Author Topic: Martha Stewart "doily lace" edge punch (Read 322 times)

Hearts · « **on:** September 25, 2010, 04:44:30 AM »

Anyone have one?

There was a thread several months ago about the edge punches, so, of course, off to Michael's I go to see about getting one. (I like to make greeting cards, but, have found that if you fold them, and, mail them soon after printing, the printing transfers from one side to the other, and, looks pretty bad - so, I put a piece of tracing paper in between) Well, of course, I tried to make pretty edges on the tracing paper several different ways. The most successful so far has been the decorative scissors.

So, anyway, I tried the doily punch a few times, without much luck. The paper got stuck etc. So, I took it back the other day to ask if there was a secret to doing this that I didn't know about. Well, I guess the punch I had bought was defective in some way, so, they exchanged it for another one, which we tried out before I left the store.

I am sure if I was punching a regular piece of paper or card stock, it would work better. So, the lady at the store had a little bit of trouble, but, after cutting the edge of the store flyer, (which is thin), it worked 'fairly' well.

Anyway, my point and question here is - I just punched a couple pages for cards, and, it punches ok, but, then, I have to dig out the pieces that it cut off. The little holes fall out all over the place, but, have to dig out the bigger pieces with my x-acto knife, and, sometimes, have to retrieve them out of there with tweezers.

Anyone have any secrets in using this punch? It is very time consuming. Very pretty when it's done, but, I'm not sure I can take the time to do it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA

Wrapcandy Forum Community · « **on:** September 25, 2010, 04:44:30 AM »

Arlene Langa · « **Reply #1 on:** September 25, 2010, 05:11:54 AM »

Nancy...I bought the edge punch after seeing that thread too and also had a problem with Martha's punch. It kept sticking and I had to "dig" the pieces out too. I took it back, got a replacement and the same thing happened again. So, I returned that one too and decided to get the Fiskars edge punch (it's dark blue) instead. I have used that one many times and have never had a problem with it sticking. To me it seems that her punch tools get past the quality control department without testing...LOL. The 3 Martha's punches...including the 1" hole punch I bought...seemed like they are not tooled smoothly enough on one side and so would not cut right and stick.

So, it's not you...it's her punch that is the problem!

Happy Wrapper Karen · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2010, 05:25:58 AM »

I, too, ran off to Michael's when that thread was posted. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) they were all out of Martha Stewart doily punches. So I went to Walmart and bought one made by Fiskars (just like Arlene said), and it works well. No sticking. I don't use it very much, but it does make a pretty edge.

Hearts · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2010, 05:33:26 AM »

Wow, thanks girls. So, it's not just me, that's nice to know. I think I will return it, and, get one of the ones you are talking about.

Is the Fiskars one - does it look like a doily edge? Oh well, if not, it will be better than digging the pieces out of this one. Seems like there must be rough edges on the cutter, and, the paper gets stuck on those, or something!!!

Thanks again.

Happy Wrapper Karen · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2010, 05:39:31 AM »

Yes, the Fiskars one is a doily edge. Here's a picture of the one I have. I think there are several different edges you can purchase.

Hearts · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2010, 06:12:58 AM »

OK, great, thanks a million.

Debbie F. · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2010, 06:27:17 AM »

I think the Martha Stewart punch is so 'delicate' and 'intricate' that it has problems. I have one, and find that it works better with thicker paper, but still I have some minor problems with it releasing from the paper sometimes. I will keep it, but next time will look for some Fiskars. It looks like they are not as delicate/intricate, but they make a nice edge.

Kndakrfty · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2010, 06:47:31 AM »

I have a bunch of the Fiskars edge punches and I love them...but I do find sometimes they stick when you punch thick card stock. I just recently bought the plain scallop edge to make rattle handles for 45 lollipop rattles. It was a breeze and much easier for me then trying to use scalloped scissors.

Anita

latitude · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2010, 07:04:21 AM »

I have a lot of the Fiskars edge punches and I also have a lot of Martha Stewart Punches. I prefer the Martha Stewart ones because the patterns are so pretty. Like you Nancy, I use them for card making. I have had trouble with both makes. I purchased a spray can of lubricant for punches from my Scrap booking store and that really made a difference. If I am punching a lot of heavy card stock, I fold some tin foil and make a few punches on that. It helps to keep them sharp.
When I am punching on thin paper, I put a scrap piece of card stock behind it and the pattern punches clean.

Donna

Debbie F. · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2010, 07:50:33 AM »

Thanks for the tips, Donna!

Arlene Langa · « **Reply #10 on:** September 25, 2010, 08:26:40 AM »

Great tips Donna! TY

Debbie Ritchie · « **Reply #11 on:** September 25, 2010, 02:41:03 PM »

Well, girls.....I am sorry you are having problems with it. I originally posted the thread and I have not had a single problem with mine.....I have found that if you hold it in your hand and punch rather than sitting it down on the table and punching it is much easier. You have to make sure you "complete the punch"...in otherwords, squeeze it tightly all the way down. As for the little pieces getting all over, I just hold it over the wastebasket and punch. I have never had an issue with anything getting stuck. Just tried some different papers with it and no issues whatsoever. I guess I am a little baffled that y'all are having issues with it. Maybe I just bought the only one that is sharp one, but I love mine!

Debbie

MsJaay · « **Reply #12 on:** September 25, 2010, 04:34:43 PM »

I have never had an issue with my Martha Stewart punches either. What cardstock are you using? You may want to try punching a piece of foil to sharpen the edges. Do this a couple of times and see if that works. There are a few punches out there, try the Fiskars and Marvy punches. Buy one of each and see which one works for you. There is also and additional attachment piece that can help you make the punch. Hearts, so that you know your Cricut has the capability of doing border punches, check out the carts on provocraft.
http://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Crafting/Punches/Embossing-Border-Punches
http://www.marvy.com/product_details.aspx?ProductID=133

Hearts · « **Reply #13 on:** September 26, 2010, 04:20:56 AM »

I am trying to punch tracing paper to use in my greeting cards. I have also tried card stock, doesn't work. The punch stays stuck down in the card stock, and, YES, I am completing the punch.

I am painting both of my workrooms, and, down sizing everything. So, hopefully, within the next month, I will have it done, and, there will be a place for the Cricut right on my work bench. Thanks for those links, I'll check them out. Then, maybe I can learn how to do that thing, and, use it.