Artsy Inkers
Stamping/Crafting Fests! => Older Fests => AIR 2017- July 15-23 => Topic started by: Iring on July 16, 2017, 10:22:27 PM
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This will be an informal chat (you don't have to both leave a tip and ask for one if you don't have both at the same time).
I decided to start this thread after discovering/vaguely remembering something yesterday.
How to unsticky your stamp positioner or acrylic block?
Olive oil! O0
I was lazy and used double stick tape to attach an unmounted stamp to my stamp positioner ... then I couldn't get it completely off. I used Dawn dish detergent, Citrus spray cleaner, rubbing alcohol, elbow grease, ha! There was still sticky residue left. Then I remembered hearing oil could remove sticky stuff. I don't have baby oil so I used olive oil and it worked like a champ. A little olive oil on a paper towel took it right off. Then I just went over it with a little dish detergent so it wouldn't be oily.
The tip I could use is :
Do you have a favorite vellum adhesive? I haven't used vellum in awhile (until tonight) and I can never remember which adhesives work well without showing through. I ended up using Scotch Quick Dry liquid adhesive because I could hide it behind some stamping (butterfly body).
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Good thread idea!
Especially since I have two acrylic blocks with double stick tape stuck on them. I am lazy with unmounted stamps too. I will give it a try.
I usually use glue dots behind some stamping when I adhere vellum. I have never tried any of the vellum ahesives.
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Thanks for the oil tip. I have some very messy acrylic blocks with sticky tape, so I will try this!
I use my double sided tape runner on my vellum and you usually can't see it behind vellum because it is light weight.
Here is a tip I did today on my cat card. I had stamped the saying in red and then I went back with a red marking to go over a letter and saw that my hand had smudged the ink a little. I think because it stayed juicier since it is near 90 in my craft room! So I dabbed red ink very lightly over the whole saying and it looks distressed now.
April :smile:
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April,
Great idea to make your smudge look intentional! It fits the background stamping too.
I will have to try my tape runners on vellum. I just couldn't remember if there was one brand that was better than another. Last night guess what popped up on Pinterest? A method of adhering vellum by pouncing the back with a sponge dipped in Tombow mono liquid adhesive. I haven't tried it yet though ... not everything on Pinterest works as advertised.
I used a Tombow mono sand ink eraser to clean up more than one smudge when I was making Christmas cards! I needed to do some trimming on my TH cling stamps.
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Here is a tip I did today on my cat card. I had stamped the saying in red and then I went back with a red marking to go over a letter and saw that my hand had smudged the ink a little. I think because it stayed juicier since it is near 90 in my craft room! So I dabbed red ink very lightly over the whole saying and it looks distressed now.
April :smile:
Good idea!
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The Tombow mono sand eraser is wonderful. I had never heard of it until Jennifer McQuire used one in a video I watched not too long ago, so of course since it was Jennifer I ordered one and love it......I have always had a zyron glue eraser but between the two I can clean up any booboo.....
I also use the double sided tape to stick unmounted rubber stamps to things.....and have some things that it does not come off of easily so I will need to try the olive oil trick....thank you for that tip.....
My tip is if you are using any kind of spray ink you need a box to spray it into, no matter how careful I am it gets all over everything unless I lay the piece in a box, any box big enough and then spray.......I also sometimes lay a nonstick craft mat in the bottom of the box and then pull it out and use the spray it collected on the project or another project....or wait and use it another day cause it takes a while to dry on the craft mat......
When using stencils I have a plastic container that is flatter with some water and some liquid soap mixed in the water and lay the stencil in that as I work and it keeps it from drying out. I use one (https://smile.amazon.com/Sterilite-19638606-Aquarium-Latches-6-Pack/dp/B004QJGW6C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1500315074&sr=8-1&keywords=flat+plastic+storage+containers) of these. Then when I am all done I will take the container with the stencils and go down to the kitchen sink (which is bigger then the bathroom sink) and wash them.
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Great tips, Sadie!
April :smile:
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These are definitely some great tips.
On the vellum question, I usually use glue dots and hide them with embellishments.
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Here is my tip. I think it was April, on another thread, that said to keep things in a clear bag so you don't forget about what is in there. My tip for using up your scraps is to keep them all in a clear bag or box on your workspace and go to that first when you are choosing things for your card. I have been doing this for 6-8 months now and I have significantly reduced my scrap box AND it takes less time to make a card because I have less choices. (For me, a scrap is anything a half sheet or smaller.)
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Thanks everyone for sharing some awesome tips! Keep 'em coming O0
My tip for the day is to use Poster Tape to attach unmounted rubber to your acrylic block or stamp positioner. It can be a little pricey but peels off easily. It just happened that I didn't have it with me when I went for the regular double stick scotch tape and made a mess (should have used glue stick, that's not bad either).
April, clear is key! It helps to see what's in there. I've mentioned in the past that I've watched a lot of Totally Tiffany videos on organization and she often says ziplock bags are a good way to go.
Heidi, hooray for you for using up those scraps! I keep my solid color scraps in a clear pocket that also acts as my divider between colors. So if I'm looking for red, I can go to the front of the red section first ... if I remember, ha!
Sadie, you are absolutely right. I can't spray without a box either, therefore I rarely spray. I make a mess! How do those youtubers do it?!
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Cindi, may I ask what brand of poster tape you use? I would LOVE to try it. I currently use cling foam for my unmounted stamps, but it would be cheaper to skip that!
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Yep, I would like to know about the poster tape too!
I have been trying to get rid of my scraps too. I think it will take me a very long time! LOL!
Here is a tip on storing dies. At first I used a cd case and bought vent covers from the hardware store to put them on and then placed them in the cd case pockets. ( The vent covers are magnetic ). The dies kept falling out and catching on the case, so I went and bought the ART BIN die cases and magnetic sheets. The sheets are sturdier and can hold quite a few dies on them. AC Moore has sales a lot on them and of course you can use your coupons. The case gets heavy, but if you want to take some with you or use some, you just take out a sheet or two to take with you. Also there are little tabs at the top on both sides and that is where I write the names and company of the dies using a fine point sharpie. Some companies want to know the names of the dies you use if you do their challenges. This method has been much easier for me, although it is hard to keep things in categories this way.
April :smile:
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Yes, I've been able to skip the foam on unmounted rubber stamps! Especially on good quality rubber (Purple Onion are nice, deep stamps) I don't miss the foam at all.
To mount the rubber to an acrylic block I just add a strip of tape to the block and then press on the rubber. I usually leave the same strip of tape on my block for that session of stamping and remove it when I put my blocks away. The tape is a little wider than standard scotch tape.
I'm currently out of Poster tape but I think I can use it on my We R stamp positioner as well. It's a good thing to buy at Joann's with a 20-30% off total purchase coupon because it's pricier than regular tape. Here (https://www.amazon.com/109-Wallsaver-Removable-Mounting-Tape/dp/B01N0U9DZQ/ref=pd_sbs_229_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4CSF91CXQ09N622SC3FJ)is a picture of it. Note the 2nd picture, it has a paper liner. It is thin just like double sided scotch tape, but less sticky (one reviewer thought it was more like foam tape, it's not.)
To store my unmounted rubber I add a strip of regular double sided scotch tape, or removable double sided scotch tape to cardstock and put it in an Avery Elle clear stamp pocket. Way back, I stored my unmounted rubber in 3 ring binders. I started out mounting on cling cushion, eventually went to coating the back with Aleene's Tack it Over and Over and they would cling to the hard plastic storage pages. Now I'm cutting up some of those storage pages and putting them in Avery Elle pockets. Lately I don't bother prepping unmounted rubber. I'm really attracted to Sadie's method! So many stamps in a little pocket, yet you can still pull out that laminated card to see what you have! Sadie, does that mean you skip the cataloging? (oops, realizing Sadie's conversation about organizing was in the other chatty thread, it's late, I'm getting my conversations mixed up!_
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April, thanks for the review of the Artbin die storage. You don't know how many times I've stood in the store debating that!
I recently started adding mine to Totally Tiffany ScrapRack pages. I am mid-mess! Some in old storage, some I've moved. I like the fact that they are in pockets, so if they come off the magnet they are still contained. I will probably put them in their own binder, or on binder rings because they might be kind of heavy. Jury is still out on whether I will like this method.
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Asking for a tip. How do you curtail your spending once you have a nice stash of supplies? #>
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Oh boy, that's a tough one!
The only way I've been at least somewhat successful at that is to give it up for Lent! If you can't wait for Lent ... I think one time I gave up craft supply shopping (except for maybe a necessity like adhesive) for 30 days. I can't remember what I called it ... seems like there was a catchy name for it ... I might have read about it or was inspired by a minimalist blog? You can see it has been awhile, because I can't remember much about it! :laughhard:
It also helps me sometimes to think of the time it takes me to shop ... that I could be home stamping instead ...
This could also be a monthly challenge at some point, when we're feeling brave!
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Yes, it is hard!
On that note, I looked for the poster tape at the grocery today and they didn't have it. I Might be going to walmart tomorrow so I will look there.
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Heidi, if you can look for the picture hanging supplies ... like Command hooks, you might find the poster tape there. I think I found it at Joann's back near the framing/hardware stuff.
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I'm going to ask for a tip ...
Has anyone taken an online stamping class that they really liked?
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Let's try this again. I started a response to Heidi's question but the cursor kept disappearing. Stupid new Microsoft Edge web browser.
So to curb my shopping, I've done a self imposed challenge where I had to post 50 new card projects on my blog before I was allowed to buy any more craft supplies. The only exception being if I actually ran out of something like adhesive. The benefit of this method is that it serves as an incentive to get crafting and use the stuff you have.
I also just avoid going online and looking as stamps, especially new releases. If I don't see it, I won't want it.
Sorry, Cindi, I've never taken an online class, so I can't help you there.
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I'm going to ask for a tip ...
Has anyone taken an online stamping class that they really liked?
I have taken classes I liked, but not that I thought were worth the money. At least not lately. The problem is that they teach techniques I already knew, or specific projects, for at least some of the classes. I would consider a coloring class. People seem to really like the Kit and Clouder ones.
Stamping classes I have taken have been on Craftsy and Online Card Classes. There are a couple free ones on craftsy.
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Let's try this again. I started a response to Heidi's question but the cursor kept disappearing. Stupid new Microsoft Edge web browser.
So to curb my shopping, I've done a self imposed challenge where I had to post 50 new card projects on my blog before I was allowed to buy any more craft supplies. The only exception being if I actually ran out of something like adhesive. The benefit of this method is that it serves as an incentive to get crafting and use the stuff you have.
I also just avoid going online and looking as stamps, especially new releases. If I don't see it, I won't want it.
Sorry, Cindi, I've never taken an online class, so I can't help you there.
That is a good way to do it. Self imposed challenges sound easier than not browsing new products!
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I'm going to ask for a tip ...
Has anyone taken an online stamping class that they really liked?
I too have taken several online classes but find they are not advanced enough or focus on specific projects. One Craftsy class title defines itself as new techniques...but out of 25 I found 1 new one and the old ones were really old! I asked for my money back and I must say Craftsy was very prompt and friendly about the refund. I have taken several freebies and they have been fun. I wish they would add some new advanced classes!
One class series that stands out as far superior than others is Tim Holtz's Creative Chemistry 101 and 102. He does a wonderful job of explaining the interaction of Ranger products. Learning how Ranger products play together or don't provided me with helpful information so I could more successfully mix products on a single card. I have many Ranger products so this was most helpful. I would suggest looking at the class outlines to see what products are his focus is in each class. I took 103 and it was also good but not wanting all the products made it not as valuable for me as the 1st 2 classes. I enjoyed reading the questions from classmates and Tim's responses which provided additional learning. He would only respond to questions about Ranger products since he doesn't use other products. This is one class that I return to for refreshing my memory.
Sure wish their were some other great classes. We have a great springtime convention in Akron similar to what April has attended which I attended many years ago and enjoyed the classes...hope I can attend next year.
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I have also found that classes don't teach advanced things. I know most of them because I find things on you tube a lot and learn on line. The classes I took at the last show were fun, but I knew how to do it all. I did learn one new thing. But it was fun to play and make cards and I did get free products from each class.
April :smile:
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I have also found that classes don't teach advanced things. I know most of them because I find things on you tube a lot and learn on line. The classes I took at the last show were fun, but I knew how to do it all. I did learn one new thing. But it was fun to play and make cards and I did get free products from each class.
April :smile:
I am glad I am not the only one to feel that way. In person classes sound like the way to go. I would like to take an Art. Impressions watercolor one in person.
Jan, that is good to hear the creative chemistry class is worthwhile..
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Thank you for the valuable feedback! I think I will look again at my (not so) local scrapbook store for in person classes.
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To curb my craft spending, I just look for very unique products or stamps that are different. At the show that I just went to, I saw these little windows you can get that when you pull a tab on the side it moves the lines and it looks like your stamp is moving. I bought little things to put in shaker cards that I have not seen before. I am limiting dies if they look similar to others I already have and the same with stencils. I have so many great things to use already that I need to just use them! LOL!
April :smile:
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To curb my craft spending, I just look for very unique products or stamps that are different. At the show that I just went to, I saw these little windows you can get that when you pull a tab on the side it moves the lines and it looks like your stamp is moving. I bought little things to put in shaker cards that I have not seen before. I am limiting dies if they look similar to others I already have and the same with stencils. I have so many great things to use already that I need to just use them! LOL!
April :smile:
Good tip!