July 2007 Newsletter - Card Making Tips:

1. To make your own wire & bead embellishment thread a large bead or sequin onto a length of craft wire then using a pair of pliers twist wire once at the end to secure it. Thread more beads and sequins on the wire in a pretty pattern. Bend wire into desired shape i.e. a heart and then attach to a card with glue or sticky pads. From Jill, West Sussex.

2. Make some generic themed cards without a greeting. When you need a card in a hurry for a birthday or similar, simply add the wording. From Olivia, Somerset.

3. When using brads or eyelets, apply them to a separate piece of card or topper or punched shapes rather than directly onto your card blank. Then stick the decorated piece of card to your card blank with foam tape. This way you do not see the ugly backs of the eyelets and brads on the inside of your card and you get a great layered look to your card. From Jean, West Midlands.

If you have any tips please drop us an email. If we use your tip in the next newsletter, you will receive a £5 Glitter Monster Crafts voucher, for use in our on-line store. It can be anything from how to get a great result from a technique or how to do something easier, it can be as simple as you like and about any card making or craft subject.

Here are a couple of tips to ensure you get the best performance from your new craft punches.

1. When you buy a new craft punch allow it to acclimatise to the temperature in your home for a while before using it. It may have previously been stored in a colder or warmer environment and gone through temperature changes during its journey to you.
2. Use your new craft punch a few times on some thin scrap paper to loosen it up before using it on a proper project. New craft punches will always be stiffer and harder to use to start with and will loosen up with use.

For tips on how to continue to keep your punches in tip top condition see our previous post on Caring For Craft Punches.