Once a month learn how to use scrapbook sketches and adapt them to fit different styles, photo sizes, and themes. Sketches = endless scrapbooking ideas with little effort. Sketches do all the heavy lifting allowing you to have all the fun!
Today it's a "Are you really going to tell me that layout came from this sketch?" kind of day. Just trust me, I think my explanation of how it all came to be with make sense and you'll see that sketch. And, even if it doesn't, it still shows that you don't have to follow a sketch exactly. They can be simply a starting point or something that inspires your own idea and unique design.
Here's the sketch that I have used as the starting point for each layout this week:
You can also grab the Sketch Support #19 Bonus Sketch Examples!
This month it is a 3-page PDF of 22 different sketch options. That makes 23 sketches for this month of Sketch Support. There are options that show how to change up the papers, use more photos, use less photos, use only 4 x 6" photos, there are three one-page options, and then an 8-1/2 x 11" option. The fun part is that you could use each option as a layout on its own, but you could also mix and match different options for endless possibilities!
Supplies used - Patterned paper: Kaisercraft; Word sticker: Simple Stories; Glitter: Stickles; Embroidery floss: DMC; Computer font: Courier
Variation #1 - Using a two-page sketch for a one-page layout.
You know I'm going to say it...
Never let the size of the sketch determine the size of your layout. You can always, and I mean always, find ways to adapt a two-page sketch into a one-page layout and vise versa. Always.
Some of my favorite ways to convert a two-page sketch into a one-page layout is to:
• Use the left side of the sketch.
• Use the right side of the sketch.
• Combine different elements from both sides of the sketch.
• Shrink the design down to fit on one-page.
I ended up combining elements from both pages to complete mine. I mostly follow the right side of the sketch with the strips behind my photos, but I also found inspiration in how the embellishments framed the photos on the left page. It ended up being a loose representation of both pages of the sketch.
Variation #2 - Flipping the sketch.
I was working mainly with 3-1/2 x 2-1/2" photos so I flipped the sketch so that the vertical banner strips would be horizontal. I felt like they worked better that way with the orientation of my photos. Flipping the sketch is a great way to accommodate different photo orientation and to get a completely different look out of the design.
Variation #3 - Removing elements.
I decided to remove the background piece and the striped strip. With a one-page design I liked the look with just the strips and no background. I did use a patterned paper for my base paper so it kind of fills in that background role anyway.
Variation #4 - Using larger strips in a different style.
I went a little larger on my strips and it came down to the patterned paper I was using. This paper from Kaisercraft has this wonderful arrow design and I decided to take advantage of it. I just cut along the design of the paper. So easy!
I also loved the arrow design in place of the banner strip design for this layout. I mentioned earlier this week that I like to use arrow strips on boys layouts.
I added some hand-stitching along the arrow design to add a little bit of texture and detail.
Variation #5 - Changing elements to better fit the theme.
I swapped out the flowers for some hearts and some arrow pieces instead. I added some glitter on top of the arrow pieces to go with the word "sparkle" in my title piece. I love adding little details like that to support themes and designs.
Variation #6 - Adding an extra photo.
With this set of photos I had an extra so I added it to the right of my photo arrangement. It's was a smaller photo so it was easy to squeeze in there.
Variation #6 - Adjusting for the title and journaling.
Sometimes when you use a two-page sketch to create a one-page layout, you are left without a home for your title or journaling.
I used a little phrase cut out of a patterned paper for my title and arranged it with my photos. Since the photos were quite a bit smaller than what you see on the sketch, there was plenty of room to add it in without overcrowding.
For my journaling I used a 3 x 4" journaling card and tucked it under the photos on the left.
That's it for this week! Be sure to come back on Monday for the video version of Sketch Support!
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