Category Archives: Tools

Tool Time – Glue

Posted on January 25, 2012 by zindorf| 10 Comments

Hi There,

Today’s post is a little stamping/paper crafting tool time tip.

Adhesive is very important to us paper crafters, right? Really, what would be do without it? I cannot remember a project that I put together without it.

I’m asked frequently what kind of adhesive I use, well I have found my favorite adhesive to be the Tombo Mono Multi Liquid Glue that comes in the little green bottle, Stampin’ Up! item number 110755, $3.95. I use to use the Snail Adhesive/tape runner for everything, but I had a problem with getting my paper layers straight when I would stick them together, probably operator error, lol. But when I tried the Tombo Liquid Glue I was in heaven because it gives you a moment to shift your layers right where you want them by sliding them. Also, you will not see any warping of your paper and your projects will not fall apart. The glue bottle has a large (bottom) and small (top) applicator tip. I always use the small one.

Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with other adhesives, this is just my preference. I’m just saying. . . . . . . .. .

See below how little of the glue is needed. All you need is the thinnest of lines of glue 1/4″ in from the edge and your project will be stuck together like glue, lol, ya know I had to say it, grin. Also, this glue goes a long, long way and is very cost effective.

Now at my workshops I find the smartest stampers. They always have great tips to share. Here is one from my Dayton workshops recently: Keep a small candle holder on your desk and turn your glue bottle upside down in the candle holder and the glue will remain at the tip right where you need it for the next application. No shaking the bottle to get it to go to the tip when you are using it. This saves a bit of time. Note: when you finish creating for the day you will want to put the cap back on the bottle. This was one idea that when I heard it I had to say DUHHHH! Why didn’t I think of that, lol.

Before closing for today here is a couple friendly reminders so you don’t miss out:

Stampin’ Up! Sale-a-bration sales period runs from January 24 – March 31, 2012. During this sales period you will receive your choice of a free stamp set from the Sale-a-bration catalog for every $50 in product you order. CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THIS YEAR’S SALE-A-BRATION CATALOG! You won’t want to miss out on the sale-a-bration sets, paper and embellishments.

Don’t miss out on my Customer free stamp set program. Check it out! Along with a thank you card from me for your order you will receive a token for each $50 in product you order using me as your demonstrator. After you have collected 10 tokens you will receive a free current stamp set of your choosing, a value of $39 or less. Here is a link to my online shopping page that you can shop at 24/7 (from the comfort of your home, even in your pj’s) and the products will be shipped directly to your door step from Stampin’ Up: CLICK HERE TO SHOP. My free stamp set program will be an on going program.

Don’t forget the Stampin’ Up! new Occasions Mini Catalog CLICK HERE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I know you will fall in love with the new stamp sets, dies and accessories. They are to die for. . .

May your day be filled to the brim with excitement!

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

Hugs,

Get ready for Brayer and Direct to Paper Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

Dayton, Ohio – Brayer Workshops

Austin, Texas

Seattle, Washington

Greeneville, Tennessee

Indianapolis, Indiana

Indiana, Pennsylvania

Sparta, New Jersey (Sold Out)

Piedmont, Alabama

Post Falls, Idaho (outside of Coeurd’Alene)

Sand Lake, Michigan (just North of Grand Rapids)

Lawrence, Kansas

Elizabethtown, Kentucky

West Bend, Wisconsin

Longmont (Gunbarrel), Colorado

Orange, Massachusetts

Sacramento, California

Staley, North Carolina

Here is a link to my workshop calendar where you can see all of my travel schedule and to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops, along with the newly added Direct to Paper Workshop: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar

Don’t see a workshop in your State? Interested in hosting the workshops in your area Click HERE to get hostess information.

Link to my Stampin’ Up website where you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net

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Posted in Tools

Tagged Michelle Zindorf, rubber stamping, Stampin' Up

Tool Time – Mat Pack & Piercing Tool

Posted on March 24, 2011 by zindorf| 18 Comments

I love my mat pack (Stampin’ Up item number 105826) and piercing tool (Stampin’ Up item number 116631). I’ve used them so much so I thought I would do a little tool time segment on them.

The mat pack comes with a self healing mat, foam mat and paper piercing template. The template is priceless. It keeps those pierced rows of holes in your card stock on the straight and narrow.

To make a row of pierced holes, put the foam mat on the self healing mat. Place your card stock on top of the mats and then just line the template up and poke the piercing tool in the holes on the template.

There is a set of holes on the template that are close together and then another set that are further apart.

There are holes in the template that can be used with a marker to create dots in a row.

The large holes in the template are really to be used lining eyelets up straight. There are holes that for the smaller eyelets and larger holes for the large eyelets.

Add a white gel pen to make faux stitching with your pierced holes. Just make a dash in between the pierced holes.

I know there are many uses for these handy tools. If you want to share your unique use, please share it below in the comments section.

That’s all for today.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

Syracuse (Bridgeport), New York

St. Peters, Missouri

La Porte, Indiana

Orlando (Davenport), Florida

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ottumwa, Iowa

Owings Mills, Maryland (Baltimore Area)

Cleveland (Euclid), Ohio

Staley , North Carolina (South of Greensboro)

Monroe, Connecticut

Dayton, Ohio

Leesburg, Florida

Montreal, Wisconsin

Savannah, Georgia

Lincoln, Illinois

Jefferson, Louisiana (New Orleans Area)

Here is a link to my workshop calendar where you can see all of my travel schedule and to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar

Don’t see a workshop in your State? Interested in hosting the workshops in your area in 2012? Click HERE to get hostess information.

Link to my Stampin’ Up website where you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net

Link to my Scentsy website where you can order the best smelling, safest wickless candles from me 24-7: https://zindorf.scentsy.us/Home

Donate cards to the Give Thanks Project and help out Cancer Patients. CLICK HERE TO HELP

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Posted in Tools, Uncategorized

Tool Tip – Ink Pads – Storage By Color

Posted on February 17, 2011 by zindorf| 29 Comments

How do you store your ink pads, by color?

Since I generally like to select a couple different colors at one time from the same color family, Blues for instance, I store my ink pads by color family. All my blues from dark to light etc.

This makes selecting a light tone, medium tone and dark tone of the same color very quick and easy. Besides it is very inspirational looking at the colors lined up in this manner.

The rack I am using is the Stampin’ Up Color Caddy (item #104335) with the extender kit (item #107063). It holds all of my inks and my reinkers on top. You can find these items on page 193 of the 2010/2011 Idea book and catalog.

Below is a picture of the other color families and how I have them organized.

I hope you have found this tool tip useful. I would love to hear how you store your ink pads and so would many of the readers here. So let’s hear from you in the comment section.

One more tip for today, if you are looking for one of my past card tutorials, click the link at the top of my blog named, you got it, TUTORIALS. This will take you to a page with thumbnail size pictures of the cards, click on the card pic and you will be taken to that tutorial. No need to look back through my posts to find something.

Until my next post. . . . .

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

Houston, Texas

Wichita, Kansas

Syracuse (Bridgeport), New York

St. Peters, Missouri

La Porte, Indiana

Orlando (Davenport), Florida

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Ottumwa, Iowa

Owings Mills, Maryland (Baltimore Area)

Cleveland (Euclid), Ohio

Staley , North Carolina (South of Greensboro)

Monroe, Connecticut

Leesburg, Florida

Montreal, Wisconsin

Savannah, Georgia

Lincoln, Illinois

Jefferson, Louisiana (New Orleans Area)

Don’t see a workshop in your State? Interested in hosting the workshops in your area in 2012? Click HERE to get hostess information.

Link to my Stampin’ Up website where you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net

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Posted in Tools

Tagged card making, rubber stamping

Tool Time – Stampin’ Up! Clear Mount Stamps

Posted on August 12, 2010 by zindorf| 4 Comments

Have you checked out the Clear Mount Stamps from Stampin’ Up? Now I said “Clear Mount” not “Clear Stamps”. These stamps are the same quality Red Rubber Stamps that we have come to expect from Stampin’ Up. They are just made to be used with a clear block instead permanent wood blocks. They are also a bit less in cost. They come in DVD size storage boxes, awesome! I can store 2 of these sets in the same space that it takes to store one wood mount set in. Think, double your stamp storage. You could have double the stamps without your husband catching on, lol.

Now, I haven’t converted over to all clear mounted stamps. I am just getting the feel for them. This is actually the first set that I have put together. I know, where have I been?

Anyhow, I put this post together so you can see how they go together. Check it out!

I’m going to take you through the process of mounting the upper left hand corner stamp. It says Happy Halloween. When you get your stamps they will be in a sheet. You will punch out the stamp you want to use.

See it has a paper backing. Peel that off.

Now you can see these stamps already have a great foam backing. No added prep work or expense for you.

This is the sticker sheet.

Peel the paper backing off of the image you are using. There is a slit in the middle of the paper backing on each sticker to make this easy.

Leave it on the sheet, just take the backing off.

Line your stamp up to the outline on the sticker sheet and press firmly.

Lift the stamp up and your sticker is mounted perfectly on the back of the stamp. This side is what sticks to the acrylic blocks. When you go to stamp it you can see the image through the block so you know just where it is going to stamp. Love that!

The stamps stick to the inside of the case that they come into. When the case is closed you can see the images through the back of the case also.

Now about the clear blocks, you can purchase them from Stampin’ Up! singly, or in a set. Stampin’ Up also sells this awesome case to store your blocks in.

Now I’m off to play with my new set of stamps.

Hugs for now,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to the following locations, click the location name for more information.

Venice, Florida

Grinnell, Iowa

Piedmont, Alabama (Near GA border close to Cedartown)

Auburn, Washington (near Seattle)

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Savannah, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

Milton, West Virginia

Soledad, California

Fayette, Tennessee near Nashville, TN & Huntsville, AL

Tucson, Arizona

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Houston, Texas

Wichita, Kansas

Syracuse (Bridgeport), New York

St. Peters, Missouri

La Porte, Indiana

Orlando (Davenport), Florida

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Cleveland (Euclid), Ohio

Link to my Stampin’ Up website where you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net

Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/

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Posted in Tools

Tool Time – Coloring Ribbon

Posted on May 26, 2010 by zindorf| 6 Comments

This is a quick tool time tip.

If you don’t have ribbon that is just the right color to match your project. Take Whisper White Ribbon and sponge ink on it to match your project. I like to use Classic Dye Ink for this. It dries quickly.

Click HERE for other Tool Time Tips.

Hugs!

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

St. Cloud, Minnesota (1 spot available)

Rockville, Maryland

North Chili, New York (near Rochester)

Kenova (Huntington), West Virginia

Helena, Montana

Middleburg Heights, Ohio (Sold Out)

Venice, Florida

Grinnell, Iowa

Piedmont, Alabama (Near GA border close to Cedartown)

Auburn, Washington (near Seattle)

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Savannah, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

Soledad, California

Link to my Stampin’ Up website where you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net

Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/

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Posted in Tools

Tool Time – Organizing and Keeping Sponges for Each Ink Color

Posted on January 28, 2010 by zindorf| 66 Comments

Today I have a little Tool Time segment for you on sponge organization. I gave up along time ago trying to keep a sponge for each color of ink I have, until I seen this cute and quick idea. I am not sure who to give credit to since I have heard this idea from a few different sources. But it is such a good idea I thought I would try it and share it with you.

Supplies:

Stampin’ Up! Sponges, Item #101610 – cut into wedges

Stampin’ Up! Round Tab Punch, Item #108340

A scrap of each color of card stock that matches your ink colors. If you don’t have colored card stock to match your ink colors, smear ink on white card stock.

Stapler

Stampin’ Up has card stock that matches all of their ink colors, so using the Stampin’ Up! tab punch, punched one tab out of each color card stock that I have in ink. Pardon me, but I have them all, lol. By the way, so should you. I know I am an enabler, I hear that often.

Next fold the tab over a wedge of sponge and staple it. The colored tab not only lets you quickly identify the ink color that the sponge is designated for, but also gives you something to hold onto when sponging.

I have this plastic container that has dividers in it. I found it to be perfect to store my sponges.

This little project only took me about 30 minutes to throw together and will hopefully save me a bit of time and money.

I hope you enjoyed this little Tool Time segment. Let me hear from you in the comments section if you have great craft organization tips to share.

May your day be filled with lots of belly laughs.

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

Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

Monroe, Louisiana (just a couple of seats left)

Jacksonville, Florida

St. Louis, Missouri

Mechanicsville, Virginia

Raleigh, North Carolina

Colleyville, Texas

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland

North Chili, New York (near Rochester)

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Kenova (Huntington), West Virginia

Helena, Montana

Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Venice, Florida

Grinnell, Iowa

Piedmont, Alabama (Near GA border close to Cedartown)

Auburn, Washington (near Seattle)

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Savannah, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

North Liberty, Indiana

Saledad, California

Link to my Stampin’ Up website where you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net

Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/

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Posted in Tools

Tool Time – Stamp-a-ma-jig

Posted on December 1, 2009 by zindorf| 16 Comments

In this little tool time post, I am going to demonstrate how to use a Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin’ Up! item number 101049, $11.95. This little tool has saved me from trashing many a project. I do not stamp a sentiment any more without using this tool. The Stamp-a-ma-jig helps you to stamp right where you want to on your project. There is nothing worse than putting together a great scene and then go an stamp a crooked sentiment on it. This tool will keep you from doing that. Gotta love it. The Stamp-a-ma-jig comes with the plastic sheet and the handle.

As you see above in the picture, my Stamp-a-ma-jig has seen lots and lots of use and the clear plastic sheet does get stained over time. This is one of the tools I keep within reaching distance on my desk. So I feel it is a tool worthy of a tool time post.

What I am stamping is for demonstration purposes only. I picked a piece of colored card stock and drew a straight line across just so you could see it well in the demonstration. You do not need to draw a line on your projects.

Let’s get started. . . . . . . .

You take the plastic sheet that comes with the Stamp-a-ma-jig handle and put it against the handle as shown below. Make sure it is against the handle on the left side and the bottom.

Take your stamp and load it with ink and then place it against the handle on the left and bottom and then lower it down to the plastic.

Lift the stamp up and you will see you have the image now stamped the the clear plastic.

Take the clear plastic and put it on your project so the image is where you want it to be.

Hold the plastic in that position with one hand the put the handle against the plastic with the other hand. Make sure the plastic is against the handle at the left and bottom. Do this by moving the handle, not the plastic.

Hold the handle in place and remove the plastic. Put the stamp against the handle so it is against the left and bottom then lower down to the card stock and stamp your image.

You can get really precise with stamping your images with this tool. See I stamped the tree right on the line I had drawn. See it’s a miracle! My tree isn’t leaning to one side or anything, lol.

Now to stamp a sentiment over the tree.

Wipe the tree image off of the plastic sheet.

Line the plastic sheet up against the left and bottom of the handle. Ink your stamp and lower your stamp down to the plastic sheet while your stamp is against the left and bottom of the handle.

Now you have your image on the plastic sheet.

Take the plastic sheet and and put it over you project. Move it around until you find just where you want your image to be.

Hold the plastic piece in place and line the handle up against the bottom and left side of the plastic.

Remove the plastic without moving the handle. Lower your stamp down on the handle so it is against the left and bottom of the handle, then lower it onto the card stock and make your impression.

There is my sentiment, right where I wanted it.

The Stamp-a-ma-jig, just like my hero, Martha would say “It’s a good thing”.

The sun is shining and it is going to reach 50 degrees here in Ohio today. With all the traveling I have been doing I have yet to do my Autumn clean up in my gardens, so off I go to work outside.

May you also feel the warmth of the sun on your face today.

Huge Hugs,

Michelle

Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:

2010

Dayton, Ohio at Marco Paper

Phoenix, Arizona

Monroe, Louisiana

Jacksonville, Florida

St. Louis, Missouri

Mechanicsville, Virginia

Raleigh, North Carolina

Colleyville, Texas

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Boise area of Meridian, Idaho

Riverside, California (Southern California)

Salem, Oregon

Wheaton, Illinois

St. Cloud, Minnesota

Rockville, Maryland

North Chili, New York (near Rochester)

New Johnsonville, Tennessee

Kenova (Huntington), West Virginia

Helena, Montana

Middleburg Heights, Ohio

Venice, Florida

Grinnell, Iowa

Piedmont, Alabama (Near GA border close to Cedartown)

Auburn, Washington (near Seattle)

Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Savannah, Georgia

Atlanta, Georgia

Saledad, California

Link to my Stampin’ Up website where you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net

Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/

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Posted in Tools

Tagged Michelle Zindorf, Rubber Stamping Tutorial, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Stampin' Up, Stamping Tools