Inchie Friday ~ Going out with a BANG!

Today's Inchie Arts project is a mini 4th of July photo mini-book. I used the Mini Accordion Book Kit from Inchie Arts (product information is below). This cute little photo book was fun and easy to put together.

I found four photos that I took last year on the 4th of July and printed them all on one 4"x6" sheet. Then added them to every other page of the little accordian book. On the opposite sides, are four Star images stamped in black Palette ink and colored right on the Inchie squares.

This sweet gift is for Granma & Granpa from my son!

I used the Mini Accordion Book Kit from Inchie Arts. Included in this book kit: the supplies to create 3 pre-folded accordion books. 2 in khaki; each with 16 panels and 1 in black with 32 panels. Each panel measures 1 5/8” wide X 2” tall. There are also 6 pre-cut covers included. Create your own inchie alphabet or use images to tell a story or create a visual narrative. Decorate the cover boards with papers, beads, ribbons and other mini embellishments. (Note: The description of the Mini Accordion Book Kit was taken directly from the Inchie Arts Product discription.)

Well today it's time to say good-bye to Inchie Arts and this will be my last day for Inchie Friday posts. Thank you to Lisa Lee at Inchie Arts for this fantastic opportunity ~ I have really enjoyed the challenge!

Supplies Used: Inchie squares ~ Inchie Arts; Mini Accordion Book ~ Inchie Arts; Cardstock ~ Bazzill; Ink ~ Palette, Copics; Stamps ~ Hero Arts (alphabet) & Lockhart Stamp Company; Ribbon ~ SU; Scallop Square Punch ~ SU.

Inchie Friday ~ Final Calendar Pages!

It's Inchie Friday once again & today I have the rest of my calendar pages to show you! Woohoo ~ a project done! I adore this picture of my daughter on Halloween last year. She went out as Elphaba (the Wicked Witch of the West from Wicked ~ our favorite musical).

I also love this picture of my son, so I had to use it again.

And finally a Christmas picture ~ a wonderful memory. Each of these little white Inchie squares are all embossed with pigment ink and then embossed with clear embossing powder and then colored with Copic markers.

Supplies Used: Inchie Squares ~ Inchie Arts; Cardstock ~ SU, PTI; Pattern Papers ~ SU & MME; Ink ~ SU, Copics; Punches ~ SU, EK Success; Calendar grids ~ Excel spreadsheets created by Kendra.

Inchie Friday ~ August & September Calendar Pages!

Happy Friday ~ Yes, it's that time again! It's Inchie Friday. Today I have a few more pages of my calendar project to show you. I've been pushing hard to finish up this project so I can show you all the pages. I really enjoy looking at this calendar on my work table.

As I have been working on this calendar, I've been selecting some of my favorite pictures to include & this one of my daughter is an absolute favorite. I paired it with one of my favorite Itty Bitty images (the dragonfly) on a white Inchie square. I embossed the dragonfly in vanilla pigment ink and then added several colors to the entire square with my Copic markers. Then I added just a few drops of Copic blending solution on top so the colors would run and make a cool pattern. It was a fun little experiment!

For the next picture, I used a back to school shot ~ it's my September page after all!

Supplies Used: Inchie Squares ~ Inchie Arts; Cardstock ~ SU; Pattern Paper ~ KI Memories (school days) and unknown; Stamps ~ Lockhart Stamp Co; Ink ~ SU & Copics; Calendar Grid ~ Excel spreadsheet created by Kendra.

Inchie Friday ~ Beautiful Blooms

My neighbor came over with these lovely Peony blooms the other day & they were so gorgeous that I HAD to take a picture of them. When I saw how nice the picture turned out, I decided to make a scrapbook page with it for my Inchie Friday project.

I also love this stamp image from Lockhart & eventhough it isn't an itty bitty image, I really wanted to use it with my Inchie squares. I simply covered four Inchie squares with pink cardstock, stamped the image on white & then colored it in. Next I cut the stamped image into four squares and put them on top of the Inchie squares. Once the squares were finished, I added a solid black mat to the back so it would pop off the page.

Here are a few more shots I took around the garden the other day...

Have a great weekend ~ we are off to Cedar Point!

Inchie Friday ~ June & July Calendar Pages

Happy Inchie Friday! I'm back with another installment of my Inchie Calendar. My June page went together so quick, that I decided to do one for July as well. In fact, I have everything lined up to do August thru December.

For June's page, I used on of my favorite stamping techniques on my little white Inchie square. I stamped it with black pigment ink and heat embossed it clear powder. When coloring with Copic markers, these tiny, detailed images tend to run a bit. However, when you heat emboss them, it isn't a problem (or not as much of one). This family picture was taken in Bar Harbor, Maine last summer ~ we loved it there.

For my July page, I actually recycled one of my past Inchie rejects ~ lol! I've had this star image stamped and colored since December & never knew what I was going to do with it. LIGHT BULB MOMENT ~ 4th of July Calendar page. PERFECT!

Supplies Used: Inchie Squares ~ Inchie Arts; Cardstock ~ PTI, SU; Pattern Paper ~ K & Co (June), Unknown (July); Stamps ~ Lockhart Stamp Co; Ink ~ SU, Palette, Copics; Edge Punch ~ EK Success; Scallop punch ~ SU.

Inchie Friday ~ Movie Time!

Isn't this image fun? When I saw it I knew I wanted to use it for a layout of Matt's 7th birthday. We took a few of his friends to the movies to see Cars. Fun times! And sometimes I wish he was 7 again ~ in just a few weeks, he will turn 10 years old. WOW!

I stamped the image on the white Inchie square with pigment ink and heat embossed it with clear embossing powder. I find that with these very detailed small images, it's much easier to color them when they are embossed.

It's just a super simple layout, but it gets the job done (and it's one more off my list to do)! I also used this page over on the Wacky Wednesday challenge on Rubbernecker!

Supplies Used: White Inchie Squares ~ Inchie Arts; Stamps ~ Hero Arts, Stampin' Up! & Lockhart Stamp Co; Cardstock ~ Doodlebug; Ribbon ~ Michaels; Ink ~ Palette, Copics & SU.

Inchie Friday ~ On Thursday (this week only)

Happy early Friday ~ lol! I know I'm rushing the weekend, but I have something else I need to post tomorrow and I really wanted to share my Inchie Arts project this week.

My page this week includes some fun pictures I took last year on the 4th of July. We had a small neighborhood party and the kids (and a few adults) made homemade ice cream in ziplock bags. They had a blast and it was YUMMY!

For my little white Inchie squares this time, I embossed the image in white pigment ink and then colored the background and the cone with Copic markers. Then I added some glue on the ice cream portion of the image and sprinkled on White Sparkly Fluff. I love the little punch of fun these embellishments add to the page.

Supplies Used: White Inchie Squares ~ Inchie Arts; Cardstock ~ Doodlebug & SU; Pattern Paper ~ Adorn It; Ink ~ SU, Copics; Stamps ~ Lockhart Stamp Co & SU (alpha); Punches ~ SU & EK Success; Sparkly Fluff ~ OCL; Sticker Letters ~ American Crafts; Ric Rac ~ May Arts.

Inchie Friday ~ Spring Awakening...

Hello Spring! As you probably already know, I love spring & can't wait for it's arrival each year. As much as I dislike winter, I do look forward to seeing all the beauty that comes with Spring. One day this week, I walked around our yard and a few of our neighbors yards, and snapped some photos of the gorgeous blooms. CAN YOU BELIEVE I TOOK THESE? Woohoo ~ I love how they turned out! I've decided that nature shots are probably my best work.

I used my sweet little Inchie Arts squares to add the date and some little Spring creatures. I stamped them on a 1" square of pattern paper with black embossing ink and then heat embossed them so they would pop! Then I popped the three purple images (the large photo, the small purple flower photo & the Inchie squares) on black cardstock so they would stand out just a little bit. It's a design secret that draws your eye through the page in a zig-zag from top to bottom. It's a subtle technique, but very effective.

Supplies Used: Inchie Squares ~ Inchie Arts; Ink ~ SU Pigment Ink, Copics; Cardstock & Pattern Paper ~ SU; Stamps ~ Lockhart Stamp Co; Font ~ Word (Harrington).

Post #1: Inchie Friday ~ May Calendar Page!

Happy Friday! Today I have my next installment of my Inchie Calendar. I can't believe May is next week. Woohoo! Spring can't get her fast enough for me.

On my page today, I decided to use a technique that I've had in the drawer for awhile. I don't even know what it's called but it's full of bling! My little white Inchie Square totally transformed once again!

Please note: I wouldn't use this in your scrapbooks because I don't know how archival safe Future Floor Wax is for your photos.

Here's what you need for the project ~ Future Floor Wax, a few Pearl Ex Pigment Powders, and a small detail paint brush.


1. I stamped my image on the White Inchie square using black pigment ink and embossed it with clear powder.

2. Color around the image with a Copic Marker.

3. Next, I put just a small amount of Future Floor Wax on a disposible plate to use as a palette.

4. Dip your detail brush into the floor wax and then into the jar of Pearl Ex pigment color (you just need a little bit) and apply it to your image. Just wash out your brush on a wet paper towel between colors.

5. Use 3 to 4 colors to really make the colors POP!

That's all there is too it ~ EASY PEASY! Look at it shine!

Supplies Used: Inchie Squares ~ Inchie Arts; Cardstock ~ SU; Pattern Paper ~ Lizzie Anne Designs (Garden Inspirations Digital Paper Pack); Ink ~ SU Pigment, Copics; Pearl Ex Pigment Powders; Scallop Square Punch ~ SU; Calendar Template ~ created on Excel.

Inchie Friday ~ Fast Scrap!

Today my post is all about GETTING IT DONE! As you know, I love scrapbooking! However, it can be time consuming & sometimes you just need to take some shortcuts.

I'll get to some of those tips as my post goes on ~ but first, here is my fun little Inchie Arts page for today. This great picture is from our New England cruise last summer. I just love the vibrant purples and greens in this photo ~ not to mention my little guy (Matt) and my brother-in-law.

Here are the details: For the main flower image, I used the Itty Bitty Lavender image from Lockhart Stamp Company. I stamped it on the white Inchie square in black Palette ink. Then I used my Copic markers to color it & finally added just a touch of Pearl Ex pigment powder to make is shimmer. I used two additional Inchie squares to add the names of the people in the photo and the date it was taken. For the background, I colored each one the same using a lighter shade of purple so they would all tie in together. Then for the title, I simply fed my cardstock through my printer so I could play with the font and size. This was a simple and fast page.

Now the page size for this is actually 6" x 8 1/4" ~ odd sizing I know. But here is where the shortcut comes in...

This small scrapbook page is actually part of a larger page protector with photos you slide inside pockets. I know this is a pretty popular way to scrapbook these days, but I have to laugh and tell you that I've been scrapbooking this way for about 4 or 5 years now. Not all the time, but I tend to use this technique for theme albums (like trips) or when I'm so far behind that I feel like I'll never catch up.

How do you do this?

1. Print & Sort - When I put together an album like this, first I print and sort my pictures. This album is for a trip & I want it scrapbooked chronologically. Therefore, I sort my pictures by day and events within that day.
   
   
2. Page Protectors - Sometimes the biggest challenge is finding the right pictures (in the right orientation) for each pocket ~ so order a variety before you begin. Find the page protector that fit the photos you have for that day's events. Some photos may need to be trimmed to fit a different direction, reprinted, or left out if you don't have the right pocket for it. I usually find a way to make it work.
   
   NOTE: These types of page protectors come with different sized pockets so you can add larger photos, documents, maps, etc. I bought the page protectors for this album a few years ago & they are from Scrapworks. Unfortunately, this company went out of business. However, there are some from Bazzill (Lickity Split) and We R Memory Keepers Photo Sleeves. I just ordered some of the We R Memory Keepers ones & they are due in May ~ I'll keep you posted if I like them.
   
   
3. Full Layouts - I use in a 3-ring binder binder so I can add full 12x12 layouts to my album as well. This album is a Stampin' Up! Linen Album & the page protectors work beautifully inside. Generally, the holes for 3-ring binders are standard so you can mix and match protectors.
   
   
4. Leave Blank Spots - But don't forget to leave some pockets open so you can add titles and journaling. That's where you can add all the fun little doo-dads from your scrapbook supplies. HOWEVER, don't make them too bulky!
   
   In my trip albums, this is where I like to add information about what we did that day, titles of where we were (as I did here), or information about the port of call we visited. I do most of my journaling on the computer and then stamp backgrounds, use pattern paper or cardstock to add color. It's using your creativity in a smaller way, but including tons more photos in your book!
   
   
   
5. Another Benefit - When you get back from a trip, I like to look (and share) my photos right away. What's great about this album, is that you & your family can still enjoy your photos before they are 'scrapped' because they are all laid out and protected from nasty little fingerprints.
   
6. You can do it! - Even if you don't scrapbook, you can do this! It's a fast, easy way to get those precious memories down on paper. Your photos are important ~ so document the details. You don't have to add all the pretty little doo-dads, but you really need to record the family history. Future generations will appreciate it!
   
   NOW GO SCRAP SOMETHING!!!
   
   Supplies Used: Inchie Squares ~ Inchie Arts; Cardstock ~ Stampin' Up!; Ink ~ Palette, Copics; Stamps ~ Lockhart Stamp Co, Hero Arts; Font ~ from Photoshop Elements.
   

Inchie Friday ~ Spring Photo Clip

Happy Good Friday ~ It's been such a crazy week that I am constantly trying to catch up! Each day I've been frantically getting projects done for the next day's post. I really don't like that feeling either. But...next week the kids will be back at school and I'll get back into my groove.

Today's project is a fun little photo clip with a mini scrapbook page. I took this pretty picture last spring just as my tulips were in full bloom ~ {I'm still waiting for them to pop up this year}. I love close-up shots of flowers because it's a great way to capture all of God's magnificant creations.

I used the white Inchie squares from Inchie Arts and stamped the tulips in black pigment ink then embossed with clear embossing powder. I love the texture and depth embossing adds to the Inchie square. The other added bonus is that they are super easy to color because the image is raised & the ink won't bleed.

Supplies Used: White Inchie Squares ~ Inchie Arts; Cardstock ~ SU; Ink ~ Palette, SU & Copics; Stamps ~ Lockhart Stamp Co, Hero Arts & Lizzie Anne Designs; Chipboard Letter ~ Maya Roads; Ribbon ~ May Arts; Photo Clip ~ Oriental Trading Co.

Inchie Friday ~ Easter Mini Book

Today's Inchie Arts project is a mini Easter photo mini-book. I used the Mini Accordion Book Kit from Inchie Arts (product information is below). This cute little photo book was super fast and easy to put together. I found four photos that I took during Easter and Spring last year & actually printed them all on one 4"x6" sheet. Then added them to every other page of the little accordian book. On the opposite sides, are four spring images stamped in white pigment ink and embossed right on the Inchie squares. I love embossing on these Inchie Squares ~ it works perfectly.

I used the Mini Accordion Book Kit from Inchie Arts. Included in this book kit: the supplies to create 3 pre-folded accordion books. 2 in khaki; each with 16 panels and 1 in black with 32 panels. Each panel measures 1 5/8” wide X 2” tall. There are also 6 pre-cut covers included. Create your own inchie alphabet or use images to tell a story or create a visual narrative. Decorate the cover boards with papers, beads, ribbons and other mini embellishments. (Note: The description of the Mini Accordion Book Kit was taken directly from the Inchie Arts Product discription.)

Here I used the little yellow transparency to show which section of the stamp image I wanted to use on my Inchie square.

Supplies Used: Inchie squares ~ Inchie Arts; Mini Accordion Book ~ Inchie Arts; Cardstock ~ Bazzill; Ink ~ SU White Pigment & Copics; Stamps ~ Hero Arts (alphabet) & Lockhart Stamp Company; Ribbon ~ Michael's; Scallop Square Punch ~ SU.