Big Background--Little Inchie Swap

Here is a swap with a bit of a challenge---you will make a background, then cut your inchies out of that! Its a method I use sometimes, and I thought it would be fun for other inchie lovers to give it a try! You will make at least 4 inchies for 4 partners*.

First, you will make the background: use a sturdy base (I use manila folders) cut to at least 6 by 6 inches. Cover this with cardstock, book pages, or scrapbooking paper, then have at it with rubber stamps, markers, colored pencils, glitter, collage---whatever you want to create a workable background. You can even make a Zentangle background.

Next, cut or punch out your inchies. I love my Fiskars squeeze punch for this! You will need at least 16 for this swap.

Finally, you may further embellish your inchies with anything that will add to them: mixed media, glitter, tiny brads, stick-on gems, etc. Or, your background may so so fabulous, you can leave it alone!

Send your inchies in some sort of sleeve or little baggie so they will be protected. You don't have to put your information on each one, but send some info along with them so your partner will know who they came from.

• if you have more than 16 great inchies, you can send your partners more than 4 inchies. Technically, you should get 36 inchies from a 6 by 6 piece of background, but not every 1x1 inch piece will turn out to be a great inchie. Just don't send the leftovers, send your best work!

This swap is open to newbies with a filled-in profile, and I will be checking profiles and ratings! No recent 1's or 3's without an explanation before you sign up. Please make sure you will able to complete this swap before you sign up--I can angel, but I shouldn't have to. Also, I am making this swap for US only for now---if it is successful, I will do another one for International players.

JUST ADDED--I made a video on youtube to show people the technique for this swap....[Rubber Stamped Backgrounds] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GJ3QiaIfc0)