I’m indecisive. That is especially true when scrapping. And that is why I love digital…I get to change my mind as often as I would like. I can try papers, take them off, put them back, and so on. I can try my photos in color and then in black and white — just to see what I like best. In the time I create a layout the papers, elements, and photos have usually changed many times. And I am okay with that.
With traditional scrapping and crafts, it’s not that simple! I remember when I was asked to create a paper page for Creating Keepsakes 4 product Challenge. I said yes, thinking, “How hard can it be?” Well I soon found out! I just sat there, staring at the materials in front of me, scared to cut anything since I couldn’t put it back together again. And then I had an idea — I scanned in all the materials I was supposed to use and designed my page in Photoshop. I could cut, uncut, move things around, change my photos, and make sure it was just the way I wanted it. Afterwards, I did my best to recreate the page with all the “real” products. It took a while, but I was able to stay true to my indecisive self without ruining all the products (they send just ONE of everything you need!)
Since that time, I have approached paper and/or hybrid projects in much the same way. By designing the project digitally first, I can be sure of how it will turn out without wasting lots of time and materials.
Here is an example:
I created this set of invitations for my son’s birthday. I knew the materials I wanted to use but was once again afraid of my indecisiveness. So, I created it digitally first.
I knew I wanted a square card and I was sure that I wanted to use CD Muckosky’s Birthday Booya elements. I created a 6×6 page in PSE and then started playing. I tried different elements out and rearranged a bunch of times. I resized according to what I would need and even added shadows to get an idea of what it would look like (I knew I was going to use double sided foam tape).
(front of invite)
(inside of invite)
Once I was happy with how it looked, I dragged the resized elements onto a new document so that they would be ready for printing.
I then cut everything out, added them to my 6×6 card, hand wrote the message inside, and I was DONE. It was so easy and there was no un-gluing or re-cutting necessary! It was truly the best of both worlds!
Go ahead, give it a try!
That’s how I do it most of the time!!! I just love hybrid
Awesome tips … as usual!
HELP?? I want to try hybrid because I have tons of traditional scrapbooking and stamping supplies. But please tell me what type of paper you print out your digital elements/bkgrounds on, what setting you use on your printer, and what brand of scissors to do all the intricate cutting?
THANKS FOR ANY ANSWERS YOU CAN GIVE ME.
Great idea. I worked on a hybrid layout today and after I printed everything out, I totally switched it up! I wish I had started by designing a 12×12 page in Photoshop! I’ll have to do that next time.
Firstly, love the card!! So cute! Years ago, back when Photoshop’s newest version was 3, I did this very thing! Didn’t scan anything, just worked with placement and colors so I could tell what colors looked good together. Paper supplies were too expensive for me to experiment on! But now I’m a strictly digi-gal, still can’t work well with paper!
Very cool stuff Janet! (:
My son (also named Caleb) has his birthday this month too!
ahhh Janet I love these!!! I love the clean white background with the fun doodles. Cutting all of those out must have taken some serious patience! Absolutely wonderful invites
Darling card, Janet. So simple but cute. Really helps to have such bold fun wordart to contrast with the plain white card.
I share the same problem about “indecisiveness” so I have tried the digital first approach, but was not so cleaver through and didn’t think to arrange all the elements in an organized sheet in the beginnings.
Your idea to scan the real papers/elements it’s brilliant, I’ll try it the next time because I have kits that I didn’t dare to cut until now…
Ciao, Ari
Great tip Janet! My problem with hybrid stuff, is I want to recolor real life elements like flowers and buttons and stuff! I love the look that they give to a project, but they are always just “off” on the color of my stuff. Guess I should adjust the color on my digital items to match the real life stuff!
I needed this post today! My youngest turns 5 on the 14th and the ‘snail’ mail invites must leave my home this week! I love this invitation…thanks for helping me think outside my little box..Have a great week.