Sunday, July 4, 2010

Sketch Week, Part 1

A new month, a new sketch, five new layouts, and a new sponsor! It's bound to be a fun Sketch Week!

The sketch that I'm using, from our DVD - Stretch Your Scrapbooking, as a starting point for all five layouts this week.



This is one of my all time favorite sketches! At first glance it might be a little intimidating with all those circles but each day I'll show you how to adapt this one to your own style or theme. I'll try to cover everything, simple to extreme, and show you that this sketch can work for anyone. Most of the focus will be on those circles since they are one of the big eye catchers of the layout, but I think you'll also be surprised at how they don't overshadow the photos.

When we started doing sneak peeks of the DVD layouts I showed you this one that the sketch is based off of.



The circles add a fun touch but with the pictures being grouped in the middle they still take the stage as the center focus of the layout.

Layout #1 - "More Than Sisters"


Supply list - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper, die cuts, journaling block, border strips, folded fabric strips, alphabets and cork circles: Pink Paislee.

Variation #1 - I love the big background circle on the sketch but I wanted to show on one of the layouts this week that the layout can look great without it. Not everyone has a circle cutter that cuts that big or a die cut patterned paper that matches the papers or pictures you are using. You can create a great looking layout without that big element on the page. Looking at a layout in layers, a lot of times the elements that are on the very first layer (the first applied to the cardstock base), can be removed and you still end up with a well designed layout.

Variation #2 - On the sketch there is a scallop border across the bottom of the striped strip. Anytime I see a decorative piece like that on a sketch I try to find a different decorative border each time I use that sketch. This is such an easy way to get a lot of milage out of one sketch. On this layout I used some Pink Paislee clear border stickers across the bottom. It's amazing how little things like that can change so much.

Variation #3 - One thing I love about the circles on the sketch is that there are so many possibilities. On this layout I did a mix of patterned paper circles, die cuts, cork circles, and pictures.


I know, trend-wise, that the days of cutting our pictures into shapes are long gone but I never been one to follow trends. I think cutting your pictures into shapes is just fine and there are ways to do it that can bring it up to date a little. I wanted to get a few more pictures on this layout so I took a circle punch, punched the pictures, and then added them among the circles. Adding the picture circles into the circle design of the layout makes sense and keeps the look up to date.


I also made flowers with the Pink Paislee folded fabric strips. To do this I started at one end of the strip, then layered the strip in a circular motion until I came to the end of the fabric strip, and adhered it in a few random places. It was so easy to make!

Variation #4 - On the sketch is shows the journaling on the background cardstock on the right page. I needed more space than what I had left after adding the circles so I used a journaling piece that is adhered over the strips going across the page. The journaling area is always a place that you can add more or use a little of to adapt to fit your layout.

So are you ready to find out who our July sponsor is? Some of you guessed right when you said, one of my absolute favorites, Pink Paislee! They have put together this awesome giveaway for one lucky person this week.



Not only did I use Pink Paislee today but I've got another layout later this week using their products.

There will be two different giveaways this week, the Pink Paislee giveaway and then the Sketches for Scrapbooking giveaway. I'll be posting everyday, Monday - Friday. All week you'll have a chance to leave a comment and next Monday I'll post the winners. You can leave more than one comment through the week to be eligible (five days = five chances to win!) but not on the same day.

95 comments:

Melanie said...

Fabulous layouts! This is one sketch I will be using over and over again!
This is my fave week on your blog!

Julie said...

Wonderful. I have some leftover Bayberry Cottage, it might just be enough to lift. And the Starry Night is my favorite. I see it used for so many different events, so versatile.
Looking forward to this week.

ScrapyTiff said...

One of my favorite layouts... can't wait to use it as inspiration!

Christine said...

what cute layouts! love the sketch, as usual :)

CodyandTraci said...

Yeah for Sketches week! I loved this layout at the sneek peek, and I am looking forward to seeing how you change it up each day this week. Thanks, Traci

Amy said...

Great layout! Love all those circles!

Just Sew Sue said...

Love the circles. I used your stitched bunting string on a layout and it looks great.

MichelleB said...

Love this sketch and the pages! I have amassed a great collection of circle punches that need to be put to use. This is perfect for it!

Wendy Shoemaker said...

I love your sketches, Allison! They are just the thing to jumpstart my crativity.

Tasha said...

Love that and it would be an awesome way to use up some scraps!

JodyJane said...

Wow, I love the dimensions that all the circles give. I was never good at layering, and am looking forward to learning! Pink Paislee is THE best!! Great sponsor

dawn said...

Yeeeh it's my favorite week in the month. You have amazed me again Allison. I was so hoping this was the sketch for this week. I love love circles, happy you did a girlie page again, love the paperline, the flowers are awesome I could never do that, it really is a beautiful layout of two sisters. Thanks for the two giveaways, I love Pink Paislee's papers they are so pretty. I can't wait for tomorrow's page.

Kelly said...

This is a really fun sketch. I'd love to use this for a water page with blue, yellows and greens! I LOVE the little picture inside the one circle!

Julie said...

This sketch will definitely take me outside my box. Thank you! I cant wait to see more.

nanapatty said...

A sketch off the DVD, what a wonderful idea, and such a fun one! Looking at how you layer your embellishments helps me add more pop to my layouts. Thanks.

kimmcc69 said...

I love this sketch and can't wait to try it out. Both of your layouts are beautiful.

Sharon said...

I was hoping you'd use this sketch for one of the Sketch Weeks!! I love it! Thanks!

LouAnn said...

So glad to see that it is sketches week. I look forward to seeing what else you do with this one.

LouAnn

lesley said...

I really must be losing track of time...totally forgot it was my favorite week of all time! YAY! I love this sketch, especially that first layout. It's bookmarked on my computer! :)

Marcia S said...

I love how you converted the pics to black and white. I agree, too, who cares if you cut your pictures into shapes? They look great mounted on the scallops.

Amy Powell said...

I love the amount of circles you add to this layout! It adds a lot of movement to the design.

Ginny H said...

Love the new sketch! Can't wait to give it a try! Beautiful LOs!

connie said...

I look forward to Sketch Week! I love the LO and all the tips. I would not have thought to leave the circle off.

Scrapthat said...

Fabulous job!!
I like the way you explain your variations, I think if you were a beginner scrappper it would be a GREAT help...It also helps those that have been scrapping a while to "think outside the box"
TFS!! Crossing my fingers maybe this will be the week I get lucky and win! LOL
Dolly

Colleen said...

Yea! It's sketch week, and it looks to be another good one. Love the sketch and layouts!

LeAnne Smith said...

Love the sketch and your layouts. As always the layouts are just so pleasing to the eyes!

So does this mean the DVD might be released soon??

Anonymous said...

I arrived home from July 4th party after midnight and checked to see if you had posted....YEA. I waited until this morning to read the blog. You have 2 great giveaways this week!

Anonymous said...

Yay, it's sketch week again!! This sketch screams fun! Love the circles! When I saw them, I immediately thought of my Slice & circle punches. So I could make plenty of different sizes. I've even used a large serving bowl to make a circle. So no problem here making a big circle either. Love both of your layouts! Thanks for bringing us another fun sketch week!

Stacie in OK

Britia said...

I love your orginal layout. Its so happy. I'm so glad to see a sketch for it. I can't wait to see it 5 different ways!

Marti said...

I am loving all of the circles-fun idea to experiment with cork, pictures, ribbon, etc!

Kim M said...

I am so excited to see you using that sketch this week. I had seen that layout either on your blog or the SG blog before and just fell in love with it. I am a huge circle fan, I can't wait to see all the different variations you come up with this week.

AndreaFriebus said...

I love this layout and especially how you have it in the large frame on your blog header. It looks great!

Unknown said...

I love these layouts- they are so colorful and fun!!! The circles are super cool- a great way to use scraps while making a stylish layout at the same time:-)

Anonymous said...

Great layout! Love the circles. Love Pink Paislee too.

Kathy R

Rachel said...

all those circles make a gorgeous layout!

Cheryl said...

Love the new sketch, Allison! Circles are great accents! I am looking forward to the rest of the week!

Laura J said...

Very cool...I never would've thought to take the sketch this direction and it works really well! Can't wait for the dvd to be ready!

Anonymous said...

Great Sketch!! And I love the new Pink Paisley products. I cant wait for the rest of the week!!
scott.lisa3@verizon.net

reen said...

Beautiful layout... it has circles, my favorite.

Leann Slater said...

I love seeing how you use variations on the same sketch! Thank you for sharing!

Scrappin' with Wendy said...

I just love your sketches! They really get me started! Thank you so much!

Anonymous said...

Allison, great sketch and interpretations, as always. I'm with you ... I still circle punch photos sometimes. I love how you made the fabric flower and I see that the Pink Paislee prize includes some of those fabric strips so we can try it for ourselves :) Thanks for the chance to win!
~Erika

shelley said...

Love this layout. This is one layout i will be using for sure!!
Thanks

Christel said...

Love the sketch and the layouts you've made so far with it. Can't wait for the DVD to be released! :)

Kelly said...

I love this sketch:)

Mary Bez said...

I am so excited that you are using this sketch!! I have admired it ever since I started reading your blog and now I will be able to make it for myself. Thanks!!

Carmen said...

Great Sketch! Love all the circles & Pink Paislee! This is gonna be a good week ;)

Jody B. said...

I absolutely love this layout. Can't wait to see what else you do with it.

Steffanie said...

Beautiful layouts as always, Ali! This one is intimidating! Thanks for breaking it down for me!

Melanie said...

I love this sketch. i like how you used little photos in the circles to add more.

Nicole A. said...

I am new to this website and can't believe what I've been missing!Love going through the Sketch Weeks; they're all new to me!

Wendi L. said...

I love the fabric flower you made!

kroller said...

Yeah! It's sketch week...boy do i need that extra thing to look forward to this week. I LOVE the flower...can't wait to try it.

tkl said...

I'm loving these sketches! So glad I came across your site!

Jennie said...

I have recently found you/your site/books, and I am reallt enjoying your sketch books.
Jennie

Stacy Arndt said...

I love the circles. I am using this sketch this week.

Jennifer said...

Love the "More than Sister's" layout.

Wendy said...

I am new to your site also and this is my first week to play along with your sketches. I love this week's sketch. Your layout is beautiful with the vivid colors paired with the black and white photos! Can wait to see the next one!

Anonymous said...

Yeah! I did guess right - how cool. Love PP stuff!!

Love the new layouts you did from the sketch. All the circles make it look so fun. I really like the circle photos on this sketch. I don't do them a lot but sometimes it just works. I absolutely love those ribbon pleat flowers! Gorgeous stuff.

Amy S (TX)

Steph. McKinney said...

I love this sketch...new to your site and I'm hooked!!

Kristen said...

circle are my favorite...love this!

Shari Thurman said...

Super cute layouts. I love this sketch.

Amy from KC said...

Yay Sketch Week! I love this happy, happy sketch. It is so full of "life." I like the use of the circle pics, and the fabric flowers. I can't wait to see the other variatons you come up with this week!

Unknown said...

This is my favorite sketch and I really love the lo you did with it.

Melanie said...

I'm really excited to try this sketch. You do a fabulous job mixing it up, and I really appreciate your attention to detail in your descriptions.

Aphra Bolyer said...

Oh, loved this sketch from the moment I fist saw it. So glad you are using it for Sketch Week. :) LOVELY layout with the Pink Paislee!

Carolyn Wolff said...

Oh my, I just love this sketch. I have admired the layout on your blog header since you put it up. I can't wait to play with this one. The version with the Pink Paislee is beautiful. So inspiring!

Christa Allgood said...

I love the flowers that you made from the Pink Paislee fabric strips! I would never have thought to do that but now I can't wait to try! Thanks for all of your great ideas!

Cindy Leggett said...

Another week of sketches. So excited. Absolutely love the sketch.

Christina said...

Woo-hoo! Sketch week! :)

Luv2talk said...

I remember you telling us about the look on your mom's face when she saw this sketch. First she loved it, then she realized how much work it was going to be to create it for the SKETCHBOOK. LOL

I LOVE the original, and I love variation 1. Can't wait for more!

budletsmom said...

Another fabulous LO - I never would have thought to use a sketch with a diecut background without the die cut. You would never know that this was the case this LO is so cute. I also love all the pattersn on this - I have never used Pink Paisley but I guess I will have to start searching for it.

Lara said...

Love sketch week! You are so amazingly creative that it helps spark my creativity!

Erica Hettwer said...

I love this sketch! It looks like an awesome way to use up all those teeny little scraps that I can't bring myself to get rid of. Oh, and a tip for those who don't have a big circle cutter...use your plates! They make a great template for big circles! :D

Musings by Me said...

Such a fun sketch!

Laura said...

I love this sketch!! Thanks for showing it to us. Can't wait to get volume 6 :)

dlhfks said...

I think this is my favorite sketch so far. I can't wait for the dvd to be released.

Alison said...

Love all the circles and the giveaway. Pink Paislee is a favorite.

Stella said...

Great sketch as usual! I am totally amazed at how flexible your sketches are.

~ Kim ~ said...

I love sketch week!!! Thanks so much for doing them!

Samantha Taylor said...

Wow! I really, really love this sketch! Your examples are just beautiful.

Mandi said...

I adore this sketch! I can definitely see myself using it a lot! Awesome layouts!

Lona said...

What an awesome sketch and I love the layouts!

tiffany said...

I love sketch week! And your layouts are all beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Stacy said...

Oh my goodness! I love these layouts! Your style is awesome! I have recently discovered Pink Paislee, and I love it!

TerriB said...

I love this layout - it looks very complex, but I love the way you break it down. Thank you for sharing!

debbie susee said...

Love sketch week!!

Andi said...

I'm new to your blog and love what I see. The sketch and layouts are fantastic!

lenore said...

Love this sketch!

Bev said...

Thanks for sharing another sketch!!
The circle embellishments makes this one really fun.

Robbin said...

Have I told you lately that I love you???? :)

Unknown said...

I too love this sketch, circles are my favorite!, I love the flower you made too

Allison Davis said...

Sue Bone, I'm so glad you tried and liked the stitching!

Kel, I like the way you think! Those would be such pretty colors to use with a sketch like this one. :)

LeAnne Smith, I wish I knew more about the DVD to tell you. I promise as soon as I know something I'll let everyone know. :)

Nicole A, Jennie, tkl, Steph. McKinney, Wendy, and Andi welcome! Glad to hear that you like the sketches! :)

Luv2talk, yeah, I'm pretty sure she wanted to shoot me! lol!

Thank you everyone!! :)

Linda E said...

Love this sketch. I actually noticed this layout on your header when I first started following yoiur blog and it inspired a New Year's Eve layout that had a big round clock in the center. Can't wait to see your variations this week.

csewy-csescrap13 said...

I wanted to let you know that I love your sketches!!! I just finished a layout for my 4 month old granddaughter using the one for this month, with all of the circles!! I have so many favorites of your work, I'm not sure if I will be able to do all of them before you add more great layouts!!! Thanks for sharing!!!