Monday 17 September 2012

Roller stamps

As I mentioned last post I've been busy making roller stamps. They are so easy and cost next to nothing to make, but first I thought I'd show you the cover I'm in the process of making, as part of the demo in my Fabric Journal workshop. I seem to be obsessed with old metal tins and have even added parts of them to the front cover as part of the decoration.


the cover in the making, I still have to add the spine and the binding.


these are the things required to make the roller stamps - toilet roll centres, thin adhesive backed foam, you can use other thin foam (no more than 3mm thick or it doesn't bend as easily) and glue it down with gel medium, pva glue or mod podge - small scissors and a foam paint roller (the toilet roll tube fits over this and acts as the roller).


these are just a few of my completed rollers - cut the foam into simple or intricate shapes with small scissors - the circle one on the end was made using the foam that was removed from the centre of the rings in the second roller from the left - DON'T wash them, the more you use them the more the acrylic paint helps to seal them - one sheet of foam will make quite a few stamps - you can use the pre-cut shapes found in craft stores but they are usually thicker and don't stick as well, I would recommend re glueing them before you stick them down - if you have any problems with the ones you cut staying down, just add a little more glue


these are the results of the stamps in the above photo - I use acrylic paint with mine.


as I worked in my studio, last week, I looked out of the window and saw this lovely rainbow, by the time I found my camera it had started to fade, but I love the effect the sun had shining on the top of the tree. Looks like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. On clear days I can see the bay just over the hill, it really is lovely.

Thanks again for visiting and your lovely comments. I hope you try the stamp making, it's very addictive and costs next to nothing.


21 comments:

Margaret Applin said...

I love this technique!! I have a couple of large tubes I have wanted to do this on. I love creating stamps with the sticky-back foam!!! Love your work, it is so inspiring!

Jacky said...

Had so much fun using your rollers last workshop I did with you Ro (and have been saving those toilet rolls!!!).

Beautiful journal pages below.

Jacky xox

Unknown said...

Right! Toilet rolls out of the rubbish and sticky foam off the shelf...I can't wait. Trouble is that I'm sure mine won't look nearly as good as yours Ro. Big sigh.
The stamps you make get betterer and betterer!

ArtPropelled said...

How simple is that?! Thanks for sharing the roller stamp technique, Ro. Your journal cover is very eye catching and the tin bits make it all the more intriguing.

caprejan said...

Thank you for your ingenious idea.
Brilliant!!!!!

Joke Hardenbol said...

Thanks for this brilliant idea. I have lots of toilet rolls and lots of foam so I can start immediately!

Maggi said...

What a simple technique and yet so effective. Thanks for sharing.

Carol Rigby said...

What a great idea I will definately give it ago. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Heather said...

What a brilliant idea your roller stamps are, and so simple. The results are fantastic - I shall have to have a go myself.
I love watching rainbows too, and that's a beautiful view you have from your window.

Robin said...

Thanks for a great tutorial..I am pinning it for all to come see..I looove your pot of gold picturee too..perfection...and the journal cover is as always gorgeous..!

sue said...

Ha! I knew I would love these! Really want to have a go - right this minute! Thanx Ro"

An'Angelia Thompson said...

This is a great idea, Ro! Thanks for sharing :o)

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Your roller stamps are brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

Studio 508-Nancy's Place said...

These are such lovely stamps, and so useful! I love using pale stamped images in the background and embroidering over them. It gives the piece a little "chatter" but not so much that the embroidery isn't important anymore!

rivergardenstudio said...

Oh, your view from your studio is beautiful, and that rainbow!!!
Thank you so much for describing how you make these roller stamps!!! I never would have guessed, I have never used sticky-backed foam.
Your art,and your blog posts are all a celebration of color, nature and creation!
roxanne

Jo Murray said...

I LOVE roller stamps. I make mine the easy way using dense foam paint rollers from the hardware store. I inscribe patterns into them with a soldering iron. Easy Peasy.

Joanna said...

The roller stamps are fantastic - thank you so much for sharing how to make them :)

xxx

Rosie said...

You've inspired me to get my stamp carving foam out again - I wasn't pleased with my very first effort so gave up! I can see from these that I really need to persevere ....

Hoola Tallulah said...

What a clever idea, a rainy day project to bust out for the kids, at least I will pretend it is for the kids, whilst manhandling the rollers myself :) I think I will make some christmas wrapping paper, got a huge roll of brown paper somewhere and your nifty rollers are just the ticket. Thanks for sharing!

Capescrapper said...

Absolutely brilliant! Thanks for sharing this fun tip and I love that you recycled the tp rolls!

bartynboz said...

Brilliant idea - love it. Thanks so much for sharing. Viv