Circle Edge Punch by Martha Stewart Crafts at HSN

When I worked at a craft store a big part of my job was trying out new products. I really miss that. So when I received an email asking me to review the new Circle Edge Punch by Martha Stewart Crafts, I didn’t hesitate – Yes!

The Circle Edge Punch is brand new and will be demonstrated and showcased tomorrow, November 13, on HSN – Home Shopping Network. If you’ve never watched HSN, this is the perfect time to start. Trust me on this. I’m a regular HSN shopper. I love seeing how something works before buying it.

The fact that Martha sells her craft products on HSN speaks volumes. The fact that HSN is the exclusive vendor for the Circle Edge Punch says even more.

And that’s what I said in my email – I love HSN and I love Martha’s products. How many times have I featured Martha’s decorative paints here? Lots. But I’m not a scrapbook person. What in the world am I gonna do with a punch?

I was eager to see if I could come up with projects other than scrapbooking with the Circle Edge Punch. And I did. Wanna see?

First I want to show you how the punch works. I was a little intimidated when I opened the box, only because I don’t use punches much. But it turns out this punch is really easy to put together and use, not to mention very, very clever.

I like ‘clever’.

How To Assemble Circle Edge Punch

First insert the sliding tray into the base.

Insert the metal plate into the tray by pulling the release tab. That allows the plate to sit flush in the tray.

The punch cartridge will sit on top of the sliding tray and the rotating knob sits in the front of the base.

There are measurements in two places – along the edge of the sliding tray and in front of the rotating knob. Before you use the punch, line up both measurements to the same number so you’ll punch a perfect circle.

Here comes the ‘clever’ part.

Magnets! The rotating knob has two magnets on the bottom that line up with the circle at the front of the base. The cartridge has four magnets that line up with the sliding tray. These magnets fit perfectly and securely. You can’t mess this up.

Believe me on this.

My first instinct is to find a way to use the Circle Edge punch for a paint project. (It’s just the way my mind works.) I grabbed a sheet of vellum because it’s thin enough to punch but will hold up nicely with paint.

But first, watch how this thing works and punches a perfect circle.

How To Use Circle Edge Punch

You can punch up to 7 different sized circles – from 6” in diameter up to 12”. The vellum sheets are standard size 8-1/2” by 11”. I wasn’t too sure how this was going to work so I set both numbers at 7.

Center the paper over the punch and then put the rotating knob on top. It’ll ‘snap’ into place because of the magnets.

Then place the cartridge on the tray. Same thing – it’ll ‘snap’. Now just punch. It’s not hard and doesn’t require a lot of strength. Just place it on a sturdy table.

After you make one punch, turn the rotating knob. It’ll click, and stop. Punch again.

Keep punching and turning the knob. Before you know it you’ll punch an entire decorative circle, perfectly measured and precise.

Amazing. Who invents stuff like this? Who thought of magnets? How did they figure out that one little turn of the knob would make perfect little scallops?

I have no idea. But what I do know is, once I made my first scalloped circle I couldn’t wait to make a bunch more.

This.is.fun.

First I wanted to paint the vellum circle. Martha’s beautiful pearl paint is perfect. The glitter paint would be lovely too but I wanted to make more circles first.

You know all those gifts-in-a-Mason-jar? Like ready to make cookies or brownies? How cute is this – a decorative touch that you make yourself!

Right about now I’m beginning to see a whole lotta possibilities for the Circle Edge punch.

How about a stencil? Would it work for that? I could really use the scallops for decorative borders on my paintings. Hmmm.

Make a Stencil With Circle Edge Punch

For the stencil, I used freezer paper because it has more body than other papers and it’s great to iron on to fabric.

I was a bit concerned that the wax on the freezer paper might gum up the punch though. But I read how to sharpen the punch on Lil Boo Blue – punch thru aluminum foil! Sure, that’d work, just like with craft scissors.

I punched out just a few scallops to quickly try a stencil.

Worked great. (I wasn’t trying for the decorative dotted detail, just the scalloped edge. Just so you know.)

By now I’m thoroughly impressed with the Circle Edge Punch. I have tons of ideas to use it for with my paint projects. But the holidays are upon us, aren’t they?

If you cook/bake as poorly as I do, presentation is key. As in, it better look nice because there’s no tellin’ what it’s gonna taste like.

Make Napkin Doily with Circle Edge Punch

I picked up these poinsettia napkins last time I was at the Dollar Store. Would they be too thin and flimsy for the punch?

Nope. Worked great. I even liked this as a border!

But I love the poinsettia doily. Perfect and precisely cut. Amazing!

Oh, when I picked up the napkins I also snagged a few chargers at the Dollar Store too.

I’m already crossing names off my gift list. But something’s missing here . . .

Oh yeah. Cookies! Snickerdoodles, to be exact. How cute is that poinsettia napkin on the shiny red charger now?

I have so many ideas my mind is reeling, lemme tell you. Over a punch!

But this isn’t just any ol’ punch, believe me. This is truly amazing. See for yourself! Tune into HSN tomorrow and watch them demonstrate it.

One more thing. One more BIG thing! Go visit Martha Stewart Crafts and you can get 20% off! Just use the code BLOG20 to get a 20% discount. This is just for Martha Stewart Crafts, not HSN.

Disclosure: I was asked to review the Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Edge Punch and received one to do so. I was not told what to say. All opinions expressed are mine. 

Colleen

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