I've been out of the loop of late. My favorite inexpensive carving material
is Nasco Safety-Kut, available online at
http://www.enasco.com/prod/BrowseSummary?is_search_word=no&quickkey=415&majo
r=Block+Printing&minor=Nasco+Safety+Kut%26%23153%3B&title=Arts+%26+Crafts+Ma
terials&seqid=3

If that link doesn't work (too long?), go to http://www.enasco.com and
select Arts and Crafts, then Printmaking, then Block Printing.

I buy the 18x26 sheets and cut them to size. They are thick enough to hold
onto when stamping, and take a pretty nice image (certainly not as nice as
MasterCarve). The price is exceptional.

By the way, the Speedball white stuff is "new and improved," but is still
quite crumbly. I never use it.

Ruthann
aka Mirkwood

Mirkwood's Letterboxing Page: http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/letterboxing
Carving Tutorial and Gallery: http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/carving