What to do with an old punch!!

At one time I purchased quite a few punches.  Then all those punches just sat in drawers in my craft room.  I recently pulled out a punch I purchased and came up with an alternative use for the design.
Because I have been creating Christmas cards lately, I was thinking of a Christmas tree and looked at the punch and a light went off!!  Sorry for the lousy picture, my camera broke and I had to scan this card.  Haven't been able to edit the picture better.  I'm going to pull out more punches and think outside of the box.  Can you guess what this punch is ?  It is a Fiskars small hand punch. Great for using for kids cards, but also can be used to create a Christmas tree!!  The thumb is hidden under the layers and I just cut the thumb off when I came to the edge of tree.

I started by die cutting a Christmas tree base from the Create a Critter cartridge.  The reindeer page had a tree which was perfect for my card.  I used green and light green glitter paper from Joann's Fabrics and Crafts.  Then I started punching out lots of hands.  I covered the tree base with adhesive so my hands would stick well.  Starting at the bottom, I layered hand alternating the colors.  I had red and white pearls which worked great as Christmas balls.  I used my embossing folder to creat the white dotted background and found some great snowflake acetate stickers for snowflakes.  I cut a strip of white card stock to create the hill and added a strip of glue and glitter for  some snow.  I popped up my snow bank because I love dimension on my cards.  I just love the way this tree came out.

Trying to Create when Grieving

Since my Mom's passing on September 20, 2012 I have been slogging thru the last few weeks.
Grief is indescribable unless you have experienced the pain and sorrow which overwhelms you.
I haven't been able to even step foot into my craft room until a few days ago.  I know doing what I love will help ease the constant thoughts of my Mom's last weeks in the hospital.  Today I am teaching a class which will also help me to get back into some sort of normalcy.  Before my Mom got sick, I decided to play around with the ceramic tiles you can purchase at any home do it yourself store.  I found some black tiles I thought would be great for a Halloween theme.  Hope you enjoy them.

I used paper from Debbie Mum's Harvest and Holiday 8 x 8 paper pack.  I love the glitter which is hard to see in the photos.  I used modge podge and a clear acrylic spray - about 5 coats.  I think next time I will try some clear non yellowing varnish.  I used felt for the backing to prevent the tiles from slipping.  I could also try some cork next time.  (The felt was cheaper).  I am going to start on some Christmas themed tiles next.  Yes - Christmas is only months away.  I am still trying to catch up to fall and Halloween.  Have a great day and don't forget to tell loved ones "I love you"!!