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This is my third (and I think final!) newbie question and then I'll leave you alone for at least a little while :-).
I was wondering about how alphabets work. I like the idea of buying an entire alphabet so that I can create my own phrases, but my one concern is how do you line up the letters so that they are straight? I know it can't be by eyeballing it or that would look horrible. So, can you great folks point me toward some sets that come with some way to line up the letters?
If I were just starting out, high-quality clear alphabets are the only way to go. I have, however, about 30 rubber alphas, though, so I use a stamp positioner to get them where I want them. You can pick up a stamp positioner with a coupon at Michael's or Hobby Lobby, or you can get one from SU. They are easy to use and absolutely necessary for getting rubber stamp placement perfect. I LOVE mine and keep it out on my desk in easy reach. Nothing bothers me more than putting a sentiment on my card and getting it crooked! But then, I'm a bit obsessive that way....
I have about 6 clear alphas now (mainly from Hero Arts and PTI), and those are SO MUCH easier to use, no positioner needed.
I will say that I almost never use my alphas on cards, but pretty much every scrapbook page I make has a stamp alpha on it somewhere.
Also, some alphas are made to be funky, and they often look great not lined up perfectly. You can also stamp the letters on cs, punch them out individually, then line them up where you want them. Little mini tags look so cool poking out from under a matte.
Maybe someone can chime in with info on Just Rite stamps, which I know nothing about, but they are supposed to be really cool and easy to line up.
I only have a few alpha sets as like others I rarely use them on cards and when I do use them I don't try to align them even though I have a stamp-a-ma-jig and use it often. I stamp one letter a little high, another a little low, etc. so you can't tell if I messed up on the alignment (LOL). Letter stamps are great for collage stamping. You can use differnt sizes and types for a great look. Sponge stamps give a funky - smooshed look that is kind of hazy.
CTMH has a plastic overlay for the acrylic stamp blocks that can help align your stamps or buy a block with a grid. If you buy one with a grid don't clean the block with a Ultra Clean or Stazon cleaner as it removes the grid from the block (lesson learned).
Think about buying just one inexpensive set to see if you like them and actually use them. As you build your collection of stamps you can always print words on your computer instead of stamping.
I have rubber & clear alphabets. The rubber ones I usually use for punches, i.e., center of flowers, etc. I also have the small alphabet set and the curlz font from JustRiteStampers. I really like the curlz for monogramming. The small alphabet set is great because you can so easily create any phrases in their wood mounts. Here are some samples on my blog (click on the pictures to enlarge):
I agree with the previsous poster that creating words/phrases with individual alphabet sets requires a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig. For me, this one of the greatest tools that there is...I use mine regularly whenever I want to get a particular image (alphabet, sentiment, flower, etc) in a precise place on my project.
I have several alphabets and don't use them nearly as much as I thought I would. I do scrapbook, but find that I tend to use MS Word for titles etc. The wood mounted ones will be the first things I unmount when I begin a full blown unmounting (I already unmount all new sets, and stamps as I need them), the clear ones are better but I still don't use them alot. They generally seem too large, too small, the wrong font, etc. for what I need.
I couldn't stamp without it. As a fairly recent convert to the wonderful world of stamping, I find that it not only lets me place my stamp in just the right place, it also gives me stability as I stamp so stops splodges caused by wobbling stamps.
You women are amazing! Thank you so much for all the help. You've given me so many ideas, and I'm very excited to get started. Your blogs are amazing, by the way....wow!
Until you can get a Stamp a Ma Jig you can use a good old pencil and ruler. I draw a very faint line on my project then go back and erase it when you are done. I only do this on scrapbooking pages. I use my Stamp a Ma Jig on stamping. There are so many tools out there for anything you want to do. Good luck.
Alphabets question
