Look what I got to play with recently! It’s been a while since I carved any stamps because I’ve been busy with illustration work. I’ve been itching to dig my tools into erasers and rubber and this came at a perfect time!
It’s a Stampin’ Up! Undefined Stamp Carving Kit which comes with everything you need to start carving your own custom rubber stamps. Fun! I’m not a fan of pre-made creativity and apart from the time I was ten and bought some kiddie stamps from a neighbour’s garage sale, I’m not the type who would buy ready-made stamps.
I like making things my own way and I love carving stamps, so how perfect is the Stampin’ Up! Undefined Stamp Carving Kit? Here’s what’s inside:
One of the first things I took note of was the rubber.
I immediately noticed, even before taking it out of its plastic wrapper, that the rubber was pleasantly weighty and had a thick, firm consistency. The quality of the rubber is important as it can make or break your stamps (sometimes literally). I’ve tried a low-quality rubber carving block before that was too soft and floppy– it wasn’t any good for carving as the rubber didn’t hold up against my carving tool.
Speaking of carving tools, there are TWO in this set, with U- and V-shaped tips. They come with a protective cap– a nice touch. Now I don’t have to worry about my cat stepping on them and hurting herself if I leave my tools lying around. It’s also convenient that you have two separate tools for carving instead of switching out the tips like you would if you were using a Speedball cutter.
If you’ve been following my stamp-carving progress, I started carving stamps using similar U- and V- tips I got locally from National Bookstore.
They’re Chinese woodcutting tools and they do the job fine but let me show you how the V-tip tool from my generic set and the Stampin’ Up! set compare.
As you can see, compared to the generic V-tip, the Stampin’ Up! V-tip is much, much sharper and finer which gives you a finer carving line– great for carving small details! I couldn’t wait to try it out.
I started out by taking a wood mount, approximating a square of rubber that would fit on the mount, cutting out the square, outlining the size of the rubber on a piece of paper, and drawing my stamp design (the kit came with stamp templates but I’m an illustrator so it makes more sense for me to draw my own designs :P).
I then transferred my drawing on the rubber. (Feeling lost? Check out my complete and in-depth stamp carving tutorial here.)
This step is optional, but I took an X-acto knife and lightly traced a shallow cut along all the edges of my design for better carving control. I do this every time I start carving, but this particular rubber is so firm and sturdy that I probably didn’t need to do this this time. I only outlined my edges previously to serve as a guide and to prevent wayward strokes when using the carving tool against softer rubber material.
With all edges traced, I started carving using Stampin’ Up!’s tools– the V-tip to go around the design’s edges and in between small areas, and the U-tip to clear larger, unwanted areas around the design. Again, the rubber was pleasantly firm– it’s much firmer than the erasers and carving blocks I use so it takes a bit of getting used to, but I found that this rubber holds up well against the carving tools and thus gives me greater control over finer lines and smaller details. I think I prefer this firmer consistency over the butter-like carving block I bought in Singapore.
After I finished carving the stamp, it was time to ink it. At first I was looking for an ink pad in the kit but instead, the kit came with a double-tipped Stampin’ Write Island Indigo marker. Initially, I thought it was *just* a pen and thought it was weird and unnecessary, but figured out that its wide-tipped end is what you use to ink your stamp. Ooooh.
It would be great if the kit came with a bunch of different marker colors so you can apply numerous colors on one stamp, no? But I like the shade of blue the marker came in.
I tested the stamp on paper to make sure it was carved cleanly, and when I was satisfied, I stamped the rubber on a wood mount.
I used black stamp pad ink for this because I prefer my wood mount with black ink instead of blue. But that’s just me. I also trimmed the stamp’s edges. (Tip: the discarded block edges make GREAT pencil erasers! I’ve been using rubber block discards as erasers for my illustration work)
The kit also came with a 3 x 4 piece of foam with a double-sided sticky surface– it goes in between your wood mount and your rubber stamp. I don’t know if you really need that foam in between, but it does give your stamp a nice little “sink” when you press it on paper and it helps distribute the ink evenly.
The finished, mounted stamp.
I liked carving with the rubber and the tools so much, I made three more stamps and used up all the things in my kit.
Photo from my Instagram account
I love the wood blocks– I’ve never mounted my stamps before and these mounts make them look legit π
The kit also came with three blank postcards so I used the stamps I made and the 0.5-tipped pen end of the Stampin’ Write marker to draw around the stamped images. See, this kit really comes with everything you need!
I even used the nice, sturdy kit box to store my other stamps. Well, some of it, anyway. I may need a bigger box.
I’m so pleased with the Stampin’ Up! Undefined Stamp Carving Kit. It’s available here on the Stampin’ Up! website (also with kit refills) but, at the time being, only in the US and Canada π FORTUNATELY, Stampin’ Up! has generously given me an Undefined Stamp Carving Kit to GIVE AWAY!
UPDATE: August 19, 2013:
COMMENTS AND GIVEAWAY CLOSED. The winner has been announced!
This giveaway is open to everyone, regardless of where you are in the world. All you have to do is LEAVE A COMMENT (just ONE COMMENT per person please) on this blog post. It can be a smiley face, or “me!” or anything you want to say (a joke, a poem in iambic pentameter, the declaration of independence, etc?). Just make sure you’re using a valid email address. I will be closing the comments by 12:00 NOON, Philippine time (GMT+8), on Monday, August 19. For reference, that’s Monday, 12 midnight in New York. I will be picking a RANDOM WINNER (either via a random number generator or by drawing names out of a box) the same date, August 19. I’ll be throwing in one of the postcards above and my own Do More of What Makes You Happy postcard. π
Follow my Instagram account as well (@regsilvadotcom)– I may also send out the other two postcards to random winners on IG. I’ll post details on my Instagram account by mid-week π
UPDATE: August 19, 2013:
COMMENTS AND GIVEAWAY CLOSED. The winner has been announced!
[ Full disclosure: In case it’s not obvious yet, this is a sponsored post. Stampin’ Up! sent me two kits– one to review, and another to give away. I don’t usually do sponsored posts (in fact, this is my first) and I turn down a lot of would-be advertisers because most of what they offer isn’t something I myself would be interested in, but I thought this kit is something a lot of my followers would love, as I do π ]
122 Comments
Mary
Your carvings are all so cute!! I would love to win this π
Sheila
Me me me! I want to win!
Patty Cuyugan
I liiiiike! I’ve been wanting to try carving my own stamps for a while now, ever since I read your tutorial on carving them out of erasers actually. I have yet to buy tools though. This kit looks perfect, and since I’m really drawing-challenged, the templates would come in so handy! *Fingers crossed!*
Anna Li
Wow. your designs look great! π
Aiza Bagano
Hi Reg! π
I want to win this!! ^_^
By the way I love your artwork π
Kurit Mikay
I never tried carvings before, but I would love to and willing to learn if given a chance. It’s nice that you’ve shared your blessings, more power to you wedgie…!!! You’re truly an inspiration….
Macy
Too awesome to pass up. haha! Love your stamps, Reggie!
Ivy
ooohhhh… i want to win this!!!! π
Uchi
woah! I want 1! love it!:)
Kristina Henson
Pick me, pick me ….. :))
Carlawarla
Hi Reggie! I super would love to win this! heheh I am not creative myself but your review made it looks super easy to start making rubber stamps! =) pick meeee! =)
Fozzy
Please please please! I waaaant this! If you include pixie dust of your carving skills that would be awesome toooo. Haha π
carina
me pleaseeeeee! <3
Aliza
“Pick me, choose me, love me” Meredith Grey once told.
P.S. Im also a Benildean sooooo *wink wink
Rosette Adel
You made such cute stamps! I want to learn and win this too! π
Esther Angela
you are my inspiration to start making a stamp. even I probably will not be picked as a winner, but thanks for making me realize that make a stamp is a fun and simple π
Ninin
I want this sooo bad ???? i’ve been following your IG id and always fallin’ in ? with your artwork
Randy Valencia
Please pick me! I really need this
Kris
ME! ME! OH, ME! PLEASE π haha
Arge
Hello Reg!
I hope to win your Stampin’ Up giveaway π I’d love to have your Do More of What Makes You Happy postcard, too. Perfect for my inspiration board π
God bless.
Christine LaviΓ±a
I want and need this badly! Pick me! π
Camille
Oh my it’s sooo cute!!! I want!!! Hihihi! ;-D
dannica mae berroya
me!!!!!! please please pleaseeeeee!!!! ????????
Clarisse
Omg! Randomizer… Please pick me π
celine martin
me please! π
Franny A
Nifty~! π
Sara
You’re so talented and this tutorial is extremely helpful and great!
Jen Estigoy
I like to try this one. And by the way, your illustrations are really good π
Joycee
I’d love to try different tools in rubberstamp carving and also you are one of my idols when it comes to this.
fritzel mispenas
can’t judge f ur items r cool..as long as i can receive one
..luking forward to ur generous offer!tnx much!
Anna
Me, me, me!!! π
Love the bunting stamp, Reg! ?
Arkky
drool .. :)~
shiela
Oh I love your works reg silva!
Susan
Me please.. : )
Daphne
Hey! Stamping some love here! π
Shruti
Hi! Have been following your page for ages now (instagram). Saw the related post today and immediately jumped out of bed in excitement! I am from India and there are hardly any art shops here. So, I really hope I win this! π
pergy
wow i want, i want!
Casey
How are you so awesome? I love your designs!
Reg Silva Fan right here! :D/
Punky
I wanna win!!! π
Jamie Ballesteros
I want this!!! It would be great for a person who loves to DIY like me. I hope I could win this! π
Mike
I’m a big fan of your work, Ms. Reg! I would love to give this a try given the chance! =]
Vea
I’ve always wanted to try this. Aaaaaaaaah meeeeee ^_^
Allen Patulot
I want ! <3 it's awesome !!! I wanna win π
krissie
I hope Aug 19 would be my lucky day π
Bea
This may sound really weird, but I am your number 1 fan!!! <3 Even though I'm taking up medicine, your blog is one of my daily visits because I love just your work. You inspire me to live my (other) passion despite my crazy med life. Even if I don't win (but I still pray and wish and plead that I dooo haha), I would just like to let you know that you're an amazing artist and I would like to be like you someday π Thanks for being an inspiration! <3
Reg
Huwaw, thank you so much, Bea! I appreciate it! YOUR comment is an inspiration for me to do more of what I do :”) Thank you, I’m glad my passion is infectious π
Roberta
I have only a word: amazing!!!!!
jerose
Hope to have it next week…. ^__^
Lovely Solitude
NICE! I just LOVE stamps!!! <3 Wanna win! π
nona
I need this real bad. I’m only limited to using small eraser blocks and I can’t make bigger designs without rubber blocks meant for carving!
And btw I absolutely love your post about how you quit your tv animation job to pursue illustration! That was really, really inspiring. π
Reg
Thank you, Nona! I’m glad the article was an inspiration π It’s a bit idealistic and very Generation Y of me, but I really am an advocate of pursuing what you really want to do :3
Paola
I’m so addicted with rubber stamp carving sooo I would love to have this! yay! π
jean beltran
i have been following this site and i hope i will win so I can make stamps too!
DΓ©bora Cabral
aah, these are so cool! want!
Jorese Chan
I had experience in lino cutting before in our Graphic Arts subject and I always get excited to carve that one time I accidentally drove the carving tool straight to my thumb haha I wanna try carving again and I hope I win π
Aleena
I would love to have these! π
aizkim
fingers crossies!!!! I hope I get picked!
Becki Schwartz
love stampin’ up! this kit looks awesome, i hope i win! π
Joanna
Hoping to win! I like carving stamps too, so therapeutic haha. Your stamps are adorable! π
Dlo
Yesterday, I just tried making a stamp out of an unused eraser, and it was so fun~ So when my friend told me about this giveaway, I just immediately checked out your blog and portfolio, and it’s amazing! (Especially my favorite: Play)
Reg
Hi Dlo, thank you so much for your comment and for taking the time to check out my work! :”)
Lorra
OMG!!! The wooden mount is awesome. This kit is amazing and hopefully, it’ll be available locally too. π
Stamp date again soon?
Ava
I’ve been wanting to learn how to make rubber stamps for the longest time! Reading the entry above, I was hoping to learn a few tricks from you since I never get to attend the craft classes. But then it’s so timely you’re also giving away a kit!:) hoping I get the lucky chance of winning the kit!:) thanks for the tutorial as well!:)
Eloisa
Woaaah! O_O I want! Oh please fairy of luck, gimme gimme gimme! π
Christine
wow! this is great! i will look for this if don’t win this. hahaha! π
Melody
You are such a talented illustrator and you’re so amazing at carving stamps. Thank you for sharing!
Reg
Aww, thank you so much, Melody! I really appreciate it π
Becky Jensen
Undefined!
Cailey Cantrell
π that’s cute
Katyha
Lucky number 66 π
gorgeous giveaway Regina…thank you!
Jean Fitch
Whoo Hoo! Super review Reg. Thanks for all the great pictures and comparisons. Excellent tutorial too. Thanks for sharing your experience and tips. Love the stamps you’ve created with this kit too. Very cute and cool that they all work together. Leave it to an artist! Hm…maybe you have a gig as a stamp designer in your future? Thanks for the try for the candy too. Looks like I’ve just found a new blog to follow too.
Reg
Thank you, Jean! Heh, I would love a gig as a stamp designer given the chance π Thanks for your comment, I appreciate it! A winner has already been picked but there will be other giveaways in the near future! π
Patti
You did a terrific job of making a non artistic person feel that they could actually do this. Thank you for sharing.
Nyx
Do more of what makes you happy? This one will! π
Mary Fatima Diangson
So CUTE!!! i really want this for my baby boy!
Myleen Castro
Always loved your work, Reg! From drawing to stamping to everything! I wish I was as talented as you! My only talent is singing in the bathroom. LOL
Reg
Thank you as always, Myleen! <3 Quits lang tayo– I can't carry a tune and I don't sing, even in the bathroom π LOL!
Rae
Nice! Would love to have one and carve and stamp away!
arlene
very cute. would love to try out those new carving tools.
Beth
I really appreciate your attention to detail in your work as well as the review you gave for this kit. You did a fantastic job “illustrating” your work making all of these precious stamps! Thanks for all of the inspiration…
Krista Jensen
Thanks for the tip with the exacto knife! I wondered how you got such straight lines. You must have a steady hand, too! Beautiful set! I’d buy it! π
Geraldine Soh
Love your illustrations and tutorial and I would love to make my own stamps too! Please let me win this, please please please! <3
Patricia Anzanello
Pick me!!! ????
Randi Sjaelland
I hope I get picked! I have been wanting to try and make my own stamps for a while but I could not find equipment I could afford or that would ship to Denmark. I like the stamps that you made and they inspired me to keep trying to find equipment so I can make my own. (^u^)b
Amor
Great kit! Your carving is mad π
michelle
i hope i get picked for this! i have been wanting to try rubber cutting for the longest time.i love reading your blog and it made my love affair with arts and crafts stronger….
i really hope i get picked! π
Mehmet Saygin
I would love to try it.
kriz
pick me!
I haven’t tried stamp carving so yeah if i win, i’ll put that kit to good use π
April San Pedro
Wow! Thats a very nice kit… been wanted to try a good tool and a rubber block for stamping…
Jane
i love your drawings! and awesome stamp kit! π
hope i win this!!
Rosie
I share your love for stamps! This makes me want to stamp away π
Rebecca
ooh!pick me:) these would be great for some print motifs!
Parama
OMG OMG OMG i want this stamp kit sooo bad i can’t find them in my country :”
Ea
This is soooo cool! I have tried making rubber stamps before buy haven’t gotten it quite right. Now I want to try it again! Hope I get to win this kit!
Jen
Your stamps are so cute! Your illustrations are so awesome.
Greenbeanbaby
Oh how wonderful your stamps came out! Always love your work!! And I’d love to have a chance to win too ????
OneGiraphe
I loveeeee it!!!! I want it really bad!!! <3
nelk
WANT!!! π
Ringtailedlemur
Fingers crossed! One day I might be the lucky one π
pui teng
omg , these are so awsome !!!
I tried to make these before but always end up the rubber stamp broke into pieces π I would be so please and glad to try out this kid !!!
pick me~ pick meeeee !!!! π
lalah varias
Awesome! π
nitchii
i always adore your hand works, reg! you’re so talented, especially when it comes to persistence of cuteness!!! always a fan!
Reg
Thank you, Nitchii! You know I’ve been a fan of your work, too! I can see your style evolving via Instagram! π
Izzay
a new hobby to learn!
Veeyah
Woah! This kit is amazing! It would be a real treat to win this! ^___^
Hanan
I would like to win too . Nice art π
Val
pick mee pick me !!!!!! π π π π
lyn mercado
Hope I win π
eiLeeN
Cool review and cool giveaway! Hope to get my hands on this kit π
Justina
Loads space for creativity: )! lovely examples ;)))
Anastasiya
absolutely fabulous!
B.
Trying out my luck. I’d like to try the kit and have that postcard for a little positivity!
Julie Pike
Oh my!!! I’m in trouble….just what I need, a new obsession! Hope I win the kit!
Mary Ira Cruz
I would super duper duper love to win this!!!!! ???
seven cloud
..i crave from long time to work with it,to do great things..hope you can fulfill my dream! Thank you π
blossom
me me! π
Alvaro
Hi Reg!!!! Hope all is well. Sign me up!
Reg
Hello Alvaro! π Even if you didn’t win, I still owe you a postcard so expect that in the mail soon! π Your drawings are still in progress— ever so slowly, I’m afraid, but they’re being worked on π
Kris
sooo cute! ^_^
Hajar
This is so cute! Do you do commisions?
Jennifer
I want to win this stampin’ up! stamp carving kit.
Pakowacz
Hi π ! Thanks for review