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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
July 20, 2022
Q: Maureen asks: "Do you recall a technique where you stamp all over tissue paper with different images and inks, then tear up the paper and mod podge it down in layers on a piece of cardstock to make a masterboard?"
A: It sounds like the Serendipity technique! We actually don't have a tutorial in our archives and we need to fix that! Check out this tutorial for a recent variation and this post for instructions from one of our technique challenge hostesses! After the steps you mentioned, the panel is cut into smaller pieces for cards or other projects.
July 13, 2022
Q: Al asks: "If you wanted to put metallic splatters on your card/project what products / techniques would you use?"
A: I use metallic watercolors or metallic acrylic paint (diluted). Load up your brush (liner brush works best) and then bonk the brush against your finger to get the bristles to release the paint. Another technique is to sprinkle water with your fingers, then apply embossing powder and heat from the back of the panel. There are also splatter stencils that can be used with metallic pastes.
July 6, 2022
Q: Louise asks: "I have the Distress brushes. I was wondering how to clean them."
A: I don't have those specific brushes, but I have a dedicated blending brush for each color family, so I don't worry about cleaning them. Distress inks are water-based though - if you want to clean your brushes, you can run them under warm water and let them dry completely before using them again. It's best to let brushes dry with the handle up so water doesn't sit at the base of the bristles.
June 29, 2022
Q: Susan asks: "How do you store your ribbon?"
A: I don't have a lot of ribbon, and my storage method is incredibly un-fancy... I have it in a photo storage box (I have a bunch of these, actually - they're pretty and they stack nicely). I cut cards to a uniform size out of cereal boxes, wrap the ribbon around them, and pin the ends. The ribbon is sorted by color family. (Fun fact - a lot of my storage consists of thrifted or recycled containers and animal-shaped coffee mugs.)
June 22, 2022
Q: Micheline wants to know: "I have been given a Gemini Foil Press Die. I do not have a foiling machine so wanted to ask whether there is any other way that I can use this die."
A: For those who don't know, foiling plates resemble dies, but they do not have a raised outline for cutting - they have raised solid areas that make contact with the foil in order to transfer it to a number of different surfaces when heated. Without heat and foil, the plates can create a beautiful debossed effect. You can do this in your die cutting machine, but you'll need to experiment with shims to find the right pressure. I had the best results with watercolor paper, laying the foiling plate face up. You can ink the raised surfaces of the foiling plate to get a beautiful letterpress effect (inked and debossed image). My favorite ink for this is Stazon Pigment ink - it makes a beautiful impression and cleans off easily with a little rubbing alcohol.
