March 2004 -- Tina S.
"Slide Mailer & Slides"

midetiny@hotmail.com

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
I have been stamping for about 4 years; I started out scrapbooking as a means of documenting the arrival of my second son but soon got hooked on stamping and I have never gone back to scrapbooking.

What is your favorite technique?
I dabble in all kinds of techniques and cannot really point out a favorite.

Favorite stamp company?
Difficult; I probably have to say Oxford Impressions if I am pushed but I also like Acey Deucy, Beeswax etc. etc. LOL

Favorite Asian stamps?
Stonehouse stamps

Favorite stamping accessory? (i.e. EP, UTEE, Pearl-Ex, punch)
Umm; another difficult choice; I would have to say my black Versafine pad

Favorite colors?
Anything bright!!

Your favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Buttons or fibres

What is the one tool you couldn’t live without? (i.e. X-acto knife, heat gun, glue stick, sponge?
My genesis paper trimmer

Any helpful tips for the group?
Make time each day or as often as possible to do something for
yourself such as stamping, reading, or whatever floats your boat; it will
keep mind, body and soul afloat under all the daily pressures of being
mother, wife, worker, caregiver, etc.

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art group on yahoo, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
I cannot put my finger on why I am so drawn to the Oriental theme; I love the clean lines and uncluttered look of Asian designs although I also like a good Asian collage.

Is there any one place or city you’d like to visit to find rubberstamps,
supplies, or Asian art elements?
My dream is to visit the Far East; Singapore, Japan. Malaysia. I hope I can fufill that dream somewhere in the near future.

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
Lots; my interests are quite varied; so I am a member of a trading cards group, several altered book lists and a couple of deco lists.

What favorite Stamping magazines would you recommend?
I absolutely adore Somerset Studio and the Asian supplement is great for inspiration.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
No; I have never submitted anything to be published. Maybe I will work up the courage to do so sometime soon.

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
I want to take a calligraphy class this summer; I have always admired
people with such skills and I have tried to learn it in the past but I am never sure if I am holding my pen correctly.

What inspires you to be creative? i.e. do you listen to music while you
stamp or watch TV, keep an art journal?
I get inspired by color a lot of the time. I find I tend to make backgrounds when I am feeling uninspired and from playing with paints and inks, something usually flows. Leafing through the many magazines I have, also helps.

Any art background ?
None whatsoever!

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping that wasn’t necessarily meant for stamping? (i.e. found item or household item )
Not really although I am trying to figure out how to attach one of those
netting bags that hold tangerines to an altered book page!

Any favorite books on stamping or art techniques that you would
recommend? Any on Asian arts & crafts?
I like bookbinding too and would recommend Cover to Cover by ?
Excellent book. (Ed. Note: author, Shereen LaPlantz)

Do you have a day job when you’re not stamping?
Yes, I am a Pediatrician, although I have been a stay-at-home mother for the last 18 months; I am trying to get back into work.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I have been married to my darling hubby for 11 years and have 2 sons aged 12 and 4 who keep me busy. Unfortunately, for job reasons, my hubby and I live on different continents right now; he stayed in the US whilst the kids and I came back to England where we are originally from. We are all looking forward to being back together as a family in 2006 but in the mean time we are trying to make the most of it and will explore Europe before coming back to the States.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR "Slide Mailer & Slides"

The microscope slide and holder were purchased from a supplier here in the UK.

· For the holder, start by gessoing the whole thing so it won’t soak up too much
paint. Then color, using any inks of choice. I chose black acrylic paint and added a coat of red over it to get a burnt red color.
· Next, add gold highlights with acrylic and brilliance inks.
· I stamped and embossed the writing and ginkgo leaves. Next, colored the leaves in with twinkling H2O's and a little bit of glitter. Sealed it all with acrylic gel medium.
· I chose the prints from a UKIYOE book and made color copies, which a dear
friend of mine was fortunate to have, and collaged these on the front cover, inside right cover and back of the holder. For the microscope slide itself, cut a piece of handmade paper (which has some weight to support the bits and pieces) just slightly bigger than the slide.
· Next, tear bits of handmade paper and washi paper and randomly collage onto the sheet of handmade paper overlapping the edges so that the base paper isn’t
showing (although you could leave some of it uncovered.) Do this on both sides
since the slide can be viewed from either side.
· You could at this point, emboss images, sprinkle glitter or anything you want on the base. (Just like doing serendipity squares really.) I then chose some smaller images from Artchix studio sheet, cut them out, sponged some ink on them, and collaged onto my base sheet.
· I stamped the Acey Deucy image on a transparency, cut it down to size and
collaged that on the other side of my base sheet. Using the slide as a guide, cut the base sheet down to the size of the slide and sandwich it between 2 slides.
· Cover the edges with metallic tape (you could solder them together if you know how or use utee to seal the edges).
· Finally, add the Chinese coin as an embellishment, tie some gold fibres in the
gutter between the slide holder which folds shut like a book and attach some
washi paper beads to the fibres and voilà!

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