Monday, March 8, 2010

1 sketch, 5 layouts - Part 1

Welcome to Sketches Week!

One sketch, five layouts, and as usual a giveaway too!

This is the sketch, from Sketches for Scrapbooking, Volume One, (and requested by Shari) that all five of the layouts this week will be based on.


Layout #1 - "Can I Have a Popsicle Please"

Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned papers: My Mind's Eye; Alphabets: Prima Marketing Inc. (give me a, please) and BasicGrey (popsicle); Jewel flourish: Prima Marketing Inc.; Stickers: My Mind's Eye; Embroidery floss: DMC

This layout is almost a direct copy of the sketch but still has just a few minor variations.

• Variation #1 - The title is quite a bit larger than the title on the sketch. This is something that I don't ever worry about. I'm always talking about a sketch being a suggestion and as long as the title is in the general area as suggested on the sketch, it's going to look just fine. Having a short, one word title just isn't always possible. I almost always pull my title from my journaling and in this case it was a longer one. The title, in my opinion, should be sort of like a headline. A short preview of what the story is about.


• Variation #2 - Instead of using the three small circles, I used a mix of things. Some button stickers, some heart stickers, and even a word sticker. I also moved the ones that are on the left page below the picture instead of below the flourish. The only reason for that was I didn't want to make that area around the jewel flourish to look a little too busy. That flourish is detailed and sparkly and I was afraid that having the stickers too close would have been too much.

• Variation #3 - This last one isn't really much of a variation but I'm going to mention it anyway. :) The flourish is obviously quite different from the one on the sketch. The chance of someone having a flourish that looks exactly like that are pretty slim. I took the flourish on the sketch, again, as a suggestion and just tried to use something in the same general area.

Another thing I want to add about this sketch and the pictures, I know that a lot of people like to work with 4 x 6 photos and this sketch doesn't even have one. You'll see on some of the other layouts this week how I work a few 4 x 6 photos into it. I honestly believe that you can always alter a sketch to fit 4 x 6 photos. It might take a few changes here and there but it definitely can be done! :)

Just like last month, I'll be doing a giveaway! I'll be posting everyday, Monday - Friday, with a layout based off the same sketch. All week you'll have a chance to leave a comment and next Monday I'll post the winner who gets a copy of Sketches for Scrapbooking (volume choice is all yours.) You can leave more than one comment through the week to be eligible but not on the same day. :)

39 comments:

dawn said...

I am so excited it's sketch week again. This is such a sweet layout. I love the little close-ups of Drew eating his popicle. My son also loves them year round. I love the colors you used and all the embellishments. Going to have to scraplift this one for Sam and his love of popicles also. Thanks so much for sharing with us again. How is the dvd coming? Will it be soon? I can't wait......

Linda T. said...

I really love "hearing" how your thought process works when you are putting a layout together. I'm such an admirer of your work and often amazed at your creativity. This is a very fun segment on your blog!

Scrapthat said...

Oh so cute Ali!! Ah there is nothing like a Popsicle! Can't wait for nice warm days! TFS

Amy Powell said...

My boys enjoy their popsicles too! It's an awesome bribe to take a nap :)

I love your sketches, the different ways you work them are great. It really helps me think of how I can vary my layouts!

Kim M said...

I am so glad you are doing this again. I look forward to it all month. Can't wait to see what all you show us this week.

Melanie said...

This might be one of my fave sketches....love this page!

Patricia Manley said...

OMG! The LO is gorgeous and the pictures the cutest. I really like this sketch. Can't wait to see what else you do with it :)

Penny Peck said...

As usual, breath-taking! Thanks for sharing.

Amy from KC said...

First of all, woo hoo sketch week! I was so excited when I woke up this morning... like a little kid on Christmas. (I'm a little embarassed about that. I DO have a life, but this is like an "extra cherry on top.")

On this layout I love how you have used a line of papers that seem to skew on the girlie side. I have looked at this line with longing at the store, but since I have a boy have passed it up. Obviously I didn't see the potential in it, because your layout isn't a bit girlie. You have such a good eye. The whole layout just blows me away. Thanks!

Unknown said...

I have been looking forward to this week since February! I can't wait to see how you work in a few 4 x 6 photos into the sketch!

Erica Hettwer said...

Drew and I could totally hang. I love popsicles and was having a bad week last week because we were out! LOL!

Anonymous said...

Love sketch week! This one is great.

Kathy

Luv2talk said...

I like how you point out the variations. It's just so inspiring to know we can put our own creative touches into a LO even when we are using a sketch.

ROCK ON!

Cindy Leggett said...

Today is my birthday and what a treat for today to be the start of another sketch week. Glad to see that this sketch uses a 5x7. I like to use this size every once in a while.

Anonymous said...

Love the sketch! Love the layouts!!

R. Dorrian6 said...

MMM... makes me want to go out and buy popsicles.

Laura J said...

Awesome layout! I just love your style...clean and crisp, yet so full of details!

Thanks for pointing out how you deviated from the sketch...it's so helpful to see ways sketches can be adapted. I used to treat sketches like directions, they had to be followed...now I am learning to treat them as inspiration. Thanks for helping with that!

CodyandTraci said...

Thanks again for another great layout. You are very talented.
Amy from KC, I know how you feel. I went to bed last night excited for today.

Scrappinwendi said...

I love this time of month on your blog!!

Scrappinwendi said...

I love this time of month on your blog!!

Sharpshooting by Sherri said...

so glad I found your blog, I love sketches.

LouAnn said...

Hooray for sketches week. Can't wait to see what else you do with this one.

Christine said...

Love your sketches & this one is so cute! Can't wait to try it out :)

Katy said...

This is perfect for a page I need to do. I wasn't sure how I could do a whole page with about 6 pictures of all the same thing. Great idea!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your work... I love it:)

Heather said...

Love it. I have pictures of Conner eating a popsicle. I will have to give it a try!

Unknown said...

I always love your layouts they are so bright and fun- totally my style too :-) I can't wait to see the other layouts using this sketch.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing the variations. I find them helpful.

Linda from KS

debbi said...

I love this sketch. When I have a really special photo, I like to use a 5x7 in my layout.

Anonymous said...

Oh this one looks fun! Thanks and can not wait to see what you have come up with. Jody, IA

kroller said...

love the flow..I sometimes get intimidated by all the elements on a sketch but you use them so well! Another great layout and use of flourish on a boy page..love it!

Marti said...

I am loving this sketch! Thank you for doing sketch week- love seeing how you can use a sketch for several LOs!

Anonymous said...

Rhonda H said....
I have "sketch week" written on my calendar! I am so enjoying the variations you create. I'm a perfect candidate to win the sketch book!

Kristen said...

love all the cute polka dots on this page!

Angela said...

Oh, this is sooooooooo versatile, love it.

Sheila said...

Great LO and great sketch. I love all the variations you do. Thanks for the inspiration

wendy said...

I just stumbled on your blog after reading the twopeas post about sketches. I haven't really been much of a sketch user, but I feel like my creativity is drawing a blank. So this is awesome!

AmyInKy said...

I love your style and I LOVE this layout!

Steffanie said...

Could've sworn that I commented on this already! I love your monthly sketch feature! You are my favortie resource for page design and sketches. Keep 'em comin'! Thanks so much, Ali!