Foamie Stamps

SUPPLIES & TOOLS:

• Craft Plywood, 1/4", 3"x5"
• Band Saw, to cut Plywood
• Scroll Saw
• Sandpaper, fine, 1 sheet
• Graphite Paper, Black, 1 sheet
• Foam Sheet, 9"x12", 6mm thick, Black, 1
• Power Tac Adhesive. 2.5 oz
• Pencil
• Heat Gun, optional
• Brayer or Foam Brush, 1"
• Acrylic Paint or Ink
• Flat surface to roll out paint or ink, Palette if using foam brush
• Material to be printed: paper, fabric

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cut out patterns on outside lines.
2. Cut plywood to 3"x5". Lightly sand the edges of the wood. Cut a piece of Graphite Paper to match the plywood size. Lay ink side down on top of the plywood. Lay pattern on top. Use pencil to trace pattern. Remove papers.
3. Triangle pattern the points will land on the centerline.
4. Lay the pattern on a corner of the foam sheet. Press firmly with a pencil to transfer the pattern onto the foam. Cut out the shapes using a Scroll saw.
5. Glue the pieces of foam onto the plywood using Power Tac. Apply a small amount of glue close to all edges and in the center of each piece of foam. Press in place using the transferred pattern to locate parts on the plywood. The mitered corners of the triangle pattern pieces will need to have glue between the two pieces. Press and hold until dry.
6. Any small burrs that may occur from cutting the foam with a saw may be reduced by heating the edges of foam briefly with a heat gun. This may be done after the stamp is constructed.
7. Use a thin coat of paint or ink on a brayer, or a foam brush, to apply color to the top surface of the foam. Press the stamp on the surface to be printed.

JOANN HACKS:

• An X-Acto knife with a #11 blade may be used to cut the foam, however the edges of foam may end up undercut or overcut which may change the strength and shape of the stamp image.