Thursday, April 7, 2016

Whiskey Tango Hotel?


I apologize if you are here from Art Journal Journey and don't want to see this latest attempt at recycling, please skip down to the end of this post.

Since I still had three wooden blocks left, for Day 7 of 22 I decided to go yet another route making stamps.

I'm still lazy enough I didn't want to sand the wooden blocks, so got out some white erasers I picked up at the dollar store a few months ago.

I decided on what I thought was a "square" block.

The first thing I did was cut into the larger eraser

with the help of my Fiskers cutter and self healing mat.

I applied what I thought was as equally thick as I could get, strips of eraser using E-6000.  Any strong silicone adhesive will work, though.  All of a sudden, the block no longer looked square.  But it was too late, now.

It was time to allow the adhesive to set up

while I gave my hand a much needed break.

Once completely set, I turned the block of wood over

and cut away the excess erasers.
 
Then it was time to ink the erasers and stamp.
Holy cow, what a mess I created.

Turning the piece in various positions didn't help, either.  I have to admit that the post title in lay (non-military) words says it all: what the heck?

What I did wrong (or at least, what I've decided I did wrong).

First, in my opinion, the block needs to be exactly square if you want the diagonals to line up properly.

Second, the top (the part that you will be inking) must be completely flat.

Third, if you can't make the erasers completely flat, use something else, like several sheets of fun foam, pencils, etc.

Fourth, if you want the diagonals to line up, they must be equally spaced.  Use a ruler if you need to.

Fifth, use my inability to make even ONE of the above things happen ideas work properly, and create a much better tutorial than I did today.

This is Day 7 of 22, and I made a mess of an eraser and a block of wood that would have gone in the chiminea pile had I not botched this tutorial.

By now you are probably shaking your head in laughter but I can't rewind the day, only hope for a better recycle day tomorrow.   And because I made such a mess of things, I decided to create a very quick entry for Art Journal Journey, where this month my internet friend Linda of heARTfully Inspired is this month's host of For the Record.  Here is my first entry for April.

This first entry for AJJ is Higher Love, by Steve Winwood from his 1986 album "Back in the High Life."  I was lucky enough to see Winwood in concert where he actually sang this song.  It's one of my favorites of his from that album.

Now Linda asked us to tell on our journal page which song we chose, so I wasn't quite sure if I did this right.  I quoted some of the lyrics that included the title of the song.

Thanks for visiting because your visits are really important to me and your comments always make me smile.

14 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Oh dear, it's not always easy to get things right, but your stamp still can be used as a background stamp. I am hopeless at measuring and cutting properly, so I just don't do it, you, at least tried. Love the journal page you made for Art Journal Journey, thanks for joining us again.Hugs, Valerie

Becky said...

Love your page and I must say I love the impression your stamp made a brilliant background stamp I might even give it a go.

froebelsternchen said...

You are so patient with your experiments Elizabeth!
I always get angry when something don't turn out as I desired. I think the same done with fun foam would have worked better.
The rubber is too stuff and don't forgive any level differences. It's better to cut into the rubber- creating peaks and valleys on one piece of rubber - that works better - I think that is the reason that stampcarving works.

I love to see all your super recycling ideas !
Did I mention it before?
You are my recyling queen!

You quick page is beautiful - I remember this song ... oh gosh I was young at this time....

THANK you for linking toArt Journal Joureny Elizabeth!

♥♥♥

oxo
Susi

kaybee said...

Now, that is my kind of stamp! I love the random look of the stamped image, and it is a great background stamp. I know it is not what you were hoping for, but look at it in a different way - sometimes imperfect things are the best!
:D

Anonymous said...

I rather like your stamp, it has great possibilities as a background maker. I can see the importance of having the wood block be completely flat, but the impressions are still pretty darn cool. Higher Love, ah little Stevie Windwood, one of my favorites. He must have been swell in concert. That is a great album. xox

My name is Erika. said...

I love that song. You served it well with your page. I never saw Steve Winwood live but I bet it was good. And I have to totally disagree with you about your latest stamp. I like it. On a painted page that grungy image would look fantastic to add little depth here and there. Some people make stamp making look so easy- and I am not sure it actually is, but then I like things that don't look machine made and perfect. Have a fantastic day! :) Erika

Halle said...

Even though the stamp didn't turn out as you had hoped, I still think it could be useful for backgrounds.
Higher Love...I get it! FUN!

Lorraine said...

I think your stamp is great to use if you're looking for the distressed look. Hope you didn't toss it. Kudos for the try.

Sandra Cox said...

I really liked the design the erasers made.......

Dianne said...

You know I love me some PINK! lol! that is a good song...a lovely page indeed. :) the further adventures of a stamp maker...I thought sure this was going to work! brilliant idea...and I rather like the 'partial' prints. I think you are onto something here...

Meggymay said...

What you made today will make a fantastic distress background stamp. There are some on the market that folk pay out a lot of money for, just to get that look. Its a great journal page , I do like that song you chose.
Yvonne xx

Jo Murray said...

Frankly, I LOVE the stamp and it's randomness (is that a word?) I'm sure it could be used for all sorts of wonderful effects.

Linda Kunsman said...

I happen to think your stamp is great for adding interest in backgrounds Elizabeth! Do hang on to it and play around some more. Beautiful journal page! Love that Steve Winwood album too. Lucky you to get to see him in concert. Thanks for the mention and for joining the new theme at AJJ!

Sharon Fritchman said...

Elizabeth, your stamp is amazing! I am always inspired by your creativity and love the look of it - I agree with Linda - it will make backgrounds look so cool. And I love the work of art you created for AJJ! That Steve Winwood song is one of my all time favs!!!!