I thought I would share another project I made using one of my hand carved stamps! For this stamp, I drew my design directly on the block (instead of on scrap paper and transferring it to the block) and carved it out. I used a white pigment ink by ColorBox called Frost White. While I love the look and coverage of this ink, it's quite a pain to have to heat set it. Pigment ink takes a lot longer to dry, so if you want to continue working away on your project, heat setting is highly suggested. Otherwise, you run the risk of getting your fingers, palms, workspace, other layers, and NOSE inky. Speaking from experience.
While I had the heat gun out, I decided I would actually emboss the sentiment to make it a bit more unique. Because the pigment ink is so sticky, I was able to stamp the sentiment in the same ink and then emboss it with clear detail embossing powder, which made it shiny! The sentiment is from my Friendly Expressions set, and reads "it's the little things you do that make all the difference".
I'm not much of a technique gal, so just having to dig out my heat gun is pushing the limits for me. Techniques usually require more space than I have available on my work table. For some reason, even though I have a 4' table, I always end up working in 12x12 inches of space, on a good day.
For more info on the tools used to make hand carved stamps, see this post.
Love the card, I like simple ideas, and it looks so good! I have to remind myself to keep it simple, don't thinks so hard...I'd get more cards made and have more fun doing it! I love the flower stamp you carved too! It reminds me of the chamomile (mini coneflower style) I have growing wild in my garden that I was taking pics of today.
Posted by: Pati Lapiene | July 12, 2009 at 12:45 AM
Your hand carved stamps are getting better and better!
Posted by: Lisa Hjulberg | July 08, 2009 at 06:51 PM
All I can say is wow...you are beyond talented! Seriously!!!! Your hand carved stamps are sooo cool!!! I love the daisy...great job and thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Mary Duffek | July 08, 2009 at 05:55 AM
You are doing such a beautiful job on hand carving stamps! This one is really cute!! Great job, Anna!!
Posted by: Viv (VivLyn) | July 07, 2009 at 06:19 PM
Your hand carved stamps are fabulous! I've looked at these blocks several times over the year at the local Artist Warehouse in town. I've ever bought it though... I looks so fun! I would have a hard time trying what to carve... One of these days I'll be brave! I expecially love this one you did
Posted by: Michelle | July 07, 2009 at 04:10 PM
I just love your coneflower stamps! Can you make this one into a stamp that all of us can buy? This one is definitely my fave of all the hand-carved stamps you've shown.
Posted by: Janet Sisk | July 07, 2009 at 02:45 PM
Your flower is adorable! I love the fresh look of white ink on kraft! This is beautiful!
Posted by: Danielle | July 07, 2009 at 12:14 PM
I'm am loving your hand-carved images! I carved a few stamps several years ago. Thanks for the inspiration to pull them out of a drawer soon.
Posted by: Anthonette | July 07, 2009 at 11:40 AM
I totally KWUM about working in 12x12" of space! Hee hee! I am exactly the same way! I have about 18x24" of space to work in normally. My table is larger but I like a lot of tools within reach so the table is mostly covered by those! Then as I work, I seem to leave my tools on my workspace and it gets smaller and smaller until I don't have a single space left to set aside something with paint or glue that needs to dry! I have to force myself to stop and put away tools at least once per card and then after too! If I leave stuff out you can be sure the baby will get it!
Love your hand carved stamps and I would kill to learn your watercolour techniques! Your chicken and animal stories leave me in stitches! Thanks for the inspiration and fun! BTW, I have 8 and 2 yo boys who would love that mat! Rebeccacell at gmail dot com
Posted by: Rebecca Ednie | July 07, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Wow! I LOVE this!! I love the brown, kraft, yellow and white color combo. But your craftsmanship on your handmade stamp is awesome!!!
~Lacey
Posted by: Lacey | July 07, 2009 at 10:51 AM
What a fantastic stamp, and your card is just lovely - I think it was worth digging out your heat gun. Happy Day.
Posted by: Troy Louise | July 07, 2009 at 10:02 AM
You never cease to amaze me! I LOVE this stamp, and the card you made with it! You really should have your own stamp line!;)
Posted by: Carla Mayfield | July 07, 2009 at 06:48 AM
Your card is so beautiful and your carving is awesome!! It's always so inspirational to see your art. You've inspired me to get out my carving materials again. I'm currently working on an image to send a congratulations card to my niece who just passed her state nursing test.
Posted by: Cindy H. | July 07, 2009 at 06:40 AM
Stunning! So simple, yet packing big impact!
Posted by: Cheryl R | July 07, 2009 at 06:21 AM
Beautiful card and exquisite carving!
Posted by: Ann Merry | July 07, 2009 at 05:29 AM
You are so gifted- your stamp is great and I absolutely love this card made with it! The white flowers are perfect with the colors in this card- so pretty!
Posted by: Heidi Karpen, aka Stamperdoc | July 07, 2009 at 05:06 AM
Anna your carved stamps are wonderful... This card is so lovely. The white ink on the kraft paper is classic!!
Posted by: Janine | July 07, 2009 at 04:59 AM
WOW!! LOVE this image and you carved it so perfectly - it looks like it was stamped with rubbah!
I know what you mean about the work space - I'm lucky enough to have a ton of countertop area in my craft room, but I generally only have 5 square inches of free space at any given time!
Posted by: Maureen W. | July 07, 2009 at 12:20 AM
You are amazingly talented, but I guess you already know that. Thanks for sharing your time and talent with the rest of us!
Posted by: Rachele Funk | July 06, 2009 at 11:14 PM
Super cool stamp! I love how the center goes up and the petals go down--it always makes me think the flower is sticking its face up to catch the sunshine. Your experiences with white pigment ink made me laugh. If you want to up the ante of difficulty, try heat setting with detail white embossing powder. Every stray kernel of embossing powder springs to life and messes up your image (growl)!
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | July 06, 2009 at 09:08 PM
I was gonna say...12x12 is GINORMOUS compared to what I have on a normal day! LOL
This is cute, Anna! Very cool!
Posted by: Shannan Teubner | July 06, 2009 at 08:22 PM
Love this coneflower! You are ROCKing with these stamps of yours!
Posted by: Debbie Fisher | July 06, 2009 at 07:27 PM
WoW! This is gorgeous, simply gorgeous!! Love the flower and once again the repeated pattern with white on kraft. So primitive, but so stunning. And the apron is the cutest thing ever too :0)
Posted by: Randee | July 06, 2009 at 06:57 PM
Love this flower and card! I really wish you were givin' in away and I was at the top of your gifty list! :)
Posted by: Melissa Cash | July 06, 2009 at 06:42 PM
This is such a beautiful card Anna!!
Posted by: Tracey | July 06, 2009 at 06:05 PM
LOVE the card, great looking coneflower. LOL, I can relate to small work spaces but my table is TWICE as big as yours!!
Posted by: Carol Dee | July 06, 2009 at 05:21 PM