It may be a custom stamp, but it would still be hand stamped.

Yes, entirely. I was referring to the "hand carved" part...sorry, I was trying to quote the actual phrase that people refer to when relaying the qualities of an LTC. I didn't make myself very clear.

To clarify: would a custom stamp qualify as the "hand carved" part of the LTC?

Wyvern

In my opinion, it may not be hand "carved", but it's still hand made. Close enough. =)

I know several ways to make a personalized stamp that don't include actual carving. I've made stamps with kids that don't involve the use of a sharp tool. No matter what method is used to make the stamp it's still much better than a store bought, mass produced stamp in my book.

In my opinion, it may not be hand "carved", but it's still hand made. Close enough.

That's why I think there needs to be a new type in between. It can be "home custom" meaning that it was made at home but not a hand-carved stamp. This can be done with the Stamp Maker machine, other photopolymers, done with a CNC or laser cutter, or Sugru. I'm sure that there are even more ways of making a stamp at home rather than carving out of some type of rubber.

<hint><hint>Should I post this to the "Suggestions" group to get it noticed?</hint></hint>

Should I post this to the "Suggestions" group to get it noticed?

Until it becomes a lot more common, I don't see a need for more than mentioning it in the clues. Why bother Ryan with something that's only going to pop up a few times at this point.

would a custom stamp qualify as the "hand carved" part of the LTC?

For me, it would not.

The stampmaker machine looks interesting but isn't it kind of like the difference between a handmade quilt and a mass produced store bought one?

Please form an orderly queue. It will fill up fast.

It is now full. Sorry if you wanted to get in but didn't. However, someone may drop out, so I've left it "open" even with it full.

If there is enough interest I'll start another preferring lower-case letters. If I do it then it will be due in October or November. If you're interested in such a tracker, vote "interesting". The other buttons will have their normal meanings.

If I get enough quick interest then I'll start it right away. If not, then I'll try again in a few months. You'll even be able to join this "Illuminated Letters (LC)" tracker even if you've joined the first one.

If there is enough interest I'll start another preferring lower-case letters.

People might have trouble finding illuminated lower-case letters, since historically, only the first letter on a page was illuminated, often times only the first letter of the first page of each chapter.

dp

People might have trouble finding illuminated lower-case letters, since historically, only the first letter on a page was illuminated

Very good point. If they are getting clip art, then it will be difficult to find.

However, if you want to do lower-case then you'll have to be more creative and make something up. Start with an upper-case letter and modify it, filling in the fancy parts where you had to remove part of the letter. Definitely more difficult, but something I'd like to see. We've got a lot of creative people here, so I think that we could get some fun interpretations.

Besides, even the upper-case letters don't have to be clip-art. Just look at some of the examples and make up your own. For instance, "A" could be the letter with an apple tree in the background. The apples would be red, the leaves green and the letter some other color (but could be green as well). Throwing even a little bit of creativity into the coloring of the letter will be fun.

I see your point, but I view it more like the difference between hand quilting and machine quilting. Both quilts are made by hand at home and are personalized with your own fabrics, color scheme etc. They may not be exactly the same, but either is far preferable to the mass produced store bought quilt.

For the stamp, you'd still have to figure out your own artwork, prepare it all, etc. But I don't know exactly how to use the stampmaker, so maybe I have it all wrong.

Just look at some of the examples and make up your own

It's actually very good that you bring this up. It's rather uncommon for people to do their own images (at least in the swaps I've been in). So, reminding them that this is an option is good. :)

Just to clarify, in my mind, I'm only making a copy of a stamp I already carved by hand. I think this is very different from preparing art and using the stampmaker to create the stamp.

To me, the first is closer to qualifying for hand-carved, because the original version was. The latter is closer to custom.

I view it more like the difference between hand quilting and machine quilting.

Yes - that is a better comparison. Thank you:-)

For the stamp, you'd still have to figure out your own artwork, prepare it all, etc.

I agree but then the machine does the actual carving which to me is the craftsmanship/artistic production part of a hand carved rubber stamp.

But a copy of a hand carved stamp was not itself, hand carved. I would call it a custom stamp.

If you made a copy of a hand carved stamp, which one would you use for LTCs? Which would you plant in a traditional box?

If you made a copy of a hand carved stamp, which one would you use for LTCs? Which would you plant in a traditional box?

If I actually did this, I'd probably keep the copy at home for LTCs and a spare in case the original was lost. In fact, I'd probably make LTCs with the original before I planted, and just keep the copy if I needed more cards down the line. I'd go this way because in a plant, people actually see the stamp, and get to see how it was carved, which I always find interesting.

fk

I'd go this way because in a plant, people actually see the stamp, and get to see how it was carved, which I always find interesting.

Agreed, we would probably still look for a traditional box with a copied/custom stamp but would enjoy it more with the original, hand carved one.

From your logbook I see now that you do unlimited additions of many of your LTCs so understand why you might want to make a spare copy of stamps. I'd want a "first edition" of your LTC, made from the original though:-)

It's an interesting machine - I could see it as a great investment for an etsy seller...

I love LTCs...... I LOVE original art LTCs. They don't have to be fancy, it is just fun to me to get to know people by seeing what they come up with.

The original tracker for Illuminated Letters filled up very quickly. Sorry to disappoint those of you who wanted to get in.

Good news though: I've created one for lower-case letters. I didn't get as much feedback as I'd expected so it won't be due at the same time. It will be due at the end of October, a little over a month later. This one is open from the beginning so that I don't get requests to be added. Get in early so that you can get the letter you want.

....logging between 176 and 186 LTCs/Others/Quisps, etc. Now to file them!

Results?

(Why don't I ever learn? I always say I'm going to file as they come in, but then there's this convenient storage box I created-now empty-where they seem to find themselves placed "in the meantime"...)

That's pretty impressive!

I have a few new cards to share. Anyone wanting to trade? AQ mail me if you are interested.

Thanks!

and I'm starting my taxes tomorrow.

There's an opening in the LTC Book Club - Young Adult Books swap. The cards are due May 21st, so there's a little over a month to get them to me.

Tracker can be found here: http://www.atlasquest.com/showinfo.html?gTrackerId=6224

With a little under a month to go, there have been some cancellations in the Pirates Ahoy tracker being hosted by Housepitality Hostess. There are 3 openings in this great tracker. For all of you pirate fans, come show of your Swashbuckling LTC skills and join the crew. Promise we won't make you walk the plank!

See you on deck!

:o)

I was keeping an eye out for this! I missed it the first time around, so I'm glad there was an opening. :)

There are still plenty of opening for the ElfQuest tracker. It's due on May 19th so you still have over a month if you are debating about joining. :)

I'm afraid I'm going to have to drop my trackers for now. It's been a rough month (mulitple illnesses in the family) and now I'm dealing with the consequences of my dd "nibbling" our dogs ear while he was sleeping...he in turn bit her in the face. So between her unwillingness to follow the rules, her care (shes ok), animal control and the "lovely" people at family services I'm overwhelmed. I am dropping out of all trackers for the time being. I HATE when life gets in the way!

Sorry. :(

OPH

Without mentioning any names, I've had one person who has been a no show in 3 of my LTC trackers and I think she will be in a 4th one that is due soon. The person hasn't answered any of the messages I've set them to find out if they just need a little more time or anything. Is there any way to block someone from a tracker? If not if I drop this person will they be able to add themselves back to it?

Guzzelin' Gal

Take care of yourself and your family, there will be more trackers when you are able to come back. It does stink when life gets in the way. I've had to drop out of a few tracker because of life recently myself.

Guzzelin' Gal

Rats! I just missed it!

When you create a tracker you can make it limited, so anyone interested has to contact you to get in. If you drop the person, then close the tracker they can't get back in.