the one with rubber stamps.

I've been quite taken with stamping since I've seen so many clever crafters doing stamped patchwork - Kerry, Monika  and Leila to name a few. The trend has been around for a while now, but I'm quite expecting a stamped patchwork group to pop up on Flickr at any moment.  And I've been quietly stalking Etsy shops like Talk to the Sun. I'm amazed at the clever and beautiful stamps that she creates. I want to be that good. Even before I left for Japan, I knew it was something I wanted to look into. Stamp ink, a few stamps and some supplies to try my own hand it.

Quietly, I was also looking for a creative outlet for Craig. The guy does wonders with fine precision work and carving stamps seemed like something he would enjoy. I tried to woo him on it, but he seemed unconvinced.  I came home with carving tools anyway. If he didn't like it, maybe I would.

He looked less than impressed with the parcel. He pretty much ignored it until I suggested that he could make a Space Invader stamp. The guy gets excited at the mere mention of Space Invaders. He started carving it a few minutes later.

Our very first stamp was born. Not bad considering we had no clue what we were doing.

Then I decided to try my hand and my first results were decidedly unimpressive. I've made some very basic geometric designs that I'd hardly count as passable. I think I might recycle the rubber and try the backside. (I'm quite scared what kind of search hits will arise from that last sentence. That's sure to put me in the Internet blacklist.)

Then last night I decided to commit to something more exciting. I thought it would be fun to carve my name. I knew my skills would be a little rough. Who cares?  I could use it to sign cards and letters. I could stamp envelopes. It was going to be awesome. I set to work and slowly and carefully carved out each nook and cranny. I stood back and looked at what I'd made and I was really impressed. Not bad for a girl who failed cut and paste.

Until I went to use it...

Stamp Fail.  I carved it backwards. Ha!

I'm still pretty hooked though, so I thought I'd ask for suggestions for stamp supply stores in Australia and online. Do you have any good sources of carving rubber?  Or do you know which erasers work best?  Maybe I should concede defeat and go the premade route?  I'd love to hear your favorite stamping five-and-dimes.