December is over (in fact, January is almost over), which means #CarveDecember is long gone. I wanted to make sure to share the last few December stamps with you.
I'm still impressed with myself that I carved 31 rotating repeat stamps in 31 days with a newborn. All of the stamps are about one inch in size and took me less than 30 minutes to design, carve, and print. Here are days 24-31:
On December 25, I printed the same stamp in black and white and color and the difference is amazing!
I share how to create custom colored prints like this in my book Carve Stamp Play and my online class "Stamp Carving: Designing Patterns."
I got very detailed in some of these late December carves:
To me, challenges like these are more than just making it to the end. You have to learn something along the way. In my opinion, it's better to do 3 days of carving and learn something than to do all 31 and learn nothing. So what did I learn?
- I *can* make art with a baby. It's not the same as before baby. I have to make some adjustments and compromises, but it is possible.
- Limiting the scope of a project pushes your creativity. I mean, how many ways can you carve a 1" square of rubber to rotate and repeat? A lot, as it turns out. I often talk about pushing past the point of frustration in your work. We all reach a point where we want to stop and go in a different direction, but I think there are sweet rewards on the other side if you slog through. Your brain has to go past the obvious and find new ideas!
- Varied line weight is vital to good composition. This is one of those "I knew that, but I needed to see it" lessons. The finished prints I like the most are the ones where I varied the line weight and used a good mix of busy and calm space.
- I do like these Flex Cut tools. I simply had to learn how to use them. You may recall that I tried these Flex Cut carving tools once and did not like them. So, I put them in a drawer for years. During Carve December I decided to give them another go. It was awkward at first, but then I got the feel for them and it has been great! It's a reminder to push past that initial discomfort!
Thanks for stopping by!
your stamps are so interesting. no sleep, brand new baby impressive
your stamps are so interesting. no sleep, brand new baby impressive
your stamps are so interesting. no sleep, brand new baby impressive
your stamps are so interesting. no sleep, brand new baby impressive
your stamps are so interesting. no sleep, brand new baby impressive
your stamps are so interesting. no sleep, brand new baby impressive
your stamps are so interesting. no sleep, brand new baby impressive
Hey, Julie! I’m interested in what material do you cut? Is it soft lino of some sort or something else? Because it doesnt look quite like standard grey lino.
Best wishes))
Hey, Julie! I’m interested in what material do you cut? Is it soft lino of some sort or something else? Because it doesnt look quite like standard grey lino.
Best wishes))
Hey, Julie! I’m interested in what material do you cut? Is it soft lino of some sort or something else? Because it doesnt look quite like standard grey lino.
Best wishes))
Hey, Julie! I’m interested in what material do you cut? Is it soft lino of some sort or something else? Because it doesnt look quite like standard grey lino.
Best wishes))
Hey, Julie! I’m interested in what material do you cut? Is it soft lino of some sort or something else? Because it doesnt look quite like standard grey lino.
Best wishes))
Hey, Julie! I’m interested in what material do you cut? Is it soft lino of some sort or something else? Because it doesnt look quite like standard grey lino.
Best wishes))
Hey, Julie! I’m interested in what material do you cut? Is it soft lino of some sort or something else? Because it doesnt look quite like standard grey lino.
Best wishes))
It’s called Speedy Carve: https://amzn.to/3bxdj54
It’s called Speedy Carve: https://amzn.to/3bxdj54
It’s called Speedy Carve: https://amzn.to/3bxdj54
It’s called Speedy Carve: https://amzn.to/3bxdj54
It’s called Speedy Carve: https://amzn.to/3bxdj54
It’s called Speedy Carve: https://amzn.to/3bxdj54
It’s called Speedy Carve: https://amzn.to/3bxdj54