Scan and Cut Tip - Make "new" mats for next to nothing!

 Happy June!  It's been a long time since I posted - hope everyone is still safe and sane.  

I have been watching YouTube videos on how to make Scan and Cut mats for pennies.  There are many different ideas out there as to how to make all the black marks on your new mat but I always try for the easiest way.  And that is to cut off the top and bottom of your existing mat, turn the mat over and tape the strips you just cut off the front onto the back.  I used strong clear packing tape and it works just great!  After you create your new mat, you do need to use some sort of repositionable glue to make the mat sticky.  I used Zig glue and I'm telling you, this is like a brand new mat.  When this side gets too yucky to work well, I will go to the store and buy a plastic For Sale sign and put these strips onto those.  I may never have to buy a real mat again.  Hope this helps.  

I had cut up the nasty mat before I thought to take pictures.  So, pretend this mat is in terrible shape.

Cut off inside the black line, top and bottom.

Turn center part over and tape the tope and bottom strips on with heavy duty packing tape.

I taped both sides of the strips.

This is your new front.

This is your new back.    

Coat the surface with a repositionable glue and let dry.

Enjoy your "new" mat.

Thanks for stopping by.  Air hugs,

Jill

Bookmarks for a Cause

Good morning on this rainy, cold February day.   It's a great day to try something new.  How about making some bookmarks for a charity named Cardz for Kidz?  They have expanded their "clientele" and now include senior citizens in their deliveries.  They need bookmarks to send to these seniors.  Interested?  Here is what they are looking for:

**Uplifting sayings to cheer the receiver of the bookmark

**Bright, fun designs and images - just like a card

**No particular shape or size - pretend you are using it and go from there as to what will work

**Heavy weight cardstock.  Heavier than 65 lb.  These need to be sturdy so they last a long time.

**Laminated, if you have a machine.  Or maybe use the self stick laminating sheets.

**String or chord to hang outside the pages

**Sign your name and preferably your state

Here are some I have made.  I use the 110 lb. paper from Michael's as a base.  Maybe I'll add a quick saying on the front to match the image but always an uplifting saying on the back with my name.  Since I have a laminating machine, I do laminate mine.  The last one makes me smile, so I'm thinking the person who gets it will also get a kick out of it.  I haven't laminated it yet....

If you are interested in making bookmarks for Cardz for Kidz, please mail directly to them.  NOT TO ME!  Here is their address:

Cardz for Kidz

516 N. Ogden  #177

Chicago, IL   60642

If you have any questions about making these bookmarks, please shoot me an email.

justjill48@gmail.com

Bookmarks that do not meet these specs cannot be used by them.

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great week and stay safe!

Air hugs, Jill

Happy New Beginnings! 2021 Better Be Better!

 Happy New Year, everyone.  I'm thrilled we all made it though the last many months.  Talk about ups and downs!  That is one ride I do not ever want to go on again!  Let's all keep our fingers crossed that things will only get better from this day forward!

As I was cleaning up my craft room recently, I took a long look at my C plates for my Cuttlebug and decided enough was enough.  I was going to splurge on new ones.  My photos are not very good, but I'm sure you know what I mean when I say these have seen much better days.  So many dents, so many cuts, so much gunk caught in the grooves.....  It makes for a very rough back of whatever you are cutting out.  Normally, that does not matter, but occasionally you need the back of a cut-out to be clean and smooth.

So, right after I ordered a new plate, I decided "What the heck"?  I can't ruin this one...so, I sanded it down.  Yep, used my hand-held electric sander with 60 grit paper and sanded both sides.  I couldn't believe the difference it made.  

It may be hard to see the difference, but believe me, there is.  Now, I didn't sand too much so it still is slightly rough but it works so much nicer.  I may even go out and take a little more off both sides.  If you should sand too much surface area off, then use a shim of cardboard to help raise the height of the plate up a bit as you roll it though the machine.  I have had no problems using this as is without the shim.  It still cuts just fine.  So, if you are about to throw a C plate away and order a new one, you might take a minute to try this technique and save yourself $10.00.  Think of the stamps you can buy with that!

Thant's all for today.  Please stay safe and let me know if you need more masks.  I'm still sewing.  I have made and donated 2,545 masks to date.  Thank all of you who donated material and thread and elastic to this project.  Think of how many lives we have touched!  Hugs to all and thank you for stopping by!

                                                                              Jill