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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
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!
January 25, 2023
Q: Kate writes: "I just got my first set of stamps and matching dies and there are no directions. Do I cut or stamp first?"
A: There are different methods you can use, depending on your stamps and dies. I covered several techniques in a tutorial called Stamped Die Cuts, including cutting a stamped image with solid or outline dies, and stamping multiple die cuts.
January 18, 2023
Q: Patricia writes: "I am wanting measurements to make a box that can house ten 4" x 6" cards and envelopes to gift to family and friends."
A: If you scroll down to the Variations on the A2 Box Tutorial you'll find simple instructions for adjusting the box measurements for any size! For your box base I'd add about 1/4" to the size of your envelopes, then determine the side measurements based on your stack of cards. It looks like A6 envelopes are 4 3/4" x 6 1/2", so I would start with a base measurement of 5" x 6-3/4". If you want the sides 2" high, add 4" to each measurement (9" x 10-3/4"), and score 2" from each edge. For the lid, add 1/8" to your base size, 5-1/8" x 6-7/8". You might want the sides to have a 1" drop, so you'd add 2" to the measurements - 7-1/8" x 8-7/8", and score at 1" from each side.
