Although we have not heard from the phantom subscriber in some time now, we have received word that she was spotted at a mall in Nashville. How do we know it was her? She was holding 16 copies of the Fall 1999 newsletter.

African Masks
70-002H

ok - show time!

joy to the world!

A bit of background for those not familiar with Teesha's previous efforts. In March of 1996 Teesha changed the world of Art Stamping forever with her first ArtFest. She is the Alice Waters of stamping. (That from The Hun, which from him is high praise indeed.) Teesha's mixed media approach combining artists, paper makers, book binders, calligraphers and the best of the non cute stamp companies was mind blowing. The Fest took art stamping to a new level - "where no stamper had gone before". The buzz was incredible.

The second ArtFest was held in October of 1997, and while it was a success from the standpoint of the attendees, Teesha was not happy. Too much like the run of the mill stamp conventions - just buy, buy, not enough interaction among the attendees - and horrors of all horrors, no play time. After ruminating on this Teesha has come up with a solution. ArtFest 2001 will be the Mother of all Stamp Camps right down to the milk and cookies after nap time.

Come stay and play at the Fort Worden State Park Conference Center situated on the northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Port Townsend, WA, a town of beautifully restored Victorian homes set in a charming seaside village. (And to The Hun and me one of the most beautiful spots on this earth.) The registration of $290 covers three nights accommodations, nine meals, all evening activities including the vendor hall, a bag of surprises and much, much more. And while classes are extra (at very modest fees) Teesha has gotten the best of the best to come and teach (myself included, she says modestly). This is what you have been saving all your pennies for!

There is too much to tell you here. Run to the computer and see all the details at www.thestudiozine.com or call her at: (425) 888-3191. Registration and class sign-ups open on October 1st and I will bet that all the places will be taken by the time you say TEESHA.

Teesha you rock! Go girl.

She Who Inspires
148-001J

on the road (without jack)

After pursuing me for several years to teach at her store (She who shall remain unnamed) I scheduled a class and sent off samples of what the class participants could expect to accomplish. Ms. Wrong, as The Hun calls her, gave my class examples to a local teacher and canceled my class. The rub is that she did not tell me directly but announced it in her newsletter.

After receiving several calls from people who had planned to take my class, I called Ms. Wrong who told me I was mistaken, she had done no such thing. When I told her that I was holding a copy of her news letter, she asked if I was calling her a liar? I said the thing speaks for itself. She then told me she does not speak to toxic people and hung up. (The Hun wants to visit Ms. Wrong wearing a surgical mask. Don't worry I will keep him on his leash. Down big fella!)

All is not lost. Malana Corn owner of Creative Daze heard about the cancellation and immediately scheduled me to teach for her. A better venue, an over subscribed class (we may add a second class) and a much, much nicer person.

And you guys thought it was easy; just announce a class, blow into town the night before, do a four hour dance and leave with all that loot. I teach not because it buys me winters on the Riviera, but because I love to interact with crafters and it keeps my creative juices flowing.

Here goes, my last classes of the year:

• Saturday, October 21st, Creative Daze, Tucson, AZ - polymer clay Spirit Guide Vessels. Contact Malana Corn at (520) 795-8388.

• Sunday, October 22nd, Sassy stamper, Sedona, AZ - beaded Goddess Pouch. Contact Judi Green at (520) 284-0456.

• Friday and Saturday, October 26th and 27th, Stamptacular, Las Vegas, NV - collage Messenger card deck, and polymer clay and beaded locket. Contact Mary Senn at (702) 435-8401.

have you hugged your kerchunk today?

Design Element
15-010A

which word didn't you understand?

To be sure there are some companies out there with different policies, so be sure and read the fine print (i.e., copyright) before buying. A few companies prohibit commercial use of their images and others actually require prior submission of the project intended for sale.

In the last newsletter when I wrote about people violating my copyrights, I was referring to two things:

• using mechanical means of reproduction, such as photocopiers, and
• using my web site for clip art.

One note, however, took me to task saying, in part "I really do not understand why someone would go into the business of making rubber stamps if they didn't want them used by the people who buy them."

I responded by saying that there was obviously a serious misunderstanding and suggested that she go back and reread the newsletter item and my policy. She then responded by saying, "I'm glad to have this partially cleared up, if you are sure the glass person really didn't buy the stamps."

Sure I'm sure - the dimwit told me so to my face!

Then the this gal brought up the fact that many polymer clay teachers are saying that it is OK to use photocopies to transfer stamp images and that this is acceptable to Angel companies.

Any teachers telling their students that this process is OK are sadly mistaken. Mechanical reproduction, and that includes photocopies, are a copyright infringement. I guess that if someone used this method for their own personal pleasure no one will complain. But when someone makes a photocopy, enlarges or reduces it and other wise mechanically manipulates the image, or when a mechanical process is used to make multiple pieces for sale, then I have a real problem.

And let's be very clear, Angel companies are nothing more than a loose federation of stamp companies who espouse the same policy regarding the use of their images. There is no central administration or governing body. Nor is there a stamp police looking over your shoulder. No one speaks for the Angel companies as a group. But there is not one company out there, that I know of, that allows mechanical reproduction of their images, in any way, shape or form.

I sure hope we can put this puppy to bed once and for all - I will even read to it from "Goodnight Moon©"!

take a powder!

A large 2oz. jar is only $6.00 and there is an "I want it all" package of all twenty for $99.99. For a limited time we are offering a hand-embossed swatch book for $3.00 and a single page swatchsheet for $1.00. Click here for more information on the Bmuse page.

And there is a rumor that we will soon be offering matching bead-mixes which coordinate with the custom mixes. But this is only a rumor.

Hand
135-001K

the princess poodle

The Princess spends most of her time looking out the front door and keeping watch on the neighborhood. Of course her territoriality gets the better of her common sense and she goes nuts when the UPS guy or the mailman arrives. We have had several heart-to-heart's on this issue but no matter what she promises, the next day it's growl and jump all over again. I mean, she actually sounds vicious. Thus, we have had to resort to her losing her door privileges on occasion.

new news of xina

bistro hun

"So, what IS a slump? None of my heart healthy cookbooks mentions such a thing, I'm feeling deprived without a recipe. I may go into a slump, without a slump. Without a slump I might not have the energy to stamp. Help!" -Pat, An Arkansas Stamper

"I do, I do, I do (she says while holding her hand in the air and jumping up and down). I know what a slump is!!! A slump is an old fashioned New England dessert of fruit, usually berries, topped with biscuit dough and stewed until the topping is cooked through. It is also called a grunt. Oh, yippee, I actually knew something!!"

This from Dawn Shute. Well Dawn you won (and saved Pat from a fate worse than death.) The Hun will be coming to your house soon to cook dinner for you and yours. If Dawn will send me her address I will send her an "I'm A Hunie" temporary tattoo. If you want one too, just send me a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope). A small one will do, no need to go for a #10. I will even send you two - give one to a friend.

Now can anyone tell me what a Jonathan is? The winner gets a temp tattoo also.

"Look at this", Roberta said, showing me a recipe in the Parade magazine from the Sunday paper. "Pish posh" I said, he of the 300 cook books and subscriptions to six of the worlds best, high toned, cooking magazines. "Just look at it", she said. Well, you know what Rumpold says, so...I read it, made it, then I made it again. It was simple, beautiful and tasted great. Of course being the kitchen nut that I am, I modified it a bit and took off on a whole new set of variations. Let me know how you like them.

stuffed peppers

Get large peppers, well-shaped, that will stand up straight. Cut off the stem end about 1/4" from the top. Pull out the seeds and white veins. Rinse. Sprinkle in some S+P and a teaspoonful of Balsamic.

Cut the tomatoes in half, lengthwise. Place the red tomatoes into the yellow or orange peppers, and the yellow tomatoes into the red peppers. Pile the tomatoes above the rim of the pepper, they will collapse during cooking. Stand all the peppers in an oven proof casserole and bake for 40 to 50 minutes at 375 degrees F, covered loosely with foil. The peppers should be soft enough to pierce easily but still hold their shape.

Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the edges of the peppers get slightly brown, and the tomatoes take on some color also.

That's it folks. Nothing more. You cannot believe how great these look on the plate. The colors are glorious, the taste divine. One of the simplest vegetable garnishes I have ever done. Less work for mother. These are so simple you can make them for week day dinners and for company. You can make this dish all year round, even when tomatoes are "out of season", since the baking brings out the sugar in the tomatoes.

For variety you could fill the peppers half way with precooked rice, top with the tomatoes and a sprinkle of bread crumbs and grated Parmesan. Now you have the starch and veggies all in one. But it is also starting to become real work.

tips etc.

• Mea culpa. Last newsletter we told you to check-out a new zine on polymer clay. We did, we subscribed and they went out of business after one issue. In the future we will wait a bit before giving a plug.

• Get a friend like Cheryl Ross.