trim away any excess cardstock again.

 Use your Scallop Border punch to the end again.  Punch your final corner as shown below.

 Finally, take your Scallop Border punch and line up the corner image on either the left or right side and punch the center section.  Be sure to keep the piece straight since you no longer have the excess edge.

 These punches take some practice but after a few times of working with them, you will see great results.  Let me know if you have any trouble with them.