I ha had a block of rubber intended for stamp making  for hmm upwards of a year or more now? After posting the Quest information I have been fielding e-mails of how to go letterboxing.  Most of the questions were on the “its too hard, we don’t have a stamp” variety – and after answering them – of Keep it Simple and Have Fun- I took my own advice!

I read an article – that instructed me to

• draw or print an image on paper,
• fill in the image with pencil led,
• put the image on the rubber,
• rub the image into the rubber with the pencil.

This helped our mirror image problem, of writing words, and having them come out backwards. . . .

It was so simple – the boys found their images – JonnyLego found his Lego Magazine, and Eagle Eye Nathan who is the worlds greatest Lizard Wrangler – (He even found one one on the Beach! Click for the link) found a graphic of a wide eyed gecko – and I started with a mountain scene for the Petra foundation type thing, and went with a simple PETRA spelled out. :)  Then they carved their names, and played with the rubber mat until it’s present state – in a bajillion pieces on the table. . . . .

We went off to a park to find a letterbox listed on AtlasQuest.com – but did not find it.  Either is has been covered over by growing vines – or it has been taken.  . . . I might head out in an hour or so to find another box . . . .on my way to the Obsessive Compulsive Group Meeting . . . . . .

Here are our primitive stamps – Made with a Pampered Chef Paring Knife and a Bamboo Skewer. Think of the possibilities if we had taken the time to look for our carving tools???? Now that we enjoy making the stamps – I’m sure hiding a box will be our next challenge!

My attempt at a mountain with trees.

JonnyLego’s Signature

Nate’s Lizard!

Not World Class Carving – but FUN!!!

Final Clue on this one – Behind the Tree Covered in Ivy – Hmmmmm.  Ya.  Something like 15 Ivy / Holly / Blackberry covered trees in this corner. . . . .We looked around for about a half hour and came up with no box – lots of blackberry and holly pokes – ready to look for more!