Rubber stamp mutilation

Lynne, I am certain that the stamps will not hold it against you.. Lol... and I am quite sure none of us will. ;) Ang.

lol! I had to laugh at that... you're a braver man than I am Gunga Din! My stamps have filled up their drawer and I'm double-stacking them now... I hate the thought of ripping them apart though - they cost money and what if I broke them or changed my mind later?

So how do you actually use them once they're off their blocks? I've often wondered about those acrylic stamps and unmounted ones but I've never been brave enough to buy them because i don't know how to use them - I've got a grand total of three unmounted stamps that I bought years ago, and I use them just by holding the rubber in my hand - not ideal!

I got some free acrylic blocks for an Acrylic store. They put all their scraps in a bin and one is free to sort through it. I got several different sizes. On the back of the stamps that I have adhered the foam to is that static cling plastic. I press the unmounted rubber stamp to the acrylic block do my stamping. Clean it and pull it off the acrylic block and place it back on it's page. It works quite well.

I have a stamp that never stamped correctly on it's block and I'm curious to find out if it's the block that is causing the problem or the rubber stamp.

I've been literally pulling the stamps off the blocks. No microwaving to loosen them. It hasn't stretched out the rubber or damaged one yet. There have been some that I've really had to pull hard on too. It's really a big experiment and I'm hoping to not ruin any stamps in the process.

Lynne

Karen...I have hundreds of unmounted stamps bought in sheets from various places. I have put a scribble of Aleene's Reposition-it! Tacky Glue on the backs of them all and I use them with an acrylic block. Storage is a ring binder with the stamps stuck to the plain old polypocket page protectors with a piece of firm card inserted.

If you feel the impression is not that clear you can use a mouse mat under your cardstock.....I have never felt the need....LOL I stamp on a piece of butcher's block which is a very firm and sturdy surface....I think that helps to ensure you get even pressure all over. I am seriously thinking of unmounting all my stamps now. More recent stamp purchases have been SeeD's or clear polymers as I love the ease of soap and water clean up and jewel case storage.

Take care, Marilyn (Scotland UK)

Ahh just think of it as a face lift. You know now your stamps have a younger, lighter, and hipper look...jeeze I'm such a dork sometimes! ;) So did you use the cling type mounting? If so, how well do they cling?

Kelly

The cling works really well. In fact the stick so well you kind of have to pry them off. I'm very pleased with the results.

Lynne

I think I'm the one that recommended it... and seriously I love this stuff! I've even been known to stick a few on the side of a pen caddy I have that I use alot... still hanging there... :)

So where do you get the cling plastic that you are using? This sounds like something I might want to try as my stamp drawer is quickly filling up.

hahaha listen to you... stamp drawer... where's the "S" after drawer as in drawers. OK just teasing you a little. Yes, I have stamp drawers... small ones, but multiples none the less. Anyhow 2 of them are empty. I've been searching around on the internet today for more supplies. I've used up all I bought at the Rubber Stamp Convention. I never thought I'd get that far.

I did some stamping today and it felt so good to know where all my loose stamps were. I haven't started on the sets yet as they are in their original plastic boxes and pretty easy to find, BUT they will be taken a part some day. I put the stamps grouped together by theme. I have a page of words. I have a page of plant life. I have a cooking stamp page. I have a celestial stamp page. I do have a miscellaneous page for odd balls waiting to belong to a theme.

Lynne

Here is a company that I got a ad from in the mail and I have bought a few things from her. Her service s great and I ordered some of the unmounted stamp stuff. Have not used it yet and feel her prices are good, but you know service is what counts!!

HTH and Good luck!

OKC Dave

Check out my pix and crafts!

Thanks for the link - it looks like something I'll have to think about buying - space is at a premium in my craftroom!

Well gee, give me a break I'm just a beginning stamper! :-) At the rate I'm buying them thought, it won't take long to expand my collection. Now all I have to do is find more room in this small apartment to hide stuff! Thanks for the link I'll check it out.

Thanks Dave. I'll check it out.