Amy lives in Netanya, Israel
Trouble at Stampymeade Academy, Chapter One
Images used: FT-007-H, Helene's
Daydream (pink dress), $4.00; FT-362-H, Dejected Darvin, $4.00; FT-106-H,
Spiridon's Agony, $4.00; Source of other images: professor (woman in blue),
books - 100 Proof Press; wall, scroll - Visual Image Printery; torches - Close
to My Heart (flames hand drawn)
Amy included this story: "I
decided to reveal a disturbing problem that has cropped up at the
internationally renowned Stampymeade Academy. Unfortunately, the misguided
students featured in my scene reflect an insidious trend sweeping through the
halls of stamping art-dom. These young folks are, in their ignorance, unable to
appreciate the value of scenic stamping. Instead, they have become enamoured of
other techniques. Instead of listening to their esteemed teacher, Professor
Jhonewhere, they are lost in their own thoughts. Helene is pondering the idea
of embellishing her current paper doll project with cat hair. Darvin is
contemplating the use of dust from the classroom floor in his next collage.
Spiridon, the Lothario of Stampymeade Academy, has just realized that, in a
frenzy of divine inkspiration the night before, he has just altered his trusty
"little black book." In the saddest part of this tragic tale, all three have
had their work accepted by Stamp Insanity Magazine."
Plotting, Chapter Two
Images used: FT-007-H, Helene's
Daydream (pink dress), $4.00; FT-362-H, Dejected Darvin, $4.00; FT-106-H,
Spiridon's Agony, $4.00; FA-137-AA, Sad Cat, $2.00. Source of other
Images: Castle - Tin Can Mail; Fairy - Rubber Stampede;
Flying Stamp - Cherry Pie; Some grass texture - Art Impressions and Darcie's;
Bridge with water, trees, hills, flowers, plants, rocks, grass, birds - Joan
Wear Designs.
"Several weeks have passed since that dreary day
in Scenic Stamping class. Helene, Darvin and Spiridon have nearly come to the
end of their patience. Their artistic sensibilities are in danger of being
crushed if they are forced to endure much more. The trio has gathered outside
the walls of Stampymeade Academy to discuss what is to be done.
Helene feels that the way to achieve their goal of studying Art instead of
stamping is by passive resistance. To that end, she makes sure to include
random body part images and cat fur in all of her scenes. Darvin, too dejected
to live in hope, simply adheres dust to the surface of all of his homework
assignments. Sometimes he adds a stamped clock face or skeleton key, but there
is no real conviction in his efforts. Spiridon is all for taking dramatic
steps. He has proposed to the others that they seek out the advice of Moldywart,
the notorious rubber stamp Artist who was banished from Stampymeade a generation
ago. Moldywart, who commands legions of dark Artists, would surely know the
best method of insinuating true Art into the humdrum classes at Stampymeade
Academy. Little do the students know that Moldywart and others have already
dispatched their spies and minions to monitor the situation. All too soon, the
current state of affairs may be altered beyond even Spiridon's imagining.
Meanwhile, Helene's cat Minerva mourns the loss of her fur, and plots
revenge."
Prophecy, Chapter Three
Images used: CH-617-G, Incense Burner, $3.75; FA-137-AA, Sad
Cat, $2.00.
Source of other images: inner castle - Beeswax, woman reading - 100 Proof Press,
wizard - Cherry Pie.
"Meanwhile, back at the Academy...
Professor Jhonewhere, concerned over the disappearance of three
students, has consulted with Stampymeade Academy's venerable headmaster,
Professor Mumblemore. He was, unfortunately, unable to offer any helpful advice.
He did, however, suggest a new formula for Extremely Viscous Embossing Granules.
Realizing help must be found elsewhere, Professor Jhonewhere has gone to the
seaside abode of Tantalf the Teal, the mystical Wizard of Stampymeade. Though
his eyesight is failing, the wizened Tantalf's mind is still as sharp as ever.
With his help, Professor Jhonewhere has located an important text concerning a
prophecy made generations before. The prophecy foretold of three renegades who
would make a hazardous journey, the outcome of which would affect the ultimate
fate of the entire fiefdom of Stampymeade.
Go, they will - return, they must
Else Stampymeade decays to dust.
If they be swayed to forsake their
roots
And fall with Evil into cahoots,
Then shall descend a Darkness great
And loving hearts will turn to Hate.
Though perilous the way will be,
True Stampers must retrieve the
three.
Through forests dank and dangers dire
This quest does Bravery require.
When all in scenes are reunited,
Stampers' hearts will be delighted.
When Tantalf and Professor Jhonewhere realize where the missing students must
have ventured, they know they must leave at once to try to save them, if not
from themselves, then from the evil that awaits them. The information provided
by the tearful, yet defiant, Minerva the cat reassures them that their
speculations are correct. They must journey to the noxious Jirkwood Forest, to
the lair of the malodorous Moldywort. "
Captured, Chapter Four
Images used: candlestick, CH-197-B, $2.50; Darvin, FT-362-H, $4.00; Helene,
FT-007-H, $4.00; wall stones (fireplace mantle), CH-620-C, $2.75.
Source of other images: green creature, goblins - 100 Proof Press (We offer a
single goblin in cape, FA-093-H, $4.00); head - Rubber
Stamps of America; wall - Visual Image Printery.
"All is not well with our impetuous young friends. True, they succeeded in
locating and entering Moldywart's enclave; but they soon found they had
neglected to consider that they might receive any but an enthusiastic and
appreciative welcome. Indeed, their arrival was greeted with glee and
excitement, though not for the reasons they would have wished. Now they are left
to wonder what their evil host might have in store for them. This they do
incessantly, when they are not occupied in agonizing over the fate of their
compatriot.
For Spiridon was whisked off within an instant of their arrival and taken only
Moldywart and his evil henchmen, the dorcs, know where. What torments the
invidious Artist is visiting upon Spiridon, Darvin and Helene can scarcely bear
to imagine. To distract themselves, the miserable pair takes turns blaming one
another for their current predicament. When that palls, they fall to lamenting
their mutual stupidity in straying from the path of scenic stamping. If only
they had appreciated the beauty of that most pure form of stamping!
Is it too late for our young friends? Have they seen the error of their ways,
only to languish forever in the bowels of Moldywart's lair? What of the fair
village of Stampymeade? Will the grim prophecy come true?"
The Journey, Chapter Five
Images used: FA-137-AA, Sad Cat, $2.00; FT-062-J,
Summoning (woman in water), $4.50; Source of other images: woman reading
- 100 Proof Press;
wizard, single bat - Cherry Pie; owl - Beeswax; moon with bats, grass - Art
Impressions; single pine tree - PSX; leopard (partial) - The Stamp Pad;
riverbank, trees, shrubs, mountains, rocks, grass - JoanWearDesigns.
After many misadventures and dangers in their journey from Stampymeade to
Jirkwood Forest, Professor Jhonewhere and Tantalf the Teal are at last nearing
their destination. They are flummoxed, however, when they reach the banks of an
uncharted river. The professor checks her atlas, while Tantalf cautions her
that this may be a trick perpetrated by the diabolical Moldywart. While the two
humans confer on the course they should take in crossing the river, Minerva the
cat decides to approach the water for a drink.
The feline is startled when she sees a specter rising out of the river. She
rubs her eyes, thinking perhaps she has imagined the vision. The ghostly figure
raises an arm, but the bewildered Minerva cannot tell if the phantasm is
threatening her or appealing for help. Before the cat can inform her human
companions of this new development, an owl swoops down upon the travelers, his
intentions unclear.
Will the rescuers fall victim to foul play? What is the meaning of the
hitherto unknown river, the apparition in the water, and the sinister feathered
predator? And what foul creature is stalking the stalwart rescuers?
Denouement, Chapter Six ( Conclusion)
Images used: FA-137-AA, Sad Cat, $2.00; CH-193-I, Casement
Window, $4.25; CH-471-E, Open Chest, $3.25. Source of other images: woman
reading - 100 Proof Press; rug - Ann-ticipations; wall - Visual Image Printery;
trees - JoanWearDesigns.
It is now winter. In a rare moment of idleness, Professor
Jhonewhere opens the chest where she stores her most private possessions and
reviews the journal she kept during the events of the past spring. While
Minerva the cat calmly proceeds with her daily wash, the professor looks back on
the weeks that could have changed her beloved homeland forever.
When the Professor and Tantalf encountered the specter in the uncharted river,
they correctly assumed that here was danger. As it turned out, the ghostly
figure was in fact the spirit of the evil Tabahtica, sent by Moldywart to lure
them to their doom in the River of Mediocrity. Fortunately, Wighead the owl
arrived in time to lead the rescuers safely past the danger.
After a furious battle in the dungeons of Moldywart's fortress, Professor
Jhonewhere, Tantalf the Teal, Minerva and the students emerge, victorious.
Moldywart and the dorcs are banished to the advertising department of a craft
magazine, deep in the bowels of the earth. There they will spend eternity,
watching sales revenue painstakingly climb ever higher, only to tumble
inevitably down to near-bankruptcy levels.
Spiridon, Helene, and Darvin, scarred by their ordeal (Spiridon to this day
refuses to reveal exactly what he suffered at the hands of Moldywart), decide to
withdraw from Stampymeade Academy. The three find work at Stampstroms; Spiridon
in sales, Darvin as a buyer, and Helene as manager in charge of ink.
Professor Jhonewhere has been adopted by Minerva, who cares for her mistress
and refuses to let her dwell overlong on the details of the eventful escapade of
the spring. The pair has found contentment together.
THE END
Images used: CH-318-F, Shadow Cat Looking Back, $3.50;
CH-322-H, Robed Woman, $4.00;
Source of other images: Joan Wear Designs, Tin Can Mail and ImaginAir.
Images used:
ES-091-I,
Castle on the Rocks, $4.25;
CH-146-B, Full Moon, $2.50;
CH-600-I, Bubbling Cauldron, $4.25;
ES-090-A, Diviner's Pouch, $2.25;
FT-012-K, Merlin, $4.75;
FT-062-J, Summoning, $4.50
Source of other images unknown.
Text reads: "How sharper than a serpents tooth it is to
have a thankless child."
Images used: FT-069-G, Evangeline's Misery, $3.75;
FT-106-H, Spiridon's Agony, $4.00;
FA-137-AA, Sad Cat, $2.00;
CH-333-FF, Gazelle Jumping, $.75
Source of other images unknown.
Text reads: "The ship carrying your stamp order was lost at sea."
"The Real Reason Darvin is Dejected"
Images used: Robed Woman, CH-322-H, $4.00;
Dejected Darvin, FT-362-H, $4.00;
Castle on the Rocks, ES-091-I, $4.25;
Source of other images unknown.
"Evangeline's Misery: The Shunning"
Images used: CC-001-C, Writing Desk, $2.75; ES-188-B,
Candelabra, $2.50; FT-069-G, Evangeline's Misery, $3.75; CH-196-C, Bench, $2.75;
CH-193-I, Casement Window, $4.25; MO-036-D, Three Cats (in window), $3.00;
AP-012-G, Paw Stamped (grey cat in foreground), $3.75; FA-137-AA, Sad Cat
(stamped twice on far right), $2.00. Source of other images: rug - Ann-ticipations;
tree and birds - JoanWearDesigns; cat on bench - 100 Proof Press.
Images used: Robed Woman, CH-322-H, $4.00; CH-600-I, Bubbling
Cauldron, $4.25; CH-617-G, (fumes are partial image masked from) Incense Burner,
$3.75; FT-062-J, Summoning, $4.50; ES-090-A, Diviner's Pouch, $2.25; CH-206-CC,
Rocky Ground, $1.50.
