November 2005 - Cindy L.
"Framed Geisha"

cindyl@orientalstampart.com
Leesburg, IN

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
I started stamping 13 years ago with a few basket stamps that I used for my business. I've been seriously stamping for 11 years.

What is your favorite technique?
Direct to paper!

Favorite stamp company?
Oh, that's easy - I love them all!

Favorite Asian stamps?
About Art Accents, Art Neko, Inka Stamps, Stamp Magick, Innovative Stamp Creations, Stonehouse Stamps, Far Flung, Two Paper Cranes, Jane's Stop n Shop - all our OSA elite vendors!

Favorite stamping accessory?
Stipple brushes and sponges

Favorite colors?
Autumn shades

Your favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Fibers!!!!!

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
Scissors

Any helpful tips for the group?
Never, absolutely never, think that your art is not good enough to send to someone!! We all have our own style and talent and we are all artists!

As a member of OSA, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
It is soothing, tranquil, and it keeps my spirit up!

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

What other stamping lists or local clubs do you belong to?
I've been a member of a local stamp club, R.S.V.P. (Rubber Stampers Victim Protection), for 10 years.

What favorite Stamping magazines would you recommend?
Rubber Stamper, VSN, Stamper's Sampler

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
Stamper's Sampler and Expression

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
I think that I have done every trendy craft at the time it was "in". I still crochet.

What inspires you to be creative?
This group!!! I am always in awe at the talent!

Any art background?
No…except in High School. I've always had a strong interest in all art. My problem is that I can't draw and rubber stamping solved that problem for me! Now all I have to do is stamp and color! LOL!

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping that wasn't necessarily meant for stamping?
I've used so many crazy things ... bottle caps are now my fav!

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
Rubberbaby.com - as there is always something new.

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
I am semi-retired and work part-time at a Credit Union so I can pay for my habit (Stamping habit, that is)!

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I live in Leesburg, Indiana, which is a tiny town in the northern part of the state. Pop. 400. We are only 2 hours from Chicago, 2 hours from Indianapolis, 1 hour from both Michigan and Ohio. It's a great place to live! But the best thing is that I have been married for 35 years to Jim, the greatest husband in the world! No kids, just kitties - Rose and Riley … and I have been feeding my neighbor's cat since May. =^.^=

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Framed Geisha
By Cindy L.

Supplies:

• Vinyl magnetic frame (Dollar Store)
• Post card from "Dover" Japanese Post Card Prints
• Antique Gold "Rub n Buff"
• Ink color of choice for leaf
• Velvet leaf
• Dragonfly charm
• Gold Krylon pen
• Soft cloth for buffing

Instructions:

Apply "Rub n Buff" as desired over the entire frame. When you are satisfied with results, buff the frame with a soft cloth. This is very important! Apply ink of choice to leaf and randomly fill in with gold pen. Glue leaf to frame. Cut off the loop on the charm and glue the charm to leaf. Insert your favorite postcard in the frame and you are done!! Fast, fun and very easy!

Autumn in Japan Tag

Stamps:
Japanese maple leaf -unknown
Autumn Kanji- Stamp Magick

Supplies:

• Double tag with acetate window
• coin envelope
• small tag
• small square of Japanese maple Washi paper (from Stonehouse Stamps)
• Sticker from Japanese Prints Sticker Book by Dover
• Kaleidacolor ink pads in Cappuccino Delight and Desert Heat
• black ink pad
• circle punch
• assorted coordinating fibers

Instructions:
Stipple both of the tags, the coin envelope and the Washi with both Kaleidacolor pads. Cut off the top of the envelope and punch with a circle punch to make a half circle. Randomly stamp the maple leaf over the tags and envelope. Apply the sticker under the window on the large tag. Attach the fibers to close.

On the small tag, stamp the kanji in black ink and write Autumn under kanji. Add fibers to small tag. Trim the Washi paper to make an angled or triangular pocket for the bottom of the coin envelope. Glue to the envelope, leaving top open. Clip the small tag inside the pocket with the bamboo clip. Put the large tag inside the envelope.