Playing with Blocks

Hello again!

It's been a couple of years since I blogged on "Unmounting Wood Block Stamps" and there have been many innovations at Stampin' Up and in the craft industry that are fantastic for cling-mount stamps.

In January of 2010, Stampin' Up introduced a line of cling-mount rubber stamps and beautiful acrylic blocks in a variety of sizes. These stamps are made from the same high-quality red rubber you would expect from Stampin' Up, with a special cling-mount foam on the back. Optional image stickers are included for the stamp backing, and while the stickers do make the stamp a little less "clingy" than bare foam, a quick buff against a piece of cotton fabric restores the necessary static (the sleeves of whatever t-shirt I'm wearing are my personal favorite static builders.)

Stampin' Up also has a fabulous case to keep your acrylic blocks contained. I've tricked mine out with some of our Décor Elements sheets cut with my Big Shot and our exclusive Sizzix dies.


Aren't these gorgeous? As far as blocks go, these are a dream come true.

They're thick enough to keep your fingers out of the ink pad while inking your stamps. They also have a finger grip all the way around so that whatever direction you're stamping, there's always a secure and comfy way to hold the block.

Stampin' Up makes 9 different sizes of blocks, and they're available to buy individually or as a bundle of all 9 sizes. The Block Bundle is discounted about 10%, versus buying blocks individually--you've gotta love that! If you're taking the conversion a step at a time, I advise purchasing Block "B" (approx 1.5" x 2"), Block "C" (2" x 2.25"), Block "D" (approx. 3" x 3"), and Block "E" (approx. 3.5" x 4.5"). These are the blocks that do the most work in my set, but all of them get used. Stampin' Up's cling-mount sets are priced about 30% lower than their wood-mounted twins, so over time you recoup your money and ultimately stretch your stamping budget in the long run. Blocks are available at www.creativeflare.stampinup.net. Just click on the "Shop Now" link at the bottom of the page, then hit the "Clear-Mount Stamps" option on the side menu, then "Clear-Mount Blocks".

You may notice that I have not marred any of these with "Tack and Peel" as recommended in my previous blog. There's no need! A fellow Stampin' Up demonstrator showed me a great product that works better, without damaging your blocks.

That bottle with the green and white label is "Tombow Multipurpose Liquid Glue" - a dual purpose permanent or re-positionable glue that stays tacky even after it has "dried". "Tombow" is available through my Stampin' Up website.

Using my fingertips, I brushed a thin coating over the back of my "unmounted" wood-block stamps and allowed it to "dry" to a tacky finish. Now they can easily stick to, and be removed from, acrylic blocks. Pictured here is Stampin' Up's "Fifth Avenue Floral", currently available only in the wood-mount style. I backed my stamps with their image stickers, then dabbed a thin coat of "Tombow" onto the stickers. --Works like a charm, and now I have room for more stamps... ;)