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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
March 1, 2023
Q: Skmrg asks: "When using a scoring board, how do you fold the cardstock or does it matter which direction? Assuming the cardstock is still laying flat on the scoring board do you fold it so that the groove becomes a valley or fold it so that the groove becomes a mountain?"
A: I fold away from the side I scored, so the groove is on the outside of the card (mountain). HERE is more information on scoring, folding, and paper grain! Our members are so knowledgeable!
February 22, 2023
Q: Kim asks: "What is masking paper?"
A: Masking paper comes in rolls or sheets - it is like a lightweight paper tape, and is completely backed with a low-tack adhesive. It's great for protecting large areas from paint or ink, or for covering stamped foreground images while adding a stamped or inked background. (For a tutorial on basic masking, click HERE!)
February 15, 2023
Q: Paula wants to know: "How do you get the moon or the sun in a brayered sky?"
A: I have been using removable contact paper for masking on brayered or blended skies - it is easy to die cut (a circle, in this case) and holds well as you apply the ink, then removes easily. For the sun, I blend a little yellow ink in the area I'm going to mask, then apply the contact paper and continue blending. Another trick is to completely ink your sky, then use a circle die to cut the sun or moon out and layer white or colored cardstock behind the opening.
February 8, 2023
Q: Pam asks: "What is the advantage of keeping stamps filed separate by manufacturer?"
A: I've only done this when I need to keep projects company-specific for design team obligations. Other than that, it makes more sense to my brain and cataloging system to organize by category.
February 1, 2023
Q: Beverly writes: "I am doing some major cleaning and wonder how those of you who have a lot of supplies keep them clean. Every marker and bottle has a layer of dust."
A: I am a terrible one to ask - I have dust on my shelves too! I opened a thread in the forum HERE where our members and subscribers can share how they keep their supplies clean - come leave a tip! My best suggestion is to use them so the dust can't settle!
