If you have been following my faithbooking journey, you know that I have been making faithbook pages for each of the “Psalms of Ascent” (15 chapters from the book of Psalms in the Bible), because I was so inspired by a Beth Moore Bible study about them, called Stepping Up. That Bible study also inspired me to start memorizing Bible verses again, something I had sadly not been doing for several years. Anyway, I finished another Psalms faithbook page, using the lovely Bella kit, by Shabby Princess:

Also, in the meantime, I am working through another Bible study with some ladies from church. As part of that study, I have been memorizing Proverbs 31:10-31(so far I am up to about verse 25). The lady leading the Bible study has been nice enough to make index cards with the verses printed on them, to help us know which verses to memorize each week. So I thought it would be fun to make a little folder to hold all of these index cards in. I used this pretty kit by Shabby Miss Jenn, Summer Posies:

Tutorial: Index Card Folder

I used digital papers to make this project, but it would work just as well with regular scrapbook paper too. It is a great project for using up some left over pieces of paper you just can’t bear to toss out :)!

Supplies

Various pieces of coordinating patterned paper, approximately enough to cover a 6″x8″ area (or at least a 4″x6″ card front).

Two pieces 6″x8″ cardstock in colors to coordinate with your patterned paper, plus a little extra to mat circles with if desired.

Adhesive, scissors and/or punches. Optional: Decorative edged scissors, ribbon.

1. Gather a few strips of coordinating patterned paper, or print out some digital ones, like I did (TIP: if you are printing digital paper, print out just what you need so you won’t waste paper or ink). Crop the papers into squares and circles by hand or using punches (I love the ones from Creative Memories).
2. Fold the two large pieces of cardstock in half to create two 4″x6″ cards. Trim one of the cards to be slightly smaller than the other (I used scalloped edge scissors). Adhere the smaller card to the larger card.
3. Decorate the outside of the folder with the squares of patterned paper. Mat some of the circles with cardstock and place them on top.
4. If desired, add a ribbon by opening the folder and adhering the ribbon across the entire center, leaving ample ribbon on either side to tie the folder closed with.

I enjoy seeing this sweet little folder each morning when it’s time for my morning Bible study. Simple things like these always make me smile :)!

Speaking of making me smile, I just want to say a HUGE thank you to Lynn, of the Beautiful Delights blog and Karen, of Scraps of Mind for giving me The Brilliante Weblog Award. You are so sweet :)! XOXO

—————

Click Here To Read More About My Faithbooking Projects

The number one question I hear from Scrapbook Ideas readers is “How can I start Digital Scrapbooking?” Until now, I have never really had a great answer to this question. My own digital scrapbooking learning experience was the painfully slow trial-by-error method :). That’s why I’m so excited to tell everyone about a wonderful new program called Step By Step Digital Scrapbook. 

If only I had access to a program like this when I was learning how to digi scrap - I would have saved myself sooooo much time and frustration (seriously, you have no idea LOL)! I hope you will let Karen, of Step by Step Digital Scrapbook, walk you through the learning process with her easy to follow video tutorials. Everything you need to get started is included, even the digital scrapbooking supplies!

Here are some samples of digital pages Karen will show you how to make:

Want to get started? Click Here to learn more!

Have fun, and please come back to show me what you’ve created :)!

I was at my friend Lettie’s house earlier today and I saw this card on her fridge which reminded me that I never posted it here :)! I used the super fun paintable cardstock from Prima. It comes in black and white and it’s nice and sturdy so you can paint it or color it however you like :). I used watercolor pencils from Stampin’ Up to color in the paper, then I used blender pens (also from Stampin’ Up) to blend it and give it a water colored look.  The other fun tool I used for this card was my white gel pen (Uni-ball Signo), which can make bright white text on dark backgrounds - cool! Hope you’re having a nice weekend, I’m going to go have some oreos and milk with my sweetie now :)!

Gina and Heidi have whipped up some more Doodly Patterns, this time it is a set of super fun frames (plus another coordinating paper pack)!
Here are a few ways they can be used:

Credits: Doodly Patterns - Frames by Heidi and Gina of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Fonts: Century Gothic, Arial Black and Kayleigh.

TIP: If you have a photo you love, but the resolution is too small for printing (like a cell phone photo), you can still make a layout to share online like I have here. The photo in this layout is only 72 dpi, so I wouldn’t print it, but I really wanted to make a page with it - so why not? The added bonus is that the 300 dpi digital papers get super sized when placed on a 72 dpi page, so there are more options (size-wise) for how to use the page elements. I left one striped paper full resolution, which made the stripes look really wide :).

Digital Supplies: Doodly Patterns - Frames by Heidi and Gina of Weeds and Wildflowers Design.
Physical Supplies: Flowers and Button by Prima, Stamp by Close to My Heart (using Versamark ink), thread and brown cardstock (unknown).

Hybrid Card Tutorial

This was another quick and easy card to make, and here’s how I did it :).

1. I created a new 4″x4″ 300 dpi document in Photoshop, and filled the background with a digital paper. Then I layered two of the doodly pattern frames one on top of the other over the digital paper. I resized the frames to fit well within the boundaries of the document, tilted them slightly and added some drop shadows. When I was happy with the look I printed the design out onto matte photo paper.
2. I cropped a piece of brown cardstock to make a 4″x4″ card. Using Versamark ink, I randomly stamped a flower image over the whole front of the card (Versamark ink creates a watermark effect).
3. When the printed image was dry, I cut around the outside of the design, then adhered it to the front of the card.
4. I then layered three flowers on top, making a slight accordion fold in the middle flower to ruffle the petals and make it fit inside the bottom flower.
5. I threaded the button and tied it off with a messy knot, then adhered the it on top of the flowers.
6. Lastly, I used a pen to doodle the border around the outside of the card. 

TIP: OK, who knows if this is the “right” way to do it, but I thought I’d share… I love to use my trusty old hot glue gun when making cards and other scrappy projects with layered flowers. It’s faster, easier, cheaper and I can manipulate the flowers and they actually stay put! Plus, I love to press down the top layer (button, jewel, etc) and hold it for a few seconds so that the whole shebang gets melded together really nicely :). I seriously wonder if I am the only scrapper alive who uses a hot glue gun, but it works for me LOL!

Here’s a great question about lumpy pages from a Scrapbook Ideas reader (she was asking about hybrid pages, but this applies to traditional scrapbook pages as well):

I’m curious about what you do with the layouts after you have transformed them. Do they go in a shadowbox or a frame without glass or are they slim enough to fit in an album? - Stephanie

Here is a little list of tips and tricks I have picked up along the way (lots of them from other Prima Hybrid flower girls). I’m sure there are more great ideas out there, so please add yours in the comments section if you have them :)!!

Tips for Storing Lumpy Scrapbook Pages

• Firstly, if you are storing your pages in albums, it is best to store your albums vertically, rather than stacked in a pile. This will take some of the weight off of your pages and they will be less likely to get indents and/or crushed embellishments. Also, try not to store them too tightly packed together for the same reasons.
• You can store lumpy pages in top-loading plastic page protectors, but you may need to trim a bit off the edges if they are really thick. Make sure the album and page protectors are nice and thick, so they will stand the test of time.
• You might also want to try storing only on page in each page protector (instead of two back-to-back). This is also works well if you have journalling on the back of your page, as I often do.
• You won’t be able to fit as many pages into your album if they are lumpy, so be prepared to either buy a larger capacity album or use multiple albums. 
• The album might start to fan out a bit too much if the binding is too narrow. When using post-bound albums, you can remedy this problem by adding extra spacers between the pages. Post-bound albums usually come with some cardboard strips in between the pages, so you can add more of these. I have also heard that strips of craft foam work well as spacers too.
• If you use a binder instead of a post-bound album, the pages will have more room to breathe, plus it is easier to take the pages out and change the order of your pages this way.
• Super lumpy pages might look best on display instead of putting them in an album. They can be framed, or clipped to a wire strung between two pegs on a wall, or placed on a plate stand, etc. But make sure to use extra strong glue, or the embellishments might fall off (yes this has happened to me)! Also, this isn’t the best idea for family heirloom photos, as there will be more damage over time from light, dust, etc.

Here’s one of my lumpy scrapbook pages :). I made this with the beautiful Harmony Collection, by Doris Castle, and it was on display in Prima’s booth at CHA Winter ‘08 :).

OK, have I missed anything? I’d love to hear your solutions too, so please share :)!!!

Congratulations, Kelleigh - you are the winner of the Loving You Quick Album :)!! Here’s the result from the random number picker:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

11

Timestamp: 2008-07-10 02:28:25 UTC

Look in your email for the coupon code ;)!!!

Here’s the last installment of my three part series on ways to make hybrid scrapbook pages out of digital quick pages. If you missed them, you can find links to the other two parts at the end of this post. 

OK, lets get started :)! We have already talked about adding dimension to our pages by “popping” up certain parts of the page for a 3D effect. Now we are going to take that idea a little bit further and incorporate some layering to add even more depth and detail. Again, I apologize for my low quality photos. Trust me, the beautiful color and details of Gina’s designs as seen in the Loving You Quick Album pages look much better in real life!!

Hybrid Quick Album Idea #7: Pop Up and Layer Page Elements

You remember how we made duplicate prints of parts of our page last time, and “popped” them up with foam adhesive? Well, this time we will do the same thing, but add some embellishments sandwiched between the layers.

Digital Steps: I added my photo and journaling to the premade Loving You Quick Album page, flattened, resized the layout to 8″x8″ inches (so it will fit into my son’s album), and printed it out on matte photo paper. THEN, this is key, using the rectangular marquee tool in Photoshop (or any other selection tool), I selected just the framed image on the left side of the page, copied the selection, and placed it onto a new 8.5″x11″ size blank document, I printed this out on matte photo paper.

Hybrid Steps: After allowing the page to dry, I cropped out the base page. I also cut out the framed photo from the duplicated portion of my page. Using foam adhesive (for a 3D effect), I adhered the framed photo above the corresponding framed photo on the page. Then I added some adhesive to the back of a flower and slipped it between the page and the “popped” frame. Now we have three layers instead of two! I added the crystal hearts and the chipboard letters and I was done (all embellishments are from primahybrid.com).

Hybrid Quick Album Idea #8: Use Digi Techniques on 3D Embellishments

When I’m digital scrapbooking, I often place text or other page elements on the very edge of my layout, so that they are partially cut off. For the page above, I used the same technique on the chipboard ”e” sticker, cutting away part of the letter that extended off the page. I think borrowing techniques from one scrapping method to the other helps blur the lines in hybrid scrapbooking (plus it’s fun and sometimes unexpected)!

Hybrid Quick Album Idea #9: Create Some Digi Trompe-l’oeil

Trommpe-l’oeil, which means to “trick the eye”, is an art term for what happens when 2D art looks like it is actually “real”. On the above page the digital white lace ribbon almost looks real when layered below the two real ribbons!

Digital Steps: I added my photo and journaling to the premade Loving You Quick Album page, flattened, resized the layout to 8″x8″ inches, and printed it out on matte photo paper. Then, like before, I selected just the framed image, copied the selection, and placed it onto a new 8.5″x11″ size blank document. Along with that, I added duplicates of the circles from the bottom edge of the page. I printed these out on matte photo paper.

Hybrid Steps: When the page was dry, I cropped it out and cut out the framed photo and circles from the page of duplicate copies. I layered some Prima ribbons above the digital ribbon at the top of the page. Then, using foam adhesive, I adhered the framed photo above the corresponding framed photo on the page, making sure to leave space for the ribbons. Then I added some adhesive to the back of a flower and slipped it between the page and the “popped” frame (all embellishments are from primahybrid.com). Finally, I added foam adhesive to the backs of all of the circles and layered them along the bottom of the page.

Hybrid Quick Album Idea #10…11…12… You Tell Me - GIVEAWAY :)!

OK, so I hope you have enjoyed this little series :). I know you have some great hybrid ideas to share as well, and I’d love to hear them. Have you used a digital quick page in a hybrid layout? Have you seen someone use one that way? Have you thought of trying this, but haven’t yet? I want to hear about it, so please share any tips, tricks or whatever you like about this technique by leaving a comment on this post.

One random person will be chosen to receive a free copy of The Loving You Quick Album - YAY :)! 

————————————————————————————

See Also:

Hybrid Ideas for Digital Quick Pages

Hybrid Ideas for Digital Quick Pages: Part 2

Hey everyone! How was your weekend? I had a wonderful long weekend celebrating the Fourth of July with my husband and son. Now I’m all rested up and ready to get the week off to a great start :)! The first order of business is to tell you about a new digital designer: Janet, of As You Wish Designs!! Janet has been a familiar face around DigiShop Talk for quite some time, so it was fun to see her join the world of designers recently when she set up shop at Shabby Pickle Designs. And I was totally thrilled when she sent me a gift certificate to her new store (thanks girl)!!!! It took me forever to decide what to pick up, her store is filled with such beautiful things! I love her bright, bold colors and patterns, so I just had to make some extra bold pages! 

Credits: A Pocketful of Daisies by As You Wish Designs; Felted Wool Flowers - As You Wish Designs; Fonts: Cry Kitty and Generic Font.

Photoshop Tips and Tricks

• To make the pocket look “full” I used the burn tool around the outer edges to darken them a bit and the dodge tool in the center to make a highlight (I also duplicated the pocket layer and set the blend mode to color dodge (43% opacity), but that was just to make it look funky ;).
• I used the overlay blend mode on the word “Joy” to make it look like it was part of the pocket.
• There are tons of other blend modes in use for all of the text and most of the other elements of the page as well - no particular method, I just played around until I liked the look :)! 

Credits: A Pocketful of Daisies by As You Wish Designs; Free page template (altered slightly) by Michelle Filo. Fonts: Jailbird Jenna, Outwrite, 39 Smooth.

Photoshop Tips and Tricks

• This page came together SO quickly, because I used this great template by Michelle Filo (I have seen TONS of pages using this one, but I figure the world of digital scrapbooking can hold at least one more LOL).
• To add a little extra interest to the title, I alternated between smaller and larger font sizes for the word “sandbox”.
• As usual, I played around with blend modes for all of the text. Don’t forget that to try changing the font colors as you experiment with the blend modes will create even more effects :).

————————————————————————————

I’ve really enjoyed working with these As You Wish Designs! And I haven’t even had a chance to try the great alphas I picked up from her store (I especially like the Ephemera Bets). If you like what you have seen so far you should definitely take a look at the rest of Janet’s store, she has a great sale going on - everything is 30% to 50% off :)!!!

Happy Fourth of July to all my American friends!!! I am so excited to spend time with my family today enjoying the festivities :). But before I head out, I just wanted to pop in to let you know about ALL KINDS of fun new stuff from Shabby Miss Jenn and Weeds and Wildflowers!

Shabby Miss Jenn has a bunch of new stuff in the store including three more AWESOME kits :)!!! And it is all on sale (don’t you love all the sales going on right now?) for a limited time. Here are a few things I made with her new kits:

Credits: Little Kahunas kit, by Shabby Miss Jenn.

Credits: Nature Guide Kit, by Shabby Miss Jenn

She also has another great new kit, Summer Posies, but I am going to blog about the project I made with that kit in another post (you can see it now if you click here). And of course she also has some albums and blog packs to go with these new kits. SMJ also has some great new freebies (see below)! How does she do it all???

And there’s a FANTASTIC new collaboration by Heidi and Gina available at Weeds and Wildflowers Design! It’s called Doodly Patterns - Flowers, isn’t it sooo cool? I have so many ideas for this one :)!!!

Here’s a card I made using this kit (plus some goodies from primahybrid.com)!

Phew, didn’t I tell you I had a lot to show you? Now for the freebies!!

From Shabby Miss Jenn: A July desktop and a mint tin album!

From Shabby Princess: An adorable July desktop!

From Weeds and Wildflowers: A fun template (and challenge)!

And from Christina Renee: This SUPER cute Fourth of July Freebie :)!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone :)!

I know I haven’t had a faithbooking post in quite some time, so here is an update on that front :). I have still been memorizing a lot of Bible verses and I am slowly but surely getting through all of my pages inspired by the “Psalms of Ascent” Bible study (by Beth Moore). Here’s my latest faithbook page:  

Credits: Damask and Dots kit by Shabby Princess.

I have also memorized several more Bible verses and made index card sized pages for the Bible verse mini book I’m making. Still keeping with the theme of “my faith as a journey”, I decided to memorize the verses for The Romans Road. Get it ;)? Well the real reason for memorizing these is that I wanted to know them by heart in case I have a chance to share my faith with others! Here they are:

Credits: Warming the Heart  kit, by Heidi of Weeds and Wildflowers

Credits: Creating Beauty kit, by Gina of Weeds and Wildflowers

Credits: Warming the Heart  kit, by Heidi of Weeds and Wildflowers

Credits: Warming the Heart  kit, by Heidi of Weeds and Wildflowers

Credits: Creating Beauty kit, by Gina of Weeds and Wildflowers

Tip: When making these memory verse cards, I found it helpful to design them to correspond with words or themes in the Bible verses. That way, the card itself provides a visual representation of the memory verse, which helps you remember it! For example: Romans 3:23 is a dark message, so I used a lot of blue tones; I used red for Romans 5:8 to remind me of Christ’s blood poured out for us; in another one I used a heart shape to remind me that it is with our heart that we believe; and I used Gina’s fun paper dolls to represent “Everyone” for Romans 10:13.  

Well, that’s it for me tonight - I’m off to curl up on the couch and watch a movie with my honey :).

Oh, and I wanted to say a big THANKS to all of you who have emailed or commented to tell me about your own faithbooking pages and projects, I LOVE hearing about them! Keep up the good work :)!! 

—————

Click Here To Read More About My Faithbooking Projects