Rubber Stamped Favor Bags

While there is a little competition from a certain diamond ring, stamps are pretty much a DIY bride’s best friend. And now that you’re about to learn how to make them yourself (in any shape you like) things are about to get pretty exciting.

It’s just that you can do so much with stamps – decorate your wedding invitations, escort cards, welcome bags, napkins, table cloths, and just about anything else you can get your hands on (leave the groom, animals, and all small children alone, please)

Of course finding the right stamp for your wedding can be difficult, and setting up an extensive stamp collection can be pricey – not to mention it has the potential to make you drool, hunch, and stroke your new wedding purchase with a disturbing, feverish enthusiasm. No? Just me then…

Happily, it need never come to that, because making a DIY rubber stamp is super easy!

Materials:

• Rubber/eraser
• Pencil
• X-acto knife or similar blade
• Shapes to trace around (optional)
• Ink or paint (depending what you plan to use the stamp on)

Directions:

Step 1: Select your shape

If you’re going to trace around a shape, secure it to your rubber/eraser. I’ve chosen to use a cute confetti leaf that I love, but just about any shape will work – from basic hearts to elaborate filigree patterns, chevron stripes and flowers. If you’re going to draw something freehand, you have a few extra seconds to chill out.

Step 2: Trace or draw your design

Trace around the shape you’ve chosen. Try to be as accurate as you can. If you’re drawing freehand, this is your time to shine – draw your design onto the rubber/eraser.

Step 3: Fill in the details

Get in touch with your perfectionist side and fill in any details that you’d like to include in your stamp – this can be as simple as the veins in a leaf and as elaborate as details on rose petals or even writing.

Step 4: Carve for your life

Using your X-acto knife or other carving blade, carefully work around the stamp to cut away about a ¼ of an inch from all sides of the shape. You’ll get the best results if you work in sections and rather than cut around the entire shape at once, do it piece by piece.

Step 5: Smooth out the edges

Once the entire shape has been carved out, use your X-acto knife or carving blade to smooth out the edges and make the entirety as smooth as possible.

Step 6: Cut out the inside details

Now slowly begin to carve out the details you drew inside of your shape. Work slowly and carefully to make these as smooth as possible. And remember that any surface that is raised (left untouched) will be the coloured part of your stamp, while any surface that you carve away will be the white part.

Your first stamp is done. Now play with other stamp shapes and concepts until you achieve exactly what you want. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself with more elaborate designs – or try simple polka dots or waves for fun borders.

When you’re all finished, dip your stamp into an inkpad or cover with paint (I used textile paint) and go nuts – your thank-you cards, place cards, bags, door hangers etc will thank you for it.