Dollar Tree eraser - review

I was generously sent this eraser and asked to do an honest review of it.  It came from dollar tree (cost $1.00).  Apparently it comes in many different designs. This one happens to be a sweet cake of some kind.

Close up of the front

This is the back of the eraser.  As you can see it will need work before carving.

I used Acetone to remove the writing - the painted cake is on the other side.  You can see eraser left overs from rubbing the material.  I was hoping this was just from treating the material with acetone to remove the writing. That was not the case.  I dealt with those the entire carve.

To finally get a smooth crumb free area.  I took a rag with acetone and laid it over the top and gently wiped the material. This took a few minutes.

After letting the material sit until it was no longer wet or tacky (30 min.) I transferred an image using acetone.  I did not dare try anything else as I finally have a clean area.

Ready to carve

I started off with a 1v gouge around the outside.  It was a "getting a feel for the material."  I also started with an exacto knife.  The knife did not cut this material well at all.  The eraser does not have a constant consistency to it.  I found hard areas in the block. You can see on the picture that there are jagged cuts where the blade went around something in the material.

I grabbed the gouge.  I tried to show some markings in the material.  In some areas the gouge slid right through, but in others it skipped. 

Here is the printed stamp.  It you can really see the jump marks and issues right away.

Personally this is a terrible carve for me and I am embarrassed that I could not get a cleaned cut not matter how hard I tried.  It is extremely rubbery.

Summary:

You can carve this material.  This would be a great block to learn your tools on as long as you eventually move to aother.  I have been carving both wood and rubber for over 10 years and struggled to get clean lines.  My fear would be that if someone stayed on this material they might get discouraged that their carvings are not getting better.

This material will hold up well in the heat.


This material might be good to make background shadows for LTCs as it hold ink well.

Small Cross LTC

I was asked how I make contrast and why I use more white paper than others.

First off I use white card stock. Although I do add other papers to my work I enjoy the simplicity of working with white.  It also is easier to use up scrap papers.

The following card is all white except the blue/purple paper in the back.

Here is my finished work

Here is how I reached it:

I did not take a pic, but I spritz this piece too and added red ink to the sides with an ink pad.

A super quick carve on pink block.  

Stamped image

Using the same inked pad (I did not add any ink) I started on the side and spread it towards the middle.

Soaking up the left over spray.

This is very messy so I used pliers.

All 4 sides covered.

Dabbed a bit of red on.

Using a chalk dabbed to add just a tad bit of aqua blue.

Defining the sides

You can see the difference between the sides with and without the black. I usually do a dark on all the side so no white shows

Glued together.

Framing LTCs- 3rd frame

Putting art cards together to display has been more challenging than I anticipated.  I find myself rearranging cards and and trading them out.  There are so many beautiful cards.

Due to the challenge this is.... I have decided to join a few trades and start fresh.  This decision is a huge burden off my shoulders.

I am also going to put together a frame of some of my LTCs to give away.  As soon as this is completed I will let my readers know how to be in the running to have a frame of  S and D art.

Here is the final frame that I plan to do at this time.