May 2007 - Minda O.-T.
"Stampbord Booklet "

mindao@orientalstampart.com
Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia, CA

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
I've been stamping for almost two years now.  My older sister, Jeanne, tried to get me started about eight years ago or so.  She bought me all kinds of materials whenever I visited her in Boston - chalks, Marvy pens, cutters, a heat tool - gave me some stamps, but I just didn't know what to do with them. Then, in the spring of 2005, we lost my brother's wife and Jeanne's husband in the space of one month.  I made memorial cards for each member of the family for each person.  It was painful, but therapeutic at the same time, and also gave me purpose.  Later that year I discovered OSA, and the rest, as they say, is history!

What is your favorite technique?
I'm too busy learning new things to have a particular favourite technique.  I do like heat embossing, layering, Twinkling H2O's, and alcohol inks. I love all the beautiful washi/yuzen papers, but need to learn more how to incorporate them into my work.

Favorite stamp company?
Many favourite stamp companies - Our elite vendors are great - About Art Accents, Art Neko, StoneHouse Stamps, OnyxXpressions, and many more. 

Favorite Asian stamps?
I like cranes, herons, pandas, dragons, koi fish, florals, birds, trees - dragonflies - all sorts of things -kimono, fans, and geishas, too! 

Favorite stamp accessory?
I am discovering brads and punches, but have to remind myself to use them before I stick things together! I like using Twinkling H2O's as a colour wash, and enjoy making alcohol ink backgrounds.  I have experimented a bit with StampZia  ColourWash sprays, and would like to do a bit more of that. 

Favorite colors?
I like all colours - red, gold, and black for Oriental themes.  Love neutrals, autumn colours, metallics jewel tones - everything! 

Favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Now that's a tough one for me, because I have always had difficulty with the finishing touches -But I like the little Chinese coins with the square holes in them, and other small charms. I also like many of the Oriental Peel-Offs, but again, have to remember to use them.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
Just one???  I couldn't do anything without my heat gun and double sided tape.  My new Xacto guillotine cutter with the laser light that lets me see exactly where I am cutting is another essential. 

Any helpful tips for the group?
Take advantage of your membership in OSA.  This is a most incredible group of people who are so willing to teach and share techniques and ideas.  The website is also full of resources for learning.  Take classes.

Finally, join in swaps - that has really helped me a great deal..  Deadlines are always highly motivating!  But more than that - swaps are great learning experiences - they provide a focus for a particular type of project, and definitely force me outside of any comfort zone I might have!  Each new swap provides a new challenge, and we learn so much from sharing our work with others. 

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art Group, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
I like Oriental art not only for its beauty, but also because it is classic - it is timeless - it is universal in its appeal. 

Is there any one place you'd like to visit to find rubberstamps, supplies or any other Asian elements?
I have wanted to see China for many years, and would also love to go to Japan - not so much to shop, but to see the countries first hand and absorb some of the culture.

For shopping, I would love to be able to attend a Carson Convention in California one of these days.  I'm sure I should be able to find my fill of rubber stamps and art supplies there! 

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
There are no clubs here locally that I know of.  I do subscribe to Creative Cards and SS Reflections on-line, though, and find them interesting and informative. I also belong to International Stamping Friends, but have not been very active with any of these groups, I'm afraid - too busy keeping up with OSA commitments!

What favorite stamping magazines would you recommend?
I don't get to see many magazines at all, so really can't recommend any. The downside of that is that I have not seen the work of our OSA members who have been published in various magazines, but would like to congratulate them all on their accomplishments. I am a new subscriber to VAMP Stamp News, though, and am enjoying that magazine for its emphasis on techniques.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
No.   I have never made a submission to any magazine. 

Any other hobbies, crafts or art interests?
I used to do photography, and have always loved to read.  I also love music, mostly classical and folk, as well as live theater. I swim daily for pleasure and exercise, and enjoy gardening in season.

What inspires you to be creative?
I think looking at the OSA website and all the galleries - the individual artist galleries as well as the swap, MOSAS, and ACE galleries all serve to inspire. Other art forms that both inspire and influence me are Inuit art and modern abstract art.  Inuit art captures in a few lines the very essence of the animal or bird being portrayed - it is magical!  And I also like abstracts and geometrics - I am very fond of Piet Mondrian! 

Any art background?
None whatsoever! 

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping?
Not that I can think of.

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
TrishBayley.com, and A Monthly rubber Stamps Club - Rubberstampsclub.com in addition to our own OSA website.

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
Not any more!  I was a clinical audiologist when I came to Nova Scotia from Boston - I was recruited to take a mobile field clinic around the province for almost two years and did all the administrative work and  public relations, as well as the clinical work and followup.. Then I was brought in to the Halifax clinic.  I took a photography course, and married the teacher!  Now my photographer-teacher husband has morphed into a District Fire Chief with the Halifax Regional Municipality and I am no longer working. 

Tell us about your family and where you live.
DH Bernie and I have been married for twenty-two years now, and live just east of Halifax, in Lawrencetown, NS .with our beloved collie, Chloe.  We are lucky enough to have a water view on three sides - the Lawrencetown River to the front, the Atlantic ocean to the side, and the Lawrencetown Inlet, coming in to marshland, which is the  protected Canadian Wildlife Preserve area behind our property, so it will not be developed -hooray!

I find this environment to be totally awe-inspiring - to see the forces of nature at work each day - to see the wind, the tides, the sky, the clouds, the birds - to see the pheasants running across the yard - it all feeds my soul, and Bernie's too.  We also enjoy watching the huge container ships and cruise ships going in and out of Halifax Harbour - we can see them on the horizon. 

Bernie is Dad and I am Step-Mom to son Christopoher (31) and daughter Karen (27), and we are grandparents to Brooke (15 months old as of this writing).   We feel truly blessed. 

PS:  Bernie and I would both like to tell you all just how much you (our OSA family) mean to us.   He has been so supportive of my newfound hobby, and is a big help.  Bernie squares up my papers (if it's not too late!), and mounts all my um's on clingfoam for me.  He has been known to say, “Whose hobby is this, anyway?”

Thank you all for giving me this opportunity to share. 

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"Stampbord Booklet "
By Minda O.-T.

mindao@orientalstampart.com

MATERIALS

• One 2 inch square Stampbord (for cover)
• One two inch square piece of matboard (for back cover)
• Piece of handmade paper to cover matboard, 3” x 3”
• One piece of semigloss textweight paper, cream, 8” x scant 2”
• Krylon Metallic marker – Gold Leaf or colour of choice
• Stamp of choice plus message stamp of choice
• Heat gun
• Ink Pads Used
• VersaMark
• StazOn Timber Brown
• Tim Holtz Distress Pads
• Antique Linen, Old Paper and Tea Dye
• Clean Piece of Cut-N-Dry Foam for DTP technique
• Clear embossing powder
• Krylon gloss sealer spray
• Gold embossing powder
• Ribbon, 1/8” wide,10 “ long
• Double sided tape and/or paper glue to cover matboard

DIRECTIONS

Stampbord Cover

With Krylon pen, colour edges with Gold.

Using Antique Linen, apply colour to Stampbord directly from pad.

Using stamp of choice, stamp with StazOn Timber Brown; ( I tried this first with Versafine Smoky Grey – it didn’t work very well – I’m told Versafine doesn’t work really well on Stampbord, so use StazOn!).

Edge again with Antique Linen direct from pad.

Then – either apply VersaMark to Stampbord and clear emboss three times, letting cool between applications or

Spray lightly with Krylon clear gloss three times, letting dry between sprays.

Next, when dry, dip edges into VersaMark and then into gold embossing powder and heat set.

Set aside.

Book Insert Pages

Cut a piece of semigloss text weight paper, white or cream colour, to be 8 “ x 2 “, a scant 2 inches.

Fold in half, then fold the front half up toward the center fold, do the same with the other half.

Flatten out and using a clean piece of Cut-N-Dry foam, or direct from pad, apply Antique Linen to both sides of this piece.

Then edge paper with Tea Dye Distress Ink Pad; keep the paper folded at this point to get all the creases well edged.

Using same stamp as for cover, stamp on both end sections of the paper, at an angle.

Stamp message stamp on one panel.

Set aside.

Back Cover

Cut a piece of matboard 2” x 2”.

Cut handmade paper of choice 3” x 3”.

Cover and glue or tape paper to matboard – when doing this, cut corners of the paper at a diagonal, close to the corner of the matboard; then fold opposite sides of the paper onto the matboard. Let dry.

ASSEMBLY

Lay the two covers down; put double sided tape on the inside of each cover.

Put the ribbon across the back cover and tape down.

Next, take the folded insert pages, and carefully figure out which is front (the stamped side), and lay onto the two covers – stick down with the tape.

Fold it up and tie a bow with the ribbon.

Note: If you are as ribbon challenged as I am, run for help to your nearest friend or store owner – that’s what I did!

Oh, as for the dragonfly brad embellishment, Dejah did that for me with her Cropadile – she has none for sale yet, and said nothing else will punch through the Stampbord, so she punched it out for me!

So maybe a little peel off sticker would work also. Or you don’t have to use anything if you don’t wish.

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