November 2004 - Millie K.
"Noh Costume"

milliek@orientalstampart.com
Chelmsford, MA, USA

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
A little over a year. My DIL, Sandy, wanted to learn to stamp so I thought I would see what it was all about and signed us up for a couple of classes. I became addicted to it after the first class and the rest, as they say, is history.

What is your favorite technique?
I love to make embellishments by stamping in melted UTEE. I also like the heated pearl technique that I learned from Heather's instructions in an email. Of course, I also love Iris Folding (IF).

Favorite stamp company?
Magenta, My Heart Stamps for You, Stamp Magic, etc. I love any deeply etched stamp.

Favorite Asian stamps?
I love Buddha, dragons, geishas, oriental women, pandas, etc.

Favorite stamping accessory?
Embossing ink and powder, pearl ex, UTEE, Twinkling H2O, Stargazer's water color palettes and corner punches.

Favorite colors?
Purple and combinations of black, gold and red.

Your favorite embellishment to finish a card?
It really depends on the card. Sometimes a simple ribbon and other times its corner punches, charms, etc.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
X-acto knife, heat gun and double sided tape.

Any helpful tips for the group?
Read everything you can get your hands on regarding card making, etc. Take all the classes that you can to learn new techniques. Ask questions in classes and on the internet. Experiment with new techniques. You might be surprised at the outcome.

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
Oriental Art is filled with beauty and serenity. I need both in my life because it makes living so much more enjoyable.

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

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
Iris Folding, Iris Folding Works, Card Pals and the Westford Altered Book Club.

What favorite Stamping magazines would you recommend?
The Rubber Stamper, Stampers' Samplers and Vamp Stamp News.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
No, I have never submitted anything to a magazine. Maybe sometime soon.

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
Quilting, acrylic painting and reading

What inspires you to be creative? i.e. do you listen to music while you stamp or watch TV, keep an art journal?
Mainly looking through art books. As an example, the Noh Kimono I have submitted with this interview was done after seeing a picture of one in a book on Japan.

Any art background?
I have taken a couple of years of acrylic painting and some water color lessons.

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping that wasn't necessarily meant for stamping? (i.e. found item or household item )
That's a great question because I believe anything can be used in stamping. We use toothpicks, paint chips, buttons, lab slides, watch parts, the list is endless. I no longer throw anything away before asking myself if I could use it in one of my card techniques.

Any favorite books on stamping or art techniques that you would recommend? Any on Asian arts & crafts?
Design Originals is a great resource book. There are so many cards, patterns and techniques that can be used in creating Asian Art. They even have a book out on Iris Folding and among the patterns in the book is a beautiful kimono.

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
Yes, if you want to learn to do Iris Folding go to http://www.thewinniefactor.com. She gives you step-by-step instructions on IF.

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
No, I am retired. I was a Personnel Management Specialist for the U.S. Government, dealing in Employee and Labor Relations. Highly stressful job. Was happy to retire.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I live in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. It is a very quiet residential small town. I have 2 sons, Michael and Jim, 2 grandsons, Michael John, 12 and James Richard, 8. Two wonderful DIL's Cyndi and Sandy. We have a very close family and while they live nearby, they are far enough away to keep everyone happy. LOL I consider myself blessed.

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR "Noh Costume"
By Millie K.

My submission is for a Noh costume (Momoyama period- 1573 -1615). This type of kimono differs from others because of the two contrasting designs that divide the space on the kimono. I found a picture of one in a Japanese book and decided to make it as close to the colors as the one I saw.

Since many of the people in OSA do not do Iris Folding, I simplified the pattern. All you have to do is cut out a template, attach pattern to back and fold paper over numbers on pattern.

The rest of the card I did by melting 2 coats of UTEE on some cardstock and then stamped in the sandals (The sandals are from a stamp by My Heart Stamps For You.)