What do you use to protect your table surface

What does everyone use to protect their work surface? I have seen at Joanns a 15"x18" Craft Sheet from Ranger, has anyone tried this, is it worth getting? I just want something to keep my table surface clean. Any ideas would be appreciated! Thank you!

WOw! no on uses anything????

i don't use anything to protect my whole table. when i use my exacto knife or other blade i will put cardboard underneath the paper. If I am using adhesive that is not in a runner, I have a scrap paper i put under those items. Otherwise, i just use the desk as is.

hth.

I use a We r Memory keepers self healing cutting mat to work on. With adhesive I do what the other poster does with laying down scrap paper. If I am painting chipboard or something I cover the area with newspaper.

I just use a cutting mat when needed, and scrap paper for painting, inking, etc.

I use a used wall calendar/planner - those big ones they use on office walls. I got two from my work and they fit my table perfectly. They're 23"x30" and laminated so they wipe up if I spill anything on them. I can also use a dry erase marker on them to make notes of products I use as I go along. Plus, they're recycled, and they didn't cost me anything.

I use the craft sheet. I like it becuase I am not wasting any of my scrap paper, and it wipes right off. Plus my older son made me a nice thick wooden square that I glued my craft mat to so it doesn't move when I am working. I also iron my papers on the mat if I need to flatten them out after distressing them.

I also use the Ranger craft mat...I love it! It reall great. Before I got that I used waxed paper if I was workin with paint, ink, mod podge etc.

For cutting with the exacto knife I do sea self healing mat.

I have a large self-healing mat from Making Memories (23x20" or so). It's great because I can use the ruler markings for easy measuring, can use my exacto knife without worrying, but I can also take the mat with me to crops so I don't have to worry about the table surface--it's always what I'm used to! I always get comments from fellow scrappers on what a good idea it is to bring a mat like that...

I use a self healing mat for cutting and a desk pad for stamping, glueing, etc. I got the desk pad at the local newspaper office. They made it for me and I think it was $3. It is 50 sheets of 11x14 paper with a cardboard back. When the pad gets a lot of ink or glue I just rip off the top sheet and throw it away.

I know you posted ages ago but I thought I'd list what I use. Because I use a heat tool, my hubby bought me a sheet of MDF to place on our dining room table. This gives me a nice large smooth surface to work on. I put my teflon/craft sheet over the top for when I'm blending ink etc (mine is only a little one - about the size of an A4 page) and I have a small cutting mat for when I'm using my craft knife.

I love it!! I purchased the craft mat with a 50% off coupon. LOVE IT!! I am so glad I purchased it, I was going back & forth whether to get it or not. Its great! I recommened it!

I love that Ranger craft mat. Ink, glue, adhesive and glitter all wipe off easily. I also use a self healing cutting mat for use with the craft knife. I found an eraser sponge works great for stubborn messes!

I buy the cheap vinyl tablecloths that go on sale at Walmart or Joanns after every holiday. Then I use my quilters mat with all the grid lines on it. When the tablecloth starts looking gross or gets too much ink, glue, glitter, or whatever on it, I throw it away. I keep several on hand because I use them for all kinds of stuff. We butcher and pack our own game and beef so it is easy to use a tablecloth and then throw it away, or sometimes, one or two in our picnic basket, or when little kids come over and want to do crafts, just spread one out on the floor. I usually spend under $2 for each one.

As much as I love my craft mat, I found that I like using those thin non-stick baking sheet liners better - they stick to the table very well, but don't damage it. Occasionally you need to use a card to rub out the little air pockets that form, but it's not bad. I use a cork square (from the bulletin board section of nearly any store) for when I need to poke holes in my project (like for brads).

As a side note - my lss was able to order the craft sheet material from ranger in 36" widths by the foot, and they only charged me $12 per foot for it! I use it when I set up the spare table when friends come over, but it's amazing how much cheaper it was than buying the tiny little precut sheet at the big box stores. Disclaimer: it did take a month and a half to get in, so you have to be patient...

I use a quilters mat I got at WM. It is self healing and was pretty inexpensive. It is stained a little but it cleans very easily. dired adhesives scrap off of it well, too.

I use OLFA rotary self healing mat. I bought it at Joanns. It was advertised as a quilting mat but is perfect. If covers a big area (18" x 24") and if I need extra mats I use a small healing mat (for eylets etc). Glue doesn't stick, so I use my tape runners right off paper onto the mat. You just brush it away. Welcome to scraping.

I use an Olfa quilters mat too. LOVE it.

I have a MS craft mat....very handy to protect surfaces and makes for an easy clean up

I just thought I would let you know what I use. I have a self-healing mat but underneath I bought a computer desk protector at Ikea,the price is $7.00 it is a soft rubbery pad and clear so if I drop anything sticky like stickles or anything it cleans right up. It is very practical.

I wouldn't trade my Basic Grey magnetic craft mat. It has little magnets that hold everything in place until they are glued down....and the ruler is even magnetic and can be used to hold long papers in place. It's wonderful. I had someone the other day at a weekend crop ask me about it as she thought it looked awesome. It is a self healing mat....wonderful purchase...worth the money (got it on sale, but can't remember for how much)

I second the Basic Grey mat. I use it all the time!

I got a used side table from Craig's list and it came with a piece of bezeled glass on top. Now wasn't that cool!

I use a self healing crafting mat for most thinks. When I am using inks or heating I use the Ranger Craft mat.

I have the HUGE Olfa quilters self healing mat that comes in 3 ginormous pieces that are held together by metal latches. I LOVE that thing. I scrap and sew and do all my crafting on the pool table in our living/dining room so it's on there most of the time. Right now it's buried under yards and yards of fabric and my sewing machine because I'm making a HUGE quilt.

I got my mat when they were 50% off and used my teacher 20% more discount. Made it pretty darn affordable.

You all ladies are so organized! I use a cutting mat - and if I plan to use paint I go to the garden and don't worry at all about the mess lol! But, if it's raining, I go to shower place, 'cause tiles are so easy-cleaning... gosh, I have lots to learn from you hahaha!

late... but wanted to share a good idea (at least i think so....)
go to the dollar tree. they have packs of thin cutting mats. 2 per pack that are 12x18-ish. they are like a cutting mat, only thinner.
that's what i use...when they are funky or too cut up, chunk them.
i even tape them together so i have one big mat.
but i'm cheap that way

I actually use a very large butcher block that has been in my family for years. It finally became too used for a kitchen setting so now I use it as my board. It is huge... I haven't measured it.

I cover it in thick wax back butcher paper. When it gets yucky I recover it. It can handle everything I need it for. I realize that not everyone has this insane butcher block that I do but it just goes to say you can use anything with enough imagination. For me this takes the place of several different mats commonly used.

I had a Ranger mat, really liked it, but eventually wore a hole in it. So then tried the Bazzill splat mat--it seems to be holding up longer. Now I also have a WRM magnetic mat--use it ALL the time, then cover it with the splat mat when I'm doing something messy. I also got the clearsnap box for misting--got tired of having to hold my glimmer mists horizontal, plus it does contain the mist.