July 2007 - Barb N.
"Mini Tile Book "

barbn@orientalstampart.com
Lawrenceville, GA

(Click on picture for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
About 6 years 

What is your favorite technique?
I am still so new at this and discovering new techniques IS my favorite technique. But I really love watercolors and for backgrounds, I love alcohol inks.

Favorite stamp company?
There are too many to have a favorite.

Favorite Asian stamps?
There may be more, but for now, About Art Accents, Art Neko, Inka Stamps, Stone House , OnyxXpressions and Stamp Zia.

Favorite stamping accessory?
I have two, my Xyron machine and a Krylon pen.

Favorite colors?
I love the jewel tones, purples, lime,berry,turquoise,but then there is a place in my heart for yellows, browns, tans, rusts, and all the metallics, black, blues, greens, any shade…I really love color, that’s what it’s really always been for me. Whatever craft, it’s always about color.

Your favorite embellishment to finish a card?
Fibers! I love fibers and have tons of them but they are currently out of sight so I haven’t used them as often as I usually do.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
A good cutting tool.

Any helpful tips for the group?
Moi, have a tip for THIS group? They are the ones who have influenced me. I can say to the newcomers, join the swaps. New stampers, don’t be afraid that your work isn’t good enough. From the swaps you learn so much about different styles and techniques and even when you think you are copying someone else you will find something totally your own. We are all always learning, just at different stages, and we become friends here, always willing to share and help each other grow. I love being a part of such a wonderful group of stampers. I simply love OSA!!

As a member of OSA, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
It’s serenity and beauty. A stamp is a stamp but when making a card with the Oriental stamp, paper, fibers and charms, it comes together in a way that is peaceful and calming. That doesn’t happen when I stamp with other stamps.

Is there any one place or city you'd like to visit to find rubber stamps, supplies, or Asian art elements?
San Jose, Ca. I hear they have the biggest Rubber Stamp Expo/Convention out there so I would assume there must be lots of stamp stores. Then there’s Japan or a real Oriental marketplace, like Chinatown.

What other stamping lists or local clubs do you belong to?
Lots but I don’t even check the sites anymore. I am active in only two others, Stop n'Swap and Pennywise. I do belong to a local club, it’s the Doris Heisler Home Club and it’s the biggest and bestest…this gal has it all, good food and wine or tea and tons of toys. I’m not kidding, tons. More stamps than any 10 stamping stores I’ve ever been to, all the ink pads and punches. And she’s a great teacher and friend, too.

What favorite Stamping magazines would you recommend?
I would love to have a subscription to Vamp Stamp News and Sommerset Studio and I will soon. I had one for Rubber Stamper and I liked it.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
The first was in a British magazine from the Paper Therapy Swap but I packed it and can’t remember the name. The second time was from another swap, Greenery Day, and it was the spring Catch Up issue. That was really exciting.

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
I love to piece quilts, draw flowers, watercolor, crochet, read, watch movies, collect pigs, antiques. Although I don’t do all the crafts I used to with the same obsession as I used to, I’ve probably done it all, ceramics, silk flowers, whatever came along I tried it. I love shrink plastic and when I think about it, try to incorporate it into my cards, the same with polymer clay or paper clay. I am now making beads for jewelry with the paper clay and making jewelry, not just with the paper clay beads.

What inspires you to be creative?
My muse. She raises her cute little head and we go. But I am inspired by nature, by life experiences.

Any art background ?
No, but I remember the summer programs that had arts and crafts offered and I was always there. My mother never croched or sewed until I was out of the house and then she made gorgeous things.

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping that wasn't necessarily meant for stamping?
Just the foam insulation.

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
Yes, www.orientalstampart.com. There is more inspiration there than anyone could handle in one day. The members’ albums, the swap albums, techniques, our own e-zine, Spectrum. This is an awesome website!

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
Not anymore.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
Currently I am in Durham, NC but I will be leaving my husband of 19 years to live in my youngest daughter’s basement apartment in Lawrenceville, GA. It has been a long time coming but necessary. It’s a sad time but it will be a time for new beginnings for me.

My three daughters got stuck in the south after I made a silly move to Louisiana in 1983. My oldest, Maria is still in Louisiana, not as hard hit by Katrina as the youngest. She is 42 and stunning. She just informed me she may be hired as a flight attendant for United Airlines, a lifelong dream.

Robin, 37, ended up in KY with children that give her all the grief she gave me. Jennifer, 35, lost everything to Katrina and saw it as a blessing and has all the creative talent. Anything I can do she can do better. They are all a blessing to me as are the 7 grandchildren and I love them dearly. The oldest was married last year and could give me a great-grandchild in my lifetime. Sweet!!

They have always been supportive of me and my crafts. They love me, too!

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Mini Tile Book
By Barb N.

Materials:

• 1 7/8” square glazed tiles (they come connected by huge glue globs as a 12" x 12" square and you just cut through the glue then trim as close to the tile as you can)
• Strip of paper 10 ½” x 1 ¾”
• Alcohol inks of choice and applicator
• Glass micro beads
• Strong double-sided tape
• Ribbon
• Stamps & ink pads of choice
• Charms, coins, stickers, fibers, or other embellishments

Step 1:

For this project I chose Ranger’s alcohol inks in Lettuce & Gold mixative and put a few drops on the applicator then pounced the color onto the tile, covering the edges.

Step 2:

If you are going to stamp the front tile, now would be the time.  Trimming or pasting I would wait until everything else is done.

Step 3:

When the inks are dry, use a narrow piece of strong double- sided tape around the edge of the tiles and then press each edge into the glass micro beads.

Step 4:

Cut two pieces of ribbon each 10” long.  For this project I used a sheer gold.  Set aside.

Step 5:

Score the paper at 1 ¾” intervals. (See Step 7 for glueing instructions)

Step 6:

Take this opportunity to stamp and otherwise decorate your pages.  Once you have made them ready to put into the book it will be difficult to do so.  Use stickers, fibers, charms and stamps.  You can journal or write a story with pictures.  It’s your book.

Step 7:

When you are satisfied, adhere the second and third pages together and the fourth and fifth together.  This will leave one page to cover the inside of the front tile & one to cover the of the back tile with the ribbon in between.

Step 8:

Step 9:

So, if you have inked your tiles, beaded the edges, stamped and decorated your pages, your front tile is stamped and your pages are glued together properly, use heavy duty double sided tape on the back of the first page of pages, insert one end of your ribbon between the back side of the tile and that page and adhere.  Repeat for the back tile, aligning it with the front tile.  Tie a bow and you’re finished!