Well I'm back and I won't give you all to much detail, cause it's just plain bbbooorrriiinnnng! Suffice it to say I just haven't been feeling well. Working on getting better and want to say thanks to everyone that continued to check my blog hoping I had come back. So onwards...........
(Be sure to read all the way to the end for a terrific offer)Let's take a moment and talk stamp storage. A pretty overwhelming subject for some of us. Most of us have a good to large collection of wood mounted stamps. We started with maybe a small box, then went to a shelf and eventually a whole bookcase then more shelves......well you get the picture. They began to take over your space. I had to find a way to organize. So I did a ton of research and asked a lot of questions. This seems to be the most reasonable and easiest to do. EZ Mount sheets and VHS cases.
The sheets come in two thicknesses, regular and thin mount. They both come in 8 1/2 x 11 inch sheets. The thin mount is 1/16" thick. I have used both and prefer the thin mount. It is especially great for those stamps which you could not remove the foam backing.
To start:
- Remove all of your stamps from their wood blocks. (TIP - start with a category that you are currently not using, like Christmas. This way if you can't finish all at one sitting you won't be searching for your stamps) Some will pull off easily and others may not. DON'T continue to pull if you feel resistance. Place them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds (time will vary depending on the power of your microwave). After slightly heating them it helps to loosen the glue and pull them off the blocks with ease. I try to get my stamps to their original unmounted rubber. You can also use Un-Do to remove the stamps.
- Peel back about half of the protective covering (Sticky Side) on your EZ Mount sheet. Place your now unmounted plain rubber stamp onto the sticky side of the sheet. (Be sure to place the flat side against the sticky side - don't laugh I did one backwards ha ha) Place as many as you can get on the sheet, placing them as close together as possible. Typically the old method would have you place on one stamp at a time and then cut it out with special scissors. I have found the u
ltimate way.
- Using the new Hot Knife by Walnut Hollow. This knife does a lot more than just cur the EZ Mount, but that's for another time. Anyhow once this knife has heated up you simply put the tip to the EZ Mount and with no pressure and very little effort you simply trace around your rubber. By using this versus the scissors you save EZ Mount and cramps in your hands. So this is great for anyone but especially for those of you with Carpel tunnel or arthritis, etc. Replacement blades are available. The knife is $19.99, replacement blades $4.50. Since you really are not cutting with the blades for this purpose, the blades will last quite a while.
- Once your stamps are re-mount on thin mount, it's now time for storage. Decide which will work best for you. A three ring binder system, Cd cases, zip lock bags hung on a Clip-it-All or VHS cases. I choose the VHS cases. I felt it took up the least amount of storage space. First I decide how many stamps can fit into one case. Then I create a cover for the VHS on my computer and label the spine. I then stamp each stamp on the cover. So when I'm looking for a birthday stamp I go to the case labeled Birthdays and all I have to do to see what's in the case is to look at the cover. Like so...
.......
Pictures courtesy of my good friend Carol-Anne As you can see the storage savings is huge! I went from an entire bookcase with extra shelves put into it to only two shelves with this system.
Here are a few more pictorial how-to's, I love visual instructions.
With the Hot Knife:
I work half a sheet at a time. I place as many stamps as I can on the half. Peel off the cling side protective paper. Place it on a glass cutting board (get yourself one at the dollar store). By placing it on the glass board it acts like an acrylic block and holds your sheet in place. Then simply follow these directions.
With Scissors:
I always use the thin mount. you really only need a small amount of cushion to stamp with. Plus as a rule of thumb I always stamp on a thin piece of foam (from Wal-mart 20 cents). This ensure even coverage, especially for larger stamps.
As always there are a few words of warning. Credit for this warning goes to the Queen of Grunge NEVER store your re-mounted stamps on acetate, this is what will happen...........
Acetate is made with chemicals that will react with EZMount and any other cling cushion type product,
making an almost permanent bond between it and the cling.
I took this photograph after just one week of being stored on acetate sheets.
Look for the blue printed liner to insure you're getting
the original EZ Mount Product!
Our static cling mounting foam is quick, easy and affordable.
Now even better with the addition of a new EZ release liner.
Take a close look at why EZ Mount is the best static cling foam available:
- Our new EZ Release Liner extends over the edge to grip and remove cleanly.
- Newly formulated adhesive layer creates a strong bond to rubber stamps.
- High density cushion won't flatten with age.
- The ultra-smooth layer on the other side works like thousands of tiny suction cups to secure your stamp to acrylic blocks and storage panels with a re-positionable hold that is unmatched.
This is a great system and for very little investment your stamps will continue to be a joy and inspiration to you for years to come. Here's what I have
to offer to get you started:
EZ Thin Mount Sheets - $5.00
Hot Knife - $19.99
VHS cases - $1.00
Acrylic Blocks with finger grips up to 5x7" (4 sizes available)
For my blog customers - Free Shipping & Handling.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for my new format. Let's focus on one company/product for the month. This way we will know every way with which a product can be used. And at the end of each month BLOG-CANDY featuring the product of the month. (I may occassionally have to sneak other things in - especially when I have exciting news)
Don't miss out on the Free S&H special offer (expires 1/20/2008)