One of the school supplies that I always buy but my kids never use is erasers. As I was cleaning out the school supply drawer this year, I found tons of them. I think I've learned my lesson for next year. How about use up some of the extras for our project for this month...
carved eraser stamps.
Approximate cost: Under $10
Supplies:
paper
pencil
lino cutter (You could use an exacto knife, but they are a little harder to work with and a little more dangerous. Hobby Lobby has a lino cutter set for $5.)
erasers (I buy the white polymer ones at Target.)
colored stamp pads
Directions:
Basic instructions (includes a video) for carving can be found here.
The boys and I used this for our art for the week, even though Noah said it was more of a craft. Ok, a crafty art lesson. We were studying about Zimbabwe, so they carved geometrical shapes into their erasers and did some block printing.
Suggestions:
- Work on a cutting board to protect your surface from any slips.
- Only have pink erasers on hand? Try this tutorial. Just be on hand for cutting with an exacto. The lino cutter won't work as well on this medium.
- If you're going to do letters, remember that you have to draw them mirror image onto the eraser! I forgot to mention that to my guys.
- Use the stamps to create homemade gift tags, wrapping paper, gift cards, etc.
- Have younger kids that aren't ready to use ANY kind of "cutter"? Try this method of stamp carving.
As always, if you make some of these with the kids, add your photos to our Kid's Craft Along Flickr group. Wishing you and yours a wonderful school year!
