I haven’t posted a tool related post lately and this one is also a cry for help, lol.  I use a foam pad to stamp on and it is in horrible shape.   I have a really hard time stamping on a hard surface.  I found this burgundy colored foam mat (looks bad I know) at Michael’s about 100 years ago.  I’m exaggerating now, about 5 years ago and have beat it up pretty bad and it is in need of replacing.  It was actually package as a Rubber Stamping mat and measures 11″ x 16″ x 1/4″.  All I can find for replacement is a piece of fun foam (black piece in pic) that is only about 1/3 the thickness, big difference!  I thought about stacking them, but I would rather just find a source for the thicker one.

If you don’t use a foam mat to stamp on, you are probably wondering what the heck difference does it make.  Big difference to me.  The give in the mat really helps to make a good impression with your stamp with no missing sections.  I have the mat under my card stock when I brayer too.   Anyone else use one?  I can’t be the only one.  Although after searching for a replacement I may be the only one.  I Can’t find one anywhere!

Here is where you can help me.    Do you have a source?  Let me know in the comment section below so everyone can check it out, please I’m begging you.  Wow, this crazy stamper is sounding a little desperate this morning, lol. 

Hope your day is filled with good impression!

Until my next post. .. . . . . . . .

Michelle

My post today is not very exciting, but I have received so many questions as to what kind of sponges I use in my tutorials that I thought it warranted a posting.

I use to be caught up in using Stampin’ Up sponges, but after much frustration and money, I threw them all away, YIKES!  Stampin’ Up sponges are wonderful, but trying to keep track of one more thing in my life, and sponges at that, was just not worth it to me.

My solution was the Dollar Tree, Dollar Store.  Here is a link to see if you have one near you:  http://www.dollartree.com/index.cfm

Anyway, as you see in the picture, I spend $1 on 14 sponges that are 4.5″ by 3″.  They are called Scrub Buddies.  The sponges in the bag are both blue and red.

Because they are so economical, I cut a small chunk off of one and use it and throw it away upon project completion.  I’m sure any soft foam sponge will work in the same manner.

Well, there it is, I’m keeping it real, sharing my sponge secret with you, lol.

Please share with us your sponge finds and storage solutions by posting a comment here.  You may have just the solution someone else is looking for and sharing is good. 

Until tomorrow. . . . . . . .

First of all, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone that comes to visit my little blog.  I’m amazed at how kind and supportive everyone has been with their comments.  This week my blog counter, in the less than 2 months, has reached 40,000 amazing! 

Here is yet another little glimpse at my craft-room. This is how I store my punches.  They seem rather neglected of late.  I may have to get them out to play soon.

I use an over the door shoe holder that I purchased from Wal-mart.  Thrifty solution, I think.  I use to have them in drawers and would have to rummage through them to find the one I needed.  Now, thanks to the see through netting on the shoe holder, I can clearly see them.  I do need to reorganize them and put the small punches on the top and the largest on the bottom.  It would be easier to see the smaller ones that way, don’t you think? 

This holder was also a good solution to use for me since I have very little wall space available.  The door is usually open and they are hidden away behind the door.

I would be interested and so would other readers as to how you store your punches.  So, please leave a comment and let us all know.  A link to a photo would even be better if you have it.

Have a super day!

Until tomorrow. . . . . . . .