I have been carving rubber stamps for years and was thrilled to find some extra rubber in my craft cupboards so I could make a special stamp (and prints!) for MAKE&GIVE30. It took about four seconds to figure out what I would carve. (Predictable is my middle name.)
For this stamp I used this rubber but here's a kit that includes what you'll need.
If you're making your own text stamp (which I highly recommend!), trace the rubber on paper to give yourself a guide for how much space you have to work with. Then draw your design with pen. I used a Sharpie to write my message and then increased the letter thickness.
When working with text, we have to carve the image backwards. To transfer to the rubber, I went over my letters with pencil and then pressed the paper against the rubber and rubbed the backside with my fingers. This left a faint impression that I was able to make more bold with pencil.
The next step is to carve! This is the best part of the whole thing and so therapeutic. I like to go around the letters first and then work out the larger sections of rubber. When you think you're done, cover your stamp with ink (using a brayer) and make a practice stamp. You'll usually notice that there are additional sections you need to keep carving (like the center of the "e" in the case above).
I experimented with different inks for this project (some craft paint, some oil based block printing ink and finally some water based printing ink). The best impression by far came from the water based block printing ink. I also found that because my stamp was so large, it was hard to get a really clean impression. I stuck it to a wooden stamp that I had on hand (using double sided tape) and I loved the impression that resulted. If you don't have a large stamp on hand, you could purchase a small piece of balsa wood from a craft store for cheap.
Today, I would like to give away five of these 5×7 prints. Leave a comment telling me what you are working on this week and I'll pick 5 random winners by 5pm tonight. Open to anyone, anywhere.
Thanks for entering! Winners are #41 – Mac, #73 – Jess A, #127 – Julie Coffman, #243 – Jeni, #324 – Tiffany…please email me (elise.blahaATgmail.com) with your mailing addresses!
Didn't win this giveaway? There are two other ways to get a print.
- All physical purchases from my shop through March 31 will ship with a print as a free gift. No coupon code needed.
- After March 31, I'll be selling them in the shop for $10 plus shipping.
See more MAKE&GIVE30 projects here and more paper projects here!
enJOY it 
352 responses to “PROJECT 3/30 : HAND CARVED STAMP”
This week is an off week for me. (No crafts) We’re moving into a new house on Friday so this week is filled with packing, repacking and more packing 🙂
Thanks for such a great giveaway! Happy Monday y’all!
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I’m working on cleaning and packing!
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This week I’m working on getting my own design portfolio pieces up on my website. I’m also working on a client website – we’re in the design phase. And I’m working on my 9-5 job, too… database process mapping. Woot!
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These are so cool !!!! I am working on my kids high school scrapbooks.
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This week I’m working on my capsule wardrobe! Spring is finally starting to peek out, and I’m more than ready to ditch the heavy sweaters!
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This week I’m working on the last few months of Project Life from 2013!! I’m almost done, I have half of October, all of November, and one week in December left to do. Then its on to a simpler version for 2014! Thanks for the chance to win!
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I’m taking an online handlettering class – something I’ve always wanted to learn – and am working on putting pencil & pen to paper this week to simply START. Thanks for the giveaway!
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This week is a big week for me…I am working on my speech for 2015 Miss Wheelchair Kansas. And practicing, practicing, practicing! Say a little prayer for me that I don’t have a heart attack from my nerves!
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I’m working on my final project for my degree but cannot
wait to get back to work on some scrapbooking in my kids school books!
Thanks for the chance to win!
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I am working on a quilt!
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Preparing for an exciting job interview coming up this week, and keeping on top of school at the same time!
Thanks, Cristina
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Love this! This week I am working on meal planning for my first whole30, which involves getting out of my comfort zone and learning to cook. I want to know how to make healthy, simple dishes for my family.
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working on a memory book for my boys!
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Love these. This week I’m working on a laundry list of tasks at work. The most exciting is a story about college student mentoring middle school students at a nearby urban school.
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I’m on a plane headed home after a week & a half of visiting family in California & Georgia with a month old so I’ll be working on Project Life-ing all the photos & getting this baby back on some kind of schedule!
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Designing a new homepage for our business. Which I know I nothing about how to do. Ugh.
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A perfect print for any desk space!
I’m working on a volunteer application this week… fingers crossed!
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Revamping my office.
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I’ m working on reloading my kitchen after complete Reno ( can you say Big Purge?) and also my first big canvas painting. I have been working small on paper but ready to spread my wings! Also continuing to work on updating my math skills on Khan Academy–getting ready for a big Pi Day this Saturday! 3.14.15
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This week is all about working with my kids to make our Easter cards. They are three and one and love crafting! Makes my heart feel good. 🙂
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These are gorgeous! This week I am working on getting our house cleaned up and back into “showing” mode in the hopes that having it ready might help to inspire someone to come take a look and want to buy it! I’m also working on deciding what my project for March will be (In January learned to knit and in February to crochet) – I’m leaning towards weaving, and then I’ll move on to some non-fiber projects for the rest of the year! As part of my journey wih my word this year (COMMIT), I am working on actually DOING some of the things I’ve been dreaming up over the years… So far so good!
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This week I’m working on getting my 3 kids acclimated to the time change as quickly/seamlessly as possible. As much as we love the extra hours of daylight, it’s tougher than I’d like to get their bodies adjusted to a new eat, sleep and get ready for school time. 🙂
And for me? I’m continuing to help my clients plan magical vacations to Disney, and I love it. Best job in the world next to the “Mom” one I mentioned above. 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win!
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Working on paper mobiles and garlands for my first ever crafty-anything-type endeavor!
https://www.facebook.com/LiMaPaperCreations
Check it out!
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I’m working on an assignment for medical school – all about a specific pregnant woman and her experience of pregnancy, labour, and having a new baby! After reading about your experience with Ellerie I have been fascinated with motherhood, so this assignment is a dream. =)
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This week I’m working on being kinder to myself and moving forward each day to create a better “me”
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Love this! Im launching my etsy shop this week! So Im buckling down and finishing up my designs and getting the policies, etc up to par so I can open it Wednesday!
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Would love this! This is all about the writing – two ways… One is to try my hand at some fiction and the second is to add entries to a blog that has exactly two entries so far :). In addition, I’m spring cleaning! Would love some motivation thanks!!! (Out far in asia though)
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This week I will be working on the Spring Purge….time to clean out the clutter!!
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LOVE this. You’re on your game lately! I’m working on some pennant banners for my son’s room this week!
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Love the idea of carving this stamp, and especially love the resulting prints! Besides the usual work stuff, this week I’m also thinking about longer term life goals, working on Project Life and One Little Word, and planning to experiment with one new artistic technique. We’ll see how it goes!
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I’m hoping to get to some cardmaking this week!
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This week I need to “get to work” on a homemade apron for my cousins fiance. he shower is this upcoming weekend I am not done sewing her present! Get to work Lauren!
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This week I’m working on finishing up my tax stuff.
Thanks for the giveaway!
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working on knitting a blanket for my first born. these prints are beautiful. You go girl,
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This week I am working on a plan for both our community garden and my own vegetable garden. Then I’ll finally be ready to order seeds for this season! Your stamp is beautiful!
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Love it! I’m working on custom abstract art for my new home, and on writing up my research for publication.
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The two main things I’m working on this week: 1) Getting play based learning set up in my classroom (I’m a preschool teacher)! 2) I just got a Wacom tablet, so I’ll be practicing on that!
This print would be awesome to hang at work AND at home. Might have to get 2!
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I’m knitting some mittens for a friend this week. My first knitting project using a knitting chart. It is much easier than I expected! 🙂
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I’m hoping to catch up on the laundry and start working on a mini album. Thanks very much for a chance to win. Michelle t
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Oh Elise! I can’t wait to say what I’m working on!
A friend and I have a great idea for a new kind of social network, so we’re taking classes to learn how to code apps and web pages! We’re #realistic! LOL But it’s so invigorating to learn a new skill!
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I’m working on my mini album from a trip to Maui we took last summer. Thanks for a chance!
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Hi Elise! I’m working on repainting a dresser in ultra white. It’ll be so fresh! Also trying to pick out hardware for it. Thanks for this giveaway!
Abby
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Midterms for my graduate program are coming up soon, so this week I’ll be working on studying for my spine and pediatrics classes (I’m in a physical therapy program). Definitely not as fun as crafting!
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Working on catching up on bookwork after being on holidays love this print and I love it in white on the brown paper! Fantastic
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I’m a teacher, so I’m spending this week finishing as much school stuff as I can, so I have the whole week of spring break to paint and organize our nursery, and hopefully choose a crib! So exciting to be doing this for the first time.
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I am working on upping my mileage from 10 miles for my first half marathon coming up in mid April. 🙂
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I’m working on creating a photo book of our recent trip to Hawaii. Thanks for the chance to win!
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i’m working on several blog posts and few handmade cards for friends this week! 🙂
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What a wonderful print! This week I’m working on report cards, parent conferences, and my son’s super hero birthday. Definitely a “get to work” moment! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
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What a perfect print for the office!
I’m working on garden planning for the spring… can’t come soon enough!
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