Have you tried Stampin’ Up!’s new Stampin’ Scrub? From the minute it was released, I’ve heard nothing but WONDERFUL things. This new product grips to the table when it’s opened, so you can clean and dry your stamps with one hand. The surface is larger, so it’s really easy to clean and dry your largest stamps. The hinge that holds the two sides is stronger than the previous prototype. My new Stampin’ Scrub came in the mail last week, and all that I’ve heard is true.
Until I received my new one this past week, I have used my first Stampin’ Scrub from 2001. I’ve grown accustomed to the label on the previous version of the Stampin’ Scrub, though, that allows me to easily identify which side is “wet” and which side is “dry” even before I open it. My only disappointment with the new Stampin’ Scrub is that is that there’s no obvious top or bottom. Now, time for a visual:
TOP
BOTTOM
See the difference? I didn’t think so. Once the Stampin’ Scrub is opened, there’s an easy way to distinguish the “wet” and “dry” sides. See the water drops and the sunshine on the corners of each pad below?
WET
DRY
How absolutely adorable! While these symbols definitely identify the wet and the dry sides of the pad, I find the symbols difficult to see. I have to flip the pad back and forth in the light to see which symbol I am looking at. As a result, I’ve developed a quick and easy way to identify the two sides - without all that flipping. I’ve used this process to label several things in my stamping workspace and find it quite useful. Because I like you, I want to share it with you:
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Add a small amount of glue to a scrap of blue paper (I used Marina Mist):
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Glue the scrap piece of paper to the top side of a sticky note. You want to glue it to the sticky end, but the non-sticky side, of a sticky note (so that when applied you end up with a card stock-glue-dry side of sticky note-sticky side of sticky note combination:
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Then, punch through the layers so that you have a piece of card stock with a sticky back to it. I use a retired circle punch.
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Do the same with a piece of yellow card stock. (I used Daffodil Delight.)
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Apply the blue card stock circle to the water drops symbol and the yellow card stock circle to the sunshine symbol. Blue = water (wet) and Yellow = sunshine (dry)
And there you have it! Your Stampin’ Scrup sides are now easy to identify without squinting and squirming, without flipping the pads around in the light to identify the appropriate symbols. And, the circles aren’t permanently affixed to your Stampin’ Scrub. If, for any reason, you want to remove them, you can just scrape them off with your finger nail – unless your fingernails are so long that they curl back in a loop like that woman who is in the Guiness Book of World Records. If you are the woman in the Guiness Book of World Records, then you can just scrape them off with a toothpick.
As I was writing this, it occurred to me that the sticky note might not be 100% necessary. The same, non-permanent effect can be achieved by putting a drop of Multipurpose Liquid Glue to the back of the card stock circle and allowing it to fully dry. The glue then becomes temporary. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have that kind of patience or time, so it looks like the sticky note method wins out for me.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
Your idea reminded me of my white and black marking pens. I’ve made white XX’s on dark objects so I can quickly identify the top and bottom. I also used my black marker to outline the raised symbols on spice jars so I quickly know which opening is the shaker side. I’m going to use color coded circles or scallops on my next item needing some kind of identification.
Thanks for your comments, Kathy! I couldn’t find my white marker, so stickies and punches were my next solution.
How adorable can you be? Very! And I merely used a sharpie and put my name prominently on the “top” so that when I flipped it open the wet side was on the right and the dry side was on the left… my favorite orientation. I should wait to purchase after you!
Katy, How can you maintain your status as The Great Enabler if you wait until I’ve bought stuff to get it yourself. YOU are the reason I have most of the new stuff I have.
Very happy to hear the hinge is much improved! I’ll appreciate the new larger size as the background stamps are so big! Love the tips& your sense of humor!
Thanks, Patti! I used the Stampin’ Scrub last night with some really large stamps. It’s great! The drying part really grips the stamps so that they are practically RIPPED from your hand. Beware!
Thanks, Brian, great idea! Very clever, as usual! :]
Thanks, Di!
Thanks for another fun tip to share with my class–you’re the best Brian!
I’m hardly the best, Donna, but I will graciously accept your compliment.
Thank you.
I have yet to purchase one of these….the last version was not great. But now I’ve decided that I must add this to my want list. Thank you for your tip on how to label the wet/dry sides…
Carol, I purchased one of the last version and disliked it so much that I have been using my pad from 2001 (all beaten and bruised). This new one, though, has made a believer of me. Definitely worth it. As I tell every demo I meet – I’m happy to put in an order for you.
I agree! After 2 broken (at the plastic hinge) scrubber pads I was not feeling encouraged to get the new one -but people praised so I relented! Love the non-skid feet more than anything and you are right about the dry side practically ripping the stamp from your hand! I love your colored dots to easily identify…but do they get wet from your stampin mist or water when cleaning or do you just replace it with scrap paper? I was thinking of stamping the outside with Stazon…
Carolyn, The pad is really big, and I tend to clean in the middle of the pad. I haven’t had a problem with the water staining the dots so far, but this is still pretty new to me. They are working out well for me so far.
LMAOROTF @ the fingernail comment!
Ha! You’re the first to mention it, Pam. I thought it was quite a gem.