Stamp Carving: #Carve December is off to a Great Start

I love a daily creative challenge! If you are a long time follower of my blog, you know I have committed to doing the odd daily challenge for a month or so before, like Lay Out A Day or 31 Days of Blogging or my attempt at 100 Days of Sketches that only got through Day 14 or so. It probably won't be a surprise to you then, to find out that I have been participating in #CarveDecember, a daily stamp carving challenge in December hosted by Julie Fei-Fan Balzer over at Balzer Designs.

 I had wanted to try stamp carving since taking Julie's Art Journal Everyday class back in 2011, but living in China, obtaining supplies was not very easy so it never happened! I'm so happy to finally give it a try.

I started out using a dollar store eraser. I wanted to get used to using my linoleum cutter before moving on to this rubber carving block.

I drew my tree directly onto the eraser using a pencil.

Then started carving away, making sure to carve away anything I didn't want to show up on my impression. 

 

 My linoleum cutter has five blades to choose from so I changed them back and forth depending upon if I was digging away lots of rubber or I was carving details.

It is definitely addictive and not hard to do at all. The linoleum cutter cuts through the rubber like butter. So far, it is one of the most addictive and easiest creative challenges I have attempted thus far.

Here are my other stamps from Day 2 through Day 6:

On Day 2, I learned that carving slowly and not digging deeply with my linoleum cutter gives me more control over my design.

Day 3

A little cloud and rain drop to celebrate the big rain storm we were having in California giving us a bit of relief from our major drought.

Day 4

On Day 4 I made a rookie mistake and drew directly on my eraser but forgot to flip my image, which is important when carving letters. Luckily and "M" can sometimes work either way. 

Day 5

I got a little more daring on Day 5 and instead of carving on an eraser, I used my Speedy Carve rubber block. I made another rookie mistake and thought I was flipping my design, "Noel," but didn't and started carving before I realized what I had done.

Never fear! I turned that Noel into the ornament you see below! Then flipped the rubber block over and did "Noel" the right way.


Day 5, Stamp 2

Day 6

A lotus root and a camera which I originally made as stamps from craft foam. Check out that tutorial for Easy Craft Foam Stamps DIY.

Here is the camera on the other side of the lotus root.

One evening when I went out, two of my boys got in on the fun and carved their own. I returned to their adorable stamps. I'll share those in my next #CarveDecember post.

In the meantime, if you want to join along, it is not too late! Check out the details at Julie's blog. 

Oh, and don't forget to check out Julie's awesome book:

I'm posting all of my stamps everyday on Instagram. I'd love to have you follow along with me. It is truly addictive!

Now what to carve for #CarveDecember Day 7... hmmm... I'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by!

FULL DISCLOSURE: A few links in this post are affiliate links that will give me a small commission if you happen to purchase something. Any money received will go towards covering the costs of running this blog. Thank you for your support!

Comments

[lorraine williamson]

I've been reading about this and want to try it. Besides julie's book found another one with instructions just using exacta knife, eraser and ink pads will definitely try and checking out your tutorial and by the way love the way you draw faces still working on drawing that's why I love mixed media don't have to be perfect. Have a great week looking forward to your next post

[Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie]

Julie's book is great, isn't it? I've seen a few posts and shares online where people used only an exacto knife. It certainly can be done, but I don't think you'd have as much flexibility with creating your design. It is a great way to get started if you want to give it a try without buying any out of the ordinary supplies. Your comment about my faces is too kind! I'd like to try a daily sketch challenge again sometime but get further than 14 days! Good luck with your drawing.

[Tidbitsofexperi]

These are all neat. I love that you shared how you made them with us too. Thank you.

[Nihao, Cupcake! by Margie]

Thank you! I'm glad you like them. It is fun and addictive. More to come!