June 2006 - Jenny G.
"Magnolia & Water Color Wash Background"

Atlanta, GA

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
About three years ago I started rubber stamping. Initially I was a scrapbooker who thought rubber stamping was just plain weird. I thought I would buy a few stamps to accent my scrap pages. Somehow I got hooked stamping and lost count a long time ago of how many stamps I have… I recognize that I have completely gone over the edge… and enjoy it thoroughly.

What is your favorite technique?
I don't know that I have a favorite technique. I like trying new things, and love making backgrounds to stamp on. I also really like using watercolor pencils. "Clean distressing" I guess is something I do a lot on my cards…meaning distressed looking, but not too shabby looking.

Favorite stamp company?
Oh… where to start? Kodomo, Penny Black, Coronado Island, and Paper Parachute to name just a few …

Favorite Asian stamps?
Definitely Kodomo Rubber Stamps

Favorite stamp accessory?
VersaMark ink - I use it for everything I emboss. I couldn't stamp without it.

Favorite colors?
I like a touch of black and gold on everything. I have to say the browns and greens, mostly natural muted tones, are my favorite colors.

Favorite embellishment to finish a card?
A little touch of sparkle somehow - from a little rhinestone, to a glitter pen or a drop of glitter glue - just to accent something and make it catch the light.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
My Xacto knife and my perfect layer rulers, which I use for matting on my cards - if you don't have them… get them, they are wonderful. Also my paper trimmer a Carl DC210- great investment!

Any helpful tips for the group?
I received so many tips from this group as a whole… my tip is to be involved, ask questions, communicate - everyone has tips and techniques that you pick up on the lists and of course with exchanging cards. I have received cards and emailed questions about them often… everyone is so friendly and is happy to share ideas and their "how to" knowledge.

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art Group, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
I think it was probably the washi paper that first caught my eye… then I needed some stamps to go with it…. Then I needed more Asian stamps and Asian embellishments, and more Asian stamps… I like the images, the papers, all of it. It just appeals to something in me.

Is there any one place you'd like to visit to find rubberstamps, supplies or any other Asian elements?
Every time we go on vacation I am googling to find any stores in the area, then I map quest the directions and have to negotiate a deal for my husband to drive fifty miles out of the way so I can buy some stamps!! So whenever I have an opportunity I try to visit a new place, and rubber stamp stores are always completely unique.

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
Local group…. Krafty Kats, five of us that meet monthly. We take classes, lunch, share, and swap cards and ideas.

What favorite stamping magazines would you recommend?
I like Stampington's Publications because there is such a variety and it's packed full of examples to page through.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
The Rubber Stamper

Any other hobbies, crafts or art interests?
I like taking pictures and playing with digital software.

What inspires you to be creative?
I'm not sure what inspires me. I often will see a stamp image on the shelf in a store and immediately "see" what I would do with it. Stamping is "my time" whether I have music on or the TV, it's relaxing to me. I drag all my supplies out and just play….. sometimes I make something worthy and sometimes it goes straight in the trash bin! It's just enjoyable to sit and see what comes out… the creative process is what I enjoy.

Any art background?
None

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping?
Kitchen sponges and brushes - buy them cheap from the dollar stores, great for inking up & creating texture type backgrounds.

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
OSA is by far the best site I've ever visited. I get lost looking through the galleries on a regular basis!

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
Yep… I have to support the stamping habit.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I live in Atlanta, GA. I'm happily married and we have a little nine pound Tuxedo cat who completely rules the house and lives a spoiled rotten life.

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Magnolia & Water Color Wash Background
By Jenny G.

Supplies

Stamp Magnolia Floral #90394 / Stamps Happen Inc.
Water Color Sprays - Adirondacks or Stamp Zia Color Jewels
Clorox Bleach Pen and/or Twinkling H20 Siam White
Versamark
Detail Black Embossing Powder
Water Color Paper

I love to make backgrounds and this is a favorite, since each background is always unique. The color wash sprays I used are a mix of Adirondack and also Stamp Zia's Color Jewels. When I work with the sprays I usually cut a bunch of watercolor paper and do a whole batch of backgrounds to have on hand for later. I lay a towel out over my desk and lay out several pieces of watercolor papers to work on at the same time.

Step 1
Start by spraying one or two colors (I used grey) and then dry with the heat gun. You want to create layers of color and if you don't dry in between the layers, the colors become mixed and you will get a different look completely. I usually do one color at a time.

Step 2
Spray another color (yellow) and dry with the heat gun.

Step 3
Spray another color (cranberry) and dry with the heat gun.

Step 4
Spray last color (blue) and dry with the heat gun.

Step 5
Crumple up a paper towel in to a ball and wet a good portion of it, almost dripping wet. Then press it to your paper with a firm hand and just kind of randomly press it over the entire piece. The wet paper towel will do two things - the water blends the color sprays together and also where the wettest part of the towel lands it will remove the color, leaving the light areas. Dry off any remaining water with a dry paper towel or use your heat gun.

Step 6
Make sure your background piece is completely dry. Then I stamped the magnolia image in Versamark and embossed with detail black powder.

Step 7
Bleach out the magnolia flowers. I use a bleach pen and squirt out a little bleach; mix it with a bit of water and paint it on with a paintbrush. I think the Zia sprays bleach out "whiter" than when I use the Adirondacks. If it doesn't bleach as white as I like, then I paint a little Twinkling H20 Siam White over the flower portion. Color the stem with a brown pen or marker.

Step 8
Cut out your image, mat and mount it to your card! That's it!
It's a one of a kind color wash background.

Some other samples: