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When I first started stamping; having a limited budget, with so many temptations; I didn't buy reinkers for all my stamp pads. Most people would probably resell those ink pads; but, I have decided to use them only for sponging. For easy access when needed, in a storage box.
I like the sponges because you can add a round tab punch and staple to pie shaped sponge.
I have all three sponging tools, round sponges cut into 6 pie shapes, sponge finger daubers and blending foam applicator tool. In particular, the foam handled applicators; how do you organize the oblong cloth squares for future use, instead of using a new cloth for each use of sponging?
Here are the blending applicators Tutorial for Applying and Blending Tim Holtz Distress Inks ? Tammy Tutterow Designs
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
I have sponging makeup wedges; I may have to try this technique: I?m so smart?lol | DoodleLicious.com
thanks to Wendys' wonder wedges; and hope she doesn't mind it being shared. I don't care for the cosmetic wedges used alone, but rounded with these 'tips' would be a softer effect.
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
I haven't done this myself, but what I've seen with the foam applicators from Tim Holz is that people add a small piece of the hooky side of Velcro to their inkpad. Then, the foam applicator piece sticks to the inkpad, just like it sticks to the applicator.
I haven't done this myself, but what I've seen with the foam applicators from Tim Holz is that people add a small piece of the hooky side of Velcro to their inkpad. Then, the foam applicator piece sticks to the inkpad, just like it sticks to the applicator.
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
I get the SU sponges and cut them into 8 wedges each. I found that the finger daubers don't hold up as well, at least for me. I also have 3 of the Ranger tools that I use with my 3 Distress ink pads. I like those, but they take up more space.
I keep the sponge wedges in 2 SU larger clam shell cases and write the color on each one with a sharpie marker. I've only had to replace a couple of them in the last 4 years.
Carolyn- I love your idea for sponges. Thank you so much for sharing.
I voted for finger daubers. I find them so comfortable to use. I use a variety of sponges with different holders. I am always on the lookout for different kind of sponges and their holders.
My Mom was over the other day. She saw my big basket full of sponges. She said "Why do you have so many sponges?" I told her a sponge to a stampers are as important as our inks and stamps.
Mostly I use finger daubers. I put a label on each one and use it specifically for one color. I found a case that holds 40 of them and I have 39 in it! I use the other techniques too, but this one is quick and easy so I find myself pulling it out more often than the other ones.
Kathy, don't you have to lift out each dauber to make sure you have to correct color; that's the one thing I didn't like about daubers is the label can only be on the side.
I think someone has made a template to put on a box lid to see what the names of the daubers are; in the order of the box, nice idea also.
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
I try to keep them in color family order so I usually pull out the right one. And if I put them back with the label to the front, I can read them easily.
Mostly I use finger daubers. I put a label on each one and use it specifically for one color. I found a case that holds 40 of them and I have 39 in it! I use the other techniques too, but this one is quick and easy so I find myself pulling it out more often than the other ones.
This is what I use too. I put a label on the sides and store them in rows by color. Since I usually use them with Distress inks, it's easy to store them by colors; one row red/pink; another green; blue; browns, etc.
I use the sheets of cut & dry and cut them up. I have written on the back what inkpad it is for and store them individually in crocodile seal bags. I decided to add a self-adhesive hook hanger on each bag and put them on a book ring. I have all my distress ink ones together, all my memento ones together and then the rest together.
That way I don't waste cut & dry by using it with the wrong ink and contaminating it.
Hth
As an alternative to the other popular sponges and daubers, I also use alligator clips glued onto 1/4" dowels. I bought one dowel and cut it into 6" lengths, then when on sale I bought lots of clips. Voila! Instant sponging tools. I use makeup sponges, tear off small pieces and have so many that I don't have to worry about changing colors. When one wears out I tear off another piece of sponge.
This creates a rougher look than the daubers, which are my next favorite. Since I make a lot of horse designs and western the rougher look to the sponging works great.
I have sponging makeup wedges; I may have to try this technique: I?m so smart?lol | DoodleLicious.com
thanks to Wendys' wonder wedges; and hope she doesn't mind it being shared. I don't care for the cosmetic wedges used alone, but rounded with these 'tips' would be a softer effect.
I'm glad this works for her. When another blogger shared this tip a couple years ago, I tried it. Didn't work so well for me b/c the sponges kept coming out while I was using them - more mess than success :rolleyes: . I tried different several different sizes and just couldn't get it to work.
I think the key to the clip/sponge is tearing small pieces and holding it tight to form a rounded end. Then clipping against your fingers to grab onto the gathered sponge. I have been doing this for years and it definitely gets easier with practice.
A large piece of sponge will rub apart as used and then come out of the clip...and usually fall onto your project, not a good thing. So small sections are the way to go. Good luck if you decide to try it again in the future. To each his own really since I use several different sponging techniques depending on my time and the project.
I voted for the foam but use all of the types of sponges for different applications. I found that the daubers often leave a small circle (must be the applier?) so use them only for edges. Lots of good ideas here - thanks.
I've only used the dollar store cosmetic sponges so far, but between the edge line and the way they fall apart so quickly, I'm not too happy. Is it because I use the full sponge so it's easier to hang on to? Would I be better off with a small piece of the cosmetic sponge and some sort of clip to hold onto it with?
I didn't vote because I use them all! It just depends on what i am sponging, the look i am going for, the size of the area, etc... and sometimes it is simply what i find first;)
I love to sponge!! I have sponges, Tim's blending tool and 2 different sizes of daubers. But, I went to a class at my lss... Class Act in Oshawa, Ont. and Carol,the instructor showed us coloring techniques using Color Dusters by Judikins. Now my new go to tool for creating air brushing effects. I realize it is a totally different product than sponges but the effects are amazing and it works well with sponging to get a gradient effect.
I haven't done this myself, but what I've seen with the foam applicators from Tim Holz is that people add a small piece of the hooky side of Velcro to their inkpad. Then, the foam applicator piece sticks to the inkpad, just like it sticks to the applicator.
I do that. The moment I get a new Distress Ink, I apply a velcro at the back and assign a applicator to it,
I use the foam applicators from Ranger. Long back I'd tried some cosmetic wedges but they just didn't work for me. I've been liking the foam applicators. Really make the job easy. Of course they do not work if you want to sponge a small area.
I really like my finger daubers, occasionally I'll use a sponge wedge. I just bought the Holtz blending tool a couple days ago and I'm kinda bummed... I'm not getting the effect I thought I would, I'm getting lines. I've heard people love theirs, I guess there's a learning curve. I'm going to hold on to my daubers and sponges though just in case.
I have sponging makeup wedges; I may have to try this technique: I?m so smart?lol | DoodleLicious.com
thanks to Wendys' wonder wedges; and hope she doesn't mind it being shared. I don't care for the cosmetic wedges used alone, but rounded with these 'tips' would be a softer effect.
On her web page one of the comments mentioned PVC piping from Home Depot. That's what I got and it works great. You buy the size that you can fit your finger into and cut it to the length that accommodates your fingernails. Mine are 1 3/8" to 1 1/2" long, 1/2"/12mm diameter pipe. The PVC comes in 10 foot lengths for only a few dollars so it goes a long way. I used cheap dollar store sponges that come in a pack of 10 or 12 in the cleaning section. I cut them large enough to fit tightly inside the PVC piece, shoving them up from the finger end to get a nice rounded tip out the other end. .
Also there are foam shapes at Michael's that work pretty well. (Creatology UPC# 400100604434 pack of 15.) You could sand or cut the edges rounder if you wanted. They are very dense foam and seem to hold up to rubbing well.
I haven't done this myself, but what I've seen with the foam applicators from Tim Holz is that people add a small piece of the hooky side of Velcro to their inkpad. Then, the foam applicator piece sticks to the inkpad, just like it sticks to the applicator.
I do this. For distress inks they fit perfectly on the bottom. Other inks I add the Velcro to the side or top depending on how I store them.
__________________ RebeccaEdnie Mixed Media Artist, Paper Crafter, Jewelry Designer SCSDirtyDozenAlumni Www.Boxofchocolatescrafts.Com YouNeverKnowWhatI’mGoingtoMake
I use the blending foam pads and tool the most, but I have all versions listed above, all stored together in a basket. And I use them all too. When I want to use one they are right in front of me and I just grab what I need. I'll probably clear my desk about once a week and if there are any pads left on the desk I can quickly toss them back into the basket. No ink matched pads in my room, I just wash mine when I need clean ones.
Mostly I use finger daubers. I put a label on each one and use it specifically for one color. I found a case that holds 40 of them and I have 39 in it! I use the other techniques too, but this one is quick and easy so I find myself pulling it out more often than the other ones.
I voted for daubers and have 3 cases of daubers all with labels on the side but I also have an index on the inside of the lid so I don't have to pick up the dauber to see the color.
Too make the index I just cut some white cardstock to fit, drew in a grid, and then wrote in the colors. The daubers are arranged in hues and I put a label on the front of the box with what hues are inside. On the back of the white index sheet I added some patterned paper so it looks nice when closed.
I love to sponge!! I have sponges, Tim's blending tool and 2 different sizes of daubers. But, I went to a class at my lss... Class Act in Oshawa, Ont. and Carol,the instructor showed us coloring techniques using Color Dusters by Judikins. Now my new go to tool for creating air brushing effects. I realize it is a totally different product than sponges but the effects are amazing and it works well with sponging to get a gradient effect.
__________________ Carolyn
my avatar: (such desparation), Dear God, if you can't make me thin; make my
friends fat"
Funny - I was going to say in my post that I prefer the Airebrush stipple brush from Germany, but I thought, nope this is about sponges. :p
I took a class over 6 years ago where we learned how to blend with the Airebrush and I was hooked. I have several brushes for different colors so I don't have to wash them out.
I haven't ordered from this site but you can see what they look like. My LSS keeps them in stock (yea!) My favorite size is #4
The great thing about stipple brushing for me is that I never have that dark round circle where from the dauber when I apply the ink with too much force. The stipple brushes can give the same effect as brayer blending with a lot less work.
I just finished organizing my distress pads and foams this way this morning. I love it. I made all the labels using a free PDF from Kristina Werner's blog. I then colored them using a foam blending pad then stuck the foam on the back of the pad with some Hook and loop tabs. A little trick I learned is that you should cut the tabs up and only use a small piece to stick the foam to the inkpad
I use them all, but mostly reach for the sponges. I have some rounds I cut into wedges, but bought a large car wash sponge and cut it into various small pieces of indeterminate shapes. I don't worry about assigning a color to each as I have about 20 squeezed into a clam shell box. In a day of stamping, I have never used all of them. I'm pretty good at getting at least 3 colors out of each sponge at a time. When the stamping day is over, I take them all to the sink, give them a good rinsing and leave them to dry until the next day. It does not bother me to use a black stained sponge in a yellow ink as it does not transfer the color. Too much rigamarole to label and store by color for me.
sponging tools
Alligator clips on small dowels
sponging tools
