May 2004 -- Tammy H.
"Asian Cigar Box"

Leland, North Carolina

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
I started stamping about 5 years ago when I was introduced to Stampin'Up.

What is your favorite technique?
I do have a lot of favorites but I guess DTP ( direct to paper ) is at the top of the list.

Favorite stamp company?
Magenta

Favorite Asian stamps?
This one is too hard to answer! LOL I love them all!

Favorite stamping accessory? (i.e. EP, UTEE, Pearl-Ex, punch)
Right now it would be the new glaze pens from SAKURA. Seems like everything I stamp should be colored with them!

Favorite colors?
jewel tones and earthy colors

Your favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Diamond glaze, Crystal Effects, anything along those lines.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without? (i.e. X-acto knife, heat gun, glue stick, sponge)
That would have to be my stamping mat from Rubber Stampede. It's a big sheet of yellow foam. Just the perfect size and it makes stamping a breeze!

Any helpful tips for the group?
My best tip would be to create what you like and not to worry if anyone else will!

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art group on yahoo, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
I just love anything connected to the Orient! I really don't know why, I just think it's all beautiful.

Is there any one place or city you'd like to visit to find rubberstamps, supplies, or Asian art elements?
I would love to visit Japan. Can you imagine the goodies you could get there?

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
In the past year I have really cut back on my groups. It just got to be too much. So right now I belong to; OSA and all their sub-groups, Stampsmith, Napkin Art and I'm an on-line Mentor for Altered Books. In the real world, I'm in a small stamp group that meets once a month and I'm currently in a Quote RR.

What favorite Stamping magazines would you recommend?
My favorite is ' Expressions'. I also like Somerset Studio and Polymer Café. Then depending on if I see something interesting in Rubberstampmadness I'll sometimes pick that one up too.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
I did get a card in the gallery section of Stamping Arts & Crafts, (which I think they've changed the name to Stamp It?) in the December 2002 issue.

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
I do tend to dabble a little bit in just about everything! Knitting, crocheting, basket weaving, polymer clay, doll making, jewelry making, altered books, handmade paper, you name it!

What inspires you to be creative? i.e. do you listen to music while you stamp or watch TV, keep an art journal?
I do like to watch TV while stamping but what inspires me is seeing a project either in magazines, on TV, in person or on-line. That will really get me thinking about how could I do that with my stamps or whatever.

Any art background ?
No, just the basic art class in school but my Dad is a great artist and my Mom was a fantastic crafter. So between the two I guess I got the bug!

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping that wasn't necessarily meant for stamping? (i.e. found item or household item )
I just love to use things not meant for stamping! I use baby wipes for cleaning stamps. I use all kinds of plumbing and hardware supplies such as washers for charms and the sticky mesh meant for fixing drywall, even septic tank paper! It's on a huge roll at Lowes and you buy it by the foot. I use chain from the hardware store for purse straps and drawer handles for purse handles. I love to recycle trash into treasures!

Any favorite books on stamping or art techniques that you would recommend? Any on Asian arts & crafts?
I don't really have a favorite book but I do love Design Originals books. They have such good instructions and pictures in them.

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
Not right now.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I'm married to a wonderful guy. We have a daughter 23, and a son 19. We live in a rural community on the coast of North Carolina. We have 1 dog and 3 cats. The area here has a pretty mild climate, we don't usually see snow but we have had our share of hurricanes!

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR "ASIAN CIGAR BOX"

Supplies used:
Plain cigar box, the kind with paper on it and no hinges
Blue Lumiere paint
Permanent black ink
Rubber-stamps
Stickers
Collage items
Charms
Glossy brush on glaze, (you could also use the spray-on type)

Instructions:
First remove any loose paper on box or glue it back on securely.
Paint box with Lumiere paint, one to two coats
Using permanent ink, stamp images randomly
Embellish with stickers and charms.
Seal box with gloss glaze.

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