Handcarving Your Own Rubber Stamps

Just a quick update for you.  I haven't wrapped my lampshade frame yet, and that is because I have to pick out my fabrics for the lining and the outside.  The silk ribbon that I will wrap the wire with, will have to be dyed to match the fabrics.  Just so you know, I haven't put that project aside, just haven't gotten my fabric choices.  Hard to get out of here and go shopping to find some, with the harsh winter and snow we've had. 

So, onto a quick project that I "tried" today while Gary had my computer occupied.  I have seen some of the cutest handcarved rubber stamps on Etsy.com.  I thought it would be a neat little rainy or snowy day project, so out came the linoleum cutter, tracing paper, and pencil.  Of course, you need some red carving rubber.  Had to order that online, but it is inexpensive.  Now, believe me when I tell you this is my FIRST attempt, and the stamp is ugyly ugly, but I like the fact that I tried...**gulp**.  I cannot stand not knowing how to work in a new medium that I have noticed out there in the creative land. 

I have some vintage images from the 1940s that I have saved, and I chose this little bird on a branch.  Overall about 1.5 inches wide.  So you trace the image on tracing paper, then you turn it upside down on your rubber and use your fingernail, or a bone folder to rub the image onto the rubber.  Then you begin to carve.  I know, I know, the finished stamp is ugly and I need to clean it up and make the edges of the image more sharper.  Also, I didn't have a good ink stamp pad, only this turquoise thing.  But, you can at least get an idea.  Gary will cut me a small piece of wood to mount it to, and I'll treasure it as my first attempt.  I hope to get better, as I would like to hand carve one for each of my grandchildren, with a drawing of my own, and their names.  A keepsake of sorts.  Ok, now for the photos.  LOL....you can laugh, but not too hard please LOL.  Oh, and there are some good tutorial videos on youtube.com of artists showing how to do this, and if you want to see some of the cute ones out there, just do a search on etsy.com for "hand carved rubber stamp"....

Kitschy Retro Red Mood

Maybe it is the overcast gloomy cold weather with 4 inches of snow on the ground that has set my mood, wishing for Spring with flowers, color, and fun.  I know for sure, I'm tired of winter.  I recently saw the book, The Naughty Secretary's Club, and thought it was very fun, and so while the snow is coming down, I used some fun bright vintage plastic beads and jewelry pieces that I had, to make a fun sweetheart of a bracelet, a fun daisy and mum necklace.  Both are available in my Etsy store, http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/ .  I also had these vintage lucite confetti, sweet cottage chic old clip on earrings.  There are just some pieces of vintage jewelry that I cannot disassemble for other projects, as they stand alone in whimsy and these are so Kitschy and retro.  They are also available in my Etsy store.  As for the photo of the book, you have to go to Amazon.com to look inside the book.  It has fun simple projects, so bright and retro in color and design.  You never know what you have in your stash of crafts supplies, that can be turned into fun jewelry. 

Shades of the Past Part 2

Well, continuing on, and I'll call this part 2.  Because of the poor condition of the lampshade cover, I thought it would be very easy to just rip that old cover and wire wrap off. Well, it didn't come off that easily.  What a chore.  It will be much quicker wrapping the wire, than it was to remove the old.  As you can see from my little stool, I had to basically ATTACK it with scissors.  Of course, being that the half doll is porcelain and breakable I had to be careful, but I can assure you that she got bounced around quite a bit!  She probably felt she was on a tilt-a-whirl at a local carnival!  If you look closely, you'll see that I left the metal frame under her, wrapped with the original material.  She is very sturdily attached, and feel that a new single layer wrap around that will be sufficient without disturbing her anymore.  Poor thing is still dizzy as it is.

So you can get an idea, she is about 3.5 inches tall, and marked in red on the back, JAPAN.  Now, I will sand the frame down where there are some areas of the beginning of rust, then I'll seal the metal, and begin wrapping the frame.  I'll explain that as I go in Part 3.  The frame was out of shape somewhat, and I've tried bending it back some, but trying to be careful not to break the joints, which look welded or soldered.

As for me, it has been an adventurous day.  It is my birthday.  I woke up to 12 degree weather this morning, and 3 frozen pipes.  I have had friends and family ask me why I didn't "drip" the water last night, knowing that the temperature was going below 20.  Well, you cannot drip the water going to your bathroom toilet, LOL, nor the water hoses going to your washing machine.  So, under the crawl space of this old farmhouse I went, mubbling under my breath and swearing.  Fighting old insulation, spider webs, and Lord knows what!  You cannot stand up straight under there.  That was difficult for me.  Anyway, I managed to get an electric heater on and start the unthawing process.  It took until dark this afternoon for the the water line to the toilet to unthaw.  It didn't take that long for the washing machine, and you know when it thaws, you hold your breath that there are no broken water lines. 

Holding my breath didn't work.  Unfortunately, the cold water line to the washer is broken, and water was spraying in the utility room.  So, finally this evening, after all the lines were unthawed, the water was shut down to the whole house, and a plumber will have to be called tomorrow.  We are expecting snow and ice here in Tennessee this evening and tomorrow.

I hope everyone of you are staying warm.  I know that I'm dreaming of Spring already.  I hope you'll stayed tuned for Part 3.

~Robbie~

Sweet & Repurposed

Well, before I could remove the lampshade's old cover, I had to finish this sweet necklace, created using old and new findings.  The 30mm daisy connectors were a wonderful find on etsy, and I topped them with 15mm floral mum cabochons.  Each charm link, is then attached with vintage brass and pink beads from the 1950s.  Overall length is between 20 and 21 inches.  Such fun Spring colors, reminds me of old egg filled Easter basket from long ago.  Now, I guess I better get that lampshade started.  Check back for more photos.

Stay warm, as the South is really getting hammered today with ice and snow!

~Robbie~

Shades of the Past

This is a precious find, a small petite lampshade. You can click on the photo so that they enlarge so you can see more detail!  This is a vintage lampshade that would slip over the headboard to your bed, for night time reading, etc.  My first major New Year 2011 project will be restoring this to its sweet glory.  The little porcelain half doll that is attached to the framework will be hard to work around, but she is part of the original design, and will remain.  From the looks of her clothing, this lampshade probably dates back to the 1920s.  Of course, it will have new wiring/cord.  So, I will photograph each step along the way, and will post so you can see how this will be done, and of course, I welcome any comments or questions also.  When finished, I'm not sure if I will sell this, or keep it.  That is yet to be seen, but I hope you will follow me along the way.  My first step will be to remove the old shabby pink cover, trim, the lady's skirt, and old cloth wrapping around the wire frame.  Please check back for updates, and I hope you are having a wonderful January thus far....~Robbie~

THANKSGIVING 2010

It has been a long time since my last post, and for that I apologize.  It seems as soon as Labor Day Weekend is over, things just get so busy, and then the next thing you know, a new year has arrived.  Every year I promise myself that I will slow down, and take the last 3 months of each year more slowly.  Well, maybe next year :)

When I log onto the internet each day, the countdown until Christmas Day shows, and I start to rush through everyday even more.  This past weekend, it was time to get out my favorite recipes, for treats that I only bake this time of year.  One being an Amish Pumpkin Cookie Recipe.  The cookie turns out cake like, and I smother the top with delicious cream cheese icing.  As a matter of fact, my husband took an entire batch to work with him this morning to share.  So, tomorrow, I will make one more, along with a batch of Snickerdoodles.

I promise to post more between now and Christmas, showing some projects that I have been creating, so I hope that you will check back.  It will get more interesting...LOL.

So, with that, here is the recipe for the Amish Pumpkin Cookies. This is the original recipe, but I have added some changes at the end, just as a suggestion... Enjoy!  And have a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday.  ~ Robbie~!

AMISH PUMPKIN COOKIES

• 1 cup of Crisco
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup of Libbey's pumpkin
• 2 cups of all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp of cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and set aside.  Cream your Crisco and white sugar, add egg, and mix well.  Add pumpkin, and continue mixing well.  Fold this mixture into the dry ingredients.  Spoon onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake 12 minutes, or until they begin to get light brown on the edges. 

**Options**

I put 2 tsp of cinnamon instead of 1, and I add a little nutmeg and ginger also.  You can use Allspice (for apple pies) as a substitute for the cinnamon.  I like my cookies bursting with flavor, so I usually add more. 

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract


Directions


In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use.
If it is too thick add a tablespoon of water and remix to make more moist.
 
Ice the cookies once they have cooled.  You might have left over frosting.  I usally don't, because I pile that stuff so thick on top of the cookies!  You can also sprinkle the tops after you ice them, with a tiny hint of nutmeg for color. 

AUTUMN THEME LINEN, ROOM, AND BODY SPRAYS

One morning of a drop in temperature, even though not drastic yet, still gets me in the Fall mood.  Ready for pumpkins, cornstalks, and a room filled with the aroma of mulled cider, cranberries, and more.  So, I want to share with you a simple room spray you can make at home.  I will provide links for supply sources also.  My favorite of course is pumpkin spice.  However, I have created room sprays for several different rooms in my home.   Here is the simple recipe:

Distilled Water (you can get this at Walmart or grocery stores)  I buy it in gallon size.
2 - 3 ounces of WATER BASED fragrance
1 1/2 ( 1.5 oz) ounces of Isopropyl Alcohol (leave off the alcohol if using as a body spray)

Mix the water based fragrance into the isopropyl alcohol by pouring into a clean glass container and stir together gently.  Put in a 4 oz spray bottle, then slowly add distilled water until you fill your spray bottle.  Again, this is for a 4 oz spray bottle.  You can double the recipe for larger bottles.  Your liquid spray will most likely turn white or cloudy.  That's okay, it is a simple reaction with the water.  Shake before each use.  Test furniture first if you plan on spraying fabric furniture.  Never use this on Silk or Satin.  And please, don't spray the dog!  LOL

See how simple this recipe is?  And I love it.  You can even make money selling these at art and craft fairs.  So here are some sources for supplies!  Enjoy!

4 oz plastic spray bottles ( http://www.specialtybottle.com/ )
Water Based Fragrances (they have tons of different scents) ( http://www.craftlobby.com/ )  It will show a name Big River, but it is the same company, and they have been very quick to ship. I buy the 8oz bottles.

Then I use brown kraft labels as shown in the photograph!  Again, hope you enjoy this simple projects.