A: I think of gesso as a surface preparation or primer, and since I usually am using watercolor, pencil, and markers directly on paper, I don't find gesso necessary. You can use it... just be prepared to spend some time working with it and learning how it reacts differently. If you wanted to use these mediums on a surface other than paper, you could prep the surface first... you'd want to experiment first to know how the medium would react to the texture and application of the gesso, because it will be different. Pencils especially pick up the 'grit' of gesso - I have used clear gesso over my pencil work to 'fix' lightly damaged paper or to add a little tooth for a white highlight. For watercoloring on surfaces other than paper, you might consider a watercolor ground, which is specially formulated for the medium.

A: I don't use washi tape much so, I looked into our site resources for some ideas! In the Canvas Panel Card tutorial, it was used as a binding between mini canvases. I found some fun samples in our gallery too, using a keyword search. Washi tape was used in parallel strips to cover a background panel HERE (embossed too - cute!). The same technique was used for die cut pieces HERE and a die cut opening HERE. In this sample the same technique was used, but the striped panel was cut into little cross strips for accent pieces, like a strip quilting technique. I hope those ideas are enough to get you rolling!

A: My favorite technique is a simple one - I pour out a tiny bit of white gesso or craft paint onto a palette, then use a ball stylus or rounded paintbrush handle to dot the paint onto my background. The dots get smaller the more you dot the paint out (each application of paint to the tool will yield 4-5 dots) and the varying sizes add depth to the scene.

A: For the base - once you've figured out the size of your calendar pages, take that size and double it then add 2" for the base... so for examples, if your pages are going to be 4-1/4" high and 5-1/2" wide, your base will be 5-1/2" wide. For the height: 4-1/4" + 2"+ 4-1/4" = 10-1/2". Score the base at 4-1/4", 5-1/4" and 6-1/4" and fold the whole piece in a W. I would think you might want chipboard for the base - try one with 110# cover stock though (like the heavier Neenah cover stock) and see if it will hold up to the weight. Sounds like a fun project!

A: I'm always tearing it too! Try using an old credit card to get under the full edge and lift it up to get it started. Once you get a good end on it, fold it under on itself or tuck a strip of paper under the end so you get a good lead on it the next time.