Blog a la Cart

We are absolute suckers for fine stationery in the Ulmer family. You would be mildly disturbed to take a peek into my stationary drawers. Because I totally have one of those. Seriously. Hey, in our childhood home, our mother had four cabinets stacked to the brim with stationery, so it’s in our blood.

Since this habit can be a rather expensive one, I decided it was time to learn how to emboss on my own, and I even carved a custom stamp for the project. It helps when you have a friend who already knows how to do it, and thus has all the materials and can teach you! Think of me as your friend spreading the good word about the simplicity and affordability of embossing!

Materials:
Blank sheet of rubber for carving stamp
Pencil
Carving tools (I would recommend purchasing this set to get you started)
Design for stamp
Stamp ink
Sheets of paper to be stamped and embossed
Embossing powder
Embossing heat tool

Directions:
1. I started by selecting a design for my custom stamp. I wanted to make some stationery for my daughter, so I chose a ladybug. She too will become a part of this Ulmer family craze. Her nickname is ladybug, so the design is perfect for her. I printed it out in the size I wanted the stamp to be.

2. Then color directly on the print out with a pencil. Fill in all the black area with pencil.

3. Using the blank stamp sheet, flip the design onto the sheet and rub the pencil marking onto the stamp.

4. With the carving tools, carve around the design. You want to leave the pencil area elevated, and dig out around the design. The smaller the design, the more careful you’ll need to be.

5. Try a couple test stamps to see if you have successfully captured the design. Continue carving until you’re satisfied. Just remember, you can not go back and fill in where you carve, so don’t go overboard.

6. Once you have the stamp completed, select the ink color you’d like embossed on you paper, and stamp the design onto the paper.

7. Dust the wet ink with embossing powder immediately. The ink needs to be wet to grab the powder. Dump off any excess powder for reuse later.

8. Using the embossing heat tool, blow heat over the powder on your design. You will see the color begin to shine through. When the color is evenly exposed, give it a minute to fully dry.

9. Stamp and emboss to your heart’s content for a truly custom look.

Photo: Courtesy of Ashley Weeks Cart