STAMP DRAW WINNER:  We are pleased to announce the latest winner in our stamp draw is Val Rovatti of Prince Rupert, British Columbia.  Congratulations to Val!   The 'new' stamp draw is ready to go.  The prize is (again) a couple of new 'never seen before' stamps. Check it out and Good Luck!

AROUND THE STUDIO:  I woke up this morning and I was living in a baby factory!...and, it wasn't a dream.   There are little baby juncos, robins, swallows, etc. everywhere.  At four thirty this morning they started singing.  It was so loud it woke me up, and I had to close the window.  So, I lie there thinking; why are they all singing so loud?   I do not think its is mating calls anymore.  After all, there are babies all over the place already...though they may have had so much fun the first time around, that they maybe are thinking of starting another family...or maybe they just think they could do a better job of it the second time around!  (You will note I tend to attribute a lot of human characteristics to the birds)  In actual fact, they seem to be singing for the shear joy of life: it is a brand new day...they are free...they can fly...it is Spring, and there are bugs and seeds and good things to eat everywhere...the kids have left the nest...it can't get much better than this...life is good!!  So, why not sing at the top of your lungs about it?   After I had it all figured out, I fell back asleep.

Well, life is good here in the studio, too.  Maybe not good enough to be singing at the top of our lungs "like no one is listening'...but very good.  We have all kinds of new stamps we are working on, and we are already busy making inventory for Christmas.  Yes, I said Christmas...what did you think Santa's little helpers did all summer long?  I am also building new cabinets for our booth.  So, when you see us at the Christmas shows, we will have a new look.  We are struggling to change the configuration of our booth to deal with the congestion in the corner in front of the stamp display.  In hockey, they say whoever wins the "battles in the corners" is likely to win the game.  The body checks and errant elbows in the corner of our booth have been entertaining for the cashier and other spectators, however, we are trying to make choosing your stamps less of a full contact sport.

If you are not one of Santa's little helpers, try to stop by our baby bird factory this summer.  We have new stamps to show you and lots of bargains in the display studio.

TESTIMONIAL: "I would like you to know how much I enjoy working with your product.  The quality of your craftsmanship makes using your stamps an exercise in simplicity and images produced are always clean, clear precise and true"  - Mylene

MARGARET'S MUSINGS:  If you have had an opportunity to see our display at anytime over the past few years, you would have seen sample cards by our friend Margaret Appleton. Margaret is always trying something new, and comes up with some great effects with our stamps. She has agreed to write a short piece for each newsletter on stamping in general and on techniques slightly beyond the basics.

Frames enhance the main image of a card by drawing the eye to the main feature and highlighting it. Border ideas from the last newsletter can be used to make frames.

Two methods for the placement of frames:
A.  Around the outer edge of your paper
B.   In the center part of the paper

A. Start a frame around the outer edge by placing your masking post-it note along the left side of the paper. If you place the note in about ½" that will give you a fairly good- sized frame that will show your stamped image quite well. However, the frame can be as wide or as narrow as you wish. Stipple, dust, or sponge lightly (if you want to) and then stamp your chosen image. Look at your stamp carefully and decide which part of it you want to be featured in the frame. If the whole image will show in the frame remember to turn it many different ways as you use it and stamp onto and off of the edge of the frame area.

When you have done that first strip you will see that you have already done part of the top and bottom strips at each corner. Remove the mask and do the same on the right side. Carry on doing the top and bottom parts of the frame, being as careful as possible at the corners. If you decide you want your stamped images to be colourful you can add colour in many ways. Now you are ready to stamp the center image either on that paper or on another piece of paper and then position it with pop dots.

B. Start the frame by placing a square or rectangle of paper or cut-up post-it note right in the middle of where you want the frame to be on the paper. Your task will be to place the post-it notes about ½" to ¾" away from each of the 4 sides of that center mask, and proceed with your stamping. When all 4 sides are done you remove the center mask and add a main image in that center spot. Once again, you may want to stamp on another piece of paper and add the main image with pop dots so that it really stands out.

Have fun with this. Add embossing, ribbons, eyelets in the corners, Pearl-Ex, brads, stickers etc, etc, etc. Here are a few more thoughts:

*  The second kind of frame does not’t have to be in the center of the paper. Try it off to one side.

*  The edges of the post-it note along the side or in the center don’t always have to be perfectly straight…rip, cut creatively, or use decorative scissors.

*  The frame does not’t have to be perfectly square or rectangular.

*  Use shadow stamps across the masked opening to stamp a frame that is made of blocks of colour. Alternate two or three different colours.

*  Try three small frames instead of one big one.

*  Use word stamps in the frame.

*  Stamp a frame (maybe emboss) and then cut it out and mount to another paper with pop dots. You can wrap wire (and beads!) around this frame before you mount it.

*  Stamp or attach the frame as if it is balancing on one corner point so that it looks like a diamond instead of a square or rectangle.

                 Happy Stamping!

Help! I love to stamp, I’ve invested a substantial amount of time and resources in this hobby but right now I’m tired of making cards! I’ve seen some incredible projects in stamping magazines and feel like I’m ready to branch out into new mediums. I’m definitely feeling inspired but I just don’t know where to begin…. Any ideas for alternative projects that will combine the materials and skills I’ve already acquired?   - Claire

Dear Claire,

No problem Claire…sometimes we get stuck in a rut and need some extra inspiration to get back on the creative train. This month I’ve been having fun creating compositions on canvas. It’s so satisfying to create something you can hang directly on your wall to enjoy. I think of this project as an exercise in color and composition. Here goes!

Stamping on Pre-Stretched Canvas

Stamping on Pre-Stretched canvas is a great way to create a "wall-ready" piece of artwork. You can pick them up at any art store and they are reasonably cheap. I would suggest starting with a small size and working your way up.

*  Prepare a background to work on. This is also a good opportunity to use Gesso to build texture to your canvas. Gesso is a thick white paint-like substance used to prep canvas before painting. It dries quickly and covers up color and texture already on the canvas.

*  I like to use acrylic paints mixed with water to apply a thin wash directly onto the canvas. Once this is dry, you can stamp directly onto your canvas with dye or pigment ink. The canvas will flex or stretch a bit when you stamp directly on it, so it helps to press something hard and flat behind it while stamping.

*  Layers of paper add texture and relief, as well as color. Use Podgy glue or a similar adhesive.

*  At this stage it is fun to add interesting little bits to your work of art. I often use leaves, text, and magazine images in addition to stamped images.

*  Use Pearl-ex mixed with Gum Arabic or metallic rubs for metallic touches.

*  To give your work of art a finished look, paint a thin layer of Matte or Gloss acrylic medium, available at any artist supply store.

*  If all else fails, Gesso over and start fresh! And remember to have fun!

If you have a question for Emily, email her at oldisland@saltspring.com.

I wanted to share how I use my hand stamped cards as gifts. I’m one of those people who cannot arrive at your home "empty handed".  Often when we are invited out for dinner Steve will bring a bottle of his homemade wine and I will bring six homemade cards and matching hand stamped envelopes.  I usually take a good piece of card stock and put it through my paper crimper or use corrugated paper to wrap the cards in.  I trim the paper to fit the size of the cards and wrap it around it and seal with a small piece of tape.  I will then tie a ribbon or some raffia around it. The final touch takes me into the woods or the garden.  I usually slip a leaf, a few small flowers or my favorite, 3 stems of lavender.

Everyone seems to love it.  As you know, it is wonderful having cards on hand for those special occasions or just to let someone know you are thinking of them.

I often take the idea one step further for birthday gifts.   In addition to the five or six cards and envelopes, I will enclose a book of postage stamps, gel pen, a small sachet of dried flowers (the parcel smells wonderful and can be used later).  Sometimes I have enclosed special tea bags; an individual wrapped piece of good quality chocolate or even a small gift certificate to a special coffeehouse.

Give it a try, I’m sure you will have great reviews.

Nothing can replace the feeling of giving and thinking of others...Trudy