Budget Crafter's Tools: Rubber Stamp Cleaning Pads

A good tool sometimes takes time to find.

Anyone who crafts know how expensive this hobby can get, especially with all the new gadgets and tools the industry is always parading in front of us. But if you are like me you are always on the look out for ways to save and when it comes to tools, have tools that still work well.  Honestly, sometimes some of the tools craft supply companies come up with are not the best things out there nor the only tools that will work for that application.  Take rubber stamp scrubbers for instance.

Back when I began creating with rubber stamps I purchased a stamp scrubber pad for around $13.00 through The Angel Company (TAC), now Red Rubber Designs.  All my friends in my paper crafting group used this scrubber and loved it.  Being a newbie to the group I figured they must know what they were talking about so I bought one too.

TAC Stamp Scrubber detail

My friends were right, it is a really good scrubber and thoughtfully designed too.  Basically it is a folding plastic case that contains a replaceable foam backed scrubber pad on the bottom where the cleaning solution goes, and another thin scrubby pad on top for drying off the freshly cleaned stamp.  The top pad that is glued onto the lid, presumable to keep it dry and is non-replaceable.  Because it closes the cleaning solution doesn't evaporate much and you don't have to worry about accidentally laying things on top of a scrubber full of cleaning solution, which as every busy scrapper knows happens....so that lid is a great idea.  And yes, it is one of the best scrubbers I have used and works well for most stamps but I had issues with it.  I didn't like to use it to clean larger stamps on due to the hard edges of the case that kept me from being able to scrub the entire stamp on easily.  Either the edge was in the way of moving the stamp around or it kept the stamp up off the scrubber pad.  That is what got me started in looking for other options, something without hard plastic edges and a less expensive option too.

Next came the day I started using Stayzon Ink and Stayzon cleaning solution.  I love this ink because works on non-pourous surfaces like glass and plastic and it is my favorite ink to use when indexing my rubber stamps so I use it a lot.  Because it is a more permanent ink it stained my fancy shmancy TAC scrubber pad...not that it was perfectly clean or anything but it just looked gross.  And because I only had the one scrubber pad I suddenly realized I didn't want to be stuck using the Stayzon cleaner as my only option.  But I wasn't going to shell out $13.00 for another one so the hunt began in earnest. 

That was when I found this Stampendous scrubber pad at Craft Warehouse for around $6.00 on sale.  Only problem was it didn't work as good as the TAC one did so I was a bit bummed out.  For one the pad is glued in so it cannot be taken out to give good wringing out if needed and there are those darn edges again.

So I was back to searching and determined to keep looking until I found something that would work this time, even if I had to make it myself.  After all, the material those scrubbers was made out of isn't that unique.  When I am out on these hunting forays of mine I look in all kinds of places for knock off options just for that reason.  Well I am happy to say my perseverance paid off this week and I discovered a product that was FABULOUS!   No kidding...it really is!

I was poking around the paint department at our local Fred Meyer store before I dove into the grocery shopping I was supposed to be doing.  (It's a one stop shopping kind of store.)  I love pocking around every department in whatever store I go to because it helps me maintain a running list of sorts of what goodies they have that may connect with a need I have at home.

SCORE!  My new favorite scrubber.

As I got about half way down the isle I spotted this painting tool made by Shur-line called a "Handi Painter".  (Oh happy day...my prayers have been answered!)  I think I did the happy dance in the isle after discovering it.  I mean I was so excited after looking for so long.  This "Handi Painter" may have been originally designed as a painting tool but not in my world.  To me it was one handsome looking stamp scrubber and I couldn't wait to try it.

Just look at that...and a handle too!

I don't think it could have been more perfect if I had designed it myself.   No hard raised edges to run into while running the stamp over the scrubber pad, light weight with a well fitting handle to hold on to, washes up easily with soap and water and HEY...it was only $2.99!  Oh happy day...my prayers have been answered! (More happy dancing.)  AND...You can either apply the cleaner to the scrubber or the stamp which I liked to do sometimes because those detailed stamps benefit from a little extra spritzing of the stamp cleaner.  So aren't you just dying to know how well it worked?

Yesterday morning the mail carrier delivered a big ol' box of goodies I had ordered from Red Rubber Designs yesterday.  (Hallelujah I get to test drive this baby!)  Wow...I have to tell you it works like a dream. The foam handle was surprisingly comfortable and it's light as a feather to hold but still sturdy enough to scrub with.  I just layed the stamps rubber up on my work surface, spritzed them with a tiny bit of cleaner and with a few easy rubs they were cleaned and ready to dry.  I wiped down the scrubber with paper towel and used it to dry them off.  It worked slick!

Now I have an arthritic thumb on my right hand and a wrist that was howling at me yesterday so I can assure you that if you have arthritis you just might find this cleaning method and tool easier to use too.  It's because you don't have to grasp the stamp in your hand but will be holding the light weight scrubber tool instead.  I sure helped me.  All that aside it is just plain easier to use any other scrubber I have used anywhere hands down.  The only down side, and it's not much of one, is that the "Handi Painter" does take up a bit more space than other scrubbers do.  For me it works so much better that it's a non issue.

Now that I am in love with my "Handi Painter" I'm going to have a hard time going back to my other scrubbers. Oh and in case you're wondering, I used this on cling foam mounted stamps, not wood mounted.  Setting the wood stamps on a towel will help keep them from sliding around too much as you scrub them.   And those tiny ones, you'll have to hold those in one hand most likely. 

TOOL CARE NOTE:  I recommend that you wash it up right away after using it to keep it in good condition.  I washed mine in warm water with Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day dish soap which worked great.  I found the sponge (that green part) held the soapy water and I had to sort of squeegee it out with my hand two or three times to get all the soap out but that was no biggie.  It probably didn't help that I put the soap straight onto the scrubbing pad either...words to the wise...dilute the soap in water first.  Then it needed to be pressed it into a towel to help get rid of the excess water in the sponge and  propped up on edge on a paper towel to finish drying.  This morning I have a nicely cleaned scrubber all ready for next time.

I know there are other rubber scrubbers that I have not mentioned out there, but before try them I highly recommend that you give this product a try.  Oh and before I forget...I have seen smaller versions of paint brushes like this so watch for those too.  I bet they would work and if storage space is an issue might be just the ticket for your craft tool box.  So have fun and give it a try.


Copyright © 2013 by Patty Hicks

All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.

Quick Gifts: DIY Seed Packets

DIY Seed Packet from scrapbook paper.

Do you need a quick inexpensive little gift idea for your gardening friends?  Here is a little seed packet that is super fast to make (under 5 minutes each), costs pennies and is easy enough for the kids to do too.

So many fun options for colors

You will need....

• 12" x 12" scrap book paper (printed on one side and not card stock)
• Scissors or paper cutter
• Straight edge (needed if you cut your paper with scissors)
• String, rustic twine, ribbon or raffia...sparkley, metallic, lacy, whatever...be creative! (narrow is better for the ribbon or lace)
• Craft glue...A small hand held roll-on adhesive dispenser worked best for this project, though you can use any good craft glue.  (Be careful not to over apply liquid glue or you risk glue seeping out from under the seams and having seeds getting stuck in it.)
• 1/4" dowel or round pen/pencil
• Waterproof marking pen (fine tip) in a coordinating color for writing the label.  Prisma Color, Copic or Sharpie markers all would work fine.
• Computer (optional if you want to create labels to stick on in a creative font)
• Coordinating paper for labels (Optional)

STEP 1 - Measure your sheet of paper first before you cut anything.  A lot of what are supposed to be 12" square sheets are a little bigger along one side (especially the less expensive sheets).  Trim off any excess now.

STEP 2 - Cut the paper into 6 - 2" wide strips...

2" x 4" paper pieces

STEP 3 - Cut these long strips into 3 - 4" long pieces (makes 18 - 2"x4" pieces).  These will become your seed packet tubes

STEP 4 - Next you want to label each piece of paper on the printed side. Do them all at the same time to save yourself time moving back and forth between steps. If you want to use a darker or really busy paper it may work best to add a label printed on complimentary colored paper or maybe try stamping and embossing the name in bright white so it is easy to read. 

Your computer can come in handy if you need make labels to add on later as it is often much faster creating a bunch of one kind of label in Word than it is writing a whole bunch of labels...and if you are like me and your handwriting isn't real beautiful...well you get the idea.

Seem glued tight and ready for #7

 STEP 5 - Roll each piece of paper around the dowel the long way.  This shapes the tube that will become the seed packet.  Again...do them all at once.

Step 6 - Add glue along one 4" edge on the plain side of the paper and carefully roll the paper back into a tube so the glue will not be exposed. The corners should meet the top and bottom edges of the tube...this will make the seam straight in the back.  Also note the tube you are creating will be larger than the diameter of the pencil/dowel that you used.

Glue and pinch tight

Once you have it lined up press it lightly to seal, insert the dowel/pencil back into the tube and placing the seam between the dowel and the work surface, roll the dowel back and forth applying pressure on the seam to make it stick down tight.  You will have a pile of tubes with both ends open at this point.

Glue and fold to finish sealing the end

STEP 7 - Put a spot of glue on the inside edge bottom (right) end of the tube and press down to seal.  Apply to the bottom 1/2 inch of the closed end and fold the end up on itself and press down firmly to seal. 

NOTE: You can use the adhesive applicator but I recommend 3 in 1 glue or Tacky glue for this.  Just don't over apply the liquid glue...it only takes a tiny bit.  Be sure this end is firmly sealed before moving to the next step!

Just a couple smidgens of seed will be enough of this lettuce

STEP 8 - Now you get to add the seeds.  It can either be seed you saved or purchased.  I save seeds from my garden every year to give to others and today I'm using the Bijou Lettuce seed...a favorite in our kitchen garden here at Tinkerer's Paradise.

I am putting in 2 smidgens of lettuce seed in each packet...yes I have measuring spoons for such things.  The set I have costs around $4.00 and are really handy for measuring out seeds.  They are available online and in some kitchen shops.

STEP 9 - Carefully add glue to the open end and press to close.

Center the packet in the middle of the ribbon

STEP 10 - Add the final bit of glue and lay the ribbon 1/2" from the end and fold the end over top and press down firmly until securely glued down.  Tie the ribbon ends together.  I just used a simple knot but you could make a bow to prettify the little packet.

Simple knot tied at the top and you're done.

Here is the fun part!  How many ways can you think of to use these?   I came up with these in just a few minutes...

• Purse/pocket presents...carry then with you so you can hand them out anytime or anywhere! 
• Seed Tree party favors for a garden party or kids party.  
• Gift embellishments added to the bow.
  Super stocking stuffers
• Bundle a bunch together artistically and create a useable ornament for the tree...the list goes on and on.
• New Years gifts for hopes for a bountiful new year.
• Or how about a collection of seeds for your favorite salad greens and edible flowers for a salad garden kit.

Now its your turn.  Make them the same size or bigger, in whatever color of paper you want...its up to you.
Have fun and happy gifting!


Copyright © 2011 by Patty Hicks
All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.

Teasel, A Weed No More

Teasel has transitioned from weed to a plant worthy of some attention in my world.  It's not like I am going to go out and sow it willy-nilly in the garden but I do grow it every year and have for some time now, finding it rather entertaining.

Because it is a roadside weed,  people pass it by, never really looking at it normally but they do see it in my garden and are often amazed when they find out what it actually is.  Oh sure, I get some who wonder why I would bother growing it too but that's all part of the fun of it.

It was several years before I actually saw one bloom.  I was obviously not paying very close attention because the darn things grow all over the waste places along roadsides and near ditches.  When I finally did see one bloom I remember how awestruck I was.  I'm sure if anyone had seen me and been within earshot they would have thought I had lost my mind as a stood looking up babbling in amazement.  Instead of  blooming all at once the blooms begin at the middle middle of the oval shaped head/cone, progressing up and down at the same time.  Its fascinating.


It is a biennial plant forming a rosette of lance shaped leaves the first year and the flowering stems the following year.  It grows to between three and six feet tall unless it is this one in my garden.  Its more like eight feet tall.

Nearly eight feet tall.

The lance shaped leaves are fused together on the stem at their base which creates a basin where water collects when it rains creating a good watering hole for insects though some drown after falling into the water.  The Greeks called this basin Venus' Basin and in Europe it was called Mary's Basin.  Some say that water is a good cure for warts if there are dead bugs in the water and is good for an eye wash if the water is clear and clean.  I have yet to not see dead bugs in it though so stick with the wart remedy if you want to try it on something.

The leaves, branches and bracts all have short spines on them making them tricky to harvest if you forget to wear gloves. The branching each produce a cone shaped flower head at their tip.

I love the linear shaped bracts that cradel the flower head.

So why did I soften to this roadside weed...because it has too many good qualities for me to consider it any more a weed than the herbs I cultivate in my garden...and it is just a cool plant to look at.

It was used over the centuries as a medicinal herb, fell out of favor and is again being used for medicine. The dried flower cones were used to raise the nap of wool fabric back in the day in a practice known as fulling or brushing and thus the name "Fuller's Teasel" or Teasel.  The bees, blow flies and butterflies enjoy the flowers of this plant and the birds, especially Gold Finches love the seeds making it a great plant for wildlife.

Just finishing its bloom it will begin to dry and be ready for harvesting for crafting.

Teasel has long been used in dried arrangements, painted and used for seasonal decor and Christmas ornaments.  You can also create cute little hedgehogs out of them too...just remember to wear gloves, the other nickname for it is Johnny-prick-finger.

Copyright © 2011 by Patty Hicks
All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.

Blooms d' Coors

For those who were unaware, Blogger has been down in "read only" format for nearly two days.  I'm glad they finally fixed it because I was dying to share with you a couple of things this week...and of course my timing was such that I couldn't until now. So now that we are up and running again lets get to it!

Bloom d' Coors

I love metal and when I saw some metal flowers in a craft book I had to try making some.  Because I didn't have the exact punch they used in the book I had to think of something that would work...and a 3" scalloped circle punch worked perfectly!  The circle has 25 scallops, an odd number is what I needed here and the size was easy to handle too.  I love it when things come together easily like this project did.

Flowers in Metal Instrux

Wash out a beverage can and cut away the top and bottom.  Next cut the remaining middle portion into two pieces.  The metal will be a little awkward to handle while cutting so mind the sharp edges.  You can't be in a hurry when working with this stuff or you may risk a nasty gash from those edges.

Find the center of the circle and score a smaller center circle.

25 scallopes cut between every 2 and 3 alternately for petals

My favorite scissors for this are Tonic scissors by Tim Holtz.  They are fabulous for cutting thin metal and stay sharp!

Alcohol ink is applied while the flower is still flat and then the center embellishment

I recommend coloring the front and back of the metal to produce a more finished looking piece and to help hide the beer logo...unless you are into redneck flowers.  ;-)  If you don't want to stain your fingernails where latex gloves for this part.

Yup...its really a beer can.

While its still flat take a push pin and punch the holes for that wire you see there and be sure to have foam beneath it when you punch so the pin goes deep enough to make the hole the right size.

To curl the petals and leaves you just wrap them around a wood dowel or paint brush.

Mind your fingers with the metal edges.

The leaves are made from metal designed for embossing and a texture tool.

 The next step is to roll the metal leaves onto the stem...and yes it really is as easy as it sounds.

Use a dab of glue at the tip where you start rolling to secure them or a glue dot if you like.

Finally to attach the flower to the stick I just used wire laced through the two holes I punched beneath that fancy embellished center and cinched it up tight with a dab of "3 and 1" glue.

There you have it...flowers that will never fade.