Hello everyone! This is Shelly back with another behind the scenes look at the makings of a double page layout. Last month, I took on the challenge of turning a single page sketch into a double page. After seeing the fabulous May Sketch Challenge from our very own Ronda, I thought I would do it again! Maybe I could inspire some of my fellow Doublers to take on this month’s sketch challenge.
When I see a page or a sketch that inspires me, I grab my notebook to get my own ideas down. The second I saw Ronda’s sketch, I could see two immediate possibilities. I could “stretch the sketch” or “blow up the sketch.” Next step, I search my pictures to see what grabs my attention as the perfect topic for the inspiration piece. I decided a spring summary with lots of pictures was calling my name and would be a perfect fit for the second sketch.
What was so nice about this sketch is that you really could just grab several pictures in various sizes to easily make a collage. After selecting the pictures I wanted to highlight, I picked my focus picture of my daughter riding her bike as the 6x4, picked three other main pictures to be 4x3, and the rest were sized at 3x2. This was easy editing for me. No real thought, because I knew I would just fan them out around the main picture. I almost always have a few extra pictures that I print, but never make the cut onto the final page. Sometimes, they just don’t tell enough of the story or one of the other pictures tells the same story.
With my pictures in front of me, I lay them out using my sketch as a guide. That is when I pull out my pretty papers and select a few that are calling to me for the page. Since it was a spring page, it was only natural to gravitate to some of the vibrate colors from the Collectable Collection.
After pushing the pictures around and playing with pretty papers, this is how it all ended up…
Supplies:Collectable–Memorable: ‘Journey’ Journal paper, ‘Note’ Record paper. ‘Perfect’ Flawless paper, Decorative Stickers, Enamel Dots; Collectable-Notable:‘Love This’ Adore paper; Collectable-Unforgettable:‘Today’ Remember paper; Collectable-Remarkable: ‘Smile’ Grin paper; Decorative Tape Sets;Indie Chic: Twine;Misc: Popdots, Tim Holtz Tiny Attacher, Silhouette, Sewing Machine
As you can see I kept with the same design, a large focal picture with several smaller rectangles bursting around it. I chose to make those rectangles more pictures, but larger. I like to have my pictures big enough to see what is going on in them. Although it would be fun to use those index prints that you can get with your picture order with this sketch too!
Initially for the background, I had the plan to divide it up into quadrants which was inspired by the stitching in Ronda’s sketch. After looking at it, I thought it would be fun to do a sun burst radiating from the focal picture. I really love this effect! I followed my same process that I did in my very first installment of Anatomy of a Double Page Layout, but this time I went with random widths for each of the rays.
I was also inspired by Ronda’s small strip of decorative tape across her focal picture. I decided to run with that idea, and added a few strips here and there embellished by a few enamel dots. With so much happening on this page already, a colorful burst background with lots of pictures, I chose to go with a tone on tone look. I do tend to do this a lot. It is a fun way to add embellishment to a page without overpowering the entire look of the page.
I moved the title to the side of the page instead of under the focal picture. There was lots of room over there, and I felt that it added some much needed weight. This is where I added a little extra color. I went back and forth about it, but I just love this green polka dot from the Remarkable ‘Smile’ Grin paper that I threw caution to the wind and added a pop of spring green to the page.
Although I love how Ronda had journaling circling her page, I chose to just do a simple strip along the left side of the page. I like to keep my season summary pages short and sweet with just a few simple blurbs of what is going on in the pictures.
So there you have it. Another single page turned into a double page layout. I hope I have inspired some of my fellow Double Lovers to join in on our May Sketch Challenge this month. I can’t wait to see what you all create. Thank you for stopping by today!
