In case you don't know what #CarveDecember is, here's the gist:
WHAT: Every day in December we carve a stamp and post it online.
WHO: Everyone is welcome to join. New stamp carvers will develop their skills quickly and experienced stamp carvers will sharpen those skills. Everyone will connect with new friends!
HOW: Post a photo of the stamp you've carved to your instagram account. Use the hashtag #CarveDecember so that everyone in the group can find what you've done. In my experience, the #CarveDecember crew is warm and generous.
Here's a quick list of things you can do to have a great #CarveDecember experience:
Gather Your Supplies
When working on a daily project, I find it easiest if I have all the supplies I need right at hand so I can sit down and get to work. Even if you don't have a dedicated art space, you can quite easily fit a stamp carving kit into a shoebox or a tote bag. I take my stamp carving supplies all over the world with me — just remember to pack your blades in your checked luggage. Even if you're traveling during December, you *can* carve a stamp every single day! All you need is your kit and a table.
Here's what's in my carving kit (links to brands I use):
- Speedy Carve
- Ruler
- Glass Mat
- Pencil
- Ballpoint Pen
- Box Cutter
- Carving Tool and Blades
- Permapaque Markers
- Black Ink Pad
- Black Reinker
- Colored Ink Pads
- Avery Tags
- Scratch Paper
- Scissors
- Grid Stamp
Plan for Success
I like to make a plan. But I also like to remember that it's okay to deviate from the plan. The plan should be helpful, and not feel like it's strangling or constricting you.
Some things to plan:
- Pick a time of day to carve. For example, I do best if I get it out of the way first thing in the morning. Other people have told me that they like to do it as an after dinner activity or a lunch break activity.
- Make a list of stamps you'd like to create. What's on your list of "stamps I'd like to own?" Write them down so you have some ideas for what to carve. Nothing is worse than sitting down to create and not having any ideas.
- Gather inspiration. Start a Pinterest Board dedicated to #CarveDecember. (You can see mine here.) Or go analog and start collecting images from magazines, taking photos, or even starting with some sketches. There's nothing wrong with copying as long as you site the source of your inspiration.
- Plan ahead for the hard days. December is a busy month. But some days are busier than others. When I know that I have a crazy day coming towards me, I grab my list of quick and easy stamps. Generally speaking, these are stamps that are small — about an inch — and simple — stripes, dots, etc. They still look great, but I can get them done from carve to print in less than 15 minutes.
No Experience Necessary
If you want some help with stamp carving, these are resources I offer:
- Book: Carve Stamp Play
- Online Class: Stamp Carving 101
- Online Class: Stamp Carving: Designing Patterns
- Get a discount when you buy both online classes together.
You can also visit YouTube for tons of FREE video tutorials on stamp carving!
I really hope you'll join us for #CarveDecember! It's fun and easy and you end the month with an amazing collection of unique hand carved stamps, whether you carved every day or just a few days!
Are you planning to join in this year? Let me know!
REMEMBER: You do NOT have to carve every single day to participate. Even if you just get in 1 or 2 stamps, you are most welcome!
My goal with this project is not to put anybody through a painful bootcamp. Rather, I want to show people how easy and fun and quick stamp carving really is! In fact, I've been wavering back and forth on whether or not #CarveDecember is a plausible exercise this year. After some discussion with my family and some personal introspection, I've decided to give it a go. Personally, I'm going to keep the parameters super tight for myself: tiny simple stamps only. I want to be able to carve and print and post in less than 30 minutes a day. I think it's the only plausible way to do this project with a brand new baby. I think it's possible?
During last week's YouTube Members Livestream, I talked about it a bit and then I demo carved and printed this stamp:
Took me about 10 minutes to carve and print. So, I think my goal is do-able and I'll end up with a collection of very simple but functional stamps. What do you think? Am I crazy for thinking of attempting #CarveDecember with a new baby in the house?
Thanks for stopping by!
YES >>>> YOU ARE CRAZY to do this with the new baby. Please take care of yourself, you will need rest way more than another stamp. You’re life will change and it’s going to be epic wonderful and so full of love and craziness, but if you spread yourself too thin, you’ll miss so much, it goes by all too quickly. Take good care, Julie … and so happy for you and the family!!
YES >>>> YOU ARE CRAZY to do this with the new baby. Please take care of yourself, you will need rest way more than another stamp. You’re life will change and it’s going to be epic wonderful and so full of love and craziness, but if you spread yourself too thin, you’ll miss so much, it goes by all too quickly. Take good care, Julie … and so happy for you and the family!!
YES >>>> YOU ARE CRAZY to do this with the new baby. Please take care of yourself, you will need rest way more than another stamp. You’re life will change and it’s going to be epic wonderful and so full of love and craziness, but if you spread yourself too thin, you’ll miss so much, it goes by all too quickly. Take good care, Julie … and so happy for you and the family!!
YES >>>> YOU ARE CRAZY to do this with the new baby. Please take care of yourself, you will need rest way more than another stamp. You’re life will change and it’s going to be epic wonderful and so full of love and craziness, but if you spread yourself too thin, you’ll miss so much, it goes by all too quickly. Take good care, Julie … and so happy for you and the family!!
YES >>>> YOU ARE CRAZY to do this with the new baby. Please take care of yourself, you will need rest way more than another stamp. You’re life will change and it’s going to be epic wonderful and so full of love and craziness, but if you spread yourself too thin, you’ll miss so much, it goes by all too quickly. Take good care, Julie … and so happy for you and the family!!
YES >>>> YOU ARE CRAZY to do this with the new baby. Please take care of yourself, you will need rest way more than another stamp. You’re life will change and it’s going to be epic wonderful and so full of love and craziness, but if you spread yourself too thin, you’ll miss so much, it goes by all too quickly. Take good care, Julie … and so happy for you and the family!!
YES >>>> YOU ARE CRAZY to do this with the new baby. Please take care of yourself, you will need rest way more than another stamp. You’re life will change and it’s going to be epic wonderful and so full of love and craziness, but if you spread yourself too thin, you’ll miss so much, it goes by all too quickly. Take good care, Julie … and so happy for you and the family!!
I’m not a napper, so when my baby napped, I used the time to relax. That’s when I started scrapbooking (my baby is almost 18 years old now). So I don’t think you’re crazy.
I’m not a napper, so when my baby napped, I used the time to relax. That’s when I started scrapbooking (my baby is almost 18 years old now). So I don’t think you’re crazy.
I’m not a napper, so when my baby napped, I used the time to relax. That’s when I started scrapbooking (my baby is almost 18 years old now). So I don’t think you’re crazy.
I’m not a napper, so when my baby napped, I used the time to relax. That’s when I started scrapbooking (my baby is almost 18 years old now). So I don’t think you’re crazy.
I’m not a napper, so when my baby napped, I used the time to relax. That’s when I started scrapbooking (my baby is almost 18 years old now). So I don’t think you’re crazy.
I’m not a napper, so when my baby napped, I used the time to relax. That’s when I started scrapbooking (my baby is almost 18 years old now). So I don’t think you’re crazy.
I’m not a napper, so when my baby napped, I used the time to relax. That’s when I started scrapbooking (my baby is almost 18 years old now). So I don’t think you’re crazy.
Julie! You are not crazy :-). Your life is going to be upside down for awhile and the “you” you know will disappear for a bit of time. She’ll be in there and will return but with another layer. I was the person who discovered that anything after the first three months was my favorite time…including the “terrible two’s” and teen years! Some people tune into infancy and some tune into later times, so just have faith in yourself and your family. That first smile, giggle, waving of arms, will seal that spot in your heart forever! Accept the offers of help when they are given and tune out the advice that doesn’t ring true to you. (I’m bossy…) Now, go carve some stamps, pat that baby and pat yourself, too! Giving Steve a pat is also a good thing!
Julie! You are not crazy :-). Your life is going to be upside down for awhile and the “you” you know will disappear for a bit of time. She’ll be in there and will return but with another layer. I was the person who discovered that anything after the first three months was my favorite time…including the “terrible two’s” and teen years! Some people tune into infancy and some tune into later times, so just have faith in yourself and your family. That first smile, giggle, waving of arms, will seal that spot in your heart forever! Accept the offers of help when they are given and tune out the advice that doesn’t ring true to you. (I’m bossy…) Now, go carve some stamps, pat that baby and pat yourself, too! Giving Steve a pat is also a good thing!
Julie! You are not crazy :-). Your life is going to be upside down for awhile and the “you” you know will disappear for a bit of time. She’ll be in there and will return but with another layer. I was the person who discovered that anything after the first three months was my favorite time…including the “terrible two’s” and teen years! Some people tune into infancy and some tune into later times, so just have faith in yourself and your family. That first smile, giggle, waving of arms, will seal that spot in your heart forever! Accept the offers of help when they are given and tune out the advice that doesn’t ring true to you. (I’m bossy…) Now, go carve some stamps, pat that baby and pat yourself, too! Giving Steve a pat is also a good thing!
Julie! You are not crazy :-). Your life is going to be upside down for awhile and the “you” you know will disappear for a bit of time. She’ll be in there and will return but with another layer. I was the person who discovered that anything after the first three months was my favorite time…including the “terrible two’s” and teen years! Some people tune into infancy and some tune into later times, so just have faith in yourself and your family. That first smile, giggle, waving of arms, will seal that spot in your heart forever! Accept the offers of help when they are given and tune out the advice that doesn’t ring true to you. (I’m bossy…) Now, go carve some stamps, pat that baby and pat yourself, too! Giving Steve a pat is also a good thing!
Julie! You are not crazy :-). Your life is going to be upside down for awhile and the “you” you know will disappear for a bit of time. She’ll be in there and will return but with another layer. I was the person who discovered that anything after the first three months was my favorite time…including the “terrible two’s” and teen years! Some people tune into infancy and some tune into later times, so just have faith in yourself and your family. That first smile, giggle, waving of arms, will seal that spot in your heart forever! Accept the offers of help when they are given and tune out the advice that doesn’t ring true to you. (I’m bossy…) Now, go carve some stamps, pat that baby and pat yourself, too! Giving Steve a pat is also a good thing!
Julie! You are not crazy :-). Your life is going to be upside down for awhile and the “you” you know will disappear for a bit of time. She’ll be in there and will return but with another layer. I was the person who discovered that anything after the first three months was my favorite time…including the “terrible two’s” and teen years! Some people tune into infancy and some tune into later times, so just have faith in yourself and your family. That first smile, giggle, waving of arms, will seal that spot in your heart forever! Accept the offers of help when they are given and tune out the advice that doesn’t ring true to you. (I’m bossy…) Now, go carve some stamps, pat that baby and pat yourself, too! Giving Steve a pat is also a good thing!
Julie! You are not crazy :-). Your life is going to be upside down for awhile and the “you” you know will disappear for a bit of time. She’ll be in there and will return but with another layer. I was the person who discovered that anything after the first three months was my favorite time…including the “terrible two’s” and teen years! Some people tune into infancy and some tune into later times, so just have faith in yourself and your family. That first smile, giggle, waving of arms, will seal that spot in your heart forever! Accept the offers of help when they are given and tune out the advice that doesn’t ring true to you. (I’m bossy…) Now, go carve some stamps, pat that baby and pat yourself, too! Giving Steve a pat is also a good thing!
My vote is: You Might Be Crazy. You may luck out and get a great sleeper who doesn’t wail the second he isn’t touching Mommy, or Steve may have to pry a screaming baby off of you for 3 minutes a day just to shower. Parenthood is nothing if not unpredictable! I hope you’re able to carve daily.
My vote is: You Might Be Crazy. You may luck out and get a great sleeper who doesn’t wail the second he isn’t touching Mommy, or Steve may have to pry a screaming baby off of you for 3 minutes a day just to shower. Parenthood is nothing if not unpredictable! I hope you’re able to carve daily.
My vote is: You Might Be Crazy. You may luck out and get a great sleeper who doesn’t wail the second he isn’t touching Mommy, or Steve may have to pry a screaming baby off of you for 3 minutes a day just to shower. Parenthood is nothing if not unpredictable! I hope you’re able to carve daily.
My vote is: You Might Be Crazy. You may luck out and get a great sleeper who doesn’t wail the second he isn’t touching Mommy, or Steve may have to pry a screaming baby off of you for 3 minutes a day just to shower. Parenthood is nothing if not unpredictable! I hope you’re able to carve daily.
My vote is: You Might Be Crazy. You may luck out and get a great sleeper who doesn’t wail the second he isn’t touching Mommy, or Steve may have to pry a screaming baby off of you for 3 minutes a day just to shower. Parenthood is nothing if not unpredictable! I hope you’re able to carve daily.
My vote is: You Might Be Crazy. You may luck out and get a great sleeper who doesn’t wail the second he isn’t touching Mommy, or Steve may have to pry a screaming baby off of you for 3 minutes a day just to shower. Parenthood is nothing if not unpredictable! I hope you’re able to carve daily.
My vote is: You Might Be Crazy. You may luck out and get a great sleeper who doesn’t wail the second he isn’t touching Mommy, or Steve may have to pry a screaming baby off of you for 3 minutes a day just to shower. Parenthood is nothing if not unpredictable! I hope you’re able to carve daily.
I don’t think you’re crazy for *attempting* it. Crazy is keeping going with it later if you realize it’s stressing you out.
I don’t think you’re crazy for *attempting* it. Crazy is keeping going with it later if you realize it’s stressing you out.
I don’t think you’re crazy for *attempting* it. Crazy is keeping going with it later if you realize it’s stressing you out.
I don’t think you’re crazy for *attempting* it. Crazy is keeping going with it later if you realize it’s stressing you out.
I don’t think you’re crazy for *attempting* it. Crazy is keeping going with it later if you realize it’s stressing you out.
I don’t think you’re crazy for *attempting* it. Crazy is keeping going with it later if you realize it’s stressing you out.
I don’t think you’re crazy for *attempting* it. Crazy is keeping going with it later if you realize it’s stressing you out.
Your stamps are great fun! However, if you are breast feeding you should sleep every chance you get. You will need recovery from the delivery and strength to make breast milk. It is just temporary though. It is all very exciting!
Your stamps are great fun! However, if you are breast feeding you should sleep every chance you get. You will need recovery from the delivery and strength to make breast milk. It is just temporary though. It is all very exciting!
Your stamps are great fun! However, if you are breast feeding you should sleep every chance you get. You will need recovery from the delivery and strength to make breast milk. It is just temporary though. It is all very exciting!
Your stamps are great fun! However, if you are breast feeding you should sleep every chance you get. You will need recovery from the delivery and strength to make breast milk. It is just temporary though. It is all very exciting!
Your stamps are great fun! However, if you are breast feeding you should sleep every chance you get. You will need recovery from the delivery and strength to make breast milk. It is just temporary though. It is all very exciting!
Your stamps are great fun! However, if you are breast feeding you should sleep every chance you get. You will need recovery from the delivery and strength to make breast milk. It is just temporary though. It is all very exciting!
Your stamps are great fun! However, if you are breast feeding you should sleep every chance you get. You will need recovery from the delivery and strength to make breast milk. It is just temporary though. It is all very exciting!
I think it’s ok to try and do what you can!!!! If you start to feel pressured you can always stop – that’s what you tell us. Have you had your baby yet? If so you have an idea of what it’s like. If not, don’t plan too much around the time of birth! But I remember doing quite a lot of embroidery after my daughter was born. It was relaxing and I still could feel productive when I wasn’t doing a lot! And I made some beautiful things. And yes, I made about three stamps during stamp October and I plan to start up again in December. Loved the ones I did in October!!!
I think it’s ok to try and do what you can!!!! If you start to feel pressured you can always stop – that’s what you tell us. Have you had your baby yet? If so you have an idea of what it’s like. If not, don’t plan too much around the time of birth! But I remember doing quite a lot of embroidery after my daughter was born. It was relaxing and I still could feel productive when I wasn’t doing a lot! And I made some beautiful things. And yes, I made about three stamps during stamp October and I plan to start up again in December. Loved the ones I did in October!!!
I think it’s ok to try and do what you can!!!! If you start to feel pressured you can always stop – that’s what you tell us. Have you had your baby yet? If so you have an idea of what it’s like. If not, don’t plan too much around the time of birth! But I remember doing quite a lot of embroidery after my daughter was born. It was relaxing and I still could feel productive when I wasn’t doing a lot! And I made some beautiful things. And yes, I made about three stamps during stamp October and I plan to start up again in December. Loved the ones I did in October!!!
I think it’s ok to try and do what you can!!!! If you start to feel pressured you can always stop – that’s what you tell us. Have you had your baby yet? If so you have an idea of what it’s like. If not, don’t plan too much around the time of birth! But I remember doing quite a lot of embroidery after my daughter was born. It was relaxing and I still could feel productive when I wasn’t doing a lot! And I made some beautiful things. And yes, I made about three stamps during stamp October and I plan to start up again in December. Loved the ones I did in October!!!
I think it’s ok to try and do what you can!!!! If you start to feel pressured you can always stop – that’s what you tell us. Have you had your baby yet? If so you have an idea of what it’s like. If not, don’t plan too much around the time of birth! But I remember doing quite a lot of embroidery after my daughter was born. It was relaxing and I still could feel productive when I wasn’t doing a lot! And I made some beautiful things. And yes, I made about three stamps during stamp October and I plan to start up again in December. Loved the ones I did in October!!!
I think it’s ok to try and do what you can!!!! If you start to feel pressured you can always stop – that’s what you tell us. Have you had your baby yet? If so you have an idea of what it’s like. If not, don’t plan too much around the time of birth! But I remember doing quite a lot of embroidery after my daughter was born. It was relaxing and I still could feel productive when I wasn’t doing a lot! And I made some beautiful things. And yes, I made about three stamps during stamp October and I plan to start up again in December. Loved the ones I did in October!!!
I think it’s ok to try and do what you can!!!! If you start to feel pressured you can always stop – that’s what you tell us. Have you had your baby yet? If so you have an idea of what it’s like. If not, don’t plan too much around the time of birth! But I remember doing quite a lot of embroidery after my daughter was born. It was relaxing and I still could feel productive when I wasn’t doing a lot! And I made some beautiful things. And yes, I made about three stamps during stamp October and I plan to start up again in December. Loved the ones I did in October!!!
You’ll just have to see how it goes. My baby was a great sleeper and I have a great partner that was very hands on. Once I got past that first week I actually got a lot done on my maternity leave. Now that I have a toddler I can’t get anything done lol. Everyone is different.
You’ll just have to see how it goes. My baby was a great sleeper and I have a great partner that was very hands on. Once I got past that first week I actually got a lot done on my maternity leave. Now that I have a toddler I can’t get anything done lol. Everyone is different.
You’ll just have to see how it goes. My baby was a great sleeper and I have a great partner that was very hands on. Once I got past that first week I actually got a lot done on my maternity leave. Now that I have a toddler I can’t get anything done lol. Everyone is different.
You’ll just have to see how it goes. My baby was a great sleeper and I have a great partner that was very hands on. Once I got past that first week I actually got a lot done on my maternity leave. Now that I have a toddler I can’t get anything done lol. Everyone is different.
You’ll just have to see how it goes. My baby was a great sleeper and I have a great partner that was very hands on. Once I got past that first week I actually got a lot done on my maternity leave. Now that I have a toddler I can’t get anything done lol. Everyone is different.
You’ll just have to see how it goes. My baby was a great sleeper and I have a great partner that was very hands on. Once I got past that first week I actually got a lot done on my maternity leave. Now that I have a toddler I can’t get anything done lol. Everyone is different.
You’ll just have to see how it goes. My baby was a great sleeper and I have a great partner that was very hands on. Once I got past that first week I actually got a lot done on my maternity leave. Now that I have a toddler I can’t get anything done lol. Everyone is different.