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I posted this on another thread about spots but thought some others might like to have the idea.
I made my own pads by buying dye ink pads for $1 at AC Moore that had a similar color base as the new SU pads (orange for the Guava, etc). Then I washed them out with water (It only took a minute or two to do. Then I dried the surface with a paper towel and let it dry a bit. I couldn't wait for the pad to dry fully (... so impatient)... then I inked those guys up with my SU refill bottle and VOILA!!! I was surprised that it didn't even take a third of the reinker (you can kinda tell in the pic)!
I also took a piece of the coordinating CS and cut it just slightly smaller than the top, wrote the name on with a sharpie and adhered it to the lid of the ink pad. Then I used a couple pieces of wide clear packing tape to cover the whole thing.
I now have all the colors with no sh/h for blank spots. My "new" pads are working really well, and will certainly do me for a year!
I have almost all my SU ink, both classic and craft, in the spots. I like them better than the full pads, primarily as a space saver but also because I could get all the colors for the same price as getting just a few large pads. So I was upset that when they introduced the new in colors last year that they didn't offer spots (or markers). I eventually ended up purchasing the large pads for all of last year's in colors. Except for the marigold, I haven't even really used them.
I thought for sure that when they introduced the in colors for this year that they would offer the spots and markers. But no. I'm so disappointed. I know there are alternatives to the markers (blender pens and reinkers) but it seems ridiculous that we have to build our own supplies when they could easily make them. Its not like they won't sell. I know a lot of stampers who would buy them. And I know they can make spots for the new colors because if you look at some of the card kits they have and that 3 flower punch kit, you will see that they come with in color spots!
Anyway... I've ranted enough about that. Glad that even if SU doesn't want to sell us items we want that someone out there is finding alternatives. How clever of you Ibirus to think of using the $1 pads. I am going to ACM this weekend anyway so I will pick up a pad and try it out with one of the in color reinkers I have from last year that I never use. If that works, I'll buy the new in color reinkers and make my own pads. Thanks for the idea.
Remember Ladies, you can get the empty "spot" size pads from Wellburn Gourd Co. This way you don't have to clean out the color you don't want.
I find the spots easier to work with than the big pads on most projects.
I use the blank ink pads (the size of the old SU pads) and the reinkers because I don't like the new style SU! pads (they don't store in my ink storage cases -- too big for me). A new uninked pad usually takes about 1/2 a reinker.
Remember Ladies, you can get the empty "spot" size pads from Wellburn Gourd Co. This way you don't have to clean out the color you don't want.
I find the spots easier to work with than the big pads on most projects.
I know, I know... but I hate to spend $ on shipping and handling (call me crazy)... and the blank spots are still over $1...and I had many of the 1$ pads already from my old days when I thought any "orange" would do (lol...what was I thinking?) So, for me, I only had to buy 3 more pads.
Basically for $3 plus the cost of the ink, I have a full sized pad that works great and will do me well for a year.
As for the 'wash out' time. It seriously didn't take even a full minute! It came right out and ran clear (cheapo ink I guess). Then the big shock was how little ink it took from the reinker! I still have lots for the future and for techniques! It was a WIN/WIN situation!
I like to recycle and this is a great idea. Instead of throwing an old pad into the trash this is truly a good answer. I do have spots insome ink pads. I like them for my small stamps but I use my big sized pads all the time.
Excuse my ignorance, but how do you use the blender pens and re-inkers? I'm always tempted to buy the in color inks, but feel like I've been "had". I like to buy things that will last forever, not things that have a finite life span.
When I first started stamping I purchased some off brand ink pads. Now thanks to Ibirus, I know what to do with them. I almost threw them away. Glad I didn't
Excuse my ignorance, but how do you use the blender pens and re-inkers? I'm always tempted to buy the in color inks, but feel like I've been "had". I like to buy things that will last forever, not things that have a finite life span.
I prefer spots myself,
I wish SU can make available "IN SPOTS" package,
with markers, spots, and cs and reinkers.
I bought the 3 for you punch box set, primarily for the promaganate and wasabi spots and love notes, and die cut stamps. the spots sold me!
SU can sell the collection, by marker assortment, spots asst, cs (which they do) and reinkers.
seems like a no brainer to me,
gail
Location: Office #32, The Towers, GSOLFOT Sockeeland
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Something I don't understand- unless you're *only* using inks for doing demos, what does it matter if you have last years In Colours? This years will be just as pretty one or six years from now, or however long they last. The colours don't 'go bad', and once they run out and you run out your re-inker, you have a pad to use for whatever that year's In Colours are, hmmm?
Made my own pads for the new colors!
