Tips and Tricks-clear stamps

This is the first post in a series of Tips and Tricks, designed to help crafters use what they have more efficiently, or to encourage thinking 'outside the box.' I will be adding more tips and tricks periodically. If you have a question or suggestion you would like to see addressed, please feel free to leave me a comment. I will do my best!

Clear stamps are all the rage right now because they allow you to see the precise placement on the paper. I love them! You can pick up a set of some clear Studio G stamps for as little as $1 at many craft stores, and the Fancy Pants set I bought retails for $45 (but I didn't pay near that!), so they appeal to a wide range of budgets.

Clear stamps require some sort of acrylic stamping block (sold separately) to properly use them. The stamps cling to the acrylic block and can be peeled off after use. They are available in many sizes to accommodate different sizes of stamps.

Now for the tip:

Can't find your acrylic block? Don't have the right size? Don't want to spend more money than you have to? No problem!

As long as you have a collection of CD's, you're okay! Instead of acrylic blocks, try sticking those clear stamps on the CD cases. Other things you can use (my preferred method) include the Cuttlebug plates, or the glass from a small picture frame. I don't even own any acrylic stamping blocks, but that doesn't stop me from using all those wonderful clear stamps!

Thanks for reading! I hope this may help someone.