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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
May 6, 2015
Q: Veronica wants to know: "How do you make a One Sheet Wonder?"
A: A One Sheet Wonder begins with a sheet of designer paper or a full sheet of paper that has been stamped with an all-over design. The sheet is cut according to a template, so that every piece can be used on a coordinating set of cards. The card templates usually accompany the cutting template. Check out this thread for some templates you can try yourself, and take a peek in the gallery for more templates and inspiration.
April 29, 2015
Q: mrslibrarian wants to know: "What's the best way to attach metal embellishments?"
A: Hot glue would be my first choice for attaching a metal embellishment. A few well-placed, strong glue dots might work on cardstock if the metal piece is not too heavy. A strong glue such as E6000 would work well for attaching metal embellishments to altered projects.
April 22, 2015
Q: Betty wants to know: "I tried to dye clear embossing powder with a reinker and the color turned out great, but when I tried to heat it nothing happened -- it would not heat. What did I do wrong?"
A: I'm guessing that the reinker made the powder too wet - embossing powder is finely ground plastic, so it wouldn't actually absorb the ink. I would think that pigment powder or alcohol ink might work better. An alternative is to ink up your stamp with Versamark ink before adding dye ink - the Versamark makes the impression embossable, and the color of your ink will show through the clear powder.
April 15, 2015
Q: Nancy wants to know: "Why is my paper cracking when I emboss?"
A: Cracking can sometimes be caused by too much pressure on the cardstock; sometimes this is caused by the depth of the design in the embossing folder itself. For a lighter impression you can actually run those folders through 'open faced' - for the Big Shot, turn the base plate to tab 2, then layer a cutting plate, the embossing pad, cardstock, the embossing folder (open, with the debossed side down), and the 2nd cutting plate.
April 8, 2015
Q: Pat asks: "Is there any way to revive ink pads that are beginning to dry out?"
A: The best way to revive inkpads is to purchase the reinker for the pad so that you're replacing the ink that you've used. These are usually about the cost of a new pad but have plenty of ink for multiple refills, and the ink can be used for watercoloring or other techniques as well. There is also a product by Ranger called Ink Refresher that can be sprayed onto ink pads to extend their stamping life.
