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Hi gals (guys),
I am going to be purchasing some acrylic blocks in the near future to use with my unmounted sets. Do you think that the SU ones are worth the money they are charging? I'm just wondering if there is a huge difference with ones in other places that are a lot cheaper. Thoughts please?
I started unmounting my rubber stamps about a year ago and began buying acrylic blocks as I could find them on sale or with coupons. I have several different brands and I bought some of the smaller sizes from S'Up recently because they were sizes I couldn't find. I love them. They are lighter weight and beautifully contoured to fit you hand. Will be buying more.
I have to agree that I really like the SU ones better than the cheapies I have. I know that many people swear by the CTMH blocks as well. I think this is one case that you get what you pay for. I will be slowly replacing my cheapie blocks with the SU ones over the next few months.
I agree with the other gals....I bought a cheapie to use, cuz I forgot to order them with my SU order....WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I just recieved my set yestereday and LOVE< LOVE < LOVE them! You wont be sorry.
I have the SU ones also. I've been using acrylic blocks for a long time. I LOVE the SU ones! They make it easy to hold onto the blocks. I like the weight of the blocks also. I would go with the SU blocks for sure! I want to replace all of my blocks with SU ones also...if I could just stop buying paper and stamps....lol
__________________ Karen I distrust camels, and anyone else who can go a week without a drink.
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I have other blocks as well but I just LOVE the SU ones their so nice to use. I'm slowly buying one each time I order from SU so I have 3 right now. Well worth the money for me.
I love them because they are contoured (have the finger grooves) on all sides. Also, the blocks are thicker than the usual acrylic blocks which makes them easier for me to use with my carpal tunnel.
I have some cheapie and other brand ones, did get some CTMH and loved them, but I haven't tried the SU ones.
With the reviews though, I bet they are great too ;)
I have several different kinds and there is no comparison! SU's blocks are awesome! Your acrylic stamps stick better, they're contoured for a comfortable grip, they're lightweight...I plan to get them all eventually! I only have 3 from SU so far, but I grab them first every time.
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I love my CTMH blocks, but I have to say that I also like the SU ones. I tried some out this weekend and like that they have the comfort grip on all four sides, instead of just two. They'd be even better if they came out with grid line stickers like CTMH did to put on your blocks to make lining stamps up easier.
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I love my SU ones! I sold all my other blocks to buy these. I've had blocks from The Angel Company, Clear Dollar Stamps, Hobby Lobby, CTMH just to name a few and by far SU's are the best! I'm not just saying that because I'm a demo the new clear mount and awesome blocks are the reason I signed up last month
SU's blocks are so much more comfortable to use! The extra thickness and rounded and shaped edges make a huge difference for me. They do reflect light more from a desk lamp, but I found using the next size up block reduces the glare in the center of the block so I can see better for placement.
I store the blocks in a small basket I lined with fabric and quilt batting.
I tried them at my demos and they are the most comfortable mounts I have tried
I am saving to buy the entire set. I know if I only buy a few now I will eventually end up buying all of them and it will cost me more to buy them individually than it would to buy them as a set .
I plan to buy them when my demo has her open house to introduce the new catalog. There are usually special offers for orders of a certain dollar amount
This way I can buy all of the acrylic mounts and some new colors in paper or what ever I like.
I have a strict budget and I plan to spend my entire June & July craft budget with SU
I didn't buy them sooner because I wanted some of the paper in colors that will be discontinued
Last edited by Barbara Jay; 05-26-2010 at 06:09 AM..
I use Inkadinkado blocks from Joann's. They also have finger grooves on all 4 sides and a lightly etched grid pattern which really helps me align sentment stamps correctly. The nice thing is that you can use a coupon for them and there is no shipping.
I swear by these blocks... I threw all my others ones away after I started using these!
I also have an Inkadinkado acrylic block/mount . They are nice, but the SU mounts are actually more comfortable.
The SU blocks have finger groves horizontally along the edges and another grove in the middle of the edge for easy gripping. If you have the opportunity to try them you will see what we are saying.
Good question about these blocks. I have tried many different brands. The ones I liked best had at least two sides that curved in. They were just easier to handle without slippage or inky fingers. I was at first, resistant to the SU blocks because of the high price. But I did order one... and that did it for me. That is the ONLY block I use now... and I have decided to order one or two every month... and get rid of all my cheapie blocks! The SU blocks are wonderful with all four sides curved in for handling. They stay clear and clean, so easy to use and handle.
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I'm a cheapie!!! From what I've read the SU blocks are well worth the price, but I'm going with the cheaper blocks I already have and saving my craft $$$ for other things!
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
^ I'm with you Allie. I'd rather spend the money on the stamp than the block. It's the same reason I stopped buying wood-mount stamps years ago.
Michael's carries some blocks (I think they're Inkadinkado) that have grids & grooves around the edge, are nice & thick, easy to hold, and don't cost as much as SU and they work just as well as the SU blocks. Even the thin cheapies from WalMart give a great impression when you use a high quality stamp. Buy what's comfortable and what you can afford. It's also a good idea to spend extra on what makes a big difference in the finished product (card).
How many do you really need to buy? There are so many sizes.
I was wondering about this, too. For example, if I buy the Sweet Scoops set from the Summer mini, do I really need to buy block A for the cherry and sprinkles? Could I just buy block B or C for that set? (Yes, I know the sentiment needs a larger block.)
I don't remember the brand, but the ones I am using came from Michaels and did not cost very much. There are 2 in the pack, a smaller one and a larger one. The edges are curved in and they have a grid line going each way across the middle.
The grid lines are really a must for straight alignment of clear stamps. It also helps a lot when you are using the rubber cling mount stamps. Even though you can't see through the stamp, you can line it up on the block and then use the lines for correct placement when you actually stamp.
__________________ Bugga in OK
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I was wondering about this, too. For example, if I buy the Sweet Scoops set from the Summer mini, do I really need to buy block A for the cherry and sprinkles? Could I just buy block B or C for that set? (Yes, I know the sentiment needs a larger block.)
I would appreciate any advice on this!
You could live without an A block, For those tiny ones you could buy the dollar ones at the M store and get a couple of packs to keep handy for the little tiny ones.
I also just used the side or the flip side of the B or C blocks to hold cherry stamp. Do you know what I mean? Just double mount the stamps on the opposite side. Use it as you go. You only need it briefly.
My demo advised me that I could measure out the stamps that I have, and get the block or couple of blocks that would work with all of them. Based on that, I bought Block C. I have some tiny stamps that I have used Block C with, and there's no problem. With my next order I may get Block E, for the bigger images. But I really only have 2 stamps that would require a bigger block than the C right now (even with those, I've made it work with the C). I don't think it's necessary to get the entire set. JMO.
I have heard theories that using a stamp that is too big or too small for the block results in a depth perception issue that makes the stamp not hit the paper when you think it will.
I tested it on my cheapie blocks and it is true. I was stunned (I usually have excellent depth perception... hubby not so much! hee hee).
So, I'm curious. Has anyone else noticed this, and if so, did the same thing happen with the SU blocks?
Ive never noticed this Chautona, I have pretty standard sized blocks (until recently) and use all manor of sized stamps on it from as small as half an inch to as big as the block allows. Ive always had the image where i wanted it.
My demo advised me that I could measure out the stamps that I have, and get the block or couple of blocks that would work with all of them. Based on that, I bought Block C. I have some tiny stamps that I have used Block C with, and there's no problem. With my next order I may get Block E, for the bigger images. But I really only have 2 stamps that would require a bigger block than the C right now (even with those, I've made it work with the C). I don't think it's necessary to get the entire set. JMO.
Thanks for your input! I was hoping that I wouldn't have to buy the whole set!
Stampin Up acrylic blocks
