Pretty Birds Hybrid Card by Ellen Hutson

It's good to be back to share how it is that I created one of the cards for our hybrid focus this month. Still two projects to go - slow and steady was how the tortoise completed his race - LOL! I promise I will continue to share as quickly as possible, but probably at the tortoise' pace. :-D

This project is absolutely stunning in person. There is something about the transparent layer that brings so much depth to this card.

I have shared in the post below, as well as a post on my blog Simple Dreams how to find images and create the digital files on ScrapHD.

I would like to encourage you to check out the many options that are available at your fingertips in the ScrapHD files. There are loads of different options to select from!

 
Now that I have shared how to find and download images, and how to create individual Word documents for each file, I want to share a picture of the actual page I printed in Word. I do NOT like to waste product and so when I was creating the reason I ended up creating three transparency projects was because I needed to use the entire sheet - LOL!

As you can see I used the landscape orientation and set my margins (the space around all the edges) to .25". Next I created two columns with .5" between the columns. When I inserted my files from ScrapHD into my document it then automatically centered the images for me.

I wanted to fold the transparency and so I positioned the birds on the lower portion of the transparency leaving the top blank. Before I placed my images on my 8x8 scrapbook page on the ScrapHD site I did my "math" by creating a quick sketch and figuring out how much space I wanted to cover with my bird images. I find that I avoid waste by planning ahead.

The files on the right side were used to create the two projects linked above.

One of the tips I would like to share when feeding these special Ink Jet transparencies into your printer is to feel the transparency. One side is completely smooth - the other has a very slight texture to it. It is the side with the texture that is the preferred side for printing and coloring on. This is the side you want your ink to print on.

You will have to figure out which way to place it in your printer - once you figure that out you may want to make a note on your printer so that you don't forget in the future. I typically will use a piece of copy paper when I first get a printer and put an X on the side I think it will print on. If it prints on the side with the X you know you have inserted it correctly. I hope this makes sense because it is hard to figure out how to teach you this, because it is different for each printer.

The next step was to color the transparency with Copic markers. No worries about color on the same side as the printing - this will not run the ink. It is best to color on the same side as the printing.

Selecting from the many beautiful options that Webster's Pages provides was simple. I placed my image over the papers before beginning. As you can see the page above gives a completely different look than the one below.

I colored my images based on the colors in this paper.

When folding a transparency it is best to place a piece of copy paper over the surface to reduce the chance of scratching the transparency. Then use your scoring tool, firmly crease the transparency. I folded my transparency so that my colored image would be on the interior next to my notecard. This helps reduce any friction which might wear the image off more easily.

I absolutely love the Jenni Bowlin vintage buttons, but wanted an even more rustic feel. You can see the slight difference it makes to take the ink blending tool and ink the button - then gently wipe the surface leaving the excess ink in the creases. You could also use paint - metallic or matte, gesso or some other medium to age the buttons as well.

Complete the look by adding crochet lace, a faux linen ribbon, a word charm charm and button. A bayou notecard brightens the card and gives that much needed feeling of springtime.

 
image: Jenni Bowlin Birds - ScrapHD file

ink: Copic Markers (I apologize for forgetting to take a picture of the colors I used - sorry about that), Palette Burnt Umber

paper: Ink Jet Transparency, Webster's Pages Nature's Storybook, Memory Box Bayou Notecard

accessories: Maya Road Brown Vintage Crochet Trim, Seafoam Faux Linen Trim, Word Charms, Jenni Bowlin Cream Vintage Buttons,

Comments

[Shannan Teubner]

This is amazing, Ellen!! I haven't gone that far into hybrid projects, but you're wearing me down! ;)

[Angie Hall]

Gorgeous card. Thanks for the info about printing on transparencies. Haven't tried that yet.Did you pick a winner for the Hero Arts blog candy?I ordered some stamps-thanks for the discount. I love Hero Arts stuff.