Sunday, March 20, 2011

did someone say inchies??

I joined a "Paws for Art" Inchie Swap on the Cloth Paper Studios Yahoo group, hosted by the lovely Wendy in the UK (one of the group owners). I love making inchies, but for some reason my mind couldn't get around the "Paws" part of the challenge. As I live in a no pet zone, I decided to skirt the whole issue and just make some art. Well, to my surprise, I ended up making the inchies out of leftover fabric paper, recycled cardboard, a nest of shredded paper and free motion stitching. Of course, the nest needed an egg, but what the heck kind of paws would hatch from an egg?? So my story is that this is the nest of a mythical hybrid creature. Part bird and part mammal with the largest PAWS you ever did see!!!

My first set of inchies for this swap:




A close-up!




Well, after a lot of deliberation, I decided that it really wasn't fair of me to poke fun at Wendy's theme, so I decided to make a second set of inchies and this time, I actually had an idea! My sister had given me a notepad that had cats paws running up one side. They were the perfect size for an inchie, so I thought to myself, why not use them as a pattern? So, I drew the paws (no, I didn't trace them!!) on watersoluble stabilizer, sandwiched a piece of tulle (fine netting) between two layers and then free motion machine stitched. Of course, my paws had to be just a little different, so my kitty has paws of a different colour!! The inchie base is recycled cereal box cardboard,treated with a coat of gesso for 'tooth' and then monoprinted with acrylics. I also included a little square of Angelina Fibre for sparkle.




Just a little closer so that you can see the detail.



Now all I need to do is figure out what I'm going to do with the first set! Decisions, decisions!!

10 comments:

kaiteM said...

the first set are quite obviously miniatuar dinosaur eggs, and dinos had paws.
the 2nd set are a lot of fun, Charlie's paws after he's run thru the paint tins.
You could swap them to interested bloggers - hint, hint!!

Roberta Warshaw said...

I have never heard of inchies before. Cute idea though!

Judy Ferguson said...

Glass bowl. White sand. Inchies on top. That's how I display mine.

Dolores said...

Since you like inchies, have you thought of joining along Every Inchie Monday?
http://everyinchiemonday.blogspot.com/

Beth@IHaveANotion.com said...

1st set make very small gift boxes... 2nd set, be sure to send me one!!!

These are great.

Penny Berens said...

Are they really just one inch square?

Anne Marie - Toronto said...

Thanks for all your comments!

Kaite - I didn't think about dinosaurs, but great idea!

Roberta - just Google them and you will be in for a world of wonder!! Inchies can and are made in all sorts of media. You're only limited by your imagination.

Judy, I didn't think about sand, but that's a great idea!

Dolores, I do follow that blog, but I'm not sure that I would ever be that disciplined. Other creative pursuits would get in the way.

Beth, nice try!! I have lots of the first set, but most of the second are already spoken for. I mailed nine off to England already. I'll be sure to think of you if I find one with no name attached. LOL!

Penny, Yes mam!! One inch square!! Of course, I make up the backgrounds in a larger piece and then slice them up and embellish. They're fun to do and involve a very small time commitment. A good in-between project.

Rachel Murphree said...

both are cute! had to laugh over dino eggs.

Wendy said...

Feel free to poke ;) I like loose themes and your first set would have been 'allowed'. I am a happy swapper because I got one of each :):)

Anne Marie - Toronto said...

Rachel, thanks and the dino comment from Kaite made me giggle as well!!

Wendy, I really like both sets, but would have just sent the first if Diane hadn't decided to make another set. I'm more than happy to have sent both to you. In fact, I actually felt a little guilty because of the postage and the fact that I didn't send another envelope or label. I figured that I'd make it up to you at some later time. BTW, I knew you wouldn't mind me poking fun at you!!