A PRODUCT I LOVE HAVING IN MY CRAFTROOM

I have not made any tutorials yet but thought I would start something new on my blog reviewing some of the things I feel are important to me in my stamp room. As you know, I have just started my blog, so I am still in the learning process on how to take pictures and get them on my blog the way I want. I'm hoping this is going to be informative information to you. I am starting with something I have not seen talked about on blogs. The product I am going to talk about today is a "Non-Stick" (Teflon) Craft Sheet. I believe it was originally designed by Suze Weinberg (a fabulous instructor/designer/author who now works with Ranger Industries) to be used with a "Melting Pot". I took a class from Suze many years ago and she was using this sheet. I purchased it at that class and have always kept in on my craft table. I would like to tell you about some of the things I use it for.

Before I begin, I would like to show you a picture of my workspace where I actually stamp. There is nothing fancy here but I like to have things organized and close to hand. I am very fortunate to have a large stamp room where I can teach workshops. I have an "L" shaped workspace - one for stamping and one to my left where I use my Big Shot/Cuttlebug and use my large paper cutter. I have developed a great system for myself to store my Nestabilities and my Cuttlebug embossing folders that are kept next to my Big Shot. I will review that in another post.

At this table I have my ink pads, markers, glue dots, some embellishments, some precut card stock for card base, embossing powders/glitters, and heat gun. I use a large Newspaper Print pad on my table and tear off sheets as they get very messy. In this picture I had to close the blinds in order to take the picture but they are usually pulled up to give me plenty of natural light.

One of the other items I keep on my work pad is a Non-stick (Teflon) sheet. This helps keep my work area much cleaner. When I use embossing powders or glitters, any spills can easily be put back in their container. I have a special way to store my embossing powders and glitter that I will cover in another post. The sheet is very thin so bends easily to return powders to their containers. If any remains on the sheet, it easily brushes off into the container. Also, I always lay my cardstock on the Teflon sheet when using my heat tool.



Pouring embossing powder back in container.




Another use for this sheet is to blend watercolors on it. I love to use Peerless Watercolors and can pick up the color and blend it on this sheet before adding to my image. You can use this when you are using reinkers to color. Cleanup is easy since it is non-stick. I just use a baby wipe or you can even clean up with a cloth.

Peerless watercolors. Butterflies embossed and ready to color.




Mixing colors on non stick craft sheet. (I have 2 - one tan, one white.)



Many times I use sponge daubers to color images that I have cut out. I can sponge off the design when working on this sheet and not have a messy work area when I'm done. Also, this little sheet has been a lifesaver when I am using a lot of glue or adhesives. Many times I have ended up with glue on everything if working on paper. If working on this sheet, you just wipe it off as it gets messy and you know you will not be getting glue on anything else.

Flower that is being sponged.


I have two of these sheets and find them a valuable item in my stamp room. If you are interested in purchasing this product, Joan Fricker from Joan's Gardens carries them.

HERE IS THE DESCRIPTION FROM JOAN'S SITE: This Teflon Craft mat is reusable over and over and over again. Absolutely NOTHING sticks to it! Nothing! The paper thin Teflon material withstands high temperatures from your glue gun, melting pot, wax, etc. Nothing penetrates or distorts its smooth, glass-like finish. Clean up is fast and easy, ready to use again and again. Acrylic paints and inks wipe clean even if dried to the surface. Fabulous and superior product for protecting your work surfaces. 9x12 $8.99 plus shipping.

For more info or to order this product, contact Joan here: http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

I hope this info is helpful to you. I would love to have you leave me a comment about this post.

Next Monday I will show you how I store my Nestabilities and embossing folders.

Thanks for stopping by. Now guess I better go make a card with that butterfly I just embossed.