a big idea: rolling pin stamps by alisa burke

If you are intrigued by the idea of creating your own stamps...

If you are interested in unique ways to design your own prints...

Check this out.

Go to Alisa's blog to see this genius and amazing idea...

inventory control: create your own name stamp

After my first stamp making experience, I decided to make myself a personalized name stamp.  Not only can you make one for yourself, but I think these would make a nice gift for a friend who enjoys card making, stamping, or scrapbooking.  I think my sister might get one from me.

Here's what you need:

Speedball Carving Tools (various sizes)
Speedy Carve Carving Block <----- this is the best stuff
A pencil
A Sharpie
Paper
Ink
Straight Edge

Here's how you do it:

1.  Write your name on a piece of paper with a pencil.  I traced my name twice for good measure.

2.  Place your paper pencil side down on your speedy carve block.  Use a straight edge to rub the back of the paper.  This will transfer your pencil marks to the block.  Your image will be reversed.

3.  Use a Sharpie to trace around the name.

4.  Use your finest point Speedball carver to carve around your traced line.  Note:  It really is easier if you move the carving block rather than the carving tool when you are carving (particularly around curves).  I didn't really "get" this the first time.

5.  Continue carving away.  Make test stamps to see where more carving is needed.  Once finished you can mount your stamp on wood, just like a real store bought stamp. 

return on creativity: blog idea book

Have you ever carved your own rubber stamp?  It's kinda intimidating, kinda scary, and kinda fun all at the same time.  I really wanted a stamp of a "vintage" eighties computer.  So I decided to try and make my own from a drawing.

I started out by reading this website.  Then I went to the store for supplies.  I bought one set of carving tools and two hunks (that's a technical term) of rubber to carve. 

First I tried to carve the cheaper rubber that drew me in with its small price tag and the fact that it was already mounted on wood.

It was hard to carve and I was not happy with the results.  It says it cuts like butter, but it doesn't say that it cuts like butter that has been in the freezer.  Here is my first try.

Then I cut up the more expensive Speedy Carve. 



It really did cut like butter.  No even better, it cut like butta.  So easy and fun.  Here is my result.

Let me talk a little bit about how I transfered the design onto the stamp before carving.  The website mentioned using a laser printer and an iron, but since I don't have a laser printer I used the pencil method.  First I rubbed the back of my drawing with a pencil and then I traced the drawing onto the rubber block with the pencil side down.

This worked great on the cheaper block, but came out very splotchy on the "butta" block.  Next time I will trace the drawing in pencil, place it face down on the rubber and try and rub it onto the rubber with a straight edge. 

I stamped my design onto a journal cover to create a blog idea book that I could slip into my purse for those times when inspiration strikes when I'm not at home.



Don't want to make it?  Buy this is my shop, 645 workshop!