Monday, November 28, 2011

Christmas Inchies and Giveaway

So I've been getting these emails....."Where are the Christmas Inchies?"

So here is my first version.  I also have another one I'll post next week in traditional Red and Green.

This one has a bit of sparkle to it and unfortunately that doesn't show up so well in the scanner.

You can click on the photo for a closer look.

The How To is coming up but first......


I was contacted by Children's book illustrator, Rich Davis, about his drawing game for kids,
 Pick and Draw.

He sent me a game to try out with the kids and is also sponsoring this week's giveaway.  Pick and Draw is a card based game that you can play alone or with a whole classroom of kids.



Because it's a game it works well as an icebreaker and helps kids gain some confidence with drawing.  It's also a great way to fill in those extra 15 minutes or so.  My kids had a blast!  Stay tuned to the end of the post for the giveaway details.

Back to the Inchies:

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

- 9 small squares of wc, cardstock, or heavy sketch paper, we use twinchies 2" x 2"
- paint, dark blue, light blue, white, silver and gold
- old book page
- yellow pastel
- photocopied sheet music, shrink down a bit on the photocopier
- glitter glue
- white gel pen
- scraps of gold foil (candy wrappers)
- foil or metal duct tape
- silver doily
- white felt
- black, light blue, and dark blue paper
- black and blue sharpie
- small gems and assorted embellishments
- glue
- old tooth brush or old paint brush
- scissors

Like I always say with Inchie projects just adapt and use what you have, it's amazing what you can come up with.

PROCEDURE:

I usually start off doing all the backgrounds first.


On one square color it a bit with the yellow pastel. then paint it with some gold paint.






Take one of the squares and glue it to the old book page, trim away the excess.  Do the same thing with another square and the sheet music.


Cut a square out of the light blue paper and the dark blue paper.  Paint a different square with the light blue paint.

Paint another with the dark blue paint.

Paint one silver.  You can also add a little silver paint to the sheet music square.

Add some light blue paint to your book page square.

Finally take the last square paint it with the dark blue paint and then sponge on a little of the light blue. You can also add some stripes.

For the snowflake square I used a punch I had but you can use a large sequin or cut one out of white paper.  You could also paint or stamp one on.

I used the light blue cardstock square.  Splattered on some white paint with an old toothbrush.(you can just use a paintbrush)

I also added some silver glitter glue.

I always use paintbrushes with glitter glue and paint it on otherwise the kids will put gobs and gobs on and it will take forever to dry!
Taking a skewer or the end of a paintbrush dot on some white paint.


Glue on a little embellishment if you have any (piece of ribbon, sequin, gem).




For the mitten square, take the silver painted Inchie.  Add some glitter glue to the square for more sparkle.

Cut out 2 mitten shapes from the dark blue paper.

Add some decoration to them with the white gel pen. 

Glue into place and then draw the string with the a blue sharpie or marker.



Take the Inchie you painted dark blue.  Cut out a star shape from some gold paper, foil, or like me a candy wrapper.

Glue onto background, add some glitter and a star sticker.




For the candle square take the sheet music Inchie.

Cut a little candle out of blue paper or use paint/colored pencils or markers to draw one on.

Make a flame out of yellow paper and a candle holder out of metal tape or foil.  I used a little sticker I had for the handle.

Outline it a bit with fine sharpie and add some glitter to the flame if you wish.




For the Angel Inchie take the dark blue paper square.  Cut 2 little wings from the doily.  Glue in place.



Cut a triangle from the white felt.  Glue in place.  Cut a circle from some scrap paper.  Draw on some eyes and a mouth.  You can add a little blush with a pink pencil crayon.

Glue in place.  For hair I used a small piece of wool and then a gold thread tied in a circle for a halo.  Use whatever you have on hand.



The present square uses the light blue painted Inchie.  Cut a small rectangle out of white paper.  Glue on some ribbon or paint it on with the gold paint.  Add a scrap of tinsel wire for the bow.






On the gold Inchie I glued on a stocking shape I cut from some blue painted paper I had in my stash.

I trimmed it with a small piece of felt, added a loop with the blue sharpie and painted on a little glitter.





The snowman is my favorite.  I cut out a snowman shape out of white paper.  Glued it to the blue painted book page.  Cut a little hat out of black paper, drew on some arms, eyes, and a smile with a black sharpie and then cut a carrot nose from orange paper.





On the last square cut a bell shape from the metal tape.  Add a gem for a clanger.  I added a little piece of ribbon and some glitter.



That's it.  9 different Inchies, each one can easily be a large art project on it's own if you wish.  I was recently at a school that did my Fall Inchie project only they made only 4 squares and each one was about 4" x 4".  It was awesome!



Back to this week's giveaway.  If you are interested in winning a copy of the Pick and Draw game you need to enter by:

- leaving a comment on this post
or
- send me an email at
thatartistwoman@shaw.ca
or
- like or comment on this post on my Facebook page.

Enter by 11:59pm Thursday Dec 1st/11 and I'll make the draw on Friday Dec 2nd/11.

U.S. and Canadian residents only.

Good Luck everyone!


64 comments:

  1. Thanks for this fantastic idea! Simple materials for a great result! Miriam

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  2. I haven't e-mailed you but I've been waiting for Christmas inchies! Hooray! Can't wait to see the next batch.

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  3. Hi Gail, I would like to enter your giveaway for the Pick and Draw. I also love the inchies, so sweet! I have told many a teacher about your site....it is just packed full of fun and inspiration. Thanks :) Penny

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  4. Love the Christmas Inchies!! Adorable! That game looks interesting too. I am always trying to find new things to do with the kids! Thanks!

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  5. I would love to win. Thanks, mamatkins@hotmail.com

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  6. The Christmas inchies are so fun!!
    And I love the look of the game.

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  7. i just love these! i was going to make the halloween inchies, but we moved and it was too busy. i'm definately going to try to do these with the kids this year!

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  8. Can't wait to try to Christmas inchies with my Grade Five students! Love the Pick and Draw game-would love to win one! Thanks for a great site full of awesome ideas. We just finished the Huichol Yarn Painting poppies for Remembrance Day. They are gorgeous!

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  9. I love the Christmas inchies! How old are the kids that do these? Also, I've seen the game freebie floating around and it looks like something my sons would love (not to mention keep them busy post-baby soon!) so I'd love to enter... Not that I ever win at these things, lol. Thank you!

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  10. That looks like such a fun book! Thanks for the chance to win it.

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  11. This looks like a great game! Love your blog, Gail. :-)

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  12. I love every single one of your inchies projects! And I would love to win the book. :)

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  13. Yay! I just knew there would be Christmas inches. Please enter me in the give away too. Boy could I use a game like that!

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  14. That game looks awesome.

    Charlene

    wocketinmypocket7@hotmail.com

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  15. What lovely inchies - these can be adapted in so many ways! Can'twait to get started!

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  16. Your Christmas Inchies are great- I love the color choices too! THis game would be great to play when I go teach in the Juvenile Justice System. fingers crossed.

    Pansi2@aol.com

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  17. Thanks for a chance to win the giveaway. Looks like so much fun!

    meganbenson81@gmail.com

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  18. I'd love to win the game, thanks for the opportunity! I think this inchie project is going to make a beautiful Christmas present for my 6 yr old's Grandparents ;)

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  19. I would love a chance to win...thank you!

    your inches are amazing as always!

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  20. Oooh cool ideas! Love that book too! Enter me in the giveaway please!

    Thanks~ Claire
    claire.negus@gmail.com

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  21. What a terrific game and always love your creative inchies projects.

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  22. Lovely! Thanks for the chance.

    lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com

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  23. Would love to win the cards:)
    tisha(at)artwithmrssmith(dot)com

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  24. I love each and every inchie! What a great way to make use of all those little pieces that you just can't throw away!

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  25. Pick and draw looks like so much fun! I would love to try this out with my kids!

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  26. Love the inchies!! Thanks for sharing!

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  27. Pick and draw looks like it could be used as a great anchor activity too! Would love to try it in my classroom :)

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  28. I keep seeing this drawing game reviewed. Maybe I'll have to break down and get a copy for my family (if we're not lucky enough to win it). Thanks for sharing.

    Jennifer (jennebeker at gmail dot com)

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  29. Please forgive me, but I dont get it. What is the point of "inchies"? Just curious.
    :)
    Michelle

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  30. Pick and Draw sounds like a sure-fire hit!! Thanks for sharing:)

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  31. I actually emailed the inventor of the game because I do teach art as well and thought this is a great filler! Hope I win so I can try it out.

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  32. Would love to win! Going to start working on Christmas twinchies too!

    Tina

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  33. Love the inchies. I can't wait to do it with my daughter. The game also looks super fun!

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  34. I love the blue and silver instead of the traditional red and green. And I'd LOVE to win the game!

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  35. I just did your "Nativity Silhouette" with my six-year-old son. It's beautiful! We're putting it on the front of our Christmas card this year. The family photos will go on the inside. Thank you for all of the great art lessons on your blog. I think we'll add this inchie to our line up. :) Stephanie

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  36. What a wonderful idea! as usual! Would love to win the Pick and Draw for my grand daughter's art kit I am making her for Christmas!

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  37. Great game to have at the free draw station in the classroom for those students who always ask "What should I draw?". Love it!

    marycsaca at yahoo dot com

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  38. I love the idea of card drawing prompts for kids. I work with teens doing journaling and have just done up some prompts to cut up like fortunes. But cards would be so cool. Thanks for sharing your inchies.

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  39. Love your blog!I am very interested in the pick and draw game. Your inchies ideas are great and I will be using these in the next couple of weeks in my classroom.

    lynettelecompte@sbcglobal.net

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  40. Love the inchies and love your blog. Everytime someone tells me how clever I am to have thought of a craft we are doing, I always give you credit. I'm often writing your blog address down for them. :-)

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  41. Great art game to add to our game collection - and another good way to get kids to draw ;)

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  42. Would be a wonderful gift for my creative daughter.

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  43. Please enter me in your giveaway. This year at school I have tried to reward classes that have behaved really well (earned a golden brush) 4 classes in a row with a "station day". Each table has a different station (small activities or game to play) and this would be a great addition.
    thanks for sharing.

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  44. That game looks like it would be a great addition to my classroom!

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  45. Wow, I have just found your site and I cannot wait to teach art this week!!! Never felt like that before! Thank-you!!!

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  46. I know some kids that would love to give this game a try - thanks for sharing all your great ideas!

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  47. this looks like way to much fun! would love to win!

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  48. Love your inchies! I just wish my 14 grandchildren lived closer so I could do this with them. When I visit, I always take art supplies. Last year I took a chinese sumie class with two of my granddaughters. Guess what...the youngest girl (age 9)was a natural and her paintings were almost as good as the teacher's! I love to see children paint and create art work.

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  49. I love your website and have been inspired to try lessons for my class. I love the inchies. Keep the ideas coming. I think the cards would be great for young artists. Hope I win.

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  50. Love the inchies! That looks like a fun game. I have a couple of groups of kids that would enjoy it.
    jpowell (at) excellentwriters (dot) com

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  51. What fun! My children and my students would love that game.

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  52. Love the ideas of these images. Thanks for some specific ideas.

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  53. What a great idea for a game! I have been following your website from afar. Your versatility with materials is inspiring. I would love to see my students reaction to this game! Thanks for sharing.

    ejallen430 (at) embarqmail (dot) com

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  54. I love these ideas! (danainalaska -at_ yahoo)

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  55. Thanks so much for the twinchies! Here's hoping!

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  56. This is my first exposure to the inchies and I love them! Can't wait to try it out at school with the kids! I would love to get the giveaway, not sure what I need to do so here is my e-mail.
    jessicajohnston34@yahoo.com my blog is smartypantsjohnston@blogspot

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  57. LOVED the Halloween inchies - so much fun and all 18 turned out great!! Looking forward to the green and red Christmas inchie project! Thanks!

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  58. Very cute! At first look, I thought they were made of fabric. Great job!

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  59. I love your inchie art and books...our class is trying them for the first time this week!

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