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I'm have started to unmount my wooden stamps and have wondered if anyone out there has regrets about doing this???? I love the idea of having all that extra room. I hope I have not made a big mistake..... Thanks so much....
You know, I've seriously been kicking that around and think that I'm going to start unmounting at least 2 sets a day. The space is a serious issue and I don't see any of my kids moving out soon (too young still, teens) so that I can take over their room. I have a fabulous attic that's 800 square feet that I'd love to finish off but with the economy right now, I'd rather put my money elsewhere.
I'll let you know how it goes and I'd love to see some pics of how unmounting SU stamps has gone for you.
I much prefer the unmounted to the mounted, partly because of the space savings but also because I like being able to see thru the acrylic block to get a better idea of placement. I am not a big fan of polymer stamps, but even with the not-clear rubber, you get a pretty good idea of what you're stamping where, especially if you trim closely!
Please be patient with me as I get to know how to post. I put my wood rubber block stamp in the microwave for aprox. 15-20 seconds. Be careful when taking them out sometimes they can fell a little warm. I then very carefully peal the rubber and foam off! It has been a life saver for me.
The wood is sticky but it all comes off. No foam let If it still is stuborn put back in for a few seconds.
I am wondering whether or not I should do this to. Do any of y'all then put them on cling mount with foam? I am so torn! My blocks look so pretty! LOL!
__________________ Patter
Mom to Adult Identical Triplets--a police officer, 3rd year medical student, and special education teacher
first picture
I could not just toss the blocks. They are art too! so here is my table top--not finished yet, but soon!
second picture
If you are thinking about unmounting for space spaving, DO IT! Here is my solution. 112 SU sets on one shelf in CD cases. I don't regret a second of it!
I unmounted my Stampin Up sets (over 300) and have no regrets. I also pulled the label off the wood blocks and put it on the CD cases. most of the labels had enough adhesive left on them to stick to the CD case. This way I know if there is a stamp missing from the set. There are some before and after pictures in my stamp room album here.
But what do you do with all the wood blocks???
Some ideas I had was ...
- wood burning (my hubby does some) and then use it as a magnet
- painting them and using (the small blocks ) as play pieces on a homemade borad game
__________________ My Blog If life gives you lemons, make orange juice, and let the rest of the world wonder how the h*** you managed it ...
I am wondering whether or not I should do this to. Do any of y'all then put them on cling mount with foam? I am so torn! My blocks look so pretty! LOL!
Patter, I use a couple of different strategies If it's a brand spankin' new SU! set never been on wood, I stick the index labels to the back of the SU! foam and coat it with Tack-It-Over. This is my absolute favorite method because it indexes the stamp and is way cheap. If it's a stamp that's already been mounted on wood, and I can pull it off with all the foam intact, I just spread some Tack-It-Over right over whatever stickiness is still on it and call it good. If the foam doesn't come off the block nicely, I try stamping without any cushion. If the image stamps nicely without acrobatics, I put the Tack It Over on the bare rubber; otherwise I mount these on either regular EZ Mount or the thin EZ Mount depending on the size of the stamp.
omg'sh...i am SO going to do this! i love the idea of getting 'more' stamps in a smaller space...lol...
once i get the rubber and foam off the wood block...how does it now stick on a clear block? and if im going to put cling foam on it now...do i not have to remove the existing foam on it? (or it will never fit in a CD case, right?)
Patter, I use a couple of different strategies If it's a brand spankin' new SU! set never been on wood, I stick the index labels to the back of the SU! foam and coat it with Tack-It-Over. This is my absolute favorite method because it indexes the stamp and is way cheap. If it's a stamp that's already been mounted on wood, and I can pull it off with all the foam intact, I just spread some Tack-It-Over right over whatever stickiness is still on it and call it good. If the foam doesn't come off the block nicely, I try stamping without any cushion. If the image stamps nicely without acrobatics, I put the Tack It Over on the bare rubber; otherwise I mount these on either regular EZ Mount or the thin EZ Mount depending on the size of the stamp.
Thanks Cheryl! I guess I need to get some Tack-It-Over!
__________________ Patter
Mom to Adult Identical Triplets--a police officer, 3rd year medical student, and special education teacher
I am an EZMount fan, I could not get the 'hang" of tack it over. JMHO. There seems to be three commonly used options. Tack it over, EZMount, and Tack n Peel. I like being able to see what is in the case so I stamped with Stazon on the EZMount. I use the tack n peel occasionally, usually during the unmounting/mounting process.
They all work for people out here in SCS land. Finding the one that works best for you is the trick!
sounds like Tack -it- over is the product to get.....but can i get it in Canada??
i am desperately looking for something else...and cant find it in canada!:(
I got my bottle quite a while ago at JoAnn's, and haven't seen it there for awhile. I have heard of people using Mono Multi in the green & white bottle and I intend to try that - it's easier to find and the one end already has a spreader tip.
But what do you do with all the wood blocks???
Some ideas I had was ...
- wood burning (my hubby does some) and then use it as a magnet
- painting them and using (the small blocks ) as play pieces on a homemade borad game
From the earth they came...and to the earth they shall return...via my father and brother in law's wood stove.
chispirit suggested magnets and board games - good ideas! I'll try to keep those ideas in mind and try them later, time permitting - if I ever have any, that is. (Not to mention if I can remember them. . .pregnant brain working here!)
So far, I've just colored 2 of them with Copics for a mini decoration in my window and used them as blocks for my toddler to play with.
My only regret is that I didn't do it before I moved! The move would have been so much easier.
Seriously, I am so happy I unmounted my stamps. I use a bigger variety now that I can just sort though sheets of images at a time. So many of my stamps went unused when I stored them in trays that were jusy stacked wherever I could find a spot. Now, all of my sheets of unmounted stamps are in a rolling cart next to my stamp desk. Unmounting them was the best decision I ever made! JIL
Thanks for all the responses. I started mine a couple of days ago and have done 100 sets to date..... I left the backing on the stamps and just put them in a CD case. I stamped last night using them and I was amazed that they stuck without any problem. I guess if I run into problems in the future I will use e-z mount, but at this time it's working out really well the way I did it. I have a lot ot finish but I'm glad that I took the plunge and did it. ALL my Christmas and Easter sests fit in one small portion of my drawer. I used almost three full drawers before unmounting..... Plus I could never find the ones I wanted to use..... Thanks.. Carol from the windy city......
Okay, please don't laugh. I have a REALLY stupid question here but I don't know the answer. If I keep the foam on the stamp but just remove the block, the foam is still a bit sticky. Is that the part I cover with Tack it Over or can I just put Cling Mount over the sticky part. What do I do with the "sticky" because I want to keep the foam on the rubber! Help please! Thanks everyone!
__________________ Patter
Mom to Adult Identical Triplets--a police officer, 3rd year medical student, and special education teacher
i unmounted and love it.
with the left over wood., i donated to my friend that is a teacher, and she is gonna have the kids paint them for mothers day and then add a magnet for them.
i thought that was such a cute idea.
Okay, please don't laugh. I have a REALLY stupid question here but I don't know the answer. If I keep the foam on the stamp but just remove the block, the foam is still a bit sticky. Is that the part I cover with Tack it Over or can I just put Cling Mount over the sticky part. What do I do with the "sticky" because I want to keep the foam on the rubber! Help please! Thanks everyone!
I remove everything to the bare rubber and use EZMOunt. I have read other posts that if you have bare rubber, just use a piece of fun foam under your paper and you get the cushioning from the bottom rather than the top. I don't know if that helps or not. good luck.
I unmounted all my SU! sets and couldn't be happier. At first I just took them off the blocks and kept the rubber but after reading a few different opinions I tried a few with bare rubber and it's awesome. It takes even less space. It takes a while but it is so worth it in the end.
I do have some stamps that are sticky but I used cheap...... care bear wet wipes....it takes off the glue with very little effort. I rub off the glue and then it goes on my clear block and stays on...... I don't spend anymore time than I have to putting extra e-z mount or taking the stamps all way to the red rubber.... I find this works for me but might not be for everybody. I like the idea of taking it all the way to the red rubber but then I have a mental blank...how does the red rubber stick??????? and to what does it stick to? and fun foam? Thanks for the anwers...since I have several hundred more to unmount..Carol
I like having my stamps unmounted and I don't like it all at once! What a dikatomy I am!
It must be a mental thing. I've no problem with my acrylics not being mounted, but then again they are a bit easier to deal with. When I use my regular unmounted rubber stamps, I use a removable adhesive to adhere them to an acrylic block.
So I have separate acrylic blocks for my unmounted stamps and for my acrylics. It mucks up the blocks a bit, but I just recently read that Purell Hand Cleaner can remove that.
I like being able to see where I am going to place the stamp without using a Stamp-a-ma-jig. And I do have a lot more room. I just need to quit whining! The only stamps I haven't unmounted are the large background stamps like the chicken wire one, etc.
And I completely unmounted mine, so I don't have the sponge part on mine either. Therefore I have to place my cardstock on something that has some give to it.
Hope that helps!
Roberta
__________________ Roberta Use it up, wear it out, make due or do without.
Okay, please don't laugh. I have a REALLY stupid question here but I don't know the answer. If I keep the foam on the stamp but just remove the block, the foam is still a bit sticky. Is that the part I cover with Tack it Over or can I just put Cling Mount over the sticky part. What do I do with the "sticky" because I want to keep the foam on the rubber! Help please! Thanks everyone!
I didn't do anything to the sticky - I use it to stick to the sheet to put away and to the block to stamp. While I haven't used these stamps tooo much (SAHM), I have stamped with a few and haven't had any problems. With one that didn't stick, I quickly used some double-sided tape (needed the card to mail asap) and didn't have any problems with the image.
Maybe one day I'll go back and remove all the foam, at least on ones I don't use much - if I need the space or have the time, that is.
Okay, please don't laugh. I have a REALLY stupid question here but I don't know the answer. If I keep the foam on the stamp but just remove the block, the foam is still a bit sticky. Is that the part I cover with Tack it Over or can I just put Cling Mount over the sticky part. What do I do with the "sticky" because I want to keep the foam on the rubber! Help please! Thanks everyone!
Totally not a stupid question. Given that you want to keep the foam you have, here are some options:
1) Just leave the stickiness and let that act as repositionable adhesive. The stamps will work for quite a while this way, I hear. I've not tried this because I don't want gunky blocks. Also, I'm afraid if they stay on the storage boards for too long, they'll become permanently stuck and then I'll have to replace the foam anyway.
2) Cover the sticky with Tack-It-Over (my choice). Just apply the TIO right over the top of the stickyness and it will work just fine.
3) Use Thin EZ Mount (black) right over the top of the sticky. I've tried this, but I don't like the thickness of the foam afterward, and if you're storing in cd cases the thin EZ Mount on top of the regular foam makes them a little too thick for the case.
4) You can also buy cling vinyl (like window clings) and put that over the sticky. Tried this method and ended up not being happy with it, either. The stamps will cling to the blocks, but not as well as with EZ Mount or TIO. Also, if you clean the stamp between inkings and get any wet that slips between the stamp and the block, it will stop clinging 'til it dries out.
What you don't want to do is apply regular (grey) EZ Mount on top of the SU! foam - you'll have overly thick cushion and you won't get a very good image when you stamp
__________________ ~~Cheryl, with a "C"
Last edited by cbet; 02-18-2009 at 01:35 PM..
Reason: Because Mrs. Paulson taught me the difference between "to, too and two"
I am so glad I unmounted or I would have had to give up many more stamps ~ just not enough space. It was a little odd at first to unmount some of them; the wood blocks can really be beautiful. In the end it was well worth it. I've left my Thomas Kinkade, AMuse, and House Mouse and a few others. Now I'm thinking about unmounting my SU backgrounds, too.
My preference is EZmount and I also use Tack'n'Peel for bare rubber.
Good luck and enjoy the space and the freedom!!
Oh ~ those blocks? I sold some on the BST forum and gave some away and tossed some.
i have taken all of my stamps off the wood blocks. the su! stamps came off easily . . . foam and all. my other stamps . . . however . . . not so much. they came off the blocks, but the foam tore. i don't want the foam as i prefer to go bare rubber but i am having a really rough time getting the remaining lumps of foam of the rubber. microwaving isn't working. anyone else have this problem? how did you solve it?
So i've heard about unmounting for some time here and i've liked the idea of them taking up less storage and i also like these blocks http://www.craftcritique.com/2009/02...ng-system.html and think they will help with my bigger stamps. I have never used unmounted rubber and i bought two stampendous cling rubber stamps from archievers the other day. When i took it off the packaging i noticed it was really sticky. So my question is this: is that normal?? Does it wear off? and is that what tack and peel is? I guess i just don't know much about unmounting.. I hope you understand this rambeling post and can help me gain some understanding.
No regrets!!!! Love the ability to see exactly where I am stamping. I actually have a hard time when I use the demo's stamps that are mounted. I remove all the cushion (most of the new ones come off real easy) and remount with EZ Mount. I store in CD cases and LOVE the space savings. I do not unmount my background stamps, but have unmounted all the others (SU or not)
I am contemplating unmounting my wheels next. I have two unmounted to see how it works out for me. Has anyone had any regrets on unmounting the wheels?
i have taken all of my stamps off the wood blocks. the su! stamps came off easily . . . foam and all. my other stamps . . . however . . . not so much. they came off the blocks, but the foam tore. i don't want the foam as i prefer to go bare rubber but i am having a really rough time getting the remaining lumps of foam of the rubber. microwaving isn't working. anyone else have this problem? how did you solve it?
I AM I AM.. same prob.,. and my virgo side shows saying it HAS to be clean.. So yeah I want to know too
i have taken all of my stamps off the wood blocks. the su! stamps came off easily . . . foam and all. my other stamps . . . however . . . not so much. they came off the blocks, but the foam tore. i don't want the foam as i prefer to go bare rubber but i am having a really rough time getting the remaining lumps of foam of the rubber. microwaving isn't working. anyone else have this problem? how did you solve it?
it will still take quite a bit of rubbing still but try using your OMS or GooGone breaks down the sticky
I love my stamps unmounted. I also peeled the stickers off the tops of the wooden blocks and put them on cardstock for the index sheet. If it didnt' want to stick I just put packing tape over it and voila I and the original stamp pic to see, and the stamp company name on the index page. No more work than stamping the image and cleaning the stamps!:-D
it will still take quite a bit of rubbing still but try using your OMS or GooGone breaks down the sticky
DO NOT USE GOO GONE! It says right on the bottle "Do not use on silk, leather, suede or rubber" it will break down your rubber stamps, not good! I used Undu adhesive remover, it can be used on rubber surfaces
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I do not need another horse
I do not need another horse
Unmounting wooden stamps
