Good Tuesday! I have a super simple tip for you that probably many of you already use but you know me…just in case – here you go!
I think that we all have experienced frustration in cutting a piece of paper and having the edge of it not “perfectly clean”! Well….there are sometimes some conditions that make this happen.
- Your blade of your trimmer is dull.
- I find that if I do not cut quickly it sometimes “drags” which causes not a clean edge
- There are simply some paper colors that we have that the fibers seem to be different which in turn have a “not so clean cut” (I hope that this makes sense…am I out there on my island with this or does someone else feel the same)
Below in the pictures you will see the block and I would definitely have one at your work area! It is something that I grab just about daily to do those “type A” touches to my projects that I am working on!
Where do you get it? There is no need for me to link this one to Amazon as you can go to a dollar store, Walmart….probably even a grocery store. I admit, I get my nails down and the guy that does my nails thinks that it is a hoot that I use this for paper!
I might get a fresh on every 6 months but he is so funny – he will say…“Miss Susan – do you need a new block today for your cards?”. He graciously gives me one when I need it.
The one that I have has 3 sides of different weights of sanding paper and then the 4th side is just foam (you will see that this side is great to poke your piercing tool in it) All it takes is a quick back and forth and PRESTO – clean edges!
Stampin’ Up! used to sell a product similar but since they stopped…my nail place takes care of me!
That’s it for you today….I hope that this tip helps and if you go to the store, pick up some and tie a bow around one and give it to a stamper friend…even if they have one – it is a simple act of kindness that you know will make their day!
Remember, tomorrow is the LAST DAY to take advantage of the World Card Making Day SALE!
CLICK HERE to see the offerings! Have a FABULOUS day! Until tomorrow….get ready to POP!!!
I heard about this a couple of years ago and it has been a game changer for me. Love the tip!
Like Tricia, I love mine as well but I never thought about using it to store the piercing tool. Great tip….thanks! Enjoy and seize the day!
I am still using the SU sanding block and I use it often. Not only on cut edges but also punched and die cut shapes when they leave a bit of a jagged edge. Perfectionism is both a blessing and a curse – am I right Susan? Lol.
Great day to everyone and please say a prayer for those in Haiti getting hit with the hurricane
Dear Susan,What a great tip today. You always. One up with great information for all of us. Happy Stamping everybody. I am keeping all involved in that hurricane in my prayers.Hugs,Ellen Hinds
Susan, I meant to say you always come up with great tips for all of us. ?????. Ellen Hinds
Paper and fabric can both have a grain when cutting. I keep a handy mini-sized nail file close as it gets into tight places well. I do have a couple of file blocks. I will now put one with my crafting tools. I like the fact that it has different sanding weights which my little file doesn’t. Thanks Susan for another super tip.
I have one of the old sanding blocks too. I wish my SU demo and my CTMH demo would use theirs or change their trimmer blades. Last week everything had a jagged edge and I, not a perfection person, still was sitting there with my finger nail and then scissors trying to trim down the edges. The SU demo should have a zillion blocks as her craft room is adorned with over 100 colors of nail polish! It is pretty funny when I use one on my cardstock and I have crappy nails! Great reminder Susan, to use this!
I used to have one of those sanding blocks. I used it to condition rubber stamps that seemed to have a coating on them. I haven’t had one in awhile and use a big Emory board instead but I like the block idea. I’ll have to pick one up the next time I’m out and about. I always suspected that everyone who does card making videos gets her nails done!
I could never make a video! My nails are better now and not splitting or broken so much but I have dirt under them. I can take a shower and wash my hair and 1/2 hour later there is a line of dirt under them. Even when I was in the hospital there would still be dirt of some sort. Someone told me had to do with my thyroid but when I asked my endocrinologist he looked at me like I was stupid. So, don’t expect me to make any videos! Has anyone ever heard about this before?
Thanks for the great tip! Will try soon!
Susan, These filing blocks are also great for ragged edges on a diecut. Sand on the back side and it will be smooth as a babies bottom!
Glad to hear you say it is some of the paper! I change my cutting blade very often and I still have some ragged edges! I think “trash” in the trimmer tray makes a difference too. Running a sharp point down through it helps. Thanks for the tip.
I use 3M Sand Blaster pads that I get at Menards. They are 4.5″ x .5.5″ with grit on one side and foam on the other, they’re flexible so I can wrap it around the edge of the paper then flip it to the foam side and clean off the resulting residue. Never thought to use them on my dies tho, thanks to Carol C for the idea!