all in an inch

One stamp; two completely different ways...

We are constantly creating samples to go out to the stores with our orders (perhaps you have seen some of them!) but it's a real effort to stop and take a photo for the files. Since we make so many sample cards it's fun to mix things up like these two completely different design solutions with the same stamp. 

The technique above can be called a 'puzzle' since you stamp across multiple squares with one image and then put them 'back together again' but with slight spacing. Begin by putting a couple of strips of removable adhesive such as Tombo Mono Removable and lay down 4 white Inchie Squares so they fit tightly together. Stamp the Rubber Soul Large Flower with black Memento ink. Dot inside of flower with Copic Marker and then color around outside of flower, almost to the edges, with the same marker. Don't color right up to the flower, leave some space so you can come back in with a blender pen or lighter color Copic to blend and create that 'halo' look around the edge of the flower. (click on the photo for a close up look of this) Don't forget to color the edges of the squares for that extra finish quality!

 

This next card utilizes the same stamp, but stamps off the edges on a white Twinchie Square. It is also colored with Copic markers with multiple colors and different degrees of color blending on each flower. 

We often leave off the sentiments on cards that 'go out the door' so that the stores can personalize them with their own greetings. This is also a good idea when making a batch of different cards from one stamp...leave off the sentiment until you need to use the card! 

 

A Valentine Memory Game - Part 2

 

Now that you have created 18 identical stamped Twinchie Squares (see previous posting) for one side of the Valentine Memory Game, the fun truly starts in trying to decide among all the potential options for the 9 pairs for the "matching" side. 

 

If you have ever worked with our Inchie Arts squares you know that they have the most incredible paper surface for watercoloring and any 'wet' media. The 'top' or 'pebbly' side acts as a very high end artist quality paper; many have even compared it's properties to hot press watercolor paper. That means it will hold an enormous amount of moisture without deteriorating.  

We LOVE Twinkling H20 shimmering watercolors and were very excited to learn about a new color assortment called Think Pink. Pictured here, the six new colors are in pairs of color families. Hopeful Honeysuckle and Dreams Bloom are peachy/pink. Courageous Rose and Luv U Pink are both true pinks. and Lucky Apple and Good News Green round out the six pack. Perfect for Valentines Day we used them to paint a Valentine Candy stamp.

Before any painting be sure and stamp the image with pigment ink, apply embossing powder (we use clear) and heat set. This creates a physical barrier between colors and also prevents the stamped ink from feathering.

If you have ever been in one of our watercolor classes you will understand the importance of the phrase, "more water". In order for watercolor paints to blend and create that blurring effect it is essential to first paint the desired area with water. This is what we are doing in this picture...and if you look really carefully you can spot this neat trick....we tinted this first coat of water with just a tad bit of pink so you can more easily see where you are applying it. You really don't have to have a puddle of water at the ready since the brushpen we are using contains all the water you will really need.  

Also at this time you want to make sure your paints are prepped and softened by adding a few drops of water (squeezed from the brushpen) directly into each pot of paint. 

  

Moving fairly quickly (before your water layer dries) pick up the desired color from the paint pot with the tip of the brushpen and begin 'dabbing' it into the desired area. Keep dabbing, and keep picking up paint until you like the results. Don't over paint as you want to see the effect of the 'watercolor' light and dark areas.

(another tip is to create a palette of paint colors on another white square so you can see how the colors look when dry)

 

Cleaning your brushpen between colors is really easy. All you need to do is swivel the tip of the brushpen repeatedly across a paper towel until it runs clear. If you have a lot of paint on your brush tip you may have to gently squeeze the brushpen to release a bit more water as you clean.

 

Continue this process with each area you wish to paint, first painting with water and then dabbing the selected color. We didn't blend colors since the painting spaces were small, but the principles are the same...you simply switch colors when 'dabbing' and watch the magic of the different colors as they merge.

 

We decided to create another pair for our Valentine Memory Game using the same Twinkling H20 colors, only this time we did blend the peach and pink colors inside this open heart stamp from Rubber Soul.   

 

Two more pairs were stamped with Momento Tuxedo Black ink and colored with Copic Markers.

The Peacock Feather was colored with RV 17 Deep Magenta, R27 Cadmium Red, R20 Blush, G40 Dim Green and YG91 Putty.

The Flowery Heart with Swirls was colored with R27 Cadmium Red, V05 Marigold, RV02 Sugared Almond Pink, YG01 Green Bice, YG63 Pea Green and YG95 Pale Olive. 

 

These were our favorites! Especially since we got to eat them after we took the pictures!!  1-7/8" leaves a perfect 1/16" border all the way around when you paste them down. Just remember to trim two photos at a time so you will have an identical pair.

 

The square on the left was created using individual alpha letter stamps with red pigment ink. The dots were made with Copic Marker RV21 Light Pink.

On the center square, two pattern papers were used; one trimmed to a 1-7/8" square and the other with a heart shaped paper punch.

Create your own plaid background for the square on the right...draw edge to edge lines in one direction with Copic Markers R20 Blush and then V12 Pale Lilac in a perpendicular direction. Stamp over this background with a variety of valentine sentiments.

 

Remember how to play the Memory Game? Turn over two at a time. If they don't match turn them back over. Keep doing this until you find a match. When they match, leave them face up....

 

until you have matched them all!!

Happy Valentines Day

First Valentine

crisp and contemporary

Using the pen and coloring technique from the last posting we thought it would be fun to try a valentine by using appropriate colors and 'drawing in' a tiny heart. This technique is highly addictive, but relaxing at the same time...we can't stop making them!!!!

 

 

Since we knew it was going to be a valentine we picked the colors before we even started the pen work. If you are using multiple colors in a project it's often helpful to create a tiny palette made of the same material as your project (in this case a white Twinchie Square). Not only can you use it to test and select which colors to use, but once you decide on colors it is a handy reference to remember which marker is which color as you work on the project. Be sure and use the pointed tip end of the Copic markers when coloring small spaces like these and color on the 'top' side (the side with the more textured surface and rounded edges) of the squares for the best results. 

(for more information about coloring on the 'top' side refer to a posting called Frequently Asked Questions from June 2010)  

 

 

The key to this technique is drawing one continuous line that connects back to the original starting point. The fun is coloring, because you really have no idea how it's going to turn out until you fill the spaces your pen has created! The pen work goes so fast it's easy to make several white Twinchie (2") Squares at a time.

 

 

After coloring, give the heart a little extra emphasis by applying Glossy Accents by Inkssentials. It's a clear liquid that dries leaving a hard, shiny 3D finish. It's tempting to check to see if it's dry, but resist the urge to touch it until completely clear and hard.

(An easy way to check for dryness is to take a piece of scratch paper and apply a drop about the same size as on your work - you can check this for dryness instead of touching your finished piece)

 

 
with a feminine touch

Creating these 'art' twinchies also gives you an opportunity to experiment with the card components. For each of the four finished pieces we created 4 completely different cards.

 

 
clean and simple

 

 
a bit more masculine

Looking at the calendar I guess Valentines Day is only a little more than 3 weeks away!!

(Mix and match valentine sentiments...Love, be my valentine and Queen of Hearts from the Lockhart Stamp Company and valentine wishes from Savvy Stamps)

Happy New Year!

 

Not only for the year...but think of all the ways you can use numbers on individual Inchie Squares! Special occasion dates, reasons to do something, number of ways that you love someone....all quick solutions for a fun card.

 Technically, there is quite a bit going on with this card, but in reality it's pretty simple to create. The concept that drove the design was to utilize the same background for both the card and the Inchie Squares. 

 

 

A really easy way to get one continuous background for a card is to use one of the Mega Mount patterns from Impression Obsession stamps. Several different patterns are available, this one is called, Cover-a-card Vines. The 'stamp' is cling rubber that adheres to a curved acrylic mounting block insuring complete coverage over a large area.

 

 

Using an ink color that is just a tad darker than the card stock keeps the overall image somewhat subtle - perfect for a background effect. We used a Pear colored pigment ink from Fresh Ink.    

 

 

Clean the stamp and re-ink it with a soft, light gray (Provincial Gray) and stamp across four white Inchie Squares. We used a bit of Tombo Mono Removable Adhesive under the squares to make sure they stayed put while stamping. 

 

 

Certainly one of our favorite alphabet/letter stamp sets is from the folks who make the Magnetic Poetry sets. Each letter is mounted with it's own little 'stem handle' making it really easy to use, clean and store.

 

 

 

After stamping each Inchie Square with the appropriate number ( French Lavender pigment ink) quickly coat with clear embossing powder. It's worth investing in a large jar of clear powder and keeping it in a plastic container. It's SO MUCH EASIER to use a pair of reversable tweezers and DIP, rather than constantly cleaning up sprinkled powder! The color of the numbers really comes out when you heat set, and they match perfectly the little purple flowers in the background paper.

Finish the card with a sentiment of your choice - we used one from the Holiday Sayings set from Hero Arts.

Happy New Year!!

Winter Wishes from Fred P. Bear

 

 
It's often difficult to visualize the possibilities of our dark gray squares...available in all 3 sizes...and we find they are easily overlooked. But there is real magic to be had, especially when working with stamps that beg for white ink and the magic of embossing powder.

 

 
The magic begins by stamping the birch trees, from Savvy Stamps, in white pigment ink (we used Fresh Ink) on the 2" dark gray Twinchie Squares. Remember, use pigment ink with embossing powder, it's thicker, stickier and more opaque than dye based ink and consequently slower to dry - which isn't an issue when embossing since you will be heat setting/drying after stamping. You will need to stamp the trees twice to attain the forest look...stamp the first time slightly off center and then come back a second time to fill in the blank.

 

 
After stamping you want to quickly cover the stamped image with a generous amount of embossing powder. White Diamond by JudiKins contains not only a white embossing powder, but micro glitter, giving a perfect sparkle! Tamp off the excess, use a knife or paint brush to sweep away any extra powder dots that adhere to the non inked areas and then heat set. 

 

 
We stamped two Twinchie Squares to show the difference, with, and without the embossing powder. The one on the left was just stamped with just white ink, while the one on the right was stamped and then covered with the embossing powder. The embossed version is definitely brighter and although it's hard to see in the photo, does have a significant sparkle from the glitter.   

 

 

Stamp Fred P. Bear, from Memory Box, on white card stock and color with Copic Markers. Be sure and use a light hand and the pointed tip to color the scarf with R29 and then using C1 Cool gray #1 just inside the black line. When you cut out the bear, leave a little white space - don't cut exactly to the black line. 

 

 
'Float' the bear in front of the trees by using bits of foam tape. (PS - we buy ours in HUGE rolls from the hardware store!) Finish with a Winter Wishes greeting from Rubbermoon stamps. 

Merry...merry !!

  

Upcoming classes and some fun stamping techniques

 Learn about combining pigment ink and Twinkling H2O watercolor paint

If you live in the Pacific Northwest we hope you will be able to join us for our holiday classes. We will be creating cards with a variety of stamped images and coloring techniques.

Saturday November 20 - Impress, Tukwila - 11:00 - 1:00

Saturday December 4 - Impress, Bellevue Square - 11:00 - 1:00

Sunday December 5 - Art N Soul, Lacey - 1:00 - 3:00

Tuesday December 7 - Impress, University Village - 6:30 - 8:30

 (snowflake stamp from Savvy Stamps on a white Twinchie Square)

JustRite Challenge card sample - poinsettia

 
You know those wonderful exotic papers that are displayed hanging on horizontal rods or in huge flat file drawers? Kind of like sweets...when you see one you you really like, you have to have it. So, we buy them and carefully set them aside for another day. The day before Sharon sent the challenge sketch we happened to be browsing through the 'special paper' collection and stumbled upon this wonderful Firenze paper from Italy. We knew instantly that it had to be a component of the card we were going to create. It's hard to see in the photo but all the little curly lines are shimmery metallic gold - the paper practically glows!

 

 

Next step was to find other papers with matching or similar colors. As you go through the 'finding process' don't edit...not yet. Simply collect as many options as possible - no matter the patterns - just the color relationships. Then cull them down to the number of layers in the card sketch. While there are a complete total of 9 layers; we didn't count the flower...or the 2 ivory Inchie + and Twinchie Squares. That left us with 6 different papers. It's not the easiest or most natural thing to mix and match different colors and patterns but throw caution to the wind and go for it - you might be pleasantly surprised.

Following the sketch, (scroll down to see it in the next posting) simply cut and paste all the card components like a layer cake. Starting with the card base and layering up from there.

  

 

JustRite has created a line of 2" square stamp sets of borders and centers that can be mixed and matched for a perfect fit with our 1 1/2" Inchie + Squares and 2" Twinchie Squares. With the focus of our card being pink and green, the poinsettia from the Hearts Come Home set was a natural for the center image and we chose the border Winter Wishes script from the From Our House set. When you see these two sets you will realize the endless possibilities for mixing and matching.  

 

Even with a clear stamp base it can sometimes be hard to get such a close fitting image perfectly 'squared' when stamping. One thing that works well is to turn things round...by inking the stamp and turning it face up. Bring the Twinchie Square to the stamp. While holding the square 'find' the edge of the stamp and gently lower the square to 'fit' the surface of the stamp. 

 

 

Alternatively, centering the poinsettia stamp in the middle of the square couldn't be easier. You can see right through the clear stamp block as you stamp it on the Inchie + Square.

 

 

Using Copic markers, color the center poinsettia square, leaving the area around the flower blank to show just the ivory of the square.

 

 

A few little embellishments provide the finishing touches....gold gel pen for the poinsettia center and swirly lines, 4 very pale pink pearls on the corners of the ivory Twinchie Square and of course the wonderful pink flower from Mulberry Street and Petaloo.  

Be sure and enter your card! You have until next Thursday November 4th at 9am. Check out the JustRite blog for all the entry and prize details.   

Where to find some wonderful papers? If you live in the PNW be sure and visit Stampadoodlein Bellingham, WA to see not only their incredible selection of stamps and stamping supplies, but their amazing collection of handmade and specialty papers for book arts. 

A spider twinchie

 
A really easy way to transform an ivory Twinchie Square is to sponge dab all around the edges with four different ink colors.  (A special thanks to Susan Roberts at Rainy Day Creations for this insipiration!) We used disposable makeup sponges and Fresh Ink pigment inks in Harvest, Honey, Fig and Black Tea (left to right). Be sure and leave the middle open for your stamped image. Our spider is part of a Clearly Wordsworth Ghostie set from Rubber Soul.

 

 
The card stock is from Memory Box ( jack o lantern) as is the pattern paper with the spooky trees (blackbird)...and the background paper is from the Morroco Journey collection from 7 gypsies.

Happy Halloween!!

  

As of today...it's officially 'fall'

As we do occasionally, we wanted to share some of the new card samples that are going out with store orders. All three were made with different Inchie Square colors - non of them white! And...all three of these cards are from the fall color assortment pack of Inchie Notes.

There are just a few seasons...or holidays...that you can instantly comprehend just by the use of color....and fall is one of them. It's an instant switch from summer brights to rich emotive colors.

The color palette of rich earth tones is a perfect compliment for using neutral color Inchie Squares. This card starts by laying down 4 dark cream Inchie Squares snug up against each other and then stamping. With so much stamping (all the little acorns!) it's always a good idea to anchor the squares on a sheet of scrap paper with non permanent adhesive (we like the Tombo Mono REMOVABLE in the green dispenser). The acorn stamp, from Rosies Roadshow is really tiny so take your time as you stamp with VersaMark ink to achieve a watermark look as a background. The wreath stamp from Memory Box continues to be a favorite because it is so indicative of this time of year - go ahead and stamp it across all 4 squares with black dye based ink. Color the oak leaves in the wreath by first coloring every other leaf with Copic markers YR14 Caramel and YR24 Pale Sepia. Then go back over these colors touching the tips of each knob of the leaf with E09 Burnt Sienna and use YG63 Pea Green to draw over the vein line on each leaf. A finishing touch is added by using a Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen over the outside edges of each leaf. You can click on the photos and see a larger version for a close-up view.

(note: if you want to see a photo of these Copic marker colors just scroll down two postings - guess they are our new favorites!)

 
Local farmer's markets are just starting to bring in late summer squashes and pumpkins. Don't forget to take your camera for some close-up photos. They are perfect for creating easy photo cards like this one. They key is to use a 7/8" punch. (tip: remember to turn your punch upside down so you can move around the 'window' and select exacty what part of the photo you want to punch) Then glue each photo square to a black Inchie Square and arrange in a pleasing manner. You can use this technique for many more than just 4 squares too!! Finding papers that coordinate with the colors in your photos does make a difference - but remember, it's the simple images that want to be the star of the show on this card.

 

I know, I know...the pumpkins don't fit perfectly onto the squares...but that's OK!! In fact sometimes it makes it more interesting to have part of the image falling off the edge. Nothing evokes fall more than pumpkins, and since we haven't made the leap yet to Halloween, we are referring to the lovely ones you find in the farmers markets and at the state fair! 

There are not a lot of images that work well across 3 Inchie Squares, but this stamp, 3 Pumpkins, from the Lockhart Stamp Company is just right. It's your decision if you want to anchor the squares with removable adheasive while stamping, but since this is just one impression, you don't really need to. Again, it's all about color and while it may be a little hard to see in the photo we used ivory Inchie squares instead of white because the softness of the ivory coordinates so much better with the other color components of the card. Again, we used those same 3 copic markers; first color the pumpkin all over with YR24 Pale Sienna, then YR14 Caramel at the top, bottom and sides (remember your junior high art lessons on 'shading a round object') and finishing at the top and bottom with the darkest one E09 Burnt Sienna. If you want you can go back over everything with the lightest color, YR24 Pale Sepia and blend. The sentiment is one of the wonderful calligraphy words by Gretchen Ehrsam for Rubbermoon.

How come this season gets two names.....fall....and autumn?! Hmmmm?

Photo transfers with Twinchie Squares!

Recently, one of the members of our design team (Kimmie) was tinkering with photo transfers and we asked her if she had tried it with Twinchie Squares. The results are amazing and you have to visit her blog, Art In Red Wagons, to see for yourself.

Not only that, but scroll down through the postings and she explains everything step by step. 

We continue to be amazed at the variety of papercrafting projects that can be created with Inchie Arts squares - just think of all the possibilities with this technique - scrapbook pages, cards, holiday projects, collage boards, journals. And experimenting with the different sizes and colors!! 

Thank you Kimmie for your wonderful inspiration!