Monday, November 8, 2010

Sketch Week, Part 1

After spending last night sick I'm hoping that Sketch Week will make me feel better! Thank goodness for laptops and warm, comfy blankets.

Can you believe that in January it will go from Sketch Week to Sketch Month? That alone is enough to already have me feeling a little better.

For the last two Sketch Weeks the sketches have been a little heavy on the design side. I tried on a few of my layouts to show you ways to simplify it. This week I'm doing the opposite. The sketch is on more of the simple side and I'm going to show you some ways to amp it up. And on Friday, I'll introduce you to this week's Guest Designer, Carolyn. Trust me, you'll love her layout!

We've also got a new sponsor for November, American Crafts. They've put together a fabulous giveaway for this week!

The sketch that is used as the starting point for each layout this week.

 • The sketch is available to download and print by clicking here. The printable version has the full sketch with all the measurements and placements.

Layout #1 - S.D.C. Ball Park
 

Supply list - Everything is from the American Crafts City Park Collection.

Variation #1
One thing I love about sketches with a large background is the many, many possibilities you have to play around with it. Because it is behind everything on the layout you can do almost anything without having to adjust anything else on the layout. On today's layout I used 1" circles in place of the background block of paper. Together all of the circles are the same size as the block of paper, it's just divided into several different pieces.

I had decided circles would be a fun addition to the page and would be a good support for the theme of the layout and the pictures. Any shape would work for this. Just think of any small shape punches you might have like stars, hearts, squares, butterflies, etc.

Variation #2
Because I had so many circles on the background I tried to stay away from using circles for my embellishments as well. With the busy background I went with simple tags in the three embellishment areas.

Variation #3
Even if you aren't completely comfortable with changing up the elements on the sketch, (like adding more paper, using larger embellishments, removing elements, etc.), you can always get a different look by simply flipping the sketch. Flipping the sketch, like I have done with mine, is incredibly easy to do and gives the layout a different look.

Variation #4
There are always ways to add enlargements to a sketch and usually it only takes a few minor adjustments. I substituted a 5 x 7 for one of the 4 x 6 photos. If you think about it, it's only a 1" difference which isn't really a lot.

Variation #5
Number five is actually two variations in one because they both worked together. Because I added the 5 x 7 I ended up leaving myself very little room for my journaling. Instead of trying to squeeze a few lines of journaling in above the picture and limiting my story I decided to use a smaller photo for the other 4 x 6 photo. This gave me plenty of room for the journaling beside the 5 x 7 and above the smaller photo.


Now, take a look at this awesome giveaway from American Crafts...


That is a ton of product - cardstock, patterned paper, lots of embellishments, tags, brads, ribbon, journaling stickers, Thickers...it is a lot of stuff! And you can never, ever have enough Thickers!

In addition to the American Crafts giveaway I'll also be doing a giveaway for a copy of Sketches for Scrapbooking, volume choice is all yours.

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.

217 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 217 of 217
Teri/Scraptag said...

This sketch is perfect for me. I love using 4x6 photos on my layouts, and do a lot of double pages. And I love how you used those little circles to represent the background paper. Too cute.

Melissa D. said...

I love the sketch and what you made with it! Thanks for the chance to win!

Jen said...

Wow! I had never seen your blog before and I LOVE sketches! American Crafts sent me this way. Thanks AC! I'll be bookmarking this blog!

Vanessa said...

Great sketch, and awesome interpretation. The prize pack is pretty amazing as well!!

Carol said...

Awesome product give away! Great sketch!

Carol B

www.cricutcraftyclare.blogspot.com said...

Thanks for the drawing AC & Scrapbooking Ali! I just found your blog and love it! cjdempsey9 at msn dot com

Scrap Adikt said...

What an awesome giveaway!! Can't wait to use this sketch

Annelies said...

Great sketch! Love it with so many colourful circles!

Arianne said...

Amazing sketch!
I love the punched circles you've used on this LO!

Penny{scraps} G said...

Love Sketch Week and all your fab ideas!!

Molly said...

Not only am I loving this sketch, I love your take on it with the circles! Wow!

Derwinicus said...

I absolutely love this sketch! I just finished a LO based on it and am so happy with how it turned out. Thanks so much for the great inspiration! Dana

Unknown said...

Fantastic sketch! I could think of a ton of ways to use this :)

Thanks for the chance at an amazing giveaway!

Izzy said...

Love the sketch and all the interpretations.

Aleda Haynes said...

A very usable sketch Thanks for sharing.

KellyCreates said...

I just found this site via Tammy Tutterow's blog...and am SO GLAD I did!! Love your 2-page sketches! This week's is awesome and your lo is WONDERFUL! Such happy colors :)

Antje said...

Great sketch!!! Wonderful variations and amazing give aways.
Just enrolled in your online class.
Antje

«Oldest ‹Older   201 – 217 of 217   Newer› Newest»