CRUSADE No. 18 ~ Cut It Out

One thing that enables you to maintain or even establish your originality as an artist is using tools of your own making.  In this instance I'm referring to tools as stamps and/or stencils.  Carving a custom stamp, or cutting a custom stencil, and using these in your work, may stretch you in undiscovered ways.  It's an opportunity to explore identity and individuality.

Later I will review cutting a custom stencil, but for now I'll talk about custom stamps.  If you've never tried it - it's super easy.  You can get everything you need at Michaels.  Eraser carving block comes in both pink and white.  You can get the "V" shaped carving tool, or small exacto blades are fine too.  Your design can be drawn right onto the surface, or you can take a xeroxed image and transfer the toner image several ways - I use Goof-Off as it has xylene in it (similar to paint stripper).  Yes, I know it's toxic and there are probably safer ways to go about it but this is what I do.  Start small if you've never carved - you want to experience the thrill of success before taking on something that is intricate and labor intensive.

This shows a 12" square stamp I carved after much practive on smaller stamps.  I'll tell you where I buy my carving blocks at the end of this post.

Don't know what you would design yet?  Want a clever idea to start with?  Why not make a shadow, or 'go-with' stamp?  Have a favorite stamp image that needs a colored foundation or background to help make it pop?  Try cutting your own.

And another sample, which I've shown before of the gravestones and mask:

Or maybe you want to design a signature stamp - like your initials.  Keep in mind if you draw the design onto the carving material it has to be reversed.  I order Safety-Kut from Nasco - they have small, medium, and huge sheets, and my favorite:  classroom packs of 36 pieces, each 2" x 3", and NOW they have terrific pre-cut-circles.  Go HERE.  And for tools, go HERE.  Need more help?  There are some great tutorials online, look up eraser carving, or block printing.  And there are several books on the subject - Art Stamping Workshop, by Gloria Page is one.  And if you are really into it you may want to get the dvd - like a workshop from home.  (They just sent me a copy - maybe I'll offer it as a give-away this month!)

Like I said, I will go over stencil cutting soon - but I hope you will try carving a stamp.  And hey - making a custom stamp doesn't have to be a carving - you could even cut some fun-foam into a shape and stick on a block.  Be resourceful - be original - be clever. 

So let's see your custom tools - make a stamp or stencil, and show us on your blog or upload to your photo-hosting site.  Putting it to use on a journal page would be even better!  Once you've posted about the Crusade, come back here and leave a link to your site in the comments and I'll add you to the link list on the left.  And as always - be sure to leave your comments as you visit the other Crusaders.  Anyone can play, so come join us.

DUE DATE FOR CRUSADE No. 18 ~ CUT IT OUT, APRIL 1.

Need a button,  take this:

Comments

[Megan Warren]

Hi Michelle, hope you are over the bug that you had. Another great crusade. Can't wait to hear about the stencil cutting. Gotta go hunt out the tools!

[carin.c]

OK how did you know that I've been itching to do this?? I even refrained from buying these supplies last month - my deal with myself was that if I keep art journalling, I can spend the money on this stuff... can't wait now... I'm totally inspired!

[Hanna]

Yes, I've been sitting on needles waiting for you to post this, hhehe! Very inspirational post, now I'll sit around and wait for the next one that you know I've been waiting for longer than that! ;-) I've been wanting to carve stamps like for EVER but I can't find that soft stuff in Sweden, though I did cut in linoleum once but it is so hard and I cut my hands a few times. :-)

Love your drawer of stamps, they are amazing and very intricate!

[Chris]

Wow, I was going to be so busy in March that I didn't think I'd do the next crusade, but I think this is going to have to be a priority. Too fun!

[Judy]

Michelle,

It is funny you should post this crusade. I have been working on stencils for the past couple of weeks. I have made 4 or 5 of them already, just haven't been able to try them out....too cold to spray paint outside right now.

Until later,
Judy

[Pam]

Great crusade! I, too, have been thinking of doing the carving for just ages... and just never seemed to get around to it... now I've got a reason! Hmm.... now just to figure out what my image will be! Gotta go and find that thinking cap...where DID I put it?
Pam

[Julie]

Interesting challenge Michelle and I imagine a very rewarding one...plenty for me to think about. Thanks so much :)

[Fiona]

Interesting, very interesting......I've never tried this and it has always seemed a bit hard work for the arm ( I do have issues in this area - not just being a wimp!) but I am intrigued by the soft stuff. If kids can manage, I can! Must see if I can find a UK supplier, if not...well, the exchange rate is being nice to me at present. Definitely out of my comfort zone but I'll see if I can get the stuff and have a go....Thanks for a challenging challenge!

[forcryeye]

Goody, goody, goody....this is right up my alley. I just started organizing my craft area in the basement, and came across all of my linolium blocks and brayers! I will say that I prefer erasers though.

[gaby braun]

Here is a post on my blog http://stofeundmehr.blogspot.com about use self carved stamped on fabrics. Unfortunatelly it is in german, but people can see the self carved stamp.
http://stoffeundmehr.blogspot.com/2008/01/stempel-und-stoff.html
and the other about stencils
http://stoffeundmehr.blogspot.com/2008/01/schablonen.html
of works I've done on fabrics.
I love to cute out my own stamps and stencils. I don't use they too much, because my pleasure is o cut out. I have a lot of self cuted stencils and it will be great when you post your way to make it.
I'm waiting of new blocks to cut stamps from my supplier, but there are imported and this takes time.
Thanks for your new crusade, this is great.
I will post later some works I made with the new stamps I carved out.

[susan w]

eeeeeee! I LOVE to cut stamps. I will go stamp some out right now! Meanwhile here are some stencils (you have seen these) but I am happy with them and rolling on more. again, eeeeeee!

[susan w]

And here are some more! I told you I loved cutting. I am curious about your humungo stamp image - did you stamp multiples, cut apart and quilt the mix together again? Most yummy.

[JeriAnn]

The laid-back folks at the Dharma Trading Co. have Speedy Stamp beginners kits -- complete with lino handle, two blades, speedy cut block and tracing paper -- for about $10. You can find it at: http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/2106-AA.shtml

And don't forget all the great images from Dover books! What an inspired Idea for a Crusade, Michelle. Say, did I spy a couple of 1/4 stamps in your collection? There's another great idea.

Can't wait to see how this terrific challenge turns out! -- JeriAnn

[Megan Warren]

It's one thing to be quick off the mark, but sometimes it pays to put some thought into it before you make that first cut.

[hedwig]

Hi Michelle
you have such GREAT ideas!! I love to make my own stamps, well not so detailed and BIG like some of yours (WOW 12" by 12"!!!) but anyway. For those (maybe in Europe) having difficulties in finding the speedy CUT thing: you could also try big erasers. Not that big as 12", but nice for a start. Hedwig

[Andrea Forgnone]

Hi Michelle, I love carving stamps and just bought the goods to do some stencil cuts. I'm looking forward to this challenge.

[Dawn]

Love this crusade Michelle! (though I think you already knew I would *wink wink*). I posted a [rather lengthy] post here http://artistreborne.typepad.com/artist_reborne/2008/03/a-new-crusade.html You might be interested in the information at the bottom of the post about letterboxing, if you have never heard of it. This seems like something RIGHT up your alley! Now I am off to see what everyone else is carving.

Dawn Rice

[monica magness]

aww, cut it out!

MW, did you know this week is CELEBRATE YOUR NAME week?

Heard it on the ra-dio:

http://www.4cls.org/webpages/members/endicott/celebrate_your_name_week.htm

~Monica

[jodi barone]

Michelle,
I have been wanting to do this 4 ever!!! Now I shall...or to coin a currently popular set of phrases...yes we can, yes we will.

Thank you! I so want to do both stamp and stencil, thanks for helping me prioritize the stamp.
jodi

[Kel]

This is a recent new love of my mine, so I've posted something I cut in January. Michelle, your collection of stamps is stunning and so inspiring! I'm sure I'll be carving more for my collection this month. Thanks for looking!
http://kelspace.typepad.com/kels_space/2008/03/gpp-crusade-no1.html

[Maralena Howard (mcdc3s)]

I am posting right now on my blog - my intent. Can't wait to get started.

[Laurence]

I did it already, started simple with flowers and geo shapes. I will post pictures on my blog asap, and make a link to your excellent article ! Thanks !

[Julie Prichard]

fun fun fun fun fun fun fun!!

Dug supplies out of storage and I am LOVING carving!! One problem though..the transfer process is not working for me... any chance I can see what a blender pen looks like inside? Do the copies really have to be toner based? How much rubbing actually takes place before the image transfers....and are Staedtler blocks different? I am trying to figure out why my transfer didn't work...but non the less, I made 2 stamps yesterday!

http://lostluggage.typepad.com/the_land_of_lost_luggage/2008/03/decompression-w.html

[Judy]

Michelle -
I forgot to mention earlier, and when I come back to re-read your post I keep drawing back to your tools - I love what you did with the handles!!! Talk about making them your own!! You are just way too clever!

I have always been hesitant to try carving my own stamps, altho a woman I used to work with kept trying to convince me to do it. I think you have finally suceeded where others have failed. I am on my way to Michaels (again) tonight. This month's crusade is definately going to keep me busy.

Until later,
Judy

[Laurence]

I'm done !
http://scrap-en-ciel.blogspot.com/2008/03/graver-ses-tampons.html
Great crusade, I'll be waiting for the next one !

[Lisa Hoffman]

Nothing like the feel of a cutting handle in your palm. What a brilliant tutorial. Perfect for beginners and a great inspiration to those of us who are into "cutting".

Popped up The Big Rose....

www.lisahoffman.typepad.com

Thanks M...off to "visit" all of the other peeps in the Crusade....
Lisa H.

[Julie Molina]

These crusades are so inspiring!
My post is up now!

Can't wait for the next one!

[Dymphie]

Wonderful theme Michelle. I always love to read the crusades and to browse new blogs found through all the links posted.
Here's my attempt at carving a stamp:
http://papierenavonturen.blogspot.com/2008/03/crusade-no-18-cut-it-out.html

Dymphie

[Maralena Howard (mcdc3s)]

http://mcdc3s.blogspot.com/2008/03/crusade-17-carve-rubber-stamp-or-cut.html

Placed my order for some rubber and it should be here by Monday! I've got my carving tools front and center and can't wait to "dig in". Now Stencils are something I have NOT tried before - but am looking forward to giving them a whirl too.

[robruhn]

Hi Michelle
Your stamps are to die for.
I've made a few over the years so have added them to my latest post here http://robruhn.blogspot.com/2008/03/pisces.html, sorry it has other stuff on the post too but I'm strapped for time at present, but didn't want to miss this one.
Thanks for another great crusade.
Ro

[hedwig]

Hi Michelle
Made a post on this terrific theme and already enjoyed posts from the other crusaders. Very inspiring and lot of owls in the air...
http://belle2create.wordpress.com/2008/03/09/make-it-your-own-stamps/
Hedwig

[Suzanne]

Does anyone know how to make something like this from stencils? I THINK they are using a stencil within a mask. I think this looks awesome! (I do know how to do this digitally--in fact, if I get time, I will put up the technique on my blog-- but this example is done with paint!)
http://www.royaldesignstudio.com/enlarged_photo.php?id=958&view=1

[metaldog]

I'll admit it, Ms Michelle, I've lurked the last six weeks. But this challenge was enough to make me jump up and start carving stamps with one hand while starting a blog with the other. What can I say? You're brilliant.

-J

http://forgottenpink.typepad.com/forgotten_pink/

[Gina]

Thank you SO much for listing the suppliers of the tools and forms! I have made stamps from impressions into foam and was "skared" to try the rubber, but thanks to you, I feel a little bolder and not as fearful! Will link back with I am up!

[ArtKat]

Hi Michelle,

Sorry to not have particpated in more crusades, but my rule for myself is: if I don't have time to look at everyone else's work, then I shouldn't post mine. Here are my first stamps:

http://creativeartscraftsspot.blogspot.com/2008/03/cut-it-out.html

[Chris]

Your tutorials are so great, you really think about how to communicate it and bring it home to us.
I don't have a block or the perfect tools right now, but I couldn't wait to try. Someone else mentioned using a kid's foam stamp and I had one and I had my exacto knife and my cutter bee scissors, so I listened to a movie, and carved.
nite nite.

[Casey]

My first, small, attempt is now posted: http://caseymaupin.blogspot.com/2008/03/batboy.html . I hope to play with more images of batboy soon, but now I'm off to buy more supplies (we just won't mention that part to my husband). ;)

[Kel]

I just had a play and cut 4 more - a teeny tiny journal, an open book, and some chequerboards for backgrounds and borders.
http://kelspace.typepad.com/kels_space/2008/03/more-stamps---g.html
TFL
Kel x

[Dusty]

My first blog post, hope it works:
http://www.mycraftivity.com/dustygrrl/blog/2008/03/11/gpp_street_team_crusade_18

Love your stamps, they're gorgeous!

[Laurie Blau-Marshall]

Well I skipped ahead to a stencil because I don't really have the tools to make a stamp right now. After browsing a few of the posts I'm so inspired that my Exacto is looking mighty attractive and my erasers are shaking in their shoes!

xoxo
Laurie

P.S. Scroll down a bit if you don't want to read non-crusade stuff. It's my first post after a long absence and I got a little long-winded. (Who am I kidding? Like I'm ever short-winded!)

[ArtKat]

I'm enjoying looking at everyone's great stamps! I finished and tested another set of foam stamps last night, here's my post:

http://creativeartscraftsspot.blogspot.com/2008/03/cut-it-out-again.html

[jodi barone]

I did it...you may not be able to tell what it is but...

http://wildvines.blogspot.com/2008/03/jardin-slightly-tangled.html

this is just the beginning...love this!
jodi

[Maralena Howard (mcdc3s)]

I had a fun time with this Crusade! Here are my results:

http://mcdc3s.blogspot.com/2008/03/crusade-18-complete-my-results-of-cut.html

Lot's of pictures :)

I don't plan on stopping here. I have more rubber cut and I'm on a roll. Hugs!

[Carrie]

Wooooooooo I made it this time! It's not even halfway through the month, and I've posted something! http://pocketsizestudios.blogspot.com/2008/03/theres-always-room-for-another.html

I love Love LOVE this Crusade. So far I haven't even thought about a stencil because I've been so psyched over the stamp carving bit, but I gotta start thinking about that! I think I even have some quilter's template material lying about, purchased with the intention of cutting stencils that never got done.

So fun!!!

[Jeane Frizzell]

http://mizz-frizz.blogspot.com/2008/03/things-with-wings-stamp-carving.html

I finished my project and had a blast in my second challenge. The only trouble now is that I want to carve more! What a nice problem to have.

[Pam]

I haven't made my carved stamp yet, but the universe is conspiring to inspire me! Last night I dreamed of seeing some really neat hand carved stamps in a shop and I was admiring the amount of detail the artist got into them...some were a halloween theme and others were ships (not sure where that came from)! It was a really cool dream. And today in an email there was a link to a book (I don't think it's released yet), on carving stamps and I give the link here in case anyone is interested: http://www.stampington.com/html/postscript_03112008_bookmonth.html
So in the next day or so I'm pretty sure to be digging in to this challenge... how can I argue with the universe?
Pam

[susan w]

Re: the question about the inside of a blender pen - answer: Xylene. You can buy it in a can in paint dept - toxic fumes - so be aware. I've used it for transfers (it also takes off nail polish or torn nail repairs made with super glue). I have never tried Goof Off. I tried acetone yesterday on a toner copy (I thought it was a toner copy -maybe different brand) and it didn't transfer. I let it sit for a while and it began to dissolve the rubber. Now i have a stamp with "interesting" hollows.
I have a question for all: how have you stored big collections of carved stamps? Sticking them on plastic pages in binders doesn't work well because they are so thick. Their size and bulkiness makes efficient storage and organization more clunky than regular unmounted. What things are working for you?

[hedwig]

Hi Michelle
i played with my new home made stamps and made a few more stamps. JUST COULD NOT RESIST!! You should make a warning on this site: ADDICTIVE (& dangerous too, if you are as clumsy as I with knives HAHA!!) Would love to read the Japanese and Swedish translation for how cool is that!! Here is my link, already some stenciling in it...
http://belle2create.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/stampin-with-home-made-stamps/
Have a nice weekend!!
Hedwig

[Julie Prichard]

I can't stop carving!!!

http://lostluggage.typepad.com/the_land_of_lost_luggage/2008/03/crusade-18-put.html

[Becci Renfro]

I have great intentions...always! Ha!
I'm truly enjoying looking at all your carvings and stencils!

I'll get mine going real soon!

http://beccirenfro.blogspot.com

Have a great hair day! Becci