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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
May 18, 2022
Q: Muriel asks: "I am trying to make a Center Step Card to fit an A6 envelope 6.5"x 4.75". Can you give me measurements for this?"
A: Of course! For ease of measurement, the finished card is 6" x 4.5" and I cut the base to 4.5" x 12". In step 1 of the tutorial, cut from 1" to 7". In steps 2 and 3, score at 1", 2", and 7". In step 4 score at 6". The rest of the instructions are the same.
May 11, 2022
Q: Mary asks: "I was wondering how SCS gets their artists to create video tutorials for you. Are they people your staff knows? Are they people that have been watched online? I often use your tutorials to teach my ladies at our Senior Center here in Central Texas. I love the work you all do!"
A: Thank you for your kind words - I'm so glad we can inspire you and your group of ladies! I'm scheduled to present one new tutorial a month, and I occasionally provide new or refreshed content for unfilled slots or cancellations. Other tutorials come from my list of regular authors, and from other creators who post to the gallery (I use keywords tutorial and video when I search). I've occasionally found authors on Facebook as well. We are open to anyone who is able to follow our guidelines to present a fresh project in an understandable way, and who can provide their own video to demonstrate their project for our visual learners. We are always looking! If you have an idea for a tutorial you'd like to see or a project you want to share, you can click right below this section to submit your concept!
May 4, 2022
Q: Katie wants to know: "What setup do you use to film your videos?"
A: I use a video camera suspended above my desk on an adjustable ceiling mount... I have enough clutter on my desk that I'm thankful to not have to make room for an additional stand there. The camera is up and out of my way, and can be controlled manually or with a small remote (when I can find it!). There typically is background noise when I'm filming, and I get flustered trying to talk and work at the same time, so I add my commentary afterwards, when I'm editing at my computer.
April 27, 2022
Q: Chris asks: "Do you use your dies to cut fabric?"
A: I do! I actually am (very slowly) cutting quilt pieces from some sentimental clothing items that don't fit, and I'm using a half-square die. If you're cutting fabric for cardmaking, you can stiffen the fabric in a couple of ways. You can apply an iron-on stabilizer or interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric - a two-sided interfacing will allow you to adhere the piece to your card with an iron and prevent fraying. Another product I haven't tried yet is Terial Magic - it's a spray that gives fabric paper-like qualities for easier cutting and more.
April 20, 2022
Q: Kristen asks: "What colors would you use to blend a sunrise?"
A: I usually start with yellow closest to the sun, then blend into orange and magenta, with purple closest to the edges of the card. Images searches are a great jumping point for color combinations as well! Try "sunrise color palette" as your search words for tons of inspiration.
