Get The TechniqueOver at TV, we're gearing up to celebrate a number of exciting arrivals—the arrival of spring (finally!), the arrival of a bouncing baby boy (courtesy of TV crafter Kirsten Earl) and the arrival of our Craft Hour on The Martha Stewart Show on Wednesday, March 2, at 10 a.m.
Exciting arrivals require exciting celebrations, and exciting celebrations require exciting decorations! Check out the photos below to learn how to take the idea of the simple paper chain to new and exciting heights. Using just card stock and a few Martha Stewart Crafts punches, you too can uniquely spruce up your space for your next celebration!
We started with one of our favorite punches, the Double Arches Large Punch Around The Page Punch ...
1
2 Start by cutting two-inch strips of standard 8.5-by-11-inch card stock.
3 Line up each strip to be flush with the left edge of the punch base (as shown).
4 Punch the entirety of one edge of each of strip.
5 Turn each strip over and match the pattern up with its opposite.
6 Again, be sure to start with each strip flush with the left edge of the punch base (as shown).
7 Punch the entire other edge of each strip.
8 Secure the ends of each strip together with clear tape.
9 Mix and match the colors of your card stock and add links to the chain as you go, looping each strip through each previous link and securing with clear tape.
10 Display your fabulous paper chain garland proudly!
... and then we tried out a whole bunch of the deep-edge punches. Each example below details the name of the punch used and the necessary width of your strips of paper.
Daisy Fan Deep Edge Punch—2.5-inch strip
Garden Trellis Deep Edge Punch—2-inch strip
Heartbeat Deep Edge Punch—2.5-inch strip
Flower Bed Deep Edge Punch—2.5-inch strip
Floral Vine Deep Edge Punch—2.5-inch strip
Happy Birthday Deep Edge Punch—2.5-inch strip
Wild Flower Punch Around The Page Punch—2.5-inch strip
Finally, we gave the double-edge-trim punches a try. For these fabulous punches no precut strips of paper are required. Just use the edge of any piece of paper and the punch takes care of the rest!
Butterflies Trim Double Edge Punch & Blossom Trim Double Edge Punch
Infinite Loops Trim Double Edge Punch & Flower Doily Trim Punch Around The Page Punch
Linked Trim Double Edge Punch & Leaves and Branches Trim Double Edge Punch
The possibilities are endless! Happy paper-chain garland making!
From: Kory | 2/22/11 at 9:27 am
Wow! This idea is like a light bulb going off for me. This is such an easy project to do that I can't believe it never occurred to me. Now that this is rattling around my brain I have lots of ideas of ways to make some very special decorations.
From: Jane | 2/22/11 at 11:36 am
How fantastic is that! I would also use it as strips across my cards or even to use as ribbon on a parcel..thank you for that inspiring post!
Jane
From: Deanna Chenoweth | 2/22/11 at 9:25 pm
I would love to print this article for future reference, but don't see a "Print" link...am I missing it? Thanks for the ideas on how to use the craft punches. I am enjoying building my collection and am looking for tutorials/ideas on how to use them.
From: Rowaida Flayhan | 2/22/11 at 11:59 pm
This is really beautiful I have Martha's punches love this idea
From: Laura | 2/23/11 at 4:50 am
I love this idea. I have so many Martha punches and now I think I need more!
From: JoanH | 2/23/11 at 1:46 pm
I love the ribbon idea for gift wrapping.
From: Missy | 2/24/11 at 10:10 am
Wow - these are so cool! I LOVE making paper chains, and we always have them around the house for Christmas, Easter and usually a birthday or two. I don't have any punches like this at home, but I always stop to look whenever I'm at the craft store. This post is going to push me over the edge and make a purchase! I really love the daisy punch!
From: Fabric, edible Angry Birds, and shuttles « Busywork | 2/25/11 at 9:15 am
[...] like this technique of using a paper punch to make a garland, very [...]
From: Sandy Lane | 2/25/11 at 2:39 pm
finally you posted how to do this craft , you had shown it last year making a rosette & noone I contacted knew what I was asking info for
From: Sticky Business: Posts We Liked This Week | An Eclectic Blog | 2/27/11 at 1:16 am
[...] adorable Punched paper chain garland from The Crafts Dept is perfect if you’re looking for an easy springtime craft [...]
From: margaret | 3/2/11 at 11:14 am
I just tried the flower bed deep edge punch..And they looked awesome. Now, I do not have to settle for those mediocre-looking, ready-made garlands that you can buy from a craft or party store. And just like they said--"The possibilities are endless."
From: Lenore | 3/2/11 at 3:18 pm
I have been trying to make a collection of the edge punches because they are so very beautiful. Every new idea to use them is an adventure. Can't wait to make a wonderful Spring garland using flowers and butterflies to ad some wimsy to my Easter window and table arrangements. Thanks again for another creative idea.
From: Ruth | 3/3/11 at 2:31 pm
This is such a great idea. So creative. I will be using some of my Martha Stewart punches to create a garland to decorate at my goddaughter's first birthday party.
From: hs | 3/7/11 at 2:52 pm
I'm looking for the TV schedules for the craft shows.
Most appreciate of your prompt reply.
Thanks, hs
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From: Jessica @ Two Shades of Pink | 3/30/11 at 9:47 pm
This completely speaks to my garland lovin' heart! So pretty and simple yet looks stunningly elegant!
From: Dawn | 4/6/11 at 10:10 pm
I absolutely adore this idea ! It's super easy to create a gorgeous garland. So far I've made several for a friends upcoming garden wedding (in May) using the Double Arches punch around the page punch; alternating matte ivory and soft satiny finished spring green(the Brides colors) cardstock for texture. I'll also be weaving sheer contrasting ribbon through the garland to give it more visual pop. So far this is one of the best ideas for decorating inexpensively yet in an elegant and tasteful fashion.
From: Debbie | 6/22/12 at 1:32 pm
Try mixing up your "all around the page" punches. Use the corner punch from one set with the border punch from a different. They don't all work together well, but some do and it makes a totally new look! Some require just a little snip here or there to make them work together. I make sample cards so that I remember which punches work together.
From: shilpa shah | 8/8/12 at 12:16 am
oh thats so lovely. i have many punches of those. as i m diehard fan of MS punches. i want them all. lol.
i l defntly try these also. thanks.
From: Pam Sparks | 8/8/12 at 8:56 am
great, helpful post! tfs!
From: mary Ann Ely | 9/15/12 at 9:19 am
I LOVE Martha! Martha! Martha!. I LOVE these punches. Thay make beautiful cards ans scrapbooking pages.
From: Free Crafting Patterns: Favors, Gift Bags, and Party Decorations | married to a bmw | 1/31/13 at 9:37 pm
[...] Punched Paper Chain Garland by Martha [...]
From: Andi Bouchard | 2/23/13 at 12:49 am
Okay, you ROCK!! I have watched and tried hours of different tutorials and none of them made it simple like you did. I absolutely appreciate your time. What a sweetheart you are. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!