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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
August 2, 2023
Q: Mary wants to know: "What is your favorite quality paper for inking an entire area/background?"
A: Great question! I often use the hot press watercolor paper used in today's tutorial (140# Fabriano Studio hot press paper) or Bristol smooth paper for blending. Ultrasmooth cover stocks are good as well - Neenah Classic Crest, Accent Opaque Cardstock, or Hammermill Premium Copy Cover.
July 26, 2023
Q: Sonya asks: "When using glittery embossing powder, how do you keep the glitter from coming off your card after embossing?"
A: I would reheat it just enough to activate the powder again, and add a layer of clear embossing powder over the glittery powder to lock it all in. Just be careful not to overheat.
July 19, 2023
Q: Micheline asks: "I have a lot of brass stencils from many years ago when they were popular, used with a stylus and light table. Do you have any suggestions on how these can be used with die cutting machines and what sandwich to use?"
A: I know for a while there was a company (Sizzix?) that made them with a type of carrier folder to go through a die cutting machine. I don't think there was a universal folder. You can use the brass stencils in a die cutting machine with a silicone pad - pad down first, then cardstock and the plate on top with whatever sandwich you need to create the correct pressure - the edges of the plate will also imprint though, so you'd need to work that into your design or crop on those lines, and you won't be able to isolate small areas to emboss like you can by hand. Sometimes it's fun to just do a little old school embossing with that stylus and light table!
July 12, 2023
Q: Autumn asks: "What is your favorite Copic color you like to use?"
A: I think the one I use the most is W3 - it's a light warm grey and the one I use most often for shadows and grounding images.
July 5, 2023
Q: Natalie asks: "What is the secret to keeping small pieces in place in a die when you want to emboss them? They keep falling out of the die and then they get out of place and get embossed wrong."
A: I would tape the die in place and do the embossing before cutting. For my machine, I lay down a silicon embossing pad first, then the cardstock with the die taped on top. I run that sandwich through at the correct pressure to emboss the details on the surface of the die, then replace the cutting plates to cut the outline with the die still taped in place.
