all in an inch

Hydrangea 3 ways...

Hydrangeas are one of my most favorite flowers, and this stamp (from Stampendous) is perfect to demonstrate different media applications and coloring techniques on 3 different sizes of white ART SQUARES.

To create this "puzzle" technique first stamp the flower across 4 white 1-1/2" Inchie + Squares. Anchor the squares together on scratch paper with a non permanent adhesive so that they fit tightly together. Stamp with a dye based ink such as Memento Tuxedo black. Keep the squares together while you color with Copic Markers. When you mount the squares on the card separate them by equal distances.

(flower colors: B63, B32 and B23; leaves YG03 and YG63 and outline the entire thing with T2)

Like to stamp and watercolor? Then you will love our new 3" white ART SQUARES!

Before you stamp, moisten the paint pots with a few drops of water each. We used Twinkling H2O blue ice, periwinkle and wild blueberry for the flower and lucky apple and moss green for the leaves. Stamp the square with a pigment ink and emboss with clear powder (we used a black stamp pad in need of rejuvination so it appears more gray than black!). By embossing the ink you not only create a bit of a physical barrier that makes it easier for painting, but you don't run the risk of the ink feathering out when painting. When you are ready, "paint" the entire flower FIRST WITH WATER and then dab in each color, repeating until you have the desired affect. Don't overwork, let the magic of the watercolor blending do it's thing. (tip - we like to use a medium size Kuratake waterbrush pen) 

 

We are having a blast experimenting with all kinds of mixed media techniques on the new sizes. It is particularly challenging for me to let go of the concept that you always have to put something on a card. (So...we had these little acrylic 'feet' made so ATC's and 3" squares can stand up!)

The technique of layering with different color pigment inks and clear embossing between each layer seems to be the thing of the moment....it is so much fun...and easy!

Starting with a white ATC we dabbed about 4 different blues and lavenders....one color at a time....using either the ink pad directly or a dauber. After applying each pigment ink color, dip in clear embossing powder and heat set. After all of the blues, we guessed where the leaves might be (once stamped) and did the same thing with a very light bright pigment green. Then, an overall application of Versamark clear ink and then again clear embossing powder. And....while still hot...quickly stamp the hydrangea after inking the stamp in a dark blue pigment ink. It's so cool how it all hardens to a shiny overall finish.     

(if you are unable to find Inchie Arts products in a store near you, contact our stores list on the web site for a list of on-line retailers. Or, contact us directly at [email protected] for information) 

 

Save everything....for quick enclosure notes

(click on the picture to see a larger version)

Believe it or not, these white 1.5" Inchie + Squares were saved from the recycle!

Every time I am working on a project that is colored with Copic markers, I always grab an extra square and use it as a palette to "see" the exact color...or how colors compare to one another. While doing this on the corner of your work surface seems the most logical; because of the distinctive absorbent characteristics of the ART SQUARES, colors will look a bit different if tested on random paper.  

So I have oodles of these weirdly colored squares pushed to the sides of my work table.

Turns out they are perfect for an enclosure note...but need a tad bit more work. 

Stamp a sentiment with black pigment ink and emboss with clear powder.

Using the larger end of a VersaMarker pen - draw broad strokes across those words.

Quickly dip in clear embossing powder and heat set.

Choosing one or two pigment ink pads, dab the square directly with the ink pad.

Wipe away the ink from the area that has been embossed over the words.

Dip again in clear embossing powder and heat set.

These also make perfect bookmarks!   

(the love stamp is from Rubber Soul and the happy stamp is from Rubbermoon)

 

Last day of Dina and Jill's 3 day ART SQUARES blitz!

 

Be sure and visit Dina Kowals, Mama Dini's Stamperia and Jill Foster's, Inspired By blog postings to see the their amazing creativity. From a puzzle with black squares Inchie + Squares, to embossing Inchie Squares....and layering with different types of brilliant colored inks to create mixed media solutions....it's been a blast to watch them create with ART SQUARES.   

 

For more information about ART SQUARES and our full line of products contact [email protected] or visit our web site at inchiearts.com

Dina, Jill....and Twinchie Squares!

Color is everywhere in this 3 day exploration of stamping and coloring from Dina Kowal and Jill Foster as they create with Inchie Arts, Art Squares. Their wonderful creations focus on different ways to stamp and color with our 2" Twinchie Squares. Be sure and click on the links to visit their blogs and all the details! 

2 new sizes and all new packaging!

 

We are pleased to announce (by popular demand!) two new sizes:

ATC size 2-1/2" x 3-1/2"

 and 3" squares

 

 These new sizes are available in all of our 7 colors; either in boxes of all one color, or in an assortment. From left to right; black, dark gray, light gray, wheat, dark cream, ivory and white. 

 
(bird stamp from Rubbermoon stamps)

ATC size, 3" square, 2" Twinchie Square, 1-1/2" Inchie + Square and 1" Inchie Square

But, ART SQUARES are a just a blank canvas until you apply love and art.

We have discovered that these new larger sizes are like opening a Pandoras Box of art techniques that were not quite possible with the smaller sizes.

Because of the larger size you are more aware of the uniqueness of the material and how it behaves like a hot press watercolor paper enabling the use of a great variety of wet mediums including
all manner of paints, sprays, inks and stains without the surface deterioration
that would normally occur with paper weight materials.

The artist grade surface is equally ideal for fine pen work, stamping,
all variety of markers, color pencil, chalks and pastels.

And the matboard weight of the material stands up to mixed media,
layering, collage, embellishment and encaustic.
the smaller sizes.

A few samples....

 

Image layering, larger format stamps and coloring with Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils and Twinkling h20 paints - yeah, larger coloring areas!

(stamps from Rubbermoon, sentiment from Impress)





Stamping and creating textures with gesso, then coloring with alcohol inks, Brilliance re-inkers, Twinkling H20 Paints or Pan Pastels.

(stamps from Savvy and Impress, sentiment from Lockhart) 



White pigment ink with white and white diamond embossing powder to create special chalkboard effects on darker ART SQUARES as well as the magic of white gel pens and Prismacolor pencils on dark gray. 

 (stamps from Fred Mullett and Savvy, sentiments from Rubbermoon and Impress, embossing powder from JudiKins)

And explore using larger stamps by coloring the stamp with assorted dye based markers

(stamps from Fred Mullett and Penny Black, sentiments from Impress and Savvy)

 

 

 This Valentines Day card was created by using white gesso as 'ink'.

Apply a few dabs of gesso to an non porous surface slightly bigger than the size of the stamp.You want it a bit 'gloppy' (vs. thin and smoothed out) so the stamp will 'pick up' enough of the gesso.

 Press the stamp into the gesso being sure to pick up enough to cover the entire stamp. "Stamp" onto a white 3" ART SQUARE. Repeat twice more without overlapping images. Immediately wash stamp off in warm water or set into a very shallow dish of water so the gesso does not dry on the stamp. Let dry completely, best overnight.  

 The color is actually just a small squeeze from two different colors of Brilliance ink refill bottles. The Pearlescent Orchid and the Platinum Planet. Either in a small egg carton style pallette or a non porous surface place a small amount of paint of each color. Using a brush, sponge or just about any type of applicator pick up a dab of the Platinum ink and quickly wipe it across the bottom half of the stamped square - full coverage left to right. Moving quickly with a rinsed or new brush, repeat with the Orchid color on the top half overlappying the Platinum slightly.

Finish by using a more wet than just damp paper towel and wipe across the entire surface. As you do this you will be removing almost all of the paint from the white gesso hearts. The more water...and the more you wipe...the more white they will become.

 The end result shows the 'ink' absorbing into the white 3" square and the gesso hearts resisting most, if not all of the overpainting of ink.

 (stamp from Savvy, sentiment from Lockhart) 

 Happy Valentines Day!!

 

 

 

The Spring issue of CardMaker!

The new Spring issue of CardMaker magazine has a 9 page article all about different cards and projects made with inchies and twinchies! The cards show different techniques for using inchies...as singles or putting multiple squares on one card. 

Our products were featured in a couple of different projects; Jeanne Streiff's Chocolate Easter Bunny card and our own Twinchie Gift Boxes. 

If you scroll down, just a few postings, you will find additional step by step photo instructions on how to create and assemble a basic cube. 

Inchie Arts products are even the focus of today's posting on the CardMaker Magazine blog! 

Thank you to everyone at CardMaker!!