all in an inch

Stunning mini cards!

Check out these fabulous mini cards that Dina created with multiple Inchie Squares for a

Penny Black challenge.

You can view all the details on her blog at Mama Dinis Stamperia!

An Etsy Inpsired Challenge!

 
We are very excited to be sponsoring a most unique challenge this week. It's an "Etsy Inspired" challenge! For each challenge an Etsy store is featured and using their products as inspiration you create some type of craft project. 

Our partner for this week's Etsy Inspired Challenge is Queen of Tarts Cakes. Their edible creations are amazing - uniquely made cookies with some really fun shapes and icings. All little works of art! They also have a partner shop Queen of Tarts Wafers which creates specialized wafers that can be used as decorative elements on any baked goods. After visiting their shops, and seeing all the little square cookies,we were inspired to create a card that has petite sweet all over it!

 

 
 

Our 'cookies' are stamped with the Itty Bitty Bite Size Cupcake from the Lockhart Stamp Company and 'iced' with different pattern papers and surrounded by pastel 'background icing' of Copic Markers.  

 

 

Begin by stamping 9 white Inchie Squares using black dye based ink. Our favorite is Tsukineko Memento Tuxedo Black. Also stamp a selection of pattern papers. We used our Inchie Papers, an assortment of 108 different patterns that are pre-cut into 1 1/2" squares. 

 

 

Cut out the cupcake tops and glue them onto the stamped Inchie Squares.

 

 

Color the background of each square with the super lightest of the Copic Markers - usually the ones with lots of 0's in their labeling.

 

 

And don't forget to color the edges! Because the squares are solid core white this is one of the very few products where you can add this finishing detail.

Be sure and visit the Etsy Inspired Challenge blog to find out the details for uploading your submission...and to learn about the great prizes from Inchie Arts and Queen of Tarts Cakes for the winner of this challenge. Entries will be accepted until noon (Pacific time) on Friday November 26.  

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. 

Check out this weeks JustRite Stampers Friday Challenge

 
Inchie Arts is sponsoring this weeks JustRite Stampers Friday Challenge. Design a card using JustRite stamps following this sketch design and upload it following the directions on their blog.

Grand Prize - $50 in assorted Inchie Arts products

3 Honorable Mentions will each receive - $20 in assorted Inchie Arts products   

Visit the JustRite Stampers blog for all the details. Inspiraton is only a click away...just wait until you see the fabulous cards their DT has created - amazing!

If you are not familiar with the JustRite stamping system it is a very innovative concept that allows you to mix and match different border and center designs. We are pretty excited because a few months ago they introduced a new line of designs...all based on a 2" square! I kid you not, it's the perfect fit for our 2" Twinchie Squares. Even more amazing is that the center designs can be stamped on our 1 1/2" Inchie + Squares and then stack mounted on top of another! The options for mixing and matching are endless!

 

 

Be sure and stop back for the details on how we created our first sample card - pictured above.

Submissions for this challenge will be accepted until next Thursday November 4 at 9am CST.

All the information you need to enter can be found on the JustRite Stampers blog!

Check out the Impression Obsession Inchie Challenge

We are very pleased to be the sponsor for a challenge hosted by the Impression Obsession Stamp Company and Design Team. Their Fall Card Using Inchies challenge involves 'inchies' and a fall theme. Their DT has put together some incredible card samples to inspire you and we invite everyone to get out their Inchie Squares and Impression Obsession stamps and join the fun. Be sure and visit their blog for all the particulars on how to upload your entries. You have to be quick though, submissions will be accepted until 9pm EST tomorrow, Friday Sept. 17. Good Luck! 

The weather here in the PNW has DEFINITELY shifted and along with wanting to eat a full blown turkey dinner, we have been craving getting into the fall color palette. This card uses a 'spotlight' technique by stamping just a portion of the image on an Inchie Square and then positioning it over the complete image with a bit of dimension. This is a wonderful stamp designed by Leigh Hannah for Impression Obsession called Pumpkin Flourish.

We haven't quite picked up all the new fall papers yet, so forgive us for going into the files to find these wonderful papers from prior seasons. What really drove the selection of papers was finding one that has a very lightly colored pattern to be used for stamping the full size image. This adds an enormous amount of depth and interest to the overall card rather than simply stamping on a solid ivory. 

You don't automatically have to use a white Inchie Square - especially if you are going to be coloring with darker richer colors and don't need to color the background. In fact, pick a square that will coordinate with the pattern papers you will be using. This picture shows the subtle differences of our dark cream, ivory and white Inchie Squares. We decided to use the ivory for this project because there is an ivory tint to the lighter pattern paper. Remember, you can get full packages of all of our colors rather than buying an assortment package. Just let your store know to order them for you if they don't have them in stock!  

Stamp the full size image on the lighter pattern paper.

You want to control what part of the full size image gets 'stamped' on the Inchie Square. The easiest way to do this is to ink the stamp and bring the square to the stamp. I recently figured out that it was a heck of a lot easier to put a touch of my favorite adhesive (Tombo Mono Dots Permanent from their Craft Collection) and use my finger as the handle rather than fussing with tape loops to make a handle!

  Color the pumpkin that you have stamped on the Inchie Square with these colors, blending as you go. The green and tan are for the leaves and stem.

 

When you use the 'spotlight' technique you need to remember that it is the focal point of the card. However, you may want to put a tad of color on the larger stamped image...but very, very light subtle color; G40 for the leaves, E41 for the top of the acorn and YR000 for the acorn itself.

Be sure and visit the Impression Obsession blog and submit your entry!

Type blocks with Inchie Squares

Here is our third project that meets the criteria of the challenge we are sponsoring at Embellish Magazine. If you haven't participated yet you still have plenty of time to submit your entry. Be sure and visit their site for the particulars - including a $100 prize package of Inchie Arts products for the winner!

This card really reminded us of something and it took forever to figure it out. Of course...doesn't it make you think of Mary Engelbreit?! Must be the colors and the polka dots...or maybe it's the green 'jewel' at the top of the crown!

This crown is from the Lockhart Stamp Company. It was stamped on a white Inchie + Square and then colored with Copic Markers V09 Violet, V04 Lilac, BV00 Mauve Shadow and YG25 Celadon Green. The background is G20 Wax White.

Susan Roberts reminded us of a great technique to use on Inchie Squares that she recently featured in a  blog posting on Rainy Day Creations. It has to do with creating custom color borders by coloring on the edges and sides of the squares with Copic Markers.  

This technique works perfectly when you are putting another image into the center of the Inchie Square. We will often use a 7/8" punch for photos...stamped images...or pattern papers. When you put these on the Inchie Squares it leaves a perfect 1/16" border on all sides. But what if you don't want a white or black border? Just create a custom color border - to match...or highlight...one of your design components. 

Our goal was to try and match the color of the purple paper you see behind the finished crown square. One of the great qualities of Copic Markers is their ability to blend. By overlapping two colors; V04 Lilac and BV00 Mauve Shadow, we were able to match the paper creating a perfect accent tying everything together.

Next, we wanted to find 5 different 'green' pattern papers to meet the color challenge requirements. Rather than sorting through our paper scrap bins (yes, we have several...for large, medium, small, and tiny scrap!) we looked through a package of Inchie Papers. Each package has 108, different, pattern paper squares all pre-cut to 1-1/2". While we change the assortments frequently you may never get the same patterns again, but with all the choices you are sure to find what you need for any design project! Each was punched with the 7/8"punch and glued to the squares. 

 

One of our most favorite alphabet stamping sets is this Letter Stamp Kit made by the Magnetic Poetry folks. No there aren't any magnets involved, but the reason we like it is because each letter is attached to it's own plastic stem. (oops, forgot to put the Q back properly!)

Makes it really easy to position the letter! We purchased ours at Impress Rubber Stamps and use it quite often.

Although we did not take any more photos of the card in process, we can tell you that the letters were stamped directly onto the pattern paper squares (after they were glued to the Inchie Squares) with Fresh Ink, pigment ink, in French Lavender and then heat embossed with clear powder.    

Most importantly....we know the absolutely perfect person for this card!

3 Layers of Purple

In another nod to the color challenge at Embellish Magazine we decided to go back to a coloring style we often use. We call it fractional coloring. Basically, you lay down a layer of very, very light Copic marker within the stamped image creating a foundation of color. Then you gradually layer Prismacolor pencils on top of that Copic layer - with each new layer overlapping.

This stamp is fabulous for coloring, and by stamping it off center on the white Twinchie Square it makes it a bit more interesting as well. Color me Flowers, from Hero Arts, is from their rubber cling collection. The set comes with 4 different images, in two sizes, each flower totally unique for coloring.  

 

 

The first step is to color the flower by laying down a 'foundational color' with Copic BV000.

 

  Next, using Prismacolor pencil, Lilac, gently color each flower petal...using a bit more pressure and more color at the tips. Think of it as coloring 3/4 of each petal with this color.

 

The next layer is Prismacolor pencil, Imperial Violet. Color about 1/3 of each petal, with the most emphasis (and pressure) at the tip.

 

 

In keeping with the color challenge go ahead and color the background with Copic G20 (wax white). It's a wonderful color to use for backgrounds and has a very light yellow green tone.

Inchie Arts squares are unique because they are the only pre-cut material that you can color in so many ways, with so many different mediums.

  

When you see your finished Twinchie Square next to a white one, you realize how much coloring the background adds to the finished piece.  

 

And last but not least...don't forget to color the edge!

(you can't do that with chipboard!)

Keep checking back for more design ideas for the Embellish Magazine Color Challenge.

(p.s. that IS a black Twinchie Square behind the stamped one) 

 

A photo 'puzzle'

 

Here is our first card using the criteria for the Embellish Magazine challenge...a photo puzzle.

We recently taught a series of classes using Inchie Arts squares of differing sizes and photos. The response from everyone was tremendous! No doubt we will be doing this class again but with new images.  

The trick to making this 'puzzle' is to figure out mathematically how big your photo will be before you have to cut it into smaller pieces. Working backwards we knew that we wanted a perfect 1/16" tiny border around each photo square...each photo piece is mounted on a black Inchie Square. Since the squares are 1", that meant that the each photo square would be 7/8" square. You then just add up how many squares you have in each direction. In this case, 2 squares, each measuring 7/8" = 1-3/4".

Begin by cutting down your larger photo (it's a chive flower from the garden) to a 1-3/4" square and then cut it in half, and then in half again. When you are finished you will have 4 photo squares, each measuring 7/8".

note: a simple 4 part puzzle is easy to reassemble once you have the squares glued down, but be forewarned that it can get silly crazy (!) trying to put a larger piece photo back together again! 

Join the Inchie Arts challenge at Embellish Magazine!!

 

We are so excited to be sponsoring a Color Challenge at Embellish Magazine and invite all of you to get out your inchies and create a card for the challenge!

The challenge lasts from Friday August 27 until Thursday September 9. Not only will your entry appear on the magazine's blog when you upload it, but 6 entries will be selected to have their cards featured. And...the Embellish Magazine design team will be selecting one papercrafter to receive $100 in Inchie Arts merchandise!

We have also invited the members of our design team to post their own challenge solution during the next 2 weeks, so be sure and stop by their blogs to see what they have created. (see the links to the right for the design team members)

And last but not least, we hope to be posting several creative solutions using Inchie Squares, Inchie + Squares and Twinchie Squares in a myriad of ways to get your creative juices going for the challenge!

Be sure and visit the Embellish Magazine blog for all the details.

Have fun!  Lisa