It's a Creative World

RETRO BRACELET

Hello, Eleanor here, with a technique I had forgotten about. I was prompted to revisit it by Jimjams on UKScrappers, when I saw a recent scrapbook layout of hers, with embossed, stamped tiles and letters. They look stunning and I immediately fancied a bracelet of 'tiles'.

Still in inchie mode from Lynne's weekend workout challenge, I cut some more one inch chipboard squares, dabbed the edges with a copper inkpad, coated the front surface with versamark, and triple heat embossed with Blonde Moments Festive Fern ultra thick embossing powder, before quickly stamping a retro pattern inked with the copper. I liked the stamps I used (old, but their first outing!) a retro set which which have quite a proud red rubber, so make a deep impression.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The dilemma I faced next was the manner of linking the tiles to become a bracelet. I tried punching a hole before embossing, but the hole disappeared in the thickness of the ultra powder. I then tried punching through the hard surface, but it shattered, as it did when I tried drilling with the Dremel (as Jemma predicted!).

Hmm, this is what I tried next, hot glue gun and paperclips - it looks primitive but hey presto, it works:

I was able to connect each end of the paperclips with a small silver jumpring.

To conceal this rather unattractive backside, and stop it possibly rubbing on my skin, I cut one inch squares of felt and glued them onto the back:

Here's the finished bracelet, modelled by yours truly:

If you make something like this, I'd love to see it.

Thanks to Jemma and Lynne for the inspiration.

xx

Weekend Workout 12 - INCHIES

 

 Hi Lynne here

My challenge for the weekend is to make some inchies.  I have seen so many pretty ones and ideas for using multiples I thought it was about time I made some myself.

This one was made to go in an album as a gift for a teacher at a workshop I went to.

 
My computer mouse had broken and rather than just throw it away, I wanted to investigate what was inside.  There were some bits and bobs, just perfect for something different to add.  The feathers were cut from a peacock feather. Unfortunately the photo doesn't show the glimmer of the feathers.  I used a blob of glossy accents and arranged the feathers.  A fine sprinkle of glitter was added to the glossy accents.

Another way I've used inchies is to decorate a larger piece of card or paper and then cut it down into inch squares and decorate them furthur.

 

Do try making some inchies, they are great fun and very addictive.  It's a great way to use your scraps.

Have a fun weekend.

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Dolly here with some inchies that I confess I didn't make especially for this challenge but I hope they might inspire you.

Firstly this is a set of vintage inchies I made for a swap a while back. I loved working on this sort of scale. I think it is the dolls' house addict in me that comes out.

 
The backgrounds were all made of photo paper which was coloured with alcohol inks as it made such a lovely shiney effect - like jewels.

But I couldn't stick to vintage now could I! Come on - you must have seen it coming!

I made a set of cat inchies and put them on a layout. And the cats are all my own cats. The three I have now feature but also the three I have loved and lost.

 

This is the inchies on their own

 

and finally something that is sat on my desk as I sit typing. I loved inchies so much I wanted to see them all the time.

So I bought some little building blocks which were just 1" cubes. It was great fun to paint them and then cover them with little inchies which had pictures and text and names on.

 

Now wouldn't you just love to make a set of these with your favourite photos on?

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Hello, Eleanor here, who knew what you'd find inside a mouse? and I'm CApTivated by those gorgeous blocks from Dolly.

I've made a small canvas, inspired by Julia Stainton, with an inchie border, using these materials:

with which I did this:

I adhered my photo first, and then a border of inchies:

In another style, since I read this post, by Alexa, I've been experimenting with the art of Zentangling.

I've found 2 inch squares of chipboard, or twinchies, are a perfect size for little zendoodle samples, as a reference guide for which designs I can accomplish (and like).

I carry blank cards and pen with me when I go out, in case of 5 minutes to draw another sample. Now I need to make a box to keep them in.

No surprise to find I'm addicted! Stay tuned, after the weekend, I'll show you what I made next with little squares.

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