Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Sketch Week, Part 2

Today's layout is a simple approach to the sketch. Keep in mind that I'm not really a simple scrapbooker so it's more like simple the Allison way. :)

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


Layout #2 - "Lovable, Sweet Chewy"


Supply list - Cardstock and border strip: Bazzill; Patterned paper, chipboard, and stickers: BasicGrey; Alphabet: American Crafts, Pink Paislee

Variation #1 - I wanted to show a layout this week with a much faster, easier, and more simple way to do the circles. Instead of using a bunch of smaller circles I used a large circle for most of the area that the circles are on the sketch. Then I added a few smaller circles and some embellishments. This is a great option for those that wouldn't want to put the time into arranging all the smaller circles or if you think all the small circles on the sketch are too much. Using that larger circle takes up so much of the space that it only need a few accents to finish the look.



A super easy technique you can us to get the most out of your punches is to use the negative. I have this tiny dog paw print punch that I love but the individual pieces of the paw are so small that it would be hard to adhere the actual punched paw print. So, what I like to do is use the negative of the punch, the punched out paw print left on the paper. To make the little dog paw print circles I used a small dog paw print punch and punched it out of paper. Then I used a circle punch and punched around the dog paw print on the paper.

Variation #2 - On this layout I had two vertical pictures that I wanted to include on the layout but I didn't want them to be cropped down to 4 x 4 for the right page. That left me with using them on the left page in place of the 4 x 6. The good thing about this sketch is that it's easy to adjust to the amount of pictures you want to include. You can always use less circles to accommodate the pictures. In this case I placed the two pictures side by side and then arranged my circles like they are on the sketch, around the left edge of the photo. Doing this is what I like to call my "extend" technique. Extending a sketch is making it wider or longer by adding more photos or elements that you want to include.

Variation #3 - On my layout yesterday I showed you how it would look without the large circle on the background and the layout today shows what it would look like to use a different shape. I cut a 12 x 12 piece of patterned paper down to 11 x 11, rounded the corners, and added a hand stitched border around it. Die cut patterned papers of all shapes are a great idea to use there too.

One thing you might want to keep in mind with this sketch, when it comes to that background circle, be careful of what kind of paper you use. With the smaller circle accents the layout can become a little too busy if you don't use the right paper for that circle background piece. Chances are you would use a variety of colors for the circles accents and if you do the same with the background circle the whole overall look of the layout can get a little lost in all the colors or patterns. I'm not saying that you shouldn't use a multi-colored background, it's just something to watch for when using this sketch.

Day #2 = your second chance for the Pink Paislee and Sketches for Scrapbooking giveaway!

90 comments:

Just Sew Sue said...

Love it. You really do illustrate beautifully the versatility of sketches.

MichelleB said...

Great tips! Love those doggie pictures!

dawn said...

This is so cute Allison, I love all the embellishments from this paperline. Having a different shape background is good and love that you showed us less circles because it can be a little tricky with so many ( I've been trying). The pictures are cute with Jackson and Drew you can tell they are buddies. Did Drew say this was his favorite layout for this week or did he even know? Thanks for another great idea.

p.s. Did you go to the movies to see Toy Story 3? If so how did everyone like it? We LOVED it.

Anonymous said...

I have already purchased this paper. I got my photos back with our grandson and our dog so I am ready to scraplift this page. It is so, so cute.

Linda from KS

nanapatty said...

It is amazing the variety of changes you show us in one layout that I don't know think of. It looks so easy and pleasing to the eye when you show us how. Thanks.

dawn said...

This is such a cute layout and love the pictures of Drew and Jackson with him. Having a different shape background is a neat change and love that you did just a little of the circles it can be tricky to do that many ( I've been trying) love all the great colors on here too and the embellishments are cute. I'm really hoping to win this giveawy this week.

Did you see Toy story 3 yet, what did all of you think? We loved it.

I did send a message before this but it won't take it so if two pop up later that is why so please only count the first one. Thanks

Aphra Bolyer said...

Cute, cute, cute! LOVE how you mixed the circles and chipboard. A great way to use so many of the BG patterns, too. Thanks!

Laura J said...

I love this layout!! I really like the 2 4x6 photos on the left side and the use of a large square instead of a large circle...both of those variations have started a bunch of ideas percolating in my head...I can't wait to create! Thanks Alison, I love sketches week!!!!

Kelly said...

LOVE this paper line. Love the tip with the paw print punch. I wondered how people used those things with all those tiny pieces. I also like the variation with the rounded square s the background. CUTE! CUTE! IS that the donut chain punch that you have used before along the bottom? It's on my wish list!

Anonymous said...

Love your embellishments! Simplifying the design is great too.

Kathy R

Amy said...

Love this layout! That paper line is one of my new favs from BG so it was nice to see another way to use it!

Sharon said...

Okay, this has to be my favorite!! I love the colors, and the pictures are so cute!!! I almost never scrapbook our dog, thanks for the inspiration!!

Kelly said...

Love this LO. I really like how you utilized that paw punch. I also like the rounded square in the background for this variation. Is that the donut chain punch used along the bottom? I have that on my wish list.

Jody B. said...

Love this layout. I just purchased this paper collection this weekend. I love it!

Mary Bez said...

Love the variation today....helps to get me thinking outside of my box. I learn so much from you..

Carolyn Wolff said...

I love how you changed the sketch up to include more embellishments and less circles.....don't get me wrong, I love the circles too. This is brilliant!

nanapatty said...

It is amazing the variety of looks you get from just one layout by changing the embellishments or the some of the papers or the number of photos. Keep up the great work!

Marcia S said...

Good tips on not having to cut so many circles. And it looks good, too. I like your tip on using the negative of the punch.

Scrapthat said...

I love the embellies on this LO! I love how you put the doggie and biscuit and used the bone and paw print in the circle itself. Very cute Ali!! (as always) TFS!

Anonymous said...

Rhonda H said...

Ali, so funny you would post this CHEWY lo right after I sent my "LO SOS". I think I can use some of the ideas on it to finish up my MISS PEBS lo. (Sorry, it won't do any good for CHEWY and PEBS to meet, if you know what I mean. LOL!) Of course, if you had some other ideas for my LO, do tell!
BTW...headed to Branson next weekend, and if I can fit it in, I want to come up and shop all the new stuff at SG!

Amy from KC said...

I love the simplified version of this sketch as much as the original. The square background is a nice change, too. I have all of these ideas running around in my head right now.

Janelle H. said...

Love how you used all the different sizes of circles in these layouts. I am seeing a couple of baseball and basketball layouts in my future! Looking forward to the rest of the week!

Christa Allgood said...

Love this layout! All of the circles on the sketch seem a little overwhelming but you make it seem so easy!

CodyandTraci said...

I really love this version! Great job, as usual. Thank you for all the work that you put into sketches week! Thanks, Traci

Colleen said...

I love sketch week! Is it bad that when I look at other sketches, I find myself asking, "What would Allison do to change this up?" Love the use of the vertical photos and the BIG circles.

Kim M said...

I really like how you used the bigger circle in place of all the smaller ones, that would make the layout come together so much faster than punching out all those small circles.

Cindy Leggett said...

Love the change from the circle to the square background. Thanks for the punch tip also. You have such great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Michele Mc said...

What a great 'surprise'.... since I was "off the grid" yesterday I didn't check in for Day One. When I checked this morning, I was thinking it was Monday so I was especially excited to see two days worth of LO's at once! Oh the simple things that keep me happy...

Love this sketch and all three layouts. I'm lazy so the closer to 4x6 photos, the better for me. I have never used larger die cut paper (gasp!)but I know I have some in my stash so it will be my challenge this week to use some. The colors in the original LO remind me of a new box of crayons -and that's a 'happy place' for me! Thank you for taking the time to explain the variations so well. I believe it helps us all to think outside the box and feel more comfortable about not following the sketch exactly.

Can't wait for Day 3!

tkl said...

It's amazing what you can do with one sketch - this is great! good ideas!

wendy said...

I like the simplified version of this sketch. And the photo of your son nose to nose with the dog is so cute!

Janelle H. said...

Love how the circles are used in this layout - I see a couple of baseball and basketball layouts in my future! Looking forward to the rest of the week!

Christina said...

I was going thru some old pictures this week (pre-kids photos) and found about 100 photos of our dogs! Perfect layout inspiration timing!!

Merri Lynn said...

fine use of 2 pictures in place of one--wish I had such creativity

Luv2talk said...

I'm a sucker for CIRLCES! I can't wait to see all the different ways you mix this one up!

Anonymous said...

Another great layout! Thanks for the background circle tip!

Stacie in OK

Melanie said...

Love love love that adaptation! What a cute puppy!!!

budletsmom said...

Another cute take on this sketch. I must be honest I have never been one to really like a bunch of circles on a LO and have never used them but after seeing the these LOs I am going to have to pull out my circle cutter and give it a try.

LouAnn said...

Another great layout. Love the use of the square instead of the circle on the background. I'm glad you showed a way to use less circles because I'm a simple scrapper and that was a lot of circles for me.

LouAnn

Lara said...

Love it! Love how you used the square this time and not so many circles but they still are a main focus of the page!

AndreaFriebus said...

Using the negative of a small punch is such a great idea. I love your layout and the BG paper!

Erica Hettwer said...

So cute! I love the idea for using the negative of the punch. I've got a cute golf flag punch that I never use but can't get rid of, this tip may just save the day! :D

Melanie said...

Seeing the square in the background, fewer circles, and the two vertical 4x6's totally makes me want to try this sketch even more. Love it!

Cheryl said...

I love this layout! I'm not saying that I didn't love yesterday's selections, but I LOVE this layout! Pets are such an integral part of our lives, and your pages are a lovely tribute to your dog. Love the accents that you used too! Still can't get over how much you reinvent the white page background and do it so well, EVERY TIME! Thank you, Allison!

kimmcc69 said...

Love this layout and the paper and embellishments are just perfect.

Ginny H said...

Thanks for the tips on how to simplify this beautiful LO!

Marti said...

Love the larger circle idea! Thanks for the tip on using the negative- I never think to do that!

connie said...

more great tips. love the one using the negative of the punch and then using the circle punch.

ScrapyTiff said...

Love how you used two verticals on this one instead of the horizontal, very versatile sketch!

shelley said...

love it !!!!

Unknown said...

Very cute- As always I love the circles, the large square works really well too in place of a circle:-)

kroller said...

Love this one! I love the colors in the layout and the sq. instead of circle is a nice twist. Pics are SO cute.

Anonymous said...

I really like the mixes alphas & how you used a square die cut in place of the circle. Great tip to change out a bunch of small embellies to a larger one.

Amy S (TX)

Musings by Me said...

I love puppy pages!

Cheerios626 said...

I'm not GREAT with sketches because I get too caught up in the "matching"-ness of it. You make getting inspiration from a sketch seem SO easy!! Thanks

Anonymous said...

I love sketch week! Thanks for all the great ideas!
~Julie V.

Amy Powell said...

This is such a cute layout! The different sized circles look great. I love the way you used the law print punch!

Laura said...

This is such an awesome, different sketch. I have admired it since seeing it many months ago at the store (I think). Thanks for the great explanations and tips!

Tasha said...

I really like this! Especially the larger elements, very cute!

dlhfks said...

I love this page! You continue to outdo yourself.

Britia said...

Another great layout! Thanks for sharing!

Alison said...

Love how you changed the background from a circle to a square and how you show all the variations for sketches.

Julie said...

What a great idea to use the reverse of the punch! I love that!

Christel said...

Cute layout! Love the larger circle version too.

Wendy said...

What sweet photos, a cute doggie and a beautiful layout! Thanks for sharing!

JodoyJane said...

Wow, I LOVE puppy pages. And I have that paw print punch and agree, it's way too small to use it's punched pieces. Great idea!
Really like the larger circles also.

Gina said...

Love this variation!

~ Kim ~ said...

Love Sketch Week! :) I agree ... you are NOT a simple scrapper - but your sketches make your style so DOABLE!! Thanks!

Carmen said...

I Love This!!! And it is a little more simple than your usual LO's/sketches but I think that's why I love it even more. Love how you used the negative as well of the paw print!

Samantha Taylor said...

This layout is adorable! Love the stitching too!

lesley said...

First of all, super cute dog! He has my heart! :) Second, I always love your accents and embellishments. So so cute and creative, especially how they work in with the circle theme on this sketch. And the colors...we'll, I guess you could say I love the whole thing..again!

Mandi said...

Great variation! Love how you incorporated all the cute little doggie embellies!

Steffanie said...

This does seem a little more simple. Thanks for breaking it down for me...piece by piece!

AmyInKy said...

LOVE this sketch and I love all the different variations you have already completed with it. Can't wait to see what's next! Your creativity just amazes me. :)

Bev said...

Love your sketch!! I always look forward to sketch week.

tiffany said...

Great layout! Love the variation with the embellishments today.

Stacy said...

Sketch week is so cool! This weeks sketch is great! I love the little doggie paw prints, the Max and Whiskers paper line is super cute!

KariLynn said...

Love the layout, it is adorable. Always love the great tips you give.

Melanie said...

I like the large square background shape with the smaller circles! Fantastic layout!

TerriB said...

I love the idea of changing the shape in the background, a creative way to get more uses of your sketch. Adorable layout.

debbie susee said...

Love all the doggie embellishments. Super cute.

Tiffany G. said...

Such a cute page. Love the patten papers in this layout.

Kirsten said...

Your sketches rock, and I always love sketch week because your "variations" are eye opening!

lenore said...

Loving the variations os the circles. You are totally inspiring me to get out my neglected circle cutter!

Robbin said...

I cannot wait until I scrapbook tomorrow so that I can use the ideas here ;)

Unknown said...

I love the way you do "simply" Thanks for sharing. I have a chocolate lab, Ruby, that should have be named Chewy for sure.

Anonymous said...

Is the stitching dark brown or black? What about the Bazzill border strip? Black or brown?

Allison Davis said...

Dawn, this week has been so crazy getting ready for CHA and whatnot that Drew hasn't even seen these layouts yet! I'm sure he'll be upset that Jackson is in the pictures too. We haven't went to see Toy Story 3 but I want to take them so bad. We just read the book at bedtime last week. :)

Kel, that one isn't the border punch. It was a pre-cut border strip from Bazzill. The punch you are talking about is my favorite right now! I've used it so many times!

Rhonda H, I'll try to look at your layout tomorrow and email you back! It's been such a busy, busy week and I'm starting to fall a little behind on replying to emails. :)

Janelle H., baseball and basketball would be perfect for this sketch!

Moe, I've come to learn from talking to other lab owners that they all go through that stage! I was so happy to hear that we weren't alone!

The stitching is dark brown and the border strip is black. :)

Thank you everyone for the wonderful comments! :)

Anonymous said...

Great use of accents from this cute BG line. I also like how you inked the edges of your photos to give them a subtle frame.
~Erika

Linda E said...

I simplified this layout even more on my New Year's layout by stamping circles and adding rub-on clocks to my cardstock. It truly is a versatile sketch!

Rachel said...

what sweet puppy pictures!