Wow, what a difference a week makes, it was 55 degrees out today, I was ready to break out the suntan oil and hit the beach! Of course that would mean ice skating rather than sunbathing but still, it felt like spring and could almost ignore the 2 feet (yes! down from 3!) of snow in my yard. Small favors:) Enough about the weather, it’s time for the latest Ask a Crafter and you get to meet one of my cats who paid us a visit, never a dull moment LOL!
Leave your questions in the comments as well as any tips or advice you have for the folks asking questions. The community is so awesome for helping each other out! Thanks for stopping by and til next time happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 
a big shot is fixable in that you can get the replacement parts from sizzix and cuttle bug is not, there is no replacement parts unless you can get someone to make it
LikeLike
My daughter has a Scan n Cut. She hasn’t used it too much yet but she said she was bringing it when she comes to visit so we can have some fun. I have been saving for one because I liked the idea of using my stamps and then scanning them into the machine and cutting them. I would save on buying dies with it. I am anxious to try it. I am a quilter and I want to try cutting some material with it. Always something fun to try.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Lindsay,
You may have covered this in the last week’s AAC, but I am still a little confused. I too love Michael’s 110lb heavyweight paper for my card bases, but my local store was out when it was time to restock my stash. My husband suggested I look online and I found Neenah 110lb weight cardstock (I thought SCORE!!) but when it was delivered it wasn’t the same thickness. I was wondering if you could explain the differences in 110lb paperweight. Thanks So Much and LOVE Ask A Crafter!!
Angelia Vogt
LikeLike
I have also been looking at cardstock weights since the AAC when you discussed it. It seems most of the “big names” use Neenah 80 lb., solar white, which is expensive. Online I can find Neenah 65 lb. Is there that much difference? Also, how do you determine the weight of Michael’s? I do not see it on the package. Are you referring to the folded kind that come with envelopes in a package, or just a package of 9×12 cardstock. What would be the weight difference between the cardstock/envelopes and the package? All questions I have not been able to answer.
Sally
LikeLike
it is a thick pack of 8.5″x11″ cardstock and it says 110# on it, it is about $12 for 100 sheets but I used a coupon. It comes in white and cream.
LikeLike
Thanks for your help. Would you say the Michael’s 110 lb compares favorably with the Neenah 80lb., or more like the Neenah 65 lb? I can see I need to buy big packs rather than the card/envelope combo.
LikeLike
it is much heavier than the neenah 80# but it is not as good for coloring with copics so make the base from REcolections110 and stamp and color on the neenah 80# and layer it:)
LikeLike
Hi Lindsey please take a picture of the snow before it all disappears !
LikeLike
Lindsay, would like to know if Lorraine made her earrings. I saw them last week and was wondering about them. Love to watch you girls.
LikeLike
My OttLite floor lamp base broke. The light is in perfect working order and I hate to toss it.
The base is just a thick plastic oval filled with concrete that is sealed with thin plastic on bottom.
The concrete crumbled, the thin plastic cracked and concrete is falling out everywhere!
I googled for repair ideas but nothing there! Help…. You are my OttLites last hope!
LikeLike
You might have the same one I do, is it really crumbly or just a few cracks? You might be able to use a Drylock cement from the hardware store to repare it or fill a bucket with concrete (like they do for mailboxes somethimes) and what is left of the stand in there.
LikeLike
I have the same problem with my Ottlite floor lamp. Nice light but poorly designed base. At this point the lamp pole has completely detached from the plastic-and-cement base so the lamp falls over. I’m sure it can be repaired but haven’t figured out how yet. The cement base is beyond repair, but perhaps I can replace it with a barbell weight?
LikeLike
might as well try it.
LikeLike
Hi Lindsay….RE: Die cutting machines…..I have 3 and my favorite is the Cheery Lynn Designs Crossover – it takes up to 8 1/2 inches wide, has one base plate and one cutting plate (so only one cutting mate to replace – and I have been using the same plate it came with daily since August and still no warping), has a dial on top to control pressure (so almost no shimming necessary), and most importantly the rollers are solid metal to give you even pressure all across your platform (ALL other machines have the pressure rollers only on the sides of their machines). The machine sides fold up so it takes up less room on your crafting table when stored – but is a very heavy machine so you would not want to have to move it from place to place. Cost $250.00 and $25.00 shipping. My next favorite is my Big Shot (been using it for around 8 years) which did break awhile back…it has 3 wheels inside and some of the teeth broke off. I contacted Sizzix, told them the part I wanted and they sent me 2 for $5.00 and no shipping. My husband unscrewed the bottom, replaced the bad wheel and screwed the bottom plate back on….he said it is a well made machine! My third machine is an electric die cutter – E-Bosser….only used it a few times and liked it, but prefer the ease of the other two machines now that my shoulder has healed (why I bought the electric). I have disposed of both of my Spellbinder machines – the ratchet type and the Grand Calibur – did not like either of those machines. Will probably sell my E-Bosser too…do NOT need 3 machines – LOL!
Paper Hugs,
Jan Castle
LikeLike
Learned alot! Thank you Lindsey.
LikeLike
Hi! Gals! I was wondering what is so special about the new..Spectrum Waterbased markers and can I use them like watercolor pencils? Thanks!
Jackie
LikeLike
Question and comment tonight. Question is, the use of baby wipes to clean my stamps. Unfortunately I don’t get to do as much stamping as I’d like to, and when I go to use my wipes they’ve become dried out. Are they still effective cleaning tools if I add water to the package to moisten them again and do I need to add anything else to make them work?
As for die cutting machines, I’ve had a Pazzles for at least 9 years, and got it when Cricut couldn’t even come close to matching it with what it would do. I also have the Grand Calibur, and got it more for embossing than cutting, but naturally I’ve gotten quite a few cutting dies since sometimes that’s so much easier than using the Pazzles. I chose it over the Big Shot because it takes a wider piece of paper when you’re embossing.
Thanks for all your info.
LikeLike
HI Crafty Ladies!! I enjoy watching AAC videos there a lot of fun and I get to learn some awesome things:) My question is too all 3 ladies if any one as made there own board game? If so what would you reckon is the best base for the board? I hear a lot of people just use cardboard. Any tips I would really appreciate it:)
LikeLike
Tammy, as a retired teacher, several of my students used foam board or small science fair boards to make review game boards. Poster board works but is not as sturdy and long lasting. Hope this helps!
LikeLike
Thank you so much!!
LikeLike