Another trend I would like to share with you is "inchies". I visit a local stamp/altered craft store in town and frequently drool over the samples she has on display from their inchie swaps. How do the get so much on a little 1" x 1" square?? And that's exactly what an inchie is, 1" x 1" artwork.

When I first considered creating an inchie I had the idea stuck in my head that I needed to find a stamped image that would fit on a 1" square. Not so easy to find. Most stamped images are WAY bigger than 1" square. So then I noticed that the artist would sometimes pull out a 1" portion of a larger stamp and use that. That really opened up my choices. I found it hard to envision what portions of the stamped image would look like if I just pulled out 1" of it. So I decided to create a tool to help. See the photo's below.

By using a "T" square (it's a drafting tool) I created a window with just 1 square inch and then another one with a series of openings. Using these I was able to place them over the stamped images in my TAC catalog and figure out what might "look good" as an inchie. Now I could envisions my project alot easier.


Once you have created your inchies, you can arrange them together to create a larger piece of art.
Creative Challenge #21 is to create a project using inchies. You have to have at least 3 inches
on your project.
Need more inspiration?? Check out my Angel friend Ellie's blog out
HERE. Great projects Ellie!!
Alot of the inchies I've seen have straight edges. I wanted to mix it up a little and create an irregular edge using my deckled sissors (my favorite pair of decorative scissors). I happened to have pre-cut chipboard pieces in my stash that are made by Bazzill Basics. So I glued them on the back of the brown patterned paper, cut 2 edges with my exacto knife and then trimmed 2 of the edges with my deckled scissors as shown below.

For my stamped inchies I started with a piece of pink cardstock. I distressed it with my palette burnt umber and a duster. I stamped my collage butterfly image (True Beauty) in palette burnt umber as well.

To colorize the image over the pink cardstock I had to choose ink that was think enough to cover completely. That's why I LOVE my VersaMagic and Brilliance Inks. They are soooo juicy and the cover, allowing you to layer. I dabbed a little of each color on a piece of plastic and picked it up with my dove blender pen. Then I added stickles. I cut my images a little smaller than 1 inch so that the deckles edges would show along the 2 sides of the inchie.
Did you know that you can purchase most of these supplies through TAC!! I LOVE being and Angel!
TAC Supplies used:
Stamps - True Beauty Butterly Collage Set and the Get Well Sentiment
Inks - Brilliance and Palette
Stickles
Dove Blender Pen
Duster
I can't wait to see what you come up with this one!!
I bet you thought I forgot!! I didn't! I just want to say thanks to all who played. Barb, Suzanne x 2, Patti J, Jen, Dorothy S., Christina, & Denise. The winner of August Creative Challenges and a free RAK is ...
Suzanne
Creative Challenge Guidelines
1. Your name entered into a drawing every time you participate in one of my Creative Challenges and post a link to your project using Mr. Linky.
2. Challenges will post on Saturdays.
3. You can can qualify by playing along with one of the challenges in the previous month as well. Example : You may link me to projects created for the June challenges this month to qualify. I will no longer be looking back for entries greater that 1 month now. If you enter a previous challenge, I will enter your name x 1. I will enter your name twice for every week you post a project for the currant months challenge. In other words, you get bonus points for playing along within the currant month.
4. Use any stamp set/supplies you like (excluding SU!, Close To My Heart, other direct sales companies).
5. Your post should indicate that you have created your project for this challenge and include a link to the challenge in your post.
6. I am not able to ship internationally. So while I welcome international players to participate, for fun, please know that I can not enter you in the drawing for the RAK.To view older challenges, click link below! Please use the Mr. Linky that applies to the challenge you are participating in.