all in an inch

Put a pocket in it!

This is a quirky little card that doesn't conform to any standard size - although it does fit into a regular size envelope - that kind of evolved in the making. The base of the card is simply a piece of textured red card stock cut 6" wide and 5 1/2" tall. Then scored at the halfway point so the finished base card measures 3" wide and 5 1/2" tall. 

If you look carefully you will see two of the new neutral squares - a wheat colored Twinchie Square with a dark cream Inchie + Square layered on top. You can just barely make out the stamping on the wheat Twinchie Square - it was done using Versamark ink to create a watermark effect with the Cedar stamp from Rubber Soul. The primary image is a Dove with Berries also from Rubber Soul. Stamp the bird using Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo black ink. Before coloring the image take a Copic marker (either C0 or E50 and draw an outline or halo all around the entire image. Color the bird with Prismacolor Crimson Lake and the berries with a combination of Limepeel and Kelly Green. (Tip: the reason that you use the Copic marker first is because you don't want to 'pick up' even the tiniest dot of color pencil pigment - it will be really hard to remove from the tip of the marker and will color everything from then on!)

The pattern papers are from Graphic 45 - what a wonderful collection that is just perfect for the holidays. Cut the largest piece 2 5/8" square (red one) and the next 2 3/8" (green one). Before you assemble the card take a color coordinating marker and gently 'edge' around the squares eliminating the white edges from your cutting. It also adds a slight bleed effect that is pleasing.

Assemble the card like a layer cake putting the piece closest to the card on first. Use a piece of foam tape when adding the Inchie + Square with the bird to give it an extra bit of dimension.

The pocket is really simple to create. Cut a piece of pattern paper measuring 3" wide by 5 1/2" tall. Score a line across - not quite in the middle - at 2 1/2" from one end. Then score along both long edges a line 1/4" from each edge. Cut the scored edges off the longer side - this becomes the side you glue to the card and you don't need the 'flaps'. Fold the short side up - this becomes the front of the pocket. Before you fold the flaps inwards and glue them to make the pocket use a circle punch on the front of the pocket. Also use a corner rounder on the side that sticks to the card. Then glue the flaps of the pocket down and then glue the entire pocket to the card.   

Once you create a pocket, make one or two more. That way you can quickly convert a card into a gift card holder - perfect for any last minute gift! Can you believe those wonderful kiosks at the grocery stores with tons and tons of gift cards!!  I admit, I grabbed a few yesterday myself!!

Happy Holidays to all, from everyone at Inchie Arts!

Silver, gray and blue

Some stamps are just perfect for embossing! This Solid Ornament stamp from Impress is also a perfect fit for the new Inchie + Squares that measure 1 1/2" square. This is a very simple and quick card to make especially if you need a card in a pinch.

First stamp a gray Inchie + Square from the assortment pack with any navy blue pigment ink. Sprinkle with clear embossing powder and heat set. Assemble the card using a gray Inchie Note (from the neutral's pack), a 3 1/4" square of coordinating patterned paper (this one is from the archives - an oldie but goodie from Memory Box) and a layering square of 2" solid white. Finish by adding a bit of silver metallic ribbon fashioned into a bow and a few dots of Glossy Accents on the ornament. The greetings sentiment is an old favorite from Rubber Moon stamped with black ink.  

Happy Holidays!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

I think just about every rubber stamp company has at one time or another created a snowman stamp! I love them all, and seem to have collected quite a few of them over the years. One of the challenges when stamping with a snowman is wondering how (if at all) you are supposed to color the snowman. I often say in my classes that we are all so accustomed to coloring within the lines (probably a leftover from grade school!) that it can be challenging to think about doing it differently.

Both of these cards were created with the exact same snowman, Small Frosty, from Impress Rubber Stamp Company. The important thing here is the two different techniques used and that they will work with just about any snowman you are likely to have in your collection. 

 

Stamp the snowman with Memento Tuxedo black ink 'diagonally' onto a white Inchie + Square. It is easiest if you ink the stamp first, place it face up on the desk and bring the 'front' side of the Inchie + Square down to the stamp. (this is the opposite from how you traditionally stamp) Then using two very light Copic markers color around the outside of the stamped image, off the edge, and don't forget the edges themselves! Color the top half with B000 and the bottom half with B60 overlapping repeatedly at about the mid point. These two colors are so similar in value and so light in color that the blending occurs with very little effort on your part. If you want to try your blending skills with slightly darker values in the same color range try B00 and BV00. Then gently dot with a white opaque pen to add the 'snow'. Create a frame by mounting the finished piece to a black Twinchie Square.

 

This next version takes a minute to figure out when you first look at it, but is really simple with just a few steps. First stamp a dark gray Twinchie Square with opaque white ink with a distinctive background stamp. This Large Ornate Background is also from Impress. Next stamp the snowman with Memento Tuxedo black directly on top of the background you just stamped (this is really just to get the arms of the snowman onto the background). At the same time stamp the snowman directly onto a separate piece of white cardstock and also onto a red solid cardstock that has a textured surface. First cut out the snowman that you stamped on the white cardstock and glue him into the spot where you stamped him onto the Twinchie Square. Then cut out just the scarf from the red cardstock and glue onto the snowman that is now on your square! As a finishing touch (although you can't see it in the photo) take a Stardust Gelly Roll pen and put some accent dots onto the white patterned background.  
  

If this is the first time you have seen our new Twinchie Squares and Inchie + Squares, scroll down a posting or two for more information. Check the stores list on inchiearts.com for where you may purchase everything or nudge your local craft store to get in touch with us.

  

 
  

Quick and easy photo cards with inchies

 

A wonderful thing to do at this time of year is visit your local garden center to see all the incredible holiday floral displays and decorations. I always take my camera and take LOADS of photos, and what a great place to 'practice' the close-up setting feature of your camera!

For those of you that know me, I used to teach a class called Photo Mosaics. It was a great way to use all the close-up floral photos that had been accumulating in a box. It finally dawned on me that this would be a very cool idea when adapted to Inchie Squares. This fabulous layout idea came from Cindy at Impress and I have adapted it to use with floral images - her card was way more clever and actually used photos of the family!

And, it couldn't be easier! You can either use a 7/8" punch and randomly punch out selections from one photo or cut a 7/8" strip from the photo (as I did here) and then cut it into 7/8" pieces. Simply glue each photo onto a black Inchie Square and arrange to make a pleasing design. 

 

 I love poinsettias! Still can't get over the fact that these are colored leaves vs. petals!

This card was created by cutting a 1-3/8" tall horizontal strip out of the photo. Then cut that strip into 3 pieces (that connect to each other) that are each 1-3/8". Glue the photo squares to our new black Inchie + Squares and reassemble to 'fit' back together. Despite the little black border and the space between the squares your eye will 'read' the photo as one image.

(hint: it's easier to place the center square first using a centering ruler, then the squares to the left and right)

Visit the home page of inchiearts.com for more information about our new products.

It's official! 3 sizes in 7 colors!!

Phew! It's official, we now have 3 different sizes of 'squares' available in 7 different colors! Twinchie Squares are 2" and Inchie + Squares are 1-1/2". If you look really closely at the sample cards in this photograph you might be able to pick out the three different sizes. The card in the very front even has two different sizes.

(images used in Holiday card collection: Impress Snowman, Impress Ornate Background, Memory Box Gift Penguin, Impress Ornament, Impression Obsession Small Poinsettia & Holly, Lockhart Vine Embellishment, Rubber Soul Dove with Berries, Rubber Soul Cedar Bough)

 

Now there is a perfect size and color for every project whether it be stamping and coloring, watercolor painting or even photo cards! Stay tuned over the next several days as we provide the details for how we made each one of the holiday cards in the top photo and be sure and visit the web site for a more detailed look at the new products.

 

 

Create a Snowflake Tree on a white Twinchie Square by first using Twinkling H20 watercolor paints blue ice and bougainvillea to create a shimmering two tone background. Then stamp with Lockhart Stamp Company Vine Embellishment and Savvy Stamps Let it Snow.  Snowflakes are punched using the Martha Stewart Snowflake Border punch and highlighted with a Stardust Sparkle pen.

 

    

Twinkling H20 paints are the most incredible medium to use - the way these two colors blended by letting the 'water' do the work are so reminiscent of a real snow sky!