No Time To Stamp?

…some simple and effective storage solutions.  We all know the problems that are inherent with this hobby — so much *stuff* — such a big *mess* — well, that’s how it is for me, anyway!  And I am making headway in my never-ending quest for organization, one baby step at a time.  I’ll share just a bit here today, and I’ll start with stamp storage.

When clear stamps are purchased, they typically come on acetate type sheets in a plastic sleeve.  We really do need a better way to store them on a permanent basis.  The buyers at Flourishes have found a wonderful solution — Clear Boxes that easily house two small (4 x 6) sets, or one large (8 x 6) set.  The boxes measure 4 x 6 and are a full 1/2″ thick.  The hinge opens in the middle, they lay flat when opened, giving you two sides for storage.  Here’s what they look like:

As you can see, the two standing have stamp sets in them.  You do have to trim the acetate that the stamp sets come on just a bit to fit in the box, but not much and that just takes a minute.  I like to just lay my acetate sheet with stamps on it in the box, the acetate (pictured) side out (stamps facing in), so I can easily see on the outside all that is contained in the set.  I cut a sheet of white cardstock to 4 x 6 and keep it between the sets so when the box is closed, I have a white background and can easily see each set, rather than seeing through one set to the other.  Makes for a cleaner display of my sets.  Here’s a pic of the box opened, with two sets in it:

This makes it very easy to take off the stamp you want and return it when you are finished.  I have found I spend a LOT less time *looking* for those tiny clear stamps since I have put all my stamps into these clear boxes.  Since there is a place to put them, I do put them back, rather than setting them on the table, loosing them, and then spending precious time frantically looking for them (have you been there? — LOL!!!).  These boxes come in sets of 6 (enough for 12 small sets or 6 large sets) and are very reasonably priced.  They can be seen here.

Also, I did some shopping and just got some new Spellbinder dies in the mail today, so thought I’d show them to you.  These are the Tag Trios on the left and the Double Ended Tags on the right:

I love adding tags to cards — a great way to get a sentiment on your project while adding interest and fun — and I love dangling tags from a string — the Tag Trios on the left are PERFECT for that!!! Can’t wait to use them.  And the Double Ended Tags on the right will look great attached with brads for a more permanent look and feel!!!

And I’ll be pefectly honest with you — I was planning to have a card or two here today to show you using these fun tags, but life just did not cooperate with me — I’m sure you know what I mean — interruptions galore coupled with a busy schedule just didn’t allow me to get cards made last night — and once I could see the writing on the wall, I figured that rather than fight to do a card, I would just settle for something less, something do-able under the circumstances.  So what I did is make up a few of the tags, ready to go for the next time I can sit and make some cards.  Having a few things pre-made and ready to go helps out a lot if you need to make a card quickly.  I often make things ahead and I’m always so glad to just be able to grab them when needed.  Here’s a few tags in the works:

See my roll of Scotch Removable Tape?  That has a permanent place right next to my Cuttlebug.  I use a ton of this tape.  I use it to tape my Spellbinder dies onto my paper, as shown above. If you’ve used these before, you know how they would move around if not taped.  One little piece of removable tape does the trick.  I also use the Scotch Removable Tape to temporarily hold my card pieces together as I am planning layouts.  When I make my cards, I figure things out as I go.  I may think a certain color matting will work, but in the end use another color.  I have learned to NEVER permanently adhere anything together until I have the entire card made up, laid out in front of me, and I’m happy with it.  And I use the Scotch Removable Tape a lot as I play around with my pieces, matting, framing, layouts, etc.  And you can use one piece of tape over and over again. 

Anyway, back to my tags.  Here they are all run through the Cuttlebug, cut and ready to be embossed:

It is a bit of a time saver when you make multiple tags rather than just one.  As you can see, I can now run these all through my Cuttlebug at one time to emboss them, rather than individually.  Anything to save time!!!  And here they are, done:

Sorry for all the flecks of dirt on this photo — I didn’t even see that IRL!!!  Oh well — Also, the embossing isn’t showing up the best either, but it is there, and it is the embossing on these tags that sets them apart from tags punched with a regular punch.  The embossing adds so much richness, I think!  The Coffee sentiments are from Coffee with Friends,  Just Because is from Siberian Iris, Peony is from Peony, Happy Birthday is from Many Sentiments.

And now it’s time to put our tag dies away — here’s a GREAT solution.  My idea — NOT!!! Wish it was — LOL!!!  I’ve seen this on many Blogs, the first being on Debbie Olson’s Blog, and I sure was quick to make use of this great idea!!!  All of my Nestabilities are stored in CD cases, and here’s the case for my tag dies:

You can purchase these sticky back magnet strips in the children’s craft section of Wal-Mart — they are so easy to use.  I just cut them to fit the CD case.  They are cut a bit differently for these tags than for the larger Nestabilities, but all the same idea.  There are four sets of tag dies in this one CD case — now how convenient is that!!!  The 2 sets I showed you today are on the left, and the Ribbon Slides and Label Trios are on the right.  But I would like to add, all of my Nesties would also work in the Clear Boxes shown above.  I just didn’t have my Clear Boxes when I started my storage for my Nesties.  Using the Clear Boxes would actually avoid the issue of the hump in the middle of the CD case!

(Editing:  OK, I’ve learned from several readers that you can pull that plastic center from the CD case — DUH!!!! Thank you so much — LOL!!! Glad I learned that — LOL!!!)

(Editing again:  Oh gosh, you people are so waaaayyyy ahead of me — LOL!!! I ‘m getting so many emails — you are all using these Clear Boxes for your Nesties and telling me how much better they work than the CD cases — you are all shaming me into changing them all over to Clear Boxes — LOL!!! — THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!)

And once you’re here to look, just wanted to share about this Stamp Cleaner specially formulated for clear stamps:

It does a wonderful job cleaning your clear stamps, makes them feel silky smooth, which is so nice, but this cleaner’s claim to fame in my book is its smell — it has the MOST declicious scent of citrus!!! It makes me WANT to clean my stamps!!!!  Gotta love it!!!  The pad and cleaner can be seen here.

Thanks so much for stopping in today.  My next post will contain a card, I promise!!! Hope you are all having a wonderful week!!!  OH, and if you like simple, you will LOVE this week’s Stamp Simply Challenge on Friday — be sure to come back and check it out — whether you plan to play or just check out everyone’s entries!!!

Gosh, it’s Tuesday again — where does the time go!!!  Good thing Tuesday’s call for only a 10 minute card!!!  Before I get into any details, I’d like to itemize all the things about this card that contribute to it being just a 10 minute card:

1. No stamping
2. Use of tools (Heart shaped Nestabilities)
3. Use of a scrap (that happened to be pre-stamped)
4. Use of ribbon for a scalloped edge (no need to make scallops)
5. Use of designer paper (rather than stamping a background)
6. A CASED design (YES, it is OK to CASE!!! LOL!!!)

This 4.25″ square card is a design CASED from Tracy Durcan.  You can see her darling card here.  As you can see, I only changed the focal image from her sentiment scallop to my heart.  Though the colors and patterns are different, the basic design is the same.  Taking someone else’s design and making it your own, is a sure-fired time saver.   And those of us who take the time to upload and share our work, generally don’t mind being CASED.  After all, isn’t imitation the highest form of flattery?  We just must always be careful not to submit the work of another for contest or publication, and if we upload work CASED from another, we must remember to credit the original designer.  Very simple rules.  And most Blogs do have their own statement in the sidebar as to their feelings on being CASED, so it’s always a good idea to check there.  Gee, I didn’t mean to get side tracked — back to the card –

The designer paper I used is from the Sugared 6 x 6 pad by Basic Grey.  Love the colors and fun prints in this pad!!!  I took my Classic Heart Nestabilities and first cut and embossed the smaller  heart, then found the scrap of So Saffron with the retired SU French Script already stamped on it  — how handy — so I thought I’d use it for the larger heart.  I often use corsage or stick pins in my work, but I always insert them at an angle — don’t know why — it’s just what I do — LOL!!!  I recently saw this card by Velta where she inserted the pin straight up and down into the heart and I loved it — so, another CASE!!!  My corsage pins are from Michaels and the tiny pearl beads are from Wal-mart.   I then tied on a little piece of the Pink Velvet Ribbon by May Arts.  Love the richness just this little bit of velvet adds!

Once again, I have used the Scalloped Edge Satin Ribbon by May Arts to create a scallop along the border of my designer paper.  Now, had I been thinking, I could have cut this ribbon down the center and done this with only a bit over 4″ of ribbon; however, I wasn’t thinking, and I put a full strip of ribbon on both top and bottom — oh well, next time!!!  Also, I ALWAYS wrap my ribbon, either behind a panel or around the card front.  Well, this is one of the few times that I actually cut my ribbon and it doesn’t wrap around anything, but with it being tucked under the paper, we are not seeing any ragged or frayed edges, so I’m OK with that in this situation.

• Stamps:  None (SU retired French Script on So Saffron scrap found)
• Paper:  Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Sugared by Basic Grey
• Ink:  None (More Mustard was used on the French Script scrap)
• Accessores:  Scalloped Edge Satin Ribbon, Velvet Ribbon, Corsage Pin, Pearl Beads, Dimensionals, Classic Heart Nestabilities by Spellbinders

And I guess that pretty well sums it up — gee, took me tons longer to write this post than it took to make the card — LOL!!!  I encourage you all to try a 10 minute card, employing some of the hints I’ve listed above.  If you do, let me know how it turns out!  If you care to link back here, I’ll take a peek!!!

Once again, thanks so much for stopping in!!!  Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Flourishes release of 2 new stamp sets, so hope you check back in.  And I’ll give you a little hint — there are some other fun activities planned in the Flourishes forum at SCS for tomorrow, so stop in over there, too!!!  Hope you all have a great day!!!

Editing to Add:  I was reminded by a comment that not eveyone knows what Nestabilities are.  Nestabilities are thin metal dies, made to run through a die cutting system.  I use mine in my Cuttlebug.  They not only cut out your shape, but they can also emboss the edge for you — a very cool feature.  My photography skills are not the best, but here’s a card that shows the embossed edges on the hearts.  And below is a photo of a complete set of Nestability Circles that I just got in the mail and haven’t openend yet:

The shapes come with a standard straight edge and also with a scalloped edge.  See how there are two pacakages of each?  There is a large and small of each.  They come in graduated sizes which nest together, which is great for layering and matting.  If you only have one size of a shape, it will mat to about 1/4″, but if you have both sizes of the shape, the matted layers will be about 1/8″.  Here’s a card with the narrower matting, using dies from both the sets.

And here’s a link to a video tutorial by Nancy Kirk from Flourishes showing you how to use the Nestabilities in your Cuttlebug.  A very helpful tutorial if you’ve never seen this done before!  I have purchased all of my Nestabilities from Flourishes.

If you’ve got an inkling to take the plunge and try them out, I GUARANTEE you will love them — no doubt about it!!!  And we didn’t even touch on the discussion of storing these as opposed to storing large punches, or the tremendous cost savings when comparing a similiar number of punches to  Nestability dies.  This conversation could go on forever, but I think you get the idea — I LOVE my Nestabilities!!!

Hope this helps those of you who may be unaware — again, thanks for stopping in!

The graduation announcements are starting to flow in, so I thought I’d better get busy!!!  I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to try out the numbers and small letters that can be purchased to go with the DIY Monogram Stampers by JustRite — which, as you may know, is my latest obsession!!!  I have always loved monograms, but rarely did them, having to fuss with perfect alignment of letters within frames, etc.  But, now — well, it couldn’t be easier and I’m having so much fun!!!

I wanted to personalize this graduation card with the recipients name, and the small letters are perfect for that.  They are small, and I mean VERY small!!! They come with a set of tweezers to pluck them out of their tray and pop them into the groove in the stamper.  Once in the groove, you can just use the tweezers to scoot them over to get them spaced properly.  To be perfectly honest, I was a bit apprehensive about using these tiny letters — my eyes are every bit of their 54 years, properly clad in bifocals, and somehow over the years my fingers have become clumsy, and are no longer nimble.  But, where there’s a will, there’s a way — so I picked up the tweezers and away I went — and, much to my surprise, it was truly no problem at all!!!  It was quite easy to get the little letters into the groove on the stamper, and then very easy to move them about once in the groove.  It was certainly not the challenge I feared it might be!!!  And that’s a good thing!!!  But after I show you the finished card, I will give you some little hints.   Here’s the card:

I personalized the monogram with Congrats Tyler around the outer perimeter in the Small Letters.  The center 2008 was done with the medium numbers from the Large and Medium Numbers package.  These were stamped using the DIY Monogram Stamper C-45.  However, this also could have been stamped with any of the smaller Kits.

Question:  Now let me address another question I’ve been getting all day long — people are wondering how these circle images work with the SU 1 1/4″ and 1 3/8″ punches.  Well — they don’t.  These images done on the C-45 and the wooden stamper (the Classic Stamper)  with the wording on the ring around the border are too large for the 1 1/4 and 1 3/8″ SU punches.  They work perfectly with the Circle Nestabilites by Spellbinders.  I still don’t have my Circle Nestabilities, so again, I had to make due without, which isn’t always a bad thing — it stretches the imagination!!!  I’ve been doing these in squares, but really wanted a rounded image for this card, so I punched my monogram with a 2″ Marvy Punch.   I then used my Oval Nestabilities to make a matted oval on which I mounted my circle punched monogram — then I just added the gold brads to finish off the look!!!  I was very pleased with the end result of my monogrammed piece!!!

Now, to make the rest of the card, I used the Harlequin set by Flourishes, stamped in Elegant Eggplant and the diamond centers are embossed in gold.  The far left Elegant Eggplant strip is stamped with Damask in Versa Mark for a subtle flourishy look.  I used a strip of Gold Metallic Paper as piping between my Harlequin and Damask, and also as the card front.  The tassel is a bookmark type of tassell I got at Wal-Mart.  Such fun personalizing these cards!!!

• Stamps:  Harlequin, Damask, DIY Monogram Stamper, Numbers and Small Letters, all available at Flourishes
• Paper:  Black, White, Elegant Eggplant, Gold Metallic from Flourishes
• Ink:  Black, Elegant Eggplant, Versa Mark
• Accessories:  Gold Embossing Powder, Tassel, Gold Brads, Petite Oval Nestabilities, 2″ Marvy Punch, Pop Dots, Mini Glue Dots

Hint:  Now, if you think you’d like to get the set of small alphas, here’s a little tip.  Before you ever take even one out of the tray, just ink the entire set as one unit and stamp it on a piece of paper for future reference.  Once taking out many small stamps, having the stamped reference sheet proves to be invaluable when looking at the small letters and not being able to tell a comma from an apostrophe, etc.  It’s a simple thing to do and will be helpful in the end!!!

Links:   I’ve seen several personalized cards of recent done with these small alphabets that I’d like to link for you to see, in case you’ve missed them.  Here they are:

Jerri Kay — A Gift Set of Cards with Box — this is the group photo, there are individual photos as well (not the small alphabets, but worthy of a look)!!!

Kellie Fortin – Boy’s Birthday Project          

Kellie Fortin — Altered Band Aid Box done by 10-year old Jack — very cool!!!

Susan Roberts – Boy’s Birthday Card (plus a gorgeous Wedding Card)   

Debbie Olson — Anniversary Card

Aren’t they fun!!!  Thanks so much for stopping in again!!!  We have a really simple Stamp Simply Challenge lined up for Friday, so please check back for that!!!  Hope you are having a great week!!!                               

Hi everyone!  This is the first time I’ve stamped anything in what seems like ages, but I guess it really only is about a week.  But it’s 10 Minute Tuesday, and what a great way to break me back in!!!  I actually have two 10 minute cards to show you and although they are very different, they do bear some similarities.  Here’s the first:

This card truly is fast to make, and for a number of reasons.  First of all , the main image, which is a monogram, is done quickly and easily with  the JustRite DIY Monogram Stamper Kit, and secondly, I merely covered the entire face of the card with designer paper. The kit used to make this card has a small wooden stamper in it, and that is what I used.  Just like the larger C-45, you can change the borders and the initial in the center.  The kit I used (pictured below) is the JustRite DIY Monogram Stamper Kit with  Damask Borders.  There are 3 borders included, and I love them all!  They are just my style and go so well with the flourishy style I am so drawn to.  The one I did for this card was colored, direct to rubber, with my SU markers in Pink Passion and Chocolate Chip.  I have also easily inked the monograms and borders in the past with the small cat’s eye chalk ink pads and my SU ink pads as well.   After stamping my monogram (how pretty!!!), I ticket corner punched the corners, matted it on a sheet of the designer paper, adhered my self-adhesive pearls and mounted onto the card with mounting tape.  And I’d like to add, that though I did this monogram with the small wooden stamper, it could also have been done with the C-45 as the borders and alphas are interchangeable.

As far as the DP goes, this is from the new fun Sultry pad by Basic Grey.  I LOVE that chocolate and paisley sheet!!! I merely cut a strip of paper to sandwich between the upper and lower papers to give the illusion of piping between the two pieces of fabric – and can  you believe — NO ribbon — which is another reason it is fast  — no knots or bow to fuss with!!!  Here’s my next card:

This card bears a much more masculine flavor and uses the Harlequin background in the set by the same name by Flourishes.  It is stamped in black and the diamonds are added in red as a second step — a very cool type of background stamp with many different accent stamps to suit any occasion!  Now, on this card I used the JustRite Monogram Stamper C-45.  It is super quick to use!!!  You can get uninked pads that are two-toned — an outer rim for one color and the center inside for another.  You can ink them in your own colors — for this card I used SU ink refills in Basic Black and Real Red — love the look!!!  I only stamped 1 monogram for this card today, but using the C-45 you can stamp these attractive monograms so quickly it’ll make your head spin — truly it will!!!  What a wonderful way to make up a quick box of cards to give as a gift, which I certainly plan to do in the very near future!!!  I used a set of borders that include From the Desk of — From the Library of — and From the Kitchen of — HOW FUN!!!

I also want to add that these monograms are sized to perfectly fit with the Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders, so they can be matted, scalloped, embossed, etc.  They look just GREAT when used with the Nestabilies.  Sadly to say, my Nestabilities are on order and I still haven’t received them — and as anxious as I am for them to arrive, I am still so enjoying my DIY stampers when done up in squares!!!  Many options — lots of fun!!!  Here’s a picture of the stampers I’m referring to:

The black stamper on the left is the C-45.  The ink pad is inside and when you push on the stamper, it inks the rubber and gives you a perfectly stamped image each time.  This stamper is super fast and a real necessity for large projects.  The box shown on the right houses one of the many small wooden stamper sets, the Classic Stamper.  It uses all the same borders and alphas/numbers as the C-45.  I love that they are all interchangeable.  This set that I used came with the Damask Borders.  Fun, fun stuff!!!  You can view the Flourishes Newsletter for some good  close-up photos of the wooden stamper itself.   And I think the small boxed set with the Classic Wooden Stamper would make just the most fun gift to give to a stamping friend — it is attractively presented and has all you need to get going with some monograms!!!

The Harlequin stamp set, both DIY Monogram Stampers by JustRite, the Sulty 6 x 6 pad by Basic Grey, and the Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders that I referred to above are all available at Flourishes.

Thanks so much for stopping in!!! Hope you are all off to a great week ahead!!!

Editing to answer a question:  A reader asked how I center the monogram on the square when using the C-45.  She was having trouble doing so.  I found it to be quite simple when I use a 2″ square to stamp on.  Using a 2″ square it is very easy to center the stamper on the paper — don’t try to center to stamp itself — just center the black plastic stamper, on the 2″ square.  When you try this, you will see that the stamper base is just about 2″ itself, making it very easy to center it both horizontally and vertically on the paper — you can peek in the stamper opening and just see all edges of your 2″ square barely touching the stamper edges.  Perfectly centered each time!!!

Using the small round wooden Classic stamper — it is just easy to see that you are centering it on the paper as it is so small and open.

Of course, if you plan to cut the monogram with the Round Nestabilites after the image is stamped, then you don’t have to worry about centering at all!!!

Hope this helps and hope you all have fun playing with your new toys!!!

Editing again to answer another question:  Another question has popped up in comments, so I’ll include the answer here in case others have the same question — Julie said she has problems getting her C-45 to stamp the image evenly.  I know exactly what she means.  When I first used mine — same thing.  First of all, make sure your ring/alpha is snapped in properly, but assuming it is — here’s what I discovered after about 10 minutes of experimentation — I think when I stamped I was applying uneven pressure with my hands to the top of the stamper as I pressed.  To solve that problem, I use the C-45 while standing — I think it gives a more even pressure as I can get above the stamper and press straight down.  I put the palm of my right hand on top of the stamper, then I take my left hand and apply pressure on top of my right hand when I push down.  Doing it this way it evenly distributes the pressure and I get a perfect image each time.  I am sure if you do it this way (stand and use 2 hands), you’ll get a perfect image each time as well.

Just a quick note as I know many of you have been waiting for the Petite Oval Nestabilities by Spellbinders — well, they are now back in stock at Flourishes, so that is good news.  They differ from the standard Ovals in that they are somewhat more elongated.  I used them on this card, if you’d like to take a peek.

Just letting you know, as I know some have been waiting!!! And the full set ships for FREE!!!

Thanks much — hope you are having a great day!!! 

Oh, if you are just checking in, please note there is a Blog Candy post just below!!!

This will be an Oldies but Goodies post today — which I did not plan on doing, but I have a little story to tell which involves this card, so here we go –

We all love surprises now, don’t we?  Well, I got an email from a good SCS friend yesterday, congratulating me on my card on the first page of the current issue of CardMaker (May 2008).  Well, that was certainly a surprise as I didn’t think I had submitted any cards to that magazine.  So, the investigation begins — LOL!!!  I still haven’t seen the magazine, only a scan of it, but yes, my card is definitely there, page 1 on the inside cover, as big as life, the only card on the page.  Come to find out it is an ad for Prism Paper — gee, I felt totally honored!!!  And they staged it all so nice — a great photo!!!  That was a card I made about a year ago using all Prismatics Papers and SU’s Doodle This set.  Prism actually had my card as I sent it to them, thanking them for their gorgeous line of paper.  Little did I know it would surface a year later in a magazine ad!  I am honored that they liked it enough to use it!!!   THANK YOU PRISM!!!   And the moral of this story — once you mail out a card, you NEVER know where it’s going to end up — LOL!!!! 

Here’s my SCS upload of that card — which surely looks like a sorry photo compared to the one Prism took, but here it is:

All the details on this card can be seen on my SCS upload.

And just a brief word about the Prism paper — the paper I have is 12 x 12 Prismatics.  It is smooth on one side and textured on the other — look closely at my photo above and you can see the texture (both in the card and in the paper used as a backdrop).  I LOVE that texture — I’ve used it often and especially love it when doing 3-D items like purses, totes, bags, etc.  I has such a nice leathery appearance when used in that fashion, especially with a little bit of sponging — it looks so leather-like — love it!!!  I also really love their line of colors — especially the soft pastel shades they have — they are just so soft and luscious.  I can ALWAYS find just the right shade in my Prismatics drawer.  I also love the rich, deep browns they have — just some of my favorites — but they have just a ton of colors, so there is something to please everyone!!!   Here’s the link to Prism Papers if you’d like to check them out yourself.   Now I believe their site is a wholesale site and you may have to do a Google Search to find a retailer for the Prism Papers.

That’s it for now — I’m still struggling to keep my head above water in my stamp room cleaning project.  The new counter/cabinet is installed, I got the painting done that I needed to — now just to deal with the mess — slow and steady, wins the race — or so they say — LOL!!! Thanks much for stopping in!!! Hope you all have a great week!!!

Four months ago I didn’t even know a score board existed.  Today I own two of them — the Scor-Pal and the Scor-It, and I’ll tell you, I’ll never again be without one.  As far as I am concerned a score board is every bit as essential to the card maker and paper crafter as is a paper cutter.  I have had about 3 months experience with the Scor-Pal and about a month with the Scor-It.  Both boards do essentially the same thing — score and straight line emboss paper — but they just function in different ways to accomplish this.

The Scor-Pal is a board with numerous grooves right in the board.  You lay your paper on the board, select the groove you want, and run the scoring tool along the groove.  It presses a groove, or embossed or scored line, in your paper, the embossed side being on the underside and the debossed, or dented side, being on top as you are pressing into the groove.

The Scor-it is a board that has one center rail on which you score, or emboss.  It is a metal rail that is raised up a bit higher than the board.  When you lay your paper on the board you then run your scoring tool along this raised rail.  The tool has a groove in it, so as it passes along the rail the paper on top of the rail is left raised, or embossed, leaving the scored line, or embossed line on the top of the paper, with the debossed, or dented in side, on the underside.

Size/Weight/Construction

Scor-Pal:  Measures 12 7/8 x 14 1/4″, weights exactly 1 #, is completely plastic, has 4 rubbery feet, has a plastic scoring tool that snaps into the frame of the board for safe keeping when not in use. 

Scor-it:  Measures 12 3/8 x 13 3/8″, weighs 3# 7 oz., is mostly plastic but the bed/table is much thicker than the Scor-Pal, accounting for the extra weight, has 6 rubbery feet, has a wooden scoring tool that is attached to the board with a chain.  The rail that you actually emboss on is metal.  There is also a metal stop guide that you can easily attach which you would use if you were mass producing an item and doing repeated scores on the same mark. 

Ruler Markings/Bed/Function

Scor-Pal:  The table where you lay your paper is plastic and has a raised fence on the top where the ruler is and the sides, and the idea is that you push your paper up into the corner, hold it with one hand (it can’t move because of the raised fence), and score with the other.  The grooves basically go in 1/2″ increments, with some additional grooves for common scores required by card makers (4 1/4, 2 1/8 , etc., as well as markings for the 1/3 points on an 11″ sheet).   There are additional ruler markings, without grooves, for the 1st inch and the last 1/2 inch of the ruler.  As long as you are doing scores using standard and common measurements, you push your paper into the corner and score on your desired mark.  And as long as you want to score on the standard measurements that have grooves, you can score multiple scores on one sheet without moving the sheet.  If you want to score on an increment not accounted for on the board, you do some quick math in your head, and move the paper out from the left edge, pulling it away from the fence.  If you want to score at 5 3/4, you would pull your paper away from the left edge and line it up with the 1/4″ mark, then you would score on the 6″ groove (6 minus 1/4 = 5 3/4).  

Scor-it:  The table where you lay your paper is rubbery, so once you position your paper where you want it, it won’t move one bit.  There is only one place on this board to score, and that is on the metal rail right in the center.  The ruler, which has all standard ruler markings, measures out in both directions from center, centering being 0.  It is very easy to find center on any size piece with the ruler running in both directions from center.  To score 2″ from an edge, you merely place your edge on 2″ and score.  If you want your next score at 4″, move your paper to the 4″ marking and score again, etc.  Your paper must be moved for each score.  The non-slip surface makes this very easy.  There is a fence on the top along the ruler edge to butt your paper up against.  There are no fences along the sides, allowing you to use any size paper and have your paper extend over the edges as you place it where needed.  You can score at any increment desired, just place your paper edge at that ruler marking.  Also, on the rail where you run the scoring tool, it is notched up into the ruler, allowing you to get your tool up above the paper so you never miss that very top portion as you begin your score. 

Performance

Information taken from the product packaging:

Scor-Pal:  “When possible, always score with the grain of the paper to avoid cracking.  This is very important when using textured or heavy weight card stock.”

Scor-it:  “Score with or against the paper grain.  It can handle up to 24 pt board.  It will also score thin metals, plastics, synthetic and hand-made papers, metallic coated papers and much more!”

The following are results from tests I did with papers I had at home:

Standard Cardstock:  Both scored equally as well.

Mirrored Metallic Cardstock:  Both scored equally as well.

Backing Board from SU 12 x 12 DP package:  The Scor-Pal score was light, but suitable.  The Scor-it score was noticeably deeper.

Thin Chipboard Coaster:  I had problems with the Scor-Pal.  The scoring tool would not follow the groove well, it wanted to run off track.  It seemed to follow better in one direction than the other.  The score was effortless and perfect with the Scor-it.

I wish I had metal to try, but I didn’t.

That pretty much wraps up the facts — hope I didn’t forget anything.  If I did, just ask and I’ll see if I know.  If anyone reading this has comments or any experience they care to share, those comments are welcome.  The sole purpose of this post is to answer questions that readers have had about both these score boards.  Which board anyone might choose will depend on their needs and preferences.

Here is the link to Scor-Pal and here is the link to Scor-it.  Both sites will give you far better photos than I can offer as well as more info and project tutorials.  You can order the Scor-Pal directly from their site.  I don’t believe you can order the Scor-it from their site, but you can read all about it.  To find a retailer for the Scor-it, just do a Google search and a lot of retailers will pop up. (See below, I just listed one retailer)

Scor-Pal has a carrying bag for their board.

Scor-it has many other score boards availabe in both larger and smaller sizes, and some with maple construction.

Hope those of you considering a score board will find this helpful!!! As always, thanks for stopping!!!

Editing to Add:  The question I have been repeatedly asked these last few weeks is if I could only keep one, which would it be.  I see that has come up again in the comments, so just let me say, it’s a decision I don’t have to make, and I’m glad for that.  Both of these score boards live happily, side by side, in my stamp room.  I use them both every day.  I have the best of both worlds.  There are 2 major differences I see here, and each of you must decide for yourselves what is important to YOU and the way YOU work.

The ruler — do you want to have the convenience of scoring within the grooves on the standard measurements; or do you prefer the flexibility of moving your paper to the exact position you need on a well marked ruler.  The answer to this, in large part, will depend on the type of work you do most often.

The item being scored — do you strictly use standard cardstock, or do you venture off into other projects requiring some more non-standard or heavier materials?

I can not and will not endorse one product over the other — like I’ve said before, it’s like being asked which child is your favorite — you don’t have a favorite child — you love them each for what they are!!!  I love both my score boards and I know you’ll be happy with which ever one you choose!!!

EDITING AGAIN:  I will answer each question right in the comments under their question.

ANOTHER EDIT:  Tim Hammonds, who is the man behind the Scor-it, just sent me an email attaching a very interesting brochure that explains a lot about the making of paper, paper grain, testing for paper grain, hinge scores, letterpress scores, and why proper scoring is so important to achieve a professional looking result.  I found the brochure very interesting and helpful and I learned a lot.  I am trying to attach it here – but I’m not so sure the attachment will work — please bear with me as I’m trying to figure this out. – OK,  my attachment is not working — trying to fix it — sorry — OK — I am obviously  not able to get this attachment to work — if anyone wants this info, just say so and I’ll email it to you — no problem.  Thanks!

Still another edit:  It was just pointed out to me by a reader that the Scor-it is available through Ellen Hutson.  I love shopping with Ellen — she has a ton of great things and ships immediately — can’t get any better!!!

I am so sorry to bore you folks to death, but I just can’t get off this kick!  I am *so* into these super simple and quick cards lately using a combination of the Cuttlebug and Scor-Pal, and I can’t seem to put Nursery Necessities away - I just love it!!!  Here’s my latest:

This is made in a similar fashion to the cards in my previous posts.  White panel is 4 x 5.25″.  The small folder was used to emboss with the Cuttlebug.  Place the folder in the center, run through the CB, then do each side, so it is going through the CB 3 times.  Then take it to the Scor-Pal, turn it upside down so the embossed squares are facing the table (wrong side up), line up the top of the embossed square on the 4 1/2″ line, then score at the 4 1/4 and 4″ lines, pressing hard and going over it twice to get a good impression.  Turn it over and it should look like the above. Stamp as shown, attach ribbon to panel, attach completed panel to card base — done!!!  Another super quickie with the use of good and fun tools!!!

• Stamps:  Nursery Necessities
• Paper:  Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
• Ink:  Pretty in Pink and Basic Black Markers,  Black Stazon
• Accessories:  Ribbon, Cuttlebug, Stitched Squares Embossing Folder, Scor-Pal

ETA:  And now that I see this on the monitor, I notice my little chickies need some eyes –a little black dot will do it — so often I think I’m *done*, then when I see it on the monitor some *unfinished* aspect of it just jumps out at me!!!  Oh well — easy enough to fix!!!

My last few posts have generated a lot of questions, so I guess that means I didn’t do a very good job of explaining things — so rather than answer all the emails, I’ll try to address the questions here — and there are basically only 2 questions, but they’ve been asked repeatedly:

 1)  A lot of you out there are unaware of what the small folder is - so here’s a picture — it’s on the same size display card as the full size folder, it contains 4 small folders, is about $6.  I got mine from Michael’s, but if you Google search for Cuttlebug, a ton of places will pop up where you can order them online.   The two sets I have are called Stitched Squares and Fancy Corners.  Here’s the picture:

2) Everyone wanted to know the exact size of the box I used here.  I will be the first to admit, the Clear Bag site is not the most user friendly!  The box you see in that post is  4 1/2″ x 5 7/8″ x 1″ thick.  It is item number FB17, and is found on this page.  From that same page I also ordered FB6, which is  1/2″thick, and FB3, which is 5/8″ thick, though I  haven’t yet used either of those 2 sizes.

That’s it , once again!!!  Stay tuned for some fun uploads at SCS on Thursday, the 20th.  Not sure if I can say or if it’s a secret, so I won’t — LOL!!!  But keep your eyes open, and I’ll post here very early on Thursday and spill the beans then!!!  Thanks much!!!

Rather than answering numerous emails and PM’s, I’ll address this here, but I’m not so sure I’m of any help.  On my last Stamp Simply Challenge #13 uploaded this morning, everyone is asking about the last card with the Cuttlebug embossing and Scor-Pal score lines.   The question is:  How do I emboss with those tiny folders without the edges of the folder making lines on the card.  It seems most of you are having that problem.

Well, my answer is — I don’t know.  Last night when I made that card it was the first time I ever used those tiny folders — I opened up a new pack.  The folder was inserted on the bottom open edge of the card, and it only goes up so far, YKWIM?  I did the first roll through in the center of the card.  Then I did each end, though only a portion of the card was actually in the folder on the edges.  And it just came good — what can I say.

I might add, though, that when cranking it through, my machine felt *loose*.  I have been playing with my Nestabilities, embossing with those, where you have many, many layers — plates, dies, numerous sheets of cardstock, rubber mats, etc.  It feels really tight when I roll the Nestabilities sandwich through.  It felt really loose rolling the standard embossing folder through — A plate, B plate, folder with paper, B plate. 

Is it possible that since I have been rolling *fat* Nestability sandwiches through, that maybe my machine has actually loosened and, therefore, I’m not getting the folder edge marks you all are talking about — I surely don’t know.  Does anyone out there have an answer, suggestion, solution for these ladies having trouble? 

Sorry I have no answers, but I (we) welcome open discussion to see if others have this problem and what they are doing about it — thanks much!!!