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”
I am currently working on a painting and a keepsake box my daughter wants to give to a friend. We are filling it with fun things as this young lady is due to have knee surgery.
LikeLike
I’m working on inputting my genealogy research into my family tree program.
LikeLike
Thanks for the offer! I would love this for the studying I am doing. It would be a great motivator as it is a long and hard process to pass this exam!
LikeLike
a perfect mantra to start the week from my home office. I need this!!! It seems like I’m already doing everything else instead of my 3-freelance design projects that are due this week.
LikeLike
this week is my grad school spring break, so I’m working on homework (ugh), but also trying out a bunch of fun new recipes!
LikeLike
I’m feeding my first sourdough starter and preparing for a conference on Friday that will hopefully provide lots of great networking opportunities for me!
LikeLike
I’m working on a baby blanket for a friend and odds and ends for my daughters birthday this weekend.
LikeLike
I’m making escort cards for the wedding using sand dollars.
LikeLike
This is awesome! I am working on cleaning my craft space and now setting some time to go through the piles I made. My goal is 15 mins a day and get through all of it. I am also starting working on my capsule wardrobe. My plan is to work through my clothes in March and have one set for April through June. I love this concept!!! But I am also going on a two week vacation soon so this will all probably not get done until April. ~Thanks for your creativity. ~Ann
LikeLike
This week I am working on relaxing. I homeschool my two kids and this week we have no commitments other than chase the sunshine at the beach, read good books, and the like. It’s much needed!
Sarah M
LikeLike
I’m working on getting through the week. Setting my sights high, obviously. Thank you!!
LikeLike
Your stamp is great! I love the way your words look and flow of the stamp. I have carved a stamp once and loved it.
This week I am working on sewing an Easter dress for one daughter, a skirt for the other daughter, and a tie for my son. I am also working on getting listings in my shop and trying something new for my shop as well!
Thanks for sharing, once again. I love reading your posts. You are very inspiring to me.
LikeLike
Alissa – I’m on Day 21 of Whole30! It’s become routine for me now and I’m thinking I will continue after the 30 days. Meal planning and food prep is the key! Have fun with it!
LikeLike
I’m working on a new client project!
LikeLike
This week my creative projects are sort of inspired by you, Elise! I am just finishing up a black and white lyric painting AND I have been working continuously this month on a knitted striped blanket (sort of along the lines as the one you made for Ellerie, but bigger stripes and different colors). 😀
Instagram: karli__jo
LikeLike
My new home based business!
LikeLike
I’m working on editing an old essay. possibly for publication?? And painting some abstract stuff, which I’ve never really done!
LikeLike
This week I’m working on a new blog series called 25 Stories. I’m interviewing 25 women and sharing their stories. Love this print, it would be the perfect addition to my little work space!
LikeLike
Love it!!
This week I’m working on eating “clean”! I did my grocery shopping, I’ve got a brand new menu and recipes and I’m committing! 🙂
LikeLike
Making stamps is so fun! I’ve never made such a big stamp, but have experimented with smaller ones.
This week I am working on some new knitting projects (cotton wash cloths).
LikeLike
Cleaning, errands, and packing for spring break!
LikeLike
i’m working on wrapping up my my year of mornings book. every morning in 2014 i snapped a photo of something that made me happy in the morning. i then compiled all 365 photos into a digital photo book. i’m almost done and super excited to hit the publish button.
LikeLike
This week im crocheting and getting stuff ready to open my etsy store. Oh and im preparing for a road trip to pennsylvania to look at potential places to live in Philly. Itll be one heck of a week!!
LikeLike
I finished all of my nursery crafting for the new baby last week, so this week, I am drawing and painting again!
LikeLike
Love this! I’m working on making bracelets this week for our adoption fundraiser!
LikeLike
A friend’s scarf, Project Life week 5, white t-shirt ironing pile, re-organizing my desk, getting ready for my husband’s aunt visit from Germany and finishing a baby blanket https://www.pinterest.com/pin/489062840760912980/ and a few other things …
LikeLike
I just learned how to knit over the weekend, so I am working on a swatch to really get the knit stitch down! I’ve also stepped up our “real food” game at home and am cooking like never before.
LikeLike
Love the message and the delivery! For my son’s 30th birthday gift I am making him his very own childhood photo album.
LikeLike
This week, I’m working on 2 wreath orders!
LikeLike
Currently working on my #30 lists book which I am keeping in my brand new Midori Traveller’s notebook that I am obsessed with. Going to use it as my new memory keeping/list keeping/planning/doodling notebooks all in one amazing leather package.
LikeLike
This week I am literally working on getting to work; a job interview and waiting to hear back on a different job!
LikeLike
This morning, my husband and I made our last mortgage payment, we paid off our house 7 years early, it’s been hard work, but we are happy we own every last brick. This has made me very emotional today, and I wasn’t expecting that.
Coincidentally, this week I’m getting a new home office! I’m so, so, so excited! It took me ages to make a 3D model of what I wanted, then we needed to find a joiner who understood what I wanted, we spent the weekend painting and preparing the room.
A get to work print would be the first piece of artwork for my new wall!
LikeLike
This week I am working on finishing knitting a shawl and making some cards for a class.
LikeLike
Hi Elise! This week I’m working on getting my Paris pictures into an album–finally!
LikeLike
Fun! Working on custom pillows for newlywed friends. Making designs based on the font and graphics they used for their wedding, with Sharpie markers on cotton fabric.
LikeLike
I’m working on a new care plan for my aging mother, learning specific saxophone pieces and hanging items in my office. Nice print.
LikeLike
This week I’m working on being more effective in my day job as an engineer, so that I’ll have time for fun stuff in the afternoon! Fun stuff is working my way through the capsule wardrobe workbook and decorating my new apartment 🙂 I would love to have that print above my desk!
xx
Camilla
LikeLike
I’m working on learning a new position at work.
LikeLike
This week I’m going to…
– study a lot of French vocabulary
– read a book
– ride my bike
LikeLike
Working on week 2 with our new human!
LikeLike
This week…working on finishing up projects around the house and planning the garden space outside!
LikeLike
I’m working on Marie Forleo’s B-School!
LikeLike
This week I’m working on midterms and baby shower decorations out the wazoo! Both time consuming keeping this mama up into all hours of the night. So thankful spring break is near! But this week, I’m gettin to work.
LikeLike
It’s not glamorous but I’m working on my resume. Current job is wonderful but I know there is something big out there for me and I need to find it.
LikeLike
Packing to move to our new home! I can’t wait to get settled in and unpack my craft space!
LikeLike
This week I’m working on relaxing, getting the house back in order, eating my greens, and getting my sewing room back in order so I can start creating again.
LikeLike
This week I’m working on renovating the kitchen-new countertops + sink & faucet’s are being picked out.
LikeLike
This week I’m working on my list of cards to make this month. And gathering the supplies I’ll need.
Job related, nothing really interesting.
LikeLike
this week i am working on clearing off my work and personal to do lists!
LikeLike
i am working on clearing off my work and personal to do lists!!
LikeLike