Hop TODAY with the CardMaker and Inchie Arts design teams and leave a comment for a giveaway of Art Squares!

We are very excited to be a part of a blog hop today with Cardmaker!

It's been an amazing collaboration of two design teams and we hope that their fall themed creations using Art Squares has inspired you, and you will leave comments on the blogs in the hop. We will select one commenter to receive a giveaway of 4 boxes of Inchie Arts products; the color and sizes of your choosing. Leave your comments from now until next Thursday the 16th and we will select and post the winner here on Friday the 17th.  

Since we are the last stop on the hop we wanted to share a couple of techniques that are perfect for 4" white Art Squares. 

 

We are so excited about a new technique called Stendoodling TM created by Michael Trent. It involves carving up an outlined shape into sections and then using stencils or stamps to apply pattern in those areas. The patterned areas can be colored either as part of the process or afterwards.

This application on a 4" white Art Square is a variation of that idea.

After tracing the outline of Aspen leaves (favorite fall leaf!) using a fine line black pen (0.3 or 0.5) we used the pen to create 'sections' on each leaf that loosely follow the idea of the veins. Using masking paper we covered the entire square and traced (you can see through the masking paper to do this) just the outline edge of the leaves. Next, using a craft knife cut through the masking paper following just the outlines of each leaf.

Lifting off one leaf at a time prepare to stamp each section with different pattern stamps using clear VersaMark ink. Mask the section you will be stamping using small post it notes. Then color each section with Pan Pastels that will 'stick' and darken wherever there is ink. Use a very light spray of fixative as you finish each leaf so you won't accidentally smudge it.

(tip: you can use dies or stencils for the larger shape (leaf) or simply draw and cut a shape from cardstock)           

 

This next project was inspired by photos taken of summer flowers that were copied onto regular copy paper and then die cut with these wonderful Impression Obsession wheat dies!

Beginning with a 4" white Art Square remove the absorbent characteristic of the square by generously 'painting' it with matte Perfect Paper adhesive using an old paint brush. Arrange the cut out wheat stalks in a pleasing arrangement alternating colors by laying them on the wet surface and gently pressing them. Quickly cover them with more adhesive (this product is really a liquid like acrylic medium that dries clear) being careful not to overwork. Leave to completely dry.

Using Splash Acrylic inks mix several fall colors in a palette with wells. Using bunched paper towels, and beginning with the lightest colors, dab color onto the background and around and over wheat stalks. If too much ink covers the wheat stalks you can 'clean' them (before ink dries use a wet QTip - if dry use a bit of alcohol). Repeat with all colors until you reach a desired amount of overlappying color. Use an alcohol soaked QTip at the very end to add the 'white' dots.  

If you haven't visited all the other blogs in the hop here are the links:

CardMaker: http://www.cardmakermagazine.com/blog/

Jeanne Jachna: http://akeptlife.blogspot.com/

Mae Nazareth: http://www.inkdpaperbymae.blogspot.com/

 

Sharon Harnist: http://paperfections.typepad.com/

 

Noelle McAdams: http://noelle-paperandice.blogspot.com/

 

Dina Kowal: http://mamadinis.blogspot.com/

 

Penny Ward: http://www.pennywardink.com/

 

Piali Biswas: http://touchofcreation.blogspot.com/

 

Jill Foster & Elizabeth Allan: http://www.studiosessionsart.blogspot.com/

 

Theresa Momber: http://craftingtheweb.blogspot.com/

 

Inchie Arts: http://inchiearts.typepad.com/

 

If you are new to Art Squares perhaps you have been motivated to create with them, or you are an 'inchie afficianado' that wasn't aware of our new larger sizes. Regardless, we hope you have enjoyed the journey and will visit us again here on our blog, or please like and share our Facebook page for tips and ideas!

And don't forget to leave a comment for the giveaway!!

a note to all: it has been so much fun being a part of this blog hop! I have enjoyed reading all of the comments so far and am warmed to hear that many of you have never heard of our products before but have great interest. Aside from being precision cut (so you don't have to cut your own) what most don't know is that the greatest benefit of the Art Squares is that you can create your art directly on the square because the top surface is similar to a high quality artist grade paper - some say like a watercolor paper and so can accept all kinds of wet and dry media without deterioration.

If you are interested in purchasing our products please visit this link to the STORES page on our web site.  

Comments

[Deb L]

I love these cards with art squares.Beautiful.

[Katie B.]

Beautiful cards! I love the stenciled leaves and how you added color and life to them. :) It was a wonderful and creative hop! Great job everyone! Thanks for sharing.

Katie B.

[Jenny Martin]

I've really enjoyed this hop so many beautiful creations! These cards are so colourful and gorgeous!

[Denise Bryant]

Awesome creations! I am familiar with inchies... excited to see that there are larger sizes also! Awesome projects on the hop!

[Patty]

I really enjoyed this hop. I didn't know about your products...they look amazing! I will look for them at my local retailer.

[Barb Schmidt]

Thanks for the tips and inspiration. Inchies are definitely something I need to try. The examples are awesome.

[Sandy]

Thanks for participating in this giveaway. I hand't heard of Inchies either, but I would love to try then!

[Mary C. Nasser]

Sorry, Lisa...thought that first card was Michael's! lol!
Found this hop through his blog!
Love your sten-doodling, Lisa!

[Mary C. Nasser]

LOVE the second card with all its lovely fall colors, too!

[Mary C. Nasser]

I'm such a fan of your work, Michael!
Would love to give the inchies a try! They look like such fun!

[Sharon]

Beautiful projects with such gorgeous coloring!

[Jennie Harper]

Love the projects I have seen! I am new to ART squares and love this concept. It is like its' own little canvas of art to add to cardmaking. Beautiful and looking forward to trying them!!

[Michelle Starke]

What great techniques - and such beautiful projects!

[ros]

I have not seen these art squares before very inspirational

[Beth Norman]

The team had awesome examples. I love your wheat art. The background is done so well and the wheat blends in beautifully.

[Rebecca Buchanan]

I already love inchies, but the 4" format is new to me. Oh the possibilities! Thank you for having a giveaway.

[Rubeena]

these are really pretty

[Sue D]

I enjoyed the blog hop and all the different sizes you make. Great techniques.

[geri]

WOW! Awesome cards and great technique!! Hope to give this a try. Thanks for sharing.

[Beverly Perdue]

Thanks for sharing these great techniques. I was not familiar with Inchie Arts. I'm impressed! Can't wait to try them. Thanks also for the chance to win!

[Bunny]

I had never heard of these. I'm glad to hear they are sturdy and can be used with many mediums. I saw many beautiful projects today. Thank you.

[DOTMC]

Larger size nice. Liked what you did. . Did you color over or remove masking tape. Think it Would add exture but not sure if can be inked.

[Brooke]

Thanks for hopping along with us! All of the projects were wonderful!

[c]

What an absolutely amazing hop, especially given that inchies are new to me! They are, in a word, AWESOME!! Stunning works of art, of all sizes...phenomenal!
!c

[Irene Grau]

Awesome blog hop. So much creativity! I just bought some twinchies, so I'm looking forward to playing with those. Thanks for the inspiration!