Welcome to the Card Template challenge – a new monthly challenge here at The Hybrid Chick.

Each month, a new card template will be posted here on The Hybrid Chick (it’s also posted in our Challenge forum at The Digichick). Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to create a card using the template provided. As with any template, we want you to be inspired so feel free to improvise on the template a little to your liking.

For those of you who keep saying “I don’t do Hybrid” or “I can’t do Hybrid”, I say give the card template a try. Think of it as a mini layout – simply add your papers, elements and a few shadows. print, cut and fold. There you go… a digital card.

Next time, try cutting out one or more “parts” of the card and using some glue dots or 3D foam to adhere it to your card for real dimension. Maybe tie some ribbon around your card. And guess what? You’ve just created your first Hybrid project!

Are you ready for our first Card template? Here it is – a very simple template to get you started.

You can get the template (which includes a psd file, png files and a sketch copy) HERE

Here is my card that I created from the template – I used Sherwood Studio Together at Last patterned papers and Arty Pants Card Sentiments digital stamps:

How about some fantastic samples of what can be done with the template from the team?

Melissa created this beautiful card using Dani and Mari’s Bee Happy kit:

Cathrine, of Paper Garden Projects, created this sweet, sweet card using her own Folk Art Love kit:

Sharon created this wonderful baby card (that I want to steal from her!) using the kit Brady’s Room from Wishing Well Creations:

Cathy created this stunning card using Vanilla Noir by Quirky Twerp:

and finally, Joana’s beautiful card using the Feb. boutique collab A Love Story and Arty Pants Valentine Sentiments both of which are new releases today!

So, what are you waiting for??? You CAN do it, I know it!

Supplies:

• The Most Wonderful Time by the Digichick Designers
• Comfort and Joy by Sugarplum Paperies
• Trimmer
• Circle Punch
• Glue
• Staple
• Ribbon

The first thing I did was print all my paper on photo matte. Do not use cardstock, especially for the second ornament, the paper is too thick. I created an 8×10 document in Photoshop (because my printer does not print borderless). I then made 8×5 squares of each paper I wanted to use. I printed my design on both sides.

The first ornament I will show you is a flower ornament. You will need one inch strips cut horizontally for total of 10 strips, 5 of each color.

You will now alternate your strips, then fold in half and staple the center. My stapler isn’t very long, so I had to fold my paper to get the staple in the center.

Now you will take each strip, place a small amount of glue on the tip and then fold over to create a loop.

You will repeat this process for each strip till you’ve made a circle.

Run a ribbon through it and hang on your tree.

The second ornament will be a ball. So we’re going to be using a circle punch. I used a 2″ circle punch.

You will need 12 circles so I punched 3 from each color.

You will then fold each circle in half and staple the center.

Now you will add your glue to each punched circle and you’re going to alternate “up” and “down” for each paper. The glue will either be up near the top of the circle or down near the bottom of the punched circle. I started with “down” for the first paper.

You keep gluing till you’ve made a complete circle.

Once complete, add your ribbon.  I slipped my ribbon in between where the ball meets on both sides.

Then hang on your tree.

Both projects are relatively simple and you can get your kids involved in making them. Until next time, have a blessed Christmas!

Supplies needed:

• My Digital Obession Boutique Collab Kit
• Brady’s Room Kit by Wishing Well Creations
• White Cardstock
• Photos
• Self-Healing Mat
• Craft Knife
• Score Tool

Print patterned paper on both sides of white cardstock.  I used Floral Pattern from My Digital Obession and Patterned Paper 1 from Brady’s Room.  Cut paper to 3 1/4″ x 10 1/2″.   Fold paper in half and then fold each end in to meet in the middle.

Next, make a template.  Cut a piece of cardstock to 2 3/4″ x 3 1/4″.  Draw vertical lines 1/2″ in and horizontal lines at 3/4″.  Sorry these next pictures are  a little blurry!

Next, draw lines at top and bottom of drawn square 1″ in from sides.

Cut away corners.

Trace pattern onto all four sections and use craft knife to cut as shown:

Score the lines at top and bottom of cut square and erase all drawn lines.  Fold on scored lines, forward and back, as shown:

Add pictures.

And decorations like the sweet heart banner from My Digital Obession and the letters and flower from Brady’s Room.

The back can be used for journaling (or even more pictures).

I think Grandma’s going to love this!

I’d love to see your Swing Photo display if you make one!
Lori

The Card Caravan Design Team would like to welcome all of you returning participants and, also, those of you joining us for the first time!

Our challenges are relatively simple and allow you, the challenge chicks , to interpret our challenge to your creative style. We just want you to get creative with us! We love seeing what you all come up with for our challenges!

Let’s start with our winners from our last challenge where Julie challenged you to make your own flowers. The team was simply amazed by the beautiful flowers that were created for our challenge! A HUGE thank you to all of the participants!

In no particular order, Julie’s winners are:

• E.T
• Margreet
• Szalonaisa

Congratulations! Please feel free to grab our badge for your blog!

Now, on to our new challenge!

Tomorrow marks a milestone birthday – my oldest child’s 21st birthday! Happy 21st Birthday, Justin!

It’s his birthday that inspires this challenge – we want you to create a card/project that has something birthday themed on it.

Let the theme inspire – create a birthday themed card, include a balloon or birthday sentiment on your card/project, create a birthday banner, create a party theme, etc.

How about some inspiration from the Team?

Cathy created this beautiful card using Every Day of the Year by Sugarplum Paperie.

Julie created this fantastic set using the Grateful Heart Paper Pack by Lisa Sisneros (a guest designer) and Cake Box by The Cutting Files.

This next gorgeous card is by Melissa using the Digichick Boutique Collab. My digital Obsession.

Sylvia created this stunning card using The Sun Will Come Out by Sugarplum Paperie.

And here’s my card for the challenge using Dawn by Design’s Family Meals paper pack.

How’s that for some inspiration?

Before we get to it however, I’d just like to say a big thank you to everyone who took the time to join our colour challenge. We really do enjoy visiting to look at your entries and choosing the top three is no easy task!

It’s a tough job but Cathy’s managed to do it and here they are.

• Hannelie
• Tenia Nelson
• Jenn Zeeb

Congratulations ladies please feel free to grab our badge for your blog.

Now onto today’s challenge. Anyone who has ever visited my blog will know that I love making flowers and, as I visit your blogs, I can see that I am not the only one. So, we want you to show us your card or other project featuring a flower you made yourself. Can’t get too much easier than that.

The Card Caravan Design team has plenty of gorgeous inspiration to show you.

First up a wonderfully colourful card by Melissa. Melissa has used Danielle Engebreton’s I (heart) Autumn kit on her card and a Papertrey Ink die, Bloom Builder #3, for her flower.

Sylvia’s card features ‘Emporium’ by The Digichick Designers and a very sweet homemade rose bud.

Finally, here’s my card which uses Vanilla Noir papers by Quirky Twerp along with Paper Flower Templates set 1 and Paper Roses both by The Cutting Files.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this seasonal beauty…

• Golden Harvest Collaboration by Mari and Danielle
• Autumn Leaves Template Set and Cutting Files by Kelleigh Ratzlaff
• Brown Chalk Ink
• Embossing folder
• Wooden circle (or other shape)
• Circle Cutting Tool
• Scissors and adhesive
• Embellishments and ribbon

Begin by printing out the papers you would like to use for your leaves and then run them through the printer again so the leaves template prints right on top. Print out any additional patterned papers you would like to use as well as any titles or other elements.

Cut out the leaves, emboss them with your favorite embossing folder and ink the edges. Sweep the ink pad across the top of the leaves to bring out the embossed  pattern.

Repeat until all of your leaves and elements are cut out and inked up! I was surprised at how quickly this was done!

I used an eight inch wooden circle that I had laying around from an unfinished project, but you can use any sturdy material…maybe even an old plate.

If you don’t have anything sturdy, try cutting your own circle from chipboard and covering it with a piece of cardstock cut to the same size.

Cut out your background paper and apply to the circle with adhesive.  Apply your title or sentiment with adhesive in the desired location. Then, start to layer up your leaves.

I originally layered my leaves in a pattern going up the left side of the circle, but I bumped into it and all the leaves ended up in the center…I liked it better there so I decided to adhere them across the center of the circle instead! Funny how things happen that way!

Finish off your decor with a  matching ribbon and some Fall inspired embellishments. My bow is actually three bows layered on top of each other. I added a chipboard clock and some Fall colored berries.  I topped it off with my acorn that was embossed and inked to match the leaves.

Here’s the finished project sitting on an easel in my family room. I hope I can bring myself to take it with me to work tomorrow!  Maybe I’ll wait a few days…

This project can easily be made for all of the seasons and even holidays too. Keep an easel on your window sill or shelf at work and swap it out to surround yourself with your favorite things while you’re at work!

Here’s how our challenges will work – Every other Sunday, members of The Card Caravan will host a challenge right here on The Hybrid Chick blog. Our challenges will be fairly simple like “use ribbon”, “use glitter” or “use the color blue”. We just want you to get creative with us!

Here are the rules for our challenges:

• Entries must use the challenge item to be considered for the winners badge or any prizes that are offered.
• Entries must be a newly created card/project for our challenge – no back-linking
• You can use any stamps/papers/supplies/etc. – you do not have to use something from the Digichick to enter.
• We will accept cards and paper craft projects in our challenges
• You may combine our challenges with as many other challenges as you want
• All skill levels are welcome.
• You can enter as many times as you like
• If posting to an online gallery, please use the keyword THCCC1
• Add a link back to The Hybrid Chick in your blog post
• Each challenge will close at 11:59PM EST the Friday before the next challenge starts – winners will be announced with the next challenge post.

Let’s get things started… Today’s challenge is to use twine on your card/project.

How about some inspiration from the Card Caravan team?

Melissa created this beautiful card using the Sew Cute Collaboration by Sugarplum Paperie, Danielle Engebretson and Mari Koegelenberg.

Love the twine around the spool element! Nice touch Melissa!

Cathy created this card that is sure to earn her an A+ using the A is for Apple Digichick collab kit.

I’m so jealous of Cathy’s ability to use patterned papers!!

Sylvia created this dreamy card using using Sunshiny Day kit by Karen Lewis and Card Sentiments 2 by Arty Pants Digital Stamps

Totally LOVE how she used the twine on her card!!

And last, but not least is Julie’s sweet card using Girlfriends by Sugarplum Paperie and Mari Koegelenberg Creations. I just adore the border punch she used on her card!

In celebration of our very first challenge, one participant will be randomly chosen to receive an Ultimate Sampler pack from The Twinery – thank you Nicole for your generosity!

Aren’t all of those colors yummy?!?

So after much thought, we decided to get her a gift card to one of her favorite stores. Then I saw the apple basket by Kelleigh Ratzlaff Designs and I thought it would be perfect for a gift cardholder!

Materials needed:

• Kit – A Is for Apple Kit by The Digichick Designers
• Apple Basket Template Set and Cutting Files by Kelleigh Ratzlaff
• Scissors
• Adhesive
• Epson Matte Presentation Paper
• Stampin’ Up! Ink Pad – Black
• Small sponge
• Red Twine – Stampin’ Up!
• Tissue Paper

Step 1
Open the apple basket template and choose the pattern paper you want to place on your template.

Step 2
Open a blank file with a white background in Photoshop Elements and choose elements to place on that file. When finished, print on Epson Matte Paper and cut out.

Step 3
Put Apple Basket together using adhesive and decorate. You can use pop dots to attach the elements to the apple basket. I also used a black ink pad and a small sponge to ink the edges of the basket. Next, I added the gift card and the tissue paper.

And my gift was ready to give!

A is for Apple Boutique Collab Kit

Additional Supplies:

Chipboard or cardboard, chalkboard paper, tape measure ribbon, paper doilie, chalk, baker’s twine, mini clothes pin, paper flower, glitter star, ticket, library clip, button, twill tape, navy blue cardstock, manilla tag, seam binding.

Have fun peeking through all the pretties contained in the A is for Apple Boutique Collab Kit and then print out several embellishments and a backgroud paper of your choice.

Cut a piece of chipboard (or cardboard) 8 1/2″ x 6″.  Cut a piece of chalkboard paper (mine is from Stampin’ Up!) to fit inside the blackboard frame that you printed from the A is for Apple kit.  Layer them onto the chipboard and navy blue cardstock.

Next comes the fun part … cut out and arrange the embellishments you printed from the A is for Apple kit around your little chalkboard frame.  When you are happy with the placement of all embellishments, adhere everything down with adhesive.

I added an alphabet strip vertically along the left side of my chalkboard.  I spritzed a manilla tag with some glimmer mist to give it an aged look and then adhered one of the flash card embellies onto the tag.  A sweet stack of books, an apple, a pencil and some Mint Green Tea seam binding complete this adorable little tag!

In the upper right corner, I added a bracket and gingham button from the kit along with a chipboard glittered star.

Along the right side I added the silhouette of a girl at her school desk, a button and baker’s twine and a library clip that is threaded with more baker’s twine which holds the piece of chalk!

So there you have it, friends!  The sweetest little chalkboard message center … suitable to give as a gift, hang in your child’s room or keep for yourself!

Thanks for visiting with me today!  I hope you enjoyed my project

Hugs,

Debbie

xoxoxo

All you have to do is click HERE, print it out, and follow the simple directions to assemble.  The card was made using papers and elements from the ALL ABOUT ME  kit from THE DIGI CHICK.

Download and print on a good quality, white, card stock that is made specifically for printers.  Doing this makes a big difference in the appearance of your work.  I used Red River Paper card stock for this project.

The card can be made one of two ways depending on your preference.  It can be cut using the white card stock as the base or trimmed and placed on colored card stock.  If you would like a white base, trim the printed part of the card and include the white card stock.   The cutting dimensions are 5.5 X 8.5.

Fold the card in half making sure to have that 1/8th inch white border at the top of the fold.

If you like this look jump down to the flower making part.  If you want a colored background, trim the image right along the red edge.

Cut a base of card stock 5.5 X 8.5 and fold in half.

Adhere the printed part onto the base.  I used a neutral, tan color, but I think this would look great with any of the colors in the print.

Cut out the flowers and buttons.  I left a little white outline around the flowers and trimmed in between the petals.  A half inch punch was used for the buttons but they can also but cut by hand. The edges were inked a little with some brown ink.

To add a little dimension, a stylus and foam base was used on the flowers.  On the wrong side of the flower, work the stylus in circles around each of the petals.  This bumps them up so they stand out from the card.

Use dimensionals on the both the back of the button and the flower.

Place the button on top of the flower and the flower on the card. Stagger the petals so they alternate with the ones on the base.

The card can be customized for almost any occasion but I needed some thank you cards so I punched out a shape and added a sentiment.

Thanks so much for stopping by! 

If you make one of these cards, make sure to post them at THE DIGICHICK GALLERY. We would love to see what you make!

Have a great day!

Kim