When I started dreaming up ideas for my move to this new web address, part of the process included sketching ideas for a new banner. I knew that I wanted something that displayed some of my handicrafts and that was (hopefully) fun and interesting to look at. One evening I finally came up with the banner you see today: a drawing composed of prints made by hand-carved rubber stamps and some embroidery. It was the perfect blend of my current passions.
So I needed to carve some stamps. The thought bubbles, or clouds if you please, are simple designs, but I think they still demonstrate an improvement in my carving skills. I drew four different sizes onto Speedball Speedy Cut and used my Speedball carving tool to get them into shape. They came together pretty quickly, which is a good thing for me in these days of minimal crafting time.
Then came time to carve the thoughtful girl, and I wasn’t sure if I was quite ready for something a little more complex. It’s still easy when compared to some of the amazing things being carved out there on the interwebs, but for me it was the next step up. I have to say it went really well, and I was ridiculously pleased with my end result. I think it gave me a little boost of confidence for trying to tackle something more detailed next time.
I think part of the reason I’m drawn to embroidery and stamp carving is because they both employ something I’ve always done: drawing. It’s something I’m reasonably good at, and when I can take my drawings one step further by turning them into a stitched piece or a stamp, I reach a new level of satisfaction. Considered me quite satisfied with this one.
Right now I have so many ideas for both stamps and embroideries floating in my thought bubbles that I’m feeling stalled by the glut of inspiration. At some point I’m just going to have to stop daydreaming and start doing!
I love your banner!!
I’ve never carved stamps before, but you make it look interesting. Your stamps look fabulous, both the stamped image and the carved side of the stamps — the girl is especially cool.
Ha! I just noticed the running stitch along the top and bottom of your blog page — love it :).
I understand about feeling stalled by the glut of inspiration and just needing to stop daydreaming and start DOING — can’t wait to see some of your projects come to fruition.
written on July 14th, 2009, at 12:32 amI love your new banner – it works really well. I love the combination of printing and embroidery. I often have the problem of too many ideas and not the time to create them all – I guess it’s better than ‘creative block’ tho :)
Having children around definitely helps the creative process – just doesn’t give you time to fulfill them all!
written on July 14th, 2009, at 6:46 amYour banner is excellent! So original! And your stamp making skills are great. The distinctive look of your drawings comes through very clearly. I feel like my stamps look like something my children could have done–kind of like my paintings! LOL
When I put away my paints, I did some reorganizing and made my stamp stuff accessible again. I need some new carving tools though. My Speedball set tore up on me. I want to get the Staedtler carving set next time I get to a Hobby Lobby.
written on July 14th, 2009, at 9:59 amI absolutely love this stamp! It makes a great banner! :)
written on July 15th, 2009, at 3:50 amI love these! I have never before heard of rubber stamp carving, now I am itching to run to Hobbycraft!
written on July 15th, 2009, at 11:48 amthis is so awesome :)
written on July 16th, 2009, at 4:56 pmlove love the clouds + girl thinking
ive always wanted to try this, but i doubt my drawing + carving skills! perhaps one day, i will :D
That is really cute. I want to try. I’ve never heard of this stuff you are carving. I’ll have to look into it.
written on July 19th, 2009, at 10:19 am