Love seeing where you are stamping? Clear stamps certainly offer this advantage over rubber (I own and love many clear stamp sets). However, Stampin' Up!'s Stamp-a-ma-jig (Spring/Summer Collection, p. 184) gives you a window to perfect stamping. Additionally, it holds your stamping block steady, eliminating the risk of an unsteady hand, which can happen even with my acrylic pals. Note: All images in this tutorial may be clicked for a closer look.
The first step to befriending your Stamp-a-ma-jig (also known as "SAMJ") is to tuck the clear sheet tightly into it's corner groove (left and right option available). TIP: The coarse side of the sheet is for Craft inks and the smooth side is for Classic or dye inks. I used the smooth side with classic ink and stamped my tulip, sliding it down and fitting it into the corner of the SAMJ. 
TIP: Choosing a dark color (even if you ultimately plan to use a lighter one) for stamping on the sheet helps ensure you'll see the image easily when aligning your images.
Next, line up the tulip where you would like it on your card stock. For this card, I'm only aligning from top to bottom. I cut off the excess card stock in the width when I was done.
Once you determine placement of the tulip, the SAMJ is fit against the corner of the plastic sheet. The bottom grips nicely for steady positioning.
Holding the SAMJ in place, remove the sheet and slide your inked stamp down and against the corner. Repeat for additional images, each time moving the sheet/image where you want it. It's quite easy once you get the hang of it and oh, so divine for steady, eddy alignment. With a So Saffron marker, I accented some details on the tulips. The tulip images were matted on So Saffron and Basic Black card stock.
I grabbed Stampin' Up!'s Polka Dot Background stamp and using a brayer made my So Saffron card stock polka dot-a-licious. Here's a photo tutorial on using a brayer for uniform inking of background stamps. I assembled the polka dot layer on Basic Black card stock and a 4.25 x 5.5 Whisper White card base.
The focus of the banner is a delicious piece of So Saffron ribbon from the Ribbon Originals Sherbet collection. It's matted on Basic Black card stock and a piece of black gingham ribbon gives it some polish.
The sentiment is from Sale-A-Bration's Lots of Thoughts set. It's inked in Basic Black and stamped on Whisper White. I used a few Stampin' Dimensionals for a 3-D effect before adhering it to a square of Basic Black. I used 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" square punches for neatly matted layers.
TIP: The perfect touch to any handmade card is your personalization. Stampin' Up! offers a variety of decorative stamps that you can customize with simply your name or address, too. Check out page 160 of the Spring/Summer Collection for the possibilities.
Hugs and Pretties . . . .Mary
Stamp Sets: Lots of Thoughts, Time Well Spent (Hostess Level III), Polka Dot Background, On a Whim (personalized stamp)
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, So Saffron
Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron Marker
Cool Tools: 1 1/4 and 1 3/8" Square Punches, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Brayer
The Perfect Touch: Ribbon Originals Sherbet, Stampin' Dimensionals, Non SU Black Gingham Ribbon
Inkspiration: Splitcoast Featured Stamper (FS64) based on Stamper Michelle's beautiful card.
THanks so much, Mary. I decided today that I am ready to make cards that looked more professional. Your tutorial was just what I needed. Great card, as well! Thanks! Cathy
My must have list is getting larger 🙂
Wonderful tutorial Mary! I think the samj is SO helpful. Great for 2 step stamping, too. And nothing is worse than having a card finished but for a sentiment, then botching the placement of the sentiment. So nice to be able to “preview” where the sentiment will be. Thanks!
Great card…..after using it a few times I have fell in love with my Stamp-a-ma-jig. It’s so helpful. Joan