I am doing the Happy Dance as the calendar changed. I know that there are times that the calendar is going so fast gets the best of me but during the Winter, I love a new month as that means we are getting closer and closer to better weather and that makes me smile!
I have decided to do something new on my blog on the 1st day of the month….TIPS FOR HOUSE CLEANING in your work area…..a clean and functional work area means that you will be happy and productive and then you will smile and smiling if fun! (I can’t wait to hear Chris R’s comment….we love you Chris)
Today I want to talk about the Stampin’ Trimmer. If you do not have this, stop and click the button below and get one as it is a fabulous trimmer and you will never, ever regret it. I am talking from years of different trimmers and closets full of trimmers….I adore our trimmer but we need to understand that WE NEED to keep our trimmer prepared for what we do with it!
WHAT? What the heck are you talking about????
This month it is all about our trimmer! I know that the majority of us own one but are we prepared for emergencies? This is what I want you to do…take your trimmer and make sure the following….
- Is your blade sharp?
- Is your scoring blade still scoring a nice deep score line?
- Is the track cleaned out from bits of paper fibers?
These are all so important to make sure that you are maximizing all that this trimmer does! Yesterday I was cutting with my trimmer and I realized that I was not getting good cuts….SILLY SUSAN – I needed to change the blade.
So the moral of this story is…don’t be caught without having “key pieces” to the stampin’ trimmer on hand when you need them. It is one thing to call a stampin’ friend and ask to borrow a stamp set or some paper but REALLY…It would be a bit strange to call and say…..by any chance do you have a Stampin’ Trimmer Replacement Mat!?!?
This strip, the replacement mat is important to have cleaned as it will help you with having clean and crisp cuts. I love to use the piercing tools to clean out paper fibers in it and also you can flip it over and use a fresh side….BUT – if you are like me and have flipped over both sides….and you do not have an extra on hand…you are out of luck! It will get worn out with heavy usage.
I get asked, “How often do you change your blade”? WOW – that is a super hard question to answer as it truly all depends on how much you use it. I have (2) trimmers and what I do is put a small sticky note on the bottom with the date of when I changed it. The blade for me is the item I change the most.
I hope that this makes you aware of keeping some “extras”, just in case! It will save you a bunch of frustration and then you will be a true Girl Scout and be prepared!
Now go find your Stampin’ Trimmer and take a look at it and then if you do not have extras on hand…..order them – you do not have to go crazy with them, just have (1) extra of the below. I realize that there are many other accessories for the Stampin’ Trimmer, I did not mention them as for me – being a clean and simple Girl Scout…these are what I think is needed…..
I have some sad news for you…the Mom in my community lost her battle with cancer on Friday. I am still pinching myself that when I reached out to you for support, the support came in – this in itself is such a gift. She is now in peace and not having to battle. The family is hanging in there…please do something kind for someone today and also never be afraid to say a simple…”love you”
Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog
Great tips, Susan! I am so very sorry to hear that your friend passed away. My blessings, hugs and prayers for she and her dear family. Please let us know if the family is in need of anything…..especially the children.
I love my Stampin’ Trimmer and always have 2 or 3 extra blades…but, I have never thought about changing my scoring blade. So sorry to hear about your friend. I will keep the family in my thoughts and prayers. I was not able to make a card when you had asked us to before, but would love to send something now along with a little donation if you think you will be seeing the family. My heart goes out to all of them, especially the children as they navigate their young lives without their mother.
My trimmer was one of my first–and best–investments! So much better than others I have. I love that the extra blades store in the bottom of the trimmer so I can easily see how many I have and when I need to order more. My prayers are with that young family. So sad.
Like the others, I love my SU trimmer too. I am so sorry to hear about your friend. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Please let us know if the family needs anything. Hugs!
Thoughts and prayers for you and your friends family. This trimmer is on my wish list still. 🙁
Thank you Susan for the tips! I’m looking at my trimmer in a whole new way. My heart goes out to your friend’s family and to you.
Susan, thank you for these tips. I am very picky about my paper being cut smoothly. I don’t know if you and others have found this to be true, but even it seems even with a new blade white cardstock doesn’t cut as smoothly as other colors and DSP. Do you have any tips for that or am I the only one having this problem? So sorry to hear about your young friend and I’m keeping you and them in my thoughts.
Oh yes Susan, we need a new month to put our sorrow from January behind us. I’m praying for you and your friend and her family too.
Love your new plan for Tips for getting our acts together . I just got a new set of trimmer blades (as a gift) since I heard they are on Back Order . I plan to get the Scoring Blades on my next order and yes yes yes that mat needs frequent cleaning . I really like my SU trimmer because of the broad base .
So sorry to hear about your neighbor /friend . That horrible “C” touches so many families . I lost my mother (she was 53 ) to it and I have a SIL that is in Remission from it now. It needs to be completely eliminated forever !!
Special prayers to the family and friends of the woman in your community.
Thank you so much for this tip, I have never cleaned mine nor did I know the trimmer came out.
Sure sorry to hear about the friend.
Special thoughts to you and your friend’s family. January’s sadnesses will pass as you move on, and you will remember the good times.
Liking the “tips” focus each month. Hopefully it will keep us on top of the clutter!
Great tip! But it takes all the fun of flying by the seat of your pants away! LOL! Seriously I buy new cutting blades and then forget where I’ve stash them so I buy new cutting blades and then when I go to stash them in that space on the back I find the other ones! I’ve not thought about that cutting mat needing replacing… definitely worth looking into.
I have to say, it took me a while to get used to using the trimmer. But it was just user error, inexperience…whatever. I now love it and it is the very best tool for making small and accurate cuts. Thanks for helping us be prepared.
What expectations you have with my comments! I love my trimmer. I ordered replacement blades and of course misplaced them. Or, who knows, maybe I never really ordered them but thought I did as they are on back order frequently. I do know I did not order the scoring things or the track thingy – Lord help me when I have to replace that! I hope there is a video on that. Meanwhile I have used that compressed air in a bottle to get out the little fuzzy stuff.
Now, I am thinking of what my three P’s would be besides pitiful. I should take advantage and work on clearing a space in my room since my husband couldn’t go to work due to the snow. About that better weather bit, we are having a mini blizzard here and Ted is having a hissy fit as he wants to take a walk. Of course, he really wants to play in the snow more than anything but he wants me to be with him. Enough for now!