It has two sides, a white one, and a grey, the white being the blending foam side.But the grey side is smooth, and won't stick to the Velcro. So I thought I would see if I could stick some felt to the grey side, which the Velcro would grip. I did this the other day when I made the blending tools, but needed to wait for the glue to dry to make sure it would stick ok, and not peel straight back off!By the way, I'm probably the only person in the world who hasn't realised this, but I was reading the info on the back of the packet, and apparently you can heat the grey side, then press in onto a texture of some sort to make a stamp! Or into a rubber stamp to get a reverse image- how useful is that? Then just re-heat to get it smooth again, or make another stamp. Anyway, that's an experiment for another day.
(I had some blue foam from the NEC a few years ago, that you could do that with- don't know what ever happened to that stuff.), and I know you can get it in sheet form from Hobbycraft stores,
called Magic Stamp foam by Penscore.
I had chopped up some Cut & Dry Foam in the past, to give me small pieces I could use,so I just trimmed these to roughly fit my new tools, then cut the red felt to the same sizes.After a few trials, I went with normal PVA glue, and added a layer to the grey side of the Cut n Dry. Just a thinnish layer- enough to stick, but I didn't want it to soak through the felt and stop it gripping.
I put the felt onto the glue, flipped it over and pressed it down with a
small acrylic block. They all went to spend the night on the radiator,
and when I tested them the next day, the glue held and nothing peeled
off!Its a bit thicker than the Blending Foams you buy,but as I didn't add foam to the tool under the Velcro, it probably works out about the same. I reckon I got about 35-40 pads from one sheet.You definitely need a thicker or 'fluffier' felt for the Velcro to grip.
10 comments:
love the info about the blenders - have been thinking about getting some.
Will have to try Works if I make it into town tomo - elder D has just told me we're due a snowfall tonight so......
Ref. Monty Python ... LOVED IT (does that give my age away? lol)
but what made you ask?
You really have been giving these blender a whirl, love that you are posting your trials and errors. You have my mind wondering through what I already have to try and give it a go.
I made my own little inking blending tools ages ago and I also use craft felt, it is better to get the thicker one as it lasts longer. I stuck the velcro to the bottom of mine and then used the real applicator pads. I stick to one pad per colour as it is easier this way and keep taking off the pad to return with the stamp-pad. I hope I made sence.
Happy WOYWW
Eliza
werrll, actually....... it was my DH wot named it he! he! ho! ho!
hi shaz
well done with the blending tool I stuck the loopy side of velcro onto my cut and dry foam with fabric glue... it worked fine, then i glued the hook side onto a plastic sheets to use to store the pads, it works a treat ( WOYWW post from Julia a few months ago)
janet #30
ps love your new tools very clever
janet
Love how you finished these off. I too have the blue foam from the NEC a few years back....must dig it out and have a play
Kyla
You were not the only person who had not realised about the heating and reflection making bit of Cut and Dry foam. You know the maxim "When all else fails, then you read the instructions"? Brilliant idea. xx Maggie
I only knew about the grey side of cut 'n' dry being used as a stamp because I watched a TH video very recently and wondered why I hadn't thought of that!!
So glad you got your blending tools all finished now. I tend to use mine for alcohol inks only and just use a piece of cut 'n' dry as is. Although most of the time I tend to use stencil brushes for putting colour onto cardstock as I find it blends better.
Love that book and CD of marble paper you showed in your last post. Must visit a Works shop soon :) Thanks for the heads up.
Lynn xx
Clever girl way to go!! Shaz in oz.x
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