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 I’m working on developing visuals for a speech I want to do at our local Pecha Kucha night on why you’re more creative than you think you are. Love the prints!
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I’m going to finish a baby sweater I’ve been knitting for my kiddo since before he showed up. He’s two months now…yeah. I wont allow myself to start anything else until it’s done!
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The rest of my screenplay! I’ve written about one-fourth of it, and after a difficult winter season and no writing, I’m ready to start again and finish a draft before school lets out. Your blog is full of encouragement and role modeling to keep going. Thank you!
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I’m working on proofreading a YA novel.
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I am working on getting back into an exercise routine and cutting out sugar.
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I’m preparing to get (back) to work after maternity leave. Feeling excited and apprehensive all at once.
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This week I’m working on hitting my goal of finishing 50 pillows! (I make and sell Michigan-themed pillows) I almost made it last week, finishing 47. So….I need to “Get to work!” 🙂
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Very cool!
I like to knit, but I like to spin yarn more than I like to knit. So I told my friend that if she would have some wool sent to me, I’d spin her a 2-ply yarn. So that’s what I’m doing this week! 🙂
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I’m working on some appliqued letters for my daughter, niece and nephew! Thank you for the opportunity!
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I’m working on trying to get organized at both home and work!
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This week… filling a binder with artifacts for an evaluation, planning meals so I’m ready after all the after school running around stuff is done, finding time for the finale of The Bachelor (she says embarrassingly), training to get re-certified to score new teacher portfolios!
Love the print!
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I’m working on staying on task this week – being fully present whether I’m editing photos, cleaning my house, or reading with my children. I’ve had a hard time balancing the self-employed work-at-home thing with curling up on the couch-with-a-book-while-my-kids-are-at-school thing this winter and find myself jumping from task to task without accomplishing much of anything. I’m guessing you’d tell me to make a list and GET TO WORK! 🙂
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After finishing up a baby quilt last week (that I’d stalled on for MONTHS!), I’m excited to move on to some baby clothes projects for a different friend having a baby later this spring.
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Working on painting the two guest bedrooms in our house this week!!
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I’m working on a 200 page client layout. 🙂
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Hey Elise! I’m currently working on pulling together healthy meals to make meal plans for next year when I start medical school. I’m hoping to eat healthy and work out the way I do now once I start school, so I’m making a go-to plan for when life gets busy in the fall! 🙂
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this week, we are having our hardwood floors refinished, and then working on moving back into our house!
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Love it! This week I am working on a cross stitch that will be a gift.
Thanks for the chance to win one of those awesome (and useful) prints!
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I’m working on our marketing budget and coordinating a million campaigns at once! In my spare time I’m practicing choreography to Beyonce’s 7/11 🙂
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This week I am working on sorting through all my craft supplies and letting my creative brain go wild with things I have on hand already. I am also working on a quilt (my first one) and hope to get a jump on that.
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This week I’m going to San Francisco by myself for a long weekend. I’m both excited and nervous as I’m leaving my husband behind to watch the dogs and this will be my first solo vacation since 2007 (visiting my family on the east coast without him doesn’t count!). I’m trying to figure out what to include in a mini travel art kit to bring with me to start my first art journal while I am there. My hope is that this journal will be my way into a daily art practice.
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Rad quote. I love the fresh start of mondays. It always inspires me. This week I am working on the design of an App. Enjoy your day!
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That is an awesome stamp and print! I have been wanting to give stamp making a try! I’m currently working on getting the rest of my 2014 pictures into my PL album!
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i’m working on the usual stuff (my small business, my day job, cleaning house, working out, prepping my community garden plot) but also working on staring myself in the face, eradicating excuses, wrestling with angels, and forgiving myself and others. it’s a pretty exciting and intimidating to-do list.
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Sweet stamp, Elise! This week I’m working on purging my craft supplies in advance of a move in May. Turns out I get a little overexcited and buy too much for a new craft project that I think will turn into my new favorite thing. Turns out all those embroidery hoops just sit there, unused, because a shiny new thing caught my eye! I am NOT moving unloved craft items! Hopefully someone else can benefit from my overbuying!
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I’m working on some zipper pouches for my daughter’s daycare teacher. I gifted her one last Christmas and she likes it so much she wants two more 🙂
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This week I’m working on growing my doTERRA business. I am brand new to it [the business, not essential oils], but am so excited!
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I’m working on a quilt for a friend and a
Knit blanket for me. Have a carving block that needs using too, just need to decide what it should become. Thanks!
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So cool! Love, love stamp carving — this makes me want to get back at it!
Working on a gallery wall for our living room — can’t wait put the hammer and level to work! 😉
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I’m working on…work. My team asked me to teach a new concept to our larger organization and I am SCARED! Lots of practice. Lots of positive notes on post-its, lots of hiding in conference rooms and practicing….
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Perfect motivation to finally shake things up and start now! Thank you for every single little word!
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Working on getting over a cold and wrapping up some unfinished projects!
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I’m a mom of an 18-month-old boy and, starting this week, will be caring for a 3-month-old boy seven hours each day as well. This print has encouraged me to “get to work” when the boys are awake, but also enjoy me time when they are napping. Beautiful job, as always, Elise!
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I was starving for color over the weekend so I’m crocheting single color granny squares in lime, turquoise, orange and hot pink. I’ll turn them into a pillow or a lap blanket.
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I’m studying for a Spanish test happening tomorrow. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway! I love the motivation to get to work.
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this week I am working on setting some goals. I just wrote down questions to help me do just that. I am also working on printing some photos for scrapbook layouts. The photos is the part of my process that always keeps me back. Thanks for the chance to win these. They are awesome!
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well, I just ordered this stamp kit from Amazon via the link you provided, so I’ll be working on that once it arrives. can’t wait to try craving my own stamps. thanks for the post!
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I’m working, I’m working… 😉
Carrie
http://www.wearwherewell.com
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Love it! I’m excited to create my own stamp! This week I am working on teaching my middle students about multi-step equations 🙂 and finishing my laundry room makeover!
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I love carving stamps! We did it in high school and I’ve taught it to my high schoolers.
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Love this print! Im launching my own website TOMORROW! Lots of hard work 😉
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I need to work on decluttering … more (it’s never ending!)
Thanks for the fun giveaway.
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They’re lovely prints Elise.
I’m getting to work on getting fit and healthy this week. My poor old body doesn’t know what’s hit it with all the exercise and fruit and veg it’s getting!
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Thanks for doing this! This week I am working on my knitted sweater.
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Since I’m a healthy food blogger, I’m working on some healthy snacks or desserts ideas to share with my readers 🙂
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I’m working on relaxing to kick a nasty cold in the butt. Can’t wait!
Thanks for the giveaway!
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I am working on getting my house ready to host Easter and playing catch up on Project Life. Your prints turned out awesome!
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I am working on a new digital product and getting my life in order (aka cleaning and organizing the house).
Thanks, love this. Perfect for my office.
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I’ve started my spring cleaning and I’m working on earning a trip to Hemingway, SC with Tupperware! I have until the end of March to earn it!!!! Thank you for the opportunity to earn this!!!
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Working on getting my young grandson’s photos in one place. I have them here, there and everywhere.
Thanks for the chance to win.
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