Be careful when buying the Speedball Speedy-Stamp pink carving
material. There are two different types!

Deciding this was my carving medium of choice, the other day I went
to my local Hobby Lobby and picked up three 4 x6 pieces and an 8 x 12
piece. I quickly used up the first 4 x 6 piece and opened the
second, only to find it is different material than the first! It has
a tacky surface and the inner consistency is harder. Even after
cleaning it up, my knife pulled and jerked -- didn't carve smoothly
at all (even with a brand new sharp knife blade). The packaging is
identical, but upon closer inspection, the coloring is a little
different (the good stuff is slightly lighter in color), the product
numbers are different (good stuff - 4108, year 2001; bad stuff -
4110, year 2000) and the bad stuff doesn't have the UPC imprinted
right on the block.

My large 8 x 12 piece is also the tacky stuff (product number 4109,
year 1999). I am returning them to the store. Hopefully they will
take them back and they have some more of the good stuff I can buy.

Realizing all of my pink material was useless, I desperately hunted
around for something suitable to carve on, near withdrawal! I then
realized I had just received the package of Steadler Mastercarve
blocks I had ordered (still unopened). This stuff carves nicely, but
is a little soft and crumbly -- can break off where you don't want it
to. But it will do for less intricate designs, and certainly until I
can get my hands on more of the good pink stuff.

Does anyone have a good online ordering source for the pink speedy-
stamp pieces?

Happy carving!

Deb (SpringChick)
P8 F7 X0