UNCLE SAM CIRCLE SLIT BORDER...

I was reminded that I forgot that I promised to do a tutorial on the Circle Slit Border!  So, here it is!  After seeing this, you will definitely want this punch!  It is one that is not to be missed.  Of course, I may be bias.  ;)  The FREE tutorial follows the recipe.  I will also miss the Polka-Dot ribbons.  They are some of my favorites!

Remember, that this is the LAST day to order retiring Last Chance products:  Stamps, Definitely Decorative (Decor Elements) and Accessories.   Please check them out in my Online Store under the Last Chance menu.  It is also the last day to Join Stampin' Up! and my team for $99!

I had the Uncle Sam punch piece sitting on my desk for the last couple of weeks from when I was entertaining thoughts of using it  for my July 4th BBQ invitations - until I realized I had to make more than 30!  So I decided to use him and make yet another patriotic card for your Circle Slit Border tutorial.  But I think this one's a keeper!  For the main card front, I used the Silver Foil Smooch Spray on the Night of Navy front piece and scallop oval punch.  It looks beautiful and shimmery - unfortunately I could not capture it's beauty with the camera.  The sentiment is from the darling Red, White & Blue Wheel in the Summer Mini.  There are so many areas of that stamp to highlight and I am sure getting a lot of bang for my back with this one.  I just love it!   

UNCLE SAM CIRCLE SLIT BORDER CARD SUPPLIES:

• Stamp Sets – July Fourth (W #118523 $18.95  C #120063 $14.95), Red, White & Blue Wheel (#118622, $8.50)
• Card stock – Brilliant Blue, Night of Navy, Real Red, Whisper White, Blush Blossom, Ballet Blue
• Ink – Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Brilliant Blue, Night of Navy Classic and Markers
• Ribbon – Real Red 3/4" Polka-Dot Grosgrain (#115608, 8.95)
• Punches – Scallop Oval (#114889 $15.95,  new flat-style beginning July 1#119856 $16.95), Large Oval (#107305 $15.95,  new flat-style beginning July 1#119855 $15.95), Slit (#104388, $5.95), Star (#109045, $10.95), Small Heart (#117193, $5.95), Curly Label (112208, $15.95), 1-3/8" Square (#103375, $15.95), Word Window (#105090, $15.95), Scallop Circle (#109043, $15.95), 1-⅜” Circle (#104401, $15.95), 1/2” Circle (#104390, $5.95), Crop-a-Dile (#108362, $29.95)
• Accessories – Silver Foil Smooch Spray (#118771, $4.95),  Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430, $3.95),  Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (#102023, $4.50), 2-way Glue Pen
• Tools –  Color Catcher (#121093, $5.95), Sanding Blocks

Items in red are retiring today, June 30, 2010 or while supplies last for all but stamps.

UNCLE SAM PUNCH DIRECTIONS:

• Hair - Punch one Scallop Circle from Whisper White.
• Face - Punch one 1-3/8" Circle from Blush Blossom.
• Eyes - Punch two 3/8" Circles from Whisper White and two from Ballet Blue with the Crop-a-Dile.  Adhere offset with Mini Glue Dots. 
• Nose - Punch one Small Heart from Blush Blossom.  Cut in half and then cut the tip off the end.  Sand to round any rough edges.
• Mustache - Punch a small portion of the Curly Label punch from Whisper White as shown in picture.  Punch again above the first so that the resulting punch looks like the finished one pictured above. I used the longer side for mine, but you can use the short side for a shorter mustache.  For the mouth below the mustache, use a small piece of a 1/2" Circle punched from Real Red.
• Goatee - Punch a very small portion of the 1-3/8" Circle Punch on the edge of Whisper White cardstock as pictured.  Then use the Scallop Oval punch to punch above and around the Circle punch as shown.
• Hat - Punch one Word Window from Brilliant Blue.  Punch 2 more from Real Red.  Punch a 1-3/8" Square from Whisper White.  When placing Red Word Window punches on Square one, trim off the excess.
• Star - Stamp the star from the July Fourth stamp set in Daffodil Delight.  Punch out a section with the Star punch.

CIRCLE SLIT BORDER TECHNIQUE:
(click pictures to enlarge)

1. Cut a piece of cardstock 5.5" x 1.5".  I used a lighter piece for the tutorial so that you could see the pencil marks.  Lie the piece on Grid paper for easy measuring and place pencil dots in the middle of the paper as shown at the following increments:  1/2", 1-1/4", 2", 2-3/4", 3-1/2", 4-1/4", 5".  If using grid paper, this is basically at 2 squares, then after three squares for the rest of the piece.

2.  Use your Slit Punch pushing it all the way up and centering the first pencil mark in the punch window.  When punching, the cardstock almost gets "caught" in the punch.  Just use your fingernail to press it back down and slide out the punch.  Repeat at each mark.

3.  The resulting piece will look like this one to the right.  When finished, be sure to erase all your pencil marks.

4.  Bend the the piece back along the slit edge and crease sharply with a bone folder.  It will look like this:

5.  Place adhesive on either side of the inside edges being careful not to get it on the "circle" areas.

6.  Cut a card base at 8" x 5.5" and score at 3.75".  Slide your Circle Slit Border piece over the edge of the shorter end of the card.

7.  Decorate your card front as desired.