Frequently Asked Questions.
I regularly get alot of e-mails and private messages on my social media accounts asking me about various things within my design stuff. Which I absolutely love to receive and I thought it would be a nice thing to put some of these questions up on here. Before I begin, I will remind you everything here is my own personal view, I am not an expert (something’s maybe) but I do have extensive knowledge of some areas and it is nice to share! Crafting and Sticker/Planning FAQS below, I have tried to group them together with Crafts at the top and Planning/Stickers towards the bottom.
What is your current favourite colour combo?
I have a weakness for girly colours! even though I’m not a girly girl (had you not guessed from my site… OK well, just a little maybe? Right this moment I love the combo white, black and a pop of colour it’s just one of those combo’s I can really work well with!
Why do you scrapbook and how did you get started?
I scrapbook to preserve memories for my future I strongly believe in leaving something to show my footprints about my time and life! Up until the end of 2013, I didn’t know much about one of my parents which ultimately left me asking a lot of questions about where I was from! So to me, that’s important to be able to finally create and show where I’m going ;)! I got started really from lots of inspiration from blog-land and the many scrappers in the US, scrapping isn’t really big in the UK which is sad really as I think it’s a lovely way to preserve memories! – This was until I found planning and the whole world of memory planning.
What is your favourite Craft Stamp?
Well… that’s a tough choice because I have so many wonderful stamps and it would have been easier to say what is my favourite stamp brand (which is Penny Black!!) hehe, but my favourite stamp out of my whole collection would have to be The Cats from Penny Black there so darn cute!
I’m really into background stamps to I love how these really bring your cards and creations to life! I also have a weakness for Stampin’ Bella!
What is your favourite card-making supply?
Without a doubt, it has to be paper! all the wonderful designs that you can get these days I find myself oohing and awwing at them some I even buy because I like and I’ll never use because I think they’re too nice too!
My man tells me off as my studio is like a rainforest of paper! (Think that’s his way of telling me I have too much!)
Why do you make cards and how did you get started?
I started Card Making when I was 15 years old, that’s ooo so long ago! and the main reason was that I used to go into shops and could never find the right card that had the right saying for that occasion I was buying for so one day I thought oh I could make my own! so I did!!!
Who inspires me?
There are so many wonderfully talented people out in the world within card making and scrapbooking, though who inspire me…. well…
Natalie from NGCards her cards are beautiful, she’s soooooo talented, I’ve also followed her blog since around 2009!
Michelle from mish mash is truly talented I love her altered things!
To be honest so many people inspire me I can’t possibly list them all!! They are the people who inspire me craft-wise, if you’re a regular reader you’ll soon find I am inspired by all things and people in life!
What is your favourite thing about Crafting?
I’ve never thought of myself as being crafty mainly because I dropped art when I was at school I couldn’t paint, couldn’t draw or anything but ever since I started Card making and scrapping I’ve discovered a new creative talent which I never thought I had. And I discovered I really can draw and paint!!!
Scrapbooking has also made me a better photographer. Paying attention to the small details and focusing on precious moments are all part of the reason why I love to Craft!
What Type of card do you use to stamp your images on and which ink do you use?
I used to use create & crafts 300gsm card which is £4 for 75 sheets at any local Wilko’s store but recently I’ve been keener to use Neenah smooth classic card.
For me personally, I’ve always used Memento Black for Promarkers/Copics and Prisma’s it doesn’t bleed when you use alcohol-based markers, for water colouring and distress inks I always use Stazon please be aware, if you use stazon and alcohol inks it will run!.
What Paper do I use for water colouring and distress markers?
I Use Langton 300gsm Hot Pressed super smooth it’s my absolute favourite!
What do you use to blend Prisma Pencils or Polychromos with?
I use Sansodor mainly because it’s easier for me to pick up out and about and the bottle is larger and cheaper but also I use Karrs odourless mineral spirits along with Paper stumps.
How do you get a smooth effect when colouring?
I tend to keep blending all my Prisma colours until all the pencil lines have gone, you can achieve this by little circles and when you hear that scratching noise, you need more spirit!
How long does it take to colour an image and how do you know where to do the shading?
Well that all really depends on the image and what mediums I use, Promarkers and Copics are far quicker and I spent roughly 15-25 mins, Prisma’s take longer because of the blending process and distress inks between 40-45 mins, but I love it and think it’s one of the best parts for me! I don’t know where the shading goes!! haha no seriously you need to figure out where your light is going to come from and then work out where the shadows would be cast. It’s something that just comes with practice.
How many stamps do you have?
I erm… lost count at 1,000! I collect various different stamps and collections if you’re a regular at my blog you’ll know by now my favs are Magnolia!!!
Can I case your design?
I would rather you emailed me first before you did as there are some designs that have been created for reasons but I wouldn’t imagine it to be a problem, but please respect me and my work and do not copy it outright! it’s lovely that you’d take inspiration from my work and turn it into art yourself but please give credit on your blog etc that you have had the idea from me. I would also like to note that I do not wish my designs to be copied to be entered into competitions/blog challenges and so forth.
What glue do you use?
I used to use collall photo glue, it’s fab for putting papers to things and giving you time to adjust! but!!! and a big but too! I found that leave your card a month and it’d fall apart 🙁 shocking!!! The glue drys out and is no good! So now I use UHU glue recommended to me by my bloggy friend Sheryl.
What Planners do you use?
I used to have Erin Condren’s Vertical Planners but since the BLM Movement and the choices, EC herself made I decided not to support in buying from her further. So now I use an A5 Wide Aura Estelle Cloud with Aura Estelle Inserts, along with a Passion Planner A5 and a daily for 2021 memory keeping.
Through 2020 I’ve used an A5 Hobonichi Cousin for daily memories however since August I’ve struggled to keep up with this.
I have over em 30 different planners in my studio which I delve into and out of quite regular.
Where do I get my stickers from?
A lot of my stickers are actually from Your World Of Colour. But with that said my favourite Etsy shop is Linouspots which I also PR for, I adore those beautiful hand-painted illustrations from Line and I also happen to be on the PR team so check the home page for discount codes. I purchase 99% of my planner stickers from a number of shops all over the globe.
What Sticker Paper do you use in your shop?
Haha! This is a question I actually must get an e-mail, DM or message about at least once a week. It’s a question that I will simply never answer, why? Every Etsy seller has had to start from the ground upward and just like me, everyone has had to research and find suppliers, I will be very, very surprised if any sticker shop owner will ever tell you their supplier or where their sticker paper is from. Sorry! Top secret!
Do you use glossy or Matt stickers?
Both. To be honest I am not a fan of glossy stickers, simply because there are so many naff glossy papers out there (I’ve even had a batch myself). But also dependent on what pen you use, they ruin them. The ONLY store I have successfully ever used glossy stickers from and they have never destroyed my pens and actually are quality is from Lucinda Charlotte on Etsy but unfortunately, she ceased trading about awhile ago now.
Matt, however, I have premium white as standard in my store and that’s what I mainly use. I don’t really like this new vinyl matt it for one smells horrible and two it’s like rubber – not my thing.
I hope these are some help to you!!
I’ll be updating this section as and when!!!
