Have you ever noticed how much lingo we crafters throw around while we’re teaching and creating? I hadn’t really thought about it until recently, when I did a home party for a brand new hostess and five of her friends. While many of them had used other papercrafting products before, this was their first experience with Stampin’ Up!, and I realized that there are so many terms (including acronyms) that I use without even thinking, that might not be clear to someone who’s new to SU. Even with more experienced stampers, I witness interactions like the below quite often:

Crafter 1: Can you please pass the (name of item)?
Crafter 2: **blank stare**
Crafter 3 **passes two or three random items hoping to get lucky**
Me: You mean this? **holds up item**
Crafter 1: THANK YOU!

Sometimes this is because Crafter 1 called the item by the wrong name, and other times it’s because she called it by the right name but Crafters 2 and 3 didn’t recognize the lingo. Either way, it can be frustrating for all! Hopefully, this handy glossary will help!

Inkpads

Stamp Set*

Block

Stamp*

Stampin’ Scrub

Designer Series Paper (“DSP”)

Cardstock

Alright, those are the basic items you’ll run into at a crafting workshop. Here are a few more terms you’ll want to know!

Types of Stamps

There are now four types of stamps available from Stampin’ Up.
1. Wood-mount stamps

Wood-mount stamps are made of red rubber and come with a wooden block for you to permanently mount the stamp onto. Stampin’ Up! is phasing out wood-mount stamps; soon, they will only be available for large background stamps as shown above.

2. Clear-mount stamps

Clear-mount stamps are made of red rubber and do not come with blocks; you must purchase separately the acrylic blocks to use with your stamps. Clear-mount stamps can be used with acrylic blocks and then removed to store in their cases, so they take up much less room than wood-mount stamps.

3. Photopolymer stamps

Photopolymer stamps are see-through, allowing you to see exactly where you are stamping. Photopolymer stamps are also to be used with acrylic blocks, purchased separately.

4. Cling stamps

Cling stamps are made of red rubber and do not come with blocks; you must purchase separately the acrylic blocks to use with your stamps. The stamps themselves are very similar to clear-mount stamps, but the labels have been reformulated to be significantly more sticky, thanks to feedback received from demonstrators and customers. Cling stamps will soon replace clear-mount stamps.

NOTE that Stampin’ Up! determines what type of stamp material in which to manufacture each stamp set.  The catalogue and online listing for the stamp set will specify which format(s) it is available in; be sure to pay attention and choose the correct format so you are happy with your purchase!

Other Terminology:

SAB = Sale-a-Bration
This is the annual promotion that takes place between January and March every year. During this time, Stampin’ Up! offers exclusive items that can be earned FREE with purchase. These items are not sold separately and can only be earned with purchase during the promotional period.

CASE = Copy and Share Everything (or, Copy and Selectively Edit)
CASE’ing is a great way to find (and share!) inspiration. Here’s a great example of a card I received and then CASE’d:

– card I received

– my CASE’d version

To learn more about CASE’ing, check out my blog post on the topic!

Bundles

Bundles include a stamp set and either a co-ordinating punch or thinlit set. These items are also available separately, but when they are purchased together, you save 10% off the purchase price. Pay attention, though; bundle pricing is only in effect for the catalogue period in which the bundle was introduced. For example, for the Happy Tails bundle above, while the stamp set and punch may carry over to the next catalogue, they will only be available for purchase separately, not as a bundle, and thus full price will apply. Short version: If you love the bundle, buy it before the catalogue expiration date!

Kits

Kits are an all-inclusive way to get crafting fast! Great for beginners or those who want to take crafting on-the-go, they contain everything you need to complete a project.

Card kits (like the “Soft Sayings” card kit shown above) include stamp set, block, pre-printed card bases and envelopes, die-cut accents and embellishments, a stampin’ spot (mini inkpad), and dimensionals – enough to make 20 cards. The projects are pre-designed for you, so you can get to the fun part of crafting right away – and of course, you can always adjust the designs to suit your own taste!

You Can Make It kits (like the “Flowering Desert” kit shown above) include a stamp set, a block, cardstock, and ink. Sometimes other elements, such as colouring tools or embellishments, are also included. In this case you will be designing the projects yourself.

Paper Pumpkin kits include everything you need to complete a mystery craft project – that’s right, you won’t know what it is until you open the box! Paper Pumpkin is a subscription service, and you can try it out for one month, or subscribe for 3, 6, or 12 months. (You can also give a subscription as a gift!) The contents are different every month, but you’ll always find everything you need to create the project in the red box, which is delivered right to your door.

Do you have questions about crafting terms that isn’t covered above? Drop me a comment and I’ll add it to the post! Thanks for reading and happy stampin’!

Please visit my 24/7 online store by clicking above, or contact me: lauralyzer@gmail.com.

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