all in an inch

Day 3 - a chalkboard effect on a dark gray Twinchie

For day 3 of our week with Penny Black it's time to move to the next largest size of Art Squares - the 2" or "Twinchie Square". This is a very popular size because it's not too small...and not too big...lending itself perfectly to the size of many stamped images. 

 Most of the time, we find ourselves reaching for the white Art Squares because the bright white shows off different forms of coloring such as markers, paints, inks and stains etc. But because the Art Squares are an absorbent material, certain coloring mediums may be extremely muted when used on the darker squares. But what if you used a coloring medium that stays vibrant on the surface like embossing, Prismacolor Pencils, or even Pan Pastels?

This card is a good example of a technique that combines stamping with clear VersaMark ink and then using white embossing powder and heat setting on a dark gray 2" Art Square. We used the larger wheat stamp from the Penny Black Golden Harvest Transparent stamp set. Color with Prismacolor pencils, being sure to get good opaque coverage by coloring a few layers with the pencils. When using color pencils while it is tempting to press harder, you will get best results by just going over and over an area with light to medium pressure so you don't break the pencil or leave coloring lines. 

Certain techniques, and even seasonal projects, really lend themselves to just the right color Art Square. 

white: all stamping, bright color and absorbent media applications - basically everything!

ivory: really works well with fall, holiday and Valentine themes

dark cream and wheat: fall, Steampunk and antique projects

light gray: Valentine and Mother's Day (it's all about the pink and gray!)

dark gray: holiday (think white embossed birch trees, snowflakes and pine cones) 

black: Zentangle ^R style pen work using a white or metallic pen or photo projects

With the exception of our newest 4" Art Square (currently available in white) all other sizes including the 1", 1.5", 2", 3" and ATC are available in all 7 colors. 

Be sure and visit the Penny Black BLOG today and every day through Saturday November 22 as each day there will be new postings on both of our sites that combine the Art Squares you know and love with the incredible designs from Penny Black.

And don't forget to comment for entry into the giveaways!  

2 winners will each receive $25 worth of stamps from Penny Black!

2 winners will each receive 4 boxes of Inchie Arts products!

To enter to win a product giveaway leave a comment here on the Inchie Arts blog and then visit the Penny Black BLOG and leave a comment there too. And, there is even a bonus entry by "liking" and commenting on the Facebook pages of both Inchie Arts and Penny Black. One winner will be selected from the collective blog comments and another winner selected from the collective Facebook likes and comments. That means 2 winners will each receive 4 boxes of Art Squares of their choosing and 2 winners will each receive $25 worth of stamps from Penny Black. Giveaway closes at 11/22/14 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be announced on the Inchie Arts BLOG and Facebook pages on Monday November 24.   

6 days...6 different sizes of Art Squares!

Today's Tidbit: It was a couple of years ago that we discovered that our Art Squares are perfect for making boxes and cubes and Elizabeth's version today on the Penny Black blog is fantastic! Be sure and visit our original posting on Basic Cube Assembly for step by step directions (click here for a direct link).  

See you tomorrow!

Last class for this quarter...

Layering with different stamps and different Fresh Ink colors on a 3" white Art Square. 

Just wanted to share some of the cards that we have been teaching in our classes at Impress in Seattle. We have one more to go at the end of the month at their University Village store. All are created with either Impress or Savvy stamps and dies and some fun coloring techniques.

 

 

Stamp image and emboss on a dark gray 2" Twinchie Square; then color using Brilliance re-inkers like watercolor paint. 

 

Fit together 3 white 1.5" Art Squares. Color stamp directly with Tombow markers, spray with water and then stamp - repeat spraying and stamping - overlapping images as they become more faint. Mount on card with space between squares. 

 

The masking technique we have discussed in prior posts using a die, Eclipse paper, Fresh Ink pigment ink and embossing powder.

 

A different type of masking technique. Stamp image on white card stock and trim out. Stamp first image on a white ATC size Art Square. Cover this image with the one that has been trimmed out and then stamp next image, overlapping it. Repeat several times and then color with Copic markers.

It's always a fun class - contact Impress if you are interested in joining us.  

Lost Coast Designs - perfect for Art Squares!

We recently discovered Lost Coast Design stamps at Art N Soul in Lacey, WA. One of their stamp sets is called Doodlings, and is absolutely perfect for stamping on Art Squares. We contacted Linda and teased her that she could not have designed a more perfect match for Art Squares if she had tried.

The card above shows all 8 images in the set; six stamped on white 1" Inchie Squares and 2 stamped on white 1.5" Inchie + Squares. They were stamped with Tuxedo Black Memento ink and colored with assorted Copic markers. (the gray around the edges is T5)   

 

We love the versatility of this stamp set! This was created by using the single star stamp from the larger set and stamping with white pigment ink onto a black 2" Twinchie Square. Dredge the wet ink into white embossing powder and heat set. The coloring was done with Prismacolor pencils.  

 

Four of the images in the Doodlings set are faces that come together perfectly for a box top! Stamp each of 4 wheat colored 1.5" Inchie + Squares with black pigment ink. Dredge with clear embossing powder and heat set. Color with Prismacolor pencils and add detail dots with a Krylon Gold pen. (the subtle edging color is a Copic W2)   

(note: while our box top kits contain only white Art Squares; just know that you can always substitute with any of our 6 other colors!)

Recent store samples

 

(Stampendous Garden Background stamped across 6 white 1-1/2" Inchie + Squares with Memento dye based ink, then colored with Copic Markers)

You may have seen the sample cards we send out with every store order. We try really hard to illustrate a variety of techniques that can be used on our different size and color ART SQUARES; from inchies to our new ATC size and 3" squares. We are honored to have relationships with many stamp companies and if you like the image you see on one of these samples, be sure and open up the card to find out the manufacturer and supplies used to create the finished piece.  

   

 
(Starting with a 3" white ART SQUARE, stamp Fred Mullet's Gingko 2 stamp by coloring it with various Tombo markers and misting lightly with water each time before stamping. Dab white areas with yellow pigment ink and heat set. Moisten entire square with Versamark ink, dip in clear embossing powder and heat set. Sentiment from Rubbermoon)

 

(starting with a dark gray 2" Twinchie Square stamp Full of Posies stamp with white Fresh Ink pigment ink and dust with Judikins White Diamond embossing powder - heat set. Then stamp New Moon with black ink inside circle. Using pale pink and pale blue Prismacolor Pencils lightly color the 'posies' and the face of the moon. All stamps are from Rubbermoon.)  

 

(Stamp 4 white 1" Inchie Squares with Dylusions small flower using Memento Dye based Tuxedo black ink. Color around stamped flower with Copic Markers, being sure to color the actual edges of each square. Sentiment from Rubbermoon)

And if you happen to be in Anchorage, Alaska stop by Stamp Attic to see these samples! Thanks Betty!

 

Heartfelt Creations Alumni DT Hop

Wow, Dina has been busy! Wait until you see the detail on this card she created for the Heartfelt Creations Alumni DT Hop. The color combinations on this card are gorgeous. Although she didn't specify which color Art Squares she used....I suspect it was either the wheat or dark cream Inchie + Squares - they certainly add a richness to the coloring!  

So jump to Dina's blog here and join the hop!

 

 

 

 

More store samples....

  

In our last posting we ended with the Lockhart Ribbon Heart. It's part of a collection of three hearts. The opportunities for coloring these are endless; especially with this Paisley Heart. The heart was stamped with Tsukineko Memento Ink and colored using a combination of Copic Markers (first!) and then Prismacolor pencil detail work on a white Twinchie Square. The sentiment is from Rubbermoon.  

A little bit of this...and a little bit of that...seems to best describe the samples that are going out the door with store orders. But it's that versatility that demonstrates all of the different types of stamping and coloring...and direct art applications of our Art Squares.  

These next few samples use cards from our various Inchie Notes card packs. Each package contains 12, 3-1/2" square cards and white rectangular envelopes (can't imagine paying a surcharge for a square envelope!). They come in a variety of color packs, each with 4 different color cards (3 each). The color assortments have white insides and include Peach/Pink, Blue/Lavender, Green/Yellow, Wild Sherbet, Fall and Holiday, The neutral color assortment (Ivory, Khaki, Light Gray, Dark Gray) is solid color inside and out and coordinates really well with our neutral tone squares! Check out the web site, inchiearts.com for photos of the assortments. 

 

 The photo doesn't do justice to the next two cards. They both use White Diamond Embossing Powder from JudiKins which not only has a tremendous opague quality, but has sparkle as well, adding a fun dimension to your cards. We stamped Fred Mullett's Lil Maidenhair Fern using a gray pigment ink on a black Inchie + Square and then dusted it with the powder and heat set. To add extra attention we drew a line around the image with a silver metallic gel pen. The card is the dark gray from the neutral assortment pack of Inchie Notes.   

 

 

Whether it's Valentines Day or Mother's Day or just a perfect spring day there are many ways to stamp with Savvy Stamps Vine Heart. The color combination of pink and gray is a classic and we have again stamped with a light pigment ink, dusted with White Diamond Embossing Powder and heat set on a dark gray Twinchie Square. Placing tiny pink pearls over the 'dots' of the stamped image adds a special touch. The sentiment is from Lockhart. This card is the dark gray from the neutral assortment pack of Inchie Notes. 

(remember, you can click on any photo to see an enlarged view)

 

 

Simple and sweet but with a twist on a stamping technique. This Gerber Daisy stamp from Savvy has enough 'rubber' surface area to experiment with combining pigment ink and Twinkling H20 watercolor paint from LuminArte. Turn the stamp face up and carefully 'ink' the flower (Versacolor Orchid) and the stem (ColorBox Moss Green). Then dab in, just at the center of the flower, a concentrated drop of Lemondrop paint. Bring a white Twinchie Square to the face up stamp, press on to inked stamp, turn over, apply a tad bit of pressure and remove. You will be left with a blurring at the center of the stamp where the paint and ink combine. When it dries you will see the shimmer left at the center of the flower from the mica in the paint. This card is from the Peach/Pink Inchie Notes assortment.

 

 

From stacked squares to multiple ink colors, there is a lot going on on this small card. Begin by anchoring 4 white Inchie Squares to a piece of scrap paper, fitting them up against one another, with a removable adhesive (our favorite is from Tombo, the light green dispenser, of Mono Adhesive Removable). You can actually do a block of 8, or even 12 squares at a time (enough to make 3 cards!)

Stamp with Fred Mullett's Spider Mum stamp across all squares, running off the edges too. We used four different Fresh Ink pigment colors; Freesia, French Lavender, Island and Grass on the background and then Freesia on a diagonally turned white Inchie + Square. Separate the background Inchie Squares a bit when you glue them down, and use foam dimensional tape to 'llft' the Inchie + Square above the background. This card is from the Blue/Lavender Inchie Notes assortment.   

Hurray, hurray....the sun is out today!!  

 

 

A spider twinchie

 
A really easy way to transform an ivory Twinchie Square is to sponge dab all around the edges with four different ink colors.  (A special thanks to Susan Roberts at Rainy Day Creations for this insipiration!) We used disposable makeup sponges and Fresh Ink pigment inks in Harvest, Honey, Fig and Black Tea (left to right). Be sure and leave the middle open for your stamped image. Our spider is part of a Clearly Wordsworth Ghostie set from Rubber Soul.

 

 
The card stock is from Memory Box ( jack o lantern) as is the pattern paper with the spooky trees (blackbird)...and the background paper is from the Morroco Journey collection from 7 gypsies.

Happy Halloween!!

  

As of today...it's officially 'fall'

As we do occasionally, we wanted to share some of the new card samples that are going out with store orders. All three were made with different Inchie Square colors - non of them white! And...all three of these cards are from the fall color assortment pack of Inchie Notes.

There are just a few seasons...or holidays...that you can instantly comprehend just by the use of color....and fall is one of them. It's an instant switch from summer brights to rich emotive colors.

The color palette of rich earth tones is a perfect compliment for using neutral color Inchie Squares. This card starts by laying down 4 dark cream Inchie Squares snug up against each other and then stamping. With so much stamping (all the little acorns!) it's always a good idea to anchor the squares on a sheet of scrap paper with non permanent adhesive (we like the Tombo Mono REMOVABLE in the green dispenser). The acorn stamp, from Rosies Roadshow is really tiny so take your time as you stamp with VersaMark ink to achieve a watermark look as a background. The wreath stamp from Memory Box continues to be a favorite because it is so indicative of this time of year - go ahead and stamp it across all 4 squares with black dye based ink. Color the oak leaves in the wreath by first coloring every other leaf with Copic markers YR14 Caramel and YR24 Pale Sepia. Then go back over these colors touching the tips of each knob of the leaf with E09 Burnt Sienna and use YG63 Pea Green to draw over the vein line on each leaf. A finishing touch is added by using a Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen over the outside edges of each leaf. You can click on the photos and see a larger version for a close-up view.

(note: if you want to see a photo of these Copic marker colors just scroll down two postings - guess they are our new favorites!)

 
Local farmer's markets are just starting to bring in late summer squashes and pumpkins. Don't forget to take your camera for some close-up photos. They are perfect for creating easy photo cards like this one. They key is to use a 7/8" punch. (tip: remember to turn your punch upside down so you can move around the 'window' and select exacty what part of the photo you want to punch) Then glue each photo square to a black Inchie Square and arrange in a pleasing manner. You can use this technique for many more than just 4 squares too!! Finding papers that coordinate with the colors in your photos does make a difference - but remember, it's the simple images that want to be the star of the show on this card.

 

I know, I know...the pumpkins don't fit perfectly onto the squares...but that's OK!! In fact sometimes it makes it more interesting to have part of the image falling off the edge. Nothing evokes fall more than pumpkins, and since we haven't made the leap yet to Halloween, we are referring to the lovely ones you find in the farmers markets and at the state fair! 

There are not a lot of images that work well across 3 Inchie Squares, but this stamp, 3 Pumpkins, from the Lockhart Stamp Company is just right. It's your decision if you want to anchor the squares with removable adheasive while stamping, but since this is just one impression, you don't really need to. Again, it's all about color and while it may be a little hard to see in the photo we used ivory Inchie squares instead of white because the softness of the ivory coordinates so much better with the other color components of the card. Again, we used those same 3 copic markers; first color the pumpkin all over with YR24 Pale Sienna, then YR14 Caramel at the top, bottom and sides (remember your junior high art lessons on 'shading a round object') and finishing at the top and bottom with the darkest one E09 Burnt Sienna. If you want you can go back over everything with the lightest color, YR24 Pale Sepia and blend. The sentiment is one of the wonderful calligraphy words by Gretchen Ehrsam for Rubbermoon.

How come this season gets two names.....fall....and autumn?! Hmmmm?

Twinchie and inchie....orchids

One of the hardest transitions to make in creating art with inchies is to break out of the habit of only using images that 'fit' in that 1" square. When you do make that leap of faith, the discovery of all the possibilities is amazing - in fact you will likely go back through your entire stamp collection and re-discover stamps that you might not have thought to use in an inchie format. 

By the same token, sometimes it's tough to break out of the mold of using a stamp that you first used on Inchie Squares and then transition to using it...in a different way...on say a Twinchie Square.(2")   

I suspect that there are even a few of you reading this that would never have picked an image like this to use on either the Twinchie Square...or Inchie Squares! The risk is worth it as shown in these two cards!!

(the stamp is called Phalaenopsis from The Lockhart Stamp Company)  

In this 'puzzle' card lay the 3 Inchie Squares end to end on your work surface (you could tape them together on the back side with painters tape if you want, although it's not necessary) and stamp the image while centering the stem. This was colored with Copic markers and then the flowers were accented with opaque white pen.
  

The detail of the flowers in this stamp is so beautiful that it begs to be repeated. Stamp the first image centered on a Twinchie Square. Then re-ink the stamp and stamp again to the left and right of the first image. Although these were colored to match, it would be fun to do even more of them on one Twinchie Square and make subtle changes in the color of each flower. These were colored with Prismacolor pencils which have an opaque quality vs. Copic markers. The reason that it was important to have opaque vs. transparent coloring is due to the fact that the Twinchie Square is light gray (from our assortment pack) to match the card stock and the colors needed to stand out and be their brightest.

(click on the image to enlarge it to see the detail that a white opaque pen adds to each flower)

Strawberries!

We were reminiscing the other day about great neighborhood block parties and recalled the"Annual Strawberry Festival" in a neighborhood where we lived several years ago. The highlight of the event was a GIGANTIC strawberry shortcake. We wrapped a long shelving board with fun pattern oil cloth (and saran) and then constructed a dessert big enough to feed the neighborhood. Every family contributed ingredients and we engineered an assembly line to put it all together!

 

Create your own invitations to a berry festival or any summer party by mixing and matching two different stamped images. In this case it was key that all the components coordinate...from the stamps to paper to ink and cardstock. 

Lil' Strawberry stamp from Hot Potatoes (I have had this stamp for eons, but was thrilled to find out they still carry this image!) 

Vines and Leaves stamp from RubberMoon (this is one of my favorite stamps because it can be used in many different ways)

Ivory Inchie Squares

"Garden Variety" pattern paper from Cosmo Cricket

Inchie Note card - from the Holiday assortment  

Color Box pigment inks

(although you can't tell in the photos, the strawberry was actually embossed with the cranberry ink and clear embossing powder to give it an extra bit of oomph on the card. Also, while it looks like the greenery was stamped all at once...each square was stamped separately)

 Enjoy all your summer entertaining!