So you need an easy stamping project to get you motivated for the Fall holidays?  Try eraser stamps!  Novelty shaped erasers are available at many different types of stores and usually cost under $0.50!  For the two ideas here, we used a round eraser (if a smile face isn't available, look for a basketball, etc.) and a bat shaped eraser.

For the envelope above, first fill in your name and address.  On the example above, a black permanent marker was used for the return address and an orange for the main address.  Next we used an ordinary black stamp pad (found at office supply stores) and place three bats on the envelope to give the illusion of flight!  For the moon, a yellow pigment pad was used with the smile eraser.  The beady eyes of the bats were created with drops of three-dimensional paint!  The final step was taking a green permanent marker to create the grass on the bottom.  Start from the bottom of the envelope and 'flick' your way up for realistic looking grasses! 

For the card to the left, the same  method was used, only this time on a piece of ruby red card stock.  Because pigment stamps don't show up well on dark card stock, yellow acrylic with a touch of white was used to make the moon!  Remember, all colors look different on a dark background, for example, our grass was made with the same green marker as we used on the envelope above, but notice the difference! 

Helpful Hints:  
•Always use an odd number of bats, it's more pleasing to the eye. 
•When using acrylic paint instead of stamp pad ink, make sure to wash the paint off your eraser so it doesn't dry in any cracks. 
•Try your erasers on a scrap piece of paper before working on your final piece.  Most erasers have one side that stamps more cleanly. 

Stolen, Much Needed Camping Equipment. 

Our craft equipment was stolen today. 
Forty five very upset campers, would like it back. 
If anyone saw anything concerning this robbery, please contact: 
Sgt. Ellison, Ellsburg Police Dept. 
Thank you! Mr. Peabody, Manager 
Lazy Acres Summer Camp. 
 
 That does that. Now maybe some one will be able to give us some information on our equipment. The equipment had been stolen on Saturday and Monday morning brought a new day with new life, to Lazy Acres. 
 The sun was coming over the trees warming the freshly cut grass from the day before. Robins whistled their merry tune, as if to say, it's a great day to be up. A black and white cat Mr. Peabody owned sat on the porch grooming herself in the morning sun. Mr. Peabody stretched and yawned, thought to himself... Another day another... Never mind, lets just say it's another day for now. Shortly after breakfast the campers were getting their rooms straight, when a knock was heard on Mr. Peabody's office door. 
 On the way to the door Mr. Peabody said out loud. "Who could that be?" Opening the door Mr. Peabody said, "Good Morning, is there something I can do for you?" 
 "Actually, Mr. Peabody, the question should be, what can we do for you!" A kindly women about sixty, with short silver hair, smiled and continued. "I'm Mrs. Caroll, Vice President of the Ellsburg, Chamber of Commerce. This is Mr. Jameson, Council Adjutant General for the National Chapter. We heard of the problem with the stolen equipment through your article and believed that the local business should give back something to the community. I called Sgt. Ellison and he indicated that the chance of finding that equipment was one in a thousand. Right after I spoke with Mr. Jameson about the problem, he flew up from Washington with an idea. 
 Mr. Jameson continued. "Mr. Peabody, when the National Council hears about something worth while going on, we believe it should be supported by the local business community. I talked to the local council board and with the national board, and we're in agreement. On behalf of the National and Local Chamber of Commerce, I would like to present this check of three thousand dollars to Lazy Acres Summer Camp, to purchase new equipment." 
 Stunned Mr. Peabody replied. "Thank you very much to you both, I'm speechless. You have no idea what this will mean to the kids." 
 "Oh! I think we do! Just make sure you send us a list of receipts so we can put in the chamber books. Okay?" 
 "Sure no problem, thanks again and have a good day." 
 "Same to you Mr. Peabody, good bye." 
 As Mr. Peabody entered the hall where the campers were now assembled, Mr. Peabody, short winded and excited said, "Gang! You'll never guess what has just happened!" 
 Tom still down hearted spoke. "What? The end of the Earth or something?" 
 "Cheer up Tom, the local Chamber of Commerce has just handed me a check to purchase all new equipment for our projects. And there should be enough to put a security alarm system in the hall also." 
 The room erupted into cheers, hoots, howl, and laughter! 
 "See I told you worry wart, something would work out!" 
 "Yeh! I guess you're right, I didn't see how though..." 
 "Okay! every one, we need to make a list of who was doing what so I can send an order out for the new supplies. It should take about three days to get here. So! we have to get busy." 

Note:   Please bookmark this page and return next month for the next installment of: 
 "Yay! School's Out!"  

I would like to thank Walnut Hollow Farm, for the many points of information in this story, where I get many of my Woodburning supplies.  And for their assistance in my Woodburning Career over the years. The patterns and woodburning technique tips, are from Walnut Hollow Farms, Inc. Creative WoodBurning Book. 1978.