June 2004 -- Carol W.
"Stencil Card"

carolw@orientalstampart.com
Mililani, Hawaii

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
In 1983, I had surgery that required me to be home (and do practically nothing) for six weeks. To pass the time I decided to make my own thank you cards. Now, back then there were no rubber stamp stores in Hawaii. So you can imagine how simple they were! However, it really wasn't until the 1990's that I SERIOUSLY started stamping when I could find the time. Now that I'm retired, I can stamp whenever I want to…but where has the time gone?

What is your favorite technique?
I like cutting and layering. I will try different techniques but even with using the new techniques, I almost always do cutting and layering to finish the project.

Favorite stamp company?
I don't have a favorite but tend to buy from companies with Asian stamps. I do treasure all of my Curtis Uyeda stamps.

Favorite Asian stamps?
Bamboo and dragonflies head the list with cherry blossoms, geishas, and kanji not far behind.

Favorite stamping accessory?
Double stick tape.

Favorite colors?
RED, RED, RED…then black and gold

Your favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Right now I'm hooked on brads, nailheads and eyelets

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
A paper cutter…I'm waiting for my Genesis cutter to arrive (any day now).

Any helpful tips for the group?
Get involved! Friendships develop! I have met the most sharing people in this group - Gene Limtiaco (whenever I go to Vegas to try to win $$$$$...she shares all her latest); Michelle Lum Ho (whenever she comes from Virginia…this woman is a fountain of knowledge); Violet Kikiloi (here at home…if it wasn't for stamping, I wonder if we would have met); AND, of course, there are those I have not met in person yet but I consider them friends and kindred spirits (like Judy Luttrell…not only a sharing/caring person but she makes me laugh)…and I could go on and on! Oh yeah, by the time you read this I'll have had lunch with vacationing Terri Kinjo and I'm sure our conversation will focus on OSA and her wonderful Artist Trading Card Swaps!

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art group on yahoo, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
It reflects my background - I am of Japanese and Korean ancestry. In the early 1900's, my grandparents came from Okinawa and Korea in search of the American Dream. Having visited both places, I am certainly thankful I am an American of Asian ancestry.

Is there any one place or city you'd like to visit to find rubberstamps, supplies, or Asian art elements?
I believe I'd like to visit Thailand!

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
I belong to an Artist Trading Card group. I am not a member of any clubs but since both of us are retired, I like to get together with Violet to share and try out new techniques, to eat lunch (#1 priority), and to visit the Marukai 99 cents store, hardware stores, and stamp stores. More recently, we've gotten together with other OSA members - Stephanie Freeman and Min Lim.

What favorite Stamping magazines would you recommend?
I like the Rubber Stamper, Paper Crafts, Scrap & Stamp Arts and Australian Paper Crafts.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
No magazines. However, many of you know that Lynell Harlow of Dreamweaver Stencils recently surprised Violet and me with autographed copies of her book "Artful Cards." She included in her book cards that we had given her years ago.

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
I've always been a crafter - name it and I've done it. Sometimes I think the name "Carol" means crafter, as I see so many crafters named "Carol". Carol Duvall should have a show dedicated to "Carol's".

What inspires you to be creative?
Seeing something that grabs my attention! Be it a Hallmark card (yikes), magazines, books. Or…better yet, a card in OSAPhotos!!!!

Any art background?
Can't you tell? NO!

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping that wasn't necessarily meant for stamping?
Recently a friend gave me a box of Japanese crackers that were all individually wrapped. The wrappers were exquisite rice paper though waxed on one side. So, I did share the crackers with Violet and told her DO NOT THROW THE WRAPPERS AWAY…we can use them for card making. And, we did!

I once was told by the owner of Mailbox Etc. that I would win the prize for the most unusual item copied on their copier - a Japanese floor mat. I wanted to use that for a background on a card.

Any favorite books on stamping or art techniques that you would recommend? Any on Asian arts & crafts?
I love books, so therefore find it hard to resist not buying any book related to rubberstamping, bookbinding, and paper crafts. Usually I'll flip through the book and even if only one project grabs my attention, I MUST have the book.

Do you a have a day job when you're not stamping?
After 31 years working for Uncle Sam, I am happily retired. BUT, how come there's less time in the day now to do everything I want to do!?!?!?!

Tell us about your family and where you live.
If any of you saw the movie "Lilo and Stitch" where Lilo says to Stitch "Ohana means family"…that's us! Family! My husband of 21 years (he's a keeper; the one good thing that came out of my first marriage was three wonderful children who make me proud) and I live in paradise - Mililani, Hawaii. Our home is too big for just the two of us so my daughter, son-in-law, and three grandkids live with us! We are OHANA! Life would certainly be boring without the daily antics going on. They say laughter is good medicine…well, we get our daily dosage.

My husband and I enjoy traveling and regularly make trips to Las Vegas, Seattle, and Japan. In Vegas I hope to someday win $$$$$; in Seattle I love the stamp/paper stores and several of my dearest friends live in the area; in Japan I love the food, people, and just exploring the nooks and crannies of the many towns.

Because of the large Asian population here in Hawaii, I would say Asian-influenced rubber stamps and accessories are fairly easy to come by. So, if any of you are coming to Hawaii, give me a call and we'll make our rounds to find stamps, papers and who knows what the 99 cents store has in stock!

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR STENCIL CARD
By Carol Walker
OSA SAM - June 2004

Here's a simple and fast card using stencils.

Supplies used:
Dreamweaver Stencils, LJ826 (large fan) and LG620 (butterfly)
Variety of papers, tassel, gold metallic pen, scissors, hole punch

Procedure:
Trace fan stencil on cardstock. Cut out insides. I taped a piece of brown paper in the back of the fan handle before taping cardstock on a background paper. Using a gold metallic pen trace butterfly stencil on background paper. Be sure to fill in the body of butterfly with the gold metallic pen.

On any kind of decorative paper once again trace butterfly stencil. Cut out butterfly pieces. Paste pieces to matching place on the previously traced background paper.

Punch holes on both sides of fan handle. Cut tassel and insert cording into both sides of handle. Tape cords on backside of cardstock.

Layer on corrugated cardstock and then again to cardstock.

Add a spot of glue to hold tassel in place on front of card.

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