I was thinking about Christmas card designs a few months ago (Yes, I think about Christmas cards in August!) and was looking for the perfect stamp to go on the card.  I wanted it to say “Hello 2014”, but just couldn’t find the right style for the word “hello”.  If I can’t find something I need, I make it!

Stampin’ Up had just come out with this great new product called “Undefined“, a stamp carving kit.  It was the solution to my perfect stamp need!

All I had to do was design the word in a handwritten font on the computer, print it out, and transfer the image to the rubber.  The kit comes with two different sized carving tools and I simply began to carve away the rubber.  I had read a few tutorials on how to carve stamps and decided to cut the outline of the image with a crafting knife first so the stamp would have a smooth line.  I was surprised at how easy it was to carve and how smooth the carving tools cut the rubber.  It only took me about 30 minutes to carve out the whole stamp.

The stamp turned out exactly how I wanted it and I started making cards right away.  I opted for a simple gold emboss “Hello 2014” with pretty patterned envelope.

I love how I am no longer limited to buying stamps in a store and I am able to create one of a kind stamps myself.  I can’t wait to try some more designs, so if there are any suggestions, please let me know!

Leah