December 2006 - Catrina K.
"Asian Take-Out Boxes "

catrinak@orientalstampart.com

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
My first stamp was bought probably 15 years ago… it was a holiday stamp that I used to stamp on Christmas card envelopes.  That was pretty much the extent of my stamping until 8 or so years ago.  My mom had gotten into stamping, so I was watching her and playing with her stuff when I went out one summer.  The rest is pretty much history.

What is your favorite technique?
My favorite technique…hmmm… I would have to say that it depends on what phase I am in, like the phases of the moon… I have tried what seems like hundreds of different techniques, some successful, others not. I definitely go back to the basics on a regular basis.  Currently, I have been having great fun playing with color washes. 

Favorite stamp company?
Unfortunately no.  I have lots of wonderful stamps from many wonderful companies.   If one needs a stamp, I do recommend looking at the list of stamp companies on the osa vendor list :o)

Favorite Asian stamps?
Geishas, bamboo, birds, fans, koi, character word stamps…ok, so I like a lot of them.

Favorite stamp accessory?
Do I have a favorite?  Absolutely not!  They were probably all favorites at one point in time.  My accessories are my friends, they help me to bring life piece of paper, sometimes better than others :o)

Favorite colors?
Burgandy, dark greens, dark blues.

Favorite embellishment to finish a card?
I like to use fibers, charms, coins, brads, or sometimes I don’t use any embellishments.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
Heat tool… I use it for more than just embossing an image, works great for quick drying ink, drying a piece of wet paper, shrink plastic, etc.

Any helpful tips for the group?
Feel free to try and do things out of your comfort zone, but ultimately do what makes you happy.

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art Group, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
I find the Oriental theme very soothing and relaxing for the most part.  Yes, there are bright and bold colors, but there are so many serene aspects of the Oriental styles that I enjoy.

Is there any one place you'd like to visit to find rubberstamps, supplies or any other Asian elements?
I think it would be great to be able to travel to Japan to see first hand the culture and art.  My one roommate in college was from Japan.  Unfortunately, I didn’t learn much Japanese, as she was here to learn English.   Her parents sent goodie boxes regularly and there were some pretty cool and yet interesting things.

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
I don’t belong to any local groups, but I am on some stamping and other craft related lists (creative cards, puzzle art).

What favorite stamping magazines would you recommend?
I have always liked Rubber Stamper and a new one for me is Paper Crafts.  I also like some of the Sommerset issues.  I previously subscribed to VSN as well as another, but due to time constraints, I don’t have time to read them all.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
I have been published in Rubber Stamper a couple times and VSN.

Any other hobbies, crafts or art interests?
I like hanging out with my family and pets, scrapbooking, photography, reading, watching tv, playing on the computer, baking, and whatever else passes my fancy at any given time.

What inspires you to be creative?
Nature.  I know that if I look at nature or pictures of nature, I will always find the right color palette.   If that isn’t working for me, I go back and look at old magazines or do searches on the internet.

Any art background?
Took 2 art classes in college, but they were not the traditional type of art classes that we think of.  One was all about line art, which was pretty cool.  I was not fond of art in HS as I didn’t have a very supportive teacher considering I couldn’t (and still can’t) draw a straight line with a ruler!

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping?
Leaves and twigs are about the only things I can think of at the moment.

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
Besides our wonderful OSA group!  A few are:
http://www.ssreflections.com
http://www.tuliphillstudio.com/art_gallery.htm
http://www.volcanoarts.biz/muse/index.htmhttp://www.artisticrevolutions.com/AR_Gallery.html

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
I teach middle school computer technology.  We have 1100 students in our 6-8 building.  When I am not teaching classes, I am usually helping other teachers or students… then try to fit in planning, grades, etc.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I live in upstate NY, atop a mountain just outside the Adirondack Mountain chain.  There is a small lake a couple hundred feet from the house.  Most of the year it is a great place to live.  Unfortunately for me, I do not like dealing with the snow or cold temps and living in the higher elevations in NY is not the best place to be for that. 

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Asian Take-Out Boxes
By Catrina K.

catrinak@orientalstampart.com

Directions for boxes
These can be used to hold goodies or if doing a bigger box, place sand in bottom and place a tealight candle in it (for safety do not close top when candle is lit or leave unattended)

Basic Supplies:
Box template
(I used my deja-view template, but you can also print one from http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/takeout.htm http://www.printmini.com/printables/kitchen/takeoutptn.shtml which is more like the template I used)
Cardstock
(appropriate to the size of template the dragonfly box needed 11x17 paper, the other two I used 8.5x11 paper)
Pencil
Scissors or razor knife

Dragonfly box supplies:
Box template
Cardstock
Stamp- background stamp- Inkadinkado; words stamp-??
Clear embossing powder
VersaMark inkpad
Heat tool
Green and Yellow Color Wash Jewel sprays by Stamp Zia
Gold Krylon Pen  (I tried it with a gold sharpie and it didn’t have the same look)
Dragonfly charm
Double sided adhesive
Wire for handle
Beads for handle decoration

For Dragonfly box:
1.  Trace template onto cardstock and carefully cut out.
2.  Stamp with VersaMark the background stamp. 
3.  Emboss and heat set.
4.  Spray with yellow and green color wash jewel spray.  This will give the batik look.
5.  Let dry (paper may warp a little bit depending on how heavy the cardstock is).
6.  I left the embossed image alone so it would give the box texture.  You are welcome      to iron with parchment paper to remove the heated embossing powder for a traditional batik look.
7.  Place the template on the inside of the cut-out box, lightly mark the fold lines.
8.  Ink and stamp the word stamp down the side of the box, heat set if needed.
9.  Fold along the lines to create the box.  Using double sided adhesive to secure box on the inside.
10.  Line the edges of the box with gold krylon pen.
11.  Using the wire and beads, create a little handle.
12.  With sharp object (pin, knife, etc), make a very small hole on 2 sides of the box near the top for the wire to slide into. 
13.  Slide wire into hole and secure with a piece of tape or fold end of wire over so it won’t come out of the hole.
14.  Adhere the dragonfly charm to the box (I used e-6000).
15.  Fold over the top of box to close it and you are done :o)

Lantern box:
Box template
Cardstock
Lanterns- Inka Stamps
Gold Krylon Pen   
Versafine- deep lagoon, crimson red
Red, Yellow and Blue Color Wash Jewel sprays by Stamp Zia
Double sided adhesive
Wire for handle
Beads for handle decoration

City scene box:
Box template
Cardstock
City- Another Stamp Company, Swirl- Arte Rojo
Versafine- black, Sea Brights- beach ball yellow
Yellow, Green and Red Color Wash Jewel sprays by Stamp Zia
Double sided adhesive
Wire for handle
Beads for handle decoration

For Lantern and City Scene boxes:
1.  Trace template onto cardstock and carefully cut out.
2.  Spray color wash jewel sprays (start light, then move to darker colors).
3.  Let dry (paper may warp a little bit depending on how heavy the cardstock is).
4.  Place the template on the inside of the cut-out box, lightly mark the fold lines.
5.  Ink and stamp images onto box.  I used scrap paper to cover areas on the box that I did not want stamped at that time for the city scene box.  Heat set if needed.
6.  Fold on lines to create box.  Using double sided adhesive to secure box on the inside.
7.  Line the edges of the Lantern box with gold krylon pen
8.  Using the wire and beads, create a little handle.
9.  With sharp object (pin, knife, etc), make a very small hole on 2 sides of the box near the top for the wire to slide into. 
10.  Slide wire into hole and secure with a piece of tape or fold end of wire over so it won’t come out of the hole.
11.  Fold over the top of box to close it and you are done.

Have fun, Catrina K

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