November 2006 Sketch Challenge

I love being able to fit lots of photos onto a layout, so this 'months sketch gives you the ability to use multiple small photos, or to replace those sections with embellishments. The larger photos are ideally 4" "x6 in size.

When working with any sketch it's a great idea to flip it, or try to slightly modify the design to best suit the photos you are working with. In the layout entitled "Zoe and Millie," by Sandra Nichols, you can see that she used three larger photos along the bottom in place of the four small ones.

Jeanne Steinhilber followed the sketch very closely, but rather than use multiple photos she chose to use the letters of the child's name inside rounded squares.

Although I used rounded corners on all of the square elements in this layout design, a few of the artists who used my sketch chose to stick with square photos and elements. I think it's a nice, easy way to get a different look using sketches. Don't be afraid to alter the shape of the elements within the sketch to get the look you are after. I love how Ann Clingenpeel used close-up photos of her daughter's recital along the bottom of the layout.

Also, Pam Vogt did a great job of adding some pizzazz to this sketch by using bright colors, fun patterns, and dynamic accents like those fun photo corners!

Sketches aren't just for paper and adhesive scrappers...oh no! Denise Baker did an amazing job on her "Las Vegas Lights" layout that she created digitally. Her embellishments are fun, and are perfect for these photos.

So pull out all those old sketches you've used before. Flip them, try them with digital elements, or slightly alter the scale and shape of the photos. You'll love how many ways you can use the same sketch once you look at it with fresh eyes.