Stampin' Up! began to sell clear mount stamps almost a year ago. Ever since then there has been discussion among stampers as to the best way to change their wood mounted stamps into clear mount stamps. (Stampin' Up! even sells the "DVD" type cases to store them in!) My thought has been "that's an awful lot of work, when would I have TIME!?!" So I've pretty much ignored those discussions and just bought my new stamps in the clear mount. Clear mount takes up less storage room, are easier to use and are cheaper! Win-Win-Win for me!
Well, then Stampin' Up! came out with the new catalog and one of the stamps sets that I had really loved and was in LAST year's Holiday Mini Catalog is in the 2010-2011 Idea Book and Catalog! Only this particular set, Serene Snowflakes, is ONLY available in wood mount! I ask you, "What's a girl to do?"
I bought the set, I really like these snowflakes! Then I got on the internet and researched several "how to change wood mount stamps into clear mount stamps" sites. I picked and choose information and this is what I came up with: 1. Make a copy of the "sticker sheet" that comes with the stamp set! 2. punch out the stamp 3. remove the paper backing, set aside, sticky side up. 4. peel off the matching image from the "sticker sheet" that comes with the stamp set. 5. Lay this down on the table, with the sticky side UP. 6. Take the matching stamp and match the image to the stamp, then gently lower the stamp, sticky side DOWN, to the "sticker". Due to the "stickiness" of the objects, you only get one chance at this to get it right, so take your time and be gentle. 7. Smooth any bubbles out 8. Using scissors and an exacto knife, trim away excess sticker from the stamp. Go slow and take your time. DON'T cut the foam or rubber!
When you have done the above steps to each of the stamps in the set, take your Tombow Multi-purpose Liquid Glue - the stuff in the green and white bottle and put a drop or two on your finger. (Really, a little bit goes a long way and you can always add if needed!) Rub this over the surface of the sticker in a thin coat. It will dry clear. Let it dry overnight.
Now the surface of the stamp is very sticky. It is repositionable, but also very sticky. Some sites suggested you leave it this way and adhere it to your clear block. While this would work, it also leaves you with sticky stamps and I didn't like that. So, I got some thin clear plastic at the fabric store. Some sites called it cling wrap. My fabric store didn't recognize that name, but it is "clingy." You want the CLEAR, some of it is Opague and cloudy looking. Do not use that!
Cut a piece of the clear plastic material slightly bigger than the stamp. Press this down on the sticky side of the stamp. I used a brayer to smooth it out, but some sites said to just use your hand. Trim away any excess as you did above. EXCEPTION: On small, hard to control stamps, leave about a 1/4 inch border around the stamp. This gives it a larger surface to cling to the clear block and less likely to come off or "move." You'll notice that these have the same "feel" as the clear mount stamp sets that are intended for that purpose!
Now I'm ready to USE this stamp set, but it's late and this is long. Stay tuned for part 2 this weekend, when I show you a card using this set! Meantime, what do you think? Is this clear enough? Let me know if it's not, so I can adjust the directions!
Happy Stamping!
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