Friday! This week is almost done. Hurrah. The kids are soooo ready for summer break, especially since 1/4 of the school population is gone as the seniors graduated last Friday. And we have 4 more day of trying to find that motivational magic word. Let me just say that work has been keeping me on my toes lately. :)
I have more inspiration today for Gill's Inspired By challenge at Art Journal Journey.
Here's my original inspiration which is a photo from Japan. When I was there in late April the country was celebrating boy's month. (Girl's month is in March so we missed it.) To celebrate boys, some families cut long bamboo trees and use them as a pole, as you can see on the left hand side of the photo. They then hang some of these colorful fish flags from them. Some of these flags are gigantic too, although the ones in this photo are just large.
On the trip we took a visit to a book store. I had asked if there were any books on Shibiori dyeing, and although the store didn't have any, the clerk brought me this book all about boys month fish flags. Inside is a small section about how they actually make these flags from cloth. It wasn't exactly what I wanted, but the fish and other images were so fascinating that I bought it, even if I can't read anything in.
On the trip we took a visit to a book store. I had asked if there were any books on Shibiori dyeing, and although the store didn't have any, the clerk brought me this book all about boys month fish flags. Inside is a small section about how they actually make these flags from cloth. It wasn't exactly what I wanted, but the fish and other images were so fascinating that I bought it, even if I can't read anything in.
One of the images in this book was this wooden fish as you can see in the next photo. I just love this image.
So thanks to all of Valerie's stamp carving inspiration, I decided to do some stamp carving of my own.
I got a little carried away because stamp carving is a pretty fun thing to do.
And then I created this page in Japan Travel Journal.
And then I created this page in Japan Travel Journal.
I LOVE these fish! The bits of sheen you see are the matte medium I used to glue the images down. It wasn't quite dry when I photographed it.
My fish need to be hooked to the bamboo. Just noticed that I hadn't done that. :)
Wishing you all a great weekend.
My fish need to be hooked to the bamboo. Just noticed that I hadn't done that. :)
Wishing you all a great weekend.
17 comments:
Your stamps are fabulous! And your journal spread looks very Japanese. Hope you survive the last few days of school. The weekend is supposed to be spectacular weather-wise. Enjoy!
Fascinating post Erika - it must have been an amazing sight seeing those flags everywhere - love the fish designs.
Valerie has been making some wonderful stamps again, and I can see why you were inspired.
Well done - your hand carved stamps are brilliant and have made a fabulous journal spread with them. I like the postage stamps too.
Thanks for sharing what inspired you and joining in at AJJ.
Have a lovely weekend..... Gill xx
I love the rubber stamps that you created, Erika. They are gorgeous. I will try stamp carving one day. Kisses, my friend.
I am seriously impressed. Nice work -- and I love how you found your inspiration!
Your stamp carving skills are amazing. You did a fabulous job both carving the fish (and other interesting stamps, too) and telling the story of boy's month. Those flags are amazing, but so are yours. You have made a fantastic, fun, and magnetic journal page. Thanks for this great entry you created for Art Journal Journey.
Love your beautiful stamps, and the journal page you made with them is gorgeous. Glad you are inspired to carve stamps, I can't stop at the moment! Just 4 more school days, and then it's break, that will be great! Hugs, Valerie
Such an interesting post! Different cultures are fascinating and I have seen these fish flags before and hadn't realised their meaning - amazing 😁. I wouldn't have been able to resist the book either and the little fish stamp you created looks so wonderful on your page - I love it! I can't wait to see all the other stamps you made in print either, it looks like you had so much fun! Wishing you a very Happy Friday and Weekend! J 😊 x
Stamp carving looks like it was a lot of fun, Erika. And those fish flags were quite unusual as well. Thanks for the comments on the recent family wedding we attended. I'm trying to catch up on blog reading now.
Wow Erika, your stamp carving looks awesome, fantastic results. The journal page looks great. I liked reading about the book you bought in Japan and how they have a month to celebrate Girls and Boys. Its good to learn about the traditions and celebrations in other countries.
Yvonne xx
Gosh, I never heard of Boys or Girls month while we were in Japan last year in April, and never saw any of those flags... You were lucky!
The book looks very interesting and your hand carved stamps are wow!!! Love what you did with them in your Japan journal!! You really managed to capture the style!
Wow! The book looks great inspiration, and your stamps are fabulous Erika! I love the page you created!
Hope you have a creative weekend,
Alison xxx
Oh Wow I am so impressed with your stamp carving-loving it and from inspiration and memories of your Japan trip makes them more special.
Those fish flags are pretty neat Love the page you created with your stamps-
Happy weekend hugs Kathy
I forgot to ask what material did you use to carve the stamps from thanks
I didn't know they have a whole month of celebration of girls and one for the boys as well in Japan! Interesting to know and your carved stamps turned out fantastic - unique and fun stamps now to use and the spread with your fishes looks amazing with the addititon of the postage stamps ... lovely!
Great that the school ends soon!
Happy weekend my friend!
Thank you very much for linking another fab entry to Art Journal Journey!
Hugs, Susi
Funny that you can't read anything in this book but you bought it :)
And this book seems to be very inspiring for you - you created gorgeous selfcarved stamps! The artjournal page with all theses stamps is amazing and you even added two letter stamps!
Hugs-Rike
I use a lot of bookmarks and tend to pick them up when I see them. You could make fabulous bookmarks using this technique.
A brilliant journal page - I have seen photos of the fish flags- they do look great! Your carving skills are fabulous! Hoping to get some carving time soon! Hugs, Chrisx
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