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Re: Visiting Rockford
Board: State: Michigan
Reply to: #1043147 by ArtGekko
Jan 5, 2026 9:51pm
Thread Board
I'm in FL for a couple of months enjoying the warmth & sun. Sorry to miss you. Enjoy the time there!
Re: Visiting Rockford
Board: State: Michigan
Reply to: #1043147 by ArtGekko
Jan 6, 2026 4:36am
Thread Board
Enjoy your time in Rockford with your brother. Unfortunately, I cannot meet up during that window of time. I hope you have some good luck finding letterboxes.
Re: Pokemon go
Board: Off Topic, Wildly
Reply to: #1042868 by DM Scuba Brat
Jan 6, 2026 8:11am
Thread Board
added everyone who answered! :) and it looks like some other folks who added me.
Re: Long shot on identifying a box
Board: Letterbox Chatter
Reply to: #1043159 by Nature Hikers
Jan 6, 2026 12:42pm
Thread Board
Hmm... You might be right. It might be worth a look next time I'm that way. Pretty vague clues tho...

🙃

Thanks for looking that up!
Re: Pokemon go
Board: Off Topic, Wildly
Reply to: #1043163 by DM Scuba Brat
Jan 6, 2026 1:21pm
Thread Board
If you need more friends, just go to Leekduck.com No need to sign in, just add them by the QR code.
Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Jan 7, 2026 8:51am
Thread Board
What foam or material do you use to mount the pink stuff too? It feels flimsy to me. Brand names would be helpful, as I did Google and found lots of types of foam or clear hard plastic. I want to know what you use. 🤔
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043166 by capricious peaches
Jan 7, 2026 9:14am
Thread Board
I don't know the name of it, but I was buying 1/4 inch foam sheets from JoAnn before they went out of business. I also got foam sheets from Stampeaz, which is no longer in business :-(
I've been planning to look at Michaels and at Hobby Lobby, and then the internet as a last resort(I prefer going to stores and seeing stuff in my hands!). Check in the general crafts aisle, usually where they have felt, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, etc.
Please add to this thread if you find some!
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043166 by capricious peaches
Jan 7, 2026 9:14am
Thread Board
I dont mount the pink stuff to anything.
Linoleum and inking
Board: Tools of the Trade
Jan 7, 2026 9:51am
Thread Board
Please bear with me - I know it’s been asked before, and there have been hundreds plus of answers, but instead of going back to 2011 and having my brain hurt from reviewing 15 years….

What are some ways to treat Linoleum so that it will transfer a better inked image? Also, treat the surface before, or after you finish carving?

I know linoleum isn’t so great for our purposes, but I saw some that was 1/8” thick (wonderful for micro postals!) and was advertised “cuts like butter” (sure, if you’re talking about frozen butter, I found out). But, it was inexpensive, and I figure it might be okay for simple, small postal carves. I did carve an image, and it turned out acceptable. I was also pleased that my iron transfer (from a laser printer) worked well.

Thanks ahead of time!
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043166 by capricious peaches
Jan 7, 2026 10:15am
Thread Board
One of my friends has used cheap flip-flops as mounting foam.
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043166 by capricious peaches
Jan 7, 2026 10:24am
Thread Board
The actual Speedball Pink doesn't need to be mounted on anything. Just use a container that the stamp will fit flat and horizontal to minimize warping.

*I'm ignoring the 2012 bad batch that cracked easily
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043166 by capricious peaches
Jan 7, 2026 11:46am
Thread Board
I never mount the regular Speedball pink stuff. It doesn’t need mounting. I don’t know what you may be using but the regular pink stuff that most of us use is not flimsy.
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043172 by MissMoon
Jan 7, 2026 12:21pm
Thread Board
I am new to this but not new to block printing or lino cuts. So the pink stuff feels like it is flimsy for making stamps out in the wild. The few I have found have been mounted on foam or some kind of backing, or very small stamps. I am researching as I make my first letterbox!
Re: Linoleum and inking
Board: Tools of the Trade
Reply to: #1043169 by JampersandJ
Jan 7, 2026 1:15pm
Thread Board
What are some ways to treat Linoleum so that it will transfer a better inked image?

Cover it in Pink Stuff?
Mystery Postal Hybrid 2026 Proposal
Board: Postals
Jan 7, 2026 2:05pm
Thread Board
I am looking for feedback on a proposal for future Mystery Postals.

The post office has been very slow and apparently unreliable. Mystery Postal 2504 has fallen victim on its maiden mailing.

My proposal is to conduct the mysteries as normal. However, instead of mailing the stamp, I will send the stamp image to everyone who is successful. This could be via postcard, card in an envelope, or email a picture.

Please vote for your preferences below:
Disagree - would not participate under any condition other than a real stamp.
Agree - prefer postcard image
Educational - prefer image mailed in an envelope
Huh? - prefer e-mailed
Hug - would still like to participate even without getting the stamp
Re: Mystery Postal Hybrid 2026 Proposal
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1043175 by IrishRef
Jan 7, 2026 2:37pm
Thread Board
So a Mystery LTC?

As someone who has joined and hosted many postcard swaps... postcards get damaged.

A postal or LTC, I'd join either. Envelope or postcard also not a big difference to me.
I have no interest in a "Virtual"
Re: Mystery Postal Hybrid 2026 Proposal
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1043175 by IrishRef
Jan 7, 2026 3:21pm
Thread Board
I've had stamps go missing more than I'd like to admit. Riggs Raven did a postal ring where you share the image with others by stamping it onto a label type paper that's adhesive, so you can peel off the image and log as you wish, and still have the traditional folio for people to log in.

In this was, you can also better reuse the actual stamp in a traditional box (if one so wishes) and it can still be sturdy since it's not shaved down!
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043173 by capricious peaches
Jan 7, 2026 3:22pm
Thread Board
Well, all I can say is the pink stuff is not flimsy at all and 99% of the boxes I have found in all these years are pink stuff with no backing. And a hard backing will very often make for a not great image because it takes away the give of the foam. But you be you.
Live On Broadway
Board: Movie Moments
Jan 7, 2026 3:28pm
Thread Board
Netflix actually does something cool.

Good Night, and Good Luck: Live from Broadway

I think this link takes you to the beginning with the young lady singing. You might have to look for the listing though.

She edited……Nope not the beginning but a listing and join Netflix page. I guess I assume the whole world has Netflix. Hahhhh But if you do……it was great to watch.
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043173 by capricious peaches
Jan 7, 2026 4:06pm
Thread Board
I am new to this but not new to block printing or lino cuts. So the pink stuff feels like it is flimsy for making stamps out in the wild.

There is nothing wrong with mounting the on thin foam though I agree with others - it's not needed. The problem - out in the wild - is that your log book might be bent over your knee or a fallen tree and and a hard backing won't allow a good print. Flexibility is a good thing in the wild
I don't know the name of it, but I was buying 1/4 inch foam sheets from JoAnn before they went out of business.

I was in Michael's yesterday and they had a whole JoAnns section. I didn't have time peruse it, but it was several isles worth.
Re: Linoleum and inking
Board: Tools of the Trade
Reply to: #1043169 by JampersandJ
Jan 7, 2026 4:35pm
Thread Board
I've read that some folks lightly sand the finished stamp to help it grab ink better
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043166 by capricious peaches
Jan 7, 2026 5:16pm
Thread Board
I bought a sheet of 1.4" firm foam with a strong adhesive backing......somewhere. It has no brand name on it unfortunately. I must have Googled it. Came from some guy who made custom stamps using a printer. Anyway it works great but I rarely use it. It doubles the size of my stamp and I find that harder to hide. The only stamps I've found cracking were the really big ones - like 4" x 3" and up because they flex so much when inked and stamped. For my stamps I pretty much just use E6000 glue to adhere a bit of stiff cardboard.
Whodunnit at the Library stamp request
Board: Stamp Swap
Jan 7, 2026 5:39pm
Thread Board
Hi all - I am hosting a last minute event at one of our local libraries on March 14th. The theme - Whodunnit in the Library!

Would appreciate any new or previously carved stamps!!

Suspects/Victim
Motives
Locations
Alibis
The Investigation
Mystery Movie Madness
Mystery Author Madness

Thanks in advance,
Jiffy
Re: Mystery Postal Hybrid 2026 Proposal
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1043175 by IrishRef
Jan 7, 2026 5:41pm
Thread Board
Don't need to see the actual stamp; postcards get damaged in the mail and are too thick for my logbook anyway. Image mailed in an envelope seems like unnecessary work whereas an emailed image would be just as good after the printing, and at no cost. So I marked huh? and hug (a stamp is a nice reward, but I've also participated on several occasions without declaring it and without getting the stamp; it was still challenging and fun!)
Re: Linoleum and inking
Board: Tools of the Trade
Reply to: #1043181 by mxMac
Jan 7, 2026 6:20pm
Thread Board
Thank you! I had read that was one method.
Re: Linoleum and inking
Board: Tools of the Trade
Reply to: #1043181 by mxMac
Jan 7, 2026 7:28pm
Thread Board
From what is seen I believe it's recommended to sand before carving, that way you can lightly abrade the whole surface and not to to worry about messing up any small areas or fine details. Also wiping the block with a solvent will remove any oils and might possibly "rough" up the surface some depending on the solvent.
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043168 by SherlockMiles
Jan 7, 2026 7:56pm
Thread Board
I bought a few sheets of thick foam from Walmart and Gorilla Glued my stamps. I carve with the pink stuff and haven’t had any problems.
Re: Mystery Postal Hybrid 2026 Proposal
Board: Postals
Reply to: #1043175 by IrishRef
Jan 7, 2026 8:23pm
Thread Board
I prefer getting actual stamps in the mail. I like stickers but not in lieu of stamps.
Re: Mounting foam?
Board: Stamp Carving and Mounting
Reply to: #1043166 by capricious peaches
Jan 8, 2026 5:30am
Thread Board
I used to use Gorilla Glue to attach foam backing to all of my stamps, but as other folks have said, it’s not typically needed. I only use it on more fragile stamps these days.
Simsbury CT: Help take my box or remove !
Board: State: Connecticut
Jan 8, 2026 6:27am
Thread Board
Fairytale Trail in Simsbury,CT at Onion Mountain State Park: I planted 6 boxes here but I’ve moved out of state and need someone to take over or remove these boxes. Can anyone help?