Stamp Won’t Stamp? Do This!

Hi stampers! When I was prepping to share last week’s adorable truck cards with you, I had a stamp that just wouldn’t stamp correctly. I did my normal trick to get new stamps working, and it was not cooperating. This sent me on a troubleshooting adventure to get it fixed. I knew that if I called Stampin Up and told them it wasn’t working, they would send me a replacement (because they’re awesome like that…and they would do the same for you) BUT I really wanted to use it right then! This inspired me to share these tips with you, so you can tuck them away in your stamping toolbox for the next time a stamp won’t work for you. I’m also sharing my family’s best immune-building secret to help us stay well during the colder months. Take a look!

Troubleshooting When A Stamp Won’t Stamp

Here are the steps I walk through when this happens…

1. Is the stamp set new? Often they have a film on them from the manufacturing process that doesn’t allow ink to adhere properly. What you can do: Clean the stamp with a shammy and water, clean it with cleaning solution, or ink it and stamp onto scrap paper.

Often, I stamp and twist at the same time to rub that film off onto my scrap paper. It works like a charm!

2. If it still looks like ink isn’t staying on the surface properly, for example if the ink is bubbling up, I get out a pencil with an eraser, and I rub the entire surface of the stamp with the eraser. Then clean it thoroughly, and try it out.

3. Still not working? Maybe the problem is the ink pad! Sometimes when pads are new they are really juicy. When this is the case, it can cause problems.

To remove some of the ink from the pad, use a clear block, press it into the pad and pull to one edge. This will move some of the ink to one side, allowing the rest of the pad to be usable.

4. Last but not least, when I was having the problem with the truck punch, I got out my Stampin Pierce mat. I should have tried this sooner, but I saved it for last. I worked! If your surface isn’t level or there is a tiny imperfection in the stamp, this usually is just the trick to get it stamping properly.

Hopefully these tips help the next time you have a stamp not working!

Video Tutorial

Watch along here to see the steps I take when one of my stamps won’t stamp right!

Would you like to see more of this adorable truck punch and the cute cards I made with it? Take a look here.

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

In the video I shared that last winter I made some homemade elderberry syrup with some elderberries I had collected locally. It seemed like a miracle cure for our illnesses! When someone in the house would start to feel bad, we would take a spoonful 2-4 times per day and for the most part, it really helped to keep us well! I wanted to share this recipe with you. If you want to try it and need some elderberries (or want to buy pre-made elderberry syrup) you can use the links I’ve shared below.

1 1/3 fresh elderberries (or 3/4 c dried elderberries)

3 c. water

1 T. ground ginger (fresh can also be used)

4 t. ground cinnamon

2 t. ground cloves

juice of 1 or 2 lemons

2 c. honey

Combine the first six ingredients in a pot, and simmer on the stove for about an hour. Let cool, then use a strainer to strain the liquid from the berries. Discard berries. Add honey to the liquid and mix. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator.

Ours kept in the refrigerator all winter.

You can order elderberries or pre-made syrup here (affiliate links):

Buy elderberries: https://get.aspr.app/SHEJq

Buy elderberry syrup: https://get.aspr.app/SHEJs

Buy ultra elderberry syrup: https://get.aspr.app/SHEJr

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Here are the supplies for my stamping project today.

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Thanks for visiting. Next time your stamp won’t stamp properly, just try these tips!