June 2013: Yvonne Jenks

How long have you been stamping?
I’ve been stamping since 1991. I attended my first stamp show that year and I saw Stampa Barbara–anyone remember that vendor? And I had no idea why there were piles of red dies that many people were interested in!

What is your favorite technique?
I really enjoy water coloring, however, I have not mastered it. I admire anyone who does water coloring in their stamping designs.

What are your favorite colors to work with?
I enjoy the primary colors as well as magenta and orchid.

What are your favorite Asian stamp images?
Geishas.

Favorite stamping accessory? (such as scissors, etc.)
StazOn black ink pad.

What is the one tool you couldn’t live without?
My Carl rotary paper cutter.

Any helpful tips for the group?
After you have colored and cut out your image, go back over the edges that you cut with a black marker to “hide” the white edges of your cutout item.

As a member of OSA, why do you like stamping in the Oriental theme?
I am drawn to the designs I see by rubber stamping vendors. I don’t like “cute” designs and I rarely ever see a cute Oriental rubber stamp.

What favorite stamping magazines would you recommend and why do you like them?
VSN always had great articles and I always learned something new. I subscribe to RSM and enjoy seeing the variety of stamping designs and always check out the Stamping Pen Pal ads.

Published in any magazines?
If yes, please list. VSM has published three of my cards.

Any other hobbies, talent or craft interests?
I can knit scarves and crochet baby blankets but I can’t follow written instructions to make other items.

What inspires you to be creative?
When I see cards at shows or in stamp stores.

Art background?
I always colored inside the lines when I colored in coloring books. LOL

Any favorite websites you would recommend for inspiration?
I enjoy Patti Lee’s blog (she worked at the same company I did). She makes Oriental theme projects. http://creationsbypatti.blogspot.com/

Do you have a day job when you’re not stamping?
I just retired on May 7! I worked at Levi Strauss & Co. for exactly 40 years. My first day on the job was May 7, 1973.

Tell us about your family and where you live.
My husband, Steve and I live in Concord, CA. We have been married for 36 years and our daughter is 33 and our son is 30. They live nearby and the family gets together often. Wherever we travel, my husband is always willing to stop at a stamp store so that I can shop. Many of my cards can be found at www.Picturetrail.com/dailystamper

Oriental Shadowbox Project
My project is a shadowbox that I have always wanted to do. This size is approximately 6 1/2″ x 6 3/4″ and is by 7gypsies. I left the box white, however, you may paint it any color you wish.

The background card stock is red. I stamped the image on white cardstock. I colored her hat, face and hands. I stamped the image once more on Washi paper and cut out the outfit and glued it on the first image. The smaller squares have the red cardstock and I cut out smaller squares of the Oriental character paper. I then glued the dragonfly charm on the top, the tiny bottle is filled with beads with Oriental characters and the bottom square is a fan charm. Very simple. Please give this a try yourself and have fun.