My very own stamps

Good evening! I finally got to work on a project Saturday night that I've been wanting to do for quite some time now--I carved my own stamps! I was so nervous that it would be too hard and I would get frustrated, but it was easy! Here are the 3 stamps I made.

The candle and cupcake I made from an eraser I found in a junk drawer. The tree I carved out of SpeedyBall rubber, which can be found at Hobby Lobby. Here's what they look like stamped.

Yeah, I know the cupcake's all wonky, but if you know my kitchen skills you'll know that this cupcake actually looks pretty good for me! That weird blob on top of the cupcake is a cherry. I mount my Stampin' Up stamps on E-Z mount foam so I had a few extra blocks laying around to hot glue my stamps to. I am so proud of them! Here's my sketch sheet.

I'm thinking about doing the bird next. As you can see on the top, I stamped the cupcake and candle before finishing them to make sure I was on the right track. Keep in mind I cannot draw to save my life, so I tried to do easy stuff. I looked at a book to do the bird. He's not exactly like the bird in the book--I didn't want to steal somebody else's work, I just can't picture things in my head. The tree is based on several images I've seen lately, so I didn't copy anything for it. I think the bird will look good in the tree. I want to put little hearts on the tree to make it a Valentine tree. I tried to draw a bucket tonight to put some hearts in under the tree, but it didn't look like anything recognizable, much less a bucket. I did manage to draw some better "peas in a pod" so I might carve them up later. Be sure and let me know what you think. I'll never be able to do intricate stamps, but I think I'll be able to make up quite a batch of whimsical ones. The best news is that the SpeedyBall kit only cost $12.99 plus tax from Hobby Lobby and came with a 4 x 6 inch piece of rubber and a tool with the 2 interchangeable carving heads I'll need. I already had an exacto knife. So whenever I really want some new stamps, I can make my own! I'm doing my very best to stick with our Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University budget, so I will only be spending on crafts what I earn by selling crafts. I did a little more glass etching and I'm hoping I can sell that in addition to my cards to make a little play money. Sorry this ended up being so long! Yall have a good night!