Creative Puttering While Quarantined: Magic Stamp Printing with a Crushed Candy Tray By Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

At times like this I turn to two favorite things: Magic Stamp blocks and candy! Turns out that the two work well together. The empty divider tray from a box of treats be crushed flat (stomping on a tray with your foot is very therapeutic - you can pretend you’re kicking the coronavirus right in the teeth!), and then pressed against heated Magic Stamp blocks to create wonderful patterns, like those shown here.

One round block was pressed at the crossed lines of four sections, one was pressed over a single section, and the rectangle was pressed along six of the sections where a long line slightly curves.

After stamping, look for flowers, animals or other hidden treasures. Outline, add color with markers and pencils. As shown below, I’m turning the circles into large flowers and have found, but haven’t yet colored, smaller flowering plants in the area below the large blossoms. It’s my ode to spring! I have to do something about the brown grass - I think green paint is in my future.

YOUR TURN
When Clearsnap closed late in 2019, Patti wisely snapped up several cases of Magic Stamp blocks so they are still available to you! The circles have disappeared from the planet, but you can easily cut the blocks with scissors or a craft knife to make your own non-rectangular shapes!

• Stamp on adhesive-backed paper and then fussy-cut shapes.
• Stamp on envelopes.
• Work directly into an art journal or traveler’s notebook.
• Use acrylic paint and stamp on fabric.

*****Important: Wash the block immediately if using paint or permanent inks. Paint will harden the block, some solvent-based inks can degrade the foam. All other inks easily wash off with soap, warm water, and a paper towel or rag.