Monday, October 11, 2010

Sketch Week, Part 1

Sketch Week is officially here! (And with another guest designer.)

This week the sketch is another one of my favorites that has been sitting in my personal sketch book for way too long. It's time to break it out and actually use it! This is another sketch that at first glance might be a little intimidating or appear to be time consuming but you'll see over this week the different things you can do and a few ways you can simplify it.

The sketch that will be used as the starting point for all five layouts this week.


You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the printable sketches link on the right sidebar. I have posted the sketch here minus all the usual information that comes on them just because you can get a closer look at it. The sketch on the downloads page it has all the information like the sketches normally do. 

Layout #1 - "First Halloween"


Supply list - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: BoBunny; Stickers: BoBunny; Alphabets: Making Memories (first) and the orange is unknown; Jewels: KaiserCraft

One thing you'll notice this week is that I've gone way back to Drew's early pictures in an attempt to get them on some pages. Goodness he's grown so much!

• Variation #1
I love the picture of me, Drew, and Stacey and really wanted it to stand out on the layout so I used a 5 x 7 cropped down to a 5 x 6.  The reason I cropped that one inch off was to leave enough room for my picture on the left. You could always leave the seven inch width and use a smaller photo on the left but it just wouldn't have worked that way with the photos I used.

If I would have followed the pictures sizes on the sketch that photo that I replaced with an enlargement would have stood out. With it being a 4 x 6 and the other photos being smaller it was already the focal photo. However, because I used a 4 x 6 in place of a few 3 x 4 photos on the right page it wouldn't have stood out as much. Which leads me to the next variation.

• Variation #2
I didn't end up using any of the suggested photo sizes on the sketch.

I really wanted to keep a good balance within the photos on this layout. To do that I kept the same width of total photos on both pages the same. I didn't want to crop the photo on the far left to a 3 x 4 because I would have been cropping too much off the photo. Instead I cropped it to a 4 x 4. The width of the enlargement is 6" and the width of the other picture on the left page is 4", giving me a combined width of 10". 

To keep the balance I made sure that my combined width on the right page was the same as the left by using another photo with a 6" width and the other one a width of 4", giving the combined width for the right page 10". 

There are so many different combinations you can use to come up with the same combined photo width on both sides.

• Variation #3
Instead of using the circles as on the sketch, I went with stars instead. There aren't as many stars as there are circles on the sketch but the amount of elements you use to make up that swirl across the page shouldn't matter. You can use as little or as much as you want, it's just all about how you arrange them.



I started with the three largest stars first - the orange star, the green star, and the purple star. As long as you have those three bigger ones down on the page in the suggested area then it shouldn't matter how little or how much of the smaller ones you add in. I would recommend not adhering anything until you have the shape of swirl you want.

If you are having trouble with the swirl on your own you might try the BoBunny flex ruler or maybe a piece of embroidery floss as a guide.


Did you know that our store, Scrapbook Generation, will be turning six this month! We thought that would be a great reason for Scrapbook Generation to sponsor Sketch Week this month. To celebrate our 6th birthday I will be giving away six Sketches for Scrapbooking books (volume choice is all yours). This will be a little different than the past giveaways. There will be a giveaway each day this week and then one on Monday when I do the Sketch Week wrap up. So this month you've got six chances to win!

108 comments:

Judith said...

So glad it's sketch week time again. Another great sketch Alison and great sample.

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to see all of the layouts this week with your sketch.

Linda from KS

Sonya said...

Sketch week already? Yippee!

MarciaD said...

Love the sketch and your layout!

Lu L. said...

I never would have thought to use embroidery floss as a guide to make a swirl! Thanks for the great tip!
That subtle pattern on the black paper goes so nicely with the rest of the layout...love it!

Lulo

LeAnne Smith said...

Super sweet page & Happy Birthday SG!

Christel said...

Love all the stars on this one. Looking forward to seeing what else you do with this awesome sketch this week. :)

luvzenkm2 (Leea) said...

Thanks for sharing different ways of a using a sketch!!!

Michele said...

Hurray, it's sketch week. Another great layout!

Anonymous said...

I love this sketch! Looking forward to the remaining layouts you have created for the week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCRAPBOOK GENERATION!

Christina Hoffman

Colleen said...

Yea for sketch week! I really need to go back to my son's early pictures too, or I'm going to be incredibly behind.

momtotucknlexi said...

Can't believe it is sketch week again! Where has the month gone?? Love this layout...already have an idea for a page. Love your Halloween inspiration (it's my favorite holiday).
Michelle

Laura J said...

I just LOVE this sketch! Something about it calls to me, I can't wait to use it. I love this layout, the stars are awesome!

Sharon said...

So cute!! Love the stars and the stitching! Your layouts are always so beautiful!

Amy said...

Love this sketch - can't wait to see what you do with it this week! Love all those stars on this layout - lots of fun!

dawn said...

It's sketch week again, I'm so happy!! Love these pictures of Drew he's so cute in that outfit...the one of you two with drew is sweet also. I love all these stars on the page and the colors look so good together. Happy birthday SG you guys are amazing and so generous to your fans. I would love to win a sketch book this week and I'm feeling LUCKY because we just got a puppy this weekend and named him LUCKY!! We didn't plan on getting one it just happened and I'm so happy for the kids who have always begged for one. So If you have a minute Allison stop by my blog and read the story and see the photos...it's at http://everydaymemorieswithprojectlife.blogspot.com

So since SG is the sponsor do you think we will see another layout from Stacey or your MOM this week...

CodyandTraci said...

I am excited to see all the variations for this sketch. The differences from day one to day five of sketch week still amaze me, and I have been following from the begining! Thanks for all your hard work, and thanks Scrapbook Generation for sponsoring. Happy Birthday! Thanks again, Traci

nanapatty said...

Congrats to Scrapbook Generation. Love your store and wished I lived closer to visit more often. Thanks for explaining the balancing of the photos on both sides of the pages which helps me understand how to change the photo sizes on my own pages.

janet said...

yippy skippy, another sketch week.
loving this sketch and I think I know the perfect photos for this. and thanks to SG for the giveaways..I love ALL of the volumes!

Jennifer E. said...

I love Halloween and it's one of my favorite holidays to scrapbook. This layout will definitely be scraplifted!!

Anonymous said...

This is such a cute layout for Halloween, I like that it's not scary. I love the stitching on the stars!!
Mandy

Precious Memories Scrapbooking & More said...

oh fun sketch...gonna have to try to play with this one...love your lo can't wait to see your other variations on the sketch!

Heather K said...

It is so much fun to go back and scrap pictures of when big kids were little. It really reminds us of how fast they grow up. The layout is great and I can't wait to see the variations.

Jennifer D. said...

CCCCaaaauuuttee!!I love the sketch this week. Can't wait to see more!!

Janelle H. said...

Sketch Week - a great idea to use it for some of those photos that have been sitting in a box just waiting for a layout!

BJ said...

another great sketch and inspiration. love the amount of patterns you were able to use in the embellies and the colors being more than just black and orange.

AmyBug said...

Wow! I love those sprinkling of stars. The added stitching is great too.

Jody B. said...

Love the sketch(as always). I will definitely be using this one soon.

Tiffany said...

I love this sketch! So versatile.

patti said...

Congratulations on your 6th anniversary! You must be very proud as our business is very challenging. (I have a store, too.)

Angie said...

This sketch is great-so versatile! I'd love the chance to win one of your books- thanks for the chance

Jennifer said...

I love, love, love your sketches and the variations that you share!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your sixth anniversary! In this economy, that's quite an accomplishment. Looking forward to another sketch week!

K in PA

Steffanie said...

Another fabulous sketch, Ali! Love the substitution of the stars for the circles and those pictures of baby Drew are just precious!

Luv2talk said...

The handstitching still 'gets me' everytime. Your work is amazing!

Lara said...

Another great idea! THANKS SO MUCH!

Avril Tanner said...

I totally love the interpretation of the sketch for this layout! It is gorgeous!

debbie susee said...

Love your halloween page--the colors and the stars. I'll be keeping this in mind as i have Oct. pics to work on this week. :)

R. Dorrian6 said...

Thanks for doing these. I learn something new everytime. Without your tips I never would have realized the width of my pictures on both sides of my pages mattered.

Just Sew Sue said...

another great sketch and I love the stitching on the stars.

Erica Hettwer said...

This is a great layout! I love scattering things all over a layout but I have a hard time with it sometimes. :) Congrats on six years!!! That's awesome!

Jen said...

I love the colors and all the stars. Gotta love Bo Bunny! Can't wait to see the rest of the LOs!

RacheT said...

I LOVE sketch week and love this LO!

Anonymous said...

Love the Halloween layout and can't wait to try this sketch!
Tracy C.

LouAnn said...

What a great sketch. The first thing I thought of when I saw it was stars instead of circles.

Happy 6th SG!

Marcia S said...

Congratulations on being picked as a Basic Grey designer. Your work is so beautiful that it needs to be shared with the whole world, not just us lucky people in Springfield.

Miss Misi said...

Adorable and I like the smiling photo.

Lisa G. said...

Love the sketch...can't wait to play with this one!!! Love your layout too...so fun!!!

Amy from KC said...

Ooooh, I love this sketch! I can see a lot of possibilities for it!

kgbell said...

Love the sketch(as always)! Happy 6th Birthday Scrapbook Generation! Can you open a store in Buffalo, NY? WHat a generous giveaway this week! Thank You!

scrapinbabygal said...

Wow!! I love all the stars on here. What a fun sketch!

AndreaFriebus said...

Love the Halloween layout with bright happy colors!

Christine said...

I love this! I can't wait to scrap halloween now, & I was just looking at those papers yesterday :) Hmmm...shopping time!

Unknown said...

WOW- I just love this sketch!!! I can't wait to create a layout with it myself soon:-)

KarlaW said...

Horay! Sketch week! Thanks for giving such good instructions for varying the photo sizes. Looking forward to seeing the layouts the rest of the week.

Robin W. said...

I'm so glad it's sketch week; I'm going through withdrawals as your sketch support class finished. I love your layout--cute pictures and the stars!

anet said...

Love sketch week and I am loving your class so far! Thanks for the chance to win.

April said...

Oh how CUTE!!!!
- April W

mmspiker said...

Congratulations on your store's 6th birthday, especially in this economy. How did you cut out all the different sized stars? Did you use a Cricut or punches? Love the inspiration you share as usual.

Anonymous said...

Your layouts are awesome. Thanks for explaining how you put them all together!

Lori, Lawrenceburg, KY

Valerie said...

Another great sketch. Can't wait to see how you change it up.

shelley said...

Great sketch.Love all the colors in this layout!!
Happy Birthday SG!!!!!!!!!!!!

Manhattan Mandie said...

Love the sketch and your take on it! I was using your AWESOME books this weekend and LOVE them sooooo much!!!!

wendy said...

Cute sketch, as always! I just got the card making sketch book in the mail on Saturday - ordered it for a friend's birthday gift - and I wanted to keep it for myself. Your books are on my wish list :)

Ginny H said...

Love the new sketch and can't wait to give it a try!

Laura said...

So glad it's sketch week again!! I am so thankful to have Scrapbook Generation so close - it's an awesome store and I love their crop nights and Saturday sketch classes. I would love to win a sketch book - I use a sketch for every LO I do now!

I love this sketch too. can't wait to use it!

Anonymous said...

Yay, I love sketch week!!! This is so adorable. Can't wait to see what's next! Thanks!

Jennifer D

Amy13 said...

Love all the stars on this layout. So cute!

connie said...

Another great sketch and LO! I look forward to sketch week.

JLC said...

Love the use of white space with the bold Halloween colors and accents.

Kelly said...

LOVE this sketch! Love the stars and their positions, on and off the patterned paper.

ruth said...

Love sketch week!

AmyInKy said...

Great sketch as always! I am loving all of the stars on this layout though. Thanks also for the tip on working with the swirl. :)

Karen F. said...

Great idea to use stars on a Halloween layout.. not as traditional as pumpkins! Great inspiration.

Karen F. said...

Great idea to use stars on a Halloween layout.. not as traditional as pumpkins! Great inspiration.

mnms said...

I love sketch week! Thanks for the inspiration.

carmen hall said...

Love the sketch! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us all week

Anonymous said...

Great sketch..love all the stars.

Kathy R

Unknown said...

Wow! Sketch week already. Time sure flies.

kroller said...

OOH! I love the swirl,plus I'm kinda addicted to embellishments and bling so any layout where I can add a lot is always great! Also love the extra giveaways! Thanks!

Rebecca K. said...

gorgeous layout! i thought the pics looked kind of old school, LOL

carissa H said...

Another fantastic layout! Love all those stars! How did you get them? Punches or a machine or pre-done die cuts?

Amy Powell said...

Yay for sketch week! I am excited to see what kind of variations you have up your sleeve :)

Melanie said...

Awesome sketch :)

Mandi said...

I'd love to win one of your sketchbooks! Thanks for the chance!

Bev said...

I look forward to sketch week and really like this sketch. I'm anxious to see what else you do with it.

Kim M said...

So glad it is that time of month again. I look forward to it each month. Lovin this sketch and your take with the stars in place of circles, I am so lifting that idea, it is cute, cute, cute!

Melissa Bell said...

Loving this week's sketch! Can't wait to see what you do with it each day. Thanks so much for sharing your talent with us!

Sue Althouse said...

Yay for another Sketch Week and the awesome prizes!

Jodyjane said...

So glad to see sketch week once again. I simply LOVE this LO. Great colors, wonderful placement and an adorable subject! Keep them coming. Jody, IA

tape said...

What a fun sketch! Awesome!

Michele's Scrapy Creations said...

What a fun sketch! I so can't wait to scrap this one! Thanks!

debbi said...

So glad it's sketch week and excited about an opportunity to win a Sketches for Scrapbooking book to add to my growing collection! I am interested to see how you'll vary the circles on the sketch (obviously they are stars today)!

Brooke Gale said...

I don't have any of you sketch books (yet), but I love, love, love you blog! Would love to win!

Tammy said...

Yay it's sketch week! I love this sketch, but I gotta say I was a bit intimidated at first glance! But you know I'm going to try it anyway. ( :

Cindy Leggett said...

Super excited that sketch week is here. Love the sketch and your choice of paper. Thanks for sharing.

Lori said...

Oh, I LOVE this sketch! Can't wait to find time to use it -hopefully the next couple of days!

Karina said...

Thanks so much for the sketch!!! I really LOVE IT !!!

Karina

Erin said...

Yay!!! Love this and can't wait to try it!! :)

Gretchen Lindsey said...

Can't wait to see the other variations of the swirl. I wish I took more time to sew on things. It really makes the embellishments pop.

Jennifer DeWolfe said...

Your sketches are always awesome! I have "lifted" them several times already :) so to win a book would be awesome! Congrats on the 6th birthday!

Michele Mc said...

First of all, I'm so glad to see that even you are still working on some 'catch up' photos. I have no hope of ever truly catching up, but I can't worry about that too much because it takes all the fun out of it!

Love the sketch - the colors, the sprinkling of shapes. Love the LO - the photos are so cute and the color combo is so fun! I wonder when we moved from just orange and black for Halloween? Great move, you, whoever figured that out!

Finally - congrats to all of you on your store anniversary! That's a great accomplishment!

Jill Sarginson said...

wow, I just discovered your blog, love the sketches! I am going to do two variations of this one! love it!

holly b said...

My goodness, this week snuck up on me! I'm so glad it's here. Really cute sketch and LO, especially loving the stars!

Allison Davis said...

Marcia S, thank you! I'm pretty excited about it!

mmspiker and carissa H I used a combination of punches and then chipboard stars for a template and traced and cut.

Thank you guys so much for the SG birthday wishes! It's been a wonderful six years! :)

Anonymous said...

Really, really like this sketch, all the variations of it. I've been in a little bit of a scrapbooking rut since our move a couple months ago (left behind all my scrappin' buddies) and this one actually has inspired me to look into one of the local scrapbooking stores and their scrapbooking (crops) opportunities.
Great job!

Laura from MS

Marlene said...

LOVE how you used stars instead of the circles.

Unknown said...

Love sketch week ! Recently got Vol 6 and just love it. Thanks so much.