Hybrid Design - it is a combination of words that we are hearing more and more frequently. When you look up the word "hybrid" in a thesaurus you will find the following words - cross, mixture, mix and fusion. The dictionary will provide the following definition: an object that is composed of or derived from the elements and components of two different sources.
In the world of paper crafting and scrapbooking, hybrid design simply means the mixing of digital or computerized elements (which are two-dimensional) with the tactile, three-dimensional products we already know and love. Many of us have been working in this genre without even realizing it. As we print off words, journaling, or photos to mix with our paper craft projects, we are creating a hybrid design.
My interest in hybrid design stems from the realization that I would love to bring a product to our store that young and old crafters alike can utilize and enjoy. I realized that the younger generation (aka my teen daughter) communicates and lives with an electronic gizmo in hand at almost all times. The computer is a mainstay in her life. It is my desire to share the joy of getting one's hands dirty with her generation, and at the same time help share with my generation (yes, I hate to admit that I am getting older, but I am :D) that this whole "electronic/digital thing" is actually a benefit to us as well. I realized that it is important for me to go with the flow and embrace the changes around me, rather than be afraid of technology as it advances. We can learn to create using a combination of the digital and traditional methods of paper crafting and it isn't that hard!
When I look for something new like this, I consider the ease of learning, as well as the value. Is this something that makes sense financially, as well as creatively? It was a thrill to discover ScrapHD. The value of this program and the services they provide, along with the simplicity of use, have me extremely excited about the possibilities. Today I want to share my thoughts with you regarding our relationship with ScrapHD. For a more in-depth look at those FAQ's please join me in my post ScrapHD FAQ's.
We have signed up with ScrapHD to bring the digital designs of 14 top manufacturers to you. Following are a listing of the companies that are currently providing content for ScrapHD:
This program is in its infancy, so I cannot even begin to fathom what it will be like as they continue to enhance and develop it further. Currently there are thousands of papers and elements to select from, and the commitment to adding more is unprecedented.
ScrapHD is not designed to take the place of Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or some of the other more intensive programs on the market. Rather it is designed for ease of use and affordability.
In an effort to make certain that you understand the program before you get involved ScrapHD is providing two different levels of membership. The first level is a "FREE membership." Included in this program are some absolutely wonderful free papers, layouts and elements so that you can "try before you buy." When you sign up initially this is the type of membership that I would recommend you try. This will allow you to upload a few photos and use any of the elements that have a white border or frame around them. You will be able to create and share your layouts on the ScrapHD site as well as on Facebook, Twitter or your blogs. It is a fantastic way to try out the program! You will also be able to order your layouts and books on-line using this free version.
The second level is what is called the "club membership." For $9.99/month (or $99.99/year) you will be provided with an endless assortment of digital papers, elements, accessories, and design layouts to use in your creative process. I have to admit that this is the level that excited me because I can then print from my own printer! I had to have it - LOL! It is this level that I used to create my samples for this post. With this level I can use ALL of the elements shown on the ScrapHD site, as well as upload more of my own photos and digital elements to my ScrapHD gallery.
There is a community forming to help answer your questions and provide you with fun challenges and contests, as well as a place to share ideas. With each new month there will be new additions to the lines, new layouts to try and new contests to enter.
Tutorials have been created that will show you how to use the site, how to create a scrapbook layout and so much more. All these, alongwith educational webinars to teach you how to use the program are provided by ScrapHD, but we here at Ellen Hutson, LLC are going to do our best to join in the educational process and inspire you as well! We are determined to add value to the program that ScrapHD is offering by adding our own education and specials to the mix.
The process for signing up is simple. All you need to do is click on this link and it will take you to our scrapbook builder. Select a nickname or user name, enter your email address and a password and you are on your way to your free membership.
ScrapHD Hybrid Projects
Today I would like to share the hybrid projects I was able to create in just a short time frame before I headed off for Ranger U. I will not be sharing step-by-step directions in this article, but rather will continue to share those over the next few days so that I don't overwhelm you. I want to be certain to make each projects directions easy to understand and to replicate. Today's lesson will be more about how it is that these creations are hybrid designs, with just a handful of ideas that I hope will share my excitement with all of you.
This whole "scrapbooking" element kind of freaks me out - LOL! I never seem to have time to complete large projects and so I started with something simple --- a card.
The papers and elements in this program are an AMAZING value! I have boatloads of papers and yet so many times I go to create a project and I can't find the right element. Or I want to create more than just a couple of one project, but only have enough of one particular paper to create just one or two. What ScrapHD brings is an enormous assortment to select from and print at a moment's notice. Some of my absolute all-time favorites are in their collection and that collection is constantly growing.
I wanted to start simply. Nothing too elaborate or scary was in order! So I headed in to the site and started viewing the collections. One of the first collections I spotted was the lovely Jenni Bowlin papers. It was in a split-second that I realized that not only could I print on paper, but I could also print on transparencies! (We have added these transparencies to our store because they are a specialized variety that can be used in your printers - in this case I used my color ink-jet printer and so I used this transparency.)
In the image below you will see how I printed one of the Jenni Bowlin papers on a transparency and combined it with some mini papers and the crepe ribbon we carry in our store.
Complete details for this project can be found here on our Simple Dreams blog.
I also found some beautiful black and white line drawings!!! Printing these images on to the transparency and coloring with Copic markers made me feel like such an artist - LOL!
Combining these beautiful images with some Webster's Pages paper, ribbons, buttons and all those wonderful 3-D elements I so love, makes this a hybrid design.
Not only can I use the treasures I uncovered in ScrapHD to create cards, but I can also create dimensional pieces such as this elegant "jewelry box" from a simple memory box.
Once again I printed one of the images on a transparency and painted the back to bring it to life.
Adding "foundations", pearls, ribbon and paper I quickly created a beautiful little hybrid gift box.
I have very little experience creating scrapbook pages, BUT I thought if I can't tackle that "fear" then I most certainly can't expect others too. What I found was an immense amount of joy as I created these next couple of pages! The happy memories that flooded over me as I worked were unexpected. What fun I had!!!
I thought I would begin with an 8"x8" scrapbook page, so that I could share the difference between a digital scrapbook page and a hybrid scrapbook page. In this first set of photos you will see how I used both papers and accessoreis to complete my pages. Using a combination of Teresa Collins, Jenni Bowlin, and Danielle Young papers, together with some beautiful digital embellishments, I was able to create my pages.
It is simple to then take these pages and make them public. I embedded the link here into my blog post. I could also share this layout on Facebook or Twitter, or I could invite special friends or family members to view the pages that I created.
As a club member of ScrapHD I can also print from home. This service is one that I know that I will utilize a LOT :D It is this option that I used for the projects I created today. ScrapHD has done their research. We are carrying their photo papers in our store. The beautiful matte finish and heavier than normal weight photo paper (12x12 and 8x8) make it an ideal surface on which to print your photos and add the hybrid elements.
I did not have any of this beautiful paper when I created my pages. So instead to make these digital pages into hybrid designs I simply eliminated some of the embellishments from the design and printed my 8"x8" scrapbook page on an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of Neenah Cardstock. I then went about adding the 3-dimensional embellishments we carry in our store.
I pierced the stitching and added some pearls, flowers and buttons to give the pages additional dimension and texture.
I look at these pages sitting here on my desk and grin from ear to ear remembering those moments when Trina was two. I can hardly wait to create additional pages from that photo session and turn it into a coffee table book for our family to enjoy!
Creating scrapbooks might not be your cup of tea, but perhaps you have special photos that you would like to use as wall art. It has been six years since we took our trip to the big island of Hawaii. I just couldn't help but giggle and have the girls pose for this picture --- they have always been little beach bums, loving the water and sand!
To construct this page I once again created the basic layout in ScrapHD. I wanted to share how when creating using a hybrid format you can pick elements that don't actually "coordinate" with your project.
For example I loved the idea of pointing the title arrow at my little "beach bums," but knew that the color of the digital arrow I selected was not quite right. It didn't matter, because I knew I could change up the color with Studio Paints. I printed my layout on Sticky Back Canvas and then painted, stitched, and embellished my way to this little framed art piece.
As I stated earlier I will be sharing the details and steps for each of these items in the days to come. I know that each of you only has a portion of the day to spend here with me and I have already consumed a large portion of it - LOL! So I will close for now.
I believe in the value of this program and so my reason for introducing you to it. I believe in what this program will bring to all generations, young and old alike. It is time that I share with and encourage my children to create albums of their own using the digital pictures that are meaningful to them. It is past time that they have something tangible in their hands to enjoy :D
What I would like to do is to encourage you to think about the possibilities! Click through this link and sign up for an account together with us... see what it is that is offered on the ScrapHD site and join us in some creative fun! We'll tackle this hybrid thing together and add just one more tool to our arsenal of goodies that makes it easier to create at a moments notice.
