Click here to access the sketches for this week’s lesson! [wpdm_package id='851510']
Welcome the Lesson One of the Falling For Sketches Class. In this lesson, we are sharing three projects inspired by the sketches for this week. When using sketches, it is perfectly fine to stick closely to the sketch, or just use it as a jumping-off point, and let your creativity go in a totally different direction!
12x12 Sketch with Jennie McGarvey
[embed]https://youtu.be/sXKp4TDADQo[/embed]
I'm so happy to walk you through how I work with sketches! Let's start with this one from week 1.  When I looked at this one I saw circles, which makes this page feel playful and fun. Let's dive right in.
I started by cutting a large circle out of the watercolor mandala patterned paper.  This was going to set the tone for the page. I also stuck to the sketch by cutting another small circle and the vertical rectangle.  I altered the sketch by removing one of the patterned paper layers under the photo. Instead, I used patterned paper to mat my photo, which really makes it pop!
Another way I altered the sketch was by moving the title down.  This was by design, as the original sketch would have had the title covering the faces in the photo.  I also was able to create a more robust title using two different alphabet stickers thanks to this altered placement.
The last way I altered the sketch was by moving the circle embellishment in the upper right-hand corner close to the photo.  I also rotated it and chose a half circle that sits flush against the photo.  I love the change.  That is one of my favorite things about a sketch.  You can take a fun design and make it your own.  Change a photo size or orientation, embellishment placement, or omit an item that doesn't work for your story. I loved making this sketch work for me!
When I first started memory keeping in a traveler's notebook, I relied heavily on sketches to get the hang of this size and format. I still rely heavily on sketches to get started, especially if I'm coming back to this format after some time away. A sketch provides an instant spark and structure to zap my "analysis paralysis" and jump into crafting.
I chose a photo from a recent trip to Greece, walking down a beautiful path toward our seaside dinner. This sketch gave me plenty of shapes and patterns to work with. My goal was to make sure the layers and embellishments complimented my photo and did not compete with one another. To accomplish this, I chose a pattern that acted as the "neutral" element on the page for the large circle piece found in the sketch. Like a puzzle, I then built up the layers around the photo. I wanted to pull colors from the photo into the layers of embellishment. This was easy to do with the papers and die cuts from the Spice Market Collection.
I stayed pretty true to the sketch with the exception of the title. Since the size and focus of my photo were small, I didn't want to create a title that dominated the space. Instead, I opted for some word strips from the Spice Market Memory Keeping Sticker Kit that perfectly captured the feeling of this moment.
I finished the spread with some typed journaling that I cut into strips and placed staggered on the page. Staggering the journaling gives the page a bit of whimsy, reflecting the relaxed feel of this spread.
"Twist" Sketch with Christine Everett
[embed]https://youtu.be/XfJG_16LH3A[/embed]
When you look at layouts, advertising, or any sort of print artwork as just a group of shapes you start to see the bones of the design. Once you do, you’ll easily be able to translate those images into bits of inspiration for your own layouts. A grid design is one of the most versatile and easy layouts to adapt to just about any style of memory keeping. Using any shape (I used rectangles on my layout) line up the same sized shapes in a grid pattern and contain your photo, journaling, and title within those shapes.
A grid design doesn’t have to be boring, mix in colorful and bold patterns. Just remember to use a variety of scale in your patterns, as I did here with the papers from the set of Spice Market 12x12 papers. Make sure the patterns compliment your photo and help tell the story. For more visual interest, layer your title and embellishments in the sections of your grid. Don't be afraid to have a few items “break out of” the grid as I did here with this cluster of chipboard, die cuts, and glitter dots from Spice Market Traveler's Notebook Memory Keeping Kit.
Always remember to add a touch of whimsy and texture to your layouts. Because a grid design is so structured it doesn’t take a lot to add just that little bit of something that brings your layout to the next level. A splash of paint or ink spatters in the background, a small bit of stamping, or even some rub-ons, (like the paint splatters I used here from the Spice Market Traveler's Notebook Memory Keeping Kit) will catch the viewer's eye and add that bit of unexpected to your layout.
We hope you enjoyed this lesson! If you are creating alongside us, make sure to share your creations by tagging @cocoa_daisy on social media or posting to the Cocoa Daisy Fan Page.
I'm so happy to walk you through how I work with sketches! Let's start with this one from week 1.  When I looked at this one I saw circles, which makes this page feel playful and fun. Let's dive right in.
