We're Late!
Our apologies for this week's Inkling, delivery is supposed to be Wednesday, this week it's Thursday. We're tired and cranky, see the home page news item to find out why.

Something New
A new feature in the Inkling today, and we're excited to introduce it to you! We're calling it Product Focus, in which we attempt to be the last word on new and innovative papercrafting products.

In our first Focus (expect them approximately monthly) you'll be introduced to a brand new rubber stamp mounting system that accommodates both mounted and unmounted stamps.

We're determined to make this your best source for product information, so we need your feedback. What would make this new feature even better? Let us know.

With two panels that meet in the middle, the gatefold closure is a great alternative to a standard card fold.

Patterned paper

Card stock

Paper cutter and scoring tool

Scissors

Stamps

Ink

Adhesive

Unity Stamp Company wants to change the way you stamp. With a unique mounting system that marries the convenience of acrylic to the comfort of traditional wood mounts and deeply etched red rubber images to fit all of your paper crafting needs, they're well on their way to that goal. We share the Unity experience with you in our first ever product focus.

View the complete product focus at Splitcoaststampers

Q: Darcy asked: "I Recently purchased an unmounted rubber stamp sheet from Cornish Heritage Farms. The directions say to cut images apart and mount to "any" acrylic block. Does the size of the acrylic block need to be as close as possible to the size of each individually cut out rubber stamp? Can I use the tiny images on a big acrylic block? What do I do now that I've got all these big and little things cut out?"

A: You want to make sure your block is at least as big as your stamp so that you can apply pressure evenly to the entire stamp when using it. You can use small stamps on a big acrylic block, but I find it's easier to use an acrylic block closer to the size of the stamp.

Resources page

Submit your question to Dina

Sharon has a hint for the Acetate & Tissue Technique: "I did this technique and found the colours came out better if the re-inkers or alcohol ink was dappled on to the tissue AFTER it was glued to the stamped acetate. Since the tissue is wet from the glue, the colours spread sort of like watercolours. They are brighter, and you can control where you put the colour. They don't get muddy at all!"

Acetate & Tissue tutorial
Acetate & Tissue gallery

All you'll need are standard paper crafting tools, nothing special.