AnAlteredLife.com » hybrid projects

Paper Roses

Sharyn — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:35:41 +0000

Turning paper into real looking three dimensional flowers is all the rage at the moment. From tissue paper to napkins to flower shapes punched or stamped card stock cut out. All are altered in various ways to create pleasing and pretty flowers for various projects or funky and fresh decor.

After seeing various tutorials and a video or two I just had to jump on the paper flower bandwagon. Starting out with the water technique for paper roses was my first attempt.

So this is how I took these gorgeous flowers from Jennifer Labre Designs digital scrapbooking kit After The Rain …… from this

to this.

After waiting a couple of days for the ink to dry on the Red River paper I cut all the shapes out. Then put them on a brad and proceeded to add water and smoosh all the layers up. All good – worked just like in the video.

Let the flower dry outside – making sure to let hubby know it is there before he turns the water on for the garden and soaks the thing enough to wash the dishes with. It was so wet that it would not even smoosh up but was just a soggy wilted mess.

Let the flower dry again. This time inside and overnight. Find in the morning that it is still damp and now smooshes perfectly. Then wait another few hours for it to dry fully – or hit it with a hair dryer or heat gun if you are in a hurry.

You can leave it like that – or check back tomorrow and see what else I did with it to get that shiny glimmery look to it. It's not Glimmer Mist or Pearl Ex either.

Hybrid Digital Projects and Digital Alpha's

Sharyn — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 17:08:26 +0000

Alpha's can really make a hybrid project. Especially if it is a notebook, handmade card, template gift box or something made for a specific recipient where the alpha tells their name.

During my hybrid journey I have used a variety of alphas and have come to find I like the solid ones better. The job of cutting out and mounting them on your project is made much easier by the more solid piece.

For instance this sneak peak at an upcoming project shows the type of digital alpha I am talking about.

You can see it is almost two alpha's. The top black outline letter placed against a solid background. This particular one is from Elise's Pieces August Grab Bag and is called appropriately "Read All Over". Just the type of alpha that works perfectly for hybrid digital projects.

I had resized these to be about 1/2 an inch tall. You can imagine how difficult it would have been to trim out the middle of the p and the a. Plus try putting mounting tape behind such little areas without it showing.

If you have an alpha that you love but it is too fiddly – why not think about creating this effect, with a matching paper from the digital kit, in your editor.

If you are going to cut out alpha's then try to make them larger, perhaps only on bigger projects. This one while not an alpha is part of a boy album template by Kelleigh. It was a reasonable size for trimming out but you would not want to make it any smaller.

Using extra sharp pointy scissors and a craft knife can make the job a little less difficult too. Place your piece on a work surface like a cutting mat ( I use my quilters mat) and hold it firm. Work from both directions into the point area's and away from the curves if there are any.

Do you use alpha's on your digital alpha's on your hybrid projects? Or do you stick to pre made chipboard or sticker type ones? Link me up to your projects showing me your favourite alphas?

Baby Shower Ideas

Sharyn — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:39:54 +0000

Are you looking for baby shower ideas? Want some neat idea's for gifts, packaging and nursery decor? Then look no further!

It has already started, so pop on over to The Hybrid Chick and check out their week baby shower. This party is running for the next two weeks. How fun is that? A two week bay shower!

I can tell you there are just some of the cutest projects to make and do. If you are not having a baby – find someone who is and have a go at these wonderful hybrid projects.

The giveaways are awesome too. Some of the projects are to be given away. Imagine getting one the these hand made projects by the incredibly talented creative team at The Hybrid Chick.

There are also fabulous randomly drawn Digi Chick gift coupons from various designers on offer too.

Gotta love that!

Nearly Famous?

Sharyn — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:48:53 +0000

Not sure if this qualifies or not but perhaps?

I am sitting here browsing through this months superb Digi Shop Talk Insider ezine catching up on articles. I wanted to check it out as Nicole Seitler from SugarPlum Paperie who is also the owner of The Digi Chick is the Highlighted Designer of the month at DST for June.

Not only that but Mari Koegelenberg has a great tutorial in there for making the cutest little hybrid tag album. Very clever!

So anyway, as I scroll down I come across a very familiar photo. One of mine in fact. This one.

It is my control center.

I am totally amazed! Each month the Insider team picks their favourite Hybrid projects from the gallery and hilights them in the ezine!

Mine was one of 4 they picked this month. The others are wonderful too – inspiration for sure.

So now I am wondering? Does this make me nearly famous?

LOL!

If you want to know how to make one of these control centers – the Tutorial is here.