July 2012 Sketch Challenge

Sketches are one of my most favorite scrapbooking tools to use.  Yes, I said tool.  Why?  Because sketches help me create my page as I use them to plan my pages, figure out measurements for papers, and jump-start my creativity.  Sketches have quickly become part of a collection that I refer to again and again.

Sketches are so helpful and versatile.  They can be used as is, flipped, rotated, added to or subtracted from, and used to see the big picture before actually cutting precious papers.  As you will see in my first example, I followed the sketch fairly closely to create my layout.  My background papers plus the circle element, I used exactly. Some changes I made were that I used chipboard flowers where the stars were and instead of a second photo, I used another journaling spot.  Don't ever be afraid to substitute or add parts to your sketch.  For me, the journaling was the most important part of this layout and I had a lot to say, so I used my second photo space for more journaling. I actually had enough pictures for all three spots but I decided to use those pictures on another layout and focus on the journaling on this one.

Another way that you could change this sketch is to substitute a square for the large circle.  All of the other components will still fit great and it might be an easier sketch to follow if you don't have a large circle cutter or don't enjoy hand-cutting one. 

A third way to use this sketch, if you have a lot of pictures, would be to line up your pictures all the way across the middle of the page where the pictures and journaling are.  Depending on their size you could probably fit anywhere between three to six photos in that space. You could then fit your journaling underneath the pictures using strips of white paper that you have printed on from the computer or handwritten.  What I love about this process of using sketches are that you can use the same sketch again and again but your layouts will always look different depending on what pictures, papers, and embellishments you have.

In my second example I used the sketch to make a card instead of a layout and also rotated the sketch 90 degrees.  I had to do a lot of subtracting elements to create this card because in such a small size the card would have become too busy using all of the elements of the sketch.  So I chose to keep the background the same and actually added the scalloped circle border to highlight the sentiment area more.  I used the twine in the original spot but only used a few of the banner embellishments on the bottom to add interest.

Make sketches work for you.  Use them as jumping off points if you need to or as inspiration to try new techniques. Sometimes you won't have the right size or number of pictures, or maybe you don't have enough embellishments to put in all of the spaces.  It is okay to eliminate some or all and substitute what you have.  It is also okay just to take one aspect of a sketch and then create something completely different with it.

I hope you like the sketch that I created for you.  If you use it, I would love for you to share it with me.  You can send me a link at christineousley@mac.com.

Supplies used: 

• Teresa Collins Everyday Moments Collection Paper and Accessories
• Teresa Collins Everyday Moments Die Cut Chipboard Stickers
• Jillibean Soup Coconut Lime Soup 6x6 paper pad
• Jillibean Soup Coconut Lime Soup 12x12 Cardstock Stickers
• Jillibean Soup Coconut Lime Soup Pea Pods 12x12 Die Cut Paper Shapes
• Jillibean Soup Bakers twine in red and brown
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Die Circle Collection Large Standard Size (used on card)
• Spellbinders Nestabilities Die Scalloped Edge Circle Collection Large Standard Size (used on card)
• Silhouette Electronic Cutting Machine (used for circle on layout)