
Cowgirl's sixth birthday is not over until all the thank you notes have been written. I am a stickler on sending cards or a note and Cowgirl has already learned when someone takes the time to send you a gift, you should take the time to acknowledge it. In the past I have had her color a picture or draw faces and sign her name. I also have her dictate a message to me which makes the cards extra fun.

One fun activity that I thought I would share and which is perfect for personalizing notes or cards is making your own rubber stamp. It is super easy and relatively inexpensive. I have made a stamp for Cowgirl before and decided it was time for a new one. I had her draw an image - a heart - and then write her name out. I then take tracing paper and with a soft pencil trace her design. For my stamps I like to use Mastercarve which is super easy to cut into (cuts like butter) and comes in different block sizes. I cut off a piece the size I need for my stamp and then rub the tracing paper over the surface to transfer the pencil design to the block. I then use my Speedball cutter (mine came with an assortment of different carving tips) and carve away!

In just a few minutes we had a new stamp which was ready to use! I have made dozens of stamps and like to use ink pads and acrylic paint to make designs on letters, packages and in my journals. Just be careful when carving to keep fingers out of the way of the very sharp blade!
Once you have the basic supplies, it is easy to crank out a couple of new stamps. And once you start thinking about making your own, you will find ideas for designs everywhere.
Enjoy!
