April 2004 -- Kate P.
"Something Fishy"

Queensland, Australia

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
I started stamping in 1996 when I was looking for a cheaper alternative to having a commercial printer make my wedding invitations. I bought wax for the envelope seals and what I thought was a wax stamp to go with it, needless to say it was a rubber stamp - not a wax seal stamp. So I had this pretty heart stamp and no use for it, so I went and bought an inkpad and a Christmas stamp and thought I'd try Christmas cards since the wedding invitations turned out so well - the rest is history. My accident has turned into a 6 year love affair that I can't see an end to :o)

What is your favorite technique?
Hmm… this is hard to answer, I love scenic stamping, LAYERS and at present, using chalk inks on anything. I especially like antiquing papers and images also, as I love nostalgia and 'times past'. I suppose you could say my favourite technique is creating backgrounds - I do this whenever I have stamper's block and it never fails to inspire me.

Favorite stamp company?
Ohh.. I have many but Oxford Impressions is top of the list this week. I also love Beeswax, NonSequitur, Acey Deucy, Hero Arts and so many others. I dare not list them all.

Favorite Asian stamps?
I love koi fish - any koi :o) I also love willow trees, geisha's and oriental calligraphy. I suppose my favourite is the Buddha from Somerset Studio's range - don't own it yet, but it's on my list!

Favorite stamping accessory? (i.e. EP, UTEE, Pearl-Ex, punch)
Hmm - love fibers (you can see these on the project I used for this) and I have to say my Krylon gold leafing pen is never far away. I've been using beads a lot lately too - the small ones you can thread onto cotton and use to embellish projects.

Favorite colors?
I adore all the jewel tones and metallics. Favourite of all time: blue/green.

Your favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Charms - can never have enough - stick 'em, hang 'em, I put them everywhere.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without? (i.e. X-acto knife, heat gun, glue stick, sponge)
My Fiskars rotary cutter - can't get a straight edge without it.

Any helpful tips for the group?
When you have stamper's block, create a background - always inspires me. I find that just playing and enjoying myself helps to get the creative juices flowing. I also keep a stamping journal where I have ideas for colours, sketches of potential cards or book pages and just inspirational images. Helps to leaf through this when I'm wondering what next.

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art group on yahoo, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
I'm just drawn to the entire artistic culture or the orient - love the simplicity and clean lines of the art and the colours. The imagery just really appeals to me.

Is there any one place or city you'd like to visit to find rubberstamps, supplies, or Asian art elements?
Hmm - anywhere in Asia, maybe Hong Kong-- have heard great things about that place - or maybe the Forbidden city for some inspiration.

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
The list is loooong. I'm on several House Mouse lists, several Aussie lists (as I'm Australian), a few Art stamping lists and a scenic stamping list.

What favorite Stamping magazines would you recommend?
Used to love Somerset Studio - not so fond of recent reduction in numbers of art work displayed - :o(, I do love the Gallery issues of SS, also like the Take Ten mags, I buy an Australian mag called The Rubber Stamper which I enjoy also.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
Yes - Australian Paper crafts - a small Egyptian card and about to be in Stamping and Papercraft (never submitted to anything else YET!)

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
Cross Stitch, cooking, reading (Patricia Cornwell and Tom Clancy) plus I'm a HUGE Lord of the Rings fan :o)

What inspires you to be creative? i.e. do you listen to music while you stamp or watch TV, keep an art journal?
I keep a journal and love to listen to music, the aromatherapy burner is often on also ;O)

Any art background ?
None - not even art in High School (had to take Chemistry instead - yuck)

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping that wasn't necessarily meant for stamping? (i.e. found item or household item )
Love to use watch parts - my favourite flavor of the month.

Any favorite books on stamping or art techniques that you would recommend? Any on Asian arts & crafts?
No - but would love to hear others recommendations.

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
I'm a Primary school teacher teaching 9 year olds full time.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I'm presently 29 - turning 30 in September. I live in Townsville in Queensland, Australia. I'm married, no kids and one spoiled cat (Pepper). Where I live it is really hot most of the year and very humid - sends the embossing powder off, so it's ruined. We pretty much only have 2 seasons: summer and spring - no really cold weather or leaves changing colour. I live 10 mins from the beach (but can't swim there because of deadly stinging box jellyfish for most of the year). I grew up all over the country as we moved heaps, so I've seen most of Australia. I'm lucky enough to have my own stamping space, but it's never big enough - always want heaps more shelves and storage boxes. That's about it!

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR "SOMETHING FISHY"

Stamps used:
Good Stamps Stamp Goods - Fancy goldfish, goldfish

Other Items:
Matt board Fish cut-out, anchor charm, watch parts (Dial and curled wire), Fish stamp, text and paper scraps, light blue and dark blue plastic jewels and blue fibre from Fibres from Afar's Ko Tao Coral selection - http://www.fibersfromafar.com/

Inspiration:
The perfect colour fishy fibre from Fibres form Afar (thanks Kristy) and Brenda Marks for a wonderful RAK using a mica tile - got me experimenting (Brenda always inspires me) :o)

Instructions:
Begin with folded plain black card (A5 size). Stamp goldfish in brilliance gold on dark blue silk paper and emboss with gold detail powder. Adhere this to the upper section of the black base card. Stamp Fancy goldfish in Blue Iris Colorbox chalk ink onto scrap of Asian text - adhere this onto bottom section of black base card. Glue fish postage stamp reproduction to a thin layer of mica tile using diamond glaze - let dry and then edge with gold krylon pen. Adhere fish stamp to bottom right corner of card. Tear pale blue paper to mirror the torn Asian text scrap and edge with gold krylon, then glue on top of dark blue silk paper. Glue gold anchor charm and dark blue watch dial to top right corner of card and then using Making Memories metal glue (only stuff I've found that will hold things this thin), glue curled watch wire to base of card. Now for the fish :o) Cut a fish shape out of matt board (nice and strong), then put double sided tape on both sides of the fish. Beginning at the nose and wrapping from the back first (to hide fibre ends) slowly and carefully wrap blue coloured fibre around fish - making sure there are no gaps (the tape on both sides will hold this firmly in place). Glue plastic jewels (one on top of the other) onto front of fish to create the illusion of an eye. Adhere fish to centre of collaged base card using double sided tape and press down firmly to bond.
There you have it - "Something Fishy!"

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