July 2014: Debbie Varnes

How long have you been stamping?
I have been stamping for about 16 years after a friend introduced me to this wonderful art.

What is your favorite technique?
 My favorite technique is: Faux Washi Paper, of course!  I also like Polished stone.

What are your favorite colors to work with?
 My fav. colors to work with are: reds, greens, blues, purples and silver.

What are your favorite Asian stamp images?
 My fav Asian stamp images are: Bamboo, pandas, cranes and dragonflies.

Favorite stamping accessory? (Such as scissors, etc.)
Fav. stamping accessories are inks and stamps.

What is the one tool you couldn’t live without?
 I can’t live without my paper cutter.  I can’t cut a straight line to save my life. I am linear impaired!

Any helpful tips for the group?
My helpful tips are to experiment and try new techniques, new colors, etc.  You never know what you might discover!

As a member of OSA, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
 I think I love stamping in the Oriental theme and joined OSA was because of the vibrant colors and the simplicity of design of Oriental stamping.  It is serenity to me.

What favorite stamping magazines would you recommend and why do you like them?
 I loved reading VSN when it was a magazine and now that it is online, I still enjoy it. I also liked The RubberStampMadness as well. 

Published in any magazines?  If yes, please list.
 I was published in numerous Vamp Stamp News issues over the years.  Thank you, Nancy!

Any other hobbies, talents or craft interests?
I love to read on my iPad, Nook and Kindle.  I also love to spend time with family and friends. I am involved with the fire dept. where I live, since my husband is on the fire dept.  I have a house full of animals: 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 guinea pigs, a rabbit, a cockatiel and a fish tank.  I love to spend time outside with my flowers and enjoy the woods behind my home.

What inspires you to be creative?
 My fellow stampers here at Oriental Stamping Arts, my environment, especially outside, other stamping clubs, stamping magazines and stamping blogs/websites all inspire me.

Art background?
 I have NO Art background.  I had to laugh at this question because until Rubber Stamping, I couldn’t create art.  I think that is the reason I fell in love with Rubber Stamping because I don’t have to draw to create.  I have a stamp that I sometimes put on the back of cards above my name.  It says,: Hand stamped because I can’t draw.  That certainly sums it up for me.

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
I don’t have certain stamp websites I visit everyday, I just see a stamp artist and if I like what I see, I go to their blog or a company’s website.  I love looking at About Art Accents, OnyxXpressions website to see how they have used their stamps, etc.  I will also go to websites of companies who are featured at Stamping Conventions.

Do you have a day job when you’re not stamping?
I work 2 twelve-hour night shifts as an RN. My background is Critical Care Nursing but for the past 5 years I have worked in a Regional Call Center for the hospitals in our system.  I have been a nurse for 30 years.  I find that stamping helps the stress level I get from work. 

Tell us about your family and where you live.
I live in Hudson, OH.  It is between Akron and Cleveland, OH.  It is a beautiful city over a hundred years old.  Lots of century homes.  My husband has lived here all his life and is the Fire Chief here.  He is a fifth generation firefighter. I have 3 kids: Dan is 23, Jessie is 21 and Jake is 16. I am blessed to have a wonderful family, friends and home full of love and support.  My husband builds me shelves and anything I might want for my stamping lifestyle.  He is a wonderful partner in everything.  I also feel blessed to have wonderful friends thru stamping groups like OSA and Club Posh.

Project: Faux Washi Paper  

Materials Needed:
•Premium Glossy Photo Paper
•Dye inks ( I used Marvy inks) Celery, Brilliant Yellow and Bottle green
•Baby wipe
•Any type of sponge ( I used a round sponge from Stampin Up)
•3 different oriental stamps ( I used Oriental Foliage by CTMH, Oriental Script by Inkadinkadoo and the Dragonfly by Destinations Asia)

Directions:

Getting started on your Faux Washi Paper:
1.  Sponge your glossy photo paper with your dye inks: I started with Celery, then Brilliant Yellow and then Bottle Green.

2.  Then take your baby wipe and blend the inks together.
3.  Take your stamps and intermittently start to stamp them on the paper in whatever pattern you want to use.

4.  I stamped the Oriental Foliage in Bottle Green Marvy ink, Oriental script in Black Marvy ink, and finally the Dragonfly in Green marvy Ink.

 So, this is your Faux Washi Paper. I made a card with the stamp “I go to Nature” by Impression Obsession to showcase the Faux Washi Paper.

 Hope you enjoy this making this  Faux Washi Paper as much as I did.  The glossy photo paper really pops the colors and makes it beautiful.