Tuesday, January 26, 2010

1 sketch, 4 layouts - Part 2

My starting point, the sketch I'm using from Sketches for Scrapbooking, Volume 5.


Layout #2 - "The Perfect Costume"

Patterned papers (including the pumpkins), cardstock spider - My Mind's Eye, alphabets - Doodlebug Designs and My Little Shoebox, word stickers - Making Memories and Scenic Route

On this layout I did a few variations.


• Variation #1 - Probably the most obvious change is the center line of embellishments. This layout really shows one of my favorite things to do on my pages. I love making my own little handmade touches. I really want to say that it's me putting my heart into my layouts so that my boys will appreciate it down the road but honestly, they're boys. I'm not sure if they are going to be too excited about my scrapbooks or my handmade touches. I think the real reason why I love adding handmade touches is simple, when it comes down to it I just like to make stuff.

I made each of those pumpkins going across the middle strip from scratch (except for the smiling one. That one is a die cut.) To do that I hand drew each one and while doing that I didn't worry about them being perfect. I wanted them to resemble real pumpkins and I've yet to see many pumpkins at the patch that were perfectly round. After I cut them out I added hand stitching and stems. On some of them I added craft wire with loops by the stems.

You can get a closer look at them in this picture.


• Variation #2 - You also might notice in the picture above, the cute little spider above the title. Again, I replaced that square behind the title with something a little different. This time the element is quite a bit smaller than the square on the sketch but like I explained in the last post, it's all about taking the sketch as a suggestion. As long as that element is in the general area, it's going to work.

• Variation #3 - I added some smaller photos in place of one of the 6" x 3.5" pictures. Together the three photos are still in the same 6" x 3.5" block. This is a great solution for those times when you have more photos than the sketch calls for. I was able to add more photos without altering the photo placement on the sketch.

• Variation #4 - Instead of using the journaling block, I decided to use individual word stickers for my journaling. Doing this or journaling strips is a super easy way of adding a different look to the layout.

The giveaway is still going on today. Everyone gets a second chance at winning a copy of Sketches for Scrapbooking! (Even those that posted yesterday.)

43 comments:

dawn said...

I'm glad you did a fall layout, it's my favorite season. I love pumpkins of all kind especially the ones that aren't perfect. I can't believe how cute your pumpkins are. I make mine with a circle puncher and put them together to make a pumpkin and they come out cute. I really like yours though. Jackson looks so cute in his costume. Thanks for another great sketch idea. Have a good day.

Ryan Rules the Summer said...

I'm sure that an autumn layout is next on my list...I am so going to try those pumpkins:)

MarciaD said...

Thanks for doing this article about using sketches. These tips are really helpful and the layout is darling!

Catherine Chiarino said...

Those pumpkins are precious. I'm going to have to try that...

Cindy Leggett said...

Such a cute layout. This should jumpstart my scrapbooking again. Been in a slump lately.

Tiffany said...

Love the pumpkins!! I am loving learning about the sketches!

julie.schellin said...

yeah, your boys may not be real excited about your scrapbooks in the future, but their wives will. That's what keeps me scrapping my sons' pictures...for their future families.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this LO. I really love the colors and the little changes. Jody IA

LouAnn said...

I love using sketches and its great to see variations on the same one. Thanks for the chance to win.

LouAnn

Jen**SugaredSongbird** said...

Great ideas to "change up" a sketch!

Amy from KC said...

I have every sketch book except #5, and I am waiting to order it until the DVD comes out so that I can combine shipping. I love having actual layouts to compare to the sketches to see the tweaks... it helps me be more creative. :)

Anonymous said...

Loving the pumpkins. I am so going to do that!!
Slobodanka

Unknown said...

love the variations on the sketch -- I think Silly Boy is my favorite! (Don't worry about putting my name in the drawing... I already have ALL the sketch books!!! I can't scrap without them!) :)

Lori G. said...

I love the variations. It helps me to think outside my box. I might be able to use it for all my basketball/baseball photos. Can't wait to get Sketchbook #5! I don't know if I can wait until Spring Break when I come to Missouri to get it.

Sarah L. said...

I, too, love the variations. All the books have helped my pages look so much better! I love having the different types of paper suggested (stripe, pattern, etc.). Now I shop for paper that way and know that it will always make a great layout. Can't wait to get book #5!

Erica Hettwer said...

Very cute! I love how perfectly imperfect the pumpkins are! :D

Penny Peck said...

You are soooo patient to stitch all of those pumpkins! I take it your husband finally returned your camera!

Anonymous said...

I absolutely love your ideas. I am definately going to have to try those pumpkins, they are adorable. I love getting on your blog it always gives me adorable, new ideas. Thanks. ~Shelby~

April Gray said...

I really want book 5 that is the only one I do not have!

Anonymous said...

I see that I need the new Sketches book too! Cute pumpkins!

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your great ideas, it's good to see how you can use the same layout over and over again with different variations.

Allison said...

Cute cute punkins! I don't make stuff enough anymore. Too lazy. But now I'm inspired.

Unknown said...

I am new to the idea of sketches but I love the way you work with it! I am not very creative I don't feel but these help me tons!! Great ideas and beautiful pages!!

goldyfish said...

I have never really paid attention to sketches and don't have any sketchbooks, but now I see how helpful they are. You are such an awesome scrapbooker. I love the pages. You really inspire me.

Scrappinwendi said...

Those little pumpkins are so stinkin cute!!! Thanks for another chance to win your awesome books : )

Tanya said...

Is this the sketch from Scrapapalooza? I really enjoy your layouts. I have boys too & I still enjoy ribbon, etc. Keep up the awesome work!

Christie said...

Love those pumpkins! So Cute!

mthata said...

Thanks for the inspiration & explanation on using sketches.

Anonymous said...

I love the layout. Thanks!!!!

Linda from KS

debbi said...

Allison,
Thanks for the article and the give-away! I am enjoying seeing how you vary your sketches. I already own and enjoy using 2 of your Sketches books.

Melanie said...

Cute layout! Love both pumpkins!

michelle dorland said...

I love seeing what you do with the same stketch! I wish you wou do this more often

Tracy said...

Awesome take on the sketch ...

I'm back for a second chance to win that gorgeous Volume ....

Love, Tracy G

Luv2talk said...

I LOVE your SKETCHBOOKS. I ordered 2 of them and a friend bought me another. They are AWESOME!

Luv2talk

Kristen said...

Oh My Gosh...where have I been? I'm using your 'faces of Drew' layout as inspiration this week...thought I'd look and see if you blogged...wow...I'm off to check out more of your sketches!

Allison Davis said...

Thank you everyone!!!! You guys are so sweet!

Cindy, I hope you get out of that slump! That can be so frustrating!

Julie, I hadn't even thought about that! Either way, I figure if the boys don't want them I'm completely cool with keeping them all to myself. I can be such a sentimental sap that I might have a hard time parting with them anyway!

Lori, this sketch would be perfect for that!

Penny, yes the stitching took awhile but I love doing it! I could stitch all day and never get tired of it. Wait till you see the canvases I made for the boys. Hello stitch-mania! And I did finally get my camera back. Believe it or not, it actually happened two nights in a row. Then to top it off he took off with my good scrapbooking scissors last night. :)

Tanya, yes these are from my Scrap-a-Palooza demo. I guess I could say I'm going green and recycling! :)

Michelle, I'm actually think about doing this on a regular basis, maybe once a month. I love it most because I get 4-5 layouts done super fast!

Luv2talk!!! So good to see you, even if it isn't in person! :)

Scrapthat said...

Hey there Ali!! I am LOVING the different take on the sketch! Oooo you're inspiring me girl! thanks!
Dolly

Christina Hoffman said...

Yay!! I am so glad you posted this one! I just love the pumpkins and you know me I am all about the stitching. As always, you seem to come up with the best ideas and I must say I tend to scraplift from you. I just can't help it, you ROCK!!

Christina Hoffman

Amy said...

Beautiful work! After looking at your past work, you inspired me to try stitching on my pages. I did it on one today but it took me forever. I'm sure it will take some practice to get faster.

Anonymous said...

Love your hand made touches!! Robin P.

kroller said...

Love the stitching on those pumpkins. I also love how you tend to mix up your letter stickers, I have so many and you give me new ideas to use leftovers and others I may just give up on after a few words are used up. Thanks!!

CodyandTraci said...

I love do try and get a few pages done using one layout. Your tips are a big help. Thank you so much!

Kim M said...

I love how you are showing the different variations on the sketch. I tend to always just stick right to the exact sketch, this really helps me to think outside my box.