Inking Question and a few others

D

debsterchen

New member
Hi Ladies - I have completed my first hybrid album but ran into some difficulties with inking the edges - I sealed the album with Modge Podge and let it dry and then I inked the edges but then the ink never really dried and smeared all over so I had to kind of wipe it off and now it looks a bit half-inked. Did I do it wrong? Should I have inked first or do I need to wait overnight before inking over modge podge?

Also, in cutting holes for the ring, I read in another thread that a crop-o-dile is good for this - do you recommend one? I tried cutting out the holes with an exacto knife but it's rather ragged.

And do you put a brad in the hole or somehow use something in the holes?

Last question - where can you buy rings for albums? Mine is on the chain that it came with and I'm not exactly sure where I can buy rings.

Thanks ladies, I think I am addicted now!!!

Oh and here is a link to some photos of my album in case anyone wants to see it - constructive feedback truly appreciated!!!:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=357233&ppuser=8774

Thank you!
-Debbie
 
I would ink BEFORE mod-podging, but the reason it probably smeared etc was because it was likely a pigment based ink which take longer to dry - they're meant for embossing stamped images (because they stay wet longer, the embossing powder will stick to it). See if you can find some DYE based inkpads, they dry almost immediately, whereas pigment based can take a few hours to a few days depending on what type of surface you're applying it to (a slicker surface, such as a sealed album, will take longer to dry than a piece of paper, etc).

The Crop-A-Dile ROCKS...I recommend them for sure. As a paper scrapper, the best tool we had was an eyelet setting set and you had to hammer and make lots of noise...the Crop-A-Dile does it noiselessly and in about 2 seconds, lol. LOVE mine, best money I ever spent on a tool.

You can put eyelets in the holes, or just leave the holes how they are. Eyelets give it a nice finished edge, but only on one side - the other side you'll see the backend of the eyelet. I tend to leave them as is, personally.

You can get rings for them at office supply stores like Staples. They can be called either binder rings or looseleaf rings, and are pretty cheap...they come in several sizes, from .5" to 2" big in diameter (and you can get multi-packs with several of each size in it, too).

HTH!
 
Welcome to the addiction!! :)

You either have to wait until the Modge Podge is BONE DRY to ink the edges, or ink the edges first and then put on the Modge Podge (that's what I do). Also, be sure you have a dye based ink. I like the Color Box inks.

Your album is gorgeous - I love the colors! FWIW, I can't tell that the holes look ragged, nor can I tell that the ink smeared.

IMHO, yes the CropADile is well worth the money. They just came out with a Big Bite CropADile that has a 6" reach (can't wait to get mine!) It's great for punching out the hole for the chain/ring, and great for setting eyelets, punching holes for brads, etc.

You can get rings and grommets at Michaels, AC Moore, or JoAnn Fabrics (maybe even WalMart?)
 
WOW!!! Thank you both -wvasweetness and ditzyscrap - so much for the feedback - you're right - I used a Color Box Cat's Eye PIGMENT ink - silly me, I did not even realize there were different types of ink!

Is it the Cat's Eye chalk ink that I should be using?

And thanks for the tip on where to buy the rings, I guess I should look harder next time I am in one of those shops.

Now that I know I like hybrid, I think I might spring for a crop a dile. Of course, I have no clue about how to use brads & eyelets but they look like fun! My wallet is hurting already in anticipation....

-Debbie
 
I just bought a Crop-a-dile...very cool!!!
And I bought my rings at Office Depot. I looked at Target and they only had colored ones.... ick. They were like bright pink and green! LOL!
 
Hi Debbie!
:waving:

your album turned out super cute!

i have the crop-a-dile AND I just got the Big Bite but haven't used either much. You are braver than I am; I haven't attempted inking yet but I would ink before modging podging like Bree said.
 
Debbie, I like the Color Box Cat's Eye CHALK ink - it dries super fast. Most of Color Box's inks, though, are pigment based, so take longer to dry. Dye based ones are harder to find, though I think Ranger Inc and Tim Holtz inks are dye based (I also know inks from Close To My Heart - a stamping company - are dye based, because I have pretty much EVERY color they have, since I used to be a consultant for them). Stampin' Up inks are pigment, I believe, and so are The Angel Company's inks.

If you like black ink, you could try Staz-On ink, it's dye based and will NOT come off of any surface, lol...it's formulated to work on slick surfaces where other inks are not able to.
 
yup all of what Bree said is perfect.

Ink first, Cat's Eye inks are goos, I use Pallette Hybrid inks and they work great too!

I am going tot he city tomorrow and will not come home until I have my Big Bite in my greedy little hands, LOL
C
 
Thanks Bree & everyone!!!

Cat's Eye CHALK ink it is then!! I think I like how the Cat's Eye comes on a sponge for easy application.

And Mimi, yes, I was brave but maybe really foolish since the half-inked job looks kind of bad!! LOL, DH doesn't care - he thinks it looks fab.

And as for a crop a dile, do I need to get this bigger one everyone is wanting or is a basic one a good one to have? Does one need both of them?

-Debbie
 
I don't think you'd need to have both, honestly...it depends on what you're planning on using it for.

I like my original because it's handheld (the Big Bite sits on your desk), but it doesn't reach very far...only 1", while the Big Bite reaches 6". So, if you think you'll be doing a lot of holes more than an inch into your page, the Big Bite is what you need. If not, the original will work fine.

I will probably end up getting the Big Bite, because I do have some things I'd like to do that I can't do with the original Crop-A-Dile, but it's not top of my priority list. :)
 
Your heart album looks great Debbie!

I just have the regular pink Crop-a-Dile and so far it's working fine for me, someday I may get the Big Bite though. Also I like the Ranger Distressing Inks and they come in like 28 different colors or something, I got mine at Michael's for under $5 (even less with a coupon). I want to get some of the Cat's Eye ones but the store closest to me doesn't have a very big selection of those. Also I get my metal jump rings at Walmart in the school/office supply area, they are like 97 cents for a package of 5 I think.
 
Thanks Bree & Shawna, I'll probably get the original crop a dile since right now I can only see using it to punch holes in small albums and my desk is way too overcrowded for another gadget!

-Debbie
 
the Big Bite doesn't really take up that much room to store. It's narrow so you can just fit into a little space like a book.
 
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