Craft Mats

I am so behind here.....but after watching some youtube videos on distressing inks (which I love but I don't think I am using them to their fullest), I have found that I need a crafting mat. SO....pros and cons of any? Where is the best place to get them? TIA!!!

I use a desk pad. You know the ones that are paper and you can tear the top sheet off when it gets written all over? For stamping, inking, gluing and stuff like that, that is what I use. I had my local newspaper office make me one. They did the 11x17 paper (because that is a standard paper size they didn't have to cut a custom size) and glued one edge and put a cardboard backing on it for me. That was a good size for my desk because it is not very big. So, I just stamp and ink and stuff until the sheet gets really messy then tear it off and use the next sheet. They charged me $3 for it!

I do have self healing cutting mats that I use with blades and stuff, but the desk pad works great for other stuff.

One of my friends has a large pad of kraft paper b/c she does tons of stamping inking glittering and general mess making.

I was watching the video with the reusable Tim Holtz mat that you use for blending when using the distressing inks. Nothing sticks to them. I have a self healing mat but I don't think it would work the same.

I originally bought the Ranger mat. found it was too small for me - I spread out, and make a mess, lol. so I just bought the extra large tattered angels mat recently, and it's huge! much safer for me. and they're washable, etc.

Yeah, I had a ranger mat, it is awesome, but it was old, so I retired it. I am going to get one of the pink ones...I need a big one! I am so messy!

Make sure it is heat resistant and non-stick. You don't want to get a no stick mat, then go to blast it with your heat gun and watch it melt!

I wondered about that Tim Holtz mat. I have a MM self-healing mat. It's a MESS!!! I've run it thru the dishwasher and everyting.

• Manda_K Said:

Manda, what did you do to that poor thing?!

Here is something I have used... it's a silicone baking sheet. It goes into the oven at high heat and is easy to scrub. I ordered it along with some other silicone bakeware years ago from QVC or HSN.. can't remember which.

I love my Ranger's Craft mat! I can do a lot of cool stuff that Tim has videos for and it cleans right off. ZI use it for embossing, inking, alcohol inks, etc. etc.

Oh, and I got mine from J's with a 50% off coupon.

• Tina scraps Said:

HEEHEE!! Well, I do love to destroy things and sometimes it is my tools.

I love my Craft Mat! I have the larger one, not the 8 1/2 x 11. I got it at J's with a Coupon! I love it because I can get glue, paint, heat, just about anything on it!!

I have the Tim Holtz mat,I bought it here and I love it! I have had mine for at least a year, best purchase. I have even gotten stickles get on it and I was still able to get it off the mat.
I also like that it can be easily rolled up and stored in my pen caddy.
I believe its 15x18 which works well for my stamping needs. If you are looking for it to not stain with ink and protect your desk then this will be a great buy for you.

FYI- just a positive on this site, the mat came rolled up in a case and even that was pretty well protected in the box.

I got my craft mat at a bed and bath store.....its called an oven protector or something similar. Same size and material as Tim holtz mat, but half the price! It was on the kitchen gadget wall.

I went to a discount store in town and got an oven sheet, it is great and it was $3 in Canada which is a great bargain. Wipes up really well no matter what I do on it

I have the small Ranger one and then upgraded to the Bazzill mat bc it was so small. For Christmas, my DH got me the ginormous Tattered Angels pink mat. I love it it! It covers my entire desk and I don't have to worry about making a mess. It just wipes up so nicely!

Love my craft mat! Best purchase I ever made. I keep a spray bottle of alcohol on my desk so I can give it a quick spritz & clean after each use.

I have the we r memory keepers magnetic mat for crafting. I realized it is not good for heat embossing. I did it once on there and now there is a slight bump on the bottom. Lesson Learned! It washes off easily though with a magic eraser love those things!
My mat is purple they didn't have a pic of that to link in the store.

I currently have 2 of the Ranger mats on my work surface to protect against the mess, but they slide around, & it doesn't look as if the Tattered Angels one would--can anyone who has had both let me know, please? Also, it the TA one heat resistant like the Ranger one? TIA

I love my Rangers! It cleans up easy and is just great to work on!

The Tattered Angels one does slide around a bit for me, but it's so big that it doesn't affect the work I'm doing and it's easy enough to slide back. It's as heat resistant as the Ranger one. I use my craft iron on it.

• pinkpaperairedale Said:

Ditto; love my oven matt for scrapping

love my Bazzill splat mat ... it's heat resistant and washes off really easily

I use it for stamping, embossing, inking, misting

I have the smaller one, but there is now a larger one too

for cutting I use my CM cutting mat