The big reveal - I "got flowers!"

I feel like a magician unveiling a magic act! lol! Anyway, cast your minds back to 30th November 2007 (yes I've been holding onto this THAT long!). I got an email from someone looking for writers for a new manufacturer venture, was I interested? Would I be willing to sign a non-disclosure to hear more details? Well DUH! I signed, and after seeing the opportunity I grasped it with both hands.

The next 6 weeks thereafter, I have been on a permanent high. I've hinted it was something big, and I wasn't kidding. You see, that manufacturer was Prima and the new venture is Prima Hybrid! A brand new site with a brand new innovative outlook on scrapbooking! Something for everyone, whether traditional, digital or hybrid, just like our ad said "you can have your cake and eat it too"!!!

Prima Marketing Inc., an industry-leading manufacturer of unique flower accents and scrapbooking materials, is about to set another trend – products that seamlessly build a bridge between traditional paper and digital scrapbooking. PrimaHybrid.com will launch on January 15, 2008, offering exclusive hybrid scrapbooking products, projects and resources that will appeal to both traditional scrapbookers and digital scrapbookers.

The foundation for PrimaHybrid.com is already in place, set to provide the hybrid scrapbooker with a variety of resources to create meaningful hybrid projects:

• Products that instantly coordinate to combine paper and digital product lines
• Step-by-step hybrid scrapbooking project examples
• Inspiring articles to help the digital scrapbooker to visualize how digital "translates" into traditional paper projects
• Tutorials to help the traditional scrapbooker cut the learning curve into learning about digital scrapbooking techniques
• A weekly newsletter to showcase newest trends and tips, such as “A Step by Step Guide to Your First Hybrid Project”

The site will also offer complete digital kits and elements created by leading digital artists such as Gina Miller, Weeds & Wildflowers Designs, Meredith Fenwick, Iron Orchid Designs (IOD), Carrie Stephens, Corinna Nielson, Dianne Rigdon, Nancy Kubo, Trish Jones, Kim Christensen, Vera Lim and Doris Castle. One of the first offerings available in the shoppe is a collaborative kit, called “First Blush” featuring creations by each of the artists.

All of you know I've been thoroughly embracing hybrid scrapbooking for a while now (even before I knew what it was!), and being selected to be on this team is like a dream come true. Me, a flowergirl! Along with fellow flowergirls: Amy Martin, Corinna Stevens, Jessica Gordon, Julie Ann Shahin, Cathy Pascual, Danielle Flanders, Melinda Staley, Denise Doupnik, Cindy Gilchrist, Kristen Tilley, Indah Permata Sari, Jamie Brewer, Andrea Gourley, Angel Hartline, Patty Debowski, Jenn Vogel, and Saxon Holt. (notice a couple of card sketch girls in there!!!)


Oh and it doesn't stop there... the news gets better! I'm the design team leader!!! To say I'm excited would be a severe understatement. Hybrid is really something I believe is the wave of the future, as it unites both traditional and digital scrapbookers. So, to be asked to lead up the creative team is just an amazing honor! I told you this was BIG!

Anyway, here are a couple of cards with the new "first blush" Collaboration kit from Prima Hybrid. It's PACKED SOLID with BEAUTIFUL patterned papers and embellishments. You'll remember this design from my sketch earlier this month.

Digital elements from the "Firsts" Collab kit! - Wordart: Doris Castle; Blue paper: Gina Miller; Ribbon: Dianne Rigdon; font: Bickham Script Pro; Traditional elements: Prima flower #170547; Brad: MM;

Another card using an old sketch of mine, but I just LOVE this design, always have. Can you see the texture in this paper? Prints out BEAUTIFULLY (especially on my new Epson RX680 printer! that thing ROCKS). I have to say I ADORE this blue patterned paper by Dianne Rigdon. Just resized it to fit the card and it just fills that space beautifully!

Digital elements from the "Firsts" Collab kit! - Blue paper: Dianne Rigdon; Pink paper: Corrina Nielsen; font: Bickham Script Pro; Traditional elements: Prima flower #170547; Brad: MM; Cardstock: Bazzill;

I've made a mini album and card too but can't share those till February as they are being published in Scrapstreet February edition. For more inspiring projects using this kit, don't forget to check out the Prima Hybrd Collaboration Kit gallery! The flowergirls have gone WILD! Also stop by the forums and take part in our first challenge, a prize drawing where you can win a copy of Scrapbook dimensions magazine. We'll be having weekly contests too, with prizes!

There are LOTS of things planned for Prima Hybrid, some of which has to stay a secret until CHA in February, but rest assured whether you are a paste eater (paper scrapper) or a pixel diva (digital) Prima Hybrid has something for YOU!

So come on and check us out!

Also don't forget to sign up for the newsletter!!!

Di