Hand Cut Stamps Using Kwik Cut

I just stamped my most recent hand cut stamps using the Kwik Cut Product available from Nasco.  I know that I am repeating myself but it is an amazing product and so easy to use.  I used the Colorbox stamp pads to quickly ink each of these three stamps shown above, my favorite is the sun and think that this stamp will be something that I can use often.  The birds are just ok in my opinion and did not stamp up as easily with this stamping pad and want to try them with the black stamp pad, shown below, and the result was still not quite as good as I would have hoped.  I'd say that this stamp needs additional work and I may consider cutting more out of the center so that I have just the bird outline instead which will allow me the opportunity to color each bird.  I'd say that this process is meant to have good results with the not so good and that makes it a learning process.  I really liked the sun though and can see that I will have many opportunities to use this stamp.  Give it a try and see what you think. 

I have a new pattern available on my website that I just love.  The photo doesn't show how vibrant the color is on this piece or how adorable the frogs and the character is.  It is painted on a small photo album but could easily be painted on a variety of surfaces including a canvas covered sketchbook for someone you care about.  Wouldn't that make a wonderful keepsake to give.  I hope you enjoy the newest patterns that I will be releasing this summer. 

Happy Summer,

I'm happy to say that in spite of the weather, I am in the summer mood.  Actually it is typical June weather with rain and yes, even a little snow.  LOL.  The joys of living in the mountains.  School is out and I have the summer to enjoy and I am going to enjoy it.  I have so many plans for this summer that I may need to put in 24 hour days to get them all accomplished, which is typical of my summer time plans.  Needless to say I'm hoping to post often this summer about some of the new patterns and projects that I am planning.  If any of you are on the Tole Town site you know that Susan and Lorrie put out a wonderful E-zine that I have been a frequent contributor to and they have a new issue coming out soon with a darling fish themed project from yours truly that I hope you enjoy.  Look for it at www.toletown.com and if you are not a member give it a shot the benefits are tremendous from online classes to opportunities to connect with fellow artists and crafts people.  I love it. 

I was posting on another blog about sculpting with Kwik Wood and I thought that perhaps it would be a good time to revisit adding detail to your projects with sculpting material.  I have chosen to use Kwik Wood but I know that many of you use other products such as Paper Clay, they all should work the same.  It wouldn't be necessary to change your product that you prefer.  Kwik Wood is a marvelous product that is designed to fix or bond wood pieces together because it has an epoxy base and when placed onto a wood piece or to other Kwik Wood adheres rather quickly.  JB Weld is the manufacture and produces other Kwik Products such as Kwik Plastic which I have also used in the past and is an equally great product.  In my patterns I give detailed instructions as to the use of Kwik Wood, how to activate the epoxy, templates for sculpting, as well as a number of hints and tips to make your sculpting experience fun and exciting.

When I started publishing my patterns with sculpted detail on them the response was tremendous so I know that folks are interested in exploring the media.  I have a few new patterns using Kwik Wood that will come out this summer that I hope you will look for in the near future.  I'm going to post a few photos of some of the projects that I have completed with Kwik Wood.  Let me know your thoughts about sculpting with any of the products out there.

This pattern is called Honey of a Bruin and is available on my website at the link:  http://www.chartmandesigns.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=144  This is one of my favorite sculpted projects that I added to a wood piece from Cupboard Distributing but could easily be added to a variety of surfaces. 

This pattern is called Giraffe, Rat, Turtle Zoo Sculpted Ornaments and can be found at http://www.chartmandesigns.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=141 I think that these guys are so darling and are so easy.  Can't you see these sculpted and given as gifts for Christmas this year or my thought was to put them on a baby mobile. 

This pattern is called Penguin, Snow Cone Lady, and Partridge in a Pear Tree Winter Ornaments and can be found at   http://www.chartmandesigns.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=143  Isn't this pattern darling?  These turned shapes can be found at Cupboard Distributing. 

This pattern is called Santa's Helpers and is available at http://www.chartmandesigns.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=142  I loved sculpting these onto the acorn shapes that are available from Cupboard Distributing.  I think these little guys have so much personality. 

Check back in a couple of days and I will discuss further sculpted projects that I've done with Kwik Wood.