A New Craft!

Last week I learned how to make a new craft thanks to my pal, Tony. I vowed not to buy supplies for another craft, but he insisted on buying them for my birthday! How could I pass that up? So, I learned how to make a linocut. He got the idea from Threadbanger. If you aren't familiar, they have all kind of DIY crafts online. They're all on Youtube too.

I was rather worried since I have two bad wrists, but I started with the easy-to-cut Moo block, which was like cutting butter. Unfortunately, it doesn't give you that crisp line, like the lino blocks do.

my first stamp

The process is to trace the design you'd like to use with a pencil & then rub the outline onto the block. Then you start carving away with a special too that comes with several carving tips. After you have the design carved how you'd like it you roll ink onto it with a nifty roller called a "brayer". You can get all these supplies at Hobby Lobby. They even have a big kit with all the stuff in it.

If you're using the soft block you can just stamp it onto your paper. If you use the linoleum block you have to put the paper on top of the stamp for a good print. It's a good idea to use something flat to tap it down with to make sure you get good coverage. We found that using watercolor paper or card stock works best. I tried some really textured canvas paper, but it was a little too textured to get a clean print.

 our prints

Tony made a very detailed Japanese fish, that turned out great. For my second stamp I decided to do something a little smaller & I used the linoleum block this time. The first ones took 2 hours. This one was more like 1 hour.

my 2nd stamp

This is a very fun project. I've already replenished my supplies so I can make some more!