A: My favorite way is to use a small stylus to dot white acrylic paint over a colored image. I find that technique has the most control and the brightest white, and it's very easy to do. I shake up the bottle of paint and dip my stylus into the paint stuck in the lid, then touch the stylus to the paper, and it makes a perfect dot. Several dots can be made from one dip into the paint - each successive dot will be smaller. Another less controlled way to add snow is to spatter white paint with a brush. For watercoloring, masking fluid can be splattered before painting and then removed after paint is dry to reveal the white paper beneath. If you want a more dimensional look, dot white glue or make dots with a glue pen and sprinkle white glitter or Flower Soft over the background. Randomly sprinkle white embossing powder over the card and heat from the back for another snowy look.

A: A spray fixative or varnish will help preserve cards with lots of layers and dimensional embellishments, and will also deflect dust. Art supply companies stock aerosol sprays that are acid free and non-yellowing; these are available in matte or glossy finishes. For flat colored panels (watercolor, pencil, etc), Microglaze can also be used to seal in color and protect your art - it is a wax-based product that's just rubbed on with a finger or a soft cloth.

A: There is a line of Coredinations cardstock called Core Impressions (embossed cardstock with a colored core). Other cardstock packs may include embossed sheets in their variety. Before I had an embossing machine I used texture plates and a stylus to emboss cardstock. The texture plates are 2-sided plastic plates with a debossed design that can be traced with a stylus or other embossing tool.

A: Try heat setting the ink to prevent smearing. Water-based or dye-based mediums may tend to bead or smear on glossy paper when wet, but a quick dry with an embossing gun can make a big difference. Alcohol inks and markers work well and dry quickly, and they also have some interesting properties on the glossy surface. Memento ink is compatible with the markers, and also does well on glossy cardstock. For stamped images not colored with alcohol markers, try Stazon, Brilliance, or chalk inks.

A: You can apply chalk directly to your card; for more vibrant color, it needs something to stick to on the surface of the card. I like to use Versamark ink, but I've seen water used as well. After applying chalk, use a spray fixative to keep it from smearing. Even aerosol hairspray will work.