Some More Hand Stamped Paper

 

I'm back with some more hand stamped papers for gift wrapping. This time, I used computer paper, but stuck with the same pinks. The square pattern was easy enough. I just cut off a square of Easy Cut and then used my lino cutter to make a smaller square shape inside. Those are the chevron stripes in the middle again. I'm loving that stamp. I saw a small zig zag stamp in the dollar bin at Michael's the other day, but I don't think it would make such an elegant pattern as my hand-carved stamp, if I may say so. 

Here I am carving up a rubbery block that I bought in Japan. I like this kind of block better than Easy Cut, but I can't find it over here. I'll have to remember to stock up on them when I go back next year.

Those are my little tree and house stamps. I was inspired by a picture of a greeting card in this Japanese craft book I found at Mitsuwa Marketplace in Chicago. If you are anywhere near Chicago and you like ramen (not the instant cup kind, but the real deal Japanese ramen), then you have to go there. Last weekend, we arrived shortly after the shop's opening, around 11 a.m. and there was already a huge line. It's really good! There's also a Japanese bookstore inside the market called Sanseido where you can find a decent selection of those wonderful Japanese craft books. They have some books and magazines listed on their online shop, if you want to check it out. The book I bought is called Handmade Christmas Book (ISBN978-4-96322-083-6), but I'm not sure if it's available from the online shop.

Back to stamping...

It's a lot of fun, it's easy, and it's a way to make some one-of-a-kind wrapping paper. If you want to see the chevron stripe post where I talked about some of the tools I used, click here. 

So give it a try! And if you have tried it, well please tell me about it! Now I have to get to work on filling those packages with real presents. I don't think my daughters will appreciate a bottle of One-a-Day Women's vitamins in their stockings.