more tips

Sometimes I carve right around the outline of an image that is a shape like the stars in the post below.  With a word stamp I will often leave at least one straight edge, marked with a gridded clear ruler or triangle so the edge is square with the image.  This gives me the opportunity to line up a stamp if I want to.

And a few more visuals - when I carve out a crowded area I like to use my exacto.  I tend to use the 'V' and 'U' shaped carving tools for cleaning out the blanker areas.  I don't always trust myself with the 'V' to make all those curvey cuts.  I always cut on the right side of an image - constantly moving the stamp.  Often I can't remember if I've cut a line so a bend the stamp a little to see where my lines are.

OFF TOPIC:  are there any other typepad users who have noticed funky things happening with their photo albums?  My thumbnails in the side bar keep changing.  They used to all be the same size and from time to time one or more get smaller.  I opened a help ticket but haven't heard - was wondering if you had the same thing going on?

Comments

[Chris]

I'm so glad you mentioned that you can't remember when you've cut a line, because I was having SO much trouble with that! Also, I found that when I had the outside edges of my house removed already, the inside was a little unstable, so next time I'll try carving the outside spaces first.
I'm saving all these pages and taking them with me!

[Julie Prichard]

Great tips....annnnnndddd YES about the photoalbums: exhibit 1, my open ticket:

Hi Julie,

Thanks for following up. We are investigating a potential bug with the photo album thumbnail display. The symptoms you described match those of the bug. We will make sure this bug is fixed as quickly as possible and we appreciate your bringing it to our attention.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

[marble blue]

I am really looking forward to participating in this crusade. It will definately be a challenge. Cutting tools & rubber. Band aids are sure to be involved! I have been trying to think of what to carve. Thank you for sharing all your examples. They are really artistic elegant designs. I want to carve something I am going to love and want to use - this has given me lots of ideas. Can't wait to show you what I come up with.
Love MB.

[Samantha Marshall]

So clever!!! Those stamps look amazing.

[Mindy]

Thanks for the GREAT carving tutorial, Michelle! I've always wanted to do this but it always seemed so complicated. You've made it look super easy. Thanks for taking the time to create and post it. You ROCK!!

[Ursula Clamer]

These tips are fantastic Michelle, thanks for sharing. Ux

[inge Bekaert]

Hello Michele,

read this post earlier but didn't comment yet.

Your tutorials are so good ! I think you infected a lot of people to start carving their own stamps.
Your photo's with comments on really help to learn it step-by -step.
When I participated ( finally) to the crusade I linked to your tutorials, cause I could not explain it on a more visual way than you did !

Thanks for sharing your skills!

a lot of greetings
Inge

PS :you made me curious....

[carlene]

dude, this is so freaking gorgeous...but I would no longer have 10 digits if I attempted something like this, and believe me, this is not 'false modesty' on my part, it is realizing my strong and not-so-strong suits...not everyone can do everything, right? or else who would admire others' artistry? and I am definitely admiring yours here, thanx for sharing!

[kathy McCreedy]

Hey girlfriend! So many things to comment on... but first, about me! (Can't help it, I'm Irish!)... I did it! I really did it!!! I made my own rubber stamp! Thank you, thank you, thank you for the nudge!!! I love it, I can't wait to make more, & I think I'm in trouble 'cause now I'm trying to figure out how to sneak out of work for a bit, to go buy more rubber to carve... and I'm blaming you!!! :D Seriously, thank you for the encouragement and the wonderful tutorials... I never would have tried it on my own, if it weren't for your help!
Now, re: Typepad... yes, I've had things in my sidebar just up and disappear! I sent a ticket to them, and next thing I knew, it was back (I'm referring to the map on the upper L. hand side)... and I had issues trying to upload the new banner... not sure at all what's going on... but I do know they are doing a lot of work on their end, so it's likely just a burp, and it'll all be better soon.
Thank you again, it's really been a great challenge... now I need to go to work, so I can pay for more rubber! (PS... maybe you answered this and I didn't notice, but what's your fav substance/product to carve for your stamps?)
xoxo, K.

[Nicole]

Ohhh great advice...thanks...have to get some tools for making own stamps....have made my first stencils now....so much fun.... ;-)

Happy easter....hope we can keep contact...I am back to crafting again...

Hugs
Nicole

[stephanie]

I am back getting cutting tips and yes....weird photo album things. The photo that appears in the sidebar changed all of a sudden for no apparent reason.