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I got my first clear stamps over the weekend, and had to get acrylic blocks. I went with the Tim Holtz ones because they seemed like a good buy with all the different sizes, and I thought the grids would be helpful. I tried them tonight, and they feel weird because they're so thin compared to the wood mounted rubber stamps I'm used to. I know most acrylic blocks are a lot thicker than these. Is anyone else using these? What do you think?
I don't have Tim Holtz's blocks. But I have a few thinner plain blocks I bought for cheap at a big box store when I first started buying clear stamps.
I had a hard time using them. As you mentioned, they felt "weird" in my hand having been used to using only wood mounted stamps. I eventually decided to buy other blocks. I went with the grid marked blocks by Inkadinkado; bought at Michael's over time using coupons. Besides the grids the sides are also indented for "finger grips" which I find very useful when dealing with larger background stamp size stamps.
Haven't seen Tim's yet, but once I tried SU's blocks I tossed all but the largest one of my other clear blocks! I love the rounded edges and thickness, they are so much more comfortable to work with.
Tim's are sooo thin! I've watched his videos, and he doesn't have fingernails like mine ;), so he doesn't have to worry about things like inky nails that leave cute little crescents on my projects!
__________________ ValliWhen I'm not near the stamp I love, I love the stamp I'm near.My tiny little gallery
I have them and love them! I was worried about how thin they are as I'm used to thicker acrylic blocks. But I've had no issues (no long nails though), and prefer them over my other blocks.
Thank you Valli! i've tried to keep my stamping to journaling additions on scrapbook pages, but have finally given up. I'm all in...stamps, copics, etc. Loving it!
I'm considering getting the TH blocks. I know someone who got them and she really likes them because of the fact that they are really thin. The issue with the thicker acrylic blocks is that it is sometimes like looking through the end of a coke bottle. Remember when soda came in glass bottles? The point is that with the thicker blocks it is sometimes hard to line up exactly. Your vision gets distorted through that thickness. I'm sure it is a personal preference kind of thing.
I don't have them, but I tried out my friend's the other day. I still like the thicker blocks best, but Tim's work well. Nice having the grid lines. I don't have long fingernails either. They do feel a bit weird in your hand at first, but with unmounteds that have cling on they worked well. I'm not sure about clear and/or my usual method of just putting TIO&O on unmounteds and forgoing the cushion.
They would be great for taking along to crops/stamping days as they are so compact! That's what my friend got them for.
__________________ nancy y http://www.squirrelyart.blogspot.com/
They do feel odd to me but I'm hoping I get used to that. I do like having all those sizes available, and they are easy to see through. I think I'll keep trying them out for a while and see how it goes. Thanks for the input!
I bought them and really wanted to love them but I keep getting my fingers in the ink pads when I ink up my stamps :(
A easy fix is to reverse the two. Lay the stamp down on the table and hold the entire ink pad in your hand and ink that way. I often do this anyway for larger stamps.
I adore my Tim blocks. They are thin so you can feel the stamp on the paper. I have never stamped better. I get a more accurate and clear end product. If your fingers get inked up, use one of the bigger blocks. If I have a small stamp, I put it on the end of the block and then hold the block at the bottom to ink. That way I don't get ink on my hands and I manuever the block any way I like.
I can not say enough good things about these blocks!!!!
I like the SU! block because they are thicker and keep my fingers out of the ink and they have the indentation all the way around to grip. I have no problem with distortion. I also have some thicker ones with grid lines (don't know which brand) that are great for sentiments, especially clear stamps, and they have the grip indentations on two opposite sides. Love being able to see where I'm stamping!
I had to check these out at the LSS today, just because of this thread. Personally, I prefer a thicker block, but I think these would be fantastic for those who go on retreats or to conventions, or travel with their supplies for one reason or another. I'm already thinking of getting a set for when I visit my folks later this year. I'm going for a month and while I wanted to take a few supplies so I could do a travel/on the road scrapbook, I didn't want to be weighed down with tons of stuff.
I saw him using them on HSN and thought they were way too thin to be manageable. I like to be able to hold onto something when I stamp, and these looked way too frustrating for me.
I haven't tried them yet. I have started using "Rock A Blocks" after seeing Claudine Hellmuth demo them. They are fabulous. I use my fiskars stamp press for very large stamps. I have a bunch of regular blocks that work just fine, but I keep grabbing my rock a blocks. Keeping them all for when others stamp with me.
I like them. I keep them with my TH stamps and haven't been using them all of the time, but I do like the feel of knowing exactly where and how much pressure I'm applying. It's a little bit different but not bad-different! And I don't have long fingernails so that's not an issue for me ;^).
I have always wanted to try the "Rock A Blocks". Think that would be another block where you could control the amount of pressure that goes from the stamp to the paper.
If you know what I'm saying.
Scrapjanny, I thought the same thing, that I wouldn't be able to stamp well because they are so thin, I thought my fingers would get in the ink and when I pressed down on the paper my figertips (inked or not) would get in the way. But I was so pleasantly surprised!! I know I keep going on about them, but I really think they have made such a positive impact on my stamping ability. I guess I'm just flabberghasted!! I knew I could work that word into this thread somehow.
... and he doesn't have fingernails like mine ;), so he doesn't have to worry about things like inky nails that leave cute little crescents on my projects!
ROFLOL!
__________________
~Oney~
Striving to become an old woman with few regrets.
Come join me for Tea in the Parlor.
Before investing in a whole set, I wanted to give these a try first so I used one of my Tim Holtz On the Edge die cutting plates. The plate is about 1/4" thick and big enough for most stamps (just no grid lines). It took a while to get used to but I like it. I don't get as many uneven images as I used to and I think this is because I'm able to have a better feel for the stamp since the block is thinner. Especially for more detailed stamps, this "faux" block has alleviated a lot of frustration.
I was getting a lot of inky fingers and as suggested, I take the inkpad and dab it on the stamp. I'll be getting the real things soon.
A couple of months ago, I made a binder of all my stamps, every stamp I had was stamped and put into catagories. I LOVE my binder, but it was TONS of work. I should have done this ages ago before I had so many stamps. After spending a weekend stamping, my fingers HURT from all the cheap thin blocks I had to use for my clear stamps. After that weekend, I put SU clear blocks on my list. I bought the whole set recently and LOVE them! I am selling all my cheap ones in a craft consignment sale in the fall!!! Stampin' Up all the way!!!!!
My Tim Holtz blocks have been sitting unused since I got the set of SU blocks. I like them MUCH better. I love most of Tim's products, but this isn't one of them.
I got my first clear stamps over the weekend, and had to get acrylic blocks. I went with the Tim Holtz ones because they seemed like a good buy with all the different sizes, and I thought the grids would be helpful. I tried them tonight, and they feel weird because they're so thin compared to the wood mounted rubber stamps I'm used to. I know most acrylic blocks are a lot thicker than these. Is anyone else using these? What do you think?
I bought these blocks and they were too thin for me so I came up with an idea that has so far worked great. I took a wooden spool and put a heavy coat of 2way glue pen on the end. Let it dry and you can stick it right on the blocks. It pops off easily and can be restuck many times. If the sticky wears off just re apply the glue.
I bought these blocks and they were too thin for me so I came up with an idea that has so far worked great. I took a wooden spool and put a heavy coat of 2way glue pen on the end. Let it dry and you can stick it right on the blocks. It pops off easily and can be restuck many times. If the sticky wears off just re apply the glue.
Fantastic idea!!
__________________ ValliWhen I'm not near the stamp I love, I love the stamp I'm near.My tiny little gallery
I prefer the thicker blocks with either a ridge or scalloped edge. I find that I can grip them better and feel more 'in control' (won't drop them on my cardstock by accident)
Tim Holtz Acrylic Blocks
