Scrapbooking Tip: Removing StazOn Ink

StazOn ink is an amazing product.  It can be used to stamp on tile, wood, plastic, fabric, almost anything!

While this is very helpful, it can also make it very hard to remove.  If you are doing anything messy with either the stamp pads or reinkers, please ensure that you protect any surfaces, clothes, carpets, or items that you don’t want to get stained, as it will not come out.

That being said, it can be cleaned off stamps with the special StazOn cleaner that is designed to remove the ink.  I find that it works well, but, being the frugal person I am, I prefer more affordable supplies.  So, what works well?

Baby wipes.

That’s right – baby wipes!  I use the Huggies Supreme Care non-scented aloe vera kind, which does not cause allergy attacks in those around me, is soft on my skin, and still works to clean the unsightly ink blemishes from the rubber…and all at a very affordable price!  Besides, they are great to have around to clean up other spills from paint, adhesive on tables, etc.

- T

Question: Can I use Mini Glue Dots to adhere Chipboard?

You can definitely use Mini Glue Dots to cover Chipboard!  For some other ideas, check out a previous blog post located at http://tanyascrapbooks.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/scrapbooking-tip-covering-chipboard-which-adhesive-do-i-use/

Mini Glue Dots are actually a great supply that come in handy for a variety of embellishments, as they are stronger than 2-way glue, snail adhesive, or tape:

Buttons – when attaching buttons to a page, Mini Glue Dots will ensure that they don’t fall off or twist around

Metals – metals are often hard to attach to pages and projects because they are so heavy and have a slick surface.  Mini Glue Dots will do the trick wonderfully!

Plastics – Mini Glue Dots are perfect for embellishments made from any plastic, and with the wide range of sizes of Dot, you can find one that will be the best

Ribbon – when spanning ribbon across a 12×12 page, using the smaller size of Mini Glue Dots will adhere the ribbon to the page and avoid any pulling or stretching, which can occur when using a snail adhesive

Extra Tips:

• Mini Glue Dots can be cut, if done very carefully with a knife or sharp pair of scissors
• Once stuck down, it can be almost impossible to remove an embellishment after a Mini Glue Dot has been used.  Ensure you know where you want the item before sticking it down.
• While very versatile, Mini Glue Dots will show through vellum or transparencies, so opt for another way to attach if that bothers you.

- T

 

Scrapbooking Technique: Adhering Vellum

Vellum phrases or shapes look great on any project, although many of us get frustrated when we can see the adhesive behind the piece of vellum.  There are several ways to avoid this, including using brads or eyelets to adhere the vellum to the page or hiding the adhered edge of the vellum under the edge of a photo or cardstock.  There are some great products in stores now that allows us to have our vellum exist independently: try vellum spray or vellum glue dots!

 

The glue dots can be used like regular glue dots.  The spray involves giving the glue time to partially dry on the vellum before being placed on the project, so that the lines are not visible.  It does have a scent, so ensure it is used in well ventilated areas.  As well, ensure that the spray does not freeze, as it will not work properly in the future.

 

Both products will adhere the vellum to the page, but are invisible! 

 

- T

Scrapbooking Tip: Covering Chipboard – Which Adhesive Do I Use?

So many people have asked me what I use to cover chipboard, such as the Mother’s Day book (see earlier post for pictures).

There are a variety of products on the market, and, as always, some work better than others:

Scotch brand double-sided tape: I adore this adhesive and use it on a regular basis.  It is acid-free and fairly inexpensive (cheapest place I have found is Wal-Mart), works well with photos and cardstock, although I stuggle with it when using it on chipboard.  It tends to stick, but not stay.

Glue sticks – you cannot pay me enough to use a glue stick.  I’ll leave it at that.

Adhesive squares – they will work on chipboard, but be prepared to use A LOT of them

Snails – they will work when adhering paper to chipboard, but if adhering a large chunk of chipboard onto a layout, not so much. 

Mini Glue Dots – they are great for when adhering a piece of chipboard to a layout, or items onto the chipboard piece. 

Tombo Adhesive – this crazy glue works on anything!  Nice thing about it is that there are two ends – a very fine one, and a larger one that feels like using a glue stick, only the glue actually works and doesn’t stick to your fingers!

Money-saving tip of the day: if covering chipboard with paper, purchase the snail runner adhesive from Dollarama.  It works like a charm, and at $1 per roller, very economical.  You get what you pay for, so be prepared for some uneveness in rolling.  Being the “frugal” person I am, I can get over some quality inconsistencies in the dispenser, as the adhesive itself is amazing with chipboard!!!

Happy Scrappin!

T