Sunday, September 9, 2012

Carving fun Sunday


Carving stamps is more fun and challenging than I first imagined. In addition, the "you get what you pay for" is very true when it comes to carving blocks. I got the cheaper kind of Speedball carving blocks called speedy-cut and it crumbles a lot. Especially for me, whose carving skills are to say the least poor.


But seeing what your carving looks like on paper is a fun process.


And one can go really crazy in creating fun and unique stamps.


Shushu continues to "assist" me in my creative ventures by giving me "moral support." Now assisted by his sister Danielle aka Dani.


Dani is a rescue from the Humane Society. She hails from Puerto Rico (according to my brother, she is a gang member and switch blade expert). But to us, she really is an expert lizard and lightning hunter, with a minor dandruff problem.

35 comments:

Annette said...

I have not ever tried carving, hummm wonder if I should? Get hooked on something else or just watch y'all? Love the rescue dogs are fur babies are also. oxxoxo

alteredstatesstudio said...

omg, i am loving your hand carved stamps!! they turned out so good! i figured it was one of those projects that others make look easy, but, is really more difficult- but, it looks like you managed it nicely. i love seeing what the stamps look like on paper- that is so cool. your dogs would fit in nicely here...ours lends that same "support" to any project. love your stamps!

Red Shoes said...

Once upon a time, when I was an art major, I took a print-making class... and we did linoleum block prints.

Obviously, one has to think in reverse when doing the design and the carving.

What type of material is that? It looks almost like soap.

Do you know what makes for great relief prints? The styrofoam meat trays from the grocery stores...

One of my most favorite artists ever, Walter Anderson, did linoleum block prints. Are you familiar with him?

If not, look up his work. He was quite talented.

~shoes~

Red Shoes said...

PS: I LOVE the dogs!!!!

~shoes~

Sherri B. said...

You have inspired me, Ana - I must try carving again soon! I love your fun designs...and your pups are so precious. :)

Willy. said...

Statement..
I love your dogs....
and your carving experience.
Introkiss,Willy

Almost Precious said...

I've not tried making my own stamps but it looks like you're doing a wonderful job of making your own. Love the cute "rocket" stamp.

Aw - what adorable puppies. :)

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

I absolutely LOVE carving new stamps and using them in my journals, isn't it fun? I use the same blocks because they Cut Like Butter! I like your designs, especially the botanical ones, Ana. Kisses to sweet pups!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

This reminds me that my sister used to carve stamps using those big pink erasers as her base. They worked pretty well! I like your UFO and rocket ship stamps!

aimee said...

these are so cute and fun! erasers make great carving surfaces too -- the ones from the dollar store work great! :)

AntiquityTravelers said...

rescue dogs are the best! we had our dog for some 16 years and she was so kind and gentle with my kids, I miss her still every day

turquoisemoon said...

hahaha...they look so very bored. Don't we just love our fur babies??!! I just got back from Oklahoma...my first transport. I am on the transportation team of Colonel Potters Cairn Rescue. I had no idea of what all goes into (behind the scenes) a dog rescue. I will be posting about it. Good for you for your part in getting a rescue fur baby.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

That really is an art! You've done great and your art will be unique! I love this idea! Hugs

The Cranky said...

Your stamps look so fun, you've done a great job!

Awww, your babies look so bored but they are still lending you moral support. Dani and ShuShu are both beautiful, dandruff notwithstanding...you've made a positive difference in both their lives, but most especially Dani's. Kudos to you!

Jeanne said...

Haven't done any stamp carving since my Girl Scout days! LOL And then I used a potato....
But I do like the way yours came out. And your supervisors are adorable!

BIKBIK AND RORO said...

How adorable!! I love carving stamps too -- as I write this, I'm remembering that I even used to do it in grade school, in potatoes and my erasers lol

Jenny said...

LOVE your stamps Ana... how much fun... I tried it for the first time last week... and am hooked...lol...
Your furry friends are adorable...

Hugs
Jenny x

Julie Clay Illustration said...

Love your carved stamps, i did some of these last year, it was such fun to do, and it's amazing what can turn out from something you thought might possibly look rubbish! Yours look very good, and I love the pooches!! :)

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

Lovely carved stamps, Ana. You are quite a creative lady. Oh, I love Dani! So cute.

S said...

Thanks for letting me have a glimpse into your creative process ! Love the space ship and flower impressions that you created ! I also love looking at adorable Dani and Shushu's photographs ! feel like cuddling them.

Red Shoes said...

Re: your comment at my place...

If you recycle materials into your work, take a look at http://redneckchic.blogspot.com/

She recycles materials into what she makes...

~shoes~

Anonymous said...

I carved a stick once. xo

Elizabeth Rose Stanton said...

Looks like TOTAL fun! Your canine assistants are adorable, too :)

Ariel said...

What a great coincidence dear friend. It was only 2 days ago that I added the Speedball kit to my amazon wishlist.I've tried making stamps on foam sheets and now I want to try with the real set.Your stamps look cute that spaceship looks so nice I'm sure my son is going to love them:)Hmm! should try making one for him
Susan

Ileana said...

I love the look of the carving. Let me know how to create one of these stamps...I'd like to use them in a project. Beautiful pups, btw. Dani has quite a rep, huh? No la parece. :)

Reinhardt Kenneth said...

that is so cool, you are trully a gifted artist

mind following each other, dear?
http://reinhardtkenenth.blogspot.com

Beth said...

I love your stamps---especially the rocket ship and flying saucer. Perhaps you'll carve some little alien space beings next? :-)

Dani is adorable.

:.tossan® said...

The photos are masterful! Some paintings with creativity.

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

I love seeing your adorable doggies. :) Stamps are awesome!

Lois said...

I will have to find this medium... i have a lot of carving tools, but find lino so difficult to carve. :) L

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Sulky Kitten said...

Your pups are adorable, Ana!

Jeanie said...

As I read backwards to catch up, I'm learning more of your stamping journey! How fun! Glad you have an assistant. I think you can forgive her the minor dandruff for the lizard hunting!

An'Angelia Thompson said...

Your stamps are wonderful - good carving skills or not!

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