Thursday, October 14, 2010

Sketch Week, Part 4

The layout for day four is in one way simplified and then in another way it's not. It all depends on how you look at it.

The sketch that has been used as the starting point for all five layouts this week.


Layout #4 - "Picking Pumpkins"


Supply list - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: Creative Imaginations and KI Memories; Alphabets: Prima and BasicGrey; Word stickers: K&Company and 7Gypsies.

When I sat down with this sketch and starting writing out my notes for the variations a fall page with windblown leaves going across it was at the top of my list. I'll admit when I first started putting it together I wasn't liking it but when it all came together I loved the finished result.

• Variation #1
This is a hardly noticeable variation but I still want to mention it. The 6" strip along the whole layout has been moved down a little. I always talk about trying to keep balance on the page and moving that piece down was my way of maintaining the balance. With the vertical 4 x 6 and the larger title the layout would have been just a little too top heavy if I kept everything as it is on the sketch.

• Variation #2
Using 2 x 2 photos is one of my favorites. You can get a ton on one page and they will pretty much squeeze into any space. This is a great size for those times when you want to add a lot more photos to a sketch.

By using 2 x 2 photos in place of most the photos on the sketch I was able to include 13 photos on my layout. Today, the combined photo width is the same on both sides of the layout.

This size of photo can be hard to crop out of a 4 x 6 so I order wallet size prints from my local photo processing center. I think most photo processing places have a wallet option. Plus the nice thing about wallet size prints is that it's still the full 4 x 6, it's just shrunken down to a smaller size so you still get the whole picture.

Another option for getting 2 x 2 photos is downloading a software called Photosheet at www.photility.com This software allows you to combine several images into a single image. For example, you could put six 2 x 2 photos on a 4 x 6 and print it at home or even upload it to a photo processing center and order prints of it. It's really a great tool for those of you interested in getting some smaller prints.

• Variation #3
I know I say it a lot, but really, you can always alter the sketch to fit the photos you have. I love the picture of Drew with all the mini-pumpkins and instantly knew that I wanted it to be my focal photo. The sketch has a horizontal 4 x 6 as the focal photo but I don't ever let that stop me from using a vertical.

You can always adjust things to make it work, including changing the orientation of a photo. I said it earlier this week, it's only a matter of two inches and two inches isn't a whole lot when you are working on a 12 x 24 space. I had two minor adjustments due to using a vertical photo. The first one I mention in Variation #1 about having to shift some papers down a little. The second one was moving the big swirl across the page closer to that vertical photo, which leads me right into Variation #4.

• Variation #4
You know how I talk about trying not to have too big of gaps between the elements on the page? Well, when I added a vertical 4 x 6 photo it created a gap on both the left and the right because it's two inches taller than the rest of the photos. The gaps were easy to fill by simply moving my leaves and stitching in closer to the picture.

• Variation #5
I really wanted the stitching and leaves to look like leaves blowing in the wind. Like in a cartoon when you can see those wind swirls behind the leaves. That was what I was going for on this layout. I used my Bo Bunny flex ruler to trace the lines onto the page and then added stitching over the top of those lines. I didn't want to add too many leaves and lose the overall look of the stitching so I just added a few here and there.


This is where I was talking about it kind of being simplified and kind of not. Adding stitching to me isn't a big deal because I stitch all the time. So it look much simpler to me. I can completely understand though how a non-stitcher would look at it and say it wasn't simple at all.

• Variation #6
Just like the layout yesterday, I moved the journaling to the right of the photos on the right page. I used journaling strips this time so that I could wrap it around the photos and the leaf.


Sometimes it can be tricky using a paper with a lot of words on it behind your title. Most of the time you'll need to use a color that is a big contrast from the colors in the paper. However, you can do like I did on my layout. I used orange alphabet stickers that at first were a little lost in all the colors and words. I used a brown pen to trace around each letter to frame them and help them to stand out more on such a "busy" paper. Not really a variation, just a little tip.


Wednesday's giveaway winner is...

Heather K said...
I love this page and you are right it certainly doesn't look like it came from the original sketch. Your layouts are an inspiration to really think outside the box.


You can email me at alidavis1919@hotmail.com with your shipping information and to let me know which volume of Sketches for Scrapbooking you would like.

109 comments:

Joan S said...

I love this layout! What did you use to make the leaves?

kgbell said...

My favorite so far!! I love the leaves. Where are they from? Thank you for sharing with us.

Arjanne said...

I love the stitches with the little leaves! So beautiful!

Jody B. said...

The stitching is gorgeous. And love how you used so many photos on one layout.

ruth said...

I adore this page! The swirling leaves are perfect!

Anonymous said...

Love the layout. I may need to get one of the flex rulers. I have noticed you use it quite a bit.

Christel said...

I love this layout too. I have the Bo Bunny flex ruler and never thought to use it the way you do. I really like the windblown leaves and all the stitching. I also use PhotoSheet to get 2x2 and 2x3 photos. Then I save the files to my SD card and get them printed out at Wal-Mart. Wish I could figure out a way to get 3x3 prints using PhotoSheet though.

Jennifer E. said...

Love, love, love this layout!! I will be making this layout this weekend. You are so creative. Thanks for the tip using Photosheet. Ordering wallets is always more expensive than a 4x6, so this will save me a lot of money.

Jodyjane, IA said...

Love this, and it's my favorite so far! Now I am off to buy that flex ruler! Dang it, Im on a spending freeze, LOL

Heather K said...

I love the stitching on the page, but I have to admit sewing on my pages is very intimidating. Do you hand sew or use a machine? If a machine what machine do you use?

Laura J said...

Awesome, awesome, awesome! I love your windblown leaves...sorry for the pun, but it blew me away!

Sue Althouse said...

Love your swirling leaves!

Erin said...

This is my favorite so far this week! What a great use of the stitching and leaves.

Sharon said...

OMG!! I love this layout! The swirling leaves are amazing! You make it all look so simple. Thank you, as always for the inspiration!

tape said...

Ali, you are a genius! I'm learning so much from you here and on your course.

JLC said...

I am so inspired to incorporate stitching on my pages. The look is so whimsical!!

Miss Misi said...

I love how the leaves are "blowing in the wind"...cute!

Precious Memories Scrapbooking & More said...

I love how many pics you fit on this page & I absolutley, love how you made the leaves "blow in the wind"..LOVE IT!!!!

Karen Fink said...

This is breathtaking!!! I can't wait to use this same idea of stitching and leaves on a page. Awesome idea once again :)

likearose said...

I love it! Thanks so much for the tip about Photosheet. I've played with 2x2 prints a few times but never found an easy way. This is a HUGE help.

Michele Mc said...

Oh my goodness, I love the swirling leaves. And it's funny that you mention the cartoon because that's exactly what I pictured - maybe the Peanuts Halloween one or a Winnie the Pooh movie that my kids have. You gave me great ideas AND brought back some fun childhood memories! :)

Pretty sure this one is my favorite this week! (Only 'pretty sure' because I haven't seen Friday yet!)

Amy from KC said...

I agree with everyone else, this layout is fabulous for all of the reasons mentioned by others. The big a-hah moment for me, though was the tip on tracing around the letters in your title. In the big picture it was impossible to see, but in the closeup you can clearly see it. It is amazing how that helped given how subtle it actually is. I have that problen all the time, and will detinitely have to give that a try. Thanks Ali!

Lisa G. said...

Awesome!!! I love everything about it. I really am seeing how your titles stick out...using the two different style of letters...I think I might give that a go!

Scrapthat said...

I love the swirly leaves stitching...but yes it looks intimidating to me but after seeing the work you did for the CHA booth..for you it was probably a cake walk! GREAT LO Ali! TFS!

Michele's Scrapy Creations said...

I just love this one! I can't decide which ones you have done is my favorite. lol I so need to get back to working on my layout. Thanks for sharing.

Megan B said...

wow...I LOVE all the photos you used and that stitching and the leaves are FABULOUS!!

connie said...

Love the stitching and leaves. Thanks for the tip on tracing the title.

Anonymous said...

You make stitching look so easy. I love the way you make your photos work with the sketch you have in mind. Great work...as always.

Lori, Lawrenceburg, KY

Anonymous said...

This is my favorite layout this week. Absolutely fabulous!

K in PA

Just Sew Sue said...

I always love your stitching and this one is no exception, it gives great movement to the page. I've just ordered the Sew Easy tool which wil help me prick regular holes.

April Gray said...

Thanks for the 2x2 tip's! I have always struggled trying to crop from 4x6.

Heather said...

I love this layout! I never know what to do with those papers that have words all over them, but love how you incorporated it here. You did the best layouts!

Ginny H said...

Love the swirling leaves!

Kelly said...

That stitching is so cool! Really gives movement to the leaves!

CodyandTraci said...

I love stitching, can not wait to try this.

KarlaW said...

After seeing this layout, I may just have to purchase one of those flex rulers! Nice job.

Stacy said...

My favorite layout this week! So pretty! The leaves and stitching are awesome!

Melanie said...

I love the hand stitching on this as a variation of the circles.

Christine said...

love it, love the colors, love the variation :)

Simply Me said...

Love it. The Stiching is awesome and thank you for the photo tips.

scrapinbabygal said...

This is stunning!! I love your stitching and all the leaves. And all the 2x2 photos are wonderful!!

Jen Cro said...

This is my favorite layout. I am so excited to try the stitching with leaves. We just went to the pumpkin patch so I have plenty of the perfect pictures to use. Thank you. Jen

Tiffany said...

I love the stitching. The look of the leaves blowing completely changes the page.

Luv2talk said...

Thanks for the tip/link about printing pictures. I love having the option of smaller pictures!

Rebekah said...

I love, love, love this layout! Thanks for the link and tips on smaller photos. Also, what do you use to stitch onto your layouts and any tips would be great on how to get started doing this.

Avril Tanner said...

I totally love this layout! The way you incroporated those leaves is so cool!

dawn said...

I can't believe it but this might top yesterday's layout especially because fall is my favorite to scrap. I love love the blowing leaves such a cool idea, never thought of that. Love all the colors and the photos are so so cute of Drew. You are amazing Allison!! Congrats to the winners for this week in case I forget to mention it. I'm still wishing for my name to be picked and already know which book I'll ask for...#6 to celebrate SG birthday celeberation!!

Kapoor's said...

Love the stitching on the page. It makes it wonderful!!!

LeAnne Smith said...

Beautiful layout...love the stitched wind trails. Think I'll wait for that new We r' Memory Keepers Sew Tool! Does SG have that one yet??

mmspiker said...

My favorite element from your sketch is the flourish. I see endless possibilities with the themes that can be used with it. Thanks for sharing your creativity.

Angie said...

I love those leaves, and the stitching is awesome. Totally love that effect!

April said...

Wow, another gorgeous set of layouts! I love the stitching...
- April W

AmyInKy said...

I have that paper line and the perfect photos to do a lift of this one. Thanks for the inspiration!!!

LouAnn said...

I think this is my favorite layout of the week. I absolutely love the stitching and the leaves. I have recently started stitching on my layouts and am loving the results.

mthata said...

Wow! This layout is fabulous! You put so much detail into all your layouts. How long does it take you complete one 2-pager?

Kristina said...

*LOVE* *LOVE* *LOVE* the stitching and the little leaves! I will have to do this with one of my fall layouts!

Anonymous said...

Love this swirl of leaves. Perfect for fall. Will definitely be trying to duplicate this!

Kathy R

Gretchen Lindsey said...

Thanks for sharing the photo site to make smaller pictures. The stitching and leaves just blow across the page. I think this is my favorite so far this week.

reen said...

Well the layout is gorgeous, as usual, but my absolute favorite is the stitching and swirling leaves. LOVE it.

AndreaFriebus said...

I love how the leaves look like they're blowing in the wind!

Unknown said...

Very cute!!! I could see swapping out the leaves for butterflies or dragonflies too:-)

AmyBug said...

I love the leaves and stitching - that is so cute!

Jen said...

I love it! I have a flex ruler, and have never used it - you have inspired me to pull it out. On a side note, I was flipping through "Super-fast Pages with 4x6 Photos Vol. 2" last night, and stopped on a LO I really liked and want to scraplift. Surprise - it is one of yours! Love your work!

Lu L. said...

I have learned so much about balance from reading your comments and looking at your layouts. It's something I had never thought of before.
My favorite part of today's layout is the windblown leaves...it adds just a touch of whimsy!

Janelle H. said...

When I first looked at this layout, I could almost feel the breeze swirling the leaves around me! I love Fall!

Jennifer said...

What a great fall layout and I love the stitching.

wendy said...

Fall layouts make me happy :) I love your teeny tiny little leaves. And the stitching. I have a whole drawer full of embroidery floss I need to start using again. Maybe one of these days. . .

Lara said...

as always very inspiring! I love the circle's and swirls behind the pictures. Thanks for the great ideas!

Anonymous said...

It really does look like leave blowing in the wind!-RacheT

Manhattan Mandie said...

I LOVE the windblown leaves!!!! What a GORGEOUS page! Thanks for the inspiration! I look forward to sketch week all month long!

Anonymous said...

Love this layout Allison! It's so pretty and colorful... You did an awesome job like always...

Ashley L.

Anonymous said...

I love the stitching and fall theme on this layout!
Tracy C.

holly b said...

I absolutely love how you made the leaves swirling around on your page, with the stitching and all!! I'm going to try to do that, but I'm going it be it won't look as nice as yours.

nanapatty said...

Wowzer! This layout makes me want to stop working and go scrap!!

Kim M said...

The stitching is just adorable! I would never have thought to do that. Sewing on layouts scares me so much, I always worry I will ruin my page but you make it look sooooe easy!!

janet said...

Of all the layouts I have seen created by you- this is definitely in the top five! You rule with multi-photo sketches and sewing...just love it- what inspiration! thanks for sharing!

Erica Hettwer said...

This is so cool with the leaves and the swirled stitching!

MaryBez said...

Love the leaves and stitches....it really makes you thing of the leaves flying about in a fall breeze. Once again, great layout.

Amy13 said...

Love how it looks like the leaves are blowing across this layout!

Mandi said...

I adore this layout! Saving it to lift!!!

Jennifer DeWolfe said...

Oh Allison! This one is my favorite! I love the leaves and the stitched movement ... absolutely brilliant! I am going to have to borrow that idea! Awesome job!

Michele said...

Well, swirling leaves ... my wish came true! It's brilliant, even better than I'd hoped. Plus all the 2X2 pictures ... Wow!

Crystal said...

I LOVE the swirly fall leaves. I cant sew/stitch but thanks for the inspiration, maybe I can do faux stitching or something else!

Susan said...

Loving this layout!

Bethany said...

This layout is fantastic! It really feels like the wind is blowing! What a gift to be able to get such movement out of paper and photos.

Melissa Bell said...

Love the look of the blowing leaves! You stitching always inspires me! So much fun!

Rebecca K. said...

this is SO gorgeous! what a great idea with the leaves!

momtotucknlexi said...

I have this same paper (love fall papers) but was stumped b/c of the busy background. Love how you used it with this sketch.

BJ said...

they just keep getting better every day... I love the leaves and stitching, such a great idea!! Cant wait to see what tomorrow brings.

Karina said...

I just LOOOOOOOOVE this sketch... I usually look for sketches with many pictures, and definitely this one is one of them... The 2 X 2 pictures are perfect for me !!!

Thanks again for a wonderful sketch,

Karina

Unknown said...

i love love love this!!!ra

kroller said...

Oh I LOVE all the different sketches off this one!! And those swirling leaves!! Thanks for sharing!

Alison said...

Thanks for the tip on the phototilly site-will definitely use-love the stitching with the leaves, too!

MarciaD said...

Love the leaves with the circular stitching and being able to use so many photos in the layout! Another great one!

Tasha said...

Oh my goodness, that stitching is divine!!

Bev said...

Love the effect of the windblown leaves with the stitching!!!

Colleen said...

I thought yesterday's was my favorite, but I LOVE this one! The stitching is awesome and it holds ton of pictures. It's great!

Katrina Hunt said...

Hey Ali!!! I think this is my most favorite layout that you have done!!!! Hugs, Katrina

Stephanie G said...

Great page; my favorite this week!

Steffanie said...

Oh my gosh! The stitched swirl and those leaves---love it!

Anonymous said...

Wonderful sketch. This is one of my favorite sketches that you have posted. I like everything about this layout(love pumpkin patch photos, children are such a joy to watch running around trying to find that perfect pumpkin and they make great family photo opportunities). Great job!

Laura in MS

Anonymous said...

This is by far my favorite version of this sketch so far! I can't wait to break out my bobunny ruler and and do something like this! Amazing!

Tammy said...

What a great LO, I love the cute pics!

budletsmom said...

It is amazing how something so simple as the leaves can make a LO - the oak leaves look like a punch but what are the other ones with the veins on them? again I love the stitches and after this I am thinking I need one of the Bo bunny rulers.

Melanie said...

Love love love the stitching!

anet said...

Okay, that stitching is fantastic! How do you follow your lines so well on a sewing machine? Mine always end up a mess.

Sonya said...

I love the square photos and the leaf swirls on this one!

Marlene said...

LOVE it! Thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

i love this layout. i think i'm going to have to do one like it. I love the black string. At first I thought you used a wire but then realized that it was stitched on the close up picture. Stephenie