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I purchased some yellow sponges from Michaels to sponge ink onto the edges of my cardstock, and although the effect of sponging looked fine, the sponges themselves were terrible. I used the sponge to apply/sponge the ink onto the edge of the cardstock, and as a result the sponges kept crumbling. I literally thew away all of the sponges I used.
I was thinking of by SU sponges, but if they're not any different than Michaels, then I would rahter try something else. Any ideas or suggestions?
I love the SU sponges which come 3 to a package. They do not crumble and hold up to washing after washing. I cut each one of mine into 8 pie-shaped pieces.
I love the SU sponges which come 3 to a package. They do not crumble and hold up to washing after washing. I cut each one of mine into 8 pie-shaped pieces.
This is what I use/do also. The SU ones are good and sturdy.
I bought a pack of yellow circular ones from Hobby Lobby (I'm sure Michael's would have the same thing). I cut them into 4ths and use each wedge for its specific color (brown ink goes on brown stained sponge, etc.).
I have never had any fall apart (never washed them), but they've held up fine for me.
Thank you for all of your suggestions ladies! It seems the Michaels' sponges are duds! I never even had the opportunity to wash them, they crumbled as I used them. :(
Michaels sells them individually for about $2 or so. Use a coupon and they are practically free. ;)
Hi Valerie,
These daubers look interesting! I like that they have a built in handle so your fingers don't get stained with ink. I need to look for these at Michaels - thank you.
I LOVE the Ranger Blending tool. That's all I use now.
This is one reason SCS is my 'go-to' resource!!!!! I first saw this tool at a scrapbook retreat and thanks to your post, Beate, I was able to locate the company that makes it. Now I just need to find it and buy it.
Thanks, Beate and SCS. Amazing...
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You would think a sponge is a sponge! but I ditto...Stampin' Up sponges are the best. And 3 big ones for $3.50 you can't beat it.
Sponge daubers are my second fav.
My vote is for the Ranger blending tool and the Jumbo dauber. I like a really fine well blended look and I found the yellow sponges were too rough and did not blend the way I wanted.
I've wanted to try these forever, but they always seemed too large for me. I'm used to the smaller daubers like SU has (found them cheaper in a different brand) and that's the only thing that has put me off trying the blending tool.
How do you use it for smaller areas? Also, aren't the blending 'pads' made of the same stuff that dye ink pads? I've tried direct-to-paper with ink cubes and always had a hard time getting the smoothness that I can get with the daubers. Any more info on the blending tool would be helpful! TIA
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beate
I LOVE the Ranger Blending tool. That's all I use now.
The blending pads are made with sponge like the makeup sponges. Very soft and smooth. If I want to use them on a small space I take them off the tool and ball them up in my fingers to the size I need. Or you could just use the corner.
It is the wooden handle thing! Except for sponging, you want the Blending tool (comes with the sponges) as opposed to the Felt Applicator Tool. You can see tons of demos on Tim Holtz's site here: http://www.timholtz.com/demos.html
Michaels sells them individually for about $2 or so. Use a coupon and they are practically free. ;)
Val, which section of the store does Michaels have these daubers? I didn't know they carried them. Art supplies section? I've never bought any sponges at Michaels. I love these daubers. You're right with a coupon I can pick these up for very little cost.
Val, which section of the store does Michaels have these daubers? I didn't know they carried them. Art supplies section? I've never bought any sponges at Michaels. I love these daubers. You're right with a coupon I can pick these up for very little cost.
you can find the daubers @ Michaels the isle where the sell the ink pads, etc.
If you want to buy sponges like exactly like SU, look for 'tack cleaning sponges' they are the exact same thing. I buy mine from Jeffer's Vet, a dozen for about $5 but they are back ordered from there now. Check some other horse places or local farm stores. They are also the same thing used to clean ceramics so you might check a place like that.
Thanks... I don't recall seeing any sponges at Michaels. I guess I am not very observant.
Go to Michaels on line and you will be able to see package they are in and know what to look 4 that way. Last time I visited the store, they where out of them.
I am loving the Ranger Blending Tool. Actually what I have is the Applicator Tool that I have had for a long time. I bought the blending pads and use them with the tool. I did not realize they were two different things until today. It works well for me either way.
I'm a SU sponge lover. I've used them for years. Actually I'd found a source to purchase the same exact sponges for $.50 - then - they changed their sponge and I'm back to SU's. I love to sponge edges so I've tried several different things and just keep coming back to my original product. I cut each sponge into 8ths so they last longer and I wash them out after each use so I can use them in any ink color as I store mine in a pretty basket so they are at my finger tips when I want one.
__________________ ShariW
Trust in the Lord with all thine Heart-Prov.3:5a
I haven't tried this yet, as I haven't needed to replace my current daubers, but when I'm ready to... how cool is this idea? http://etceteraetcetera.wordpress.co...-so-smart-lol/
Of course I can't take credit for finding this... I read about it a few months ago in another sponging thread here at SCS! :P
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I tried the ones from Michaels and they were terrible so I bought a cheap package of makeup sponges at Target and I use them. The pie shape ones. They work well for me. When they get to dirty I just pitch them. Good luck!
Patti
I haven't tried this yet, as I haven't needed to replace my current daubers, but when I'm ready to... how cool is this idea? http://etceteraetcetera.wordpress.co...-so-smart-lol/
Of course I can't take credit for finding this... I read about it a few months ago in another sponging thread here at SCS! :P
What a clever idea. I was given a few daubers way back when and really liked them, but the cost always stopped me from buying new ones. I've got to try this idea. Thanks for sharing!
I like the Ranger Blending Tool and the SU sponges. The SU sponges are definitely better quality than the ones you can get at Michael's. They are much more dense. I cut them in to eight wedges so I can use one wedge for each color I have. I've heard that the sponges you can get at tack shops are the same as what SU sells, but I'm afraid to try them in case they are more like the ones that Michael's sells. The Ranger Blending Tool is good because you can keep your fingers well away from the ink and you don't get them all smudgy. But I still reach for my SU sponges more often than not.
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Michaels sells them individually for about $2 or so. Use a coupon and they are practically free. ;)
I have several of these and LOVE the results. They are worth the price. I have some SU sponges as well that I find great for edging, but these are beyond wonderful for sponging large areas. (Especially when you are using nestabilities or similar dies)
I don't do well with sponges. I get ink everywhere and smear my work. I have been using stipple brushes since I started stamping 10 years ago and have great luck with these. They are not stencil brushes that are flat nor the little color duster but these have a long handle and the bristles are not flat across. Fran the Frantic Stamper has some. I have 6 of them. Four size 6 like the ones on FFS and a size 8 and a 12 by Airebrush (the E belongs there). OMG you can cover a lot of paper with the 12.
I've tried lots of alternatives and really only like the SU! sponges that I cut into wedges to make 4 mini sponges per big sponge. I''ve tried the foam ranger thing with the handle and I always seem to leave an "edge" to my work. I've tried the cheaper sponges and they seem to crumble as you rub them on the edge. I keep my SU! sponges in a plastic container and just reuse them abunch and never had any issues with 'em.
I have had the same thing happen to me. SU sponges are much better than Michaels. I also like the daubers for sponging. I have also used eye shadow applicators when I need to get into tight spots.
Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid. - Albert Einstein
What type of sponge is best for sponging?
Sponges!
