Stamp Carving Tutorial

Hot Cocoa: 1cup Milk + 2Tbsp Hershey's Cocoa + 2Tbsp Sugar + Vainilla (optional)

After several weeks recovering from a pool accident... I'm finally back. I was very depress, but a few days ago I was bored and depressed and started crocheting a gift for a friend. So I got my mood back, and started thinking it wasn't that bad. While getting my crafts in order and sorting what's next, I took this picture... According to weather.com it's 18˚C (75˚F) outside, but it feels like 10˚C!!! Since I can't drink coffee or tea, I came up with some delicious Hershey's hot chocolate =)

Hopefully this Friday I start a new series of blog post that includes cards, crocheting, sewing, embroidery and other cool stuff I want to make. I'm thinking to make it once a week: Inspiration Friday, Color-me Wednesday, and so on... Still working on it, but this allows me and you to make different things in just one week. Also I'll try to affiliate with other blogs and website for cooperative work as cards or knitting challenges. Let's see what happens. For the time being, I took this pictures a few days ago with natural light at evening! It started to get dark really quick, but I think you might get this how to... I will post again with new pictures soon. Click here to see what you can do with carved petals!

Tips:

- Use an x-acto knife to make it easier to carve. This must be done lightly!

- Make bold lines, and stamp it down. If there are too bold, carve again. This helps first time carving stampers to handle the carving tool.

- For small areas and details use a syringe needle, very slowly and firm.

- When stamping, use resistant dye ink, this will prevent markers or other ink to smudge your stamping.

UPDATE! Another carving tutorial for details has been post here.

Choose a Design, I looove this cupcake (personal design)

Use a pencil and draw your design on paper or tracing paper

Transfer your design by rubbing it against the carving block (I used a bone folder)

Cut out your design, leaving a thin border around your drawing.

Use an x-acto knife to lightly mark the borders

For small areas and details you can use a syringe needle

Start carving. Use your carving tool at 45˚, and use light pressure.

I like to start by carving the inside first, remember you can carve out again if needed!

After carving the outlines, start carving the inside.

For small areas I use the smallest blade, and for the outside the larger one.

When the inside and outside are carved, cut out any remains.

I like to stamp it several times to see if I need to carve some areas.