A: I did a little research and found that putting the feathers in a plastic bag with mothballs will get rid of mites. To rid the feathers of bacteria and viruses, soak them in a 1:1 mixture of rubbing alcohol and peroxide for at least half an hour. Finally, wash the feathers with a mild hand soap to remove any dirt and oils, and allow them to dry in the sun. For more details, please visit this blog post. Don't forget to share your projects in the gallery so we can be inspired!

A: Making a folder with positive and negative sides might be a little tricky, but it's easy to make an impression plate! Take a sheet of chipboard (I use cereal boxes) and cut it to a size that fits your machine. For the raised areas, use hand cut or die cut chipboard to create a design. Glue the pieces to the chipboard base (the more layers you add, the deeper your impression will be). Add a light brushing of Mod Podge or gel medium to secure all the layers and let it dry completely. You may need to fiddle a little with the thickness of your 'sandwich' when you run the new plate through your die cutting machine - it won't be as thick as a purchased embossing folder or plate, so you'll probably need to shim.

A: I have seen it tied around a card or wrapped around the edges and adhered behind the panel. For a veil or dress element, I think I would gather the tulle with my fingers and sew it onto the card - that's sure to stay in place. For more ideas with tulle, visit this thread.

A: A Google image search is turning up tons of ideas! Depending on how large the samples are, you can use them for anything from notebook covers to decor items and even beautiful jewelry. They are stampable (try a permanent ink like archival or Stazon). The strips make great bookmarks. Their bold, solid colors are great for die cut pieces, punch art, or paper piecing. Check out this link for more fun ideas!

A: I usually use Memento Angel Pink, MFT Natural or Grout Gray, or a pale yellow like VersaMagic Thatched Straw... it depends on the subject I'm painting, and what color would blend in with the colors I'm likely to use. Grout Gray and Natural inks from MFT are great neutral color inks that will go with any color family. A pale pink ink would blend in well with cool colors and reds, and yellow would blend in well with any warm colors. As far as ink type, if you want the outline to truly disappear, a dye or water soluble chalk ink is best. If you want a faint outline, use a solvent or archival ink. (For a tutorial on No Line Watercoloring, click HERE!)