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Thursday 17 April 2014

How to re-stick your mats - and a giveaway

I promised you a peek at how I make my mats sticky again, this works for all die cutting mats - I have used it for years on Cricut and Cameo mats with no ill effects. There is no sticky on the parts of the mat that shouldn't be sticky, so no damage is done.

Firstly, give your mat a really good scrub with hot soapy water - this might revitalize it and you may not need to move onto the next step, but sometimes, they are beyond help.........leave it to dry before the next step



In which case, this is what you need. Some Aleenes Tack-It-Over-And-Over glue, a foam brush, a plastic container with a lid and a measuring spoon. I made up a solution with just 1/4 of a cup of glue and 1/4 of a cup of cold water.......


This makes quite a watery solution.......


Very carefully apply a thin layer of the solution to your mat, keeping within the cutting area - to make sure no glue has strayed onto the grid line markings, I use a damp kitchen towel to wipe down after applying the glue. Set aside to dry - it doesn't take long.....



When you are done, cover the solution with a lid, it will sit nicely until the next time....



You may find your mat is TOO sticky after this treatment. Pat it down with a lint free cloth like an old T shirt before using it. The sticky will last for a long time - much longer than the original stickiness! I found the glue in the adhesives aisle in Michaels, and I know it can be bought online in the UK

Here's a few cards I made very quickly using the Paper Boutique CD's from Polkadoodles, I was really just testing out how the machine would cut - it made quick work of it...... 


One cute feature on the CD is that you print out a back for your card - this is the back of the house...............


A quick little robot, I added a few metal bits and pieces, this will probably be a birthday card for Max who turns seven in May......



and a cute ladybird (I'm not quite sure what the orange patch is on the photo, it's not like that in real life!). I covered her with glossy accents.....


When we were spending half of the year in the USA, Nikky used to give me two copies of the new releases, so that I didn't have to lug them backwards and forwards across the Atlantic. So I found my second copy of Paper Boutique Vol 1, and even though it's been used, it's in perfect working order, and I'm happy to give it away to one of you. You don't need a Scan N Cut of course, a good old fashioned pair of scissors works just fine. Just leave your name under this post and I will draw a winner on Sunday, when I draw the other candy winners. Good luck, I'll see you tomorrow x


Paper boutique vol 1 CD-Rom

89 comments:

  1. Great tips and tutorial! Thanks for sharing! Love your cards too!

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  2. Mary Alice SmithThursday, April 17, 2014

    You do beautiful work! So very talented and creative.
    And thank you for the tutorial on re-sticking the mat. I'll pick up some of that glue when I'm next in Michael's.

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  3. Thanks for posting this tutorial! I'm so glad I found your blog! My name is Tara :) Thanks for hosting another give-a-way.

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  4. So many ideas, delightful themes. I'm Jean Henderson and I live in Tennessee.

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  5. Love your cards and would love to win the cd. Also, am getting more interested in your snc. Looks so interesting. Bev18105

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  6. oh! so cute! My 5 years old son definitely love the robot very much.

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  7. Hi from NZ! Love your blog and all the handy hints and tips! I have just gotten a Brother SnC.... best birthday present ever!

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  8. I'd love a chance to win this. I did not know about this glue - seems much better than the other fix I saw years ago with some sticky dot tape runners. Thanks a bunch.

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  9. Beautiful tutorial! I love your creations as you are very experienced. I am very happy at the moment as your follower from past few days:). Thanks for the chance to win this awesome giveaway.
    Love and hugs!

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  10. Oh that's a fabulous tip. THANK YOU very much Enfys.
    I love your cards and that is great to have the backs of the images too :-D My favourite there is the Ladybug :-D
    Thanks for a chance to win :-)
    Hugz
    IKE xx

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  11. Great tip and tut..Love the lady bug card..so colorful..Thanks for the giveaway..

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  12. Really love that robot card. Glad to see you explained how to re-stick Cricut mats.I began following this method about a year ago and it works great for me. I usually do a couple of coats of the Alene's/water mixture. Maybe next time I'll just do one coat and see how that works for me.

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  13. I Would love to win you cd for my scan n Cut.
    Kirsten

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  14. I Would love to win your cd for my sne. Kirsten

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  15. I love DIY tips - we live in a throw away world ,I like to recycle,reuse and repurpose. Cute cards.

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  16. Hi Enfys. Lovely cards. Thanks for sharing about how to restick your cutting mats. I will now be scouring the internet looking for some of this glue.
    Thanks for the chance to win a lovely CD.
    Mags
    x

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  17. Thanks for sharing :)
    thanks for the turorial on re-sticking :) great tip :)

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  18. Lovely card ,especialy the first one.
    Gr Elly

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  19. I have been re-sticking my mats (from a different cutting machine) for years. Although I use a different adhesive, the general process is the same. I am so glad to hear that the SNC mats are just as easy to re-stick. This will increase their use life tremendously.

    Love these delightful cards ... each with such brightly colored and fun images.

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  20. I have this cd rom also but use old fashioned scissors as I don't have a scan and cut. If I'm lucky and win, I would give to my friend who doesn't have it already. I entered the previous link but didn't put which giveaway I would like if I'm lucky, it would be the Polkadoodles cd as I don't have this one. Thanks.......... Sue x

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  21. A bit of soapy water works wonders doesn't it. I've been lucky and so far haven't needed to 're-stick' my cricut mats - the wash has been enough.

    Love the card Enfys and that SNC is certainly a speedy way to get things cut out.

    Have a super Easter weekend.

    Toni xx

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  22. Thanks for instructions on how to re-sticky our mats, Enfys. I love your house card, very trendy.

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  23. Fantastic tip, think i may have to search it out over here!
    Love the cards, especially the ladybug!

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  24. Great Tips Enfys,You are so talented, love your cards, would love the CD, Thank You, June Langley.

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  25. Love the house card with a back and front! This machine certainly opens up all sorts of opportunity for designing cards. I have never been any good at cutting out with scissors and the arthritis in my fingers doesn't help. Perhaps I can convince myself, and OH, that I need one of these machines on medical grounds! Pat x

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  26. Great tutorial , love all the little tips you give especially about the snc, which thanks to you I'm seriously thinking of buying one....thanks for the chance to win!..
    Hugz Kath...xx...

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  27. Im sure your tutorial will help out so many crafters with their non sticky mats now. I would love the chance to win the cd that you are offering in the giveaway.
    [[[[hugs}}}}
    Marg xx ;)

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  28. You've sold me on the Scan n Cut, I sure hope to have one in the not so distant future. And, that CD looks like a winner to me, I would love to be lucky enough to win it. I have used this method to restick my Cricut mats and it works great - I just get it a bit too sticky sometimes and then have to "destock"! I have to order my glue on ebay, I haven't been able to find it either at Hobby Lobby or Michaels here in Georgetown, TX (near Austin).

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  29. Thanks for all your hints & tips, love the Robot card. Would be great to win the CD.
    Hazel x

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  30. Love your blog and tips hope I can access glue for mats have theSnC but so far only scratch the surface need to get cracking

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  31. Good Morning Enfys! I have always done the first step, but did not know that Aleene's still had product available. I guess I need to open my eyes more! LOL! I have always seen people use a spray and I was afraid I would get carried away spraying! Love the fact it can be applied with a brush. On my list to do as I have several I was about to retoss! Thank you Enfys! Have a great day!

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  32. That's a great tip! i will have to try it on my Cricut mats next time. I've used the Zig two-way glue in the chisel point dispenser and had good results, but the seems better to me. Thank you and I love the cards, too. BethAnn M.

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  33. Thanks for the tip on re-sticking the mats. It sure can save lots of $$ doing it that way.

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  34. Thank you for sharing... this is a lovely prize. I'm sure this cold be used with a Silhouette a well.

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  35. Hi Enfys, thanks for the great tips for the mats, I will definately do this because all my mats are due for a sticky job. Your cards are really cute, I love the little robot.

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  36. I like your idea for resticking mats better than the one I've used in the past. Thanks for sharing. I have never tried using a cd to make cards so I would love to win and give it a try. Thanks for the opportunity.

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  37. Wow, would love to win this book. I need all the help I can get.Thanks.

    Dianne Bell - Sewpro02@aol.com

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  38. Love the sweet house you made. Thanks for the handy tip of re-gluing mats. I'll certainly give that a try.

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  39. Another nice give away thank you

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  40. Love all your cards! I have a SnC on its way to me at this very moment and would love to win the CD, so thanks for the chance to win.

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  41. Thanks for the tips on the mats. Cards are darling. I would love to win your giveaway. :)
    CyndiU

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  42. Thank you ever so much for this moneysaving tip!I just wanted to buy a new cutting mat for my cricut, now I can spare me the money to buy other stuff I want for my hobby!Again RTHANK YOU!!

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  43. Thank you for this,could save lots of money! Loving the polkadoodles project too!

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  44. Thanks for sharing how to re-sticky the mat for my cricut. It will save a fortune on buying new mats every couple if months. Love the cards!

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  45. Hi Enfys, Wow what a fantastic tip for making the mats sticky again, that will prove to be an invaluable method for me, thank you so much!

    I love all of the cards, the robot would be perfect for my little grandsons.

    I would love to win the CD, thank you for the opportunity.

    Hugs Jan xxx

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  46. Wow what a Fantastic way to re sticky the mats, I shall be ordering some of this stuff in a few mins
    Thanks You SO MUCH

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  47. Thanks so much for your easy techniques and for a lovely give away too.

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  48. Fab tip, will definitely be trying that on my s n c mats :) xx

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  49. All your cards are gorgeous! Thank you for the chance to win the fabulous giveaway! xx

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  50. This would be fun to have!! luv'd the ladybug and the robot is a perfect boys card!! thanks for the chance to win..

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  51. Thanks for your gorgeous tips and tutorial! hugs, Helena

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  52. Love the cards . Have just got my scan and cut. ..love it so far.x

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  53. Nice blog, booking to return! Tammy Voth

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  54. What a fantastic tip! Must try it on my Pazzles mats (if I can find it here in the UK - will make cutting digitally much more affordable! Love your cards too - and as an avid card maker have my fingers and toes crossed to win the CD. Thank you!

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  55. Thank you so much for a super tip will be a great saving x

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  56. I've already tried loads of different retacking ways. Will defnitely try yours as well.
    Love the cards that you showed.
    Hugs, Carin

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  57. I've tried several methods of restocking my mats, haven't heard of this one! i may even have some of this glue in the house!

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  58. I love your blog posts and have been following your ScanNCut adventures at the same time I'm trying out my own! I've also seen Zig glue pens used to re-sticky mats. Thanks for the chance to win the Polkadoodles CD. I'm in UK.

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  59. Enfys,
    Thanks for a change to win. I am so tired that I cannot remember if I did this. If so just remove this one. I am so ready for a vacation. Love this machine...

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  60. Wow genius idea, I'll have to get some of that glue. Gorgeous cards too
    Claire xx

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  61. The robot is so cute. Love the glossy ladybird. What a great giveaway. Hugs

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  62. Great tip for the mats. I use a spray adhesive on the paper but sometimes you don't want one side of card tacky! Lovely give away, I'm a big fan of Nikky's.Happy Easter Suz xxx

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  63. Oh wow, I just spotted you have the Scan and Cut and I will be reading all you have done with it, I really would love a decent cutting machine, I don't get on with the ecraft.

    Would love to win the CD if you are posting to the UK.

    I love the little house card, I have some house stamps by Polka doodles somewhere...
    Cazzy x

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  64. What fabulous cards, Enfys!! I've watched your blog for a long time, back as far as the cricut and always admired your work!! Love, love love it!! You are soooo inspirational!!! xxxxx

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  65. Followed your blog for a long time,Enfys as far back back as Cricut early days. Love what you do and your generosity!!! Would love this CD!! xx

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  66. lovely cards Enfys - I'm sure Max would love the robot one, what little boy wouldn't x

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  67. Thanks for the tips on re-sticking our mats. That will save lots of money. Sounds like another trip to Michael's for some glue. Anything for an excuse to go to M's.

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  68. Oh I'd love to win this En, if for no other reason than that sweet little monkey. Mason is our little monkey boy! lol He loves Curious George. Thanks for the chance to win. Love the cards too. Hugs, Jess

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  69. What a fantastic prize! I have to say, I love my Scan n Cut! x

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  70. Thanks for sharing your tips. I would love to win this give a way.

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  71. Thanks for sharing your tips. I would love to win this give a way.

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  72. I loved the robot. I would love to win this for my grand daughter. For seven years old she is quite crafty. Her cutting skills are carefully done. TFS the mat procedure. This is a lot easier than using the spray. too messy.
    DawnRI

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  73. Just got my scanncut and loving it, love your house and robot

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  74. Any idea where this CD can be purchased?

    sarapurvey@hotmail.com

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  75. Great info. I am a new Scan N Cut user and could use all the help I can get. Love your projects

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  76. I am guessing that you have both cricket and scan n cut machines. which do you like the best. I am trying to decide between the cricket explore and the bother cut n scan.

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  77. Thanks for the help. Will this work with cutting fabric also?

    Thank you!
    kanella@tds.net

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  79. Wow sound great... I just brought another two set of mats those two also not sticky well now ... happy with this tutorial and I will try this. Thank you so so much

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  80. well I am certainly going to try this thanks for the info

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  81. I found some Aleenes Sticky sheets and I put them sticky side down and it left the sticky residue onto the mat.

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  83. great idea for replacing tack on the boards. Thank you,

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I love reading your comments, thank you for taking the time
Enfys x