back to school: diy pencil eraser stampers
I am in love with office supplies. When all of the back-to-school ads threaten the thought of summer, all I can think about is those shiny supplies: Pencils, stickies, notepads and glue sticks, neat and organized, all piled high in the bins. Maybe it’s the thought of a new beginning or the start of the school year, but they make me happy. The best part is they’re all on sale and I scan every ad in the paper for school supply bargains. There are some great ideas to be found in those supply bins, and, at these friendly sale prices, I stock up and start crafting. Read on to see what you can make with some No. 2 pencils (with erasers) and some unlined index cards.
what you will need:
- Several No. 2 pencils — they just need to have a good eraser on them
- A sharp exacto knife
- Ink stampers
- Unlined index cards
What you will need to do:
Cut up the index cards to make little cards. I cut them into fourths in two different sizes, 2 x 3 inch and into 1 ½ x 4 inch cards. They both turn out to be cute sizes.
Decide on your pattern. I made stamps using a triangle, heart, circle (easy and clever), a sort of chicken foot T-shape, and a happy face. Use your imagination, but remember, it is a tiny surface to work on, so keep it simple to start.
Here are instructions to create the triangle shape. It is really super easy to do this one.
Draw a triangle with another pencil on the end of the eraser. Using the exacto knife, very carefully cut away the eraser using your design.
Once you have finished cutting out the design, press the eraser end into your ink stamper and stamp away. You may want to adjust your design a little after making a few stamps, just cut away what you need and go back to stamping.
I had these nifty little 6-pack of one-inch stampers I found from Inkadinkado on sale at the local craft store. Mine were reds and purples. I used them, but any ink stamper would do.
Use your imagination. I used the triangle stamps to make a little tiny banner, or maybe use the circle for the center of a flower.
You can use these little cards for notes, like a business card or calling card, a bookmark, or a nice giveaway when you fill an order for your shop.
Get out there and pick up your bargain pencils and start stamping. What fun designs did you create? How are you using your pencil stampers?
Friendly Note: Exacto knife blades are extremely sharp. Always use with caution.
Love all designs, All these design reminds me my school days, These designs are very easy to make ans decorate our cards and designs as well.
Stampers, thanks for your nice comments. Number 2 pencils do conjure up school days and waiting in line for that one pencil sharpener in the classroom. (whew! that was a long time ago!) My highschool bound son only wants mechanical pencils now, so I have plenty of number 2 pencils to spare for crafting!