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I have one of the new Lucky 8 Punches from We R Memory Keepers and I wanted to see if there was something I could do with it other than the obvious scrapbook layouts and cards. I came up with a number of ideas that I’ll share with you, but for the season, I decided to create a simple Easter basket. You don’t have to have a Lucky 8 Punch to create this – you can use round die-cut card stock found at Michaels or scrapbook stores. But if you ever want to make multiple baskets or gift boxes, it would be a good investment since die-cut papers run about $2 apiece. Then you can use it for other designs afterwards. Here’s how I did it:

Materials:

12-x-12-inch cardstock
Lucky 8 Punch
Scoring board (optional, but very helpful)
bone folder
1 piece of heavy floral wire
quick-setting glue or other adhesive (glue dots or tape)
thin ribbon
scissors

Directions:

1.  Score the paper at the 4-inch mark and the 8-inch mark, horizontally and vertically (when you’re finished, the paper will have nine 4-inch squares on it). Score a diagonal line at each corner. (If you’re using pre-cut paper, find the center of the die-cut circle and score a vertical line 2 inches to the left of the center point and 2 inches to the right. Repeat horizontally and proceed to Step 3.)

2. Insert the corners of the paper into the Lucky 8 and punch all four corners. Turn the paper over and punch the corners on the other side. When you’re done, you’ll have a scored circle. (See the video demo on the Lucky 8 site to see it in action.)

3.  Fold along the scored lines to create a box shape. Fold the diagonally scored corners in.

4. Lace a piece of thin ribbon through the holes at each corner and tie in a knot. Bend a piece of floral wire into a handle shape and attach on the inside of the basket with quick-setting glue, glue dots, or tape. Embellish as desired.

So what else can you do with your die-cut paper for parties?

1. Use the rounds under dinner plates for a whimsical, festive look  (the design is just large enough for the border design to show around a standard size dinner plate).

2. Use them on cake stands and place cupcakes on top or use them under serving bowls or to line trays.

3. Make a garland by folding the rounds in half and gluing over a piece of string.

4. Attach the circles end to end with pieces of ribbon for a different kind of runner.

5. Wrap them around glass cylinders (trim the bottom edge) and use the cylinders as vases.

**I should also note that this is only one of three options for each Lucky 8 punch. You can cut out just the interior portion (which would give you the dot motif inside of a 12-x-12-inch square, cut the outer circle only, which would give you just the scalloped edge, and then the complete cut, which is what I’ve used here).

Resources:

Retro Scallop Lucky 8 Punch from We R Memory Keepers
In the Meadow paper (from the Cotton Tail line) We R Memory Keepers
Scoring board (includes bone folder) from Martha Stewart Crafts
All other items found at craft stores such as Michaels

For more ideas, visit We R Memory Keepers on Pinterest or on their Facebook page.

Suzonne Stirling is a professional crafter, wife and mom based in New Orleans. She regularly writes about crafts for FamilyCircle.com, and blogs at Urban Comfort, as well as here on Momster.com.

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