S is for Stamps

Welcome to my ABC’s of Stampin’ series. I bet it was no surprise today that S is for Stamps! Stampin’ Up! offers 3 types of stamps…clear, wood mount, and photopolymer. You can learn about each type in this short video.

Here are some basic tips I’ve learned along the way to keep in mind when using stamps.

1.  When inking your stamps use a light, repeating tapping motion. Make sure to move the stamp over the ink pad to ensure that the entire surface of the stamp gets covered.  Don’t use too much pressure or rub the stamp on the pad. Over-inking can lead to blotchy designs. Using too much pressure can result in ink on the block which could transfer to the cardstock.
2. Take a look at the block before stamping on card stock.  Wipe off any ink on the block using a tissue.
3. When stamping with photopolymer stamps, use extra cushion under the cardstock to make sure the stamp makes even contact on the surface.  You can use a piece of foam or the Stampin’ Pierce Mat. This will also help the ink to transfer to the card stock evenly.
4. You need to hold photopolymer stamps in position for an extra moment or two to allow the ink time to transfer properly to the card stock. You don’t need to apply extra pressure to the stamp, just give the ink extra time to absorb onto the card stock.

Check out this short video on using the photopolymer stamps.

*Note-Stampin’ Up’s! Photopolymer stamps have been available for several years now and come in clear mount cases just like the clear mount and wood mount stamp sets. (There are many retired photopolymer stamps sets on sale now in the Clearance Rack.)

I love our stamp sets! I especially like ones that have great sentiments & fonts and offer lots of versatility.  Here are some of my favorite current stamp sets…presented to you as “Stark’s Stampin’ Superlatives”

Favorite Bundle (from the Annual Catalog) – Flourishing Phrases (Great sentiments for a variety of cards and I just love the dies that come with the bundle!! SAVE 10%)

Favorite Christmas Bundle (from the Holiday Catalog) – Cookie Cutter Christmas (So stinkin’ cute!!)

 

Favorite Thank You stamp set – Thankful Thoughts (Everyone needs thank you cards and this one has great fonts and inside sentiments too!)

Favorite Female Birthday – Butterfly Basics (I love to watercolor the flower in this set!)

 

Favorite Celebration – Celebrate Today (Who doesn’t love balloons?!  And these have matching framelits!)

Favorite Limited Edition – Thoughtful Branches (available only while supplies last..Get it today!)

 

Favorite Single Stamp – Stylized Birthday (They had me with the font!)

Favorite Floral Pair – Flower Shop & Pansy Punch (I love how easy it is to add a quick flower to any card!)

 

 

Favorite Oldie –  Lovely As a Tree (this was one of the first stamp sets I bought and I have used it for so many different cards… masculine, birthday, thank you, sympathy, thinking of you, Fall, Winter, Christmas)

 

Favorite Hostess Set – Time of Year (You can use this Thinking of You for any occasion! Coordinates with Bunch of Banners Framelits Dies)

Favorite Background Stamp – ?? Not Telling Today! Stay Tuned Til Tomorrow!

 

What’s your favorite stamp set? Do you want to know what’s better than Stampin’ Up! stamp sets?  SAVING on stamp sets!! Check out these Bundles and Save 10%!

Here’s today’s Back to School Special…for every stamp set you purchase through me, I will send you my “All Set to Stamp” card kit so you can get started stamping with your new set immediately!  And that’s not all!  Because today is “S is for Stamps”, I will send a Secret Stamp Set Surprise to one random shopper! Remember to enter the Hostess Code 7CNZAUYM when you check out. (See the visual below.)  Click HERE to start shopping!

Have a Spectacular Day!

Just Stampin’

Jeanie