Trying to do ribbon storage

[franb63]

So I've been going thru threads and seeing about ribbon storage, and I like Becca's system the best.. When you read hers, she says she uses mat board... then reading in the threads people are using foamboard. I figured the foamboard would be the cheapest to be honest found some at the $1 store which ok great deal... BUT I am finding I hate the mess it makes cutting it. I've tried the exacto knife, utility knife, and even scissors.


Any suggestions oh HOW to cut it with minimal shredding the sides and mess?

I know wenchie is the QUEEN of using it and her lines are FANTABLOUS, just not sure how she gets the clean cut *sigh*

Any suggestions on the cutting of foamboard OR should I just go get me a truck load of mat board?

[LeAnne Pugliese]

I use a hot knife to cut my foam to remount my stamps; I would certainly think that it would cut foam board cleanly without a mess....just be careful as the blade gets VERY hot. I got mine online from Amazon, but I have seen them at craft stores as well. I have not tried this but it is just a suggestion.

[melissa59]

I use a hot knife to cut foam board. What I can't find is my ruler with a metal edge, so my cuts aren't that straight. ACK!

And while the hot knife makes cutting through the Styrofoam a breeze, the blade still gets dull and then doesn't want to cleanly cut the paper. Until I get replacement blades, I've just been using a nail file to sort of sharpen up the blade after each use. Not ideal, but it's better than not doing it.

Forgot to add ... the foamboard is rather thick. It's going to take up a lot of space, which is probably why Becca used the heavy mat board.

[AngelinYTH]

I just reorganized my ribbon like this. I used thin chipboard & it worked great. I have tons of it from the backing of paper packs, etc so it didn't cost me anything except for the hair elastics which I got at the dollar store for cheap. I cut my squares 2.5" x 2" using an exacto knife.

I had them in a sterlite drawer unit but I think I'm going to switch to iris totes. I can't see all the ribbon in the drawers without taking the whole drawer out so think the iris totes will work better.

[Catrick]

I found the matt board sheets (about 2' x 4') at Michaels and used my 40% off on it...it ended up costing me about $5.00 for the sheet. I then measured and marked off my strips...took my yard ruler and used my rotary cutter and cut it up into pieces. I found clear hair elastics in my local grocery store.

Cathy

[franb63]

oh thanks everyone for the ideas

I went to Pearls and they had two types of cutters, so lets see how this goes, if this doesnt work I'm liking the no cost factor with chipboard and then the mat board with a coupon is also a good idea
TY TY

I'll let you know bout the cutter

[franb63]

OMG this thing for the 12 bux I spent on it cuts it like butter!!!
I originally went online just looking for something and this popped up so I went to Pearls and Utrecht and picked one up.

http://www.foamwerks.com/tools/bevel/

[cdjkssss]

I've found the trick for cutting foam core board is to NOT try to cut all the way through it. I use my craft knife to cut through just the top paper layer (and obviously part way through the foam as well). Then bend the foam board back away from the cut you just made and it will snap the foam cleanly as well as score the back paper for you. Then just turn it over and cut the back paper on the score line. Easy!

[KoffeeKat]

That looks awesome.

Gotta think Wenchie might have a new item on her wishlist.

[ceramicat1]

Thanks for posting the Foamwerks cutter, I found it today at Joanns

[franb63]

I agree Koffee, she was the first person I thought of.. lol


You're welcome Denise

[scrapnut642]

I used this method also it saved me alot of space. Got 56 rolls in 2 drawers. The only thing is i wrapped them alittle tight and now i have creases in the fold but you can iron that out really quickly so i don't consider it a problem.

[sc magnolia]

I never buy mat board. The local frame shops gives me their scraps. Just ask yours, they will probably give you some.