Tip or tip-in means to attach an item such as a letter or an illustration into a bound book by applying a narrow line of adhesive on one of its edges. A tip-in in altered books lingo is a page or set of pages that is made outside a book, and glued or attached into [...]

If you’re an avid paper crafter, buy several pairs of scissors. Decide which scissors will accomplish what tasks and use them for only those purposes. Keep your detail scissors sharp and clean, and don’t be tempted to just grab them and cut something gunky. For a peek at the scissors and other cutting implements I [...]

Need an inexpensive paint palette for craft acrylics? Try using an old magazine with glossy pages. Glossy paper will resist absorbing the paint, and it will simply dry on the surface without sinking in. Next time you want to paint, just flip the page of the magazine, and you’ll have a fresh palette. No clean [...]

To get the clearest image when working with photo-realistic rubber stamps, choose a dye ink that’s not too wet. Pigment inks are usually too thick for this type of stamp, and will muddy the details. Try this article for more about stamping with photo-realistic stamps.

For long life and best ink flow, store gel pens tip down. Gravity will pull the ink down into the tip, which will encourage a smoother flow. If your ink seems to skip a bit, or stop all together, just re-cap the pen and firmly tap it on your work table. Do not try to [...]

An angel policy defines the parameters of a company’s permission for use of their images by a consumer. Most paper and rubber stamp companies have angel policies that discuss the use of items in handmade work for sale. Before you start making multiple items, or consider selling your work, check the angel policy of the [...]

If your paper punch seems to be sticking, try punching through waxed paper a couple of times. The wax will help lubricate the punch.

Store your dye ink pads level and upside down. This prevents uneven ink distribution and keeps the surface fully inked.

Protect valuable vintage tintypes and cabinet cards by making faux versions to use in your altered book or collage projects. Here are two lessons to help you make fabulous fakes: How To Make Faux Tintypes Faux Cabinet Cards

If you are scanning or photographing your work, do it before you spray it with sealer. Even matte sealer gives a light shine that will be picked up by your scanner or camera.

Make your own embossing fluid from one part glycerin (available at most drug stores) and one part water. If your embossing pad is dried out, this mixture can be used to juice it up again, or you can use a blank pad to create your own. Simply apply this mixture to the pad with a [...]

To give your paper an aged look, use tea. Make a strong cup of tea, letting the bag steep for ten minutes. Let it cool. Squeeze the excess liquid from the bag, and use it as a daubber to apply the tea stain to your paper. Varying the steeping time or the type of tea [...]

Make your own shadow stamps by cutting a piece of fun foam to the size and shape you desire. Use decorative scissors to create interesting edges. Mount the foam to a wood block, or use your favorite temporary mounting system.

Want to get a vintage look from your very modern-looking scrapbook papers? There are a variety of simple techniques you can use to give them an aged or distressed look. Read through Techniques for Aging Paper for nine quick suggestions, using items you probably already have around the house.

When it comes to cleaning rubber stamps, it helps to learn the difference between clean and stain-free. Some types of ink will stain the rubber part of your stamp. Just clean the stamp as completely as possible and don’t worry if a stain remains. It won’t affect the stamping quality of your stamp, and it [...]

Make your own creative envelopes out of magazine ads, wallpaper, junk mail—just about anything you have laying around. To create an envelope template, simply open up an envelope that’s the size you desire, and trace around it on a piece of cardboard.

If you’re photographing your work, try not to use a flash. Unless you have a great photo setup, flash will usually create hot spots and hard shadows. Try shooting in natural light instead. Take your project outside on an overcast day, or after the sun goes down, before it gets dark. I’ve also had good [...]

When working with gel pens, remember that gel ink takes slightly longer to dry than other types of ink. Make absolutely sure your ink is dry before handling your work. On the plus side, once gel ink is dry, it’s generally permanent.

Are your paper punches getting dull? Try punching through a couple of layers of aluminum foil to sharpen them. Punch through the foil a few times, and then try your paper again. For more on paper punches, try Paper Punch Tips.

Always use as little liquid glue as possible to get the job done. Too much glue will always cause you some sort of problem like oozing or paper buckling. When it comes to liquid glues, remember that less is more. For more glue advice, check out Which Glue Should I Use?.