Go Anna Go | Hybrid Scrapbook Layout + Video Tutorial

Go big. That's what I wanted to do when I saw this photo of Anna.

Go big with the photo and go big with the pattern paper.

I've done a few layouts in the past that incorporate full page photos like this one and this one. I love the look. I'm especially inspired by the way Laura Kurz does this (see more of her work: Two Peas | Studio Calico) and the way Karen Russell used to do it when she was scrapbooking more often.

For this photo + story I decided to create a layout that also left much of the pattern paper just as it is...lovely all on it's own. This is a great idea for those of you who buy pattern paper but never use it because you think it's too pretty.

TIP | Use that pretty paper. They will make more!

Here's a look at my process for putting together this two-page layout:

(1) Begin with one full page 8.5x11 printed photo + one 8.5x11 sheet of pattern paper (I cut this down from 12x12). Here at home I'm using a HP Photosmart B8550 Inkjet Photo Printer that has the capability of printing borderless 8.5x11. It's a nice option for this sort of project.

(2.) To tell your story, use one of my Oval Journal Tags or a similar product you may already have in your stash (or just cut an oval from a piece of cardstock and hand-write your story). Here's the details on using the oval journal tags in Photoshop (read on for the video tutorial):


  1. Open the oval .png file of your choice from the Bread + Butter Elements: Oval Journal Tags folder.
  2. Using the T tool, type your story. To add some interest mix script + serif fonts and recolor the script words. I used Wendy LP Medium for the script and MrsEaves for the serif (serif simply means a font with little "feet" at the ends of each letter).
  3. Use the eyedropper tool to "grab" the same red color as is used in the oval journal tag. Use that same red to recolor the script font words.

  4. Option: Recolor background area to make cutting easier. This is really an optional step. I ended up liking having the gray around the outside of the oval on my layout. To do this I created
  5. Print on white cardstock.

Oval Journal Tags available at Designer Digitals.

Here's a video tutorial that shows my process for typing my journaling on the oval in Photoshop Elements:

Ali Edwards' Oval Journal Tag Tutorial from Ali Edwards on Vimeo.

(3.) Cut oval from white cardstock. I did a quick cut here - it's far from perfect and I like it that way.

(4.) Adhere the journaling oval about 2/3 of the way down the page (add a little initial card behind the oval - this one is from my random stash of stuff so unfortunately I don't have a source for more). Trim off excess from the oval journal that goes over the edge of the pattern paper or have it overlap onto your full page photo.

(5.) Attach the Basic Grey Wander Collection Stitched Brads. Sometimes with these fabric brads I remove the back rather than sticking it through the page. It often depends on how many layers the brad will need to go through. In this case I wanted to use glue dots instead so I could stick the mini-safety pin under the fabric brad (sticks with the help of the glue dot).

Brad-backing removed with pliers. Glue dot adhered.

(6.) Mini staples and mini-safety pin added.

(7.) Celebrate another story told!

THE STORY | It’s what you do. Here, there, and everywhere. Especially on the front porch. You run from one end to the other and back again. With glee. I love seeing the smile on your face and the intention in your eyes. Speed and laughter are your friends. I also love that you want to make sure one of “your” people is always watching. It’s seems to be even sweeter with an audience. On this particular day we just had a visit from Grandpa, Grandma, Auntie Jessie & Gabrielle. You were even more excited to have an audience than usual. Keep on going sweet little girl. We love it.

SUPPLIES | Pattern Paper: Jenni Bowlin Snack Time; Oval Journal Tags: AE Bread + Butter Elements Oval Journal Tags; Fabric Brads: Basic Grey Wander Collection Stitched Brads; A Card: Vintage; Mini Stapler: Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher; Mini Safety-Pin: Tim Holtz Mini Pins

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37 thoughts

  1. AmberCA says…
    09/08/2010

    I love everything about this! Is that your new porch? It looks amazing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  2. Stacia says…
    09/08/2010

    I love this advice, Ali:

    TIP | Use that pretty paper. They will make more!

    I need to remember it more! I am such a terrible horder of pretty paper, embellishments, etc. (I'm the same way with stationary...and quilting fabric...ack!)

    I will enjoy the paper even more if it's in a scrapbook album and I can see it with my treasured photos. :-)

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      09/08/2010

      You got it!

  3. Clouds says…
    09/08/2010

    what a cute pic of yer lil girl Ana :) never really tried printing a 8.5"X11" pic for scrapping, partly cuz my printer is a really OLD printer :S ... such a wonderful idea for a 2pg layout! luv the tut on the tag, what a neat idea! Thanks.

    C :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  4. Alexandra says…
    09/08/2010

    can't tell you how much I love it when you show us how it all comes together - so, so cool and so helpful - especially for those of us who are a little timid about the process and not so confident in our abilities.
    thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  5. Amy Freeman says…
    09/08/2010

    Wow, super simple and still super lovely.

    I also appreciate the paper tip. I am bad about buying pretty paper and never using it.

    Question:

    Can you order prints that are 8 1/2 x 11 or would you have to go 8 x 12 and cut it down?

    Thanks, Ali!

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      09/08/2010

      You sure can Amy. Try any of the following (I've tried both and they are both good):

      http://www.persnicketyprints.com ($1.89)
      http://www.scrapbookpictures.com ($1.29 or $1.59)

  6. Sonja Chandler says…
    09/08/2010

    Thank you for this! I so, so, so want to start doing more "real" hybrid scraping. How I do it now I don't truly believe could be considered real hybrid scraping. (I use windows) EEK!

    Reply 0 Replies
  7. molly says…
    09/08/2010

    so cute. I want to make something - NOW. I love using digital templates to make paper goods. so practical for the cost to use over and over again.

    Reply 0 Replies
  8. Christina says…
    09/08/2010

    oh wow!!! I took photos of my grandson with his spiderman outfit on yesterday. He wore it all day and I have so much to say about it. I will use the best photo as you did. I now know what to do with it. Thanks so much for your inspiration. Love love love it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  9. dawn says…
    09/08/2010

    I love everything about this. I love your porch so big and plenty of room to run off that energy she has. Thank you for showing us your process it really helps and you make it so simple. The paper is beautiful and should be used and not kept on the shelf, I have to remember that too. She is a sweetie.

    Where do you buy her clothes they always seem so unlike the clothes at the mall or walmart. They seem like doll clothes but for her size??? They are so pretty.

    Reply 1 Reply
    1. Ali says…
      09/08/2010

      Oh thanks Dawn - it's been so fun dressing a little girl. Most of her clothes come from Target, American Apparel, The Gap/Old Navy (online), and a local organic kids store. I also bought a bunch of stuff before she was born at second hand stores and at stores while traveling.

  10. Lori says…
    09/08/2010

    So cute - thanks for the step by step. I love the enlarged picture - i love it when i do these and need to do them more often :)

    Reply 0 Replies
  11. debbie mcintyre says…
    09/08/2010

    What a sweet photo. Love Anna's curled toes.

    Reply 0 Replies
  12. cinback says…
    09/08/2010

    I love how she curls her toes under! My sister used to curl her toes under like that...and then walk on them!

    Reply 0 Replies
  13. katie says…
    09/08/2010

    BEAUTIFUL. As always. I love the tip. " | Use that pretty paper. They will make more!" I am going to post that in my studioffice because I need a constant reminder that I have it.

    Reply 0 Replies
  14. slmnontec says…
    09/09/2010

    My girl is a young woman now and is still very active. I used to feature pretty paper on layouts thinking they were better than the photos I had to deal with. But you've help me see the value in every image! I tell so many more stories now. I use $1.49 8x12 elargements from Costo and cut them narrow or square or whatever. I love feeling like I'm "right in the event". Thanks for sharing.

    Reply 0 Replies
  15. Tacha says…
    09/09/2010

    Waoow, What a superb layout, so Clean & Simple !!
    many thanks for the explanations, and the journal tags !!! extra
    Merci

    Reply 0 Replies
  16. Kara says…
    09/09/2010

    Wow! Love this page.

    Reply 0 Replies
  17. Danielle Johnson says…
    09/09/2010

    Question: If you are wanting to do an 8.5 X 11 picture but have to have it printed by a store...how do you do it? I try to do it, but it seems that you have to choose a standard size like 5 x7 or 8x 10. I really want to do pictures for the mini book that you did..I love you because, but again do not know how to get the pictures printed to that size.

    Thanks
    Danielle

    Reply 4 Replies
    1. Danielle Johnson says…
      09/09/2010

      Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. When I tried it at Costco, the image was stretched and looked a little funny. Thanks again.

    2. Ali says…
      09/09/2010

      Hmmm, it shouldn't be stretched. I'm not totally familiar with Costco but there might be an option to "maintain proportions" or something along those lines. Also, make sure your camera is set to "Large" or whatever the highest resolution allowed is - that way you can enlarge without losing quality.

    3. Ali says…
      09/09/2010

      Hi Danielle - different stores are going to have different standard options. One tip is to order a larger size and crop down to the size you need for your project.

      Also, both these online stores have the option of 8.5x11 prints:
      http://www.persnicketyprints.com ($1.89)
      http://www.scrapbookpictures.com ($1.29 or $1.59)

      For the I Love You Today album (http://aliedwards.com/2010/07/4x8-minibook-i-love-you-today-because-includes-free-download-video-tutorial.html) the photos were 8 inches wide by 4 inches tall. In that case you'd likely need to go with an 8x10.

      Here's a tip if that's your only option: use Photoshop to put two 4x8 images on the one 8x10 background. Essentially you would create a new canvas that is 8x10. Open each of the other images you want to use and crop to 8x4. Move each image onto the 8x10 canvas and then take to your local printer.

    4. Danielle Johnson says…
      09/09/2010

      Thank you. I will try it.

  18. ale says…
    09/09/2010

    you're such an amazing storyteller, ali! and this layout is so, so beautiful. thank you for reminding us to use our pretty paper, and for sharing your creative process.

    Reply 0 Replies
  19. Teresa says…
    09/09/2010

    Hi Ali,
    you surprise me every time. Just a picture a journaling card and 2 (!) embellishments. Incredible. Like my art teacher used to say: Less is more...she is so right.
    Beautiful.

    Reply 0 Replies
  20. sarah says…
    09/09/2010

    i love the enlarged photo - i always forget to do that, thanks for the reminder! also, if you're curious, the vintage alphabet card looks like it's from a game called "probe" that (i think) is from the 60's. i occasionally sell them in my etsy shop, and it looks just like them.

    thanks for the continued inspiration!

    Reply 0 Replies
  21. Katy says…
    09/09/2010

    I've been a fan of Laura Kurz's stuff for awhile - her style and yours (oh, and Becky Higgins) emphasize what I think is more important: pictures and words. I love any examples that reinforce that for me - it's so timeless, classic, and easy to look at it. That's what I want my scrapbooks to look like.

    That's why I keep coming back here all the time!

    Reply 0 Replies
  22. Judy Webb says…
    09/09/2010

    I am working very hard at accepting the less than perfect cut. Your advice always soothes me. Thanks for tutoring us.

    Reply 0 Replies
  23. rani says…
    09/09/2010

    Love the step by step with this! I've been wanting to try hybrid, but just needed a little push....and this was it!!!! Thank you!

    Reply 0 Replies
  24. Video Tutorial: Hybrid Scrapbooking · Scrapbooking @ CraftGossip says…
    09/10/2010

    [...] tutorial, Ali Edwards shows how she created a journaling tag for her layout using digital elements. Click here to go to tutorial. You may also [...]

    Reply 0 Replies
  25. Pam K says…
    09/10/2010

    Oh my. Those little scrunched toes and the way she is holding her hand - how adorable!

    Reply 0 Replies

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