Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
So....about 3weeks ago my family and I lost our home to a fire. We were not home when it started but returned to watch most of the home go. We are doing as well as can be expected in this situation but have lost just about everything! The structure is a total loss and we have been able to save just a handful of belongings from the basement area only. We have insurance and will start rebuilding in the coming month.
So...Most of my stamp collection is salvageable. We have been cleaning them and if they smell really bad I am just removing them from the wood (Most of my stamps are SU wood mount) and tossing the wood, keeping the rubber and foam if possible. Do you have any good ideas how to keep the wood mounted and the ones I unmount together, so I am not looking all over the place? I have the wood mounted ones in Iris containers with lids.
What (besides paper) would you replace first? I am replacing both my big shot and cricut but where else to start? I am not in a hurry since I don't have anywhere to put it yet but this is something I want to start considering ;)
I'm glad that nobody was injured and that you even managed to recover your stamps!! I hope you get the smell out of them, it can linger for so long. Good luck with the re-building.
My first buys would be inks and cardstock, then dies.
I find CD or empty DVD cases work pretty well for storing umounted, both cling and naked rubber. Easy to put a label on the spine so you know what's inside.
I'm so sorry that you lost your home and so many of your possessions but relieved to hear that no one was injured.
I've unmounted all my stamps and store them on acetate sheets in categorized binders, a system that I LOVE, so I can't think of a way that you can combine mounted and unmounted stamps that won't have you looking through 2 different organizational systems.
When coming up with your list of things that need to be replaced start with the basics so you can get back to creating again as soon as you can. A paper trimmer, scissors, adhesives, cutting mat, etc. Keep an ongoing list of "must buy this" handy and you'll quicly realize what else you need to get again.
If you want to remount your stamps on wood blocks, I can send you some when you are ready. Just let me know the size and number you need. I also have extra clam shell cases if you need them.
OMG that is so awful. I am so sorry to hear that happened to you. I would start with the basics tools like adhesive, trimmer, mat, scissors then graduate to embellishments and such. Please PM me and let me know anything on your wish list of crafty items. I have so much stuff, more than I could ever use. I would love to send you something...paper, tools, SU stamps, ink, SU markers.. anything. I am a former SU demo so I have a basement full of supplies. Please let me know anything you might like when you are ready and have someplace to put things.
Would you please PM me your name and address? I would love to get together some stuff to send you. So happy that you and your family were not in the house at the time of the fire.
blessings.
So glad your family is OK! that is a blessing in and of itself..
Please count me in on sending things your way! I have met so many wonderful, giving people through this craft and ahve had many things gifted to me and would love to PIF!...
From experience vinegar is helpful for removing the smokey smell - wash things in it-place it in bowls around the room with the items too. May take days/weeks but it does really help.
Need Help!!!
It will be exciting but also hard to purchase it all again. It is hard to accept help but I am getting better at it as this time goes by. Thanks again for all your support 
