Archive for the 'Tools' Category

Aug 14 2008

Tool Time - Embossing Powder

Published by zindorf under Tools

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I’m posting a bit late today.  You see, I’m a Virgo and my mind will absolutely not function in an unorganized workspace.   So when I woke this morning and look around at my craft-room it was very apparent I had to spend the morning organizing new purchases, putting away items used and give the area a really good dusting.

So after straightening up there was no time for a tutorial so today I am going to talk about one of my all time favorite tools, Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder.  :)

If you have read a few of my tutorials you know that I use a lot of Fine Detail Clear Embossing Powder.  It is one of three items that I keep within arms reach at all times when I am stamping.  The other two are my heat gun and my brayer.  I know you are all shocked, lol.

I get my fine detail clear embossing powder from Stampin’ Up and I have also used other brands that I have picked up here and there from craft stores.  I’ve not run into any that have not worked well.  As long as it says “fine detail” on the container I believe it will work great.  If you get clear embossing powder that is not fine detail it will look like crystals and will not work as well with intricate designed stamps.

I use clear embossing powder so I can stamp with any color of ink, apply the clear embossing powder and it becomes the color of the ink.  I don’t have to have a bunch of different colors of embossing powder hanging around.  If you are using dye based inks you will need to load Versamark on your stamp, then load the stamp with ink before stamping.  The Versamark will give the embossing powder something to hold onto.  If you are using pigment ink, it is wetter and the Versamark is not necessary.

I store my fine detail clear embossing powder in a sandwich sized plastic container so I don’t have to use any other tools and try to put in back in the very tiny container that it comes in.  I just keep an old spoon in the sandwich sized plastic container with the embossing powder and I’m ready to use it.

Well there you have it my two cents on Clear Embossing Powder. 

There was a couple of questions posted to me that I wanted to answer today also.  

Do you get ink on your hands?  Do you have trouble getting it off and if so, do you use a special cleaner to get it off?

Well let me answer by saying a big YES, I do get ink on my hands.  :)  It is a rare day when I don’t have ink stains on my hands.  It is my badge of honor as an artist and it is small price to pay for all of the joy stamping has given me.

I don’t use a special cleaner and since I work with all dye based inks, I go around with ink on my hands until it wears off.  It usually only takes about 4 hand washings before it is not noticeable.  I don’t like wearing fingernail polish because it will definitely stick to that and never come off.

Get the picture, I’m not very glamorous, lol.

Well that is all for today.

May your day be one that is overflowing with Joy and Creativity!

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

Hugs,

Michelle

39 responses so far

Aug 06 2008

Tool Time - Red Rubber Stamp Sheets

Published by zindorf under Tools

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Today’s post will help take some of the mystery out of buying Deeply etch red rubber stamps, such as this sheet from Innovative Stamp Creations “Friendship”.

When you get your stamp sheet it will look like the picture above.    I cut mine out and cut them very closely to the design.

After they are all cut out I paint Aleene’s Tack it over and over on the back sides of the stamps and let dry for about an hour.  It doesn’t take much of this glue.  The glue goes on white in color but dries clear and is tacky to touch and stays that way.  The tackiness lets you stick the stamp to your acrylic block over and over.

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Next, I stick the stamps to a clear transparency sheet.

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I put the transparency sheet with the stamps on it and the index sheet that came with the stamps in a large plastic store bag.  I write the name on the top of the bag with a
Sharpie Marker. 

Note:  A copy of the index sheet also goes in my stamp binder for easy viewing and selection.

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The Baggie then gets stored away standing up right in a box, sorted by manufacturer.  It is very easy to look through them to find what I need.  They also take very little room to store, love it! 

I found that no foam pad is necessary with these good quality, deeply etched red rubber stamps to get a good stamped image.

Here is the link to Innovative Stamp Creations store:  http://www.innovativestampcreations.com/ischomepage.html

There are definitely a million ways to store stamps out there.  I just wanted to share my storage and prep solution with you.   Hope this took a little of the mystery out of buying red rubber stamp sheets.

May your day be filled with good impressions!

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

Hugs,

Michelle

33 responses so far

May 29 2008

Tool Time - Rubber Stamping Mat

Published by zindorf under Tools

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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.

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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

62 responses so far

Apr 23 2008

Tool Time - Sponges

Published by zindorf under Tools, Uncategorized

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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. . . . . . . .

28 responses so far

Apr 04 2008

A Glimpse Into My World - Part IV

Published by zindorf under Tips, Tools

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! 

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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.

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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. . . . . . . . 

16 responses so far

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