What do you say we get a little “punchy’’ this month? I must admit, I am a girl who loves her punches. While searching through the galleries for inspiration, I noticed that the majority of the scrapbooking population uses punches on their layouts. This could be because punches are so versatile and can work with just about any theme.

Punches come in many different shapes and forms such as circles, stars, butterflies, hearts, scalloped circles, and, the ever-loved border and corner punches! The possibilities are endless and the best part is that you can use them when you are short on embellishments. Why not save a few dollars if you can, right?

Love Handmade by Ethan by Leanne Allinson

Supplies: Paper, Alphabet Stickers, Flowers, Die-Cuts, Tags, Ink, Sketch: Kaisercraft, Pens: Sharpie, Other: string, staples. Tools: Punches: EK Success.

Design Notes: Punch out several of the same shape in different patterned papers to create a unique banner on your page.

You Color My World by Kat Poole

Supplies: Paper: Cosmo Cricket, Studio Calico, Sassafras Lass, Cardstock: Recollections, Die Cuts With View, Alphabet Stickers: BasicGrey, Glitz Design, Stickers: Little Yellow Bicycle. Tools: Border Punches: EK Success, Martha Stewart.

Design Notes: I raided my scrap bin for this one and decided to use almost every edge punch I owned in order to get this fun effect.

Journaling: Thanks for making me the happiest girl in the world.

Guppie (Goofball) by Revlie Schuit

Supplies: Paper: American Crafts, Cardstock: Core’dinations, Chipboard, Alphabet, Butterfly: American Crafts, Fonts: American Typewriter in Word, Bling: BasicGrey. Tools: Corner Rounder: WE R Memory Keepers, Punches: Martha Stewart.

Design Notes: I wanted to keep the main focus on the picture and the journaling with a clean and simple look. I don't have any border punches, so I simply cut a strip of patterned paper, drew half circles (using the top of my glue stick, and cutting them out; a cheap way to create a border punch.

Journaling: (Journaling is in Dutch) June 2011. Ruben has been on a school trip. A day to Katwijk at the Sea. With all kindergartners. Of course they went fishing for shells and Ruben went into the sea. Totally wet. At night he says he's nauseous. Just to be sure I put a bucket & towel next to his bed "in case you need to throw up dude" I explain to him. A little bit later I hear him call from his bedroom "NOW I KNOW! My tummy is okay, but it's my brain! My brain is sick. My brain is not well at all!". And immediately a reaction from Sanne's bedroom "YES INDEED!"