I just adore the look of hand stitching on cards.  It adds such a nice touch!  Here is one of the completed projects:

Step #1:

Print the image.  I lowered the opacity of the area I stitched, the “L”

Step #2

Using a paper piercer or a needle, add evenly spaced holes.

Step 3:

Decide on a stitch.  I used a chain stitch.

Step 4: Secure loose ends to the back of the card with tape or other adhesive.

Step 5:

Use dimensional foam adhesive to adhere to card base.

Step 6:  Enjoy!

Hi there everyone! I am Lori one of the new Hybrid Geeks and I am thrilled to be here! Many of you will know me as LoriJ on many of the digiscrapping forums and I have been digiscrapping for about 4 years now and I love it. So much in fact that when I started I completly turned a blind eye to the thousands of dollars worth of paper scrapping supplies and equipment that I bought when I was a paper scrapper. But lately I have recently gotten hooked into hybrid scrapbooking and I am really enjoying it alot. Not only do I get to use my digi-knowhow and stash but I have remembered how much I like to get my hands on the scrapping materials. And as much as I love having my layouts printed there is something really cool to having an immediate 3d item to show off.

So what if you are a newbie and you are thinking about trying hybrid out but can’t seem to get started. Are you thinking that it is too hard, too much work, too expensive? Let me just clear some of those misconceptions up for you.

1. Hybrid is too hard. I wouldn’t know how to do it.

Hybrid can be as difficult as you want it to be. There are some hybrid projects out there that I am sure you need a degree in rocket science for but most of them you don’t. Hybrid can be as simple as making and printing a card. Most good template makers (and Mel is right up there on the great list) include very clear step by step instructions that are easy to follow. And as long as you do something consistently (even if it is a “mistake”) you just call it a design feature and pretend like you always meant it to be that way!

2. Hybrid is too much work. I don’t have the time.

If you are already digiscrapping, hybrid is only a few minutes more of your time. Now the first couple of projects that you do might take a bit longer until you get the feel of the old scissors again or choosing embellishments can be a bit time consuming if you find it hard to make a decesion but otherwise, you design as usual and then print. The cutting and assembling can be done in stages and the fun thing is it can be portable, you can cut in the car on your way to work – just as long as you aren’t the one driving!

3. Hybrid is expensive. I can’t afford it.

The main cost with hybrid is the printing. Either you have to buy a good quality color printer and ink or you need to have your pages printed somewhere else. There are benefits and pirfalls to both but it shouldn’t cost a fortune for a hybrid project. I don’t believe I have ever spent more than $5 making one and that is getting my pages printed at the local Staples (business supply store). Now if you want to purchase all sorts of things to make your hybrid life “easier” there are multitudes of things to spend your money on but not too many are necessary. (see number 4)

4. I can’t do it, I don’ t have any of the tools.

As I mentioned, there are all sorts of things that you can buy to make hybrid projects a snap and 99% of them are NOT necessary. Sure some of them are fun, some of them are cool and yes, I have a lot of them but are they needed, NO! So then what do you need in order to do some hybrid projects.

a.  An idea of what you want to create. This could be something as simple as a card or it could involve a template from a favorite designer, someone like Mel for example!

b. The papers that you want to use. Any of your current digital kits will do just fine. Design your project as you would a digital page and print in whatever manner that you choose.

c. A Cutting device. A good pair of scissors, a paper slicer, a rotary cutter, whatever cuts your papers in the way that you want is all you need. Here are some examples:

d. A Scoring tool. In hybrid there can be a lot of folding and in order to make a nice crisp fold a scoring tool is key. This can be a fancy one or it can be a butter knife and a ruler. You just need the line to be straight and not cut through. These are the simplest ones to find:

e. An Adhesive. This is the glue that holds it all together, literally. It can be a glue stick, white glue, glue roller or dots. There are tons of kinds of adhesives and everyone has a personal preference. Next week we will talk about the differences in these in a lot more detail. Here are just a few of the ones that I have.

So you see, you don’t need anything fancy, or a lot of time or money to get started! Just gather up some of the things you probably have laying around your house already and get started. I promise you, you will have a lot of fun!

So until next week when I will be back with a lesson on Adhesives, I hope you have a scrappy week!

~Lori~

You are going to seriously LOVE the grab bag that PixelGeek Designs has created for you.

So I bet you are wondering what’s in the bag.  If I told you, I’d have to…. well you know.  Word on the street is that Mel said whatever you do, don’t show them what’s inside.  Being that I’m such a loyal, obedient person. I’ll obey her wishes, NOT!!!

So, what’s inside?  Bags.  Lots and lots of bags.  Technically, lots means 5.  I’m sure you knew that.

Our fabulous, intensely creative, awesome, and gorgeous CT made these.

These bags are all seriously AMAZING!!!   We didn’t even show you all the bags in the set either!  Run, don’t walk to Scrap Orchard and pick up a grab bag today!

Hi everyone! New CT member Sally here to bring you Win It! Wednesday Every Wednesday I’ll be here with a FREE’BEE’ template and simple tutorial for you. You’ll complete the free’bee’ project, comment with a link to a photo of your finished project, and I’ll come back each Wednesday with a random winner and a new template! The winner will receive a coupon good for $4 at Pixel Geek Designs store! Sound good? Yay! We’re launching Win It! Wednesday this week with not one, but TWO free’bee’ templates. These little gift card holders are adorable and so useful! Who doesn’t give gift cards as gifts these days? And with these templates, you can make them a bit more personal. Here are the templates, click the image to download, and the tutorial is below!

So here we go! After you download your template, decorate it however you like and print. Using scissors or a craft knife, cut out each of the shapes on the cut lines.

Once you have all the pieces cut out, use a scoring tool or the back of a butter knife to score the fold lines, being careful not to actually cut through the paper. You just want to score it. (Using a ruler helps keep score lines straight.)

Fold your pieces along the score lines, and if you wish, ink the edges. I ink the edges in almost all of my projects, I like the grungy finished look it gives.

Let the ink dry so that you won’t have it all over your fingers and smudging your project, and then glue the printed side of the pocket flaps. Fold them backward and attach the pocket to the top half of the card. (Or in the case of the wallet template, on one of the sides of the wallet.)

Now attach the greeting card inset to the other half of the purse or wallet.

If you are using a glue stick, set the card aside and let the glue dry for 10-15 minutes. If you’re using a glue runner, you can continue on without waiting. The next thing you will want to do is close the card, and punch a hole in both sides.

Thread a ribbon or string through the holes, and tie it so that the card stays closed, and voila! You’re done! Here are my finished projects for both templates

Don’t forget to come back and leave us a comment with the link to a photo of your finished project. I’ll be back next week with the winner of a $4 coupon to Pixel Geek Designs store, and a brand new free’bee’ challenge!

Because the chicken had his Easter eggs!

Seriously, I crack myself up sometimes!!!

This week PixelGeek designs created some “egg”stra special Easter basket templates.

As always, if you make your purchase before Thursday,  you’ll get 20% off!

And now, some projects from our super talented, “egg”straordinary team!

My sweet cuppy cake.

What a special treat we have for you!  This week we’ve created a fun little cupcake box.  It’s absolutely perfect for birthdays, picnics, school parties, etc.  It keeps the cupcake nice and secure while giving it a special place to shine!  This template will fit one standard size cupcake.

Enjoy!

by Jennifer

by Samara

a Baby in a Baby Carriage.

Mel has OUTDONE herself. Can you even believe this amazing hybrid template?
It comes in three sizes.  The large template would be PERFECT for the packaging of a baby gift, while the smallest template would be amazing as a favor.   What ever you decide to use it for, it will be a HUGE hit!

Jennifer and Samara had an amazing time decorating this amazing template.

Hey everyone! I’m Jennifer, one of Mel’s hybrid chicks, coming to share a great tutorial with you!

The awesome Mel of PixelGeek Designs has given us this great free’bee’, available at ScrapOrchard:

And I have an awesome step by step tutorial ready for you, with pictures!

Step One: Digitally assemble your template. Add papers, elements, photos, etc. so it is how you want it. Print on matte photo paper or cardstock. Using scissors or a craft knife, cut out your template on the cut lines.

Step Two: Once cut out, use a ruler and a scoring tool(or the backside of a butter knife) to score your template on the fold lines. Score carefully, you want to press hard enough to make it easy to fold, but not enough to break the surface of the paper. It’s best to go slow and you may need to go over it more than once to get it scored properly.

Step Three: Fold your template on fold lines and ink edges if you desire for a nice finished look.

Step Four: Turn your template over so that the printed side is down. Starting with the half of the template that has long flaps, slowly apply glue to tabs and glue together. Make sure to press tabs firmly to the back of the pentagon shapes so they form a nice bond. DO not apply glue to long tabs yet, just to the necessary ones to form bottom half of the box.

Step Five: Repeat with tabs on other half. Make sure glue is dry on both halves.

Step Six: Apply glue to long tabs and other tabs needed to hold halves of box together. Carefully fold box halves together, applying gentle pressure to ensure a firm bond. Ink remaining edges if you wish to give it a polished look.
Allow to dry, and add any additional embellishments of your choice.!

I’ll be back next tuesday with another tutorial for you!
Have fun!

This week PixelGeek Designs has outdone herself!!!

Mel designed an amazing Gable Box, available in TWO sizes!! These boxes are seriously cute and the perfect size for small gifts.

created by Jennifer:

created by Samara:

Next is PixelGeek’s adorable “Build-a-Blog” kit,  “Rule the School”.  Doesn’t it make you want to redo your blog?  I know I want too!

As if that wasn’t enough…

We are having a sale!!! What a perfect opportunity to pick up some awesome templates with an amazing deal!

Click on the coupon to take you to PixelGeek Designs store.

I sure hope you’re still reading this post.  We have an amazing  free”bee” just for you!

Two download links for you:

Free’Bee’ Zip Download

Free’Bee’ Printable Download

Have a wonderful Hybrid Day!

♥Samara

For the past month or so I have started creating some fantastic Hybrid Templates, I am really enjoying this new designing venture and have had to dust the cobwebs off the stuff I learned in Geometry over.. ahem.. 16 years ago, ack!  I have 5 new Hybrid Templates out this week, which are 20% Off until Christmas Eve so hurry on over to Scrap Orchard and pick up one or two!! Oh! I forgot to mention, all my Hybrid Templates are Commercial Use Friendly.. yay!

Take a look at these gorgeous projects made with the Accordion File template:

by Kami

by Samara

Here is an adorable hybrid project made with the Square Box w/ Handle template:

Last but not least, I have release Medium versions of the Milk Carton and PopCorn Box templates previously released!

And to celebrate my new Hybrid Template venture I have created an adorable, little House Box template for you!

The house reminded me so much of the gingerbread houses my sister and I used to get every Christmas from our Aunt Kathy, that I couldn’t resist making it into a gingerbread house!

Click Here to download the House Box Template!

I used Lyndsay Riches & Wild Dandelion Designs delicious Sweet Sugar Holiday kit to make my Gingerbread House (above), it was absolutely perfect!

If I don’t get to chat with you before next week (I sure hope not!); please have a Wonderful and Safe Holidays!