Tuesdays are becoming as fun and popular as my 2 day weekend post! I just love to share tips and ideas as we all have the same passion in stamping and we all love to learn from one another…possibly use it…possibly tweak it a bit….possibly share something completely different for us to learn!
Today is all about getting to know your stamps/bundles and stamp the images and place the dies (if it is a bundle) on a sheet of computer paper or our card stock. I do use the thin Whisper White card stock and then place the sheet in a plastic pocket and into a 3 ring binder it goes!
I think we all can agree that this is a great bundle and there is A LOT to….so…. GET TO KNOW your purchases ~ Take the time to condition your stamps…..cut the dies out and place them on a piece of paper….you are not only more likely to use it more but it will help jog your memory for odds and ends that you might use on other cards!
I am a HUGE believer in these magnetic sheets from Stamp-n-Storage…they are the best as they are SUPER STRONG and SUPER THICK. I always use my P-Touch Label Maker to label all of the details. I will share with you that I am learning as I go….as I always put the number of framelits on the sheet and I also label the item number and price so if it is ever to get discontinued, I have all of the information ready at my finger tips for selling them.
I know that this looks like it is a huge piece, but it really is a regular piece 8 1/2″ X 11′ and it has just about everything, even 1″ circles of the coordinating cardstock. On the right is a swatch book that I make up and sell with Product Shares and THEY ARE EVEN more of a lifesaver as I use DSP on all sorts of projects!
Here is a shot of the die cuts. Aren’t they just adorable? I take the time to use paper that works with the DSP as again, this makes it so much easier when you sit down to have some “me time” I do hope that you try this with a bundle that you have. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to pick up a catalog and flip through looking for a specific shape.
I find that having a visual makes it so much easier for me and also I find that I use my stamps / bundle more once I have gone through this condition/play thing.
Is there anyone else out there that has stamps that they have never used….these poor guys just sitting on the shelf because you were super excited to get them when they first came out but then you keep looking at it and say – what am I going to do with this?!?!?
Now the next 2 pictures will show you the stamps…..and next Tuesday I will share with you a video on how I condition my stamps for ultimate coverage. I cannot tell you how frustrating it is to pull out a new stamp and get all excited, only to have it not stamp clean and crisp!
For this reason, this is another reason why I create these sheets….do I do them for all of my stamps/bundle – NO. I usually do them for the ones that have lots of shapes/images or also the very detailed ones. When you have a stamp that has a very flat image like these ice creams….they can be super frustrating to get a good crisp image BUT IT CAN BE DONE…..just like anything else in life, you have to take the time and patience to make it work for you!
Next Tuesday, I am hoping that you will gain some insight on how to make a clearer, sharp stamp…..each and every time!
Look how clean and crisp the sentiments are….it is because I condition my stamps and by taking the time in doing sheets like this – I can have then all ready to go when I need to stamp in a hurry. I know that you will enjoy the video next week, I have not made it yet but I really want you to see how you can do it.
I do have a MISTI and I do love it, but all of these images were done with a good old acrylic blocks! YOU an have success and great coverage.
Well, there you go! Do you like this idea?
I bet that many of you think I am nuts to do this….but honestly it has all of my stamps ready to go with a great stamp and I have a better idea of the die cuts! I am tellin’ you – try it with a big stamp set like this one because there are so many elements to this great bundle and then having this quick reference will be a life-saver…trust me!
I am sure that you have some 3 ring binders floating around your home and if not, go to the dollar store. I do like sliding these down clear plastic sleeves that fit a 3 ring binder this way you can flick through and see what you have!
Tomorrow is the Pals Blog hop and I hope that you will POP on in and then HOP…HOP….HOP to lots of inspiration! Have a super day and have fun organizing……you will smile!
Fantastic visual showing off the entire “yummy” suite. Can’t wait to see your video for prepping stamps!
This IS a yummy suite and I am so passionate about conditioning stamps – I hope that a video will help!
Another great tip! So true, we forget what we have. Sometimes when I come across something I haven’t used I’ll leave it on my desk to make sure I use it soon. Today Mr. Brown is coming and I feel like it is Christmas.
🙂
We all forget – I think that is part of the journey…..yippee for the “brown man” coming today – GO GET INKY!!!!
Love your Simple Tuesdays. Always learning!!! Thanks.
You mentioned conditioning stamps! Please explain…thanks
Stay tuned….next Tuesday I will attempt to share with a video!
Susan, I LOVE this!!! I do put labels on my magnetic sheets. The top right has the name of the thinlits and how many, I think I got the how many from you, and the top left has the goes w/ name of the stamp set. I also put the name of the thinlit/framelit on the stamp set. But your idea to take it a step further is awesome! I can’t wait to try it. It will definitely help with making sure I now how each new stamp behaves and to know each thinlit/framelit piece better! Ah, now to find the time!!!
I love the fact that you can simpy peel off the labels and replace if needed…these are THE BEST magnetic sheets!
Great tip, Susan. Last year I started a notebook with black/white pictures of the fronts of stamp cases. I find that I can flip through and see the small versatile pieces that I would have forgotten. I have been labeling my magnetic sheets of dies. I love your idea of how stamping and diecutting in appropriate colors would make the process much easier and quicker to get a card together. It also has the added benefit of knowing how a stamp or die works on first use. I’m anxious to see your stamp prep process next week. Have a great day!
WAY TO GO – That is great that that you took the time to make pictures…..a visual always does it for me! Thanks for sharing!
Great visual, Susan! The stamp-n-storage magnetic sheets are wonderful. Someone gave me a book for stamps sets, ink colors, dies, etc. which is organized by holidays, birthdays, baby, etc. I also have several “rings” with just sentiments organized the same way so if I need a birthday sentiment I get the birthday ring and flip through (stamp set name on back). I’m a little intense w/organization but it makes me happy! Can’t wait for your video!
You and me are sisters….we have so many things alike – heck if we lived closer we could just go from house to house and not have to duplicate things we do! Thanks for popping in…..
I use magnetic sheets with labels for my dies and have printed out the front of my stamp pictures ,but I like your idea of going ahead and stamping them out because that way it gives you the actual stamped image and size . The Washi Tape addition is a good idea . I keep a ring folder (in fact I thought I might use the January Paper Pumpkin set for cataloging all my Washi Tapes . I will try your method for stamps on my next new set . Too too many to do older ones . Good plan for the next BIG catty stamps ! I may do the Occasion /SAB ones ….will try at least !
I do not store all the dies in a set together always . I have a magnetic sheet for accent dies and one just for hearts ,etc. That way a set is more versatile for me .
Your stamped images are super ! They look like magazine pictures !!
Love Tuesday Tip Time !!
Thanks Sonny….HOW ARE YOUR ANKLES!!!!????? I will say, conditioning the stamps make it so easy NOT to get frustrated!!!! I think that we all have been there!
Wow! Wow! WOW! I’m impressed with your organization and your cleverness at making these cheat sheets. I’m sure they are very helpful. I know organization is an awesome thing… but my gosh, woman! How do you have the time?!?!!!
I do not do them for all of them…but I do think that it is a SUPER way to really “know what you have bought” ~ I hope that this makes sense…..I find that it I stamp them or cut the images out…it some how sticks in my pea brain!
This is a wonderful set! I also use these Stamp-n-Storage magnetic cards for my dies and kept thinking there must be a way to know if all the dies are back on the sheet (or if one is missing). It hit me when I was looking at your die card – – – somehow trace the outline of each die? Kind of like the way Julia Child traced the outline of all her pots and pans on her kitchen pegboard. Do you think it would work? Wonder what would write on those magnetic cards? White permanent marker of some sort? You’ve got me thinking. Sure would show you right away which die was not “home”.
Susan you have some great ideas here. Thanks for the explanation.
In response to Kathy’s question regarding what to use to trace the outlines, you might try silver Sharpie pens. We’ve used them in the past in remodeling projects on things like black pipe and the tar paper we used on our roof. It worked well on those things so I’m betting it will here too. We get ours at Home Depot and I’m sure you can find them other places. Just a thought.
Thanks for sharing….I like these for accents on cards as we do not have a great silver pen!
Great idea to have a “trace” of the die — but, could you just photo copy the dies on a sheet of paper and then place this on the back of the magnetic sheet, or better yet, make a die cut and tape those to the magnetic sheet, for your template? I have not yet purchased any magnetic sheets, but, after hearing so much about them — just might have to! Keep us posted!
If it were me…I would not do that because I have found that as I have accumulated dies…I have had to peel off my labels (which is super easy to do) and place them on another card – sometimes I have (2) dies on a card. These magnetic cards are THE BEST on the market!
These are the best cards…I would really be reluctant to mark them up…..as I use them over and over…there are times that I “squish” 2 sets on a sheet…..I just LOVE these cards – the BEST!
I’m an organizer freak, so I love this strategy! Another thing that I do, is I us a fine tip sharpie pen to number my framelets. The number is really tiny, but readable. For example, the smallest banner is #1, progressing to the largest banner #6. This is really helpful when duplicating for a class; I just look at the number on my direction post-it note and grab that framelit.
Great tip! I think that it is always fun to see which way we start with #1 – I am THE WORSE of keeping consistency with where #1 is!!!
Sweet and cool just like the set. If some day the postal truck or the big brown truck appears and you are not expecting it, it will be a big box of my stuff for you to organize for me because I don’t have a clue to where to start!!!
BRING ON THE BROWN TRUCK!!!! I would LOVE it!
Great idea! Thanks for sharing. Love this stamp/die bundle
Thanks for the comment….I hope you try it!
Your organization is great…….little time consuming but in the end it would be very helpful to get a card going pretty fast! ***A note to Kathy Lewis……there is a blog that I follow & she does trace the outline of each die on her magnetic sheet with a metallic marker. That way do know if you are missing a piece to your die bundle……very good idea. How many times have your misplaced a die & get all worked up about it?? Don’t ask me how I know this!! Looking forward to your video on conditioning your stamps. The larger full coverage stamps can be a little tricky.
I totally agree- it IS time consuming but it is worth it! I love to see all of the options in a set!
I think I need to lock myself in my room and get to work 🙂 I started an organizing project to stamp out my stamps on paper but never got anywhere.
You make me laugh and smile….ALWAYS!
Would you maybe share what a misti is when you do your video? I have heard you reference this before but I am not sure what it is. Do you organize these sheets by catalog or by category or what? I’m thinking you’d have a lot of these sheets!
I will…I will – MISTI is a great tool and I am hoping that the video will be helpful! I will touch on how I organize them as well…..it is a total “Susan Way” –
So glad I backed up and caught your Tuesday Tips!!!! I have this on going organizing method and am wondering about using a 3-ring binder to visually see my collection of stamps……makes me think YES!!!!!