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Search the archive, three years of Inklings.
Ask the Artist
Our Artist in Residence, Dina Kowal, answers your questions
April 24, 2024
Q: Rowena asks: "Do you stamp sentiments inside your cards?"
A: I usually leave them blank inside when I make them. Sometimes I'll even leave a sentiment off the front. That way when I need a card, I can customize it to the recipient and the occasion. If I have a sentiment that's appropriate for the inside I'll add it when it's ready to send.
April 17, 2024
Q: Patti asks: " Can you share a tip for crafting on a limited budget?"
A: Instead of buying embellishments like enamel dots or rhinestones in every color, look for white or clear ones. These can be colored with alcohol markers to match your project.
April 10, 2024
Q: Natalie asks: "Ink blending question: will it ever dry? It's still coming off on my hands after 2 hours. It's premium dye ink on cardstock."
A: Some dye inks are formulated to dry slowly, for blending and water-reactive effects. You can help the process along with a quick heat set. I always seem to warp cardstock with a heat gun despite my best efforts, so I'd recommend setting with an iron. Lay a paper towel or parchment paper over the cardstock, and then run a hot, dry iron over it for 30 seconds or so.
April 3, 2024
Q: embee wants to know: "I'm just wondering if the Water Stamping technique will work if you sponge water based paints on the background, or do the colours need to be oil or alcohol based?"
A: You'll definitely want to use a water-based product for your first layer of color - oil and alcohol based mediums will not work. It will need to be a medium that will still react and lift with water once dry, so your best strategy will be making some swatches to test that property. Best results will be with reactive dye inks, which are formulated to lift and react with water. Some watercolor paints will lift, and others are formulated to stain and will not lift as readily. Craft and acrylic paints are water based, but probably won't lift after they've dried. Paper choice will make a difference too - some papers will readily absorb the ink, and others will allow it to sit on the surface.
March 27, 2024
Q: Patricia asks: "I have a question about making cards from backgrounds using acrylic paints. Can you stamp on them? If so, what ink do you use?"
A: You can stamp on them! I have had the best results with Versafine and Versafine Clair inks. The ink does need to be heat set - this will take a little time, taking care to not overheat or bubble up the paint. You'll know the ink is set when it shifts to a matte finish. I have noticed that the ink does act differently over certain brands of paint - I have the best results with fluid acrylics and the Apple Barrel brand craft paints. Others will work but the ink needs to be set quickly to prevent feathering. I hope that helps!
