Mary Ann,

You are not alone, some punches are nasty especially the borders. This is what I do, fold wax paper into several thicknessses and punch through, this will lubricate the punch. Sharpen the punch the same way using several layers of aluminum foil. If this does not help use a very fine grade sandpaper and punch it, sometimes the metal parts have some excess metal on them that should be removed, but don't put them through the sandpaper more than twice!!
I have also heard of people putting them in the refridgerator to contract the metal, haven't tried that though. Also, I finally broke down and bought a puncher thingy, can't remember the name of it but it,s great, you put the paper and punch on it and it has a handle that you push down on the punch, no more sore hands!! HTH

Pam

Pam, thanks for the response. I thought that I had seen a PUNCHER THINGY - I don't know the name either but I like the one you gave it. Could you please tell me where you bought it and about how much it was, so I will know if I found the right one. Is it something like a press of some sort or like a pair of pliers that you insert the punch in? What does HTH mean, please? TIA Mary Ann

I've seen puncher thingys at Michaels and at my local scrap store. Also I think HTH means HOPE THAT HELPS.
Hilary

Thanks Hilary! I checked mine and it's made by Marvy and it's pinkish in color, think I got mine at out LSS (Local Scrapbook Store) And I think it was between 10-20 $$$, can't remember sorry.

Pam

Just got my Current catalog (the one that's dedicated to scrapbooking). It has a punchie thingy for $19 (could be $19.99).
Hilary

LOL Isn't is great how we call some of our supplies 'Thingy's" ;)

Pam

Thanks for the help. The thing that I like is that we all know what the thingy is. LOL Also thanks for the HTH explaination. I guess one of these days I will get it all. I usually visit the C&D forum. I am going to Micheals tody and see if they have a "Thingy" but I gurss that I will have to describe it to them. LOL Mary Ann

Oh you have to have the punch thingy LOL I have one and boy oh boy I dont know how or WHY I ever punched without it hehee well worth the cost but I waited till I had a 40% off coupon from Michaels *G*

a couple of drops of undo will unstick your punches

I have TONS of punchers but I really don't know HOW or WHY to use them on a page! I have been scrapping for years and I feel like I am missing out on something! Help!

There are at least two kinds of punch thingy's LOL One of them is called a Power Punch, and is supposed to be a great addition for punches, and helps to punch problem punches. I can't remember what the name of the other one is right now, LOL
As for what to do with your punches, I like punched mats and they are VERY easy to do. Take a piece of cardstock and make it larger than the photo by at least an inch on all sides. Then if you have a border punch, use it in the middle of each side of the mat (unless it's going to look ugly upside down), if so then just use it on the bottom middle of the mat. Next use a punch on each corner of the mat with a punch that matches the photo, (for example if the photo is of a dog, then you could use the paw print punch on each corner, and the house border on the bottom middle) then use a corner rounder on each corner. This makes very pretty mats, and only takes seconds. Also do a search on punchart, on ebay or with a search engine, and you will see LOTS of samples of how to use your punches. Love Penny