Photopolymer Stamps

Hi Everyone,

This weeks tip comes from Debbie Henderson , visit Debbie's blog at http://debbiesdesignsblog.blogspot.com/.


Candy wrote: Dear Debbie, I am having trouble getting a good image with my new photopolymer stamps.  I also have trouble with them sticking to my SU paper after stamping.  The white paper will actually tear sometimes.  I have made sure my ink pads were very wet and have tried several colors with the same result?  Any suggestions?

Candy, thanks so much for your questions! For part one these are a few things I've done to my photopolymer stamps that will also apply to the 2nd question you asked. You can try one of these at a time or try several:

• First remove any oils, grease and manufacturers residue. I usually do this to all of my stamps (wood & clear mount also) before I use them for the very first time.
• You can use your Adhesive Remover or a pencil eraser and rub either one on your stamp image, clean again, ink and stamp. You may need to repeat a few times.
• When placing your stamp image on your clear block, make sure you don't just slap it on in one swoop. There sometimes will appear small air bubbles that change the way your stamp is inked. I carefully stick my stamp to the clear block by starting with one edge and rolling it into place, pressing as I roll it on. This alleviates the formation of air bubbles.
• Place your stamp image with the clear block upside-down so your stamp image is facing upwards and tap your ink pad on the stamp to ink. Use a tap, tap, tap motion. This sometimes will have better ink coverage results. 
• The photopolymer stamps do not have a foam backing like our Clear & Wood Mount sets so when you stamp, there is no give to them. I use my Stampin' Pierce Mat and place it under my cardstock. Once you stamp with the mat underneath, there is a little bit of cushion and the results are instant. If you do not own a mat, you can also use a catalog or magazine.
• Stamps do get dirty with use. I give my photopolymer's a good wash by using a few drops of Dawn Dish Liquid in a dish of water, let soak for a bit and rub your fingers over the photopolymer. Rinse in a dish of clean water. Do not rinse under the faucet as you will lose some of your smaller stamps down the drain. Ask me why I know this? 
• You can lightly sand your stamp image with a sanding block or emery board nail file. Gently sand, clean the stamp and then ink and stamp.
• Finally, you can ink your stamp with VersaMark Ink first, followed by your ink pad. The VersaMark tends to stick to the stamp image well and sucks in the ink from your ink pad. The VersaMark will not hurt your ink pad.

Thanks for reading and please take a minute to subscribe.  I only have 10 followers and would love to have more.

Have a very organized week.

The Organized Stamper
 

Card Layer Sizes

Happy Saturday Everyone,

I wanted to make sure I got this to you before the weekend so you would have this guide for those crafty card projects you plan on making this weekend.

It's very handy to keep a list of favorite card bases and layers for reference so I've created one for you here.  If you would like this list to be emailed to you as a Word document send me a message with your email address and I will send it.

Happy Crafting.

The Organized Stamper

Standard card size Card
The Medium white envelopes will fit this size
Side fold or top fold: (5 ½”x 4 ¼”) card base.

Alternate cut for this size side fold or top fold: (4 ¼” x 11) card base.

Layers
• Layer 1 – 5 ¼” x 4”
• Layer 2 – 5” x 3 ¾”
• Layer 3 – 4 ¾” x 3 ½”
• Layer 4 – 4 ½” x 3 ¼”

2” x 2” Square Card (2” x 4”) card base

Layers
:• Layer 1 – 1 ¾” x 1 ¾”
 • Layer 2 – 1 ½” x 1 ½”

3” x 3” Square Card (3” x 6”) card base

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 2 ¾” x 2 ¾”
• Layer 2 – 2 ½” x 2 ½”
• Layer 3 – 2 ¼” x 2 ¼”
• Layer 4 – 2” x 2”

4” x 4” Square Card (4” x 8”) card base

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 3 ¾” x 3 ¾”
• Layer 2 – 3 ½” x 3 ½”
• Layer 3 – 3 ¼” x 3 ¼”
• Layer 4 – 3” x 3”

4 ¼” x 4 ¼” Square Card (4 ¼” x 8 ½”) card base

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 4” x 4”
• Layer 2 – 3 ¾” x 3 ¾”
• Layer 3 – 3 ½” x 3 ½”
• Layer 4 – 3 ¼” x 3 ¼”

4 ½” x 4 ½ ” Square (4 ½” x 9”) card base

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”
• Layer 2 – 4” x 4”
• Layer 3 – 3 ¾” x 3 ¾”
• Layer 4 – 3 ½” x 3 ½”

4 ¾” x 4 ¾ Square (4 ¾ x 9 ½ ) card base

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 4 ½” x 4 ½”
• Layer 2 – 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”
• Layer 3– 4” x 4”
• Layer 4 – 3 ¾” x 3 ¾”

5” x 5” Square Card (10” x 10”) card base

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 4 ¾” x 4 ¾”
• Layer 2 – 4 ½” x 4 ½”
• Layer 3 – 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”
• Layer 4 – 4” x 4”

5¼” x 5 ¼” Square Card (5 ¼” x 10 ½”) card base

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 5” x 5”
• Layer 2 – 4 ¾” x 4 ¾”
• Layer 3 – 4 ½” x 4 ½”
• Layer 4 – 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”

5 ½” x 5½ ” Square (5 ½” x 11”) card base

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 5 ¼” x 5 ¼”
• Layer 2 – 5” x 5”
• Layer 3 – 4 ¾” x 4 ¾”
• Layer 4 – 4 ½” x 4 ½”

5 ¾” x 5¾ Square (5 ¾ x 11 ½” ) card base

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 5 ½” x 5 ½”
• Layer 2 – 5 ¼” x 5 ¼”
• Layer 3– 5” x 5”
• Layer 4 – 4 ¾” x 4 ¾”

6” x 6” Square Card (6” x 12”) card base

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 5 ¾” x 5 ¾”
• Layer 2 – 5 ½” x 5 ½”
• Layer 3 – 5 ¼” x 5 ¼”
• Layer 4 – 5” x 5”

3” x 6” Long Card (6” x 6” card base)

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 2 ¾” x 5 ¾”
• Layer 2 – 2 ½” x 5 ½”
• Layer 3 – 2 ¼” x 5 ¼”
• Layer 4 – 2” x 5”

3 ½” x 7” Long Card (7” x 7” card base)

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 3 ¼” x 6 ¾”
• Layer 2 – 3” x 6 ½”
• Layer 3 – 2 ¾” x 6 ¼”

4” x 8” Long Card (8” x 8” card base)
This size will fit into legal envelope

Layers:
• Layer 1 – 3 ¾” x 7 ¾”
• Layer 2 – 3 ½” x 7 ½”
• Layer 3 – 3 ¼” x 7 ¼”
• Layer 4 – 3 x 7

Follow Me on Pinterest

Good Morning Everyone,

Today I wanted to offer you the opportunity to follow me on Pinterest.  You will find me by searching for Denise Lynn. There are several Pinterest subscribers with that name, I am the one holding a glass of wine with a handsome man standing next to me.

By following me you can follow two of my boards I hope you find helpful, Organizing and Craft Room ideas.

Have a crafty organized day.

The Organized Stamper