Using a grid template to align punched shapes

When I finished making the sewing-themed note cards last week, I had lots of scraps of patterned paper left over. Rather than just recycle them, I decided to punch out hearts galore and make some simple all-occasion cards.

Supplies (all Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Cool Caribbean long notes, 6" x 6" Collectable "Unforgettable" paper pad (My Mind's Eye)
Accessories: Small Heart punch, Dimensionals, rhinestones, Mono Multi liquid glue

I made a few different versions of this card using different pattern assortments and arrangements; for one of the cards I used just three prints and aligned them in diagonal stripes. To make it easier to line up the hearts, I made a simple template with graph paper. It's easy to do, and here's how:

Step 1: Cut a piece of 1/4"-grid graph paper to the same size as your card base.

Step 2: Determine where and how far apart you want the shapes to be placed on your card. Mark the corresponding places on the intersecting lines on the graph paper.

Step 3: Using a paper-piercing tool, poke holes through the points you marked in Step 2.

Step 4: Place the pierced graph paper over your card base and mark the placement of the holes on the card. A felt-tip pen or fine-point marker works well for this. You can mark all the holes or just selected ones, such as those of one vertical or horizontal line.

Step 5: Adhere the punched shapes over the dots marked on the card. You also could use the dots as a guide for placing ribbon or strips of paper.

Step 6: Embellish your card as desired.

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