Sketch Week, Part 3

You've probably noticed from the last two layouts that the background piece is one of the main things I altered on the sketch this week. Today's layout is yet another way to change up the look with, (or I guess I should say without) that background.

The sketch that is the starting point for all five layouts this week.

Layout #2 - Go Cardinals!

Supply list - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: Fancy Pants (red), My Mind's Eye (dotted); Word stickers: Making Memories; Alphabets: American Crafts

Variation #1
So far this week I've shown you how much you can do with that background piece and all because it's just that, the background. There isn't anything on the layout design-wise that relies on that background. Today I've gone in the opposite direction of enhancing that piece like I have on the last two layouts and completely removed the background.

My reason for removing the background had to do with the pictures I wanted to use on my page. They were full of bright, bold colors and looked even brighter against the white cardstock, which I loved.

Because the background requires two pieces of paper, this is a great option for those times when you are kicking yourself for not picking up two pieces of that patterned paper. There are plenty of pictures, embellishments and additional pieces of patterned paper that your layout shouldn't look too bare without the background.

Variation #2
If you remove that background piece and do feel that it looks bare you can always add more pieces of patterned paper. On my layout I added another strip across the bottom of the page. You could add a lot more than I did too, like maybe three 1" strips.

Variation #3
Stacey and I ended up getting a chance to go down on the field before the game and I got one particular photo that I just instantly fell in love with. It captured a piece of the incredible beauty of Busch Stadium and you can see a glimpse of The Arch in the background. I knew that I wanted this photo to stand out on my page and one of the easiest ways to do that was to enlarge it.

The adjustments to include a 5 x 7 on the left page were very minor. I lost a little bit of space for my title but it happened to work out perfectly with the photo I was using. I just extended my title across the bottom of the 5 x 7.

Variation #4
Around the 5 x 7 I created a collage of smaller photos and included pieces of one of our tickets from the game. I always like to include memorabilia on my pages when I can and I was so happy when I found these tickets tucked into the pocket of my suitcase. They helped to complete the collage of photos on the left page.

Variation #5
I stuck with the circles on the sketch for my embellishments, mostly because of well, what else better to embellishment a page about a Cardinals game without baseballs. On the right page I used larger baseballs than the one of the left page. This was to help fill all that white space on the right page.

How to make the baseballs:

• You need three different sized circles for the baseball and then one extra of the largest circle you are using for a template. I like mine to be about 1/8" to 1/4" different in size.

• I always recommend inking the edges when layering pieces like this. It helps each individual layer to stand out.

• Lay the three circles on top of each other with the largest on the bottom and the smallest on the top. You might want to use removable adhesive if you have it.

• Use the extra circle as a guide for your stitched lines by laying it over the three circles and tracing around the edge of it.

• On the top circle, the smallest, pierce holes along the pencil line. Also add in holes for the "v" part of the stitching.

• Using three strands of embroidery floss, stitch along the lines using a back stitch. When you get to the edge, make a small indention on the edge and wrap your floss around to the back and adhere.

• For the other two circles you only need to stitch those four little lines that you made with a pencil. There's no need to stitch anymore than that since it will be covered by the circle above it.

• After all the stitching is done, adhere them all together with foam adhesive.

Variation #6
I still had one more ticket from the game that I was determined to use on the layout. I didn't really want to cut this one up so I used it as a decorative piece behind the title.

Day three = third chance to win the American Crafts and Sketches for Scrapbooking giveaway.