Lemonade Day 30: Simple Wood Block Stamp

. I'm taking the opportunity of this unplanned time off to connect with the many artists and creators in this wonderful city that I love. Come with me on my 100-day odyssey - a scavenger hunt for art, creativity and community in Long Beach, CA.  I call it .

July 31st was Day 30 of Making Lemonade.  I made a simple wood block stamp.

Last Saturday, I attended the International Quilt Festival and observed a couple of classes.  The class by Embellishment Village was great because it covered many ways to create a fabric design.  Rubber stamping was one such way.

I know I can use rubber, I got one Speedball rubber stamp block from the Long Beach Depot for Creative Reuse when I visited and will definitely use it.

However, I remembered the Indonesian hardwood wood block that was given to me by a friend who travelled the world many, many years ago.  It's large, the block is about 9" x 7" and has been stored in a box in the garage for at least a decade.

What I really want to do is to have a lot of wood blocks from which I can choose when I'm printing on fabric.

Some thoughts for sourcing wood for the blocks?  I know that Lowes will have a scrap bucket next to their giant saw.  I'm sure they will give me a few (and hopefully cut them into usable sizes at no cost.)  I could, of course rummage around in the garage for some scrap wood.

I had several tools, a lightweight multi-tool (Dremel is the original brand, but there are many), a 5 in 1 hobby tool set with wood burning capability and some wood carving hand tools.

And then to try making a block.  I selected a reject, and marked some straight lines into the wood.  I hadn't had much exposure to any but the dremmel.  The task is simple, score straight lines... but still, it took some time.

The result is shown in the photos, along with a shot of my Indonesian wood block.  The pattern that prints is simple, but looks nice.  I like the fact that the grain of the wood shows up in the printed pattern.  It's a little light because the stamp pad is drying out, but the effect could be nice for layering.

 Tidbits, Things, Trails

• I made a very easy block.  What else can I do to make a stamp?
• Balsa wood would be really easy to make for stamping, but the stamp probablly wouldn't last too long.  I should explore other wood possibilities.
• I have huge respect for the folks who made the Indonesian wood block, probably by hand with no power tools.

Next up?   

• More on blocks to use for printing/stamping.

Want more lemonade?     

Need to contact me?  info@handmadepenguin.com

Trish Tsoiasue writes as herself about creative and maker topics for the and as Handmade Penguin for the Handmade Penguin Blog.