Wednesday, September 24, 2014
My new toys
Wandering through the craft/fabric store the other day I saw that all the fancy Fiskars cutting devices were 40% off, so I bought myself two large hole punches. One cuts circles an inch in diameter, the other a bit more than 5/8". I thought these would be helpful in my daily collages, where I have occasionally used the holes from my standard 1/4" punch as design elements.
The first day I cut holes from a good quality catalog, printed on substantial coated stock, and they looked great. Yesterday I tried to cut holes from newsprint, and was unhappy.
coated stock
newsprint
I understand that blades get dull with use, especially when you cut paper. I don't understand how a blade starts out dull when it comes from a manufacturer customarily known for its high quality. I own Fiskars scissors that have been used for decades, and while they may not cut silk any more, they can sure cut newsprint.
Always sad when a brand name you thought you could trust lets you down. I guess I'll just cut my newsprint circles freehand and save the punch for heavier paper. But I'll be unhappy.
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Why don't you try stiffening the newspaper first with a little spray starch? I found that I could cut circles out of teabags if I ironed them first.
ReplyDeleteJoanne in Canada
That's a good idea -- but do I even own spray starch? here's hoping I can remember that tip when I decide I need it!
DeleteHow about inserting card stock together with the piece of news print, cutting these two layers in one punch? Never mind that you might not need a card stock circle at the time.
ReplyDeleteYou can also punch aluminum foil to try to "sharpen" the punch.
ReplyDelete