I had sooooo much fun last night playing around with my new punch. It's a pansy punch from Marvy Uchida that cuts and embosses at the same time. I had been wanting it ever since I saw a video by Emily - here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWCLb8QrVxc&feature=plcp&context=C3bf21e5UDOEgsToPDskJGbAMU_C-REvSKB-mzk-0b - her flowers are gorgeous. Really expensive punch, but this week punches are on sale at Hobby Lobby for 40% off, so I decided to finally get this one. When I'd see it in the store I would think - hmm, the ones Emily made seemed larger. But it turns out the flower printed on the punch is just smaller than the actual flower, which is about 2-1/4". Thinner cardstocks were easier to punch, but I still had to stand up and put all my strength in pushing the lever down with both hands. I don't mind, though - when the flowers are this lovely.
Some of them I curled upward, and some of them downward (around a pen). Played with different inks, different centers. The black/orange one has a skull-shaped rhinestone - I was thinking maybe for my Halloween album. The flowers can also be used as leaves. Can't wait to try even more paper/color combinations.