Well, I finally got my package from Stampeaz and have been on a carving binge. I've been collecting cool clip art over the Christmas/New Years break and knocked out quite a few. These comments are soley on carving, not on their endurance in the great outdoors. Here are some of my thoughts...

I have tried to get used to the Mastercarve, but it is too soft for my tastes. I did carve something with a bunch of snowflakes/dots on it and it was really great for rounded things.

Orange PZ Cut is very firm. I have been using this kind to carve people. I just tried to put polka dots on with a paperclip, though and I think my fingers and thumb are numb from pressing so hard to break through the surface. It also can slip if the Orange PZ cut gets hung up on the handle of the Speedball lino carver.

White PZ Cut and Pink Speedy Stamp are a nice medium density that I think I prefer for most of my stamps.

"White PZ Cut and Pink Speedy Stamp are a nice medium density that I think I prefer for most of my stamps"

That's where I've been heading, too. Mastercarve was good to begin with, but now the edges seem frayed on early efforts. I recarved my son's personal stamp with the pink stuff, and it seems best for things which have bold designs. My more detailed stamps have been with the White PZ cut.

Still, I am amazed to find pink eraser stamps in some boxes that are four years old, and although the image is a little tattered on the edges, the basic design is holding up.

Mommo

I carved my daughter's first signature stamp with Mastercarve. I think it was "B" block. It lasted for about 5 months of serious boxing before the image started to crumble. Now, I use nothing but Speedball Pink. It has a smooth cut, a flat clean surface, It lasts a long time and it is very condusive to detail. For a primative example of the amount of detail you can get from Pink look at Godsbird's signature stamp on her profile. Now, the problem that I have found with pink is that you can't make a hole with a paper clip in it. You can poke a hole in it but it closes up when you remove the paper clip. If you go to Lowe's or Home Depot, or any of the old fashion hardware stores and get a very small drill bit, they are perfect for making small holes in pink. The bit has to be sharp, new, and it needs to be a good one. You spin it as you are pushing it in and if you spin it properly it will cut a hole in pink. The only other way that I know of is touch and go, and it is to cut it with an exacto tip while you spin the pink.

If you love the pink stuff then your next level is PZ Cut. The most incredibly detailed carvings are made in this stuff and it's firmness is what allows such detail. Best of all, you can easily put a hole through it. I made some cooties attached to a little logbook by pushing a brass eyelet through the carved PZ Cut....the rounded side of the eyelet to the back so that the stamp could still give a nice impression. Strung it up with a tiny bit of ball chain and voila! And no drill bits required. Just a lovely smooth clear cut.

LW

I have tried the PZ cut. I got no problem with it. I just prefer the pink. As far as the hole, I am not talking about a hole through the rubber, I am talking about a carved hole into the rubber as part of the image.

I am starting to have fun using more basic stuff like erasers and foam.

I have used erasers, but how do you carve foam?

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I have tried the PZ cut. I got no problem with it. I just prefer the pink. As far as the hole, I am not talking about a hole through the rubber, I am talking about a carved hole into the rubber as part of the image.

Ahh ok. I gotcha. I like the pink stuff for some things too..but at $13 -$16 for a large sheet, (versus $4-6 for PZ Cut) I just can't afford to be as prolific. :)

LW PhD
"Nice Counts"

I've used the thick condensed foam that they use to make Door Hangers. They kind they have in craft stores for kids. My kids get the kits all the time. It mounts really good with wood.

Where are you getting it? I am getting a 12 inch sheet from Hobby Lobby for 5 bucks. OK my daughter works there but she doesn't get that much of a discount.

So do you just carve on it or do you have to cut it into pieces and glue it to a backing?

I just carved right into it with an exacto knife. I just finished a Ginkgo leaf that I am quite proud of. If you're mounting it to wood they make a foam glue that is quite sturdy. The stuff I use is about 1/4" thick and comes in all colors. a 3" x 6" cost about 99 cents. It's hard to get exact edges. If your looking for smooth edges it's not ideal, but for something like a leaf it is perfect.

Think I'll try it just to play with it. The price is right, anyway.

I went to Hobby Lobby, too. My $5 sheet was not nearly that sixe . . . maybe 5 x 7. That's so strange.

MC

They have the 5X7 sheets double bagged. I have used those but they only cost 3 bucks.
Emily (my daughter) gets the 10X12, or 12X12, whichever they are, sheet for me and it only costs her 5 bucks.

Three of the four in our series are carved on foam. (1/2 inch thick sheets from the dollar tree) It was work and I had to help my kids with them. They are ok, primative, but ok. My step-son pointed out that the things dipicted would be primative anyway, so we are pretty happy with them as a first attempt.

I'm trying erasers and stuff and they are a lot better. I look forward to trying stuff too!

do you mean you carved on foam board, or was it the foamy sheets like the door hangers? Did you have your kids carve with carving tools, or just make a deep impression with a pencil or other such tool? I'm just curious, as my kids (well one of them) are interested in making their own stamp.

MHR

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Well, I finally got my package from Stampeaz and have been on a carving binge.

So, enough about carving...let's get down to the nitty gritty. What image did you get with your invoice?

Eaglewatcher

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do you mean you carved on foam board, or was it the foamy sheets... Did you have your kids carve with carving tools

Thick foamy sheets.. they were packaged to be like narrow cork boards. The kids used a pen to sketch out the design and I carved it for them. I only have an exacto knife so I don't want them working with that. Although when I get gouge type carving tools, I want them to learn to use them, with gloves of course.

How old are your kids?

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when I get gouge type carving tools, I want them to learn to use them, with gloves of course

Seems to me that the gloves might make them rather awkward to use....are your kids very young?

Sheba

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Seems to me that the gloves might make them rather awkward to use....are your kids very young?

Not very young, 7 and 11. My son, the 11 yr old, would have to wear something. He sometimes has spastic (and sometimes really weird) body movements. He can just about control it on good days, but he FREAKS out if he gets hurt. Or wet, or cold, or confused, or startled, or...... :-\ we are working on it. He's better these days... really! *nodding*

Hmmm. Come to think of it, the gloves are probably more for me than him; so we don't have to do the whole scene, IF he hurt himself.

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How old are your kids?

my kids are 2 and a half, 7 (almost 8) and 10. My 7-year-old is interested in making his own stamp. my 2 yr old just loves going "lalaboxing!" and my 10-yr old is WAY too cool (at least until she tries it!)

MHR

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my 10-yr old is WAY too cool (at least until she tries it!)

That starts at 10?? man, I thought I had another 5 years before that monster reared it's head!

Well let us know when they do carve their own stamps. I'm sure they'd be sweet and memorable.

I got a large and small snowflake on the invoice and another small snowflake on the envelope that the #4 Speedball blade came in. I gotta say, I really like that deep gouge.

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I got a large and small snowflake on the invoice and another small snowflake on the envelope that the #4 Speedball blade came in.

I got those too. :) I still have to cut them out and paste them on a card.

TG

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large and small snowflake on the invoice

That's what I got too. Very Very Pretty. I know I will be starting a Webfoot LB:) Gotta keep supplied when I can:)

Trish:)

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I will be starting a Webfoot LB:)

In this case LB means Log Book;-9

Trish:)

I need to order something from Stampeaze? there is a new invoice stamp?

Shiloh

If you haven't placed an order in January yet, there's a new invoice stamp set. :) Of course, with the weather around here, I really should be using ice pellets instead of snowflakes, shouldn't I??

Webfoot (who is still ice bound, but grateful to have power!!)

I uesde the door hanger stuff. Athough I carved the shape out with an exacto knife (a ginkgo leaf) I used the knife to put marings in the image (The veins of the leaf). It worked pretty good. I think that you could have your kids di it with scissors. I have come across on on the trail that appears that a child could have done it with scissors. Plus it mounts well.