Feb 21, 20224 min read

Sketch Support #23 | Learn How to Use and Adapt Scrapbook Sketches | Day 1

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!

It's time! Time for another week of Sketch Support! Yay!!

This month there is a new, FREE two-page sketch that I'm sharing with you all plus I've created four layouts all based on that same sketch. The point of Sketch Support is to show how you can easily adapt and customize a sketch to fit any needs whether it's theme, photos, or supplies. I'll be sharing a different layout Monday through Thursday and then on Friday I'll share the video version on YouTube.

And, I have to tell you, this sketch was A LOT of fun to play with. It might go down as one of my favorite two-page sketches ever. I really think you all are going to enjoy it as well! But, I'll let you decide that for yourselves...

Here's the sketch that I have used as the starting point for each layout this week:

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

You can also grab the Sketch Support #23 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!

You can purchase the bonus sketches by clicking here.

Supplies used - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned paper, stickers, die cuts: Simple Stories "Good Stuff" (SHOP HERE); Heart cut files: Sweet Afton from the Silhouette Design Store #310559; Splash cut files: Amy Robison from the Silhouette Design Store #83594; Nuvo Drops: "Sea Breeze" Tonic Studio (SHOP HERE); Embroidery floss: DMC; Computer font: Avenir Next Condensed; Wooden hearts: Studio Calico

I stayed very close to the sketch for this first layout with just a few small adjustments to fit my photos.

Variation #1 - Using taller photos in place of shorter photos.

I always start with the sketch, find photos that I have already printed, and find ways to make those photos work with that sketch. There are always ways you can adjust things to work with the amount and size of photos you have. Sometimes you have to extend pieces or move things a little to help them fit and sometimes you don't have to make changes at all. This was one of those times where I didn't have to make changes at all.

I used 3 x 5" photos in place of the 3 x 4" photos. They are only 1" taller and that background piece is large enough that there was plenty of room for taller photos. Since the 3 x 5" photos have the same width as the 3 x 4" photos, I could still include the same amount of photos going across the layout.

Variation #2 - Using a smaller photo in place of the 4 x 6" photo.

The set of photos I was working with were all printed as 3 x 5" or smaller so a 3 x 5" photo was the closest I was going to get to a 4 x 6" photo.

One of the things I love about this sketch is that the majority of the photos are smaller and then there's one large photo. It really gives you a chance to highlight a special or favorite photo there. Just using the 3 x 5" photo as it is really doesn't make it stand out like the 4 x 6" photo does so I added a double mat to it to make it a little larger and help it stand out from the rest.

Using mats can be a great way to help your photos work better with a sketch. If you have smaller photos that you need to work into a larger space a mat not only helps you fill that space it also helps bring more attention to your photos.

Variation #3 - Adding an extra photo.

I had one small 2-1/2" photo that went with this set and in the beginning I wasn't even going to worry about using it on the layout. But there was plenty of space to the left of the focal photo so I decided to work it in. All I had to do was move the heart cluster over just a little bit.

For the rest of the layout, I followed everything just as you see on the sketch. I embellishment my layout with lots of hearts in a variety of textures. Some are patterned paper with stitched borders, some are chipboard, and some are wooden.

To add a little themed element to the design I also added a few patterned paper splashes to each heart cluster and my title. I also used my favorite Nuvo Jewel Drops in Sea Breeze to add some droplets on top of the patterned paper splashes.