What protects your stamping surface?

[sassyat30]

I have the SU grid paper that I stamp on ~ to protect my table from all my inky messes, but I'm curious what everyone else uses. AND, to see what else is out there after my grid tablet runs out! LOL

Do you have some type of paper on the table when you stamp or do you stamp directly on the table?

[greetingsbydebra]

I just use the back side of stuff that's gone through the printer and I no longer want (or was a mistake). The whole reduce, reuse,recycle thing.

[danalangdon]

I used ugly patterned paper.

(please don't laugh cuz some of my paper is ugly....)

This is either paper that I bought years ago before my scrapping style was really refined, paper that I received in swaps, or the "least-loved" papers in a multipack.

I even have a slot in my storage system for "Uglies". This is also the paper that the 3 year old is given when he wants to use his scissors....

[stampinrhonda]

I use the grid paper also. At times, when it is just me stamping, I use the brown shipping paper that comes with my SU orders.

[K. Benko]

I found at IKEA a big roll of kids painting/drawing thick paper. It is 18 1/2" wide and I don't know how long it is, but there is a lot of paper on the roll. I do wish it was a bit wider as my table is 25 1/2" wide but I usually only mess right in the middle where I'm working. Its works great for me, and its found in the kids section in IKEA.
Kathy

[Jenmouer]

well I have a small corner desk that I do most of my projects on...

I have a piece of 16x20 plexiglass down to create a smooth even surface...

on top of that I have one of two things

1) Grid paper
2) a big wall calendar - I bought a bunch of 2007 from Office Max in March for .50 each...they are great because they give you a big surface and when you need a new sheet you just tear off the top month...I also use them when I finish using the paper and are left with a big piece of cardboard - for my kids when they want to color and lay on the floor...just pop thier piece of paper on top of the cardboard and away they go

[sassyat30]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greetingsbydebra

I just use the back side of stuff that's gone through the printer and I no longer want (or was a mistake). The whole reduce, reuse,recycle thing.

Debra, I've tried doing this, but I've found that a "normal" size sheet of paper just isn't big enough for me! LOL

I like to spread out while I'm stamping, but have this compulsive weird thing that all my pieces have to remain on the scratch paper.

Yeah, don't ask! LOL

[sassyat30]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenmouer

well I have a small corner desk that I do most of my projects on...

I have a piece of 16x20 plexiglass down to create a smooth even surface...

on top of that I have one of two things

1) Grid paper
2) a big wall calendar - I bought a bunch of 2007 from Office Max in March for .50 each...they are great because they give you a big surface and when you need a new sheet you just tear off the top month...I also use them when I finish using the paper and are left with a big piece of cardboard - for my kids when they want to color and lay on the floor...just pop thier piece of paper on top of the cardboard and away they go

Oooo, that calendar is a great idea! I could also get a large desk calendar and use that!!

And with the end of the year coming up, I bet in a couple months, I could get some 07 calendars really cheap!!

Thanks for the idea!!

[RevLinda]

thanks for the Ikea tip. I'm going Wed. so will pick up some. I really go through a lot of mess paper!!!

[steubner]

I have a self healing mat from Making Memories. Love that thing!

[merryf]

I use a 12 x 18-inch cutting mat that I got at Pearl Paint some years ago. On top of that I make a pad with super-large envelopes that I've sliced open -- you know, the size that come from banks when they send you papers lain flat and not folded, or the size of manila envelopes. I keep them together with my mat in the plastic bag. When one side of paper gets icky from glue residue or glitter or too much stamping (or fraction calculations scribbled all over) I just fold it over and have a clean side. And when they are sliced open and spread out they are really quite large.

Cutting Mats at Pearl Paint:
http://www.pearlpaint.com/shop~ocID~...oryID~1993.htm
I love it b/c it has a ruler and a grid printed on it.
also, they give a discount for teachers and students ...

[jutta]

I have an old oak desk that I bought at a yard sale for ten bucks this year. I refinished it and paid three times what I paid to cover the desk with a sheet of plate glass than I did for the desk itself. It's great - wipes clean, always neat (well, sorta) you can't ruin it. Then I use an old mouse pad and on top of that, I usually have some recycled paper that I got from a printer years ago. They were tossing it, so of course I rescued it! You're talking to a woman that backed her SUV up to two neighbor's trash cans this morning to rescue what they were tossing! Seriously, one was a wooden bar cart and the other item was ten of those really nice shallow baskets that you see people store their stamps in. I don't need these things, but hate to see decent stuff go to the landfill. So wasteful! I'll probably just save it for our churches yard sale or give it away.

Jutta

[Jovi]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greetingsbydebra

I just use the back side of stuff that's gone through the printer and I no longer want (or was a mistake). The whole reduce, reuse,recycle thing.

Me too ;)

[Annek]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenmouer

1) Grid paper
2) a big wall calendar - I bought a bunch of 2007 from Office Max in March for .50 each...they are great because they give you a big surface and when you need a new sheet you just tear off the top month

I do this too - love it! I also have a heavy duty flexible plastic desk protector that I use underneath the calendar.

:-) Anne

[XcessStamps]

Another big wall calendar user. I'm on the look out for sale 2007 calendars!

[cydstamps]

Left over newspaper print! Get it for free from the new paper it is the end of the rolls that will not go thru their presses. cover the whole table or desk. Great when stamping with friends to cover the whole area.

[guatelicia]

A few years ago I got a roll of butcher paper from Costco. I cut a long piece, fold it in half so it is around 15"X20". When it get really dirty I turn it over, then fold it the opposite way and use the other sides and then it goes in the trash. It lasts forever! The roll is still pretty big and it was only $10 or something like that.

[lovingyoualways]

I use the butcher paper too. IT is 20$ at sams. I use it for my heat press and to protect my desk.

[KLF]

I use a cheap pad of newsprint and tear off the top sheet when it gets really dirty, but I'm going out to get some cheap calendars at the end of January! That's a great idea.
Karen

[Donnarie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greetingsbydebra

I just use the back side of stuff that's gone through the printer and I no longer want (or was a mistake). The whole reduce, reuse,recycle thing.

Me three!

[dal]

I stamp on a built in dresser that I covered with plexiglass (was not cheap, but I already got ink on the wood). One top of the plexi I put a cut open cereal box (great for cutting on) and then I use craft foam from Mikes either two 3 mil sheets or one 6 mil, they are a great cushion for stamping on. If I am glueing I just use junk mail or used copy paper and toss when dirty or sticky.

[3boysstampin']

I use the butcher paper from Sam's or Costco as well. I actually have my entire table covered with it--gives me a lot more stamping room. But, in my little stamping spot on the table, I also have a sheet of the SU grid paper. I use it all the time to decide on measurements for my layered pieces--can't be without that!

[Stamp Happy Susie]

On one desk I have my 12x12 glass cutting mat by E.K. Success and next to that is the cutting/scoring mat from my 1-2-3D Cutting System. On my other table I have an 11x17 Rubber Stampede stamping pad, and right next to that I have my 12x18 OLFA Rotary cutting mat. If I need paper underneath I use my grid paper but I hate to waste it and I'm pretty well protected without it.

[hdp]

Since I stamp on my oak dining room table, I purchased a roll of freezer paper. The back of the paper is waterproof, so I don't have to worry about ink stains. It is also great, because I can tear off any size I want.

[Kisamari]

I have my old dinner table that I stamp on.... I try to use a piece of paper underneath or a cutting mat, usually the paper is too small and I have TONS of partial images all over my table! It is my craft table...so it looks quite crafty! I've even sanded parts off before (on accident) because I forgot to put something down first! The table is completely abused, but It is still standing and it is the perfect size for me and for the area that I stamp in! I also have all sorts of extra pieces of ribbon and tape and such stuck to the right corner....when it is stuck to my hand...I stick it to the table to get it off! Oh the poor abuse table! Oh, I even forgot to use a cutting mat before....so I have some nice slices in it too!

[GarnetJ]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greetingsbydebra

I just use the back side of stuff that's gone through the printer and I no longer want (or was a mistake). The whole reduce, reuse,recycle thing.

Me too...
I pick up the "sheet music" from the Worship Team's music stands after church on Sunday. If there is a new song I put it in my 3-ring binder on the piano. ALL the others go into my stamping room.

[stamp1]

I save the packing paper that SU uses in their shipments now. It's perforated, so I just tear a section or two off as needed. When I run out of that, I use my kid's old homework papers, printer rejects, or even junk mail paper.

[winnieu]

I buy cheap rolls of white paper or brown paper from Staples or Lowes....it is only 3 dollars and it lasts....besides, I then cut pieces and stamp on it and use it for gift wrap..... Bought a few rolls for gift wrap for the holiday.....

[annburke]

They have rolls of brown butcher paper at the 99 cent store, I cover my whole table with it and then use a piece of grid paper.

[frosted_gorilla]

I have cheap vinyl tablecloth over the dining room table for me and kids to color and stamp on. It wipes clean of most things.

[cobrielle]

I use the packing paper that comes in SU boxes. I smooth it out and then tear along the perforation lines. I use 4 sheets, folded in half at a time. That way when 1 side gets gross I just flip my paper over.

[jpmayo]

I use the pieces of thin cardboard that come in packs of DP (yes, I have a lot of them...) and cheap cardstock that I get from work.

[contrapat]

I use the butcher paper, too, and being a meat cutter's daughter, I found an old paper holder/cutter in Mom's basement to hold it and cut off chunks. I love using a family relic! I buy at Sam's, too! But I often reuse old printed sheets of paper for various gluing, glittering, and embossing needs.

[kphorse]

I have a very large *tempered* glass cutting board. I cut the *feet* off the bottom and placed it smooth side up on my counter top.

I used *glue lines* to adhere the two front corners. Has been there for 3 years! Works great, everything wipes off and nothing scratches.

[cardmaker2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by GarnetJ

Me too...
I pick up the "sheet music" from the Worship Team's music stands after church on Sunday. If there is a new song I put it in my 3-ring binder on the piano. ALL the others go into my stamping room.

Love that! You can have wonderful worship music running through your head at the same time!

I have a cutting mat that I used when I quilted, 36 x 30 to cover the main area of my desk. Then I use lots of scrap paper from the copier or printer at work.

I like the idea of a large calendar. Want to find myself one. Thanks for the idea!

[Laurie FW]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greetingsbydebra

I just use the back side of stuff that's gone through the printer and I no longer want (or was a mistake). The whole reduce, reuse,recycle thing.

Me, too! I just overlap them all over my relatively small table to make them the size I want, I have never had any problem with them! I turn them over when I think they are too inked up and use the other side, too!

Great question!

[craftygirl04]

Our flyers come in a newspaper sized piece of thick newsprint. I save that sheet every week and have a great covering for my stamping surface. It's even good for alcohol inks...thick enough that the ink doesn't go all the way through.

[Tavias Charms]

You know the paper that comes with the SU orders??? That's what i use to protect my table. I unroll it, and flatten it out and roll it up. it works great.

[mrs_hawkins]

I bought a roll of poster paper from Hobby Lobby for really cheap. It's just white paper. It is about a half an inch wider than my table and I cut it a few inches longer than my table and tape the edges down. When the side that I'm using gets all messy I just flip it over. I also use the paper to stamp off, clean my blender pens, etc., so it gets good and messy.

[greetingsbydebra]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sassyat30

I've tried doing this, but I've found that a "normal" size sheet of paper just isn't big enough for me! LOL

I understand. For me, though, it seems like no matter how large a space I start out with, at some point during my stamping session I'm reduced to a work surface that's just about card front size. :-D Where does all that "stuff" come from? One sheet of standard paper is more than enough.