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Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
March 25, 2026
Q: Annie has some questions about the Spring Card: "What size envelope will work with this card? What are the finished dimensions? Does it fold flat again?"
A: It does fold flat for mailing! The finished card is 5 1/4 " square, so it should be mailed in a 5 1/2" square envelope, or a rectangular envelope with that height.
March 18, 2026
Q: Stacy wants to know: "Is there a die for the Impossible Card? I know it's an easy card, but when my card making group sees rulers and pencils on the table, they panic."
A: It is actually a very forgiving design, and the cut lines do not need to be at exact measurements. What about using a paper trimmer for the cuts?
A square card may have the easiest measurements for your group. Cut a 6" card base and score at 3". Cut in to the score line at 3" on one side, and on the other side cut in at 1-1/2" and 4-1/2". The cuts don't even have to be straight or centered - just make sure the single cut is in between the two on the opposite side.
A square card may have the easiest measurements for your group. Cut a 6" card base and score at 3". Cut in to the score line at 3" on one side, and on the other side cut in at 1-1/2" and 4-1/2". The cuts don't even have to be straight or centered - just make sure the single cut is in between the two on the opposite side.
March 11, 2026
Q: harvestmoon wants to know: "I bought some stencils that are made from thin cardboard or kraft paper. Only care instructions: 'Carefully wipe paper stencils after use or coat with Glaze Medium to extend life.' What is glaze medium?"
A: I have some similar ones that are about the weight of a manila folder. Glaze Medium may be a branded name for gloss gel medium - this is an acrylic medium that can be added to paint for a glossy effect, brushed over artwork to seal it for additional layering, used to stick and/or seal collage elements or decoupage, and more! You can usually find it with acrylic paints and mixing mediums. You could brush it onto the stencils, or brayer it onto a gel plate in a thin layer and lay the stencil down on the plate to coat it evenly. For more answers, check out our community feedback in the forum HERE!
March 4, 2026
Q: Dina is curious: "I'm always looking for ways to use up extra trim and ribbon. Do you have any tutorials like that?"
A: I found a few tutorials that use ribbon:
Twill Flower
Ribbon Blossom
Stitched Ribbon Flower (very cute with lace too!)
Ruffled Ribbon Border
Crinkled Ribbon Flower
Rolled Ribbon Flower
Twill Flower
Ribbon Blossom
Stitched Ribbon Flower (very cute with lace too!)
Ruffled Ribbon Border
Crinkled Ribbon Flower
Rolled Ribbon Flower
February 25, 2026
Q: JanLee4 asked a question on the Layered Retiform tutorial: "Do the pencil lines show through the medium you use for filling in the grid? I didn't see where you had erased them so wasn't sure if you could leave them. BTW I love this!
A: They blended out quite a bit with the alcohol markers, and I drew them light enough that they don't show too much with the other media. I didn't erase my lines on any of the panels.
