May 23, 20233 min read

Sketch Support #32 | Learn How to Use and Adapt Scrapbook Sketches | Day 2

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!

My day #2 layout still follows the sketch (for the most part) with a fun little twist.

Here is 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 #32 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, 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!

You can purchase the bonus sketches by clicking here.

Supplies used - Cardstock: American Crafts; Patterned paper, die cuts, stickers, chipboard, foam alphabet stickers: Paige Evans; Heart & leaf die cuts: Pretty Little Studios; Vine cut file: Echo Park, Silhouette Design Store #119354; Word stickers: Simple Stories; Watercolor: Taylored Expressions; Nuvo Drops: Tonic Studios; Embroidery floss: DMC; Computer font: Century Gothic

I made one big change to give the sketch design a completely different look.

Variation #1 - Changing the strips to a different element.

I LOVED the idea of swapping out those strips for a grouping of smaller shapes. Originally I had thought about either hearts or hexagons, but when I came across these little rainbows on a Paige Evans patterned paper I knew this was just what I needed!

I cut out the rainbows, adhered them in columns to fill in for the vertical strips, and then added lots of stitching details to them. Some papers are just begging to be stitched on and this was definitely one for me!

I used a variety of stitched designs to add interest to each individual one.

The rest of the layout designs follows quite closely to the sketch with just some minor adjustments.

Variation #2 - Adding extra detail with the photos.

I used the same photos sizes with the addition of some background pieces and a Polaroid-style frame. The photos are arranged straight, like you see on the sketch, but the background pieces are tilted to match Elly Belly's tilted head.

Variation #3 - Adapting details to work with what you have.

I also used the same flower clusters, but adapted them slightly to work with what I had to use. The clusters may not be exactly the same, but they still follow a similar placement.

Variation #4 - Moving elements.

I move the journaling to the top edge of the photos. The only reason I did this was to add balance after I adhered my photos a little lower than the photos on the sketch.

Don't be afraid to make small adjustments to better fit your needs!

That's it for day #2, but tomorrow I'll be back with another layout!

If you enjoy using sketches and want to learn how to adapt and customize them, I have a new guide called Creating With Sketches. It's goes in depth of how I breakdown a sketch design and adapt to work with my needs. It covers everything you need to know about making sketches work for you.

Creating With Sketches: A Guide for Adapting & Customizing Sketches