A die that looks like Martha Stewart pine bough punch?

[karjor]

I like the MS pine bough shape, but so many people have said it only cuts well with thin paper. I borrowed my neighbor's McGill version (not a lever-style like MS - it had a round button to push that was difficult) and it jammed badly on SU CS.

Does anyone know of a good substitute in a die cut? And does it work with heavy card stock?

[Jill with a G]

Tim Holtz has one with a Pine cone and the pine/fir die image. It's very nice, plus it makes a very cool pine cone, or a neat rose. It's called Tattered Pinecone. It can be found here among many other sites too.

[Barbara Jay]

It depends on how large you want the branches.
Tim Holtz cut branch is 2" x 2 & 1/8"

Martha's punched branch is 1 & 3/8" x 3/4"

So Tim's is around twice the size of Martha's

Also I just punched SU CS with my MS branch punch and it worked fine. I like lighter CS to shape the petals not because it won't punch heavier CS.

A few days ago I punch a pile of MS branches from Gina K's 80# Pure Luxury white and it went through it very smoothly.

[karjor]

Thanks for the info (Splitcoast is awesome!). The Tim Holz is the right shape but is too big for my needs. Good to know the MS works for you with SU CS - maybe I should reconsider.

[Barbara Jay]

I use light weight CS for all the flowers and leaves I make even the MS pine branches. I feel the light weight CS bends more realistically.
Others like heavier and stiffer CS. I think it is a matter of preference.

I tried the MS branch punch on Gina K's 120# weight and it will NOT punch through that.
I try to use scraps for punched images

EDIT: Does some one know how to contact the people at Memory Box and ask them if they can design a die like the MS punch? Maybe in a couple of sizes on the same plate. I think they design their own dies

[crazysuziestamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barbara Jay

EDIT: Does some one know how to contact the people at Memory Box and ask them if they can design a die like the MS punch? Maybe in a couple of sizes on the same plate. I think they design their own dies

Here's link to Dave"s Blog you can email him from there. I had a suggestion, emailed him and he did respond.

davebrethauer

[fionna51]

A while back, when I went to use my MS branch punch (the one we all call pine bough) I found that I couldn't punch my SU paper any more. Talk about bummed!! It worked on printer paper, but that just wouldn't do.

Well, I was upset for a long time. I tried silicone lubrication, foil, wax paper...nothing worked. Why I eventually tried what turned out to be THE solution, I don't know and I don't much care...but it WORKS.

I took a picture of how I punch with that punch now. Because I had to use my right hand to operate my camera, you'll just have to imagine it being on the punch lever...

Try this and see if it works for you. I have absolutely no problems any more. I put gentle, but firm pressure on the punch. You don't have to lean into it.

[debbiemom23cs]

There is a die similar in the Foilage die template set from Spellbinders.

[craftsrlb]

I have the martha one and love it...it is tough with su paper..but I have found that if you squeeze the big part (where the pic is) when you are punching- it goes through quite nice

[karjor]

Thanks for a ll the suggestions and the tips on making the MS punch work - hopefully current owners will have some luck with those.

[lylacfey]

I use mine all the time with heavy glitter paper. I don't know if that helps anyone with cardstock density. I just wanted to throw it out there.