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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
April 20, 2016
Q: Teresa shares: "I really want to try the Four Way Card, but I don't have the dies or cutter."
A: It's still doable without the dies! You'll need four quarter-sheet cardstock panels. Mark the center of each panel, and score and fold. Cut out a symmetrical template for the shaped opening; match up the center lines, trace the shape on each panel, and cut it out with scissors - just be sure to line it up in the same place each time. The rest of the assembly is the same, lining up the opening in each panel and gluing one side at a time. Be sure to share in the gallery!
April 13, 2016
Q: Lynn wants to know: "How do you make a penny slider card that goes in a complete circle?"
A: That sounds like fun! We have a tutorial HERE for a spinner card using coins as the weighted base for the spinning element. You'd create the spinner in the same way, but for the open track, use two nesting dies that are spaced 3/8"-1/2" apart. You can cut both at once to make sure they're centered. Adhere the center cut to the base of your card with Dimensionals first. Prepare the outer frame with Dimensionals (make sure you leave room for the pennies around the edge), and set it aside. Prepare the spinner and tuck the pennies in under the center piece, then position the outer frame and make sure it's between the pennies on the other side. Adhere the frame, and the spinner should be free to spin as the card is rotated.
April 6, 2016
Q: Marie says: "I'd like some suggestions as to how to 'file' my big collection of craft rhinestones in some sort of order. The loose ones are no problem and I have them in small screw top jars according to size and colour. I'm just not sure how to store the sheets of rhinestones to make them readily accessible and keep them tidy."
A: My suggestion would be to create a binder with pocketed storage sheets - there are a variety of pocket sizes available, but I'm guessing that photo sheets would meet your needs. You could tuck several rhinestone sheets in each pocket, and they'd be easy to flip through and find at a glance.
March 30, 2016
Q: Joanne wants to know: "I really appreciated the tutorial on colouring texture paste and would love to try it but I don't have a re-inker in the colours I want to use. I was wondering if I could use alcohol ink instead."
A: Alcohol ink will work fine - just be sure to mix it in right away, because it dries very quickly. You can also use other water soluble mediums, such as acrylic paint, Gelatos, ink blocks, or watercolors. If you'd like to match a specific ink but don't have the reinker, just take the pad and swipe it on your palette before adding the texture paste.
March 23, 2016
Q: Nancy wants to know: " I had made two cards and hung them on my wall and after about 3 months, I noticed the color fading and the front panels begin to curl. I had used dye ink and a bit of white pigment ink, top quality products that have been recommended by a lot of the top Card Divas. Is there a sealant of some sort to spray to extend the freshness of the cards or do you have any tips that can help retain the colors?"
A: Unfortunately most craft supplies are not created with lightfastness in mind, and dye based inks aren't very color stable - they do tend to fade over time. If you want to display cards, choose an area that's not affected by sunlight. Some custom framers have UV protection glass - that might give a little more longevity if you wanted to go that route. When choosing inks, look for archival or fade-resistant options.
