A: Stencils are so versatile and can be used with so many different applications of color, from spray mists to paints. They make great templates for doodling or repetitive stamping in open areas with a small stamp or liner pen. You can mask an image and lay a stencil over it, then mist to create a quick textured background. Create a raised texture on a background panel by spreading a dimensional medium like gel medium or texture paste through a stencil with a palette knife or plastic gift card. You can ink up a stencil, mist it, and use it to create a monoprint. You can even run stencils through your die cutting machine with cardstock or matboard for a subtle debossed design. You can find quite a few tutorials in our Resources section for using stencils - Glittered Stenciling, Stencil Monoprints, and Layered Gesso Background are a few of my favorites!

A: I think my favorite uses for gel prints are in mixed media and paper quilting. I have a wide wooden frame that I covered with torn strips of printed paper of all different colors and patterns - it made a beautiful base for more textured stenciling and stamping with metallic accents. To do paper quilting, I use a small grid die that cuts 7/8" squares - I can cut some diagonally and mix and match them to create a quilted pattern on inchie squares. For a tutorial on how to do gel printing, click HERE!

A: I always try to set creative goals for the year... this year I gave myself some weekly goals, and designed a stamp with a checklist to keep myself on track. I want to complete a painted piece each week (when I stall too long, I start believing that I can't paint, and that's an unhealthy cycle). I want to be sure to share art weekly in some way - my son and I like hiding tags when we go grocery shopping; mailing cards is always a good idea too! I want to complete a card weekly from my stash of half-finished cards, colored images, and backgrounds. Lastly, I want to do something each week that helps educate others about art, whether it's sharing a tutorial or product review. If you have a crafty New Year's resolution, share it HERE!

A: First of all, it's important to know that all chalk inks are not created equal... some, like the Versamagic line, work well for watercoloring, and some do not - ColorBox Fluid Chalks, for example, are not water-soluble. If you're not sure if you're working with a water-soluble ink, you can put some of the ink onto a nonporous surface - I use a ceramic tile or acrylic block, but you could use a styrofoam plate, or whatever you have. Use a wet paint brush to pick up some of the ink - if it responds by becoming workable and dissolving in the water, it's water-soluble. If not, then it won't work for your water techniques. The Versamagic ink is opaque and creamy, lifts well with water, and dries with a soft finish. If you don't have reinkers, the method above is a great way to create a palette as well.

A: My dies occupy a drawer of a file cabinet, and they're organized by category. Within each folder I have sturdy chipboard lined with a magnet sheet for larger and nesting die sets. Each of those sheets is in a sheet protector to prevent bumping. I also have some hanging DVD organizers with 4 pockets on each side - those are great for smaller sets and tiny dies that could get lost easily. I cut magnet sheets to size for the pockets.