Frequently asked questions.

  • It depends on what you want to do with the ink.

    See the information here.

  • Congratulations on taking up a great hobby! It can be a bit overwhelming deciding what to buy when you’re starting out but you don’t need all the things. There are some essential items that you will need.

    See the information here.

  • There are a lot of excellent inks out there, and you don’t need to stick with one brand. I am currently using a mix of Gina K Designs, Concord & 9th, Paper Rose Studio, and Ranger Distress Inks. In order to get more ink colours for my money, I buy ink cubes rather than the full-size ink pads.

  • There are many brands of die-cutting machines available. However, before buying, you need to decide whether you want an electric machine or a manual machine.

    I prefer to use a manual machine, and I currently use the Gina K Designs Intri-cut. I also have a Sizzix Big Shot. Both of these provide excellent results.

  • I use the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board. It’s a great tool and takes all the guesswork out.

  • The most budget-friendly medium for colouring on cards is coloured pencils. Again, the higher the cost, the better the quality. I recommend that you buy the best that you can afford. This will give you a better result.

  • My recommendation is to have white, clear, gold (there are various types; I have antique gold and rose gold), and silver. These are good to start with and the ones I use most often.

  • This is a personal choice. Having patterned paper allows you to make card backgrounds quickly, however, I prefer to create my own backgrounds using a variety of cardmaking techniques. Having said that, I do have a small amount of patterned paper in my stash in case I do need to create something quickly.

  • You will need:

    • watercolour paper; I recommend hot-pressed for cardmaking; 100% cotton if that is within your budget;

    • a couple of watercolour brushes and synthetic is fine; I recommend a size 8 and a size 2;

    • an inexpensive watercolour palette.

    You can always upgrade your supplies if you find that this is a medium you enjoy using. Unfortunately, with art supplies, the better the quality, the higher the cost.