Thursday, April 19, 2012

Theme Day Thursday April 19, 2012 Theme- BEACH/ Vacation!



Today's theme is VACATION!
My little 2 cents today is about clear stamps....
scroll down to read about them.



Tonya used Cricut Classic Font on her project. You can find all the details on her blog ittybittyladybugs.blogspot.com





Liz used the Paper Doll Dress up Cartridge to make this vacation layout. To see her project visit her blog at http://tryin2craft.blogspot.com





Mary used Lifes A Beach and Luau to create her layout from a trip to Hawaii. You can find the details @ http://Mary-fortheloveofart.blogspot.com




Tiffany used Plantin Schoolbook and Art Philosophy to create this project. To see the completed project, please visit her blog at www.angel4ever-thecraftyteacher.blogspot.com.






Lisa Chamberlain used Destions, Traveler & Hello Kitty cartridges to make these Vacation themed scrapbook page. Please visit her blog http://lisacustomscrapbooking.blogspot.com/ to see more projects like this today.






Candice made a card using the stamp feature of Pack Your Bags. To see the details, check out her blog at http://stampinpearls.blogspot.com







Clear Stamps......

What about them? Why do they yellow???
Well now the trend has switched from red rubber stamps on a wooden block
to a thin sheet of clear photopolymer stamps.
What on earth is that other than an easy way to take a ton of stamps somewhere with you?
Well the new clear stamps are a sheet of clear 'rubber' but the Photopolymer is a proce
ss in which light (photo) cures the Polymer (Clear material) into a shape. Now if you only have a cast (shown below) on one side your image - it would only cure on one side. .... if you apply a 'cast' to both sides you image would 'cut' on both sides.....
In housewife english---- I will give an example with the Teresa Collins Stamp maker.
I take an image that I want to make into a stamp on my computer and I invert the colors.
So where you would normally see BLACK,
you would then see nothing (white) see picture....

In this picture this is what you want your stamped image to look like....



But to get it to stamp that you have to invert the colors and print it like this.....




I then take this image and put it on ONE side of the polymer pack- gel.
The light then treats the "White" part and cures the gel and makes it 'hard'
The photo polymer does not cure under the black part.
So when I take it out of the light unit, the part under the black is still 'liquid' gel.
So I put it in water and brush it away to remove the excess around the letters.

I then put it back in to finish curing it. If I put it in for too long it will ruin the image with light exposure..... Same when you leave your clear stamps out they can 'yellow' this is because the light is 'treating' the photo polymer AGAIN.

****** My opinion*****
They say it does not hard the stamps, but I think if it made the stamp with light and the light is changing the color of that stamp, maybe it would change the image as well
****** My opinion*****

Fact.... they tell you to store your stamps in a cold, dry DARK place.... so if they recommend dark there must be a reason why.

I actually store my stamps in the little binders from Staples. They are cheaper than the ones that the craft stores sell and I think they work better.
The book is about $6.99 and you get 25 sheets for $3.99
So for $11 you get the book and 25 sheets


Now at a craft store you spend $18 on the book and $9.99 for 5 refill sheets.

The books/sheets fit perfect the following stamps that I PERSONALLY own....
My Minds Eye
Scrappy Moms

I do not mean to leave anyone out, but these are just what I own.


So I use these books to keep my stamps organized and out of the light.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
Who knows what I will want to share tomorrow!

21 comments:

  1. Looking good ladies! I think it's funny that most of us saw this theme and decided to make scrapbook pages!

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  2. Love the beach/vacation projrcts!!

    I store my stamps in Staples Binders also :)

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  3. Can't wait to peek at these wonderful Vacation projects by the DT. Great tip. I personally haven't experienced any "yellowing" of my stamps, but that may be because I store them in a large drawer bin where minimal light gets to them. Also, I have only been stamping for about 1 1/2 years now, too.
    :O)
    Jessica S

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    1. Your DT is so super talented and each one has such a unique style to bring a lot of diversity to the team...great projects by all!

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  4. I like the idea of the book. I store all my clear stamps in a basket from the Dollar Store lol. :)

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  5. Thanks for the storage tips Erica. I have the stamp maker but haven't had too much of a chance to play yet, lol. TFS, hugs~ Mary

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  6. Love the ideas Erica, I only have a few stamps & I keep them in a drawer. So hopefully they will be ok. I would like to put them some where that I can see them. Cause out of sight and out of mind ;)
    Great projects girls love them all!

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  7. These layouts make me want to go somewhere,anywhere... Love them! thanks for sharing everyone! love the tips! Janet Royer

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  8. Fun vacation layouts... and great tips on stamps. Could you sometimes show a photo of the Staples books you are referring to? It could help us know exactly what you use and we could look for them in Staples!
    Thanks Erica!
    Teresa
    DT

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  9. Wonderful layouts ladies. Erica thank you so much for all the information about the clear stamps. I would love to see the stamp maker in demo. I have thought about getting one. Ustream maybe?
    Sarah
    craftingwithsarah.blogspot.com
    MCCR DT

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  10. Fun layouts and thanks for your take on clear stamps. I really enjoyed learning a bit more about them.

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  11. Awesome cards! Thanks for another great tip!

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  12. Great tip about the clear stamps. ladies Awsome projects today

    TFS

    Amy

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  13. I just got my Teresa Collins Stamp maker this week. I am just waiting on getting more transparncey sheets and photopolymer. I have lots of stamps I want to make . I been designing my own stamps. And great tip on the stamps.

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  14. So ready for a vacation, especially after seeing all the great LO and photos!! I store my stamps in a binder too and find it much easier to look thru and find what I need, thanks for the tips!

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  15. Love the projects and thanks for the insight on the clear stamps and storage.

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  16. Thanks for the Tip about the Clear Stamps. Alot of mine is already stored in the dark.Thanks for Sharing! :0)

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  17. your dt really did a great job on this post! loved all of the projects!

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  18. thanks for the idea on storing stamps! Never paid attention before.

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  19. Top notch projects, as usual. You ladies always bring your A game! Erica, thanks for the info on the stamps. Some of my older ones are starting to yellow and I had no idea why. Someday I want to get the TC Stamp maker. Someday...

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