Sketch Week #3 | How to Use and Adapt Scrapbook Sketches | Day 3

Once a month learn how to use scrapbook sketches and adapt them to fit different styles, photo sizes, and themes.

The last day of Sketch Week is here and while that does make me a little sad, I'm elated to share the last layout with you.

If you missed day 1 or day 2 you can check it out here:

Sketch Week | Day 1

Sketch Week | Day 2

You can download the full sketch with measurements and placements by clicking here.

On the last day of Sketch Week I always like to go extreme and create something that at first glance might not look like something based on the sketch. Something that would make you go, as my 14-year-old would say, "Wait, what?"

Scrapbook sketches are so versatile. They can be used as an exact replicate, they can be a starting point that inspires something completely different, or they can be anything in between those two.

Let's take a look at how I went from sketch to layout.

Variation #1 - Shrinking a two-page sketch into a one-page layout.

Just because you have a two-page sketch doesn't mean it is written in stone that you have to create a two-page layout. I love mixing things up and using a two-page sketch for a one-page layout and vise versa.

There are a couple of ways you can make a two-page sketch work for a one-page layout.

1. You can shrink the elements to fit onto one page. This is what I did for my "Click" layout.

2. You can use one side of the two-page sketch for a one-page layout.

3. You can choose a smaller section or group of elements on the sketch for a one-page layout.

Variation #2 - Substituting different elements for the background strips.

I used a combination of banner strips, arrow strips, and misting to create the background of my layout.

My strips are different sizes than the strips on the sketch since I decided to shrink the design, but they still follow the same general design as the sketch.

I thought the colorful mist would be a good compliment to the fun and kid-like nature of the layout. The mist is made from drops of Pinkfresh Studios concentrated water color mixed with water. I used a Mini Mister to spray the mist onto my layout.

Variation #3 - Substituting a large element in place of the photos.

Instead of having the photos that go all the way across the layout, I switched those out for a large title.

I only had one small photo for this layout plus I love playing around with large words on my layouts. It's such an eye-catching element!

I cut the click title out of black cardstock on my Silhouette and added black and white patterned papers to the center. I thought it would be a good compliment to the bright rainbow of colors I already had on my layout. I also added some colorful hand stitching on the patterned papers to match the colors on the papers behind them.

Variation #4 - Removing the journaling strips and rectangle piece.

It's not often that I don't have journaling on my layouts. However, sometimes it fun to just put a layout together for playful purposes and not worry so much about adding a story. Plus, I didn't really leave room for journaling so if I get all sentimental (which I often do) and feel like I need to include some details I can always add them to the back of the layout.

Removing the rectangle piece was easy since my title was taking center stage on the layout and the removal didn't require any adjustments to accommodate the change.

Variation #5 - Adding more embellishments and changing the placement of them.

I added some heart stickers along the strips to go along with the color scheme. I also cut out and added some black and white cameras to place along the top of the title. Both elements fit my theme and helped add some more interest to the layout.

Supplies Used: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: Photoplay, Jillibean Soup, My Mind's Eye, Simple Stories, Crate Paper, and American Crafts; Heart stickers: Photoplay Paper; Word stickers; Simple Stories; Watercolors: Pinkfresh Studios; Die cutting maching: Silhouette Cameo 3; Embroidery floss: DMC; Font: Blackout