Hey everyone!  LuAnn here with your Monday Home Matters post.

Home Matters is a newer feature on the ScrapMatters blog.  Our goal is to give you some new ideas on how to incorporate your scrapbooking talents (and digital supplies!) into your home.

I was inspired by some family tree art by Fancyprints that I found on etsy and decided to create my own family tree art using my digital kits.

Not only would these make special Christmas gifts but how about creating one to give away as a bridal shower or wedding gift?

This was very simple to make.

1.  Pick out an 11 x 14″ frame.

2.  I created my “art” for in my frame – the opening in my frame is for an 8 x 10″ photo so this is the size of my canvas.

3.  Find a tree that you like and want to use – Resize and add to the center of your canvas. The tree I used is the tree from Jady Day Studios’ Family Reunion kit.  A tree with a thicker trunk would probably work best as it allows a little more space for the “carving” on the tree that you will do. 

note: You can turn any element into a silhouette by adding a layer above the element, filling that layer with black and then clipping it to the element.

4.  Choose your background paper.  I choose my background paper after picking out my tree.  The paper was created by Yari (Jady Day Studios – Thank you Yari!) esp. for my project.   If your tree is a more whimsical shaped tree, you may want your paper to also reflect that whimsy.

5.  Find a pair of birds that you like in your digital stash.  Again, Yari was kind enough to create these love birds for my project.  Change your birds into silhouettes and position them in your tree.  Or search your favorite free font site for a bird ding font.

Remember – your silhouettes do not have to be black or even solid!  Play around with different  papers until you find something that you like!  Textured or patterned papers could be really cute for your birds!

6.  Find a heart shape that you like – it can be a solid heart or a heart outline like I used (thanks Yari for the heart outline too!!!).   Position the heart on the trunk of your tree.

7.  Using a fun simple font, add the couple’s first names or the initials of their first name and the date of their wedding.  I used the 2Peas Architect font.

Here’s a close up of the “carving” on my tree – please forgive the not so good photo.   My camera and I are going to have a long talk…

8.  Don’t forget some shadows (or not – it will depend on the look you want for your art).   Save and print on presentation paper or photo paper using your printer’s best print option.  Allow to dry, cut and insert into your frame.

And there you go – a very easy yet elegant custom made gift that is sure to be cherished by the recipient!

I hope I inspired you with my Home Matters project!  Now, go forth and create!

Happy Monday before Thanksgiving!  It’s Kat {ktanker} here with your Monday Home Matters post.  This post is a newer feature on the ScrapMatters blog.  Our goal is to give you new ideas on how to incorporate your scrapbooking talents into your home.  Of course, you can always print and frame your layouts.  I would guess that is the most common why to bring your scrapbooking into your home, but let’s explore some other ideas too!

Ornaments are a really unique way to bring scrapbooking style into your home.  Each year, I look for something I can add to my Christmas tree or use as a nice display around the house to remind me of the season.  Traditional ornaments are sometimes too expensive, too similar, or too “insert your line here”.  For me, they are usually too glittery.  I love a bit of sparkle but I hate picking up an ornament and getting covered in glitter flakes and the flakes stick like glue to my tile floors.  As a child, my mom made a lot of ornaments.  Those have now been retired and live in a nice box of older Christmas decorations but the photos and memories last forever.  They are also some of my best Christmas memories.  Take some time with your kids and make a few ornaments for your tree.  It’s a great way to spend time with the family.  Here’s an ornament template that would be easy to use.

What I love about this template is that while it is not a traditional project for hybrid crafting, it is a simple way to make and print an ornament.  To use this template, all you need to do is open the file, add your papers and text, then drag the ornament to an 8.5×11 page.  Once on the page, you can re-size and print.  Just cut out the ornament, add some ribbon to hang it or some other embellishments or a dab of glitter glue here and there.  Write on the ornament (front or back) the date and who made it so years down the line when you pull it out of your ornament box, you can remember that special time making ornaments together.

Here’s another great idea!  Next time you visit your local craft store, pick up some clear ornament balls.  They usually come in a package of 6 or 12.  Print out a few different sheets of your favorite scrapbook paper and tear it into strips.  Roll the strips around a pencil and put them inside the ornament.  Add anything you’d like to spruce it up.  I chose a different type of hook, added a ribbon around the top and tied a snowflake embellishment to hang off the side.

There is a great Hybrid challenge for creating ornaments in the forum.  Be sure and check it out and show us how you (and your family) made your own ornaments .

Kat

Hey there!  It’s Cathy (Scrappycath) here with the October Getting Hybrid. This month we are going to continue what we started in the September ScrapMatters Newsletter…. getting organized! {Need to sign up to receive the newsletter?  Click HERE}  In particular, getting organized for the holidays!  You can feel the change in the weather coming, and before you know it, the holidays will be here. It’s never too early to get started on all that you want to accomplish for the holiday season.

So our Getting Hybrid project this month will be a Holiday Organizer.  Now you’re probably wondering, what is a Holiday Organizer?  Well, really it is anything that helps you to keep yourself organized and on track for this busy time of year.  Maybe you want to make use of the Jr. Legal Pad Wrap Template by Krisi’s Kreations to make a stylish pad for keeping a gift list or menu.  Maybe you’d like to follow the tutorial in the Newsletter by Cristina to create a pocketed organizer like she did using a file folder.  Anything that helps you stay sane (or close to it) through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Cristina’s Holiday Organizer using Cotton Candy Christmas by Stolen Moments:

For me I thought a 3 ring binder with pockets would work best.  I had one of those binders with a clear pocket on the front left over from recent school supply shopping.  There are some great organizing tips and guides available at The Organized Christmas. Instead of re-inventing the wheel, I’m making use of some of the print-outs available in the sections of my organizer.

I used One More Sleep by Graham Like the Cracker and Stolen Moments for the cover.

I created tabs using a journal spot in the  One More Sleep kit.  I used a pack of pocket dividers that I dressed up with papers from the kit for each of my sections.

I’ve got sections for Calendars, Cards and Gifts.  I used elements from various kits to make up the calendars including 2010 Calendar Grid Overlays by Geeky Diva Designs, With Thankful Hearts by Chelle’s Creations, A Spooktacular Evening by Wimpychompers, and more items from the One More Sleep Bundle.  You can see the rest of my calendars in my gallery.

Here’s an organizer that LuAnn (Wildblueyez) made that will serve a dual purpose, she can keep track of her scrappy tools and easily provide a wish-list to people looking to get her special gifts at the holidays.  I just love this idea as I never know what to say when ask “what do you want for Christmas?”  The Design Team Collab Queen of Scrap kit and the EZ Date Edgers by Erica Zane made EZ work of it for her!  Hmmm… I think I’ve got some items for my wish-list now!

Ami (steami) made an organizer for an upcoming holiday trip.  She is going to Disney at the holidays (I am so jealous!) and created this awesome take along that will keep her organized on the trip and make easy work of recording her memories when she returns! She used the My Magical Place kit by Haynay Designs

Are you ready to have a more relaxed holiday season? Then let’s get it started with a little organizer to keep you focused on enjoying the season!  Some other ideas that you could create an organizer for are:

• A holiday card list
• A holiday menu list
• a journal that organizes your holiday memories
• A gift ideas/purchase list
• Birthday list organizer
• This can be for any holiday

Here are the ScrapMatters challenge guidelines:
- Entries must be posted in the Getting Hybrid challenge gallery, and linked to the challenge thread
- You will have until the end of the month (October) to complete your project
- You’ll get 1 point for designing, printing and putting together your project, and then posting the photo of it in the gallery. If you want some pointers about photographing your hybrid projects, see this thread here. You will get a bonus point if you used a new release within one week of it’s release to complete your project.  Just remember to let me know if you used something new when you post it in the forum thread. Plus, I’ll select one entry at random for a bonus challenge point.

Don’t forget – you get double points during October as we celebrate our 2nd anniversary!!! So that’s 2 points for your project, 4 points if you use a new release!

OK, let’s get organized!  I can’t wait to see your creations!

Hi everyone, Sylvia here with our new IT’S IN THE CARDS challenge!

Your template:

You can download the template HERE

I’ve made a sample card using ‘Tis The Season’ by Man in the Moon Designs:

And here’s some great inspiration from our wonderful CT:
Cathy aka Scrappycath made this gorgeous pinwheel card using Happy Scrap Girl’s Sunshine and Showers

This beautiful card was made by Tanya aka TanyaH666 using Frolic by Jenn Barrette

And another wonderful card for your inspiration: Amanda aka Abhall76 made this super duper cute winter card using Winter Waddles by Belly Gypsy

And more hybrid magic from Heather aka interstitchal. She used Some Summer Night by Belly Gypsy to create this beautiful card

Aren’t these wonderful examples? I hope you are now ready to play along and can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with!

Remember: the rules of the challenge are:
*To earn your Matter of Scrap point for the month you need to photograph and upload your card to the Hybrid Challenge – It’s In The Cards gallery by September 22nd. Then come back here and post it in our It’s In The Cards Challenge thread (you can find the thread HERE). Make sure to let your hostess know if you used a new product within a week of it’s release – if you do, you get an extra point! One random winner will be chosen to receive an extra point!*

Happy cardmaking

Hey everyone! LuAnn here with our next It’s in the Cards challenge!  We have LOTS of inspiration from the SM team so let’s get started!

Here’s our template:

Here’s the template

Here’s my card using Jungle Josh digital kit by Golden Girls Designs – inside the card reads “Happy Belated Birthday!!!”

And take a look at what Cristina did with the template and EZ Wishes by Erica Zane

More inspiration from Krisi – love the dots!!!  She used It’s My Party from WM[squared] Designs

And check out this one from Cinna – I just *love* this – the stamp she used along with Bring on the sunshine by GG design just screams atti-tude!  and look at those water drops!

One from Cathy using Drift Away by Graham like the Cracker – love the movement created on the card with the butterflies and the swoopy (yes, I said swoopy!) wordart!!!

And take a look at this super cute back to school card Amanda created using A Time to Learn by Stolen Moments

How’s THAT for some inspiration?!?

Remember: the rules of the challenge are:
*To earn your Matter of Scrap point for the month you need to photograph and upload your card to the Hybrid Challenge gallery by the end of [COLOR="Red"]September[/COLOR] – yepp, you get more time since we’re almost at the end of August – then come back here and post it in the comments section of this post as well. Make sure to let your hostess know if you use a new product within a week of it’s release – if you do, you get an extra point!  One random winner will be chosen to receive an extra point!*

I can’t wait to see what you come up with using my template!

Hi everyone

It’s Sylvia here with the Hybrid Highlights for July!
I’m sure, you already knew that we have a lot of super talented hybrid artists around at ScrapMatters and they really create some amazing cards and projects!

It was a tough decision which ones to choose and showcase here, because there are lot more gorgeous creations in the hybrid gallery, so don’t forget to check out the whole gallery and leave all the talented ladies some love

But without further ado, here are the Highlights of our Hybrid Gallery for July:

Look at these fun and beautiful pinwheels Sandy (SandyPie) created:

Or these amazing mailboxes LuAnn (wildblueeyez) created as baby shower favors. How cool and creative is that?!

This altered photo tray by Cathy (Scrappycath) really caught my attention in the gallery! Isn’t it adorable?

Awww, look at this super duper cute doorhanger by majula76. I’m sure every kid would be over the moon to have something like this hanging on it’s door

And last but not least here are some super cute and fun party hats that hobbes30 created:

Wow, I’m truly impressed by all the creativity and talent I can see in the gallery! What a great pleasure to browse through it and look at all the gorgeousness.

If you want to start hybrid yourself, we have some great products to help you get started!

Party Hat templates by Krisi’s Creations

Pillow Box Doorhanger by Krisi’s Creations

Boxy Bag Template by SimplyJ Studio

Foldover Bag Templates by Geeky Diva Designs

I hope you are as impressed as I am and I am curious to see if YOUR work will be in the Hybrid Highlights next month!

Have fun hybrid creating!

Hey there everyone!  It’s LuAnn – back again to host the 5/13 It’s in the Cards challenge.

If you have never tried hybrid or are new to it, today’s template is a great way to get a little experience in hybrid!

I know we’re only a few days post-Mother’s Day but I thought “Hey, let’s get a jump on Father’s Day by creating his card early!” 

But first, a quick review the rules of the challenge:

*Remember that to earn your Matter of Scrap point for the month you need to photograph and upload your card to the Hybrid Challenge gallery by the end of the month. Then come back here and post it in this thread as well. Make sure to let your hostess know if you use a new product within a week of it’s release – if you do, you get an extra point!*

And here’s our template:

Download the template HERE

Some tips for using this template:

1. for best results: allow the printed card time to sit before working with it.
2. for the “knot” of the tie, I kind of finger rounded the edges under a bit to make it “bump up” off the paper and used the burn tool along the edges to give it dimension.
3. fold the pieces in so that the top points meet right at the top of the tie
4. I used pop dots under the points of the collar and double sided tape between the collar layers and also to attach the buttons

Here’s my card created using Plum Dumpling Designs’ Lob-STAH kit:

and a close up:

and another I made using a paper from Britt-ish Designs’ Ohana kit (I left off the tie, added 2 rows of stitching and added a square  to create a pocket)

Here’s one from Hybrid Gal Deb using Pedal Pusher by Connie Prince:

and one from fellow paper and glue gal Amanda using  Happy to Be by Scrapmuss Designs:

and a super cool Daddio one from Julie using Road Trip by Creations by Rachel:

So, let’s get creating those cards!!!   Can’t wait to see what you come up with!!!

Hi everyone, Dalis here to give you a Hybrid Designer Spotlight/ Product Review.  Have you tried making a hybrid project before?  Are you intimidated by the sample (or samples) showcased in the kit?  Did you know that Krisi’s Kreations templates include a PDF line file version (when indicated)?  What does that mean to the not so experienced hybrid gal?  That you don’t have to deal w/ layers  or matching sides.  You can just put a piece of colored cardstock in your printer and print the outline of the box and create a wonderful Hybrid project without having to open your image software.

Let’s take the “Not Straight Up: Hybrid Boxes” template from Krisi’s Kreations.  You notice the wonderful creation she did, well she used all the wonderful layers and power of Photoshop to make it… but look a little farther down… my sample is as cute but I just opened her PDF file and printed the outline to purple cardstock.

This is a simple way to get your feet wet with Hybrid Projects starting with baby steps!  Try one of her templates today and let the Hybrid world open it’s doors for you!

Wow! It’s April! I can’t believe it! Spring is here!

Are you ready for a FUN Hybrid Challenge? This one might take you in a direction you never thought you would go with your digital scrapbooking suplies…Accessories!

Yes, I said Accessories! I love taking my digi supplies and making accesories! Necklace pendants, keychains, pins, even rings. I know this might sound scary and hard, but it really isn’t!

For example, I made this necklace to wear at my son’s T-Ball games. It’s so simple and you can decorate it so many different ways.

Here it is….

I was so lucky one day and found 2 scrabble games at the Goodwill! I love me some Goodwill! I have been searching for them! I really wanted to make some Scrabble Tile Necklaces! But, of course they do sell blank tiles at ESTY.
So, this is my first of many to come. It was so fun and easy to make.

The first thing I did was drill a hole in the top of the tile, a tiny hole with a tiny drill bit. 1/16″
If you dont want to drill a hole you can use a jewlery bail they glue right on.

I wanted mine reversable so I used a drill and made a hole.

Then I designed my necklace front in PSE. Just measure your base for your jewlery and make your file in that size. I recomend doing a test print to make sure it fits. I used the kit Boys of Summer by, Brittish! Printed it on matte photo paper. Covered it with Mod Podge to seal it. Glued it to the back side of the tile. (Wait for the Mod Podge to dry)

Then apply your Diamond Glaze, just a nice smooth coat. I goes on so easy!

Now you just have to wait for it to dry! When it’s nice and dry take a piece of beading wire make a loop in the top and stick it in the hole. Or buy some “Eye Pins” and the loop is made for you! Put a little super glue in the hole to hold it. Then put a split ring on the loop and put it on your chain! Your done!

Now if you can’t find Scrabble Tiles, there are many different types of pendants. You can get blank pendants online, in any craft store even Wal Mart has a pretty good beading section! Here is an example…

I really love making these Here are some more I did.

Here are some examples from our wonderful Hybrid Team….

Jennifer (notes4theheart) made these adorable earings with Shrink Plastic and the kit Alice by Britt-ish Designs. I love them!

Amanda made these for her boys! Aren’t they awesome! She used the kit Sk8ter Boy by, Trixie Scraps. She used magnetic clasps, perfect for kids!

Krisi made this lovely necklace for her Mother “Hope” What wonderful gift! She used the kits Color My World and Girl Power from Chelle’s Creations

So, what do you think? Want to try it? It really is easy! I promise!
Come to the Scrap Matters Forum and join us in the Getting Hybrid Challenge!

Julie

Hey everyone! Deb (dbrprc) here with our next It’s in the Cards challenge!

Remember: the rules of the challenge are:
*To earn your Matter of Scrap point for the month you need to photograph and upload your card to the Hybrid Challenge – It’s In The Cards gallery by the end of April -  you get more time since it’s almost the end of March. Then post it in the challenge thread as well. Make sure to let your hostess know if you use a new product within a week of it’s release – if you do, you get an extra point! One random winner will be chosen to receive an extra point!*

Here’s our template:

Download HERE

Here’s my card using Easter Morning by Stolen Moments and Man in the Moon Designs…

And here is a card from Melissa (profiler_mar) using Sweetest Days by Erica Zane…

I hope you will play along!