November 2007 - Rose Suzuki-Metzker
"Lady in the Moonlight "

srmetzker@comcast.net
Lake Stevens, WA

(Click on pictures for instructions)

How long have you been stamping?
I didn’t find myself coming into the world of stamping easily. I had two very devastating losses that October, my mother-in-law and my best friend. They died of cancer and just four days apart. My best friend is and always will be my inspiration and cheering section even though she is not here now. She would approve of my stamping and be finding me trinkets to add to a card. But during that season, I was numb. I tend to feel a lack of attention and get a bit needy at that time of year. Steve made a comment that winter that he may regret now. When I was complaining about feeling neglected, as all hunting widows know during elk and deer season, he said what I needed was my own hobby. My first stamping happened when I was invited to a Stampin’ Up party for the first time at the end of January, 2004. It was during the free Sellabration sets. Need I say more? I was ready for a new hobby. I was hooked immediately. I later discovered conventions. I’m not sure if it’s become an addiction or a passion. I’ve been stamping my little heart out for almost 4 years. It has been therapeutic and brought me back in touch with the artistic side I had lost so many decades before.

What is your favorite technique?
Today, my favorite technique has been Suminagashi Marbling. Tomorrow it will be whatever I am doing. I like polished stone, using acrylic paints, mono-printing and so many others. I feel like a newbie and get excited about every technique that I can get my hands on.

Favorite stamp company?
That’s way too hard to answer a loaded question like that. Stone House Stamps is up there because that is where I sent my adult children with a wish list for my last birthday. Ann came through with beautiful geisha stamps and a card for me signed for my daughter. I seem to buy lots of stamps from the following companies: Stampington & Company, Stamp Francisco, Stamp-Out-Cute, Beeswax, Stamp Camp, Stampland, Rubber Stamp Avenue. I love any company that shows up at our local convention. I am never at a loss to spend money at just about every booth.

Favorite Asian stamps?
Stone House Stamps, Stamp Camp, Stamp Francisco, Beeswax, Tin Can Mail, Stampington & Company, Judi Kins

Favorite stamp accessory?
I cannot limit myself to one. I have to have my cutter and double sided tape so those must not count. I really like H2Os, my aqua-pen, patterned scrapbook papers, and washi. I love my huge rubber mallet I use for eyelets. I’m getting pretty attached to my craft sheet that doesn’t get removed from my desk anymore.

Favorite colors?
I use to be a red and black person. I have always liked purples and lavenders. Now I am leaning towards the softer neutrals, browns and earthtones. This is something else that will be sure to change tomorrow.

Favorite embellishment to finish a card?
I love dragonfly brads, Asian coins and ribbons.

What is the one tool you couldn't live without?
My heat gun and a paper cutter. It might be scissors.

Any helpful tips for the group?
I agree with those who say it’s taking the time to look through our OSA gallery. It is amazing. The other tip is not to give up trying something new. I have made some major mistakes that end up being my favorites. I just cannot always duplicate my errors.

As a member of the Oriental Stamp Art Group, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
My mother is a Japanese war bride. She came to this country in 1952. My brother and I were born in Georgia. My mother dared to follow her heart, marry a Yankee and leave her family and home. I want to understand her culture and embrace it. For those Asian in this group, you’ll understand it is not always an easy thing to do growing up with what seems like a cultural dysfunction. When you do accept it, it is wonderful. My mom, Hanako, is my reason for stamping in this theme. She is tough as nails, a cartoon character and full of wisdom.

Is there any one place you'd like to visit to find rubberstamps, supplies or any other Asian elements?
Would it be reasonable to go to Japan? There is a wonderful local craft store nearby called Craft Mart. They have a great selection of papers, stamps, and embellishments for a quick fix. They even have weekly 40% off coupons.

What other stamping lists or clubs do you belong to?
I have cut back from the insanity of a beginning stamper who joined everything I she could. I’ve even let go of some recently. I still belong to the following groups: Stamperscorner, Technique Junkies, World Wide Rubber Stampers, Washington Stampers United, a local stamping group that is known to post garage sales.

What favorite stamping magazines would you recommend?
I like to browse through Stampers’ Sampler, Australian Paper Crafts when I can get my hands on one, and Scrap and Stamp for their techniques. My only subscription is a recent one I gifted myself with, Technique Junkies.

Published in any magazines? If yes, please list.
No. I haven’t had the nerve to actually ever send anything in. I was “published” in a booklet called Stamper’s Mall 1st Annual Technique Book Swap 2005. There were about 20 of us that did a page or more of techniques in a major swap. Wendy Kerr bound and sent each of us a copy of the resulting book. I love seeing my name on that cover. I did the polished stone technique, wrote it up and added samples. I still use my little technique book today.

Any other hobbies, crafts or art interests?
I find reading incredibly relaxing. I love to color with my grandkids and use it as an excuse to do so when they are here. I am learning how to marble papers. I love playing with the free flowing water and inks. It’s something I need to learn to do in life- to go with the flow. I always enjoy a little retail therapy especially when stamping or paper is involved. I think my favorite thing is spending time with my three grandkids, also referred to as Papa’s and Gramma’s little anti-depressants.

What inspires you to be creative?
It could be a thought, a texture, pattern, color, papers, galleries on line, stamps, cards from others, and certainly our OSA gallery. I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I first saw our OSA gallery.

Any art background?
My mother was a seamstress in clothing factories. She was always showing me how to sew by hand or machine, crochet or knit. My mom still has the doilies around the house to show off her talents. Hanako, my mom, made me a large crocheted tablecloth. I wouldn’t dare put it on a table to be stained. I started out in college as an art major. I didn’t fit in. I was a goodie two-shoes. It was the early seventies. It seemed that you could tell what class a student was taking from which professor just by the work they produced. I was into the look of a hippie with beads, macramé belts, long black hair parted in the middle and my bell bottoms. I was not so into the culture. My professors were mostly stoned. I didn’t get it. It’s been over three decades since I drew from real nude models, threw pots, made jewelry, did pen and ink drawings, painted or sat at a large six-foot loom banging away at some weaving into the wee hours of the morning. I have missed Art. I graduated in 1976. Other than artsy school projects with children growing up, I kind of turned my back on the art world. It’s nice to be “home”.

Have you used any unusual item in your stamping?
I don’t think so. Everything is fair game. I do sometimes find myself more eager to walk in to a hardware store these days.

Any favorite websites you'd recommend for inspiration?
OSA, Splitcoaststampers, Technique Junkies

Do you have a day job when you're not stamping?
In 1976, I started teaching handicapped students for Lake Stevens School District. I was out of the classroom for almost a decade as the district’s secondary Educational Specialist/School Psychologist/Administrative Designee. That may sound impressive but what it boiled down to was doing many jobs and being paid on a teacher’s salary schedule. I am on my 31st year with the same school district. I’ve taught all levels but keep returning to the one I started out with. I adore the challenge of hormonally-challenged students at the middle school. I currently teach in a resource room with a variety of disabilities: learning disabled, attention deficits, autism, behaviorally/emotionally disabled, mentally challenged. My students would tell you I’m strict. I set the bar high and have high expectations. My students do not disappoint because they almost always rise to the challenge. They need high structure, lots of energy, fairness, consistency and respect. My heart has been breaking this year since I have missed so much school. My asthma has flared its ugly head with the usual back-to-school sinus infection. One thing led to another and now I am working on repairing a destroyed sinus lining due to some exposure to dust and other environmental irritants. My classroom isn’t the healthiest place for me now. I have struggled to let go in order to take care of myself. On Monday, the students will be starting the new quarter without me. It makes me a little sad now, but know I need to make healthy choices for myself and be a bit selfish with my time. My kids will be fine without me. I tell myself every day that I will be healthy and I will return to my classroom. I struggle with my true passion for teaching versus what I have to go through in order to remain in the class room. You wouldn’t believe my cart of medical equipment, air purifier and all I haul back and forth to my car each day. I was healthier and taught last year. I had a healthy summer. I will be healthy again. I will teach again if it is meant to be.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I am married to the great-white-hunter, Steve. We live in Lake Stevens, Washington. We have a blended family of five adult children ranging in age from 22 to 30, 3 amazing grandchildren, one new son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and a couple of very close boyfriends who have become part of this family whether they want to or not. Steve and I are incredibly biased and proud of our children who are having families of their own, raising children, holding down wonderful jobs making more money than we do, and blossoming into adulthood. My mother, Hanako, and my stepfather, Dallas, live about an hour and a half away. They are a hoot. My stepfather, Dallas, is my dad. He has been my father for the past 34 years. They just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on Halloween. We are empty-nesters who share our home and our hearts with some fur critters. Annabelle is an 11-1/2 year old basset hound who has been going through health challenges of her own. She has gone from paralysis to galloping sometimes. She is trying to teach me the benefits of allowing others to help me, never giving up and that it never hurts to take a long nap. We have two cats that adult children left behind when they moved out. T.J. is short for Toe Jam. He passionately sucks his rear toes when putting himself to sleep at night. I think T.J. has abandonment issues from the time one of the school’s maintenance workers found him, shared his tuna casserole with him and brought him to our home. Mocha is our fluffy girl. She weighs in at 20 pounds. We’ve figured out she is a Main Coone. She is Annie’s best friend.

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November 2007 - Rose Suzuki-Metzker
"Lady in the Moonlight "

srmetzker@comcast.net
Lake Stevens, WA

MATERIALS

• Geisha stamp from Oriental Plate 5 – Stone House Stamps (www.stonehousestamps.com)
• Charcoal Velvet paper size 4.5” x 6” – S.E.I. Neutral Collection (http://www.shopsei.com)
• Washi size 4.5” x 2”
• 6 inches of 3/8th inch black velvet ribbon – Dashes, Dots & Checks collection from Michael’s (www.michaels.com)
• “Zen” Expoxy Sticker – Michael’s dollar bin
• Adhesives- Scotch brand double sided tape, Terrifically Tacky Tape (http://www.dickblick.com/zz614/55)
• Black Licorice Matte Mini-Brads
• Cardstock – black, sparkly text-weight light blue, dark gray 5” x 7”, light blue Bazzill 10” x 14”
• Archival Jet Black Ink – Ranger (http://rangerink.com)
• Hole punch, the itsy bitsy size
• Suminagashi Marbled Rice Paper lovingly made by Rose  size 3-1/2” x 4-3/4”

DIRECTIONS

• Stamp geisha onto marbled paper.
• Trim marbled paper to 3-1/2” x 4-3/4”;
• Layer onto black and light blue paper. Set aside.
• Fold base card to 5”x 7” finished size. Set aside.
• Attach washi strip to bottom of velvet paper.
• Layer geisha image panel to velvet-washi panel.
• Place it on the gray 5” x 7” panel.
• Place ribbon across bottom edge of image.
• Hole punch & attach brads on each side of image.
• Place gray panel onto folded base cardstock.
• Top it all off with an epoxy sticker.
• Option:  Rather than a card, frame it.

*A special heartfelt thank you to Diane Mauer-Mathison, who taught me how to marble rice paper on October 6, 2007. Your lesson on “going with the flow” could not have come at better time in my life. You’ve taught me how to splash and play again. Another very sincere thank you to Susie Tracy & her staff at Art N Soul in Lacey, Washington, for accommodating my asthma needs in Diane’s class by moving an entire table near the door to make it easier for me to breathe. Thank you OSA members for providing me with an endless supply of inspiration even when I am unable to be an active participant at times. Thank you Debi Wind, Cyndi Evans, Cindy Welch and Lynn Keller for being my support group, my fan club, my therapy session, my ears and eyes, my two-by-four when I need it, putting up with my steroid-filled hyper rants and lifting and holding me up when I am weak. Thank you, Annie, for showing me the way. Thank you, Steve, for all the years, all the mileage, all the hopes, dreams, faith and especially the most incredible family. Dallas, Dad, you are my strength, my calm waters and my rock. Finally, a special thank you has to go to my mother, Hanako Suzuki Moody, who has had to wait so many years for me to get in touch with my Japanese side. You have all heard the stories about my mom. She is amazing. What you may not have heard through the humor is that this woman pushes me, inspires me, comforts me, and is always there to lean on. Thank you all for having faith in me. You all rock my world!

• http://www.dianemaurer.com/
• Art ‘N Soul  909 Sleater Kinney Road #10, Lacey, Washington 98503

SPECIAL LINKS
Rose’s Marbled samples - http://community.webshots.com/user/rosemetzker  The marbled paper I used for this project is Number 15 in the gallery.
http://orientalstampart.com/v-web/gallery/RoseM
Stamper’s Corner Art Gallery http://www.stampers-corner.com/gallery/  Rose’s gallery at

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