I have posted a couple of photos of the K gouge:

http://www.atlasquest.com/gallery/viewalbum.html?gAlbumId=3810

I intend to add more photos to this gallery. I'll post notes to this board when I do.

Since I'm not typically one to read on these message boards, forgive me if this subject has already been discussed BUT ...I just want to comment about Stampin Ups carving set that I tried out a couple days ago. First, no I don't sell Stampin Up. ;). So what I'm going to say is NOT based on trying to boost any sales. Secondly, though the starter kit only comes with 2 blades--I LOVE THE HANDLES! They're comfortable to grip, strong enough to last and I LOVE the fact that there's no blade exchanging--Ughhh. Thirdly, though the small blade is not as small as I typically use (a Kirbert modified tiny v), it was a great size for getting some details--and very sharp! Fourthly, since I've been informed that Staedtler sets are no longer for sale (correct me gently if I'm wrong ;), the Stampin Up set is MUCH BETTER THAN those annoying handle screw in blade set alternative sets my friends have been forced to try to carve with, at the hobby stores. I hate them! Lastly, with permission from my newbie carving friend, sheet me carve into the GRAY STUFF included in the kit! I LOVE IT! It was firm enough, did NOT CRUMBLE and was flexible but not breaking or splitting when bent! Unlike the NASTY PINK stuff, in the shelves now in my area.

All this being said--I AM BUYING MY OWN SET of carvers and MORE GRAY STUFF at my next card club! :-D

YES!!!!! It's Raining!!!! Oh I hope it keeps raining all day. A nice slow rain that soaks into the ground. Boy can we use it. The ground here is as hard as a rock and cracked. Some of my plants have been drooping. They need a big drink of water.

GH

I saw your Stazon "stacks" at the last event we attended and commented that I thought that was a great idea. Think I'll bookmark this post and take action on my own Stazon pads following your example soon.

Hey shoreline - welcome to the craziness. You asked what's next? Go find some boxes. Find some easy ones, find some hard ones, find some ugly ones (there really aren't any - well, yes there are), find some gorgeous ones (there's lots) just find some boxes to really understand what a letterbox is all about. When you aren't finding do what HH said - read. So much good stuff on this site.

I love the idea of putting the dots inside the lids. I dont really use my staz on much, because of that reason. I use Versafine because it also is permanent. But I will use that tip for him..

I'm not sure what you meant about sticking them together... you actually stick four ink pads together? Interesting.....

Good review, thanks. I'm definitely interested in the grey stuff, if they would make larger blocks for discount prices. Just tried carving a detailed stamp on pink, and it was a disaster. We can still get Staedtlers on Stampeaz. I just bought a modified and regular. And Kirbert's been showing the K gouge for a few weeks. But I'm not sure how many are left of the regular Staedtlers. Maybe none, at this point.

For Speedball users, I recommend the really inexpensive pen holder that Stampeaz sells. It's like $1.50 or something. You can easily stick the tips in, and it is easier to hold than the big bulb-shaped thing.

Yes, welcome!

To begin, I would first suggest that you FIND at least 20 letterboxes before you begin to carve or plant. That will give you a feel for the variety of carving styles and also, hopefully, good ideas for where to plant.

I know when I first began I immediately wanted to plant and I had a couple of spots I thought would be perfect. But another boxer suggested I find a few first and I'm so glad she did. I would NEVER plant in the spots which were my initial instinct.

And, letterboxers like different things. Some love to carve, some love to plant, and some love to find the boxes. Not everyone loves all 3, and that is okay.

I hope you enjoy the hobby and introduce others to it.

HH,

Thanks so much for sharing these wonderful ideas. I have also seen your stacks and wondered how you did it. This is going to be my project for this upcoming week: to organize my ink pads more efficiently.

And I did not know about the reinkers...Hobby Lobby...with a coupon...wonderful.

Keep those helpful hints coming, please.

I have never really found a night box... Only at an event. We don't have any in C-Bus Ohio. I have been trying to think of a way to do one and where i could even hide it at. All parks close at dark and dont allow you in. :( I don't know anyone with any land that I could ask. But I have heard of Glow in the dark push pins is the only thing I have come up with...

I always say something. I feel the owner/planter deserves more than just a "found" comment. If there is a problem with the box such as a soggy logbook, misspelling, obvious mistakes that should not have been made I make the comment private so the owner can solve the issue without embarrassment. Otherwise I make the comment public if allowed by the owner. I do this with every single stamp I find whether a traditional, LTC, postal, cootie, flea, hitchhiker, whatever else.

I like to give detailed comments as much as possible..... part of why I am so far behind logging finds...

I almost always comment. Why? I just think it's a little nicer than only seeing the found report. I appreciate that the stamp was planted and I can take a quick moment to thank them and appreciate the location, stamp, clues, and so forth.

I will almost always let someone know if there is a full logbook, etc., and I will also try to remedy anything I can. That's why I carry mini-logbooks, paper towels, etc. I always appreciate others caring for my letterboxes, so I try to do the same. I let them know what I've done so if others have commented that a logbook is needed (and I've replaced it), then they can remove the maintenance icon.

I only make suggestions about the clues if it's truly needed. I would NEVER be critical of the plant. If I can't find the stamp or if I didn't enjoy the hunt (which rarely happens...), I clearly believe one should never be rude. My general rule of thumb is to show respect.

But, of course, that's just me. I appreciate the hobby and other letterboxers. I try to show that in my found reports.

I like to give detailed comments as much as possible..... part of why I am so far behind logging finds...

And you type really slow : )

I try and comment on boxes I've found. I actually try and respond back to responses of boxes /hitchhikers of mine that are found too. Do you need to leave a comment ? No. But honestly if none is sent with a found box of mine I'm a little bummed. Especially if its a really neat spot and nice carve.
My .02

I always comment on individual boxes and LTCs. Even if just a short note. And if the owner emails me back, I give them whatever details I can remember, if they need to know.

Sometimes at events, there is a long series of boxes. In this case, I make a general series comment, and if one or 2 boxes have a problem, I comment on those, naming them in my comment.

I try to always leave a comment, be it "cute carve!" Or "replaced the ziplock." I know I'd like to see comments on my plants (if anyone would ever find them!) so I leave comments. LB karma. :)

There is a mystery box I am considering as my 1000 find. Why? You may ask, because it is less than 4 hours away from me, it has a location that I have wanted to get back to for awhile, and I have met the planter (and he is cool!)

When I click on the show finds button for this box it says "nope, sorry nothing here". Now because it is a mystery box I'm not quite sure what this means. Does it mean:

1. This box has never been found
2. This box has been found but the owner has blocked all finds from showing up
3. The World May Never Know...

Usually when I click on the show finds for a mystery box, I get a list of dates and "undisclosed"

It would be so cool to have this be my 1000 find and a first find all at once.

When you find a traditional box or even a LTC do you leave a comment or not?

This brings up a good question. When leaving a comment on a Hitchhiker Hostel, do you leave a comment take a comment, or do you just leave a comment never to be heard again?

I'm heading to southern Missouri the 3rd week of September. I have some letterbox searches planned. Anyone in the area interested in a meet-up? Or letterboxing together? This is a new area for me. I'll be staying near (not in) Branson.

If the owner had blocked finds, you would not see the "show finds" button. So I'm going with Option 1.

Or possibly Option 4, "This box has been found but the finder did not record it."

But I"m rooting for Option 1 because yes, that WOULD be so cool!

They are nearly invisible in daylight, easily visible from 100+ feet at night.

Are these 4-D stealth firetacks the type you would recommend? Until I looked at these I was imagining some sort of glow in the dark material rather than a reflective tack. This seems like it would be safer b/c it wouldn't be illuminated unless a light was shined on it vs a glow in the dark that would be visible without a light to anyone who wandered by.

Peace
CTEE

That's what I would say too, option 1. You could be the FF. And if it happens to be opt 4 you can by the first to log it on AQ. Either way it sounds like a awesome 1000th box for ya, Don't Panic. Have fun finding it!

New swap!

http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gTrackerId=7225

I always leave a comment. I enjoy it actually lol. I always like to see comments when one of my plants are found. I think most boxers do. Although I have seen before when the boxer doesn't allow comments to be posted..no comments at all. I like comments myself.

One comment I enjoyed on a box of mine, was "saw an otter in the pond". When I see things like that.... I know I found an awesome hiding spot! I myself never saw an otter near my boxes, even on one that is called Otter Trail!

Whenever I see wildlife or enjoyed the view enough to take pictures, I try to comment on the beauty or interest of what I saw.

I usually leave a comment on AQ. Many times I feel rushed when stamping the logbooks and can't think of something witty to say. When I get back to the computer, I usually say something. If the box or logbook is damaged in a way that I cannot fix on the trail, I let the owner know. Recently, I let an owner know that their new logbook was damp and that I had replaced the baggie just in case they wanted to move it to a drier location or use additional protection of some kind. If the box is in good shape, I usually at least thank the person for planting the letterbox.

Hi HH, Like your idea of the stick on lid covers. It sounds interesting. Are there pictures on AQ to see? I'm needing more ink, thanks for the tip. FF awesome pic of you and the friendly butterflies in your hair. That's too cool!

Thanks, Scouttrekkie. I've been meaning to change my profile for a while. It's nice to see siggy stamps... but it's also nice to know who you're talking to!

We are going to the Fair today. I know you probably want it out there until tomorrow but if you want me to grab it late today, let me know.

usually comment. if it's the 15th box of theirs i've found in a day, then i don't. especially if it's Wolfie's. Because, you know, her boxes. . .

~tigs