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!
I went a little theme extreme with this one!
Here's the sketch that I have used as the starting point for each layout this week:
You can also grab the Sketch Support #16 Bonus Sketch Examples!
This month it is a 3-page PDF of 23 different sketch options. That makes 24 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 four two-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 - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned paper: Simple Stories, Echo Park, My Mind's Eye, and We R Memory Keepers; Flame cut files: Kolette Hall from the Silhouette Design Store; Branch cut file: Sillouette; Alphabet stickers: American Crafts; Enamel dots: Simple Stories; Embroidery floss: DMC; Computer font: Century Gothic
Variation #1 - Using a one-page sketch to create a two-page layout.
I extended the sketch by using four 6 x 4" photos and arranging them all the way across the layout. With this set of photos I needed the full photo to show so there was no option for cropping it down. The good thing is that this sketch works really well if you need to extend it to the edges or even shrink it down with smaller photos.
Variation #2 - Flipping the sketch.
I decided to flip the sketch, from top to bottom, so that those strips would be above the photos. I really wanted to mimic the flames in the photos with my own paper flames.
I used three different sizes of flames in three different colors. I tried to look at the fire in the photos and match the color you see in the flames. I started with a base layer of taller red flames. Then I added in some slightly smaller orange flames. The last layer are some tiny yellow flames.
To add that texture and dimension that I love so much I turned to my favorite technique, hand-stitching. I should have taken a before photo so you could have seen what the flames looked like before I added the stitching. It's always amazing to me how much different it looks with the added detail and texture from the stitching. It really does add a lot!
To finish the flame design I added some enamel dots throughout the flames to look like those little sparks that crackle off of a fire.
Variation #3 - Adding elements to fit your theme.
When I get a theme idea, I typically go a little overboard with the details!
I used a larger wooden patterned paper strip in place of the striped strip on the sketch. Then I found a branch cut file and cut it out of the same paper. I layered the branches on top of the strip to mimic the brush in the photos.
Variation #4 - Adding an extra background.
I was so excited for this design that I got a little ahead of myself. I had the photos and the flames all adhered and was halfway through the stitching when I saw the smokey looking gray paper. I had pulled it to use for this layout, but somehow I had forgotten about it in my excitement to get started. I was bummed because I thought it was a great match to the look of the smoke and I had missed out on using it.
I kept looking at it and thinking that I needed to use it someway, somewhere! I finally decided to use it as a border around the whole layout. I only had about a half sheet of it so instead of backing the whole layout with it, I instead cut 1/2" strips and pieces them together. To help it look like all one piece, I added a stitched border on top of it.
Variation #5 - Moving the journaling.
With this design I ended up eliminating the space for my journaling. I didn't want to cover up the flames or the branches so I had to find a new home for it. I decided to place it opposite my title, on the lower right of my photos. I used one of the orange papers to add a mat and help it stand out.
That's all for Sketch Support this week! Next week (mid-week) I'll have the video version to share with you.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas (or whatever it is you celebrate!) Take lots of pictures!!
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