Project: Mom+Baby Door Hanger

Just a couple more months and baby T will be born! Naturally, after waiting for more than three years, hubby and I are giddy with excitement! My dear sis emailed me a link to adorable printable mom/baby door hangers, and I just had to make me some!

Printables are so easy to do! Just print, cut, and voila! For this project, I printed mine in regular paper, then laminated it. Figured it would last me longer that way than just printing it out on cardstock. Oh, and I used my circle cutter to seamlessly make that hole in the middle. This printable was designed by CAKE and generously shared to all. You can download the pdf files directly from her site here. 

Mom+Baby door hangers by CAKE.

Aren't they lovely? I can't wait to use them!

Circle Cutting Made Easy

I am in love with my EK Tools Circle Scissor Pro! This is in stark contrast to my Martha Stewart Circle Cutter which I used only a couple of times, and then promptly kept in storage where it remain to this day. Let me explain...

Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Cutter

First, the Martha Stewart circle cutter. I decided to buy this product since I love anything Martha and thought it would be a much wiser and economical investment versus buying several sizes of individual circle punches. I was greatly disappointed however. It was really hard to cut a circle in one smooth stroke, and doesn't cut all the way through thicker papers like photo paper and cardstock. I also had to make sure I hold the outside rim with a good amount of pressure for it not to slip. I did try to practice since I read that I just have to get the feel for it, but I just got more and more frustrated as I practiced!

EK Tools Circle Scissor Pro

And so, after not finding the 2" circle punch that I requested, my cousin sent me an EK Tools Circle Scissor Pro. Naturally, after my first circle cutter experience, I eyed it with a whole lot of suspicion. But surprise surprise, I gave it a go and there it was-- my first perfect circle in just one rotation of the tool! Somehow this cuts smoother, and the handle was way easier to manipulate. No wrist twisting needed! Another plus for me is that this circle scissor has horizontal and vertical grid lines in the middle that goes from end to end. This lets me easily align the center of the tool with the center of a photo or picture that I need to "circle-cut." I also had no trouble letting it cut through a laminated project, which made me super happy and very satisfied!

Let me just add that for both products, you need a cutting mat, and it'll be wise to tape the edges of the paper to the mat to prevent any possible movement that would render your circles imperfect. Both products have a built-in storage system on the handles for the extra blades.

Below are video tutorial links that both brands have up on YouTube that you might find useful--
Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Cutter
EK Tools Circle Scissor Pro

Happy crafting!

One More Time

I'll be honest. This is my nth attempt at journaling/blogging. I've always loved writing. I guess I just got lazy. However, reading blogs online has inspired and motivated me to do this; and I am giving myself a pat in the back for actually starting. Please bear with me as I brave this blogging adventure. May my random thoughts and jumbled words somehow string together and turn into a collection of organized musings that people would love to read.