One Sketch, Two Creations.
Once again, this month we will be using a sketch designed by our team member, Misty Murphy. If you’d to see more sketches by Misty, visit her blog Crafty Soup. Sketches can be a powerful creative tool. They provide you with a foundation while giving you the freedom to interpret and make a project truly your own. This month I’ll share how I used this sketch to create both a layout and a handmade card. You’ll see how flexible a sketch can be. Please, give me some grace as my forte’ lays with scrapbooking and not card making, but I’ll give it my best.
Using the Sketch for a Scrapbook Layout
The original sketch features two 4×6 photos, lots of layered patterned papers, a title strip across the top with a journaling block along the bottom right. I used this as a starting point for my layout documenting a stop in Cozumel during a cruise.
To bring the sketch to life, I used two photos and tilted them just as the sketch suggested. I used nautical-inspired papers for the layers, however I did not use as many layers as the sketch. While I didn’t replicate the sketch exactly, I did keep the placement of major elements, such as photos, title, and journaling the same.
I used anchors, enamel dots, and diet cuts to reinforce the theme. The journaling block in the sketch became a round die cut, which I tucked near the bottom of the photo.
Turning the Sketch into a Card
Next, I challenged myself to interpret the same sketch into a greeting card, and for someone that’s not typically a card maker, I think it turned out pretty good. I layered pattern papers, echoing the placement from the sketch. Instead of photos, I used a larger floral stamped image, that I colored and fussy cut, to use as the main focal point.
I stamped a sentiment at the bottom, and added a bold “hello” at the top, which would be the title in the sketch. The right hand scallop detail in the sketch became a decorative border on the card, bringing in texture. I did use sequins in the upper left of the “hello”, and the bottom right underneath the sentiment.
How Sketches Work for Multiple Projects.
A sketch is so versatile because it provides balance, spacing, and structure. Whether you’re creating a scrapbook layout or a card, you can follow the general placement and tweek the elements to fit your project. A sketch doesn’t limit you, it encourages experimentation. You can rotate it, flip it, shrink it, or stretch it.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let a sketch intimidate you and sit unused just because you think it’s designed for a specific format. Let it bring out the artist in you. This one sketch helped me preserve a vacation memory and send someone a cheerful message to brighten their day. Whether you’re a scrapbooker or card maker, challenge yourself to see your sketches in a new way. You might be surprised by what you create. As always, we love to see your creations, so please share here.