Nice To Have: Stamping

The following list is the tools that are not essential, but sure do make stamping that much simpler.  Once again these are my personal opinions, and I agree that there are other ways or items you can use, but these are the ones that I found work best for me. (I do not get paid, or associated with any of the manufactures, or stores listed.)  

The M.I.S.T.I   (Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented)

I debated putting this on my essential list because I use this whenever I am making cards.  I discovered this tool a few years ago and I will not go back to not having it.  Fare warning it is a little bit pricey, this is an investment tool, I know why people are hesitant but the time and mistakes it prevents are worth every penny.  It's perfect for sentiments (can we say straight), background stamps are a breeze (no more internal mantra "please work, please work, please work"), and multiple cards of the same or similar type are no longer a chore (what you want 50 no problem). Once you see this tool at work, and you use it to fix a stamping that was not complete you will say "they were so right".  For card makers I really do recommend the original.  There is a mini but unless you are never going to do anything except for 4 1/4 by 5 1/2 cards ... 

 My Sweet Petunia, Amazon, Your Local Stamp Store  

The great thing about this tool is that you can place a stamp once, and as long as you remember where the paper goes you will always stamp in the same position.

Now there are other stamp position tools out there, and I have tried many of them, but this is the one that I never have issues with.  I have even watched several videos on how to make your own.  The one thing that none of the others that I have seen have been able to manage is to put the metal in the base so you can use the magnets. Now I will admit I have made the DVD case one and I like that when I'm going someplace where I have to wait to get some stamping done, but it is not big enough for me to use over the MISTI.  

(Okay I will get off my soap box now. I can't help that I love it. I even have a padded case for it, use only the recommended cleaner, and have all the templates.) 

Stamp Inventory

I am planning to have a whole post on organizing, but one thing that I love is having an inventory binder of all my stamped images. This helps to eliminate buying duplicates, is great to page through when you need some inspiration, and helps when planning your cards.  Nothing like cutting a bunch of pieces and finding out that your sentiment does fit (not that I have done that more than a few times).  Some people like to have this on paper, some like this electronic, some just like lists, some like images. There are lots of videos discussing the different ways to make these.  It is all personal preference. I suggest watching and seeing what you think might work best for you. 

For me I like to have the images, electronically, and accessible via my computer and an app on my phone.