In my column for the winter issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today, I focused on telling stories without the perfect photos to accompany your words. I have always been a proponent of the idea that you really don’t need perfect shots to tell a story. The photo and the story together are the thing, you know? Context, friends. That is what a good record of time has the potential to serve up.
I created this layout featuring a selfie taken on a road trip with one of my besties.
This is what a hybrid scrapbook page looks like. If you’re new to either scrapbooking, or the term hybrid, all it means is that you incorporate some digital processes into your final, physical layout. For most who create hybrid pages, it’s simply computer generated journaling. That’s really been my go-to since the very first layout I ever created. (What? You’ve never seen that page? Oh, girl, I GOT YOU!)
Yes. That is the very first page I ever created and if you’ll notice… a small journal block typed up, trimmed and glued down onto the page. While I started out making 12 x 12 layouts (as was the dominant trend in 2003), I quickly shifted to 8.5 x 11 as my go-to size. Why? Because it was SO much easier to add type directly to the page with a regular-sized printer. And, they take up a tiny bit less space.
One of the things I’ve taught in my classes over the years is how to do hybrid and I thought I would do the same today with a free template, based on the layout from the magazine, and create a new page to walk you through the process. First up, the free template:
NOTE: This template package is for use in Photoshop Elements or Photoshop. Yes, there are apps out there that will allow you to use layered .psd files, which this template is. But I am only qualified to teach the processes in the Adobe apps. You CAN replicate this concept today using a Word Processing program, if you can create your own text block on your background cardstock. And for you 12 x 12 scrapbookers… just mount the final design onto a piece of 12 x 12 cardstock. It’ll work like a charm!
Let’s begin with this video.
The whole idea is to just use the part that suit your final page. On this project, it was just the journaling block that I needed. I still used the basic design, but all the elements were added to a base of journaling on cardstock.
I hope this lesson gives you some ideas for telling a simple story today. You can use the template in any way you like! If you do use it and share it on social media, tag it using #czfreetemplate so I can see what you have created!
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Carrieh says
Your Gather layout is the perfect inspiration! Later today we are meeting up with friends for a virtual happy hour, which I want to record in some way as a sign of the times we are living in right now. Life is serious for so many reasons, but we still need to find the happy where we can. Also, I have always enjoyed copying your layouts using all physical product, which works for me. Thanks, and please keep sending out the positive vibes via your beautiful layouts.
Joyce says
Thank you for being so generous with the template (love it!). In a time where there is so much bad news, your blog and instagram posts are refreshing!
Monique says
Love the template. You are so generous. Thank you Cathy. You have such a great heart❤️
Ann says
Thanks for a great post Cathy, its just the sort of thing we need right now. Many of us will be in isolation at home and there will never be a better time to learn journalling/scrapbooking techniques. The template and the tutorial are really helpful. Take care.
Milena says
Thanks Cathy. As always, you are awesome.
Christine says
I stayed up late scooping up stuff from Designer Digitals. Your holiday stuff and paper packs are my faves.