How to make your cutting mats “like new”

Did you know that you can apply new adhesive to your cutter mats?  I’ve been doing this for years and it works great.  There are several different adhesives that you can use.  Here is a list of some of them:

• Repositional spray adhesive (Krylon makes one, not sure what other brands are available)
• Basting spray (It’s in the fabric section)
• Xyron re-positional adhesive for the sticker makers, or re-positionable glue runners
• Zig 2 Way glue (I’ve been told they have a wide marker, I tried the chisel tip on a smaller area)
• Aleene’s Tack-It Over and Over diluted with equal parts water (I use a foam brush to paint it on)

Here are the basic steps for any of the adhesives:

1. Clean your mat.  You can use baby wipes or wash the mat with soap and water.  Let the mat dry.  This works great in between applications too since it removes all of the extra paper bits and lint sticking to the adhesive.
2. If you are using a spray, mask off the edges of your mats.
3. Apply your choice of adhesive, then let dry if needed.
4. Most of these adhesives will leave your mat overly sticky, so pat the mat all over with your hands to reduce the stickiness.

I have tried several of these, but my favorite is Aleene’s Tack-It Over and Over.  It does have a longer dry time, but you don’t need to mask your edges (just be careful with your foam brush) and it doesn’t have fumes like the sprays.  I’m all for the quick and easy!  I have a container that I use to store the diluted Aleene’s and the foam brush I use to apply it.  When I need to re-apply adhesive I just get out my container and I’m ready to go with no prep time.  :)

Single line knot borders

Here are two single line versions of the borders here.  These are for use with markers or gel pens.  :)

The download is a zipped folder with a layered svg file for use in SCAL2 and two single layer files for use in either version of SCAL. These files are for personal use only. Feel free to link to this post, but the files are not to be shared or distributed in any way.

Download the files from here.

Golden Gate Bridge silhouette

Here is an svg of the Golden Gate Bridge by request.  The download includes a single layer silhouette file and a layered file with a solid backing for the suspension cables.

The download is a zipped folder with a layered svg file for use with SCAL2 and a single layer svg file for use in either version of SCAL. These files are for personal use only. Feel free to link to this post, but the files are not to be shared or distributed in any way.

Download the files from here.

Piano Recital title

Here is an svg for “Piano Recital” by request.  :)

The download is a layered svg file for use with either version of SCAL.

My files are for personal use only.  Feel free to link to this post, but the files are not to be shared or distributed in any way.

Download the file from here.