What I did to my Coluzzle mat!

When I got my master's degree in Museum Studies, I learned the importance of not doing any "repairs" to important items unless you could undo it if need be. For example, when laminators became popular, everyone thought it was important to laminate newspaper articles, valuable documents, etc. It was only later that we learned that lamination--while it DOES make an item sturdier--actually harms the paper and makes it deteriorate faster (see my post from early November on that!).

So I don't typically change things on my scrapping and stamping tools if it can't be undone. Here's an exception, and also why I did it!

When you get the Coluzzle set, it comes with this foamy pad that may seem like package filler. Don't toss it! (Yes, I've heard some people have done so.) You need to place your paper/photo to be cut on this pad before you cut. The swivel blade needs to move through a surface that "gives" while cutting, (Glass and"self-healing" mats are too firm.)

The pad is standard paper size, 8 1/2 x 11". I needed a smaller one--so I CUT the size I needed out of the pad! (Just cut with scissors!)

OK, to me it's pretty radical. Anyway, I only did so after I checked that I could get another pad easily. While Stampin' Up! doesn't sell replacements pads, other places do, including local stores such as Hobby Lobby. I got mine from California Paper Goods. I plan to share what else I got there in another post...

Yes, there will be more info on this all soon.

Happy stamping!

--Janis