Are you still trying to come up with a Valentine’s gift for the ones you love? Well, Janet and I (Steph) have been excitedly preparing this not-so-little Valetine’s gift for you that you can easily turn into a cute gift for the people you care about most!! 
We teamed up with another Stephanie from Homegrown Hospitality to bring some of her artwork to you digitally (because we just knew you would LOVE it)! You may recognize her work from the paper scrapbooking community.
I will share with you directions for how I made my hybrid album using our supplies (and a few things I bought from Misty Cato), but if you don’t love hybrid like I do, then you could easily do a digital only version using Janet’s templates. Finally, if you are a lover of all things paper, then we have included 2 PDF’s in the digital download with Stephanie’s signature Homegrown Hospitality artwork for you to cut and glue until your heart is content! You can also use the previews of Janet’s templates as a guide to create an album. If you are new to digital (or even if you aren’t) you might want to read this article before downloading the digital supplies.
Are you ready? Then, let’s get hybrid!
The papers that I used are from Misty Cato’s “Heartstrings” kit. I adjusted the hue on the papers with a lot of red to -14 so they would match the artwork.
I used some of Janet’s templates for the foundation of my layouts. I just centered everything because I knew I wouldn’t be punching holes in the 6×4 prints themselves. I created a two-page spread for each of my kids, a cover page, inside cover pages, and back cover page. I then uploaded to Costco for printing. I didn’t size down at all, like I do on my larger prints, so you could see what the templates would print like without sizing (perfectly). I always use the lustre finish at Costco.
Supplies:
- Basic Hybrid Supplies
- Paper lunch bags (I got a huge package of them at Target for $1.27)
- Paper flowers by Bazzill and Imaginisce
- Heart brad value pack by Making Memories
- Stitched rub-ons by Autumn Leaves
- Acrylic heart by Heidi Swapp
- Distressing Ink (tea stain) by Tim Holtz
1) Trim lunch bags. I trimmed my lunch bags down to 7.5 inches, cutting of the bottom part of the bag.
2) Add all paper embellishments (brads, flowers, ribbons).
3) Ink outside edges of paper bag. Now, I remember the first time I was told to ink on paper (not digitally) and I couldn’t imagine for the life of me, how to do it. I was at a class at my LSS and they got a chuckle and then showed me how to ink. So, if you don’t know how to ink, you can watch this video.
4) Glue prints to paper bag. I knew I would be stitching along the sides with my sewing machine, so I just put some adhesive along the top and bottoms edges (you can read about my favorite adhesive in this post). I then placed the 6×4 on the paper bag so it had a similar thickness of border on the top, bottom, and non-binding edge. This left extra room on the binding edge for me to punch holes and string with ribbon.
5) Punch holes in tags. I made a 6×4 tag for each child with a note on it to tuck inside the paper bag.
6) Loop ribbon through the tag. Fold ribbon in half and push through the hole in the tag from back to front, creating a loop. Then, push the ends of the ribbon through the loop and gently pull snug.
7) Sew edges of layout down. I really like messy stiching, so I wasn’t too careful, just tried to stay within the margins.
Punch holes on binding edge. I made sure the pages were in order and then used my Crop-A-Dile to punch holes through all of the pages at one time. I punched two holes about 1.5 inches apart. Then I pulled some ribbon through the holes and tied it in a bow.
And there you have it! A cute and easy Valentine project! I will also be making a smaller version of this album for each of my kiddies, with just their pages, note, and the cover.
Now for some more fun, here is a look at the goodies we have for you today as our EARLY HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT to our readers! We have LOVED being a part of your daily digi routine the past few weeks, and want to say, THANKS!!
You can grab them all HERE!
This is fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
This is exactly the gift I’ve been wanting to make! Thank you so much for this. I cannot wait to get started.
Awesome, Im so hooked on hybrid, Thank You so much!!!
This is totally great!!! You gals are so awesome!! Thanks for sharing this with us!!!
These are awesome! Thanks so much!
LOVE these!! Thanks a BILLION!
That project is adorable! And so are all the awesome goodies, thank you so much!
I can’t wait to try this! Thanks for the goodies & the wonderful step-by-step instructions!
Super project and super goodies to go with it!! Love your blog!! Thank you so much for sharing everything digi!
Thank you!! this is so wonderful!
These are great! Thank you….to one of the best sites out there!
Thank you so much for the wonderful Valentine gift. I’m so glad I found The Daily Digital right when it started. Your idea is wonderful and I really enjoy reading the blog every day and best of all, I’m saving time because I get enough great Digi information right here. Thank you for all the time and effort you are putting into this project!
Wow, this is so generous!! Thanks so much for the tutorial and for the awesome gift, love your site!!!!
Thank you so much!
what a gorgeous project- thanks for sharing!
Thanks for this, it is GREAT! And thank you for giving us busy folk enough time to complete it before Valentine’s Day!
Thank you! I’ve done something similar to this before … before I went digital. Thanks!
So GENEROUS!!! My mind is already reeling with ideas for this project. Thanks so much for sharing:)
Love this so much! Thanks for giving away so much work. PERFECT!!
Thank you so much!!!
So sweet, thanks Janet!
Your project is *gorgeous* and I LOVE LOVE LOVE these templates! Guess what DH is getting for V Day? LOL!
I love this blog more and more everyday!
Thanks!!
Wow! What a generous gift! I can’t wait to make an album with it — and to see what other people have done with it!
Thanks ladies!!!
Thank You!
Super happy fun dance. What a generous Valentine gift! Thank you! I can’t wait to print it out and make a book. I love the paper bag books!!!
Holy Cannoli. What a cute + generous gift. ThankYou!
Thanks for the great template, word art and brushes. I did a paper bag album that was a bit different last year and it was too cute. I bought a giant container of paper lunch bags that I bought so my kids could do art projects. I always have them ready for my projects too.
Wow … thanks so much for the gift and the inspiration.
thank you thank you thank you!!!!
Thank you so much for such a great gift. Happy Valentine’s Day to you.
Thanks for the great gift idea and the goodies to go with it; can’t wait to get started. I’m off to pick up Misty’s kit.
Thank you! This is a wonderful gift!
Thanks so much! This is so nice. I just love this site!
Thank you so much! I have been wanting to make a paper bag album, so this will get me moving. I love your site and all you’re doing here–fabulous stuff.
This is fantastic and I am so glad the other Ms Stephanie directed me here. I do a lot of digi and realized yesterday an added benefit I haven’t seen anyone mention. As a “senior citizen”, my fingers don’t always listen to my brain-with digi-no problem easy to do over. Plus I can find things a lot easier in my computer than in the craft room-even when overcome with “senior moments”. I’ll be back-this is a great blog!
WOW!! This is COMPLETELY AMAZING!! THANK YOU!!
WOW!! This is totally AWESOME!! Thank you so very much for sharing such FUN!! You are AMAZING & soo generous!! Hope you have a FANTASTIC day!
WOWwowWOWwow! I’ve always wondered how to make a paper bag album. Thanks SO much!
Thank you SO much for this fantastic gift! LOVE your blog!
Wow! Thanks so much! Such cute stuff!
Thank you so much. What a wonderful gift. My husband and I celebrate our anniversary the day before Valentines Day and I am going to use this as a gift to him. I think I will make one for my children as well. Thanks again for your wonderful site. I visit everyday and it’s the best on the web!!
Wow – how fun! Thank so much! I am loving following your site!
Thank you so much!
Thanks you so much!! Great blog post too!
This is awesome! Thanks soooo much!
Thank you for such a beautiful, generous gift!
Thanks so much for the super cute goodies and great article!
This is so stinkin’ cute! Thank you so very much!
This is AWESOME!!! How sweet and amazing to share this with all of us. THANK YOU so very much.
Incredible! Thanks so much!
What a wonderful valentines album! Can’t wait to get out my paper supplies and give this a go. Thank you!
you are awesome!! thanks so much:)
Those are so cute, THANKS! I love your site!
OMG I am totally speechless! thanks bunches! you are rockin!
and I so love this hybrid-project! now I really have to found out where I can get those bags here in germany. I wanna give this a try!
thanks from the heart,
gabs
Wow, thanks! So very creative, cute and do-able!!
Thanks so much! They’re so cute….can’t wait to use that word art
Wow, thank you!
Thanks for the delight Valentine gifts! This site is truly amazing. I look forward to checking it each morning. You put a lot of love and work into it – may you be blessed as you give so much to others.
thank you very much!
beautiful!! I wish I wasn’t snowed in so I could go grab some paper bags!!!
Wow, you ladies are so generous. Thank you!!
How generous! Thanks so much!!
Thank you for the great Valentine’s day idea, and the digi supplies to create it. This album would be fun for a birthday or anniversary too – you could fill it with “coupons” for movies or other outings.
Wow thank you so much. I love this Valentine’s Card idea.
thanks for the fun project idea!
Thank you – my kids will love it!
wow, thank you so much for sharing these templates and artwork…..this looks like such a fun and simple project to do!!
Wow, thanks so much!
Wow this is so generous! I absolutely LOVE them!! Thank you!
This is awesome and such an easy project too!! Thanks for sharing the tutorial and for the freebies!
Wow, Wow, Wow!!! I come back from a week away and I come back to a fabulous gift like this?!! How fun! You guys all did a great job on this! Thank YOU!!!
These are wonderful – thank you for brightening my morning!
Thanks so much…I love this website and Homegrown Hospitality is such a great site too. Thanks again I can’t wait to try these goodies out!!!!
you girls are amazing…thank you so much!!!
I’m just now picking my jaw up off the ground…WOW! This is such a wonderful site, and you gals are the best. The fun has only JUST begun
Thanks tons!
An incredible gift! Thank you!! I can’t wait to use it! Happy Valentines!
Wow!! Awesome gift, thanks!! Can’t wait to make one for my kiddos
Wow–what a cute and generous freebie! I want to make one for all my family (just hope I have time!)
Loved the hybrid project!! The freebie is great and I can’t wait to use it! Thanks so much for the Daily Digi!!
Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous freebie.
FABULOUS!!! Thanks so much, we may work on this today since we are all at home with the cold. Sick day fun!! I love how you show each step, it really helps us visual learners!
Thanks for sharing this fabulous freebie!!! love all
Thanks so much for the hybrid directions and for the fabulous Valentine’s Day gift! LOVE it!
Thanks so much!! I love your site! Glad you came up with this idea.
Thank you for such a cute project!! I really love The Daily Digi and look forward to checking in each day!! Keep up the great work!!
Thank you!! I just might have to try my first hybrid project!
I just love this hybrid project! And thanks for share this amazing stufff with us!!!
This site ROCKS!!!
This is great! and I love Stephanie from Homegrown Hospitality too so what a terrific surprise this morning with my coffee!! THANKS!!!
Awesome!!! I love the way this looks. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
You guys, ROCK! Thanks!
thanks for this wonderfull gift!
How awesome! Thank you SO much for sharing these. This will be a great project!
WOW! What a fabulous gift! Thank you sooo much.
This is so cute and awesome!
Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for this! Can’t wait to try making my first hybrid album!!
What a wonderful early Valentine’s gift! I cannot wait to make this for my sweet family…thanks so much! p.s. bought the kit yesterday.. LOVE.IT.
Thank you so much this is beautiful!!! I can’t wait to use it myself!
Wow!! This is awesome!! Thanks you so much!! I have really enjoyed all you have been doing on the site!! So informative and creative!! Keep it up!!
Blessings Alisa
Wow what an amazing gift! Thanks so much.