DIY -- Foam Stamps with Kate

Recently I spent an afternoon with my friend Kate, 

who taught me how to make foam stamps, 

after which we gelli printed papers and had a wonderful lunch.

Some of you may have done this, but for those who haven't it's a fun way to make stamps, especially abstract ones. And easy and safe, too, so a good project for kids.

 

Start with thin foam and just begin cutting. 

You can use decorative scissors or do it all freehand.

Don't forget your punches, too!

 

If you're very clever, you can also make some shapes!

 

After you have what you like, cover a piece of foam core 

(especially nice with cork on one side) with Alene's double stick tape sheets 

(You could also use a very strong glue).

Keep working till you have the design you like. 

(It helps to sort of lay out before you stick on the Aileen's because it is pretty 

close to permanent once it is down.)

 

And pretty soon, there you go! 

They're wonderfully fun to make. And wait till you see the papers!

Here are some of the papers made with the stamp above.

You can use them on your gelli press, if you print that way, 

by inking the press, pressing down the stamp and lifting it. 

Then pulling your print.

You can then lay down your paint again, put the stamp down 

(it probably won't have the same registration) 

and that will give you yet a different look.

Then, try a ghost print, using the paint remaining on the stamp. 

You'll get a different look.

You can also use them as you would a regular stamp. This is Kate's leaf.

No matter what you do, the stamp making process 

is easy and safe with little clean-up and the kinds of tools 

that you would have at hand.

Printing the gelli's on the other hand, is an entirely

 different matter in the clean-up department

 -- but it sure is fun!

Try it! The possibilities are endless!