A: Hot press watercolor paper is best suited for stamping because it has a smooth finish (think of an iron as a literal hot press, smoothing wrinkles). Quality and results will vary depending on the brand of paper as well as the cotton content. Don't start off with cheap paper just because you are a beginner - you will only be frustrated with the results! I use Fabriano Studio hot press paper for my cardmaking, in the 140# weight. I buy the biggest pad of 11" x 14" paper which is 75 sheets - I can make 450 card fronts from that amount (from the long side, cut at 4 1/4" and 8 1/2", and cut those strips in half to make four A2 panels. The remaining strip is 5 1/2" wide, and you can cut it into two square panels, or cut two A2 panels and have a little extra piece for sentiments. Inks: for watercoloring I use Versafine Clair or a hybrid ink - anything that doesn't react with water will be fine.

A: I have used hybrid inks on fabric - they are waterproof and dry quickly (the ones I have are from Impression Obsession; many of the small company branded inks have the same formula). Versacraft ink by Tsukineko can also be heat set for permanence on fabric (it was originally called Fabrico ink). Stazon and archival inks should work too. You might also look into a product called Terial Magic Fabric Spray - it is sprayed onto fabric to stiffen it like paper, and it washes out after you've done your printing or stitching.

A: It is a little hard to show that narrow edge clearly on a video, so maybe that's why...? but yes, the foam tape is visible from the sides. You can use an alcohol marker to color the side of the tape if you're using colors that contrast with the white foam on the edge. If I'm making a die cut shaker element, I'll use colored craft foam sheets to match my cardstock. I hope that helps!

A: From what I have read, it is the pigment of colored embossing powders that may react with the alcohol, rather than the plastic. Next time you could try stamping with black pigment ink and then embossing with clear powder if you find the raised outline helps your coloring. Another great alternative is to stamp the image in dye ink using a stamp positioner. Leave the stamp in place, color the image, then return the panel to the stamp positioner and stamp and emboss after coloring.

A: I am a big fan of the Fabriano Black Black paper pad, and it is the darkest black cardstock I have found. According to their site, "This paper is characterized by a very deep black colour due to the high quality and lightfast pigments used for its production." It comes in a range of sizes, and they offer weights from 300-680 gsm. I've purchased the 300 gsm weight in 8"x8" and 9"x12" pads of 20 sheets each. Other member favorites come from Gina K and Hero Arts.