In price order-

A clear ruler — under $1, works really great for long thin stamps.

Stamp Show No Name Acrylic Block $2–Terrific for smaller stamps and very convenient.  I love the handle on it, but it has a couple of downsides.  The problem is the handle is so visible and it makes it so you can’t position a stamp in the center.  It requires you to put the stamp in the upper or lower quadrants so you can see it, which makes it so ink ends up on the edges where you don’t want it.

Forever in Time Clear Stamp Applicator Set–Set of 3 from Amazon $7.46.  The handle moves from one to the other, but their quality control is not consistent and some of the handles are not easy to remove, others are.  Looks exactly like the Stamp show no name block.

Tim Holtz Fragments $9.99 full price at Joanns, plus Tim Holtz Idea-ology Curio Knob $7.99 full price at Joanns for a set of three.  You can use the Fragments for a lot of different projects but there are two in the set that are the size I am showing in the video.  I used a Sharpie and drew grid lines on it so I can position stamps properly.  Please make sure you always use a coupon when buying anything from Joann’s, Michaels or Hobby Lobby.  Download them from their websites and use them on your phone or print them out.

Set of 3 from Oriental Trading –here is the link to them and they are $12.99 for a 2 x 3, 4 x 6 and 1 1/2 x 6.  http://www.orientaltrading.com/clear-…

Crafters’ Companion Rock A Block -Joann’s sells a set of four of them for much cheaper than I paid for the set of two that I bought from HSN.  They are $26.99 full price at Joann’s before any coupons.

Impression Obsession Mega Mount–The lowest price I found was from Amazon for $33.97 Amazon Prime.

Misti –Usually the cheapest price is from the maker mysweetpetunia.com.  The size I have is $60, but the smaller, newer version is $45.  I recommend buying more magnets though, because you only get two and I like to use four and one of mine just broke in half.

Noteworthy items–
You should always stamp on a softer surface.  Put a telephone book or magazines or a foam pad under your stamping surface.  I bought a stamp pad at a stamp show and it works well, but you don’t have to pay anything to do this.

Stamp a Ma Jig -$8.99 full price at Joanns before using a coupon (always use a coupon).  Makes it so you have consistent stamping images.

One additional note before I go further. I didn’t do my research on price until after filming the video.  The Crafter’s Companion Rock A Block set is now a set of four and since it is now $26.99 full price for four at Joanns’, you should normally be able to get the set for under $15 with a coupon.  Because of the range of sizes and price, this set might be all you need  (with the ruler) to do all of your stamping if the handle on it works for you.  One additional thought, you can’t use the Stamp a ma Jig effectively with the rocking blocks, but the rocking action does create a much cleaner image so you might not need the Stamp a ma Jig.

Additionally, although the MISTI is a great tool, I have to remind you that I use my foot on it a lot to get a good image and that is something you definitely need to note when spending $60 for a stamp tool.  You also need to buy two additional magnets as the two you get with the MISTI are not sufficient for bigger projects.

If you don’t choose to replace everything with the Rock-a-Blocks, then here are my recommendations.

1  Clear Ruler

2. Small acrylic block like the one I got at the Stamp Show or make your own using the Tim Holtz products so you have a clear field of vision (without the big pink handle in your way) Or, you can buy a small acrylic block and add the Idea-ology Curio Knobs to them with super glue as well..

3.  Rock a Block OR Impression Obsession Mega Mount for larger images that you need to have a good handle on.  I would base my decision on which handle you think would work best for you.

4.  Misti– Although the MISTI works well, for me, it is not the absolute because I sometimes have to use my feet to get a good image,  I don’t have to use my feet using the Rock a Block or Mega Mounts so if price is a consideration, buy one of the others instead.

5.  Buy a Stamp A Ma Jig-  It’s imperative for consistent stamping, but doesn’t work with the rocking acrylic blocks, fyi.

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