Can you help me with Pop Dots on Cards?

[Stamping Grandma]

I have issues when I have to use pop up dots on a card. I make really nice cards but can't stand the look of the card when you turn it just a little sideways and can see the pop up dots.

I recently made a Valentines day card and I used the bird from Always in it. I was scraplifting one of the cards from Markie's Mom. I love, love, love her stuff!

The bird has really thin feet and I cut out the bird and popped it up I love the look but can't stabalize the feet well. The feet are really thin and I am afraid they will tear off the bird. I have tried to cut the pop up dots (the white ones that pop stuff up) but it just doesn't look right. Grrrrrr

So then I thought that maybe I could take the bird, run it through the xyron and attach it to chipboard and then cut it out giving the feet a little more stability. The problem is I think that might be hard to cut out on the chip board.

At any rate I thought I would ask you the women who do this day in and day out and have such fabulous cards how you do it. Any ideas? TIA

[stampencamper]

you could stamp another bird and if the bird is to large to go through your
zyron, just cut off the feet and run them through the zyron and adhere
separately. You could also use red liner double stick tape, the thinnest, I keep on hand for those projects. I personally, never use pop up dots anymore, they raise the object too much and require extra postage for a mailed card;
I prefer glue dots. They are double stick dots of sturdy glue, great for
adhering small objects also

[LeisaJane]

I love the pop dots and use them all the time. Yes, it does take extra postage....but I don't mind a few cents extra for something that I have spent time on.

My mom (lovingzinnias) gave me a great idea. After applying the dots, you can swipe the outside edges with a marker to 'hide' them. I usually do this with the color marker that matches the paper that it is being adhered to. You only have to do the ones on the outside edges, because any dots in the middle don't show up anyway.

Also for really thin pieces, I cut the pop dots in half...or even thirds. Just use the scissors and cut across the paper that they are attached to before you peel them off. That way you can cut through many on the same row and get several mini dots.

Hope this helps!

[polargirl]

I cut my 3D pop dots in smaller pieces too, but what a great idea to use a marker to help them blend in with the card. thanks

[Phantom]

I use the dimensionals from SU! and I don't mind that if you turn the card sideways they show - I don't usually put them too close to the edge . . . I also have heard of people using the smaller teardrop/petal-shaped ink pads to ink up the edges. I'd do that if they had to be close to the edge, e.g., for a small piece.

I don't know what I'd do with the bird's feet - Hmmm... just let 'em hang there, I think

[Karen Trueman]

I love to color, cutout and mount stamped images. If I feel that the image or part of an image is going to be too thin or weak after it's cutout (sometimes it's to weak to even take the manipulation of cutting) I'll line the backside of the image with clear packing tape to give it some strength and stability. Like in this card here:http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=11449 The beak of the hummingbird is reinforced with packing tape and the bird is floating free.

[Crafts]

About the bird's feet... Could you stamp the whole bird on the lower level and only pop up its body/wings/head? That would leave the feet as one layer on the background but the rest of the bird would be two layers.

As far as the pop dots showing from the side, I've sometimes used Fun Foam (also called Foamies or craft foam). I stamp the image on a coordinating color of craft foam, cut it out, and adhere the trimmed, stamped image on top.

[Stampin'HappyInCT]

You could try this:

Stamp the bird in black ink (or whatever color you're using) on the card where you want it popped up. Then stamp the bird again onto scrap paper and cut out the bird, also cutting off his legs. Next, mount the bird body over the stamped image on the card. You'll now be able to see the legs and have the popped up effect.

You can see an example of what I'm trying to say here. See how it looks like she stamped the bird image directly onto the card and then mounted the bird body over the image?

Does that make sense?

[Stamping Grandma]

Thanks for the ideas...I should have mentioned the card is for my dh so I don't have to mail it but I know what you mean about postage and mailing them.

I think I will try to stamp it on the original card and then just cut out the body like you have mentioned.

Thanks ladies. I will continue to montior this link to see if anyone has other ideas.

[Stampin'HappyInCT]

Be sure to upload your creation so we can all Oooo and ahhhh over it!

[darloudasha]

I like the stamping and then cutting out and layering too, the body then is brought forward from the legs and it makes it look more 3d

[caspad]

I'd just let the birdie feet "dangle"
especially if they are very thin, they don't need to be propped up if the body of the bird has been pop dotted. (is that even a word? LOL)

I guarantee that the people you give your cards to are not noticing that there is a pop dot under there even if they turn the card slightly.
I used to take the time to match the sides of the pop dot with the cardstock using a marker. 'til I realized that it was only me who cared!

[putri]

If it's a feet and super thin, I usually don't add any. Then it gives my bird a dangly natural feel. OR, I'd stamp the feet on the paper and pop the body.

PS: I name my birds too, ha ha!

[pegg]

What about using black pop dots? Jodi Morrow sells black ones - they are thin (1/16") and very sticky. Scroll down and look at the black dimensional boosters.

I bought some of her mixed ones and have been using them like crazy

http://confessionsofaribbonaddict.bl...icky-sale.html

[Queen Mum]

I haven't tried it, but I wonder if you could use your paper cutter to slice the pop dots into smaller pieces. I'd put it through the cutter while it was still attached to the full sheet of dots...easier to hold. Seems like you'd get a good clean cut---better than fooling around with sizzors. I'll have to try it tonight and report back!

[asuncionshija]

I've seen another possibility that wasn't mentioned here... gesso! If you have some, that is. Here's a link to Mel's blog entry that talks about it.

[Twin0522Gemini]

I've used chalk to hide pop-dots too. Sometimes instead of dots I've used tightly rolled paper behind the object [just like in grade school].

[designing diva]

With the bird legs being thin I'd coat them with a few coats of diamond glaze. you could even do it on the back, That way theirs no shine, but it would make them stronger.

[buggainok]

Originally Posted by caspad

I'd just let the birdie feet "dangle"
especially if they are very thin, they don't need to be propped up if the body of the bird has been pop dotted. (is that even a word? LOL)

I guarantee that the people you give your cards to are not noticing that there is a pop dot under there even if they turn the card slightly.
I used to take the time to match the sides of the pop dot with the cardstock using a marker. 'til I realized that it was only me who cared!

I agree with you about this. For the most part, we cardmakers and crafters are way too critical of our own work.

Like caspad says, about these picky little details, we are the only ones who care. The people who receive the cards really don't notice the little things we get fixated on.

I have a dear friend who I send cards to all the time. She doesn't "make" anything, and is always very pleased to get handmade things.

The last card I gave her was elaborately colored and shaded and I was very proud of it. She said, "Oh my gosh - you colored this? I thought the stamp just stamped it that way."

So, I try to cut myself some slack about some of these details.

[javagirl984]

I don't use the expensive pop dots or dimensionals. I buy rolls of 3M foam tape. You can use the cutter bee snip type scissors to cut really thin strips of any length or wide strips. I buy it at Target. The wider rolls are located in the area of the store where they sell stuff to hang things on the wall. You get more adhesive for a smaller price than the pop dots and the like.

[**Carol**]

Too FUNNY!![quote=buggainok;12821467]...we cardmakers and crafters are way too critical of our own work...The last card I gave her was elaborately colored and shaded and I was very proud of it. She said, "Oh my gosh - you colored this? I thought the stamp just stamped it that way...

[Stamping Grandma]

Great ideas here that I am sure I will use along the way. I did do a second bird and put it on chip board and cut it out. I didn't like it nearly as much.

I couldn't just let the legs dangle as they were too thin. I ended up breaking up some toothpicks and used the thin part of to stabalize the legs. it worked okay.

I do think it's just me worrying about the pop dots but I do have to say it bothers me. Silly I know.

[asuncionshija]

Originally Posted by Stamping Grandma

Great ideas here that I am sure I will use along the way. I did do a second bird and put it on chip board and cut it out. I didn't like it nearly as much.

I couldn't just let the legs dangle as they were too thin. I ended up breaking up some toothpicks and used the thin part of to stabalize the legs. it worked okay.

I do think it's just me worrying about the pop dots but I do have to say it bothers me. Silly I know.

I don't think that's silly at all! While I may be making something for someone else, I am actually doing it for myself. I don't want to waste my time making things I don't like, I want to enjoy what I do! And if I get a little OCD about the details... it's okay because I'm happy with the results!

[uncbballfan]

I buy the squares for picture hanging at the Dollar Store, 24 1-inch squares in a pack for, you guessed it, a dollar! I cut each square in half, half again, and half again, until I end up with sixteen squares out of a 1-inch square. So I end up with 384 1/4-inch pop dots for a buck.

For really tiny areas, I use 3D silicone adhesive (not the kind you buy in the hardware store.) I found it at JJ Paperarts (ebay) - I have ordered several times from her, there's never been a problem with anything, she ships really fast, and even throws freebies in your package. Wonderful lady to deal with.

[dogzruleca]

I bought pop-up dots designed for scrapbooking, but unless it is super important, I just use a roll of Duck brand mounting tape I bought in the hardware section at Wal-Mart. It was originally purchased to make shaker cards, but I tested it with my PH pen and it's OK, so I'll probably use it for almost everything once I use up my current package of scrapbooking ones. Also, the best thing I have found to use to cut it with is an exacto knife. I can cut very tiny pieces for fine work without it sticking to the blade the way it does with scissors and the backing usually stays on until I want it to come off. The blade tip works great for getting an edge started as the backing paper sticks a bit too well sometimes.
I am a little OCD when it comes to pop-ups in that I want almost every bit of cardstock supported with one, so I'm getting pretty good at cutting little bits off, but that means a lot of white edges showing. It bothered me too, so I may try the marker trick - I was sort of doing it on the really tiny stuff, but I may do it on all. I can't say it occurred to me to do it in a colour matching the base though; that makes waaaay more sense! What can I say - genius is few and far between, but blond moments seem to be common occurrences.

[carla36301]

I like the Dimensionals from SU. They aren't as thick as regular pop dots. Also, I cut them smaller when I need to pop up something smaller.

[lbirus]

Originally Posted by carla36301

I like the Dimensionals from SU. They aren't as thick as regular pop dots. Also, I cut them smaller when I need to pop up something smaller.

I agree with this, SUs Dimenstionals are a much "cushier" grade foam than Pop Dots, and don't stick up as far off the card. The mounting tape is thinner but it's also a stiffer foam, but good for larger surfaces.

The SU dimensionals are my choice for little items like that and for multiple "lifted" layers.

I have also used my black sharpie to color the edges of the foam before adhering, if I think the white will show.

[TheresaCC]

I use a lot of the ideas that were already mentioned, but one I don't think was mentioned is to emboss the image. The embossing powder makes it a little sturdier. Heavy weight card stock like Gina K's 120lb Pure Luxury might be a help also.

[Clownmom]

I made this card the other day on which I popped up two birds. I actually anchored the feet to the stamped branch and just put the pop-dots on the body portion.
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ga...0&ppuser=72594