February 2008 - Carole M.
"Concertina Booklet (3 Variations)"

carolem@orientalstampart.com

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
Two years as of January. I had always resisted stamping (another hobby; more ‘things’). Until I bought an attractive-cover magazine that took my eye. It was The Rubber Gazette-Issue 39 with a feature article by Lizzie Slothouber (founder of O.S.A.). So I’d found the inspiration before I owned any stamps!

What is your favorite technique?
I love so many! Well I enjoy embossing and colour-mist effects. Bleaching is fun too!

Favorite stamp company?
When I joined OSA, About Art Accents was Vendor of the Month and there was where I made my first order. Most all the stamps I own are from About Art Accents.

Favorite Asian stamp?
I see many OSA vendors have desirable UM’s - but I know I can’t own them all. I like what I see on New Asian Accents, Stone House Stamps and Art Neko sites too.

Favorite stamping accessory?
My computer! OSA member galleries for one provide an un-ending source of inspiration … the various classes within the group that have been offered online; there is so much to explore. The big plus too is the opportunity to foster new friendships. While worlds apart – we have a common interest to share. (Running a fast second is double-sided tape).

Favorite colors?
Well I really like most all colours. I perhaps favour violet & cherry coloured hues and the lovely shades of green … and I also like black/white combo. Colour charts fascinate me with all the luscious names they give to colours now!

Your favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Brads, especially a dragonfly one, or a tag, with a single word or text relating to the image.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
My guillotine paper cutter.

Any helpful tips for the group?
Make a creative-space to call your own that is decidedly yours to stamp. Play with new techniques. Some of the newest ones you try might just become your favourites.

As a member of OSA, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
Oriental, Japanese in particular appeals to me for it demonstrates serenity that is very pleasing visually and to the mind it seems to evoke a state of peacefulness. I like too that for instance the haiku by the old masters comes from their awareness of nature and the seasons. I have always been a lover of nature and its bounty and appreciate this ‘connection’.

Is there any one place or city you'd like to visit to find rubber stamps, supplies, or Asian art elements?
Well I assume there are good opportunities for ‘supplies’ in Japan? What a trip to experience not only the shopping opportunity - I’d love to visit a washi-paper-making warehouse and see how they create these beautiful papers, but I’d equally like to see the beauty of rural Japan, in cherry-blossom time. Outside of Japan it seems OSA vendors in the States have the very best of supplies.

What other stamping lists or local clubs do you belong to?
I subscribe to Split Coast Stampers newsletter.

What favorite stamping magazines would you recommend?
Vamp Stamp News for the opportunity to learn about techniques especially. I very occasionally purchase Australia’s Stamping and Papercraft and I have one of Somersets Studio mags, which I enjoyed – it was the nature issue of last year.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
Yes she says, with a smile on her face. I made it into Vamp Stamp News last year. I enjoy taking on the challenges now that Nancie Waterman sets for each month.

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
Oh! You can do more than stamp and make cards and belong to O.S.A.? Embroidery was a big love for a long time. Both traditional patchwork and crazy-patchwork (because it also needed “embroidery” and using colourful fabrics and beads and charms). My last project in the making is still waiting for me; embroidered botanical blocks for a QS quilt that are to be alternated with patchwork blocks (pink and green shades). Have always enjoyed ‘our gardens’ and watching for signs of something new blooming when the season is right. Playing with graphics; I completed a 96 project online course several years ago; I’ve forgotten some of it through lack of going back to it often enough but there are some favourite things I still do with what I learned way back then. I’d like to take a refresher course this year with my current updated version of PhotoImpact. Photography; taking digital pics perhaps something flowering in the garden, a colourful bird at the bird feeder, pics from around our location .. and emailing/sharing with my friends. Which leads to corresponding. I enjoy learning more of each other via the written word. It used to be letters (snail-mail) and then miraculously in an instant, by emails. I am forever fascinated by the home p.c. and where it can take you.

What inspires you to be creative?
Interaction within O.S.A. is my inspiration and motivation. I know I would not have gotten this far with ‘stamping’ on my own without all the camaraderie within OSA. Amazing how we are all out there in differing parts of the world, doing our own ‘thing’ and not realizing really quite how much a certain someone’s message or card has kept us motivated to keep striving. For me, I feel I am still new to stamping. I rarely know where I’m going with any card I start. They just kind of e.v.o.l.v.e along the way (if I persevere long enough).

Any art background ?
None whatsoever. I always wished I could ‘draw’ but colouring-in was the next best thing.

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping that wasn't necessarily meant for stamping?
Could that mean the paper towel background or using the sequin waste to colour through?

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
Apart from OSA. Fabulous site, Split Coast Stampers, Stampers Mall, AMRSC, Stamp Zia and The Scrapbook Lounge (I really enjoy the webisodes).

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
I’m retired from administration in the housing construction industry. I enjoyed the working environment and being part of a team but ended up wanting to be able to get up and away from a desk. Now I still sit at a desk often, either computing or stamping! Fun part is I have a choice and can get up and away when I choose.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
Des and I have been married for 41 years. We have two daughters. The eldest is divorced with three children. Our granddaughters are 15 and 13 and our grandson is 6. Our youngest daughter is single but has a steady guy. When Des retired he wanted out of the ‘rat-race’ of Sydney. We ended up buying land here at Bonnells Bay in the region of Lake Macquarie just an hour and half drive on the F3 from Sydney up the East coast. In comparison to Sydney suburbs it is more a semi-rural community style living and ‘the lake’ is four times the size of Sydney Harbour. It seems to meander every-which-way in your travels. We enjoy the bushland of National Parks, the lake, and the birds. Beaches aren’t so far away either for another change of scenery.

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Concertina Booklet (3 Variations)
By Carole M.

Acknowledgement: My booklet inspiration came from a tutorial by Evelyn Spikes on Suzanne Glacier’s Pennywise Arts list, whose inspiration came from a feature in a Design Originals Crafts book.

Inside pages:

(Click images for larger size)

Haiku verses by Issa are printed first. Stamped images by About Art Accents: Cherry Blossom Snip 2, embossed with gold. Blossoms coloured in using an aqua-pen and picking up ink from stamp-pad.

Outside cover:

Use white tissue for background. Crumple and re-open. Press all over with stamp pads of your choice. Iron onto freezer paper.

REQUIREMENTS TO MAKE A CONCERTINA BOOKLET

OUTSIDE COVER PAPERS

Whatever you would like to cover your booklet with: could be hand-coloured (as are two examples done with tissue paper), washi papers, paper napkins, scrapbooking papers, etc.

INSIDE LINING CARDSTOCK (for covers)

You won’t see these in the finished booklet so can use any scrap cardstock. I have used recycled manila folders.

CARDSTOCK (inside pages)

This is the visible layer to frame your stamped image papers

Also:

DOUBLE-SIDED TAPE
RIBBON – 2 - 9.5 inches long (24 cm)
EMBELLISHMENTS (i.e. small coins, punches, tags)

Note: If covering with printed-paper napkins, first lay a same sized piece of freezer paper (shiny side up) onto your ironing board.

Peel backing layers off your paper napkin and lay it (print side facing you) on top of the freezer paper.

Next place a layer of baking paper on top (to protect your iron getting gummed up). Press all over with a hot, dry iron to bond the napkin to the freezer paper. To be extra sure of good bonding, turn over and repeat from the other side.

INSTRUCTIONS for Concertina Booklet

Cut 4 – 4” squares (10 cm)
Cut 4 – 3” squares (7.5cm)

Paper for outside covers Card stock for inner covers

IMAGE FOUR GOES HERE

Line up the bottom edges of each cover. The use of a grid mat is helpful.

Use double-sided tape to secure the 9.5 inch length of ribbon at top and bottom. ONLY tape where it won’t show under your framing card stock layer. For strength, tape as close as possible to the outside edges where pages adjoin.

[Note: I found using double-sided tape under the ribbon unsuccessful. For one it was a little wider than the ribbon but also – the gum will be evident on the outside when you fold your book closed.]

Cut your background card stock for the next layer as large as possible. That adds even more stability by securing the ribbon even further to the outside edges.

Now fill your pages however you wish. Have fun!

Here are two variations…

Inside pages:

Images by About Art Accents: Circle Flower Medallion: (kanji for) Spring; Teapot & Cups; Light Silhouette Fan; Light Butterfly

Outside cover:

Paper napkins used as outside cover papers

Inside pages:

Stamped images by About Art Accents: Orchid Border (gold embossed) and Solid Dragonflies (gold embossed). Tag has a portion of Chinese Ad

Outside cover:

Use white tissue paper sprayed with re-inkers and water for outside covers. When dry, crumple and re-open. Iron onto freezer paper. When the booklet is folded the cover shows the stamped medallion on gold card stock. Medallion by About Art Accents: Orchid Circle Crest.

Close your concertina booklet by first closing the first and the last pages inwards and then close as a book.