the hybrid chick

As you can imagine with Hybrid projects being a “work in progress” and going on at my desk all the time my little blank index cards were getting lost under a pile of printed digital papers or elements. Not to mention even a little grubby if the glue or stamps were out.

So I needed a solution for this situation. Fortunately one presented itself almost immediately. Hubby had bought a couple of Wii “steering wheels” and as soon as I saw the box inserts a wave of inspiration hit me. Forget the Wii – I was off to create.

I printed some digital papers and elements onto Epson Premium Presentation Paper. This matte paper gives the most beautiful true colours to your printed digital kits and works beautifully with Modge Podge too.

As this is going to co-ordinate with my index card notebook it needed the same kits as before. Elise’s Pieces August Grab Bag and Our Story by Kelley Mickus. Along with those I again used Just the Basics: Scalloped Labels from MKC Designs.

Here is the box insert before I started.

After opening out the box and measuring the index cards against it I decided to adjust it down smaller to fit.

Then I cut off one side, being careful to cut it in the same way it was made so that it could be reassembled.

Once the cutting was done and the lines in place it needed a little scoring to ensure the folds did not tear when trying to put the box back together. The Scor-Pal came in very handy for this. I also cut the upper flap and an inch or so off the top of box .

Then reassembled it.

Now it was ready to decorate. Wanting it to be tough and durable I decided it needed my new best friend – Glossy Modge Podge!

Modge podge was painted all over the printed papers, which had been given 24 hours to dry, and gave them an almost vinyl feel. It certainly made the paper more malleable for working around corners without tearing.

Yes – that is a regular housepaint brush and it works fine! Yes – the paper does curl up when it is wet but flattens out well when it is dry. I do tap it down a little once it is touch dry and the helps too.

Modge Podge was also used to stick everything to the box. I painted a layer of it on the box, then one on the back of the papers and stuck the two pieces together. You have more working time this way and also a little more chance if you need to reposition something. I could have stuck the paper to the box with it open but then the inside corners bunch. This way you can ease the internal corners around working from the middle out to the sides till they are a nice and neat. Peg them till they are dry.

Continue to cover the box using the same method with the modge podge. Allow it to dry and then decorate with some elements, ribbons, bling and whatever else your heart desires.

There you have it – my solution to messy index cards.

There is even enough room for me to slot the index card notebook into the holder – if it ever makes it back to my desk.

Other Articles by Shabby Shaz:

• Wedding Gift Frame - March 5th, 2010
• Love Notes - February 14th, 2010
• Disc Album - January 6th, 2010
• Stitched Christmas Card - December 7th, 2009
• Romance Pack - November 25th, 2009