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I prefer to use glue to add my card fronts and most embellishments for 2 reasons, it gives me a few seconds to readjust and apparently I'm tape runner challenged. Always so disappointed when it dries bumpy, any suggestions on how to fix this problem?
When I first started making cards, I was like you, and liked the liquid glues. I used Tombow Mono Multi in the green and white bottle. It worked pretty well while I was doing cards that way. I figured out you don't need near as much glue as you think you do to hold paper together, at least with the Tombow. Less glue means less bumps.
I finally cut back on the amount, and it worked better. I make my cards usually with layers, and then adhere the card front to my base card. I found you can use just a tiny line all around the edge, and don't need to put any in the middle of the layers. My cards have held up well and not come unstuck. For smaller pieces, sentiments, circles, etc. just a few dots of adhesive works to hold it.
But, I finally got brave and bought an ATG tape gun. It took a little getting used to, and I thought it would be cumbersome to use. Practice makes perfect! After using it a while, it felt very comfortable in my hand, and I use it with every card I make. I still use liquid glue to hold smaller pieces, and embellishments, but use the tape gun for all the layers and larger pieces.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
After reading your answer, I'm probably putting too much glue and it makes sense that it doesn't need glue in the middle. I have an ATG tape gun that I have struggled to use, but you have encouraged me to try it again. Right now, I only make cards under the gun, as in the birthday is tomorrow, lol. If I could get more organized and give myself plenty of time, I'm sure the end result would be easier to achieve. Thanks so much.
After reading your answer, I'm probably putting too much glue and it makes sense that it doesn't need glue in the middle. I have an ATG tape gun that I have struggled to use, but you have encouraged me to try it again. Right now, I only make cards under the gun, as in the birthday is tomorrow, lol. If I could get more organized and give myself plenty of time, I'm sure the end result would be easier to achieve. Thanks so much.
Yes, Pam, please don't give up on your ATG gun. Also, I've found that in the years that I've been making cards, I've gotten better about getting my layers even. Not perfect, but then handmade is not supposed to look like machine/factory made anyway!
With the ATG, the same thing applies, just a line of tape around near the edges will hold very well. When I get ready to "stick" it down, I line up the top layer, and look at each side, and then lay it down. If it's a little bit off, so be it. It really is the thought that counts when it comes to handmade cards. The folks I send to are usually impressed, whether my layers are precisely even or not. They don't make anything! Ha!
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
Tiny amounts of glue around the edge plus I like ScraPerfect's Best Glue Ever with its narrow tip. When I took a free introductory cardmaking class nine years ago I was truly in awe to find Tombo Mono glue that didn't warp paper! One of the best things I ever learned about cardmaking was finding special glue for paper. That being said, I do use my ATG for the majority of my cards because I seem to end up with glue all over my fingers when I use it!
I like to use glue, too, for many of the same reasons. If I get too much glue, I lay the layer face down, take my bone folder and swipe it over the back. It evens out the glue and I use my glue adhesive eraser for any glue that seeps out from between the layers.
Gluer here, too. Tried to love the ATG but I can't make a straight line with it or even the dot runner thingies. I'm all over the place often off the edge or too far in and then the edges look like they're not even glued down.
On YouTube the glue runners the people use make that cute little "clickey" sound and merrily scoot across the edges. When I use it, it skips along, doesn't click and leaves empty spots. I press down harder and then it locks up. !!!
I also found I don't need a lot of glue. Sometimes I just put some little dots around and that's enough, too.
__________________ We can't all be stars but we can all twinkle.
After reading your answer, I'm probably putting too much glue and it makes sense that it doesn't need glue in the middle. I have an ATG tape gun that I have struggled to use, but you have encouraged me to try it again. Right now, I only make cards under the gun, as in the birthday is tomorrow, lol. If I could get more organized and give myself plenty of time, I'm sure the end result would be easier to achieve. Thanks so much.
I can use an ATG but it's not comfortable in my hand, and found that a smaller tape runner worked great. It took trying a few before getting one that's a perfect fit. (I have a minor hand issue.) The one I use isn't sold any longer though i have enough refills for a long time.
It's the one Jennifer McGuire recommended, And she found another one, which she actually used previously and liked a lot - until it became difficult to find. Now it's readily available. She talks about it here:
One nice aspect is that it's apparently somewhat repositionable if you're careful, but then sticks very well.
Just something to think about since sometimes one size does not fit all.
(If a tiny corner or bit of a die-cut word needs a drop of glue after I'm done, I use Ranger Multi Medium Matte and exchange the top it comes with with fine tip to insert under the paper.)
Another glue lover here - I use mostly Aleene's Tacky. Less is definitely more with the good glues. If you don't mind messy fingers, sometimes after applying it I will use my finger to smooth it out evenly and this also helps make sure there isn't enough to seep out under the edges when I'm sticking layers ;-).
I switched to Art Glitter Glue with a fine metal tip. It gives you a short adjustment time then sticks great. I also gave up on the ATG and got a Xyron Mega Runner. Fits my hand much better but has 100' of tape.
I am most comfortable with Mono Aqua glue. I learned to use it by dotting around the side, which left bumps. Now I run a very thin line around the edge and smooth it with my finger. I will use a slice of tape runner in the center if the piece is larger. Using just tape runner has not been all that successful for me as I make a lot of cards and sometimes the tape releases in areas before I send out a card. Mono Aqua is permanent (though you have time to preposition before it dries).
I use to use Tombow Mono Liquid adhesive. I didn't use too much but it always seemed to seep out a little around the edges, especially on smaller things. I didn't like the discoloration that it left (kind of yellowish). I started to use a Pro Glider but I have had so many problems with the tape not rolling so I stopped using that. Then, I got an ATG gun and I love it! The only problem that I have is that if you buy your tape at a big box store, the rolls are always uneven (not flat). I started to take them out of the boxes and now lay them flat with something heavy on top to make them more even. When I am doing small things such as die cuts, I use Ranger Multi Matte medium. I also use Aleen's Fast Grab Tacky glue when I am putting foam under my image or using watercolor paper that has curled a bit.
I usually use a tape runner but when I don't, for watercolour and other textured or embossed papers, I use rangers multi medium Matte with a fine tip applicator. I do actually put a little bit in the middle because otherwise thick layers with lots of embellishments may sag. I don't find that happens a lot though. And you don't need to with a less embellished card. The glue it puts out is in such a fine line that you do have to be a little bit quick but is soon as you hold it down it dries in about 30 to 60 seconds so it's quite quick.
I never use thicker glue unless I'm doing a multimedia project in which case it probably doesn't matter that there's some bumps because I'm trying to achieve texture anyways.
If I use a thicker glue, for some reason, I use a glue spreader to spread the glue really thin before attaching the layers. It's like a little tiny palette knife, spatula sort of thing, and it's intended for kids to spread glue but it works really well for anybody. A small palette knife would work just as well. They are very cheap.
I am a Scotch double sided tape user. I love how permanent it is and yet can be removed if I really goof up with "un-do" which looks like it would ruin the card, but does not. I need my cads to stay stuck and the tape works for me. I buy it in 1/2" and 3/4" sizes for different projects. I happen to really hate glue oozing out over the edges of my layers and waiting for it to dry.
I 99% of the time use an atg gun and or glue dots but, when I have to use mono adhesive ( the tombo green & white kind) I squirt some on a scrap and use a teeny tiny paint brush to apply it. ( Like on the backs of skinny diecut words for example) then I take that die cut and put it on another scrap and pick it up quick then move it to the card. (some of the extra moves to that scrap like a blotter) and or I do what Sabrina does and use my fingers. ( I keep a box of baby wipes under my table to clean my glue brush and or fingers off)
if any still leaks out, I blot it with the same baby wipe real gently ( some cardstock colors will bleed) while it is wet.
Bumpy Glue
