all in an inch

Trading ... at Inch by Inch

This week I had the pleasure of attending the monthly gathering of Inch by Inch, the Inchie Club at Art N Soul in Lacey, Washington. Not only did we spend the evening experimenting with new techniques for making inchies, but I heard about some splendid vacation trips that included making inchies on the plane, at the pool and with new inchie buddies! I love attending Inchie Club meetings because not only do I make new friends, but I continue to pick everyone's brain on everything inchies.

 

 

In preparation for trading at the meeting I decided to make Halloween themed inchies. 

 

 

First stamp the Lockhart Stamp Company Itty Bitty Witch's Hat #3039 on white cardstock with Tsukineko Memento Grape Jelly ink. Color the Witch's Hat with Prismacolor pencils; sand, canary yellow, mineral orange, poppy red and lilac. Add a finishing glittery touch to the stars and moon with a Sakura Stardust Pen. 

     

The backgrounds are the most fun! Try experimenting with this technique using different color families and different images. It's as easy as layering three darkening Copic marker colors from a similar color family on a white Inchie Square. Start with the lightest color (the one on the farthest left) and completely cover the top and edges. Don't wait for this layer to dry - go right to the next color because the moisture from each coat will cause the 'pen strokes' to soften and blend a tad. As you apply each additional color use a very casual back and forth brush stroke to layer on the next darkest color. After applying the last color take the Stardust pen and draw lots of quick lines across the background following the 'lines' of the darker color (the one to the farthest right).

Trim out the colored Witch's Hat and attach to the square with a bit of foam tape to achieve a 3D effect. Adding a finishing layer of Ranger Glossy Accents will really make the hat stand out! 

 

 

(Sometimes I get so impatient waiting for the Glossy Accents to dry...!)

But I guess they must have liked them because just like Halloween candy...they quickly disappeared!

Inchie-Lotta September meeting

 

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of participating in the September gathering of the Inchie Lotta Inchie Club. Joy Laurion of Stampin-in-the-Rain in Bothell, WA is the host of these fun events that meet on the third Monday of every month. It's an evening of food, trading inchies, learning new techniques and having creative time with friends.

This month the theme for the inchie trade was using the initial of your last name (hmmm....what to do?) I happened to be visiting my parents shortly after I learned of the topic. My mom has always kept a candy jar. You know, the big cut glass one with small hard candies in individual wrappers...yummy! When the kids were younger I always had to keep an eye out when they were invited to 'take one'; and would take a handful. Somehow the candy always reflects the season and what did I find but butterscotch. Whether it's the color or distinctive rich flavor, there isn't anything else like it. As soon as I popped one in my mouth I knew that this would be the inspiration for my inchies. Here is a sneak peek of my 'butterscotch plaid' inchies. Check out the next posting for directions on how to make your own backgrounds using Copic markers. 

I have to say, I am always curious how everyone travels with their craft supplies, and this group has it all figured out! The nesting, snap together bins that they have discovered are absolutely perfect for inchie supplies. These nifty containers come in a square format with 3 trays, or a larger rectangle with 2 trays that is just right for longer items like colored pencils, full size scissors, waterbrush pens etc. You can even buy more than one and make the stack even taller!

 

Needless to say I was extremely envious of this new 'perfect' storage and travel container and decided I had to have one too! The next morning I made a bee line for Target (I am told they have them at Costco too) and they still had a few - it must be a popular item so I am hoping they get more. I was very eager to get all my goodies in the trays, but stopped myself long enough to take a quick picture so you can see what it looked like before I took off the packaging.

A special thanks again to the Inchie Lotta's - I had a great time!!