I am participating in the March Slice of Life Story Challenge. Thanks to the co-authors of Two Writing Teachers for creating this supportive community.
I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about my OLW for 2017 – create. My intention was to find different areas of my life, not just with writing, where I could create something tangible or intangible. I was thinking I needed to get back to this, to be more intentional in creating. Then I saw Amy Ludwig VanDerwater’s post on The Poem Farm. She used a poem to describe the process of making a stamp. Although I enjoy crafts, I don’t consider myself crafty, and the extent to which I can be trusted with a sharp knife is questionable – just ask my family. Making my own stamp would definitely stretch my creativity, so I decided to try it out.
First, I decided I needed more detailed instructions – You Tube to the rescue. Finding the necessary supplies was somewhat of an obstacle, but three craft stores later, I was ready.
I gathered all my supplies and set to work. Amy’s instructions included thinking about the things you love to decide on a theme for the stamp, so of course I chose flowers. In the picture you will see the finished products. My first attempt was the iris which I think turned out better than the tulip.
I wish I could say that the picture below was my third attempt. But that is the stamp that I bought for inspiration. It reminds me of the bluebird house in my backyard, the one I sometimes refer to as the “fancy house.” Isn’t it beautiful?
There is an ad for a new version of Office that pops up on my computer from time to time – Create. Edit. Do. Impress. Making my stamps took me through that process (maybe the “impress” part not so much). I have lots of material left, so if you want to try out stamp making, come on over!
Imagine the Possibilities 
I love how you are living your OLW. I saw Amy’s post and loved that too! I bet my students would enjoy making them. Now I’m thinking….
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Love that you tried out making a stamp and holding yourself to your OLW! Inspiring!
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I LOVE stamp carving. You should check out Letterboxing – it’s a treasure-hunt style game, and the reward is finding a box with a stamp in it. The vast majority of them are handcarved and many are pieces of art. You could even make your own! ( https://www.atlasquest.com/ )
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Thanks for the link! Obviously I need a lot of practice.
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I never would have thought of trying to make my own stamp. I think your stamps look good! Way to embrace your OLW
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Congrats on trying new. I could see me slicing my fingers trying to do something like this. I do like your end results.
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Thanks, Bob. I made sure the bandaids were handy.
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Isn’t it interesting what you can find on YouTube? I think for your first attempt you did a great job. Don’t give up, keep honing that skill.
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Amy’s post inspired me, too, Rose. I bought the supplies and they are sitting in a bag somewhere, you have motivated me to find them and get to work!
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It wasn’t as hard as I thought it might be, but it would have been better if I had a little artistic talent. Good luck – Ihope you try it!
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What a fun project! I love trying out new things!
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Wow! You may not be impressed by your efforts but I sure am! Congratulations on rising to the challenge.
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I have to check out Amy’s post! I miss being creative too. I used to knit and have been missing it lately. I don’t seem to have the time. I figure in three years when my boys are both gone, I will have plenty of time to get creative. Maybe I’ll pop over in September of 2020 – stamps and martinis!
Clare
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I used to cross -stitch. May have to slice about that.
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