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Post by Restless Spirit on Feb 6, 2015 12:24:19 GMT
 After 4+ years in this house, I am finally setting up a crafting/scrapping room. I'll be using a desk/hutch unit for my work area until I can get something more durable. The desk unit is made of wood (it's from Ashley Furniture), and while not expensive, I really don't want to ruin it! At my old house, I used a 8 ft counter top that sat on 2 small file cabinets. I really liked that setup, but we didn't move it with us. What do you all use to protect your work surface, if anything? Is there some sort of mat I can buy to put down on the desktop or do you use something else? I'll mainly be making tags and cards, if that makes a difference. I'd love to hear your ideas and experiences! TIA |
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Post by woodysbetty on Feb 6, 2015 12:46:02 GMT
I have a 22 x22 quilters cutting mat that I love because it fits a double page layout. I also have an SU paper grid pad and TH craft mats for stamping and messy stuff......
As you can imagine I'm a bit sloppy so I need lots of protective gear!!!!! LOL
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Post by alissa103 on Feb 6, 2015 14:06:20 GMT
I have this self-healing mat by Making Memories. I think it's 17x23 inches. Works great! Any time I'm using mists I spray inside an old cardboard box though. I don't want that to get everywhere.
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Post by chrispeas on Feb 6, 2015 14:23:54 GMT
I used to use large cutting mats to protect my space. I recently got a glass top from our local glass company. The price was pretty reasonable.
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PaperAngel
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Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Feb 6, 2015 14:42:31 GMT
I use a large, pink, self-healing mat found on clearance in Michael's sewing department years ago. In addition to Michael's, I've noticed a variety of sizes/colors of self-healing mats in the paper crafting & sewing departments at Hobby Lobby, AC Moore, Jo-Ann, & Tuesday Morning. HTH
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Post by jamh on Feb 6, 2015 15:37:14 GMT
I have two Basic Grey mats that I purchased at Hobby Lobby(used coupons) that make a 12x24 area. Works great. I also use the Tim Holtz mat for painting, glitter, etc.
At one point I just laid down some thicker 12x12 chipboard sheets, and that worked well, too.
Happy scrapping,
jamh
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Post by mikklynn on Feb 6, 2015 16:12:12 GMT
I have a large cutting mat from JoAnn's that covers most of my work space. Just remember - no heat embossing on it! I made that mistake  |
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Post by onlywork2scrap on Feb 6, 2015 17:50:00 GMT
I have a white Ikea dining table for my work table so I really want it protected. I have a glass top and use a large Fiskars mat on top of that. Works great for me.
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oaksong
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Posts: 6,167 
Location: LA Suburbia
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Jun 27, 2014 6:24:29 GMT
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Post by oaksong on Feb 6, 2015 18:46:29 GMT
I use 4 things- a 12 x 12 cutting mat (Martha Stewart because I liked the gray color), a piece of cardstock next to my cutting mat for gluing, a Tim Holtz craft mat when I'm stamping or painting, and a box to spray in (away from my project table).
I like to keep my work surface open for the thing I'm working on, so I pull out whichever surface as I need it, but the cutting mat and gluing cardstock are usually out. I got a new table a year ago, and the top has stayed nice so far.
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Post by kiwifarmer on Feb 6, 2015 19:21:16 GMT
I have the Heidi swapp " make pretty stuff" mat on top of my quilters mat on top of my desk.
I use the HS mat to put paint directly on, to mix colours etc.then it wipes straight off again.
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Post by Linda on Feb 6, 2015 21:26:51 GMT
I used to use a self-healing mat as well when I scrapped on our dining room table. I'm currently using a plastic banquet table so I'm not really worried about protecting the surface (which is good since DH borrowed my mat and I've not seen it since)
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,688
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Post by Elsabelle on Feb 6, 2015 22:58:28 GMT
I used to have an old trestle style dining room table as my scrap table and I loved that I didn't have to worry about ruining it. Now that I scrap on my dining room table I need to be more careful so I appreciate all of you sharing what works for you. I'll be on the lookout for a large mat next time I go to Michael's.
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Post by Restless Spirit on Feb 6, 2015 23:37:42 GMT
Thanks for all of the suggestions! I love the idea of a glass top, but I need to buy shelving for storage first. I'm going to put a glass top on my WishList.
In the meantime, I'm going to start searching for self-healing mats, since those seem to be fairly popular. I'm hoping I can buy one at Michael's or Joanne's with a coupon.
Thanks again!
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GiantsFan
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Feb 7, 2015 1:58:59 GMT
I have an Olfa self healing mat. I got it in the quilting/sewing section of my local craft store. It's great because it has grid lines on it.
I think mine is 18 x 12.
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Post by Scrapper100 on Feb 7, 2015 4:07:29 GMT
I have a large fiskars mat on my desk. I like it because I can use the grid to help when making layouts to.
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Feb 7, 2015 4:39:13 GMT
I finally bought a 24x36 gridded cutting mat that protects most of my table / work surface. I bought it from JoAnns with a 40% off coupon. I wanted plenty of space for laying out a 12x12 double page layout with some room on either side to spread out my embellishments, etc. I have a desk blotter/calendar that I use on top of it when I'm doing inking, etc.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Feb 7, 2015 5:14:10 GMT
I have two 8' banquet tables that I just had new tops made for (at a cost of $$$!) so I want to keep them nice. I use them for sorting and packaging stuff which usually isn't messy work, and for cutting fabric for bigger sewing projects. I also have a 5' folding table that fits perfectly at the end of the tables. I have a few different sized self healing mats that I use for different stuff, but I plan on buying five identical large ones to put out when I have friends over to scrap. As much as I love my scrapping buddies I don't like the mess they have made on my old table tops in the past, so I'm not taking any chances!
I usually have a big stack of scratch paper around that I use to chalk, glue or stamp on, and other friends I know save their old magazines for that purpose too. Once a page has been glued or inked on, just turn the page and you have a clean new surface. Works great.
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