My apologies for not visiting anyone last week. Before I could make my rounds, my internet quit working and because I was gone over the weekend, I didn't have time to determine how to get it back online. Finally, with the help of my internet service provider who walked me through resetting the modem and some internet settings, I am back online. Sadly, they
were unable to help me with my e-mail problems, which means I am still unable to access my e-mail.
After all you stampers have visited
Julia at
Stamping Ground, I hope you drop by to read my diatribe on rubber stamps and maybe offer your advise. But first, you can see I've completed my Christmas tip-ins which are not very glamorous, as well as my Christmas cards, all of which I stamped.
These are the stamps I used to make the cards. Now why can't rubber and acrylic stamps be the same thickness? I wanted to stamp both sentiments at the same time, but it was not possible because the acrylic stamp was much thicker. Why, even after a thorough cleaning using rubbing alcohol (I used Staz-on ink), does the acrylic stamp still have black residue?
And finally, why is it some rubber stamps just won't stamp? I bought this stamp "gently used" at a local craft store, but it was still expensive (over $12.00 US). And, it simply doesn't stamp, even though I've had very good luck with the other stamps I used on these cards. Granted, I'm not a stamper, but I know I got even ink coverage, used a soft mouse pad under the cards, and made sure the entire stamp was well inked. As you can see, this was one of the best images I got. I thought after making 18 identical cards, I would manage to get at least
one that was good. That, however, was not the case. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. And be sure to have a super WOYWW.
After all you stampers have visited Julia at Stamping Ground, I hope you drop by to read my diatribe on rubber stamps and maybe offer your advise. But first, you can see I've completed my Christmas tip-ins which are not very glamorous, as well as my Christmas cards, all of which I stamped.
These are the stamps I used to make the cards. Now why can't rubber and acrylic stamps be the same thickness? I wanted to stamp both sentiments at the same time, but it was not possible because the acrylic stamp was much thicker. Why, even after a thorough cleaning using rubbing alcohol (I used Staz-on ink), does the acrylic stamp still have black residue?
And finally, why is it some rubber stamps just won't stamp? I bought this stamp "gently used" at a local craft store, but it was still expensive (over $12.00 US). And, it simply doesn't stamp, even though I've had very good luck with the other stamps I used on these cards. Granted, I'm not a stamper, but I know I got even ink coverage, used a soft mouse pad under the cards, and made sure the entire stamp was well inked. As you can see, this was one of the best images I got. I thought after making 18 identical cards, I would manage to get at least one that was good. That, however, was not the case. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. And be sure to have a super WOYWW.
Dollar Exchange Rate
46 thoughtful remarks:
I'm impressed that you stuck with it! I have some larger image stamps that also don't seem to like leaving their image... no matter what. I get around it by heat embossing it in gold or silver but I am sure a proper stamp type person will have a better suggestion!!
oh, i am a messy stamper so i'm not qualified to give any advice except how to camouflage lousy stamping with paint strokes and collage and pretend that's exactly the way it was planned to be. happy WOYWW and thanks for sharing!
hugs,
peggy aplSEEDS
Well are you sure that the image you have stamped isnt surpose to be like that?i looked at the card and the image seems to be ok?from here.I have one stamp like that and at first i thought that until i saw it on another blog and realised thats how it was surpose to be!As for cleaning stamps i clena straight away using baby wipes and dont seem to have a problem,.The one i do have problem with takes time to rub off is if i stamp with TimHoltz stains the new distress stains.
Anyways prob nt much help but hope some one can advise better.Have fab woyww still need your addy as havent got it as yet so i can send this wee prezzie off to you
hugs judex10
Can't help with the stamps, the only stamps I use are the ones you put on envelopes.
They look like lovely stamps, if you can get them working.
Have a great week and I hope you get your internet/email probs fixed. Von #14 :)
Oh dear hope someone can help. I don't stamp a lot although I have a lot of stamps! I need to get them out so I can see them! I like the colorful tree! Patsy from
HeARTworks
Life just never is very simple at, well unless you're a meetcat apparently........... I'd go with Jude's opinion that you have stamped the image as intended. At least if you do the rubber greeting first you know where to put the acrylic one........ I know pearls of helpful wisdom, sorry, have a splendid week!
No advice, sadly, but I'm quite glad to find someone else who doesn't get on with stamping. I'm just not good enough at it to justify the mess it creates.
Good morning; thought I'd pop in to say Hi quickly. Hope you have a fabulous and creative week. Thanks for sharing your creativity with us today.I too struggle with larger stamps but find it hard to give advice because it may be the stamp itself is not well etched rather than anything you've done.
Neil #13
No advise stamp wise.... I personally find a cup of tea fixes every thing if it is before 6pm... and a glass of wine does the same trick after that... just administer tea, or wine according to level of frustration and all will be well...xx
Gorgeous stamp and I bet it is le Blanche. They are supposed to be grungy. Think you have stamped it just fine. I had the same issue with one last year and then got told about the grunge.
Have sent your little parcel, it really is nothing much - got the addie from Annette.
Hugs, Neet
Elizabeth one thing I have found with the bigger stamps is to lay them on their backs and ink them then put your card stock on top and gently rub around the surface of the cardstock. Make sure to press down in one spot with a finger to hold the card in place. Secondly the if the ink is Stazon it is a solvent ink and takes a special cleaner to get it clean. Michaels carries Stazon stamp cleaner. Like Neet said that is an artistic grunge stamp and is suppose to be grungy and not as sharp. It is a beautiful stamp. Hope that helps some. Thanks for sharing! Have a great week and Happy Holidays! Vickie #35
Hi there! Actually, your bunting is on the way as Julia gave me your address as we knew you had techy problems. Hope you don't mind! May your email problems be sorted soon :)
Hugs, LLJ #34 xx
I think maybe the image is meant to be like that - but I have some big stamps that are stubborn to leave a good impression - the joy of working on the floor, means then I can stand (gently) on them to force ink evenly to card!!
Isn't it a pain when the stamps won't play ball? Nothing to add to the other's advice about your stamp but if you want to avoid staining clear stamps with Stazon then a tip I found was to ink first with a resist ink (Versamark) then add the Stazon that way the Versamark protects your stamp. Ann B
#27
I'm not help with the stamps sorry. Still trying to sell mine cos I use them so very rarely :-)
Have a great week.
Hugs,
A x
Mes means work and boy are you buys, orange xmas cards very non traditional colours, love it
Bridget #24
Oh dear. I think that big stamp should be 'misty'. go over the image with some distress ink to make it look even more so. If you don't like that result - throw the stamp away!!! As for cleaning acrylic stamps with a Stazon cleaner, that's a no no, but if you can't avoid doing so, make sure you wash it thoroughly and dry it afterwards. The cleaner will eventually break your stamp up. One of the best clear stamps on the market are those made by Personal Impressions. They aren't acrylic and will take the cleaner. Have fun.
Joanne #44
Very festive desk :) have a good week
I also have no stamping advise apart from the fact that it maybe is supposed to look like that. Have a good day and I am glad you got you internet back. Cheers Elaine
Sorry, I have no advice to share on the stamping front except to say; you are MUCH better at it than I! I just wanted to pop my head in to say "hi"....I've been having computer problems and therefore, not blogging so much....my wonderful hubby was able to fix my 'puter so I can at least READ blogs, but to write, I have to go through a whole new process...I will write soon though so be looking for me :D
Hello, just stopping by to let you know you won the print in my interview giveaway! It's taken me forever to get around to drawing names..... Let me know your address and I'll ship it out to you!
Lelloavengers(at)yahoo(dot)com
a good friend of mine is a massive stamping fan and she only ever uses a wet wipe over the stamp to clean it, it opened a whole new world when I discovered this!! now I'm not quite so bothered!
As others have said, I also clean with cheap (alcohol free from the pound shop) baby wipes. If your using stayzon and the cleaner on acrylic stamps you need to clean them straight away (you'll never get all the black off-life is too short) as they can degrade the stamp over time. As to the stamp not producing a great image, it may not be you...I have a couple of stamps that no matter how hard I try dont produce a great image. If your using a nice juicy ink and your mouse mat upside down and pressing really hard all over, then chances are it may be the stamp (have you tried getting any crafting friends to try with it?)
Got your addy hun now worries i shall get it posted out to you.It may not get to you for christmas but hopefully nice gift for new year
hugs judex10
Lovely stamp!!
Have a great creative Wednesday!!
Hugs Marleen #12
I use those baby wipes, they work fine, and I thought you were the prefect stamper!
well, my blog and email was 'removed' the other week, I had a heart attack of course! Last week was not too bad, I got round almost all, couldn't comment on about a third, I think blogger is bigger than even blogger thought is would be come. Have a crafty week! HaPpY WoYwW!
((lyn))) #40
I have one or two of 'those' stamps :) I find that, once I'm sure there it's well inked, I have to stand up and 'really' press on the stamp in all the miserable spots!
Love your stamp, btw :)
I too have had that stamp but didn't like that the image wasn't "clear", no matter what I did! I guess that's just the way it's meant to be.
Hi Elizabeth, such a shame that you are not having any luck with that stamp because the image does look beautiful. Can't add anything to the advice you've already received so hope something works for you. Happy WOYWW, Elizabeth x #66
That's why we're digital. Oh my hec, next week you can diatribe about that one :D Hope your week is non exasperating and connected (email wise)
Happy Woyww from #1 (YAYA!)
I can't help with stamps I'm afraid, I use them rarely and then muck them up with paint, and collage and what not. I like mostly texture stamps that leave cool patterns. ~Happy WOYWW #85 ~Robin Panzer Art Studio 33
love the stamped image anyway, but agree with earlier comments, some are just meant to be that way. I have a rubber one that didn't stamp clearly until I went all over the surface with the rough side of an emery board, then cleaned surface with acetone (cheap nail polish remover) I did this cos I had reached point where I was going to toss the stamp anyway, so had nothing to lose! Now stamps a treat - think there was a small uneven area on mine. But sounds like yours is meant to look 'aged'???
I try not to use staz on with acrylic stamps, but not always possible. To clean them, I stamp off the image on scrap until it's all gone, then ink up wiht versamark and stamp off a few more times to get rid of last bit - the Staz On cleaner will make acrylic stamps all gooey as they start to break down the acrylic. If you have clear stamps that are polymer, not acrylic (can only tell by reading the packet!) then staz on is fine
Happy woyww Debs #89
Hey Babe,
long time no visiting - but I think of you every day, and here I am back looking at your blog and see you have been awol too...
stamping advice:
1. NEVER clean a dirty stamp
2. Always take a scalpel to a misbehaving stamp and modfiy as required
3. push the paper/card/ over the stamp nto the stamp onto the surface if using mulitple dpeth stamps
4. ALWAYS say - that's the look I was going for
5. Paint instead....
6. What do I know???
see you next week when I shall wish you glad tidings of great joy,
dxxxx
I also use cheap baby wipes to get the immediate residue off the stamps, but I also wash acrylic ones under the top the second I'm done with them, you can use a tiny bit of mild soap too, but Satzon will stain no matter what. It shouldn't afect the stamp perfomance though. The Stazon cleaner is only good for wood or deeply etched red rubber, don't use it on your acylics. As others have said, the stamp might well be designed like that, could you add any shading to the stamped images with pencils? As Vicki says, you can put the stamp on its back, ink it and put your paper on top and being very carful not to let it move, place a large book or something similar on top and press down with even pressure.
Hugs
Brenda 68
You've got lots of great advice here, I'll say give you credit for trying!!
Hi Elisabeth!
I think Okienurse gave you some excellant advice - I agree with her and yes clean your stamps straight away - especially if you are using Stazon! It is a tough bugger!
Lots of hugs,
Cardarian
I discovered that the experts use baby wipes to clean up stamps right after stamping. As a self proclaimed slob I am usually covered in ink after using just one stamp. It is impossible for me to remain uninked.
I have been known to take an emory board or low-grit sandpaper to stamps and give them a light sanding. Some stamps seem to have some sort of coating on them that resists ink and makes it stamp funny.
The type of ink can make a difference too. I don't like distress inks with those busy stamps. I think Versafine would be a good one to use with that image.
I have stamps that give me the same fits! I will definitely try and use some of these techniques! Thanks for sharing your problem with stamps because it was mine too!!
I would try okienurse's advice and try to get a really juicey stamp. If it still doesn't do the job try a different paper even a lighter colour might show up the softer imprint of the stamp. good luck.
Wow, you and I have been getting some great advice--I have this problem too. I don't use a lot of stamps, and I have my favorites that I use most of the time, mainly because I like the way they stamp--my others are hit and miss--kind of like transfers.
But there's some good advice here that I'm going to try too!
yep definately clean your stamps asap especially when using stazon
however i think this is a problem with larger
stamps as it is difficult to get even pressure
happy woyww
janer#32
No stamp advice (I'm not really a stamper - it's far too expensive!) but I admire your determination to keep going. Good luck! :)
I only own a handful of stamps that have been given to me so I'm no help in the how/why department.
I do hope you get your computer problems solved tho - so frustrating.
Darla
Wow, I don't know about you, Elizabeth, but I've learned lots. Thanks! ;)
Hi there Elizabeth hanks so much for popping over and yes!
Mmm, I so agree with Okienurse or Vickie and Cardarian - big stamps, especially wooden rubber ones, need to be laid on their backs, and inked well (I would use black pigment and iridescent emboss myself or Adirondack Archival), then place card on top and press around the whole of the area evenly or use brayer to press evenly over both I have found to work.
But as Doone says - hey that was how I wanted it, that's is a good line.
Happy WOYWW! Shaz in Oz.x
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