Monday 21 April 2008

Stamps






I had a great decorated papers and journal workshop on Sunday. The students all went home with fabulous journals that they had created. The class was go, go, go. We were so busy I didn't get to take any photos, which was very disappointing as there were some lovely papers produced.

I've also been making stamps. I managed to find the blue blocks at Paperific when it was in Melbourne. I made some of the images from Indian wood blocks that I have. The wood blocks are great for using with paint but are not very successful with stamp pads, so I decided to imprint them into the blue blocks. Now I can print them with stamp pads. To create the stamps you heat the block with a heat gun then press an image into it. I would suggest you do this outside and I even use a mask, I'm very conscious of what damage the fumes can do to your body. The black stamps are a material that I got from the reverse garbage Art Truck in Ringwood. It looked the same and I had brought home quite a lot of it. As usual I'd forgotten I had it until Joy, in my altered book class, mentioned she had some and wondered if it would work. I gave it a try and these are the results. The cogs are the cardboard ones that you buy in a packet. I spread them out on a brick then heated the foam and voila, they worked.





This is a page from my journal. I loved the expression on the woman's face.

31 comments:

Gillian Mowbray said...

Beautiful stamped papers. The colours look very Indian and that reverse effect could almost be batik.

Unknown said...

Fantastic stamps! I have loads of old wood blocks from India and have never had much luck printing with them. I'll try creating rubber stamps from them, good idea!

Your swap piece 'teases' are so bright and textural...love it. I do hope you all will share the entire work when it's completed!

Judy Wise said...

YEEEEEE (screaming with joy) - that journal spread is the bomb!!!! Love love love the stamps, esp the India looking ones. And I think I have some of that foam stuff that might work to make blue block impressions in; (off to try it out). Beautiful post, Ro. Thank you. AGAIN.

Apple said...

Those stamps look like so much fun. Beautiful journal page!!

Steph said...

wowwwwwww Ro those stamps are awsome! I wish I could find this kind of foam in Belgium ... one day maybe ...

sharon young said...

Hi Ro
It's always such a joy to come over to your blog, it's so exciting with all that pattern and colour.
I've got some Indian blocks and I love the idea of being able to make them into rubber stamps.
Glad the workshop was so successful, but then again it would be:-)
Great journal page!!

mcdc3s said...

OH I am in love with the papers and the stamps. The images are so RICH and interesting, very unique and absolutely ooak. I have never heard of those blocks... I will have to see if they have them at Dick Blick art store!

Kims Art said...

I am so glad you left a comment on my blog. What a treat to visit yours. Everything you do is just wonderful! A very talented lady you are! I am skipping back to my place to add you to my favorite links.

Judy said...

you never cease to amazeme Ro.
xo

Sam Marshall said...

Ro,
Those stamped papers are beautiful!!!!The expression on the woman's face is so cool.
xxx

azirca said...

everything is so beautiful.

Jo Wholohan said...

Squeeeee these stamps are amazing Ro!!! Yummyyyyy :))

Love your journal page, that lady is wild!!!

Jen Crossley said...

Oh Ro these looks awesome.I must admit I love the colour and you know Im a sepia girl.Your stamps look very cool.You are so very talented and very inspiring
Jen

Linda O'Neill said...

Wow...love those stamps!...and your journal pages are color plus! They make me happy...so alive and beautiful, Ro.

rivergardenstudio said...

Wow! These journal pages are gorgeous! The details and the colors. And your stamps. You have again inspired me, I can hardly wait for the weekend to create! Roxnanne

Seth said...

What a great idea to use the Indian woodblocks. The images they create look great.

Julie H said...

Terrific stamps Ro. I have some of that stamp stuff - haven't used it for years, you have me inspired to drag it out.

Wondeful journal page too.

Anonymous said...

The stamps turned out brilliantly. I've been making cog print blocks by carving old wine corks, but your idea is much more efficient!

Lynn Cohen said...

Very Cool stamps!
Very cool journal pages too.

femminismo said...

Ro,
It sounds like you are incredibly busy, and I hate to do this, but I would love to link you with other people who visit my blog. I was "tagged" today and would like to "tag" you. Check out the rules on my blog, femminismo.blogspot.com. Again, sorry if this ties you up. Just stop the tagging if you want.
I have made some new stamps but want to try some of your colorful designs. Best wishes from Oregon and the U.S. - femminismo

Maria Catalina Wiley said...

What fantastic stamps, Ro! I also love your journal page - I love the colours you use!
I enjoy your blog :-)
Maria, CQ

Gaby Bee said...

These stamps are very cool. I also love your journal pages. The colors and the details are fantastic!

Emily said...

wonderful rich colorful page - thanks for sharing this and I will be back often to see what you are up to.
I try to make my journal self expression messy juicy loose and flowing and you really have achieved all that.

Amber Dawn Inventive Soul said...

~*Hi Ro*~
The stamps are GREAT!
Did you carve the details with a power tool at all?
I am SO inspired!
*Smiles*

(Are you done making the pins for the swap yet? Gillian's have arrived and they are *special*... LOVELY!)

Best wishes for a FUN and creative weekend!
Amber Dawn

Candace said...

These are so beautiful! They look like you can just reach out, touch the screen and there they are.

I have seen that lady in the journal somewhere else. Isn't she a scream?

Lovely post, Ro. Thanks for sharing.

Candace

Karen Cole said...

Attitude for sure. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that journal spread!!! I can just see her sipping a drink with that little umbrella in her glass.

and the stamps.....:-)

Boy did we miss having you join us. I didn't sleep for a week, though....yawn. So many stories to tell.

Off to Art and Soul this week. Perhaps I can make something with all of the goodies we bought here, there and everywhere.

michelle allen said...

thanks for commenting on my blog and leading me to yours! it's wonderful! I love what you've done with these foam blocks and all the wonderful papers you're creating in your more recent post. i'd love to take a workshop from you someday!

Judy Scott said...

Ro the stamps are amazing what a wonderful idea and I love your journal page so bright and colourful. I am so jealous of your students who were in your class ~ what a wonderful day they must have had! Judy x

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness! those stamps are beautiful but what makes them more so is your composition and color. Every time i see your colors I feel a thrill. It's like gypsy costumes on a page.

girlgonethreadwild said...

i just started carving my own stamps... it's freak'N addictive. Wanting to make my own fabric, you def. are my inspiration! Ro, you ROCK! ~Monica

Anonymous said...

Don't you just love Penscore?! Your papers are beautiful...