Block Printing Basics

Hello friends! Have you ever tried making your own rubber stamps? It's a fun craft and today, I'll show you how.

I learned it at the Brooklyn Brainery where they offer multi-disciplinary topics from crafting to cooking and presentation skills to walking tours of New York City. They promise accessible education at affordable prices.

This is their classroom in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

I had signed up for a stamp making class, otherwise known as block printing. Our teacher was the lovely Jessica Lee Kaufman.

All the materials were provided. This includes a wooden work station, EZ carve (pink rubber printing block), and carving tools.

The carving tool, when unscrewed, opens to reveal an assortment of tips.

Here are the basic rules of block printing: 

• Carve away from you (because the carving tips are sharp)
• Shallow dives (use a light hand when carving; the image Jessica gives is a bird gently touching the ocean surface when it takes a drink)
• Fingers behind tool (because again, the tips are sharp) 

We first learned how to attach a tip on the carving tool and screw on to tighten (a quick tip: "righty tighty" or turn right to tighten and "lefty loosey" or turn left to loosen). Then we tried our hand at carving by making lines using different tips.

Once we got the hang of it, we were on our way to making our own rubber stamps. I based my design on the flowers from this greeting card. I first made a sketch on paper.

Then I transferred the design to the EZ carve. I flipped the paper (the drawing is now face to face with the EZ carve) and I forcefully shaded the back of the paper with a pencil.

See, the image is now on the EZ carve!

Then I carved the rubber around and inside the design so that in the end, the flowers appear to be raised. Notice that these are very shallow cuts on the surface.

Now it's time to test the stamp. They provided these screen printing inks.

I chose black ink and placed half a spoonful onto a masonite surface. Then I spread the paint using a brayer. 

Use the brayer in both directions to get an even coat of paint. If you hear the brayer making a zipper sound, the paint should be ready. 

Apply the paint-filled brayer onto the stamp. Make sure to spread this on top of the design with pressure and in different directions.

Test the rubber stamp by flipping it onto a piece of scrap paper. Add some weight with the palm of your hands.

Here's what it looks like. 

I'll use it to add a personal touch to blank stationery and blah packages. TADA!

Here are some of my classmates. I think they'll agree, we were pretty pleased with the block prints each of us made!

Lavender on my Stationery

Yesterday, I told you about my day trip to a farm called Pleasant Valley Lavender.

I'm head-over-heels in love with the lavender bouquet that I got to pick myself.

And because I know their life is quick, I'm preserving their beauty through photographs. 

I also like to use them as a muse to dress up some blah stationery.

First a little sketch on the card stock...

And on the envelope flap.

Then some watercolor.

A memory of a summer day at the lavender farm that I can share with my friends. I can even add some dried lavender buds inside the envelopes for a hint of fragrance. TADA!

Pleasant Valley Lavender

I think lavender is one of the best scents in the world! Its joyful fragrance, vibrant color, and relaxing benefits have a special place in my heart. 

I have this crazy fantasy of running through a field of lavender. But because Provence isn't just around the corner, I found a place closer to where I live.

A tree lined road leads to Pleasant Valley Lavender. 

It's a lavender farm in New Jersey where the kind owner and her daughter gave us a tour of the property.

I was weak at the knees when I saw the lavender blooms!

Here they are up close.

Part of the fun was getting to pick, snip, and create my own bundle.

The field is just steps away from the family's home.  

A homey touch for all visiting guests: lavender lemonade. Refreshing and relaxing.

And slices of lavender pound cake!

Lavender-themed gifts for sale.

I especially liked the soap, room sprays, and pendants (buds pressed between glass).

Here is the bunch that I collected. 

A lovely arrangement that I wish I could have all year round.

I just had to make this watercolor, another souvenir from my first trip to a lavender field. TADA!

Tomorrow, another craft inspired by this trip.

Blooming Season

How are you dear friends? The weather has been gorgeous here and I've indulged in a lot of quiet walks around my neighborhood. And what a thrill that these beauties were out to greet me:

Giant sunflowers right by the library. I think that up close, the sun looks just like this.

Hibiscus the size of dinner plates! They instantly whisk me away to a tropical paradise. 

And one of my absolute favorite flowers -- lavender! If you'll tune in tomorrow, I'll take you on a little excursion and a craft inspired by this trip. See you then.

Scenes from My Summer

It's the end of July and how quickly the time flies! I remember, during the dead of winter, I retreated to a place in my head filled with long summer days and sunshine on my face. And now I'm living it. Summer is here and I'm basking in its glory!

Henry James once said, "Summer afternoon -- summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." 

How could I not agree? So today, let me share what an ideal summer weekend afternoon looks like:

Seeing the ocean, being embraced by salty air, the sound the rolling tide makes, bare feet on the sand, and the faint scent of sunblock.

 

This is a day trip to Rockaway Beach in Queens, New York.

 

It's so close to the JFK Airport that planes getting ready for landing is typical. I wonder if the passengers will see me if I wave at them? 

The board walk is clean and modern.

One of the reasons people are drawn to this beach are the food stalls on the boardwalk. 

Out of curiosity, just like these folks, we tried Rockaway Taco. It's main shack is located just off the boardwalk.

These are the fish tacos (battered tilapia with a tangy slaw topping), chorizo tacos and a side of a pineapple and mint cooler. Mmmmm.

A walk by the beach after lunch was on the agenda.

And maybe finding a souvenir.

I took home this smooth rock...

And added it to my growing collection of "Found Objects". TADA!

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer (or whatever season it is in your part of the world)!