the hybrid chick

I am so excited to share with you my new little mini album.  I have been working on a new kit with Mari Koegelenberg called Back 2 School.  It’s really more than a kit…it’s an entire collection packed with lots of hybrid goodies in addition to the kit.  All of the hybrid projects are sold separately, too, including the Backpack Album.

Supplies…

• Backpack Album template
• Backpack Album pages
• Epson Premium Presentation Paper
• ribbon
• adhesive
• plastic badge holders

To start, I opened the files and clipped papers from the kit to the template.  I added a bit of embellishment to the optional pocket.  I also opened an 8.5 X 11 blank file which I entirely filled with the same paper.  When it was time to print I loaded my Epson Premium Presentation Paper wrong side up and I printed the entire sheet with that yellow paper.  Then I printed the template on the right side of the paper.  I did this so that the inside of my album would be yellow, too.  I like matchy-matchy!  I then printed each of my album pages.

Next I cut and scored each of the pieces following the guides.  I attached the bottom of the front and back pieces together.  I also cut out all the album pages and put them into plastic badge holders from the office supply store.  I then punched two holes in the top of the backpack.  I threaded my ribbon through the top and through each of the album pages, tying a knot at the back of the pages to secure.  I used about 5 inches of 1/4″ grosgrain ribbon for this and snipped the excess off the ends of the knots.  These pages will essentially hang from the top of the album.

Next, I made the loops on the back.  I punched holes in the back of the album and threaded ribbon through.  I used about 8 inches of 3/8″ saddle stitch grosgrain for this.  I threaded the ribbon through the holes on both sides and glued them down so that the edges would be hidden by the hanging album pages.

All that was left to do was to adhere the pocket on the front and to add a closure.  I rummaged through my stash and found a hitch fastener from Tim Holtz.  I used a scrap of ribbon threaded through a punch hole to hook over the hitch.  A velcro closure would work really well, too.

There you go…quick, easy, and cute.  Plus, it’s proof that sometimes the ideas inside my head really do work!

Other Articles by melwilson:

• Start July off with a BANG! - July 1st, 2009
• Winners Announced! - June 29th, 2009
• Baby Announcement Book - June 23rd, 2009
• Baby Clothes Hanger Tags - June 16th, 2009
• Try Hybrid with the Kids! - May 3rd, 2009