Make a hybrid Scrapbooking Layout

A Sentimental Scrapbook Layout

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Hybrid Scrapbooking techniques are great if you want to make a very personal scrapbook layout with journaling that is hidden, as I have done in this Trugo Queen layout. All the digital elements in this layout are from Amanda Sok’s gorgeous Mulberry Wine kit from Scrap Girls.

I wanted to make a layout to commemorate my Mother’s passion for her sport of Trugo. And I wanted my journaling to be available to read only by those who were close to her and understood the story, not to every person who browses though my scrapbook album.

This scrapbook layout incorporates her Trugo cardigan which I still have and treasure, as well as hidden journaling.

To create a scrapbook layout background from your garment

1. Scan the garment at highest resolution your scanner can do. If you do this directly from your photo editing program it will create a file in your photo bin.

2. Create a new file in your photo editing software program (the directions in these instructions are for Photoshop Elements but the method is the same for all photo editing programs. You might have to locate the functions in different places with different programs, that’s all.)

Your file should be 12 inches by 12 inches with a resolution of 300 dpi. RGB Color and a Transparent background.

3. Drag the scanned file onto the new layout file you have just created.

4. Use the mouse to position it where you want and if you like you can reduce the size by dragging it inwards from the corners, using your mouse. If you hold the Shift key down at the same time you can maintain the proportions. This will reduce the size of your textured finish. You might want to leave some areas of seams or pockets in your background as this can add to the personality and interest of it.

5. Once you’re happy with the area of your scanned file that fits inside your layout boundaries, highlight the 12×12 layer in your Layers Pallet, with the Crop tool from the tool bar drag the mouse diagonally across the layer to crop the file to size.

Create the Scrapbook Layout

1. Design your scrapbook layout using your choice of digital elements; positioning your photo(s), embellishments and title.

2. Select an element for where you want your hidden journaling to be concealed behind. Usually your main photo as that is the largest element.

3. Ensure that any embellishments that you overlap on top of the photo are easy to cut around. If not, try to position them with the photo element on top.

4. Link together all the elements that will make up your ‘photo element’ by clicking on each layer in the layers pallet whilst holding the shift key. Merge the layers (Layer>Merge Linked).

5. Save the file in its native format (eg: PSD for Photoshop Elements)

Print your Scrapbook Layout

1. Make a duplicate of your file so you don’t accidentally save over your original.

2. Unless you have a wide format printer you will need to reduce the size of your file to fit your printer (Image>Image size). Change the height and width from 12×12 to 8×8.

3. Create a new file with 300dpi resolution, RGB color and a transparent background in A4 size, or your regular printer paper size.

4. Drag your ‘photo element’ onto the new file and print on good photo quality paper/card.

5. Flatten the layers on your layout (Layer>Flatten Layers) and print on good photo quality paper/card.

6. Cut out your Scrapbook Layout and the separate ‘photo element’. Make sure you leave about half an inch of white border along one edge of your element.

Hidden Journaling

1. Type your journaling story into a text box sized to fit approximately a quarter of an inch smaller than your ‘photo element’.

2. Print and cut out your journal box.

3. Fold the tab you left on your ‘photo element’ backwards and run a scorer of the back of a knife along the edge to make a crisp fold.

4. Position the ‘photo element’ over its counterpart on your layout and adhere the back of the tab. You should now have a lift up flap which flattens down to become a part of your layout.

5. Adhere your journal box to the original layout underneath the flap.

Now your scrapbook layout journaling is part of your layout and can still be kept private.

Bonus Tip

Before you print out your layout, try hiding some of the layers on your duplicate layout file (click on the Eye icon in the Layers palette) that contain embellishments such as brads, bows or flowers. Then when you print out your layout you can add ‘real’ embellishments in their place for a great Hybrid Scrapbooking look.