Back to Basics: A Stamper's Toolkit

Last night, I finally caught up with a ton of thank you notes that I have been forgetting to write for some time--that and paying all of the bills and dumping out the nineteen pounds of receipts and napkins I've been carrying around in my diaper bag. I used to be so on top of things like that but with a baby and a new house, things have been left on the back burner far past their boiling point.

Stamps above: Assemble On the Table Stamp Set, Assemble Mr. Bradley Stemke Polar Bear, Exercising People from Paper Source, Typewriter from Black Ink Boston, Winter Tree, Happy Whale, and Polka Dotted Grid from Impress Rubber Stamps, Date Stamp from Knock Knock, and Calligraphed Return Address from Kathryn Murray Calligraphy

That's no excuse, though, so last night I gathered a few cards and got to work! I always like to do a little something cute or fun on any note that I send. When time is of the essence, I usually end up writing the return address on the back of the envelope, and in the usual area on the front upper left-hand corner, I like to use fun rubber stamp.

Oh my. This opened a can of worms that I wasn't actually prepared for. I use plastic bins for my stamps because they wipe down easily, and by the time I found the rubber stamp that I was looking for, my bin wouldn't even close. Any true crafter has trouble admitting when it's time to throw things away, right? I think I may have about 5 or 6 ink pads that are completely dry that are hanging on for dear life in that bin. Sorting that bin out is most definitely a project for another day, but we thought up a quick list for those of you who are in the mood to get back to basics when it comes to rubber stamping crafts. See below to create (or pare down) your stamper's toolkit.

• Your favorite wood, rubber, or acrylic stamps
• Ink pads: dye or pigment (our favorites are Hero Arts and Colorbox)
• Baby wipes
• Fabric or paper
• Test sheets to blot on
• Washi tape for masking
• An iron, if you will be heat setting
• A heat tool, to dry ink
• Embossing powder
• A lino block, pencil, precision knife and speedball cutter if you will be creating your own stamp
• A solid surface and/or cutting mat for stability

What else do you keep in your kit? 

Guess What? The Stamp Sets Are Stocked!

We finally have completed our Kickstarter project (with rewards shipping out at the end of this week--we're just waiting for boxes!) That means that the Assemble stamps are now available for purchase on our website! We're offering a grand opening awesome discount for TODAY ONLY in honor of our online rubber stamp release. Use coupon code STAMPITUP at checkout to receive $5 off any of our brand new stamp sets. Don't forget your ink pads! And don't forget this little guy too! Our limited edition Polar Bear stamp with artwork by Karl Addison is ONLY available on our website--we're not wholesaling this little guy to any shops. Grab him up too!


And, if you backed our Kickstarter and haven't given us your address info yet, get it to us fast! Andie & Emily

New Seattle Stockist: Stitches

We're happy to announce that our Crochet Kits, Needle-Felting Kits and Stamp Sets are now available at Stitches in Seattle! If you want to see our product in person before buying--head on out to Capitol Hill to check them out. The Needle-Felting Kits are also available at Schmancy in Belltown! Yay for small businesses!

THIS WEEKEND: Urban Craft Uprising

It's here! We will be debuting our brand new stamp sets at the Urban Craft Uprising, this weekend! Be sure to come out and see us. And don't worry, if you already have one coming to you for Kickstarter, those will be going out at the end of next week along with a pack of other fun goodies. Get the details for UCU here.


Image via UCU

Blogging Break for UCU

We're taking a tiny, little blogging break this week to focus on our products for the upcoming Urban Craft Uprising, which is THIS weekend. Come meet us there and see all of our new goodies. It's only a $1 donation, and there are oodles of awesome vendors and designers there to see. This weekend, Saturday and Sunday at the Seattle Center. Be there!! In the meantime, here's a sneak peek of what we've been working on:


And if you're waiting on your Kickstarter reward, those are almost ready too! We're going to be getting those in the mail by the end of the month. See you there!!

Photos via our Instagram