November 2006 - Sulea
"Faux Bleach Technique"

sulea@orientalstampart.com

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
I've been stamping for approximately 3 years now. It started with scrapbooking for a couple of months and then I discovered stamps!

What is your favorite technique?
My favorite technique is a simple one.. coloring with tombows and twinkling h20s. It's very relaxing. I also like sponging inks onto card.

Favorite stamp company?
Favorite stamp company at the moment is Stonehouse stamps. They have such gorgeous oriental images and the rubber is thick and stamps really well. My other favorite is Beeswax rubber stamps and Stampscapes!!! Lately, I purchased some Green Pepper Press stamps of birds.. that's something I am into as well.

Favorite Asian stamps?
My favorite asian stamps are the beautiful geishas and trees from Stonehouse rubber stamps and oriental texts. The oriental texts are just great for backgrounds. Also I just love Stampmagick pandas and the asian dragon seal and lanterns!

Favorite stamp accessory?
Inkpads and my white card……… and stamps of course… oh and tombows .. and twinkling h20s lol…

Favorite colors?
I am more inclined to use warmer colors and if I do use blues, I like to add some warmth to it with pinks and purples.

Favorite embellishment to finish a card?
I don't usually use embellishments. The most I would use is dimensional magic or maybe layer bits to make it stand out.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
Probably my handy knife/cutter thing….

Any helpful tips for the group?
Do what makes you happy because if it's making you unhappy, why are you doing it? :o)

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art Group, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
I was born Malaysian Chinese. I think sometimes I take that for granted and every now and then I like to revisit my culture. I miss my oriental childhood a lot.

Is there any one place you'd like to visit to find rubberstamps, supplies or any other Asian elements?
It's easier and cheaper to shop on the internet nowadays. I hardly go to local shops as they don't really stock unmounteds.

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
I'm part of a local stamping group and several local stamping lists.. and the stampscapes group on yahoo.

What favorite stamping magazines would you recommend?
I don't buy magazines that often anymore .. but wouldn't mind subscribing to some altered art ones when I figure out what they are lol.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
Rubberstamp madness… there was a 4 page article with some scenery not too long ago (August or sept, I forget), and once in the Rubber Stamper.

Any other hobbies, crafts or art interests?
I like painting………and appreciate anything craft related. At the moment, I have been having a lot of fun with webpages. I have 2 links:
http://www.asceneryforafriend.blogspot.com/
http://siva.upnaway.com/sustampede/

What inspires you to be creative?
It may be music, poetry, other artists' works, colors.. nature.

Any art background?
I haven't attended any art school or anything. I've just always liked mucking around with art.

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping?
Er… hmm… don't think so… hmm bottle caps?

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
Off hand.. these are some that I can remember.

www.picturetrail.com/flying_moondust
http://www.nonsequiturstamps.com/
http://www.stonehousestamps.com/
http://www.stampscapes.com/
http://www.beeswaxrubberstamps.com/

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
Yes I work fulltime in a finance company. Recently started a new position in the same company, so have been very busy learning and adjusting. I only get a few hours a week to stamp.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
Well, currently I live with my partner, a guinea pig and a Mexican fighting fish in Perth Australia. It's a beautiful place and what I like about it most of the relaxed lifestyle and now it's coming up to wildflower season, I can't wait to see the wildflowers bloom.

Originally I was from Malaysia and my cultural upbringing has been very oriental. I miss it a lot. I can't wait to go to Malaysia this Christmas. It will be great fun.

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Lantern Woman
By Sulea

Materials

• White card
• Tinted/white inkpad
• White/clear embossing powder
• Heat gun
• Inkpads ( I have used Seashells (cloudy blue), Adirondack (denim and stonewashed) and black)
• A small makeup sponge or stippling brush
• Iron
• Stamps (Card 1 - Geisha, butterflies and writing from Stonehouse rubberstamps. Card 2 - Oriental text from StampMagick Rubber stamps and unknown leaf)

Instructions

1) Stamp image with tinted /white inkpad onto white card.
2) Pour clear or white embossing powder, dust off excess and heat image with heat gun.
3) Then slowly sponge inks onto the card with the lightest colors first with darker blues around the edges. I have also sponged a little black along the edges.
4) When you are satisfied with the color, turn over card with image face down between 2 pieces of white printer paper. Then using a hot iron, iron over the back of the image onto the bottom white printer paper. The white/clear embossing will come off onto the white printer paper and voila!!! You have a faux bleach effect. (Do not use newspaper unless you wish to have newspaper print on your faux bleach image)
5) Layer your piece of art onto black card and then onto red card. Slightly sponge the edges with black to give a 3d raised effect.
6) Then as a final touch, stamp some Chinese characters in black on red card, trim and corner punch. Also, slightly sponge the edges with black. Layer onto black card and glue to artwork.
7) Admire your new piece of art ! :o)

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