ACOT Message Board

Bibi and I were scrapping together yesterday and we were discussing our ink pads and how we ink for distressing. We find if difficult to use the big regular pads and have some cat eye types but some have dried up. I've just bought some of those finger things with the sponge end...sorry, terrible on names! Trying to learn to use it. What do you use or suggest for inking edges of your pieces?

I use the close to my heart ink pads and the sponge daubers, I also really like the round sponges ( I cut them in four).

love2stamp wrote:I use the close to my heart ink pads and the sponge daubers, I also really like the round sponges ( I cut them in four).

I've seen someone else use those round sponges. Never seen them to buy though. My dauber (thanks for the word, LOL) is not doing to bad. Guess it depends on the look you want. Can use wash them to use with a different color? Or do you need one for each of your pads of colors. And the sponge, how do you reuse?

I like the cats eyes! They are cheap enough that if they dry up I am not to irked and small enough to easily work around the page. I have even used them to stamp ( little stamps )...I am not much of a stamper so pretty much they are used for inking. Lots of new colors just popped up in the store

suslvgeo wrote:I like the cats eyes! They are cheap enough that if they dry up I am not to irked and small enough to easily work around the page. I have even used them to stamp ( little stamps )...I am not much of a stamper so pretty much they are used for inking. Lots of new colors just popped up in the store

I do know I have more colors available with mine too. I do like the pointed end to get around tight spots too. Thanks for your input.

Tim Holtz distressing ink used with the applicator or alone

I use Tim Holtz distressing inks and Cat's eye inks with facial cleaning wedges - they sell a big bag of them in Wallie World. They work ok...

gine wrote:Tim Holtz distressing ink used with the applicator or alone

that is what i do. or some times i use those cosmetic face sponges (the little wedged shaped ones mainly) You just have to make sure that they don't contain any lotion or stuff like that. I think i grabbed mine at a dollar store..and there is a bunch in a bag.

Haven't tried Tim Holtz's ink yet. Sounds like one could not have too many applicators of different sorts, I see. I like cheap

I think the cats eyes work perfectly. I have had some dry up and I also save some as they are drying so not as much comes off on the paper and gives it a different effect.

I use regular ink pads and have plenty of trouble getting in small tight places. Some, I just can't ink at all. I also have cat eyes. In fact I just opened one the other day that I have had for about a year, but not taken out of the wrapper. It was dry as a dessert. I was very frustrated with it. I have a few ink daublers for the end of my finger and have used them for several different colors. I just washed them with water and soap inbetween uses. The came clean easily with little staining. But I see some LOs with excellent inking on them. I always wonder how they were done.

ok, you are all going to think I'm crazy. I don't buy anything special for inking - I use whatever ink pads come in the colors I want. If I need to do something special I used Q-tips, cotton balls, those make up triangle foam thingies, and baby wipes. I've probably used tissues, too and maybe an old toothbrush. I have been known to use my finger, too - and old pieces of fabric (rags)

tim holtz. I also like that they sell refills for their ink pads. and I also use a lot of cats eye.

happayscrappay wrote:ok, you are all going to think I'm crazy. I don't buy anything special for inking - I use whatever ink pads come in the colors I want. If I need to do something special I used Q-tips, cotton balls, those make up triangle foam thingies, and baby wipes. I've probably used tissues, too and maybe an old toothbrush. I have been known to use my finger, too - and old pieces of fabric (rags)

Rachel, I like that you will use anything to apply your ink and get the texture you are looking for. I think that I am going to learn this from you. Thanks for sharing.

1grandma wrote:I use regular ink pads and have plenty of trouble getting in small tight places. Some, I just can't ink at all. I also have cat eyes. In fact I just opened one the other day that I have had for about a year, but not taken out of the wrapper. It was dry as a dessert. I was very frustrated with it. I have a few ink daublers for the end of my finger and have used them for several different colors. I just washed them with water and soap inbetween uses. The came clean easily with little staining. But I see some LOs with excellent inking on them. I always wonder how they were done.

I store my inks in a plastic container that closes tight and store them upside down. Some of my cats eye inks I have had for a couple of years. Storage makes a big difference in their life.

Most inkpads should be stored upside down and this will help keep the ink at the surface.

I have a couple Cats'-eyes but mostly use a Stampin' Up! regular sized brown pad with a quarter of the round sponges they sell. I keep one sponge w/each color pad (I occasionally use black or lighter brown). So I don't wash them and when they disintegrate/get too small I toss it & use a new one; even w/distressing at least half my pages I've made one pack of sponges (I think there were 3) last for years!

happayscrappay wrote:ok, you are all going to think I'm crazy. I don't buy anything special for inking - I use whatever ink pads come in the colors I want. If I need to do something special I used Q-tips, cotton balls, those make up triangle foam thingies, and baby wipes. I've probably used tissues, too and maybe an old toothbrush. I have been known to use my finger, too - and old pieces of fabric (rags)

ditto this