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Post by babylou on May 12, 2023 0:37:57 GMT
Unfortunately I got this message from the website when I entered my zip code to check availability: We're sorry but this item is not currently available for this location.I wonder which locations is it available for? It's not like I live out in the middle of nowhere or something...? I got the same message and I'm in Iowa and they are in Wisconsin. So...maybe they are just out in general. |
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Shakti
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Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on May 12, 2023 0:51:19 GMT
I finally remembered...I got a similar message that didn't make sense from some other website. IIRC, it was an item they don't fulfill themselves, so it won't show as "out of stock" because it's never really "in stock". Something like that, I think.
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Shakti
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Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Jul 15, 2023 17:05:20 GMT
I find myself full of new random questions, so I'm going to try to bump this thread.
I know adhesive is largely a matter of personal preference. Some folks prefer liquid adhesive for all applications, others prefer an adhesive runner whenever it can be used, and among the runner folks, there are mixed opinions on permanent/solid vs. the dotted or briefly repositionable styles. My first random question is if one has decided that dotted runners are the way to go, is there a reason to keep a solid/permanent runner around?
My second question is about die brushes. I have the SU one because as near as I could tell, the differences between them seemed mostly about how stylish they looked, which didn't really matter to me. I'm now not exactly thrilled with how well it works, but I don't know if that's because none of them work perfectly or because this one's not very good. Anybody have experience with more than one brand and can give some insight?
TIA.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
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Post by pinklady on Jul 15, 2023 17:32:39 GMT
Shakti when you say die brush, are you referring to this tool? spellbinderspaperarts.com/products/tool-n-one-white?_pos=1&_sid=418571db7&_ss=rIf so, I will say I get the best results when I lay my die cut card piece on a soft towel and run the tool over it. Most of the bits come out easily. I also have pretty good luck running it over a metal die (over the trash can) and cleaning out most of the bits in the die but I still have to use a poker tool on some that are really stuck. I’ve only used the old blue spellbinders version.
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Post by MichyM on Jul 15, 2023 17:57:20 GMT
Regarding the adhesive thing. After almost 18 months of cardmaking, over the last month or two I'm finding myself using liquid adhesive for almost everything now. When I use a tape runner, I 100% prefer the dots over the solid. It's just so much cleaner to use. I don't have any tape runners that are the "solid" kind any more, and don't miss them or wish I had one a single bit. Of course I discovered my love for using just liquid adhesive just after I stocked up on 10 large tape runner refills. I swear my life is ruled by Murphy and his laws  |
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Jul 15, 2023 18:28:09 GMT
I am in a similar boat, MichyM, where I discovered dotted runners shortly after stocking up on solid refills. But I think I can think of ways to use them up -- I just wondered if it would then happen in reverse. You know, finally use up all the solid refills and immediately find some purpose where they were necessary. |
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Shakti
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Oct 30, 2022 23:42:30 GMT
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Post by Shakti on Jul 15, 2023 18:30:55 GMT
Thanks, pinklady. Holding my SU brush up to the picture of the SB one, it looks like SB might have a denser bristle head, but it's hard to tell. Still hoping someone who's tried more than one brand stops by.... |
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buttercup
Shy Member
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May 8, 2022 19:09:24 GMT
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Post by buttercup on Jul 15, 2023 21:42:55 GMT
Tombow’s solid runner is my go-to adhesive. And yet it always annoys me that I get a little ball of adhesive if I haven’t held the runner perfectly flat. I scrape those off before I stick my paper or cardstock down so I don’t end up with a visible lump. I don’t know why I haven’t tried a dotted runner instead. It sounds like they don’t have that problem at all. Of course I have a dozen solid refill cartridges from my last stock-up buy.  I’m way too cheap thrifty not to use them. I bought a bottle of Bearly Art glue not that long ago. I really like the super fine tip with it. And having some wiggle time to tweak placement has been great. No advice on the die brush. For any pieces that don’t pop out, I gently tap my dies on my desk and then use a pokey tool for the rest. |
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Post by babylou on Jul 16, 2023 12:43:28 GMT
Thanks, pinklady . Holding my SU brush up to the picture of the SB one, it looks like SB might have a denser bristle head, but it's hard to tell. Still hoping someone who's tried more than one brand stops by.... I have the Tim Holtz one. I bought it cuz everybody was saying how great they are. How much they help. Etc, etc. Yeah, I don't like it. I don't think it works worth a crap. I can get my die and/or my die cut cleaned out faster with my pokey tool. (craft pick). JMO |
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Jul 16, 2023 13:48:11 GMT
Well, maybe I won't rush out and try a second brand.
Next question:
Shaker cards. Yeah, maybe my resistance to them was a little over-stated. I do plan to finish the Spellbinders card from spring C&CD as a shaker card as intended. But I'm wondering about shaker panel adhesives. I have some ancient foam tape in my stash. I'm not sure how thick it is, but it seems "right" -- maybe 2 or 3 mm? But it's about a half inch wide and that seems too wide to me. I'd like something a quarter inch wide, I think. Ordered a roll from OfficeSupply.com, but it's only 1 mm thick, which I don't think is enough.
Any recommendations, either for specific products or just for widths and thicknesses?
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lindas
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Post by lindas on Jul 16, 2023 13:59:17 GMT
Well, maybe I won't rush out and try a second brand. Next question:Shaker cards. Yeah, maybe my resistance to them was a little over-stated. I do plan to finish the Spellbinders card from spring C&CD as a shaker card as intended. But I'm wondering about shaker panel adhesives. I have some ancient foam tape in my stash. I'm not sure how thick it is, but it seems "right" -- maybe 2 or 3 mm? But it's about a half inch wide and that seems too wide to me. I'd like something a quarter inch wide, I think. Ordered a roll from OfficeSupply.com, but it's only 1 mm thick, which I don't think is enough. Any recommendations, either for specific products or just for widths and thicknesses? I like the foam tape from scrapbook.com. It’s 2mm and comes in 1/8” and 1/4” width. |
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azcrafty
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Post by azcrafty on Jul 16, 2023 16:41:40 GMT
Well, maybe I won't rush out and try a second brand. Next question:Shaker cards. Yeah, maybe my resistance to them was a little over-stated. I do plan to finish the Spellbinders card from spring C&CD as a shaker card as intended. But I'm wondering about shaker panel adhesives. I have some ancient foam tape in my stash. I'm not sure how thick it is, but it seems "right" -- maybe 2 or 3 mm? But it's about a half inch wide and that seems too wide to me. I'd like something a quarter inch wide, I think. Ordered a roll from OfficeSupply.com, but it's only 1 mm thick, which I don't think is enough. Any recommendations, either for specific products or just for widths and thicknesses? You can always double or triple up your tape to get the height you want. Cut a long piece and fold the sticky sides together. You can expose one side of sticky and add another layer- for triple. I think your original tape would work great too. In my opinion a good Shaker card has a 4mm foam otherwise the sequins get stuck together and won't move much, but thats me. So I usually use my 2mm and fold it sticky side to sticky and than cut it. Because there is no exposed stickiness you can cut it easily. This way you can cut it to fit the width you need. |
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Jul 17, 2023 11:55:29 GMT
I realized I still had the adhesive foam from the Stamps of Life class, so I thought I'd cut strips of that. Then I remembered that I bought the stylish ovals die set, so I cut a frame of foam exactly the right size! I'm pretty chuffed with myself. Hopefully sharing that will allow me to move on, keep the room set up as an office, and work like I should rather than getting sucked into cutting acetate and assembling the card....
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pinklady
Drama Llama
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Post by pinklady on Jul 17, 2023 16:24:30 GMT
Here's my RQOTD...
How do you decide where and how many bling to put on your cards? I STRUGGLE with this so much. I have tons of gems and confetti but I have a hard time adhering it to the card. I fell like it just looks so random. Any bling tips you care to share?
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Post by MichyM on Jul 17, 2023 16:38:11 GMT
If I use bling, I first decide what I want to highlight with it. Is it the sentiment? The image? I make sure to place the pieces of bling accordingly.
When I place bling, I do so in odd numbers. So on a card I may have 5 pieces of bling. 3 of them grouped together, and two more grouped together. Within the group of 3, I'll make 2 of the blings closer together, and the third one a little farther away. I'll make sure all of 5 the blings are not on the same plane horizontally or vertically.
Clear as mud? If not, I can post a couple of examples if you'd like.
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Jul 17, 2023 17:20:35 GMT
I think looking random is kind of the idea, that's why you try not to line them up too much. I've seen somebody, maybe Daniel West, say you just make a "w" around your sentiment or whatever you're trying to highlight. I do also try to keep in mind where there might be a scooch too much white space and try to make sure some goes there.
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azcrafty
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Post by azcrafty on Jul 17, 2023 18:16:31 GMT
I try to place mine in a triangle 🔺️ around the card. That could be a small triangle of threes- what MichyM explained and than 2 more to create a bigger triangle. I play with the size of the gems too. Small triangle get 3 different sizes and the last 2 usually the middle and the smallest gems. My most used numbers are 3 and 5, but I have all these beautiful gems so I'm thinking to start to use 7 or 9. I saw someone on a video just dropping the amount of gems she wants to use on the card and just glue them where they land. She said she struggled with placements of the gems and this works best for her. Thats too random for me, but might worth the try. |
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Post by kiwikate on Jul 18, 2023 0:08:37 GMT
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Post by joblackford on Jul 18, 2023 3:51:54 GMT
Here's my RQOTD... How do you decide where and how many bling to put on your cards? I STRUGGLE with this so much. I have tons of gems and confetti but I have a hard time adhering it to the card. I fell like it just looks so random. Any bling tips you care to share? I struggle too, perhaps because I don't leave a lot of space on my cards, especially around the sentiment. I usually try to highlight things in a diagonal, preferably from top left to bottom right, which is the way the eye should usually "read" the card, and draw attention to the sentiment. I put the bits close to the sentiment/focal point closer together to each other and space them a little more apart as they get further away. I try to follow the pattern they form with my eyes to see if they draw my eye through the card the way I want it to. I find it much easier to use tiny embellishments. The largest enamel dots are just too big for cards IMO. Watching videos of other people placing embellishments on cards that are similar to your style might help. My best advice is that a finished card always looks better than a card in progress so we tend to be too critical of our own work while we're doing it. I notice where the gems need to go after I take a photo of the card and step away. Looking back at the photo I see that it looks unfinished and go back and add some shiny bits, and even if they don't look quite right to me the card usually looks better once I take another photo. Keep trying! |
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Post by cmpeter on Jul 18, 2023 23:02:44 GMT
Shakers - if I can die cut additional cardstock elements to make my shaker window and layer them together, I will do that. I think it's a nicer over all look, especially from the sides. If not, I double up my foam tape and will cut it into thinner strips if needed.
No advice on the die brush. I have the Spellbinders one but 9 times out of 10, just end up taping the die on my desk and using my pokey tool.
Embellishments - I also use odd numbers. I try to place them so they lead a path to and from the element I want to highlight. Going from larges to smallest. So if coming out from a sentiment, maybe 3 going below and 2 going above (or vice versa depending on how much space I have above/below).
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Jul 22, 2023 14:39:52 GMT
New (very) random question:
When storing polymer stamps in a plastic sleeve/storage pocket with a card stock insert, do you keep both sides of the acetate packaging on the stamps?
I haven't been. It just seemed logical to me. They say you need to condition them because of the manufacturing process, and in addition to special erasers or what have, it's often recommended to just use them with ink on paper. You can usually see some sort of residue on the acetate against the stamping side of the stamp even before you use them, which I figure must be that manufacturing residue. So I always set that piece aside, leave them attached to the acetate with the images that goes on the sticky side of the stamp, and sandwich them between that and the card stock.
But I realized recently that I don't think I've ever seen that method used when watching videos -- all the crafty bloggers seem to peel acetate off both sides of their stamps.
Does anybody else do it my way? Can anybody think of some harm it could be doing?
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GiantsFan
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Post by GiantsFan on Jul 22, 2023 15:10:43 GMT
I use both acetate sheets in the stamp pocket. I'm not sure of any degradation of the photopolymer if it's next to paper long term.
I stopped using cardstock in my stamp pockets. I just use the piece that comes with the stamp set, cut to fit the pocket. I like having the company logo and colors as a sort of visual key when I'm looking for a set. Plus I felt like I was wasting cardstock.
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Post by cmpeter on Jul 22, 2023 16:53:44 GMT
I keep both pieces of acetate and slip it into my stamp pocket. If the brand cardstock/packaging has images or helpful info I slip that into the back of the stamp pocket.
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Aug 3, 2023 18:01:36 GMT
I now have all kinds of crafty organization projects: digging out all the acetate sheets I've set aside, catching up on swatching inks and cataloging items.
New question:
Can you be a hoarder AND a spendthrift at the same time? Maybe they always go together?
Anyway, I'm buying a lot of new things, but I stubbornly hold onto decades-old things too. With the older papers and things like that, I do kind of enjoy the challenge of finding card projects to make with them and then donate.
BUT...I just got a new Cotton Tail powder tool. I should be able to toss my old embossing buddy bag, right? It's completely nutty to be thinking of saving the new powder and filling the brush with powder from the old bag, isn't it?
And if I have a lifetime supply of shammy, the Hero arts scrub block, one of the bigger scrubbers in a hinged holder, and one of the big ones without, at a MINIMUM, the last one is TRASH, right?
And I really should also toss the Altenew tape runner that is technically refillable, except that they don't sell refills without a new dispenser.
I really need to learn to let things go....
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azcrafty
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Post by azcrafty on Aug 3, 2023 20:32:23 GMT
Me too Shakti. I have a lot of things that I know I won't use , but everytime I'm ready to let it go my good friends talks me into keeping it...."you never know when you will want to use it" 🤣😂. I told her to stop doing that. About the emboss buddy. I have the ek tool what I love to use on shaker cards, but I love the bag for bigger surfaces and I feel like I get less powder on the paper and will be easier to clean it up, especially dark cs. |
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lindas
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Post by lindas on Aug 3, 2023 20:42:17 GMT
Add me to the hoarder list of craft stuff. I know the minute it’s gone I’ll want it. I have a ton of old pattern paper, some at least 20 yrs old, but I refuse to get rid of it. Every once in a while I’ll find just the right piece for a card or I’ll use it to make an envelope if it’s not too thin. Another reason I hang on to stuff, my 5 yr old DGS likes to make cards with me and I can give him the old paper and stickers to play with.
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Shakti
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Post by Shakti on Aug 3, 2023 21:49:41 GMT
According to the people who make the brush, bags pick up skin oil over time and become less effective. Obviously, they have a vested interest in convincing you of this.
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azcrafty
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Post by azcrafty on Aug 3, 2023 23:44:24 GMT
According to the people who make the brush, bags pick up skin oil over time and become less effective. Obviously, they have a vested interest in convincing you of this. I use a binder clip on my bag and I'm not touching the bag. I saw this trick on a YT video. |
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Post by scrapperal on Aug 4, 2023 1:20:54 GMT
New question: Can you be a hoarder AND a spendthrift at the same time? Maybe they always go together? Yes, because I remember the days when I couldn't afford to buy much or when Creative Memories was the only game in town. Then the heyday hit, but I still had to be careful with my spending. Now there are very few manufacturers and LSSes are few and far between. So I hoard because there isn't any more Making Memories, SEI, Jillibean Soup, or other favorites. Now that I can afford to indulge in my craft and want to support my SU dealer, erm, supplier, erm, demonstrator, I buy way too much. Also, sale??? I'm there! |
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scrapnnana
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Post by scrapnnana on Aug 4, 2023 2:59:46 GMT
1. Do you precut card bases and card fronts? I do especially if I know I am going to be making a bunch of cards (Christmas, Peas Swap, Online cardmaking events). I just keep them in a large ziploc bag. I don't have hundreds of them so this works for me for now. 2. How small is too small a paper scrap to keep? White CS? Colored CS? Patterned paper? If I like it & think I will use it again I keep it no matter the size. I keep my paper scraps in 12x12 page protectors by color. I have a solid sheet of colored cardstock in the protector and I keep solids on one side & pattern paper on the other. They are kind of raggedy but they do their job. I keep them in a fabric bin inside my ikea cubbies right by my desk so if I need a piece I can easily access it. I dig through them pretty often and try to use my scraps 3. If you use the clear plastic bins (like M-design and I-design) for stamp and or die storage, what have you found works for dividers? I use the plastic folders but down to size like Jennifer McGuire. 4. As your stamp collection grows, how do you remember what you have? I use Evernote. I catalog everything I buy and tag each note so if I am looking for "birthday" sentiments I can just type in birthday and it will show me all the stamps I have tagged with that. I include a picture/screenshot of the stamp/die/stencil, etc so I can see exact sentiments. It's a bear to get started & enter everything in there if you have a lot but I find it pretty easy to keep up with adding new items. I also keep a list of all the inks, markers, sprays I have in there as well. I won’t answer every question, but I’ll do a few. 1. I don’t do my card bases ahead of time. However, I often do card fronts then add them to the card base later. 2. I try to die cut my scraps into shapes. I had kept some pretty small scraps. One day I decided to see how many die cuts I could get out of some of my scraps. I got over 300 die cut banners, flags, shapes, etc., and I hadn’t even made a dent in my scraps. But I have a bunch of die cuts ready for card building now. 3. N/A 4. I have a huge stamp collection, but I have been collecting stamps longer than most. I unmounted all my rubber stamps and turned them into peel and stick stamps. I have them very well organized in zippered binders. Each binder has a tag that lists what category (Christmas, Summer, Outdoors/Camping, etc.). Inside each zippered binder are page protectors. I stamp each image on a white page and put the page inside a page protector. I keep adding images till the page is full. I note the company when I know it, too. Because the stamps are all peel and stick, I stick them to the back of the page protector, right behind the stamped image. I can flip through the pages very fast and see everything in that binder’s category. It’s very easy and quick to find what I want, no matter what I’m looking for. I’m pretty familiar with my stamps once I’ve looked through the binders several times, and I can find what I want fairly fast now. If I can’t remember, I start with the category name and start browsing the appropriate binder(s). I have far too many to remember, so this works well for me. Shaker adhesive: Queen & Co. sells a wonderful glue called Sheer Glue, which stays tacky and adheres to foam, acetate, card stock, etc. I love and use it, but I also use foam tape when making shaker cards. If you use older foam tape, make sure the adhesive is still sticky. Otherwise, your shaker bits may start shaking out. Hoarder and Spendthrift at the same time? Yes. That describes me a bit too well. |
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I’m way too 
