Spotlight on Judy Jung

We are posting the Wednesday Wonder in the evening because we had some unexpected snow and freezing temperatures which required some scheduling changes. So here we go! (Don't ask me why I'm using the Royal "We" - I have no idea....)

Today’s Wednesday Wonder is a really terrific lady and a very talented stamper! Although she has not been published yet, she’s another one I’ve been pushing to enter the fray. However, she’s done won herself three 3^rd Places and an Honorable Mention in the Hero Arts Weekly Challenges, so you know she ain’t chopped liver!

In addition to being a lively stamper, she’s a truly wonderful person with a deeply rooted faith in God. She has sent me several emails of encouragement concerning my current life situation, and I just love her for it. Even more importantly, she has shared with me a family recipe that is a heavily guarded secret. (By the way, I would like to announce to her here and now that she is right - this recipe is awesome!!! And I plan on following her family’s tradition: anybody who doesn’t like this dish may not marry into our family.)

So, without further ado, raise your Diet-Cokes to Judy Jung, a Wisconsin Yankee in King Cotton’s Court! (Yes, Judy has retired to the warmth of Alabama, and, no, I couldn’t think of a cleverer title for her.)

Judy’s Wonder-ful Interview

1. Do you pre-sketch a design or do you just leap out of the gate? How long does it usually take you to make a page? A card?

I have never pre-sketched a design. That is something an artist would do. I am just someone who fell in love with rubber stamping the first time I tried it; therefore, I do not function as an artist!

[Hate to interrupt here, but have you been smocking crack?! You create stuff; therefore, you are an artist.]

I have never done a scrapbook page. However, I purchased an album and theme paper to scrapbook the trip we took to Disney with our two grandsons… TWO YEARS AGO!

But that’s the very essence of scrapbooking! You buy the stuff and then it sits there, silently mocking you. It’s like cheese and fine wine – these things have to age properly before you use them.

I can make a card in minutes if I use my "go to" Hero Arts stamps (“Corner Silhouette", "Dandelion", or "Share Laughter" clear set) with some patterned paper and ribbon! However, I really struggle with challenges. I can spend half a day (good thing I am retired) on a card. Design is difficult for me. Now that I know there are places to find sketches, I may be able to speed things up. Unusual color combinations are difficult for me, too.

Another difficulty: misplacing my "stuff" on my work area. My tape, scissors, bone folder, etc all hide from me when I am in the midst of a project! I really do think I spend as much time looking for what I need (on my desk or in my stamping closet) as I do actually creating.

I stamp some every day. It’s therapeutic and my head is not full of worry or care while I am stamping. If I don't feel like stamping, I re-organize my stuff. I just feel better handling it!

2. How many, on average, pages per week do you make? Cards?

I send out at least 10 cards per week to people I know need encouraging or prayer. All the cards I make for challenges are mailed out before the week is over. I make all birthday, anniversary and other special occasion cards for our rather large family. I provide my sister and her paraplegic friend with cards that they, in turn, send to people who need encouragement. I have certain stamps and styles I use repeatedly for these cards and can make them quickly.

3. How has your process evolved to make you a leaner, meaner crafting machine? (In other words, what are some lessons you've learned or tips you can share that allow you to make better and faster design choices?

I’m learning to limit the purchases I make. I’ve had to teach myself that I can’t have everything out there! It's like a restaurant: better to have a few excellent choices on the menu than a 10-page menu with mediocre food. I have also accepted my limitations. I really admire some of the techniques I see on the HA blog, such as alcohol inks and stamping on acetate. I have dabbled in these with poor results. The HA blog has been a treasure for me!! All those lessons and examples! And at no charge!!!

Tips: I only use roller tape, and I have found one brand that works consistently until the end of the roll. Costs more, but results are worth it. I love the 6x6 pads of paper! I love variety, and buying paper in a pad ensures it goes together! I no longer buy colored embossing powder - just clear and winter white.

And that brand of roller tape would be…?

4. What's your stand-by, FAST dinner solution for those times when you really want to get to your scrap space ASAP (or stay ALAP)?

I have a wonderful husband who eats anything and does not mind if there is no dinner when I get really involved in stamping. We have what we call "hodge podge", which means it’s every person for themselves scrounging in the fridge. Sometimes I put pot pies in the oven. After all the years of raising kids and making sure we always ate supper together, this is a freedom I cherish!

*Gasp!* NOT… pot pies!? I fear you tempt the hand of fate….

5. If you were stranded on an island that had a billion supplies but NO tools, what ten TOOLS would you HAVE to have? (All the stamps in the world are available, so you don't need to list them as one of your tools. EX: we've got all the embroidery floss in the world, but you're going to have to bring your own needle if you want to use any of it!)

1. Acrylic blocks. 2. Heat gun and clear and white embossing powder. 3. Paper cutter. 4. Scissors. 6. Roller tape. 7. Corner rounder. 8 Cuttlebug and folders. 9. Nesties. 10. Pop dots.

6. If you were still on that island, what kind of noise would you want (if any) in the background? List as many as five different favorite musical artists.

I stamp while listening to a contemporary Christian CD that I never tire of! This music, along with my stamping, keeps my mind free of worry.

7. If you could have anything you wanted, (concerning scrapping or stamping) what would it be?

I would love to have a good friend over to stamp with me!

8. What about your style/artistry are you least satisfied with?

I wish my stamping was more precise! I have trouble with straight edges and cutting out! I am messy and have ruined lots of work with smudges and smeared glue and tape! I make dumb mistakes like having the embossing upside down or the card opening in the wrong direction! Honestly, the cards you see on the HA blog have been through HELL getting there!

9. What cameras have you tried, which one is your favorite, and why? (You can shorten this to just the one you're using now if you like.)

The only camera I use is the one my husband bought me last year for Christmas, and I LOVE IT! It is the Kodak Easy Share! I was able to figure out how to upload my photos to the Easy Share software and from there to the HA blog!! One of the women on the blog is struggling with uploading her work and I want her to get an Easy Share camera, too. I am satisfied with the quality. I only use it for family photos and HA challenges.

10. What's the word or phrase that comes to your lips when you mess up while creating? ("Unprintable" is definitely an option!)

I have been known to swear! I try to say “FUDGE”! (I really do get upset with myself for all the messing up I do!

And there you have it! If you want to check out some more of Judy’s work, you can visit her photostream at the HA Flickr group.

Comments

Deborah, thanks for including me in the fine company of Wednesday Wonders!! Thank you for the lovely things you said about me! I have to ask: Did you really make "the recipe" and try it?? And thank you for all the fun you bring to all of us! Love, Judy

Posted by: Judy Jung | January 14, 2009 at 09:27 PM

I'm so glad I saw this post today! Thanks, again, Gigi, for doing the interviews. They're always fun to read, and I'm sure God will continue to use Judy to bless others through her encouraging cards & prayers!

So I must ask -- since I'm always looking for good recipes to feed the young family (got many cooking years ahead of me!), any chance of sharing that great family-guarded recipe? :P

thanks again for the smile! -Patty

Posted by: jaemom | January 15, 2009 at 12:37 AM

Loved this week's interview. So glad you are having fun doing this because it brings lots of fun into my life by reading your articles.

I think we all wish we could touch our stamps and crafts at least onece a day. Jealous of you, Judy:) Thank you for sharing.

Posted by: Arlene | January 15, 2009 at 01:55 AM

Great interview with one of my favorite stampers! I love Judy's wit and candor and her comments are always so positive...She can whip up a card so quickly and does it so effortlessly! Best thing is, she's only 100 miles away from my daughter and I'm hoping we can meet if and when we visit Alabama! Hugs to you, Judy! And you, Deborah, for spotlighting this wonderful woman...

Posted by: donna mikasa | January 15, 2009 at 02:29 AM

Great interview. Glad to know Judy better. Her work is always wonderful! I also am appreciative of Judy's kind words.

Posted by: stampersuzz | January 15, 2009 at 06:09 AM

YEA Judy!! Congrats on being the Wed. Wonder....
Loved getting to know her a little better by the Article....
Thanks Deborah for showcasing her......

Posted by: Kelly Booth | January 15, 2009 at 09:14 AM

Encouraging, talented, a true gem...that's Judy! Thanks for featuring her Deborah! :)

Posted by: Tami Hartley | January 15, 2009 at 01:19 PM

Love getting to know fellow stampers a little better!

Thanks for putting together WW's!

Posted by: Lysa | January 15, 2009 at 06:19 PM

Hi Judy! So nice to get to know you better -- I love your challenge cards, and now that I know what all went into them, I love them even more! You are truly talented!

Thanks for making her the Wednesday Wonder, Deborah! And thanks for posting that forggy box too -- that is one of my faves!!!

HUGS and smiles! :)
L

Posted by: sideoats + scribbles | January 15, 2009 at 11:05 PM

Thank you everyone for the uplifing and kind comments!! I love Deborah's blog and it was such fun to participate. I look forward to reading about REAL artists in the WW!! Deborah, thank you for this moment of "fame". Hugs. Judy

Posted by: judyjung | January 16, 2009 at 09:51 AM