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!!

Recycled Inchies

Don't you just love anything done in miniature? These are from a swap I hosted on the Cloth Paper Studios Yahoo Group . The only rules were that you had to make one inch pieces of embellished art that included a recycled element, in the medium of your choice. As you can see from the collage, it was an excellent swap!

Just keep in mind these are 1" square. Mine included the following:

-free motion machine stitched leaf on watersoluble stabilizer, using leftover netting and rayon thread ends
-fabric paper trimmings from another project (scrap tissue paper, glue and acrylic paints)
-Japanese lace paper found crumpled up at the back of a drawer (sprayed with Tattered Angels Glimmer Mists)
-beads from the stash
-the background is from a jacket I started in a class too many years ago to count. Loved the fabric, but hated my embellishment choices. No plans to ever finish it! Plenty of fabric left to play with
-backing - used computer paper and leftover paint from another project
-I butted thrift shop yarn up against the edges and then zigzagged over it





BTW, do you like my envelopes? I wrinkled up some kraft envelopes, flattened them out and then rubbed on Tim Holtz distress inks (stamp pads). After they dried, I brushed on acrylic medium for strength. The ongoing challenge is for the participants to re-use the envelopes in some of their own art. I can't wait to see what they come up with!

Here's a larger photo of the envelopes:





I'll probably be hosting another swap of this type, again in the new year. CPS is great for swapping a wide variety of mail art. Nice people and you NEVER get burned. If enough people express interest, I may even host another swap on this blog.

I fixed the collage (it was missing one set of inchies). Now I need to go and stitch!!!

What the heck are Inchies?

Are you sure you're not interested in making Inchies? These little jewels are from a May, 2009 swap over at the Cloth Paper Studio, Yahoo group. The two with the fuzzy, heat distressed edges are mine, the rest are from my talented swap buddies. For those not in the know, Inchies are 1" X 1" pieces of embellished art. I'm familiar with fabric &/or paper ones, but other materials could be used as well. Mine were layered on a piece of Peltex, painted and free motion stitched. I prepared one larger piece and then cut them down to 1" X 1" before embellishing. If you're collaging paper, then you could use some type of cardstock to back the piece. Don't you think this would be a good use for all of those annoying cards that fall out of your magazines? Recycling at it's prettiest!

So you say, what do you use them for? Well, I haven't done anything with mine yet, but they can be used as pins, charms, ornaments, pendants, fridge magnets, decoupaged to the top of a box or made into a larger art piece. You're only limited by your imagination!

I'd be interested in swapping new ones, if anyone's interested. Did you hear that Rachel?

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clothpaperstudio/