Stamper's Quest is so, so excited to offer this month's Guest Artist and her beautiful project to you. 

Tricia Morris appeared on popular TV crafting shows, and most recently starred as a designer for the extremely popular internet-based  TV Weekly show, which was discontinued earlier this year (much to everyone's sorrow).  She is the co-owner of Club Scrap and is continuing her extremely popular how-to videos over on its website. So if you are going through withdrawals from not seeing Tricia on TV Weekly, catch her over at Club Scrap Cinema!  Tricia has a fresh and fun approach to rubber stamping, scrapbooking and crafting.

Twenty years ago, if someone told me that I'd have a career in the arts, I wouldn't have been surprised. I was certain that I'd become a musician. I entered college on scholarship as a piano performance major and became a piano teacher while still in school. Sometimes life just deals you an unexpected surprise...

I was introduced to rubber stamping in 1996, and I brought home a few stamps, some embossing powder and cardstock. All of my supplies fit into a small shoebox. (Imagine!) I began scrapbooking after the birth of my daughter in 1997, and became hooked on both hobbies-a natural pairing. My talented and motivated friend, Dinah, encouraged me to join her in forming a Club for scrapbookers after she became aware of the potential in the industry. We started Club Scrap® together in 1999. It's been an incredible ten-year journey of friendship, learning and growth!

A completely self-taught stamper, scrapbooker, and bookmaker, I've learned a lot through the years by simply being willing to experiment and fail. Plenty of my attempts have ended up in the "circular file," but sometimes, through the explorations in my craft room, things work out and I come up with something fun. With the benefit of my piano teaching experience, I had the training I needed to pass along what I'd learned in the craft room to crafters in many different venues.

In 2000, I was invited to be a guest on DIY Scrapbooking hosted by Sandi Genovese. I truly enjoyed presenting projects on the many appearances that I made on the show and was soon invited to appear on The Carol Duval Show! As internet technology began to expand, I had the privilege of hosting over forty episodes of The Scrapbook Lounge on TV Weekly.

The wild ride continued as Club Scrap® grew at a tremendous pace during its first few years. Dinah and I found it necessary to build a home for our Club, and we moved into our new distribution center in 2003. We currently ship to over 35 countries and have helped our members develop lasting friendships and the exchange of ideas through our online Community at clubscrap.com. While we've expanded our clubs to include Club Stamp, Club Scrap Digital, Club Scrap Junior, etc., we've maintained our strong desire to create exceptional materials, service and education for those who become a part of our world.

Turning my hobby into a career has only expanded the joy of what I love do. I have been immensely blessed by this journey, and I truly look forward to the many experiences to come!

Tricia Morris
Co-Owner, Club Scrap®

Click here for Tricia's Blog.

And now, presenting (drum roll, please....) Tricia's project.

Herringbone Magic
By Tricia Morris of Club Scrap®

Tried and true, this technique is sure to amaze your friends and take you no time at all!

Supplies:
Stamps & Papers:
Club Stamp, May 2009 Henna Paper Collection and Rubber Stamps
Inks:
Coordinating Inks
Other:
Paper Trimmer
2" Double Sided Carpet Tape
Ruler
Craft Knife
Cutting Mat

Directions: 

1. Stamp assorted images onto a 5.5" x 8.5" piece of Tan, Chocolate and Eggshell plain paper. Trim one 8.5" x 11" Burnt Orange Print horizontally at 5.5".



2. Trim the papers horizontally into pieces of assorted widths, from .125" to .05".



3. Cover an entire 4.25" x 5.5" Eggshell panel with double sided carpet tape.



4. Place three strips of one color onto the panel, the first at a diagonal, with the other two positioned to create a "T" in both directions. This will divide the panel into four sections.



5. Working one section at a time, piece together the strips. Alternate the color and direction of the strips as you go.



6. Piece together strips on all remaining sections, allowing the strips to extend beyond the edge of the panel. If you run out of strips, simply trim the excess and place back onto the panel.



7. Flip the finished piece over and trim away all excess strips with a ruler and craft knife. Use the decorative element for the front panel of a card or trim to create several smaller elements for inchies, ATC's, etc.