October 2006 - Maggi G.
"Moon Lady"

maggig@orientalstampart.com
Waukesha, WI

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
I have been stamping about ten years. I have always enjoyed making things but had been "afraid" of anything resembling "art." At one point I thought that scrapbooking might fill the artistic interest, but I attended a scrapbook class which involved stamping, and the rest is history!!

What is your favorite technique?
It is so hard to pick one as I try many different things, but the two that I like to rely on are alcohol ink backgrounds and using printed paper, either as a background or actually stamping directly on it.

Favorite stamp company?
I still like some of the original companies that I started with - Magenta and Stamp Zia. I tend to buy stamps that I can't live without so am not tied into one specific company.

Favorite Asian stamps?
I have a few - the Cherry Pie stamp of the lady holding her cat and the Hero Arts windy geishas and, of course, Haiku Bunny!

Favorite stamp accessory?
Corner stamps or corner peel-offs - sometimes a card needs something a little "extra," and either of these seems to make the difference. I also use Stazon a lot, and love Twinkling H2O's.

Favorite colors?
I use a lot of red, black, and teal. The autumn palette is another favorite. I usually don't do too much with pastel colors.

Favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Gold Krylon pen! It will add a finishing touch in a jiffy.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
My paper cutter - I use a Fiskar's 12X12 rotary cutter, one of the first things I bought when I started stamping. It allows me to cut paper accurately and quickly.

Any helpful tips for the group?
My tip is for the newbies: don't be afraid to join swaps - everyone has to start somewhere, and you will receive beautiful examples of art work.

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art Group, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
I have always enjoyed Oriental art and worked, at one time, with a Japanese gentleman who not only taught Spanish where I taught, but also owned and operated an Oriental gift shop. My husband also likes this style as well, And, now that we have Oriental grandchildren, there isn't much more to say - it's a vested interest.

Is there any one place you'd like to visit to find rubberstamps, supplies or any other Asian elements?
I would like to shop either in San Francisco or Hawaii.

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
I belong to a few on-line groups - a local southeast Wisconsin group and another large international group - CCSwaps. Ironically, the first few groups I belonged to were based in Canada! Right now I do not belong to a local club although some friends and I get together sometimes, especially for stamp conventions.

What favorite stamping magazines would you recommend?
The two I use the most for inspiration are Somerset and Stampers Sampler.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
I have been published a few times, the first because of swaps from this group - Expressions and Stampers Sampler. I have also had some things in RSM and Rubber Stamper.

Any other hobbies, crafts or art interests?
A related interest is making books, especially collaborative fat books.

What inspires you to be creative?
I think looking at other's work and taking classes is a great inspiration. I enjoy going to museums and taking the audio tours to understand the artists' ideas and techniques.

Any art background?
Other than classes at conventions or stores, the only art background is college level art history which turned out to be my favorite class ever. I also took two graduate classes about integrating art into the curriculum, another really exciting class.

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping?
Once I was in a swap where we had to use food!!! We all had a terrible time coming up with something, but, in the end, we rose to the challenge.

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
Right now my favorite is Artella, Trish Bayley's sites, and, of course, OSA.

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
Not any more! I am a retired HS English teacher and retired in June of 2001. I loved my job, but retirement is even better..

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I live just west of Milwaukee, WI, which is north of Chicago, about 90 miles. I have been married almost 40 years and have two adult married sons and three grandchildren who are all under the age of four, at least until October 12.

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Moon Lady
By Maggi G.

maggig@orientalstampart.com

Directions for Moon Lady card:

1. Stamp and emboss Moon Lady half circle stamp (Stamp Zia.)
2. Trim off sides to create a fan shape.
3. Paint image with Twinkling H2O's.
4. Edge with gold Krylon pen.
5. Cut black cardstock into ATC size and stamp moon kanji in gold in the upper left hand corner.
6. Cut decorative paper to fit diagonally in the lower right half.
7. Edge ATC with gold Krylon.
8. Adhere Moon Lady and large Oriental coin to ATC.
9. Cut a piece of teal slightly larger than ATC, edge in gold, and center ATC on the teal.
10. Layer central image over decorative paper and adhere everything to a black card which has been edged in gold.

NOTE: I chose to use this image/card since the festival of the Moon Lady takes place early in October this year.

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