Homemade Stamps

Oh, how I love reading the blog Filth Wizardry. Lindsey just rocks my socks off every time I visit her blog! I subscribe to her feed, and love her posts so much that I won’t allow myself to read her feeds until I’ve accomplished certain other things. Because once I read Lindsey’s posts, I get myself all worked into a tizzy and want to go do whatever random project she’s suggesting RIGHT NOW.

Her recent post about plasticine stamp printing gave me the same itch. But first, I had to figure out exactly what is plasticine? Lindsey is from across the pond, so she uses different terminology when she writes. I read through the comments on her post and finally figured out that plasticine is what we Americans call modeling clay.

Naturally, I didn’t have any modeling clay except some that I’ve earmarked for another project. So I hit Michael’s and bought some. I found this box, made by Sculpey, that cost $1.24.

Then I was at Walmart and found this kind for 92 cents. Cheap, cheap!

Oh, well. I overpaid by 32 cents. Shucks.

Yesterday, Katie and I got out the clay and searched the house for things we could use as a stamp mold. We started with toys, then Katie found baskets and coasters and Legos to use. We also used a candle from our mantle, but the clay left a slight film over it so I opted to stop using my nice candle. Here are the designs we made, which Katie labeled. I love how she is so similar to me (and my own parents!) in labeling things.

Next, we tried two rings ( a plastic star-shaped one and a silver one I was wearing), then we got the brilliant idea to try some leaves from the yard.

That led us to a production stall. In the excitement of getting outside, a piece of the patio door broke off and jammed the sliders. After a rescue mission from my neighbor, we were back in the business of making leaf prints. On the left is a leaf from our strawberry plant. On the right is a leaf from our rose bush.

Here is a print made from clover.

We also used a pewter labyrinth that I have hanging on my wall to create my favorite look of all.

This last print was made from one of the pewter pieces that hang above my patio door. They are handmade by my uncle, who is a pewter smith.

I took one of the trees and made an impression in the clay, then stamped it. Pretty cool, huh?

Today I got out my Stampin’ Up punch and some glue, found an empty cereal box in the recycle bin, and went about gluing the stamped pieces onto cardboard. (If only I had thought ahead and stamped directly on to cardstock yesterday. Oh, well.) I plan to use them for gift tags or maybe on handmade cards.

Thanks for such an inspiring idea, Lindsey!