Do you use Ranger Alcohol Inks? I hava question...

[ctychick]

Do you work on one of those non-stick craft sheets that they recommend? If not, what do you use to protect your surface? I'm wondering if there is a less expensive alternative (it's almost $20 w/o coupon), perhaps some kind of silocone baking mat or something similar?

Thanks!!

[lauraos]

I'm no help for an alternative. I use my craft sheetall the time. But I have to say that its an item I can't live without. I use it as a base when I'm using alcohol inks, regular reinkers, acrylic paints and now even with my twinkling h2O backgrounds. It cleans off so easily that, to me, the cost was well worth it.

Laura

[pattyb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctychick

Do you work on one of those non-stick craft sheets that they recommend? If not, what do you use to protect your surface? I'm wondering if there is a less expensive alternative (it's almost $20 w/o coupon), perhaps some kind of silocone baking mat or something similar?

Thanks!!

I have something like this that I got at a dollar store, it doesn't clean up perfectly but for a buck it's lasted for over a year and doesn't look real nasty ;)

[mslieder]

I bought several of those vegetable cutting mats at the dollar store (I think they come 2 to a pack) so I use those all the time. They're cheap and do the trick. Having more than one helps if one gets too dirty for a specific project, say if the ink isn't dry; I just swap it out with another one.

Hope this idea helps!

[SummerWar]

I just use wax paper... I don't get my alcohol inks out that often, and I don't have a "scrap" area, so I just tear off a piece of wax paper and lay it across my table! Easy and cheap!

[pjw2855]

ctychick.....I do use the Ranger craft mat, but I certainly didn't pay $20 for it. It was $9-10 at AC Moore store.

If I am just using regular ink pads, adhesives, or just for a work surface, I use a somewhat thick plastic placemat. Can be put in the sink and washed off with dish soap.

My only problem with the craft mat is that its slides around on my table. I have put double stick tape on the back corners to solve that.

I would think you could also use a silpat (I believe that's what it's called) in place of the Ranger craft mat. Both are able to withstand high heat and are easily cleaned.

Patti

[Colleen Schaan]

Okay... I have to admit that I used to use vellum sheets, wax paper, cardboard, and anything else I could get my hands on... then I got a chance to try out a Ranger craft mat... OMG... it is a MUST HAVE for every crafter. I use it for everything now... it is a dream!

[craftygirl04]

wax paper or parchment

[Krisalis903]

I think i've seen those. Is that good for only if you use a lot of heat applications or can you cut on it as well?

[Babies]

I lay krqaft paper on my table, put a sheet of acetate on top of that, apply the alcohol inks directly to the acetate, then lay the paper hiny side to the inks- I have no idea what the Ranger thing is, lol, but I've used one sheet of cetate for about 2 years, lol... clean it by putting the cleaner on the inks, then swirl a sheet of paper on top, lol... then you'll have a pastel, or light colored paper to work with!

See my gallery or blog for some alcohol inks I've done!

[scrappykat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krisalis903

I think i've seen those. Is that good for only if you use a lot of heat applications or can you cut on it as well?

That's the one thing you can't do is cut on it! HTH!

[KatarinaM]

I get a big pad of kids fingerpaint paper and work on that. When a sheet gets too dirty, torn, I rip it out and use a fresh sheet.

[missiowa81]

I bought one of those self-healing quilting mats at Walmart. I think the brand is Fiskars. It has a ruler along the edges and a grid on it, I can cut on it, and it protects my work table from ink spills. I still put something underneath my work when I'm using alcohol inks, but often it's just a disposable plate (either foam or those hard plastic ones, not a paper plate).

[TeeGeeDee]

I cover my work surface with freezer paper. I fold it over so that the paper side is touching the surface and is also facing up. If I am working with something wet (Alcohol Inks, Twinkling H20s, etc.) I tear off more freezer paper and use it waxy side up.

I find it smoother and sturdier than wax paper and I don't like putting wax paper on my craft table (it's slippery).

Another bonus is that it comes out of the grocery budget instead of the craft budget!

HTH and ...

Happy Crafting!
Tina aka TeeGeeDee

[Cook22]

I just use a sheet of newspaper on top of my regular cutting mat, and bin it when I'm done. Same thing for spraying chalk with fixative, or using spray paints.

[ctychick]

Jess_Witty posted this on another thread...

"I have one! No idea what it's made of, though. Some superhuman material that makes it not melt! I do like it and use it all the time. However, I also have some Silpats and I prefer to use one of those. (I googled and it is made out of silicone and fiberglass!) Anyway, Silpats are for non-stick baking and have the same non-melt properties (they're made to be put in the oven, so obviously, they don't melt!), but I now have one just for crafting stuff. Works exactly the same as the Ranger sheet, but they come in a few different sizes, so the one I use is a little less than twice as big as the Ranger sheet. It is much thicker and sturdier than the Ranger sheet, fits my area and projects better, and protects my table from the heat of a heat gun much better as well. They're easy to find at any home store, maybe Target, etc. It's a great base when working with adhesive, paint, etc. cause everything just rubs or wipes right off!"


So I'm going to pick up on of these today! Thanks for all the input!!

[Circe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babies

I lay krqaft paper on my table, put a sheet of acetate on top of that, apply the alcohol inks directly to the acetate, then lay the paper hiny side to the inks- I have no idea what the Ranger thing is, lol, but I've used one sheet of acetate for about 2 years, lol... clean it by putting the cleaner on the inks, then swirl a sheet of paper on top, lol... then you'll have a pastel, or light colored paper to work with!

Very pleased to hear that acetate works for that particular technique - I have only in the last 2 weeks started using the Alcohol inks that I bought months ago. Tim Holtz's new Christmas tags use the technique a lot (drobbling AIs onto craft sheet and swirling card through it).

I personally use a very thin, dirt cheap plastic cutting board for protection from any messy work, or even used copy paper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctychick

Jess_Witty posted this on another thread...

"I have one! No idea what it's made of, though. Some superhuman material that makes it not melt! I do like it and use it all the time. However, I also have some Silpats and I prefer to use one of those. (I googled and it is made out of silicone and fiberglass!)

The ranger craft sheet is made of "teflon fused in glass" according to Tim's blog, so substituting with something from the kitchen seems logical ;-)

[thecountryrose]

Another vote here for waxed paper .

[ink|outside|the|box]

I use a healing mat to cut on and as a general protection for work surface. For messy glue or wet stuff I use a plastic placemat from the $ store.

However, I do have a craft mat and I think it is essential for AI and for UTEE/triple embossing on a cut out item/tag. I too clean the AI off by dropping a bit of the blending solution and smooshing a piece of paper onto it to use as a background later. Many of my gallery cards use this technique. Before Santa gave me the craft sheet, I did use acetate for AI and they do work in a pinch!

I do like the idea of the baking ones as they would be a bigger surface.

[WickedYup]

Truly, it is the best way you could possible spend $10-$18 bucks! Just don't cut on it. You'll protect your surface, have FAR easier clean up, not be afraid to do messy things and be more creative using the Ranger Craft sheet. Perhaps Santa can be conned into bringing yu one?

[stamphappy1650]

I love the Ranger Mat and in addition to all the other suggestions above, your finished product doesn't stick to the mat. I use to use wax paper and I had a few items stick to the wax paper. The craft is worth it once your budget will allow.

[mouseyr61]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeeGeeDee

I cover my work surface with freezer paper. I fold it over so that the paper side is touching the surface and is also facing up. If I am working with something wet (Alcohol Inks, Twinkling H20s, etc.) I tear off more freezer paper and use it waxy side up.

I find it smoother and sturdier than wax paper and I don't like putting wax paper on my craft table (it's slippery).

Another bonus is that it comes out of the grocery budget instead of the craft budget!
HTH and ...

Happy Crafting!
Tina aka TeeGeeDee

Great idea! I thought I was the only one that sticks to a budget