Stamp Carving

One of my blogging friends inquired about the tools I used to carve the stamps I've been creating. I started with just an exacto knife. Since those first few stamps, I also added this set of carving tools from Staedtler:



I found them at my local "big box" hobby and craft store and used my 40% off coupon which made the whole set very reasonable. As it turns out, with practice, I'm discovering that I really only use 2 of the 3 tools in conjuntion with my handy little knife.

The other tool, which has enabled me to carve more intricate designs was a tip I got from one of the several web tutorials I used: the highest powered reading glasses I could find at the dollar store. (I think mine are +3.50.) My normal readers are +1.75, but for seeing minute details in the pattern, the mega-magnifiers do the trick.

One of the best websites I used for tutorials (which also led me to other on-line information) was on Atlas Quest, one of the two main letterboxing sites.

Hope this helps for anyone else who wants to join the addic...I mean fun!

One Thing Led to Another

So, if you've been following this blog, you will know that we discovered geocaching when I received a GPS receiver designed for the sport for Christmas. Our love of getting out to discover new caches and new outdoor spots led me to discover letterboxing as well.

And if you know me, you know that when I discover something cool, I tend to jump in with both feet.

This, then, is my true confession...



I have been obsessively carving stamps for letterboxing (and for fun!) for the past few weeks!

It started with dollar packs of two pink erasers from Target and 12-pack white erasers for $1 at the Dollar Tree and an exacto knife. The photo you see is missing four stamps I carved. Two of them are already gracing letterboxes which have been placed at local cemeteries along with 2 other stamps which were the "First to Find" prizes in those caches. (I'm trying to get some other people in the area interested in letterboxing or letterbox hybrid caches in geocaching. I LOVE the artistic aspect of carving your own stamps!!)

I have used some of the stamps to make some Letterboxer Trading Cards (LTCs) which are akin to Artist Trading Cards. I've even done some trading with other letterboxers for cards.

I have several "signature" stamps with our trail name (helms2049) on them for stamping into logbooks. I've also done some for the series of gravestone symbols I'm doing in area cemeteries. I've done a couple of owls to memorialize my grandmother. Three on a Frank Lloyd Wright series and 4 for a planned letterbox series at local coffee shops.

So, that's what I've been up to! (It's SOOO addictive!!)

We've Been Outed!

Knitters....beware! We have been outed by a guy at the University of Iowa!!

You can find every scandalous word right here!

(Do you think my DH may have been supplying this guy info??)

Ode to Joy

Letterboxing and geocaching aren't the only things going on in the woods!



Enjoy!

Lost: Mojo

Yes, something seems to be missing. Alas, it's my mojo.

I have been getting some knitting done. (I've nearly completed the shawlette in the Knit Picks Chroma which I showed you a while back. Also completed 2 pairs of socks and working on another.)

I finished the books for my book clubs (even led the discussion on Stephanie Kallos' "Sing Them Home.")

Made a new recipe, Almond Bars, to serve @ book club. (Think the delicious filling in Dutch letters. Super yummy all on their own, but really sinfully delectable with almond tea!!) [Thanks to DD's infusion nurse, Laurie, for that recipe!]

Have been geocaching. Went to our first event over the weekend (despite foggy weather that looked slightly threatening.)

Have been carving stamps for letterbox caches and/or letterboxing. (Related to geocaching, but different.)

Went to DS's induction into National Honor Society. [kudos Christopher!!]

I don't know what it is about this blog though.....for some reason I just couldn't motivate myself to get in here, sit down, and write anything about something.

So, if any of you happen to spot or come across my blogging mojo, I'd be glad to get it back. Drop me a line if you find it!

Thanks!