As most of you know, I just LOVE my stamp-a-ma-jig and can't stamp without it. I've decided to write a tutorial on how to use this wonderful gadget so that you can refer to it any time you have a question.

SAMJ Tutorial 1

First, when you open your package, make sure you don't throw away the plastic square. The stamp-a-ma-jig (SAMJ) has two parts - the handle and the plastic sheet. What I do with the plastic sheet is I take a permanent marker and draw a dark line around the edge. This makes it easier to find on a cluttered desk...not that MINE would EVER be cluttered!

SAMJ Tutorial 2

Next, take the handle and put it in the corner of the plastic square - ROUGH SIDE UP. You can put the handle to the upper left if you are right handed and to the upper right if you are left handed. Now isn't that just the most 'handy' little idea! You want to make sure that the handle is snug on the corner of plastic sheet.

SAMJ Tutorial 3

Next ink your stamp. Slide it down the corner of the handle stamping onto the plastic sheet. The purpose of this is to show you where your rubber is positioned onto your wood block. When stamping onto the plastic sheet you want to make sure you use a dark color. The reason for the dark color is so when you place it on your cardstock, you can easily see the image. This is particularly important when doing two-step stamping and you want to line up the top layer over the bottom layer.

SAMJ Tutorial 4

Now, take the plastic sheet and put the image whereever you want it on your cardstock. HINT: When working with a small piece of cardstock, sometimes it is helpful to put a piece of double stick adhesive on the back to keep the cardstock from moving around.

SAMJ Tutorial 5


Once you have the image just where you want it do the following:
1) Place the handle in the corner of the plastic sheet
2) Remove the plastic sheet
3) Ink your stamp and slide it down the corner of the handle (just like when you stamped the plastic sheet)
4) Lift up your stamp and your image should be perfectly placed!

SAMJ Tutorial 6

SAMJ Tutorial 7

Viola!!! You have a perfectly placed imaged! Now wasn't THAT easy! The best thing you can do is practice with your SAMJ until you don't have to read the directions every time. Once you get the hang of this handy little gadget, you'll find you can't stamp without it.

Oh...did you know you can purchase extra plastic sheets? Inexpensive and definitely worth it!

Clean your plastic sheet by running it under water. Of course licking it is an option in extreme circumstances. (Just kidding!!!) One last thing...did you stamp your image using Basic Black? You know the permanent ink? Clean your image off the sheet using an alcohol swap.