It's funny how one little idea starts so many others rolling, isn't it?
I was using this awesome alphabet banner stamp set from Kenner Road last night:
(Sadly, it sold out way back in 2010.) In any case, I was using it and I was wishing that the banners were larger.
And then I realized that wishes can come true! Sort of.
I started by carving one little banner stamp — with an empty middle so I could fill it in with whatever letter stamp I wanted like so:
But I just couldn't stop at one. Here are some of the test prints I made along the way:
And my new collection of banner stamps:
I put together two quick tags with my new stamps:
So fun! And all because of an errant thought: "I wish these were bigger." You never know where imagination and ingenuity will take you (especially late at night)!
Thanks for stopping by!
—
ETA: So many people have e-mailed me about what I use to carve stamps. So, here are the links:
Those links go to Dick Blick. You can also purchase the supplies at Amazon.com here and here.
And for those of you who can stand the wait, I will have some instruction coming your way…it's all wrapped up in a blanket of secrecy right now, but I will tell you very very soon.
THis is just sooo awesome! I love the variety of patterns and sizes you’ve created so you can mix and match! They look fantastic 🙂
THis is just sooo awesome! I love the variety of patterns and sizes you’ve created so you can mix and match! They look fantastic 🙂
THis is just sooo awesome! I love the variety of patterns and sizes you’ve created so you can mix and match! They look fantastic 🙂
THis is just sooo awesome! I love the variety of patterns and sizes you’ve created so you can mix and match! They look fantastic 🙂
OMG these are the coolest banner stamps ever!!! Love them!!!!!
OMG these are the coolest banner stamps ever!!! Love them!!!!!
OMG these are the coolest banner stamps ever!!! Love them!!!!!
OMG these are the coolest banner stamps ever!!! Love them!!!!!
You never cease to amaze me!!!!! They are beautiful, so when will they be for sale?
You never cease to amaze me!!!!! They are beautiful, so when will they be for sale?
You never cease to amaze me!!!!! They are beautiful, so when will they be for sale?
You never cease to amaze me!!!!! They are beautiful, so when will they be for sale?
LOVE these – I just might have to finally open my stamp carving blocks and try to carve my own set of banner stamps!!!
LOVE these – I just might have to finally open my stamp carving blocks and try to carve my own set of banner stamps!!!
LOVE these – I just might have to finally open my stamp carving blocks and try to carve my own set of banner stamps!!!
LOVE these – I just might have to finally open my stamp carving blocks and try to carve my own set of banner stamps!!!
What a cool idea!! Love this!
What a cool idea!! Love this!
What a cool idea!! Love this!
What a cool idea!! Love this!
Love this post, Julie. Process and idea posts rock my world, every time. Thanks!
Love this post, Julie. Process and idea posts rock my world, every time. Thanks!
Love this post, Julie. Process and idea posts rock my world, every time. Thanks!
Love this post, Julie. Process and idea posts rock my world, every time. Thanks!
Love this post, Julie. Process and idea posts rock my world, every time. Thanks!
Love this post, Julie. Process and idea posts rock my world, every time. Thanks!
Love this post, Julie. Process and idea posts rock my world, every time. Thanks!
Love this post, Julie. Process and idea posts rock my world, every time. Thanks!
These are divine, such a great idea…necessity IS the mother of all inventions 🙂
These are divine, such a great idea…necessity IS the mother of all inventions 🙂
These are divine, such a great idea…necessity IS the mother of all inventions 🙂
These are divine, such a great idea…necessity IS the mother of all inventions 🙂
how awesome are you, love love this idea. the tags came out great!
how awesome are you, love love this idea. the tags came out great!
how awesome are you, love love this idea. the tags came out great!
how awesome are you, love love this idea. the tags came out great!
Oh wow! What a great idea – you sure do have the very best ideas and I’m sooooo pleased that you share them with us. I love the big tags you made using your little tags 🙂
Oh wow! What a great idea – you sure do have the very best ideas and I’m sooooo pleased that you share them with us. I love the big tags you made using your little tags 🙂
Oh wow! What a great idea – you sure do have the very best ideas and I’m sooooo pleased that you share them with us. I love the big tags you made using your little tags 🙂
Oh wow! What a great idea – you sure do have the very best ideas and I’m sooooo pleased that you share them with us. I love the big tags you made using your little tags 🙂
Very nice banner stamps, as well as, the projects you used them on! I like your designs. 🙂
Very nice banner stamps, as well as, the projects you used them on! I like your designs. 🙂
Very nice banner stamps, as well as, the projects you used them on! I like your designs. 🙂
Very nice banner stamps, as well as, the projects you used them on! I like your designs. 🙂
I will finally make some stamps! These are the cutest things ever and do I hear your brain inspiring to make a larger mask for this? Thanks for your inspiration as always.
I will finally make some stamps! These are the cutest things ever and do I hear your brain inspiring to make a larger mask for this? Thanks for your inspiration as always.
I will finally make some stamps! These are the cutest things ever and do I hear your brain inspiring to make a larger mask for this? Thanks for your inspiration as always.
I will finally make some stamps! These are the cutest things ever and do I hear your brain inspiring to make a larger mask for this? Thanks for your inspiration as always.
I hope you recognize that you are one of the most talented women working in mixed media!!!
I hope you recognize that you are one of the most talented women working in mixed media!!!
I hope you recognize that you are one of the most talented women working in mixed media!!!
I hope you recognize that you are one of the most talented women working in mixed media!!!
wonderful, wonderful…….
wonderful, wonderful…….
wonderful, wonderful…….
wonderful, wonderful…….
Those are so cool…carve me a set….
Those are so cool…carve me a set….
Those are so cool…carve me a set….
Those are so cool…carve me a set….
I admire you for having the idea and taking the next step: doing it! So often, the idea just stays in my head and I never get ‘er done. As always, amazing project today.
I admire you for having the idea and taking the next step: doing it! So often, the idea just stays in my head and I never get ‘er done. As always, amazing project today.
I admire you for having the idea and taking the next step: doing it! So often, the idea just stays in my head and I never get ‘er done. As always, amazing project today.
I admire you for having the idea and taking the next step: doing it! So often, the idea just stays in my head and I never get ‘er done. As always, amazing project today.
You are one smart chick!
You are one smart chick!
You are one smart chick!
You are one smart chick!
I love these. Do you think you will have your own stamp line soon? You made me want to use my stamps more.
I love these. Do you think you will have your own stamp line soon? You made me want to use my stamps more.
I love these. Do you think you will have your own stamp line soon? You made me want to use my stamps more.
I love these. Do you think you will have your own stamp line soon? You made me want to use my stamps more.
These are great. Such a cool project.
These are great. Such a cool project.
These are great. Such a cool project.
These are great. Such a cool project.
I love this! I hope you find a US manufacturer to take you on for a stamp line. I’d be your best customer 🙂
I love this! I hope you find a US manufacturer to take you on for a stamp line. I’d be your best customer 🙂
I love this! I hope you find a US manufacturer to take you on for a stamp line. I’d be your best customer 🙂
I love this! I hope you find a US manufacturer to take you on for a stamp line. I’d be your best customer 🙂
Great looking tags. Love your stamps. It’s great because when you do your own stamps, you can adapt them to whatever project you want to do. I think I shoud begin doing some to. Thanks and have a nice day.
Great looking tags. Love your stamps. It’s great because when you do your own stamps, you can adapt them to whatever project you want to do. I think I shoud begin doing some to. Thanks and have a nice day.
Great looking tags. Love your stamps. It’s great because when you do your own stamps, you can adapt them to whatever project you want to do. I think I shoud begin doing some to. Thanks and have a nice day.
Great looking tags. Love your stamps. It’s great because when you do your own stamps, you can adapt them to whatever project you want to do. I think I shoud begin doing some to. Thanks and have a nice day.
you’re too cool! love your blog!
you’re too cool! love your blog!
you’re too cool! love your blog!
you’re too cool! love your blog!
So much fun, I just love ’em 🙂
So much fun, I just love ’em 🙂
So much fun, I just love ’em 🙂
So much fun, I just love ’em 🙂
Gorgeous stamps, such a great idea!! Your carving skills are just awesome, I really need to get practicing on mine. Maybe I’ll start by making some banner stamps for myself ;p TFS!!!
Gorgeous stamps, such a great idea!! Your carving skills are just awesome, I really need to get practicing on mine. Maybe I’ll start by making some banner stamps for myself ;p TFS!!!
Gorgeous stamps, such a great idea!! Your carving skills are just awesome, I really need to get practicing on mine. Maybe I’ll start by making some banner stamps for myself ;p TFS!!!
Gorgeous stamps, such a great idea!! Your carving skills are just awesome, I really need to get practicing on mine. Maybe I’ll start by making some banner stamps for myself ;p TFS!!!
You are sooooo creative. I love, Love,love your blog.
You are sooooo creative. I love, Love,love your blog.
You are sooooo creative. I love, Love,love your blog.
You are sooooo creative. I love, Love,love your blog.
Great idea! You truly amaze me!
Great idea! You truly amaze me!
Great idea! You truly amaze me!
Great idea! You truly amaze me!
These are amazing! Hopefully they’ll be added to your Stamping Bella collection ;).
These are amazing! Hopefully they’ll be added to your Stamping Bella collection ;).
These are amazing! Hopefully they’ll be added to your Stamping Bella collection ;).
These are amazing! Hopefully they’ll be added to your Stamping Bella collection ;).
Julie Fei-Fantastic Balzer, that’s who YOU are… This gives me strength to carve out my alphabet during the winter break! Thank you again and again for journal club (please come back) ; all of your efforts are completely amazing!
Julie Fei-Fantastic Balzer, that’s who YOU are… This gives me strength to carve out my alphabet during the winter break! Thank you again and again for journal club (please come back) ; all of your efforts are completely amazing!
Julie Fei-Fantastic Balzer, that’s who YOU are… This gives me strength to carve out my alphabet during the winter break! Thank you again and again for journal club (please come back) ; all of your efforts are completely amazing!
Julie Fei-Fantastic Balzer, that’s who YOU are… This gives me strength to carve out my alphabet during the winter break! Thank you again and again for journal club (please come back) ; all of your efforts are completely amazing!
I love your new banner stamps!!!! You started me on my road to stampcarving addiction. Perhaps there is a support group. Hope not, this is one addiction I do not want to give up!
I love your new banner stamps!!!! You started me on my road to stampcarving addiction. Perhaps there is a support group. Hope not, this is one addiction I do not want to give up!
I love your new banner stamps!!!! You started me on my road to stampcarving addiction. Perhaps there is a support group. Hope not, this is one addiction I do not want to give up!
I love your new banner stamps!!!! You started me on my road to stampcarving addiction. Perhaps there is a support group. Hope not, this is one addiction I do not want to give up!
Beautiful and I love banners these days. Do I see a new line of stamps in your future?
Beautiful and I love banners these days. Do I see a new line of stamps in your future?
Beautiful and I love banners these days. Do I see a new line of stamps in your future?
Beautiful and I love banners these days. Do I see a new line of stamps in your future?
Oh, great! I love them! I started stamp carving a few weeks ago; I love it and yes, it is addictive.
Oh, great! I love them! I started stamp carving a few weeks ago; I love it and yes, it is addictive.
Oh, great! I love them! I started stamp carving a few weeks ago; I love it and yes, it is addictive.
Oh, great! I love them! I started stamp carving a few weeks ago; I love it and yes, it is addictive.
Fun, fun, fun! Love the ingenuity & variety of styles!
Fun, fun, fun! Love the ingenuity & variety of styles!
Fun, fun, fun! Love the ingenuity & variety of styles!
Fun, fun, fun! Love the ingenuity & variety of styles!
I”m not normally a fan of banners. but THESE I would use. Might be something to consider for your next stamp collections, just sayin’
I”m not normally a fan of banners. but THESE I would use. Might be something to consider for your next stamp collections, just sayin’
I”m not normally a fan of banners. but THESE I would use. Might be something to consider for your next stamp collections, just sayin’
I”m not normally a fan of banners. but THESE I would use. Might be something to consider for your next stamp collections, just sayin’
These are fabulous! You are just amazing! I have been a subscriber for a couple months now, and have seen your carved stamps, but do you have a list of supplies/tools that you use for these? I’m very intimidated by it, but also want to try it out!
These are fabulous! You are just amazing! I have been a subscriber for a couple months now, and have seen your carved stamps, but do you have a list of supplies/tools that you use for these? I’m very intimidated by it, but also want to try it out!
These are fabulous! You are just amazing! I have been a subscriber for a couple months now, and have seen your carved stamps, but do you have a list of supplies/tools that you use for these? I’m very intimidated by it, but also want to try it out!
These are fabulous! You are just amazing! I have been a subscriber for a couple months now, and have seen your carved stamps, but do you have a list of supplies/tools that you use for these? I’m very intimidated by it, but also want to try it out!
So very cool! And I adore the tags you made with them!
So very cool! And I adore the tags you made with them!
So very cool! And I adore the tags you made with them!
So very cool! And I adore the tags you made with them!
The stamps and tags are terrific!
The stamps and tags are terrific!
The stamps and tags are terrific!
The stamps and tags are terrific!
I just edited the post to add the supply information.
I just edited the post to add the supply information.
I just edited the post to add the supply information.
I just edited the post to add the supply information.
You are seriously inspirational! Love the results!!
You are seriously inspirational! Love the results!!
You are seriously inspirational! Love the results!!
You are seriously inspirational! Love the results!!
These are great! You have such a creative and problem-solving mind, and you are so generous to always share it with us!
These are great! You have such a creative and problem-solving mind, and you are so generous to always share it with us!
These are great! You have such a creative and problem-solving mind, and you are so generous to always share it with us!
These are great! You have such a creative and problem-solving mind, and you are so generous to always share it with us!
Girl, you exhaust me. Do you EVER sleep? Lol.
Girl, you exhaust me. Do you EVER sleep? Lol.
Girl, you exhaust me. Do you EVER sleep? Lol.
Girl, you exhaust me. Do you EVER sleep? Lol.
I have had stamp carving on my to-do-list for the last couple of months. Love these Julie!!
I have had stamp carving on my to-do-list for the last couple of months. Love these Julie!!
I have had stamp carving on my to-do-list for the last couple of months. Love these Julie!!
I have had stamp carving on my to-do-list for the last couple of months. Love these Julie!!
Oh happy day – LOVE your carved stamps – are you working on an online class??!! (psst – you can tell me – I won’t tell anyone else – hee hee)
Oh happy day – LOVE your carved stamps – are you working on an online class??!! (psst – you can tell me – I won’t tell anyone else – hee hee)
Oh happy day – LOVE your carved stamps – are you working on an online class??!! (psst – you can tell me – I won’t tell anyone else – hee hee)
Oh happy day – LOVE your carved stamps – are you working on an online class??!! (psst – you can tell me – I won’t tell anyone else – hee hee)
What an excellent idea! They look fantastic.
What an excellent idea! They look fantastic.
What an excellent idea! They look fantastic.
What an excellent idea! They look fantastic.
oh, oh, oh, those stamps are what I would wish for Christmas!
oh, oh, oh, those stamps are what I would wish for Christmas!
oh, oh, oh, those stamps are what I would wish for Christmas!
oh, oh, oh, those stamps are what I would wish for Christmas!
This is awesome! I just bought supplies yesterday because I was remembering carving stamps in highschool. You just gave me some great inspiration! Thanks!
This is awesome! I just bought supplies yesterday because I was remembering carving stamps in highschool. You just gave me some great inspiration! Thanks!
This is awesome! I just bought supplies yesterday because I was remembering carving stamps in highschool. You just gave me some great inspiration! Thanks!
This is awesome! I just bought supplies yesterday because I was remembering carving stamps in highschool. You just gave me some great inspiration! Thanks!
Julie, you continue to amaze and inspire. Thank you so much for sharing what is translated from in your head to a visual to see and use. So awesome!
Julie, you continue to amaze and inspire. Thank you so much for sharing what is translated from in your head to a visual to see and use. So awesome!
Julie, you continue to amaze and inspire. Thank you so much for sharing what is translated from in your head to a visual to see and use. So awesome!
Julie, you continue to amaze and inspire. Thank you so much for sharing what is translated from in your head to a visual to see and use. So awesome!
So are your own brand of stamps in the future?? Love your work!
So are your own brand of stamps in the future?? Love your work!
So are your own brand of stamps in the future?? Love your work!
So are your own brand of stamps in the future?? Love your work!
another home run. enjoy your stamp carving. i think i can even do something similar to these. off to find some erasers to carve. i have some speedy carve but am waiting to get a little better to use it. erasers are a lot less expensive to mess up. although some of the ones that i keep carving after i mess up what i was trying to do turn out to be cool anyway.
another home run. enjoy your stamp carving. i think i can even do something similar to these. off to find some erasers to carve. i have some speedy carve but am waiting to get a little better to use it. erasers are a lot less expensive to mess up. although some of the ones that i keep carving after i mess up what i was trying to do turn out to be cool anyway.
another home run. enjoy your stamp carving. i think i can even do something similar to these. off to find some erasers to carve. i have some speedy carve but am waiting to get a little better to use it. erasers are a lot less expensive to mess up. although some of the ones that i keep carving after i mess up what i was trying to do turn out to be cool anyway.
another home run. enjoy your stamp carving. i think i can even do something similar to these. off to find some erasers to carve. i have some speedy carve but am waiting to get a little better to use it. erasers are a lot less expensive to mess up. although some of the ones that i keep carving after i mess up what i was trying to do turn out to be cool anyway.
Thank you for the great suggestion. I have lots of alphabet stamps – a variety of sizes – and love carving. Yours look fun and so versatile.
Thank you for the great suggestion. I have lots of alphabet stamps – a variety of sizes – and love carving. Yours look fun and so versatile.
Thank you for the great suggestion. I have lots of alphabet stamps – a variety of sizes – and love carving. Yours look fun and so versatile.
Thank you for the great suggestion. I have lots of alphabet stamps – a variety of sizes – and love carving. Yours look fun and so versatile.
Ever since I took your stamp-making class at Create in Chicago, I’ve been hooked! I have a whole list of stamp ideas and several drawings to make stamps from. Unfortunately, Christmas gifts have taken over all my spare time and I have to wait until after the holidays to get my carving tools out.
Ever since I took your stamp-making class at Create in Chicago, I’ve been hooked! I have a whole list of stamp ideas and several drawings to make stamps from. Unfortunately, Christmas gifts have taken over all my spare time and I have to wait until after the holidays to get my carving tools out.
Ever since I took your stamp-making class at Create in Chicago, I’ve been hooked! I have a whole list of stamp ideas and several drawings to make stamps from. Unfortunately, Christmas gifts have taken over all my spare time and I have to wait until after the holidays to get my carving tools out.
Ever since I took your stamp-making class at Create in Chicago, I’ve been hooked! I have a whole list of stamp ideas and several drawings to make stamps from. Unfortunately, Christmas gifts have taken over all my spare time and I have to wait until after the holidays to get my carving tools out.
oh i love these stamps. will u teach a stamp carving class at The Ink Pad?
oh i love these stamps. will u teach a stamp carving class at The Ink Pad?
oh i love these stamps. will u teach a stamp carving class at The Ink Pad?
oh i love these stamps. will u teach a stamp carving class at The Ink Pad?
I dont have any plans to right now.
I dont have any plans to right now.
I dont have any plans to right now.
I dont have any plans to right now.
Oh my gosh – I just did it!!! I carved my first banner stamp! LOL Just a simple, empty banner – but my alphabet stamps fit in it – I’m so happy! Can’t wait to try some other banner designs!!! SOOOOO happy you showed us these!!!
Oh my gosh – I just did it!!! I carved my first banner stamp! LOL Just a simple, empty banner – but my alphabet stamps fit in it – I’m so happy! Can’t wait to try some other banner designs!!! SOOOOO happy you showed us these!!!
Oh my gosh – I just did it!!! I carved my first banner stamp! LOL Just a simple, empty banner – but my alphabet stamps fit in it – I’m so happy! Can’t wait to try some other banner designs!!! SOOOOO happy you showed us these!!!
Oh my gosh – I just did it!!! I carved my first banner stamp! LOL Just a simple, empty banner – but my alphabet stamps fit in it – I’m so happy! Can’t wait to try some other banner designs!!! SOOOOO happy you showed us these!!!
These are amazing!!! I love this idea and will have to try some of my own. Thanks for sharing!
These are amazing!!! I love this idea and will have to try some of my own. Thanks for sharing!
These are amazing!!! I love this idea and will have to try some of my own. Thanks for sharing!
These are amazing!!! I love this idea and will have to try some of my own. Thanks for sharing!
Love those!
Thanks to you I am now the proud owner of a linoleum block carving kit!
Nope, I didn’t order it online – I couldn’t wait that long to get one in my hot little hands! 🙂
I can’t wait to play this weekend.
Thanks for the inspiration and have a great holiday,
Steph
Love those!
Thanks to you I am now the proud owner of a linoleum block carving kit!
Nope, I didn’t order it online – I couldn’t wait that long to get one in my hot little hands! 🙂
I can’t wait to play this weekend.
Thanks for the inspiration and have a great holiday,
Steph
Love those!
Thanks to you I am now the proud owner of a linoleum block carving kit!
Nope, I didn’t order it online – I couldn’t wait that long to get one in my hot little hands! 🙂
I can’t wait to play this weekend.
Thanks for the inspiration and have a great holiday,
Steph
Love those!
Thanks to you I am now the proud owner of a linoleum block carving kit!
Nope, I didn’t order it online – I couldn’t wait that long to get one in my hot little hands! 🙂
I can’t wait to play this weekend.
Thanks for the inspiration and have a great holiday,
Steph
These are awesome… please don’t wait too long to tell your secret!!
These are awesome… please don’t wait too long to tell your secret!!
These are awesome… please don’t wait too long to tell your secret!!
These are awesome… please don’t wait too long to tell your secret!!
love these!! and they are brilliant by the way!
love these!! and they are brilliant by the way!
love these!! and they are brilliant by the way!
love these!! and they are brilliant by the way!
You Rock! You are like the MacGyver of Multi-Media Artists! (play theme song here).
You Rock! You are like the MacGyver of Multi-Media Artists! (play theme song here).
You Rock! You are like the MacGyver of Multi-Media Artists! (play theme song here).
You Rock! You are like the MacGyver of Multi-Media Artists! (play theme song here).
These are fantastic. I can’t wait to try stamp carving myself!
These are fantastic. I can’t wait to try stamp carving myself!
These are fantastic. I can’t wait to try stamp carving myself!
These are fantastic. I can’t wait to try stamp carving myself!
Wow, these banner stamps are awesome! Love the tags 🙂
Wow, these banner stamps are awesome! Love the tags 🙂
Wow, these banner stamps are awesome! Love the tags 🙂
Wow, these banner stamps are awesome! Love the tags 🙂
Okay, I carved FOUR little banner stamps now – blogged it here – http://mycraftyfriendjen.blogspot.com/2011/11/hand-carved-banner-stamps.html. SOOO happy – you are SUCH an awesome inspiration!!! xoxoxoxo
Okay, I carved FOUR little banner stamps now – blogged it here – http://mycraftyfriendjen.blogspot.com/2011/11/hand-carved-banner-stamps.html. SOOO happy – you are SUCH an awesome inspiration!!! xoxoxoxo
Okay, I carved FOUR little banner stamps now – blogged it here – http://mycraftyfriendjen.blogspot.com/2011/11/hand-carved-banner-stamps.html. SOOO happy – you are SUCH an awesome inspiration!!! xoxoxoxo
Okay, I carved FOUR little banner stamps now – blogged it here – http://mycraftyfriendjen.blogspot.com/2011/11/hand-carved-banner-stamps.html. SOOO happy – you are SUCH an awesome inspiration!!! xoxoxoxo