It cuts like butter (pronounced buttAH). Now that’s a phrase I enjoy using. Enjoy it for a few reasons, but mostly because of its use of the word butter. Mmm. Butter. Everything’s better with butter. And bacon. Everything’s better with butter and bacon.
Ok, and maybe some chocolate.
Everything’s better with butter, bacon and chocolate. I mean Brussels sprouts could even be tolerable enough to swallow if they were covered in butter and bacon and followed by a chaser of chocolate. Right?
But I digress. There’s really
nothing celebratory about Brussels sprouts. Well, unless you happen to be a sprouts farmer from Belgium and had had an exceptionally productive growing season. Then maybe. But only then.
It cuts like butter is really the best way to describe the
New Heavy Duty Circle Punch from EK Tools. Can I just tell you how giddy I am to have this way diverse device in my punch drawer? Yep. Giddy. It slices. It dices. It can cut through a steel nail and in the next swipe slice a delicate tomato into sliver like pieces.
No wait. Sorry. Wrong spiel. Been watching
way too much late night TV. Obviously.
Anyhow, the New Heavy Duty Circle Punch from EK Tools
WILL punch with the greatest of ease through
chipboard, lightweight metal, acrylic, leather, multiple layers of cardstock and much, much more. Just like butter.
Tried it. Liked it. Giddy about it.
A month or so ago I began running creative loops in my head about
making a silverware caddy. Something that would be neutral in color and easy to decorate with corresponding thematic party elements. I kept coming back to the idea of
linked metal canisters; a canister for each utensil type and each made of metal so that different thematic magnets could be attached for maximum versatility. Genius, right?
But my genius had a flaw. How to link the canisters together. Hmmm.
Then a box arrived and when I opened it I could hear the angels singing “Halleluiah”; for there in the bottom of the box, buried beneath yards of brown packing paper, was this diverse devise that could punch metal and would
solve my linkage problem.
Now finally, I could put an end to what had become an exasperating creative quest in my head. Thank goodness! I was beginning to run out of ibuprofen.
So the following set of pictures is
how I constructed a silverware caddy from three 1 quart canisters I bought at my local crafts store. Hope you like it : ).
Here’s
what’s needed: circle punch, canisters, wire and wire cutters (just pretend you see these in the picture).
The first step is to
punch a hole in one of the canisters. Do this by inserting the canister into the punch, just to the left of the seam, until it stops and squeeze.
Next,
punch a second hole just above the first. Line the first hole up with the centering notch located on the end of the punch.
It should look like this when both holes have been done. Do the same steps to a second canister.
Now,
thread a folded length of wire through both punched canisters and twist to secure. Trim to desired length and make sure sharp ends are facing the canister wall.
Hold the third canister up to the two attached ones.
Mark where they touch on both edges and punch holes as described above using markings for placement.
Thread folded wire lengths though holes and twist to secure. Trim ends and tuck toward canister wall.
Done! That was fast and easy. Now, on to the decorating.
Here are the
supplies I used for embellishing my caddy. The black squares are magnets btw. You could use magnet tape or try recycling the advertising magnets that get delivered with your pizza. I just used what I had on hand.
Assemble the decorative strips by layering pattern paper, cardstock and embossed stickers. Use removable double sided tape to attach the paper strips to the canisters. There’s enough stickiness to hold things but not enough to make a mess when you want to take the paper off.
Adhere magnet material of choice to sticker backs.
Embellish canisters with themed magnets.
Just think of the possibilities. Any and all stickers (within a reasonable size) could be used and the best part is that they are so easy to switch out. Keep themed sets in plastic bags nestled in the canisters themselves. Built in storage. What’s not to love!
And
here’s another option, something a bit more polished … ribbon with utensil name tags. Pretty, huh?
Is your mind racing with ideas yet? Hope so! I know I’ve already got some thoughts for Halloween and Christmas looping around in my brain.
Um. Note to self: add ibuprofen to the shopping list.
So
have some fun creating caddies and magnets. Most of all have fun using the
New Heavy Duty Circle Punch!
But be careful, it could be addicting. Just like butter. And bacon.
And (insert angels singing) chocolate covered bacon!
Happy crafting dear reader!
~ Elizabeth
(ekb)