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, sadly, homework, homework, homework; having many projects to hand in or present next week at uni. I have to get to work !! 😉
Thanks for the giveaway !
LikeLike
Lots of things going on at work that I need to dig into this week! On a personal note, working on my February Project Life pages… I did them weekly the last three years, but this year, have done Jan and Feb monthly – without formally deciding to do so. I kinda like it. 🙂
LikeLike
This week I’m working on my digital catalog for my greeting card company. Now that I think about it, that was also number one on my list last week and clearly I didn’t finish it 😦
LikeLike
Love this! I’m “working” this week on caring for my four week old son. Certainly a different kind of work than I’m used to!
LikeLike
Wedding invitations!!!
LikeLike
Working on filing paperwork and cleaning up our home office.
LikeLike
I am working on getting my family better after having the stomach flu 😦 these cards are beautiful and I would love one for my home 🙂
LikeLike
Such a fun project! I’m working on getting back to (office) work, after a 12 week maternity leave. So hard!
LikeLike
Ooh, fun! I’m working on a minibook for my trip to Malawi and Tanzania last year, art journaling, and researching grad and Phd programs.
LikeLike
Working like a crazy person in preparation for the General Election dissolution of Parliament (UK) and preparing to move home…to somewhere as yet, unknown. Have an awesome day!
LikeLike
This week I am working on treaching my 9 month old puppy to roll over on command.
LikeLike
This week (and year) I’m working on amping up my real estate career. It takes a lot of time and energy and persistence. You are so inspiring! Can’t wait to order a get to work book!
LikeLike
I’m working on completely an abstract painting and finishing a book. Thanks for a fun opportunity to win! 🙂
LikeLike
awesome! i am working on taking more short videos of my family for my monthly family films!
LikeLike
I’m working on my dissertation proposal!
LikeLike
THIS WEEK IT’S 1. MAKING A BIRTHDAY CARD FOR MY NIECE, 2. MAKING BUNTING FOR A WEDDING, 3. MAKING TWO PILLOWS FOR A FRESH LOOK ON OUR COUCH. AND, YES, I WILL FINISH THEM ALL! YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION!
LikeLike
This weekend I am determined to get my art room unpacked and in some sort of basic functioning state. And this print will definitely need to be on the walls in there.
LikeLike
I love this print! All day yesterday I spent catching up on organizing my photos for Project Life and this week I’ll be printing and playing with the design when my Messy Box from A Beautiful Mess comes in!
LikeLike
I’m working on a bunch of digital designs, but also vamping up my daily creative routine with some copic coloring and doodling – posting on instagram with a community challenge. Realizing that the community of things helps to motivate me! Love that your project is so straightforward (4 secs to decide what to carve, etc) – seems like there is no hesitation – which is sort of amazing as I struggle with that a lot. I often don’t feel ready, but we are all ready enough, right?! In fact, that is my word of the year, to try and break out of stagnation!
LikeLike
Working on housework! Yes, really. With a 5 week old in the house, it’s not easy!
LikeLike
This week I am working on organizing and boxing up my life to move from cebtral Ontario to the east coast of Newfoundland. Nervous, scared, curious and excited all at the same time.
LikeLike
I must try this! I’ve decided to open a shopify web shop, so I’m planning all the different stages I need to complete.
LikeLike
I’m working on job applications! Wish me luck! 🙂
LikeLike
My husband is building picture ledges so I will be creating a couple fun things to fill them with. Maybe a watercolor ampersand and a big C 🙂
LikeLike
So motivating! This week I’m working through a book about neurological brain function so I can help my 7 year old son. Not a glamorous task, but work nonetheless. (Especially considering that I love fiction so much more than non!)
LikeLike
I’m working on sewing the Boxy Tee on PurlBee (http://www.purlbee.com/2014/05/04/corinnes-thread-boxy-tee-three-ways/) this week.
LikeLike
So cute, love this.
Getting to work on some Infographics for a few different clients. Looks like a busy week!
LikeLike
This week I am getting back on track after getting ready for my baby shower I had on Saturday. Back on track means – orders to fill, wholesale to work on and getting ready for baby.
LikeLike
I am involved in a child abuse prevention group in the state that I live in, and I am currently working on a big awareness event for April (which is National Child Abuse Prevention Month).
LikeLike
This week I’m working on crocheting a baby blanket for a friend and making progress on two scrapbooking projects for myself.
LikeLike
I am working on finishing up my daughter’s 3rd birthday invites and getting them in the mail! I love this stamp and would love a chance to win a print!
LikeLike
This week I’m working on adding more plans and ideas for my May trip to San Diego!
LikeLike
I’m working on my master thesis this week! Prep for the interviews coming up! 🙂
LikeLike
i’m working on prepping for baby who will be here next week or earlier!
LikeLike
This week will hopefully include some catching up with project life, along with staining and painting a dresser for our son’s room.
Thanks for the chance to win!
LikeLike
Love this print, love your ideas, love your blog! This week I’m going to work on organization, and a good cleaning, of my creative space! I need inspiration and mess hinders & overwhelms me!
LikeLike
This week I’m supervising the remodel of our family bathroom … wish me luck!
LikeLike
I just finished a quilt yesterday, so to be honest, this week I won’t be working on much except my day job. I usually need to take a few days between projects to regroup! I love these prints though and would love to have one in my office.
LikeLike
So very cool! Just love these and your tutorial on how to carve stamps. So much fun! I’m working on a birthday card and favors for my nephew’s second birthday next week.
LikeLike
This would be a great inspiration piece for my office at work. This week, I’ve got lots of stuff on the list! I’m specifically working on a funeral service for the end of the week (I’m a pastor, btw).
LikeLike
Thanks for the tutorial, Eilse! Unfortunately this week will be full of work (12-hour days) and won’t leave time for much else.
LikeLike
Good Morning Elise,
Woke up at 6:00 a.m. to start my first granny square baby blanket. For my very first nephew I get to meet next week! Have to “Get to Work”. So excited!
Michele
LikeLike
This week I’m working on the finishing touches of a website for my newly created small business. Thanks for the chance to win!
LikeLike
I’m finishing off a blanket for my brand new granddaughter. It started as a bundle of squares knitted by mum and me years ago, all different shapes and sizes. So awkward to join together I left them and left them until I saw all your coloured blankets and thought I’d give it a go-boy am I glad I did!
LikeLike
Wow! I’m working/not working/can’t get moving on a block printing project, killing time, finding lots/anything else to do, like laundry and reading email and here you are, ONCE AGAIN, giving me a message to GET TO WORK. And not just a blanket message about productivity, a specific message about the exact thing that I’m struggling with!
LikeLike
Love these! I’m working on a baby shower for my cousin and decluttering our house.
LikeLike
Love this print!
This week I am working on finding a mentor for my upcoming teaching internship, catching up on photographing my daughter’s artwork for her album and planning the menu for a family get together this weekend. Hello Monday!
LikeLike
Working on several sewing projects including a quilted pillow and baby shoes.
LikeLike
I’ve got high hopes for this week! Finish up my taxes, finish up the last 10 weeks of Project Life 2014…so I can leave for Spring Break with nothing on my plate 🙂
LikeLike
This week I’m working on knitting a 3 Color Cowl! 🙂
LikeLike