You Will Need

For The Lino Stamps

• small wooden blocks (ours measures 22 x 22 x 30mm)
• desired pictures
• rubber linoleum
• lino tools and materials
• carbon paper
• ballpoint pen
• contact adhesive
• masking tape
• craft knife and cutting mat
• metal ruler
• scissors
• V-shaped and half-moon lino cutters

For The Decoupage Box

• decoupage box in which to store the stamps
• different types of decorative paper (for the inside and outside)
• craft paint in a matching colour
• modge podge
• small paintbrushes

To Make
1 Lino Stamps Copy your pictures to fit your blocks. Cut off a piece of linoleum slightly larger than the sheet of photocopied pictures and do the same with the carbon paper.

2 Attach the carbon paper to the linoleum with masking tape, then attach the photocopy with more masking tape. Transfer the pictures onto the linoleum by tracing with a ballpoint pen.

3 Carefully pull off the carbon paper, then go over the lines again (if necessary) to make sure they’re clearly visible.

4 Use your V-shaped lino cutter to carve out the lino around the pictures, then do the fine detail on the inside. Use a half-moon shaped lino cutter to carve out the background. You can leave a frame around the pictures, if you prefer.

5 Cut out the lino pictures with a craft knife and metal ruler.

6 Apply contact adhesive to the top of each block and the back of each lino picture. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to glue the lino pictures to the wooden blocks securely.

7 Decoupage Box Measure your box and cut out the individual panels from decorative paper.

8 Paint the first panel you’d like to cover with a coat of modge podge. Position the paper panel correctly. Use your fingertips to smooth out any bubbles or creases that may have formed, working outwards from the centre. Paint on another coat of modge podge. Repeat to line the remaining panels. Leave to dry, then seal with a final coat of modge podge.

9 Paint the edges with matching colour craft paint. Leave to dry.

10 Arrange the stamps inside the box and add a few ink pads, then close the box. Add a length of ribbon or cord, to complete, if you prefer.

NOTE To avoid injury when cutting linoleum, work carefully and always move the lino-cutting tool away from you, never towards you. Keep your other hand behind the tool, never in front of it.

Source: Ideas magazine