Sunday, April 4, 2010

Sketch Week, Part 1

It is officially sketches week! Since I've got seven layouts for this week, two of the days will have two layouts. Today is one of those days!

Last month I used a sketch that had zero 4 x 6 photos so I wanted to use a sketch this month that was mostly 4 x 6 photos.

The sketch, from Sketches for Scrapbooking, Volume Four, that I have used as the starting point for all seven layouts this week.



One thing I love about this sketch is that with the paper design around the photos instead of behind it you can really play around with different picture sizes without really altering too much of the design. It is definitely one you can easily use over and over.

Layout #1 - Diggin' in the Rocks


Supply list - Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned paper: Scrap Within Reach; Chipboard stars: Fancy Pants Designs and Scenic Route; Chipboard alphabet: Pink Paislee; Alphabet stickers: My Little Shoebox (in the) and Making Memories (rocks); Paint: Ranger; Embroidery floss: DMC

This layout is an exact copy of the sketch. The only thing extra I added was a stitched line across the bottom strip.

Technique Detail


On the larger star in the bottom left corner I used an acrylic star that I stamped with different circles. Because I was stamping onto acrylic I used Staz On ink. None of the stamps are from a coordinating set, I just grabbed a few that would all look good together.

A little trick I used for getting the stamp placement on the star - I set the star down on a scrap piece of paper. Then I arranged the stamps where I wanted them to be on the star, with the stamp side down. Then I pressed the acrylic block down on the back of the stamps (the back side, the side that attaches to the acrylic block, was facing up). The stamps were then positioned exactly where I needed them to be on the acrylic block. All I had to do next was ink and stamp. This is a lot easier than trying to guess where you think the stamps will go on the star and a lot faster than stamping them one by one.

Layout #2 - Easter 2007


Supply list - Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper; Patterned paper: We R Memory Keepers; Stickers: We R Memory Keepers; Foam alphabet: American Crafts; Jewels: KaiserCraft; Memory Thread: DMC; Embroidery floss: DMC

I would consider this layout an exact copy with a few minor variations mostly to fit the theme of the layout.

• Variation #1 - I used 2" journaling strips instead of the suggested 3" strips. The reason is that I had a fairly large embellishment (the bunny) below the strips and I had a lot more journaling for this page. By using smaller strips I could wrap my journaling around the bunny and add more strips. If I would have used 3" strips and tried to wrap around the bunny they would have been too long. This is one thing I love about using journaling strips. You can wrap them around things to fit in a specific area.


• Variation #2 - Instead of using stars I used Easter eggs, the large bunny, and a butterfly. To add a little movement and a fun touch to the butterfly I added a line with a loop out of Memory Thread from DMC. This is one of my favorite new products. I love making my own little embellishments and usually use craft wire to add some details. This stuff is just like craft wire except it has a colored thread coating around it. It's like a whole new world of play for me!


• Variation #3 - To add to the Easter theme, instead of using a plain 1 1/2" strip across the bottom I used one 1 1/2" strip and one 1" strip with tiny strips cut across the top and layered to mimic grass.



After I cut the strips with scissors I roughed them up by running my finger across them and then curled some of them down. After I had them added to the page I added hand stitching in a wavy pattern across the bottom. The last thing I added were little Easter egg stickers tucked between the two strips of grass.

Of course I'll be doing a giveaway for sketches week! I'll be posting everyday, Monday - Friday, with a layout (or two) 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. :)

65 comments:

Brenda Johnston said...

Love the sketch and love the cute grass! Hhmmm . . . I just finished editing my Easter pictures. : )

dawn said...

I love that the sketch is going to have 4x6 pictures in them. Both layouts are great and love the colors you used. I've also noticed how many action shots you have of the kids. When getting my kids pictures that what I do too, not so many of the posed ones. The Easter embellishments are so cute, need to get some of those. I'm so excited that you had two today for us. Great layouts as usual, thanks for another fun week.

Unknown said...

I'm new to your blog, I don't remember how I found you (blog hopping gets me so lost:) but I'm glad I did. I'm simply amazed with your 2 page layouts, I have struggled with them forever. I think it is too much space to fill in the just right that is the problem. I'm hoping to hang out here and get more comfy with them.

Great details. I look forward to visiting daily.

kate said...

2 page sketches is the way to go.

Anonymous said...

Rhonda H said...
I have used your sketches so many times with great success! I pass the word wherever I can!

sandyh50 said...

Great sketch Allison! Now I have to decide, do the sketch or clean the house! LOL

Laura J said...

Lovin' this! I just bought some of the WRMK easter line, so how fun to see you using it on your layout. Love the grass on layout 2 and thanks for the stamp placement tip on layout 1!

Abbey said...

Love these sketches....just posted mine last night on Fiskateers gallery. It was a fun project last week ! Looking forward to doing more...thanks for sharing so much with us !!

Scrapthat said...

SO cute...don't know which I like better because I love the stamping on #1 which is perfect for that LO but on #2 I love the grass and the embellies are too cute! Guess that's the great thing about a sketch... you can make a cute LO anyway you use it!

TracyM #6773 said...

Another great sketch and double layout Allison - LOVE IT, especially as it uses 6x4 photos :)

Have just finished my layout using the sketch you posted with Rebecca on the Fiskateers blog - it was my 1st attempt using a sketch and I loved using it. Having the dimensions made it so much easier to complete - THANKYOU!!!

Looking forward to seeing the sketches as the week progresses.

Unknown said...

great sketch and layout examples!!

Amy Powell said...

What a great sketch! I love using 4 x 6 photos because they allow me to put together pages quicker. I will definitely be using this one!

Michelle T. said...

I love the grass border - such a cute idea!

Sharon said...

I love this sketch! Not only because it uses 4x6 photos which makes it so easy to put together, but it's one that can also be adapted easily to other size photos too. Thanks for sharing, Ali!

LouAnn said...

Love the fact this sketch uses 4x6 photos. Can't wait to see what else you have done with this sketch.

LouAnn

Unknown said...

I love this sketch! The pattern paper combination and acrylic star one the first layout really caught my eye:-)

Amy from KC said...

I have actually used this sketch before! I'm excited to get some ideas on variations.

I say this every time... I love sketch week!!! :)

Erica Hettwer said...

I love that Easter layout!

Hooray for Sketch Week! :D

scrapcreator said...

Thank you! love the multiple 4 x 6 photo sketch. I think I might even use it today. :)

LeAnne Smith said...

I was just recently introduced to your blog and I am loving your sketch week! I've gone back and read the other months too! I've pre-ordered the DVD and am so looking forward to it and can't wait to see your monthly kits for april! You're a super-duper talented lady and I can't wait to pull out some papers later to play along!

Jingle said...

These are super fabulous pages!

Therese said...

Love this sketch - two pages with 4x6 pictures is so usable and fun to play with.

Stars are one of my favorite shapes in the whole world so you caught me with that one.

Thanks!!!!!!

Christa Allgood said...

I love the Memory Thread too!! It's so much easier to use than Wire.

Anonymous said...

One of the many things I love about your sketch books are the many layouts made for 4x6 photos. With the thousands and thousands of 4x6 photos we all have, your books make it easy to display those photos full of memories. Thanks!

Stacie from Oklahoma

Christy Carlson said...

love the easter layout and all the cute embellies! Great sketch!

Luv2talk said...

I have VOL.4 and used this sketch! I didn't have 2x2 pics to use so I just extended the TITLE. It worked great! They really are SUPER VERSATILE!

Yes, LOVE the MEMORY THREAD. I'm gonna check that out! Looking forward to more sketches!

wendy said...

I love Sketch Week! I'm so glad I stumbled on your blog. It's been so fun to check out all the things you're doing with your sketches!

Anonymous said...

Love this sketch! ... I am totally excited about all the sketches this week :) YEAH!

Christel said...

Another great sketch and I love both layouts that you did.

CodyandTraci said...

What a great sketch. Love all the details. Thanks again.

AndreaFriebus said...

LOVE your layouts (as always.)

Britia said...

The Easster layout is soooooo cute! Love it!

Amy C P said...

I'm just now getting introduced to your sketch bookes and I love them! Great detail on the LO too!

Debbie C. said...

Two great layouts. Thanks for sharing the techique for your acrylic star...I will give that a try for sure.

Scrappinwendi said...

I just used one of the sketches from the newest book and this Easter Paper from We r Keepers. Now I want to go back and redo it with the fringe grass and rhinestones on the eggs. I love your work and the sketches are so HELPFUL to me : )

nanapatty said...

I love that you use several photos on your double page layouts. With numerous, cute, adorable grandchildren, I can't just use one photo per page. I have never seen the Memory Thread and am looking forward to trying it. Do you carry it in your wonderful store?

Shari Thurman said...

Super cute LO's. Really liked the Easter grass. I love sketch week!

kroller said...

I love how simple this layout is yet it has a great flow to it. They are both great and love the way the circle stamp in the 1st one matches up with the circle on the pattern paper perfectly behind it. As always, really great layout ideas to scraplift! Thanks!

Kim M said...

I love this time and getting to see all your handiwork. I am so excited that the sketch is for 4 x6 pictures. I hate cropping my pictures and love being able to use them full size.

Karen Moore said...

Oh my goodness ... I just discovered you and have spent the entire day reading your blog and looking at the store's site!!! Can't wait to buy all 5 of your books! What are the Easter embellishments you used? They are TOO cute! So are your BOYS! Sketch Week is awesome!!! Thank you!

Anonymous said...

I totally love when you do these. I just recently found your blog but have been checking it out a lot lately. Amy S. from Texas

Barbara Ferguson said...

Great sketch with two great variations for layouts! Can't wait to see what else you come up with this week. :)

Robin W. said...

I love 4x6 photo sketches, and your tips for stamping on the star are so helpful. I can't wait for more sketches this week!

connie said...

I love the sketch and the variations of the LO's. Thanks for the tips too.

Kari D. said...

Cool sketch! Love the easter layout.
Kari D.
daverclan@sbcglobal.net

goldyfish said...

Love the sketch. Both LO's are great. Thanks for sharing your talent with us. I feel like I am so much better of a scrapbooker because of ladies like you.

Anonymous said...

LOVE these two! As usual. I just printed out my Easter pictures, and have a perfect sketch for them. thank you for the 4x6 LOs. Jody, IA

Steffanie said...

I absolutely love the grass with the stitching and the eggs in the second layout. You always do these simple things that add such WOW! to your pages. Thanks for using a sketch with obvious 4x6 photos!

debbi said...

I'm so glad it's sketch week! I look forward to seeing your variations on this sketch. I actually used this sketch myself last week-end on a layout where I had all vertical photos along with some detail shots. It worked great!

Scrapbook Generation said...

Long ago, you would have been horrified at the thought of being a teacher...but you've turned into an awesome one! You have great ideas and are able to share them with the rest of us in an easy-to-understand format. Proud of you! MOM

Melanie said...

I love your diggin rocks layout...too cute!
Thanks again for the sketch book I won last month...I'm loving it!

Christine said...

I may just have to use this layout for my Easter pics this year :)

Musings by Me said...

I love the detail on the grass! Two great LOs.

Ginny H said...

Love the fringe you cut to make the grass, and the stitching on it sets it off so well!

Samantha Taylor said...

Great sketch. It's fun to see all the variations!

Scrapgirl3 said...

I love these sketches! I can't wait until my kids go to school tomorrow so I can try this one out! Thanks!

kathy said...

love this layout......waiting for my arrival of your books.........however i didn't order #4!!!

thanks for the inspriration!

debbie susee said...

Love the whole layout but especially the hand cut grass.

Allison Davis said...

sandyh50, do the sketch!! lol!

Therese, I'm with you! Stars are one of my favorites too! :)

nanapatty, yes, we carry it at our store. It is such a fun product to use. I've only had it for a few weeks and have used it several times! :)

Karen, they are from We R Memory Keepers. They are quickly becoming one of my favorites!

You guys are all so awesome. I love reading each and every one of your comments. Thank you so much! :)

Anonymous said...

I love the grass and the stitching just knocks it up a notch!


Kristan G.

Unknown said...

I love love love how you did the grass on this layout, especially how the side B of the paper peeks through in some spots, and the stitching! Great!

Colleen said...

Great layouts. I love the 'grass' technique. I could use that for so many things.

Viji Siddharth said...

the grass is a super idea!!!love all your layouts! your work is very inspiring!

Jamie Q said...

The little bling on the Easter egg and the bunny are SO cute! Love the grass, too!

AmyInKy said...

I just LOVE the grass on the 2nd layout! Very cool for an Easter page!