Each month we will send a specially chosen gift to the sender of our favourite one - please ensure you send us your contact details if you would like the chance to win a great gift; we will only add your name (and home town or city if you wish) to your top tip . . .

I think one of the best tips I can share with you is to: keep a "craft notebook" beside your bed to write down any card and project ideas you may have (this is when I have some of my most creative ideas!) Happy Crafting from Kirsten x

Make extra cards without sayings/greetings, then when you need a card in a hurry for a birthday or any occasion just add the appropriate words - from Anne in Chester

If you have any ink pads that aren't so juicy anymore, then store them upside down - from J. Coltrane

If you have lots of stamps, then stamp each design onto a notebook, to create your own stamp catalogue; you could even make your own craft notebook for this! - from Mrs. P. Smith

When I've ran out of low tack masking tape, I've used normal masking tape and took some of the "sticky" by patting it on the back of hand - from Tracy in Manchester

I have a bits 'n' bobs box where I keep all of my scrap bits of paper, I then use these when I need to punch out shapes for embellishments and I use them to make ATCs - from Margaret in Fife

I love to keep my scrap paper for punching too; my top tip is to put my punch outs in plastic self seal bags, I keep different types in different bags e.g. flowers, butterflies etc. (or you could store them in bags of colour) I write on the bags what they are.  When I want special punch outs, I do use Kirsten Lapping Designs Enchanted Embossing Powder, if you use a pigment ink or Versamark and press the pad onto paper, then you've made a base when it's heated with the powder on (I use 1 or 2 layers depending on the effect I want), I've got some lovely silver punch outs and I've used the clear one to make a glaze on my papers, then punched them out -gorgeous!!  I'm going to treat myself to gold and copper next:) from Karen in Norfolk

 When threading beads for jewellery making or adding that special touch to your cardmaking, then add a bit of glue or clear nail varnish to the end of the thread or cord, once dry this will make threading so much easier.  Ann Jones in Kent

I don't know if anyone else has done this lol, but I've made some lovely cards (in a hurry), only to see that I've made it upside down; so I've cut it down the fold. I've then put this onto a larger card - hey presto a fab big card and an extra bit of card to use in my next project!!! Jaz

 When I make a card or scrap book page using stamps, I always stamp each one a couple of times extra, then I put them in my "TV box".  When I've finished my project I can relax in front of the TV, with my ready to colour and cut stamped images, for my next project.  M. Strong

Use old ink pads to edge your matting and layering (papers and cards).  Heather from Preston

I laminate sheets of card and store my unmounted rubber stamps on them once they have been sprayed with adhesive each folder is named, e.g. fairies and flowers, sol all my fairy and flower stamps would go in that one, you can flick through the ringed pages and see at a glance what stamp you require.  From Sharon

If you're like me, you will have too many cards for self use and will have many cards for charity, I still support my charities with cards, but now I also make up sets of mixed cards which I give to family members for Christmas saying on the box that the gift is actually a year long present and that I am available to make them a further 6 cards of their choosing.  I also give them for every occasion (e.g. Valentine's Day, Easter etc.) cards for them to send out to people they want to send a card to).  From Sharon

When you make wedding invitations, write the host's return address on the back flap of the envelope; then you'll know it was delivered (as it would be returned if not).  Mrs. Carr

If you have to post a lot of your invitations, think about the size and weight of your invitation before you make them, check with the post office for their new dimensions.  Mrs. Carr

Stick to a couple of colours at the most for wedding invitations, place settings etc. the colour of the bouquet is a nice idea.  It's a great idea to start a "production line" doing one part in batches, you'll be surprised how quick you make a lot (especially if you have a helping hand, each person doing one part: many hands make light work).  Mrs. Carr

 To create the look of stitching, use a gel pen such as Sakura and do dots and dashes/lines, light coloured pen looks especially good on a dark coloured card base.  Emma from Hunstanton.

To make a great stamped image, decoupage or other main feature for a card stand out, matt and layer the image.  This is done by using a piece of card (or paper) larger than the image to frame it, this can be any shape that suits (rectangles are most popular), this is then stuck to a piece of card the same shape but slightly larger, you can have as many layers as you want, this then goes on your card.  You can do this in reverse after measuring first (the largest piece of card on the base card then the next size and so on).  Katy from Blackpool

To save on postage matt and layer with paper to save on postage.  Katy from Blackpool

I find most people are put off stamping as their image doesn't come out very well.  If you have a cupboard full of stamps just waiting to be used or if you are just starting stamping then try these:  place your stamp (wood mounted or acrylic stamp on an acrylic block) on a flat surface; take the ink pad to the stamp and pat gently across making sure it is all covered; hold the block in one hand or in both for a larger stamp; turn it over and hold above the card you are stamping on, place/press onto the card keeping one hand holding the stamp in place and pressing over the area where the stamp image is with your other hand, be careful not to move or rock the stamp, then directly lift the stamp.  It is always best to practice on scrap card or paper; I also  stamp onto card which I cut out and not onto the card base, just in case!  Ms. Payne from Northumberland

I keep a bin and a plastic box with a lid or shoebox near you when you craft, you'll be amazed at how many scrap bits can be re-used and if you really have to throw something away the bin is always near too.  Guess which one I normally fill! Lol.  Mel in sunny Stoke

Why not add a modern twist to your cards and recycle; if you need backing papers, open your mail carefully and use the inside of some of your envelopes, also paper bags have some great patterns too.  If you receive cards that you don't want to keep, then see if you can take any beads or ribbons off and add them to your next project.  Ms. Hilton 

When I make a card using my stamps I like to stamp a few extras, so that I can use them at a later date.  I stamp the same design a few times, I use a baby wipe to take off a colour when I change colours.  If I've used acrylic stamps I give them a wash at the end of the session.  Jane from Gateshead.

I love scrapbooking, I like to choose my main photo and from there I pick the colour of my paper and card to matt and layer, I like to match the embellishments too.  I try to stick to just a couple of colours, ones that work well together.  I do this if I make a card too, I pick the colours from the main image I use.  Louise.

I use the colour swatches you can pick up from B & Q's paint section, these are great for working out colour schemes.  Brenda from Devon.

You can make tags, from the aperture cut outs or these can be used for matting and layering.  To add a bit of extra colour chalk or ink the edges.  John from Torquay.

To make your own card blanks, use a scoring board and score your card where you would like a fold, use a embossing tool or bone folder.  On the card, the scored line that dips in is known as the valley on the other side where it is raised is the mountain.  If you press against the mountain it is harder to fold and on some card such as metallic, glossy etc. it can tear; so it is easier to fold against the valley.  Use a bone folder (you can use scissor handles or similar if needs must) to create a crisp clean fold.  If you don't have a scoring board then you can mark lightly with a pencil, where you would like your folds to be, then place a metal ruler where you wish the fold to be and score a line.  M. Jones Northumberland.

Some of the most popular sizes for cards are: C7 which is A6 folded, C6 which is A5 folded, C5 which is A4 folded and C4 which is A3 folded.  Hope this helps, especially for those who will be folding their own card.  M. Jones Northumberland.

I just adore vellum and papers, so to stop them from being ruined I store them in an A4 ring binder, with each stored in a plastic pocket.  I have so many that I label the outside of my ring binders for easy access.  If like me you really do have a lot, you could label each plastic insert and put an index in the front of what delights are stored inside.  Irene from Doncaster.

If you ever have creative block, then if you have folders with all of your favourite projects in you can flick through for inspiration; I have photocopies from craft magazines, I print ones from websites and I have leaflets from Hobbycraft too.  These can be labelled inside and out for easy reference.  Irene from Doncaster.

For all those who are interested in ATCs they are always 2 and a half inches by 3 and a half inches, these are traded never sold, they can be given as a "Random Act of Kindness" - R.A.K. (given without trading).  There is more information on the "ATCs tell me more page . . ." we will also be adding details of a fabulous R.A.K. ATC Challenge which you can get involved with.  Happy crafting from Kirsten x

Thank you to Mrs. P. Smith for top tip, we have sent you Clearly Magic, acetate wraps and a box of specialist cards - happy crafting x

Thank you to Ms. Hilton for top tip, we love your recycling tip, we have sent you Clearly Magic and a gorgeous Oriental wood mounted stamp - happy crafting x

Thank you to M. Jones from Northumberland for her top tip, we have sent Aventurine Green Enchanted Dust, Clear Flower Embellishments and acetate wraps with gold foil greetings.