My Mind's Eye Blog

December Sketch Challenge

It's sketch time again! On this month's sketch, we are using strips of patterned paper to anchor a photo in the bottom right corner. I stacked the title up at the top between the journaling and surrounded it with little accident pieces. I added more embellishments near the photo including the big flair. 

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the one photo for multiple photos.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

Supplies: Now & Then: Izzy - Smile 'Bloom' Paper, Izzy - Smile Flair; Izzy - Happenings Mixed Bag; Izzy - Happenings Enamel Dots; Izzy - Good Times 'Range' Paper; Milo - Friends 'Field' Paper, Izzy - Boys Brads; Izzy - Dream Big Buttons; Other: Stencil: TCW Stencils, Ranger Ink: Archival Ink, Distress Ink; Maya Road Twine; Uniball Vision Ball roller

I started this layout by selecting a fun patterned paper background from the Now & Then line. I let the colors guide my layout and used the same colors to stencil some designs on the background. Next I added some splatters of black paint before adding in the strips of patterned papers. 

Next I pulled out some leftover strips of patterened paper to create my base for my photo. I absolutely love using up scraps on my layouts. I find strips of paper very grounding and my go to design. I ripped one of them and stacked them together. I find it easy to combine bold patterns together in small strips. I added also black ink around the starts to give them a little more pop. 

Here I inked the edges and stitched them to the background. I also added a sub-title next to my picture using a die cut from the mixed bag.  After I glued the photo I added the baker's twine on top. 

I love making my title as part of my design. I started with lines drawn in pencil on the top of the page. I started by placing the title down first and then added the journaling all around the title. It really draws the eye to the top of the page and adds a cool element to the page. 

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared on January 2  . You have until the end of the day on January 1  to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

November Sketch Challenge

 

It's sketch time again! I am here today to share with you a fun layout with many tiny layers. There are two photos but turn that one larger photo into two smallers ones.  There's a large circle underneath the photo which could be patterned paper, paint, ink, etc!  

I added lots of little layers, like triangles, arrows, circles, and banners.  The important thing about adding little layers is grouping them together, overlapping on occassion. 

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the one photo for multiple photos.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

 Supplies: Jubilee: Tangerine - Adventure 'Be Daring' Paper; Tangerine - Awesome Mixed Bag, Tangerine - Story: Journal Cards; Wildberry - Today: Flair; Wildberry - Life: Mixed Bag, Enamel Dots; Wildberry - Hey You:  Rubons; Wildberry - Wonder: Chipboard; Other: Stencil: TCW And So On & Positive, Ranger Ink: Archival Ink, Distress Ink;

I had a lot of fun creating this layout! I started with the big circle on the background. I used a variety of distress inks and archival inks with the stencil. I added another stencil layer over top using black ink.  I then layered the patterned paper on the background and placed my photos on top. I cut the background and layered it on the patterned paper to have that pop of woodgrain at the top.  

I then began all the small layers on top of the photos.  First i placed the "hello" journal card over the top of the photo of my darling grandbaby. I like the layers to touch to ground them.  

Repeating elements are also a good design element. I repeated elements like triangles, arrows, circles, and banners.  Here you can see the circles overlapping.  

I also repeated colors around my page using the "flair" as my inspiration. Black is also grounding so you can see it scattered around my page.  I love the big bold title of "1 2 3 Love" around the page.  I finished my page with a little journaling around the title! 

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our December challenge on Monday, December 1 . You have until the end of the day on Sunday, November 30 to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Halloween Tags

 

Hi there! It's Ronda here today to share with you three boo-tiful halloween tags.  

I love this time of year and especially love creating tags for this season. Tags are a great little project to get your creative juices flowing. I like to hang them up together as decoration and then use them either on my layouts or all together in a mini album.  

Supplies:  Frightful: Frightful Words Paper, Mixed Bag, Decorative Brads, Chipboard, Other: Ranger Ink Wakley Media Paint, Golden Paints, Uniball Vision Black Pen. 

On the Little Monsters tag I painted the background purple. I like using pops of color with the typical orange & blacks.  Purple is definitely one of my favorites to pair with those colors.  Once my background was dried, I layered the frightful words paper on top, ripping the bottom edge to expose the purple.  I added some burnt orange paint to the paper and then began layering my elements.  

 

Those witch legs are so stinking cute paired with the banner! I wanted to bring some of the black color to the top so I added the little monsters banner along with the 31 pennant and two chipboard bats.  The pumpkin brad looks great as the final pop of color.  

  Supplies:  Frightful: 6x6 Paper Pad, Decorative Brads, Chipboard, Stickers, Other: Golden Paints, 

On this 31 tag I also started with a pop of color, a dark turquoise.  I mixed the turquoise with a little bit of white paint to break up the dark color.  I grabbed my 6x6 paper pad and picked out this frightful piece of patterned paper to layer on top.  The white against the turquoise really stands out. 

 

I didn't think this tag needed much more so i just layered a few pieces here and there.  The sticker arrow to the top is paired with the fun spider.  

Did you notice there are three around the page? Three is always a good number in design.  I adore the giant sparkling 31 chipboard frame so I made it my focal point of this tag.  I love that it echoes the design of the patterned paper.  I finished the tag with the chipboard "October 31," adding that touch of white to the bottom.  

Supplies:  Frightful: 6x6 Paper Pad, Mixed Bag, Decorative Brads, Chipboard, Stickers, Enamel DotsOther: Ranger Ink Wakley Media Paint, Uniball Vision Black Pen. 

The Boo Crew tag is all about pairing patterned paper.  Again I went to my 6x6 patterned paper pad and pulled out a few sheets.  I wanted an orange base without too busy of a pattern so this orange chevron was perfect.  Next I layered the same pattterned paper in three different strips across the top of the tag.  By using the front & the back of the paper plus adding some purple paint, I really changed up the look and stretched my paper.  

I created a rosette "flower" out of patterned paper in a simple white & black design.  I added the brad circle on top changing out the small brad for a larger one. Don't be afraid to change up these fabulous brads to suit your design esthetics. I then added another brad element and a sticker circle design to the background before adding my rosette piece on top.  

The enamel dots around the page add that perfect pop of color and reinforce my circle elements around the page.  

Happy Halloween!

October Sketch Challenge

Hi, it's Ronda here today!  For this month's sketch, we are using 3 small photos with lots of layers around them.  The photos are 3" x 2" but of course you can change those to fit your needs.  Lots of circles on this sketch, 7 of them, tucked in and around the photos creating balance and movement!  The title anchors the bottom photo while the journaling is on strips to the right of the photo grouping. 

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the one photo for multiple photos.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

Supplies:  Just Saying: Posies Glittered Paper, Mixed Bag, Transparencies, Chipboard, Enamel Dots;  Jubilee: Wild Berry - Today 'Flair'; Record it!: Follow Your Heart - Journaling Kit; Other: Watercolors, Ranger Ink: Gesso, Archival Ink, Black Paint, TCW Stencil: Positive, Thread. 

I started with the "b" side of the Just Staying Posies Glittered Paper.  I love the pattern and color but decided to tone them down with a gesso wash across the paper.  I love that you can see the patterned paper peeking through the piece.  I then added some watercolors on top of the gesso.  

I then begin layering the photos and the transparency sheet.  I love that light tone on tone transparencies. The next layers where added above and below the photos to give it lots of texture but every thing touches.

I added another transparency, an arrow, pointing to my photos.  I layered the circles on top of the transparency but behind the photo.  

I used a die cut from the mixed bag items.  On top of the flowers, I added another circle, the flair.  I layered thread on top for even more texture.  

Lastly along with the strips of journaling, i added the title to the bottom of the photo.  I love the glitter script font.  The big bold title really grounded the photos and the page.  

I invited design team member Tamara to play along this month and here's what she came up with!

Supplies:Jubilee - Tangerine: Triangle patterned paper, 6x6 paper pad (orange and yellow), transparent frames, decorative brads, mixed bag; Jubilee - Wildberry: Flair pins; Misc: Black ink and pen, foam tape, orange thread, white cardstock, Mr. Huey's Color Mist: Heirloom Blue and Sunshine

Tamara says:What a fun sketch to use!  The collage style and circle motifs reminded me of the spinning motion of the Astro Orbiter ride in Disneyland's Tommorrowland.  I sprayed blue and yellow spray inks on the white cardstock for the background of my layout.

 

I used the "My Kind if Day" transparency frame for the focal point and title of my layout - perfect for this magical Disney Day. There are so many wonderful transparencies in the "Fantastic Transparent Frames" set - it was hard to choose just one!  I framed the two smaller photos with the "polaroid" frames from the Mixed Bag. 

 

I cut circles from the 6x6 papers, stitched around them, and layered them with the photos. I love all the bright colors in the triangle paper.  The pattern made it really easy to draw and cut out an arrow shape.

 

I finished my page with brads, journaling strips, date label, and captions from the mixed bag.  I love how the flair pins from the Jubilee Wildberry collection coordinated so well with the Tangerine line.

I can't wait to see the creations you make with this sketch!

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our November challenge on Monday, November 3   . You have until the end of the day on Sunday , November 2 to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

 

An InLinkz Link-up

August Sketch Challenge

Hi, it's Ronda here today!  For this month's sketch, we are grounding our main photo (or photos) in the center and building all around it with lots of layers.   Three arrows pointing to that main layer really reinforces our focal point.  I love the playful journal at the top of the page and near the middle, split in two sections.  Try doodling around your strips of paper to add some fun accents to your page.  Lots of layers and with MME products you have a world of possibilities.  

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the one photo for multiple photos.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

Supplies:  Now & Then: Mildred - With You: Library Paper; Jubilee: Tangerine - Awesome: 'Sheild' Paper, 'Arrow' Paper, Mixed Bag, Enamel Dots; Tangerine - Story: Rub-ons; Tangerine - Honor: Decorative Brads, Label Stickers; Tangerine - Fantastic: Sticky Notes, Chipboard Elements; Other: Watercolors, Black Pen

I knew i just had to use the Jubilee Sheild Paper as my jumping off point.  Do you ever find a patterned paper that you must have & use?  The playful chevron "B" side of this paper is perfect for me.  I couldn't decide if i wanted to paint the chevrons or leave them black & white.  In the end I decided to paint another MME paper to give me that pop of color.  

First i altered the paper with a light gesso wash and then added layers of watercolors to get that beautiful pop of yellows, pinky reds, and oranges.  I trimmed off a rectangle piece and I will save the rest for other projects.  

I added the white rub-ons on top of the altered patterned paper.  I LOVE rub-ons so I am really happy MME has new ones to add to my collection.  I added light aqua blue to the background paper and layered the altered paper on top.  I love all the playful details of the fonts, the mixed pieces, and the chipboard title.  I doodled around the edges of the layers of patterned paper to continue that playful touch. 

On top of the photo i added the sticky note and layered a brad on top of it.  I love how they look grouped together.  I even doodled all around my photo.  I added journaling to the chervon lines too.  So much fun!

The last touches are always those enamel dots.  I decided to do tone on tone with those dots and I love that choice.  It didn't overpower the rest of the layout!

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our next challenge on Monday,September 1   . You have until the end of the day on Sunday, August 31 to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

 

An InLinkz Link-up

July Sketch Challenge

 

Hi, it's Ronda here today!  For this month's sketch, we are using lots of white space with small strips to create a striking page.   By adding these little strips down to the left side we lead the eye right to our main photo.

These little rectangles and circles can be whatever YOU imagine them to be...pieces of patterned paper, brads, sticker strips, chipboard, etc.  You know with MME products you have a world of possibilities.  

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the one photo for multiple photos.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

Supplies:  Now & Then: Izzy - Smile: Flair; Izzy - Good Times: 'Range' Paper; Chalk Studio 2: "Word Soup" Paper; Record it! Pretty Things Journaling Kit;  Market Street: Nob Hill - 'Stripes' Paper,  Decorative Brads, Decorative Stickers, Chipboard Buttons; Other: The Crafter's Workshop Chrysanthemum Stencil; Ranger lnk: Distress Ink; Watercolors, Black Pen, Fiskars Corner Punch, DMC floss.

I love Colorado sunsets.  There is something so magical about the way they blaze across the mountains. This photo is untouched and absolutely perfect.  While I picked watercolor as my background, you can always choose a patterned paper.  I added some watercolors to my background and layered a stencil design over top.  

I then layered bits of patterned paper with the Pretty Things Journaling Kit card to create the backdrop and title for my page. I love the way the pinky red paper really complements the photo and the aqua background.  

To really accent the title, i outlined it with a black pen and backed it with the fabulous striped paper.  I love the chipboard pieces as an accent and that flair was the perfect choice for the page!  I also added a stitched edge the journaling card to give it a pop of color.

I liked using the chipboard buttons & pennants as my accents near the top of the page.  The blue stitch again adds that pop of color.  I used the brad journaling piece and another brad as my rectangle strip and circle accent.  Love those little touches.

On the bottom of the page i used another brad and sticker strip for my accents.  Did you notice the stitches in the sticker strip? Now i have three sets of stitches around my page. 

 

 

This month Laurel is joining me and she created a card using the sketch.

Here's what she came up with:

Supplies:Record It Pretty Things: 6 X 6 pad, journaling cards, washi tape, Enamel Dots

Laurel Says I just can’t get enough of the Record It Pretty Things, so I had to play with it again. A little tip... to cut down on bulk, I only used half of the clothes pin and adhered it with some Glue Dots!

 

 

 

 

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our next sketch challenge on Friday, August 15  . You have until the end of the day on Thursday, August 14  to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

 

 

An InLinkz Link-up

June Sketch Challenge

 

Hi, it's Ronda here today!  For this month's sketch, i thought we'd go small.  3 small photos that is!  These photos really become the focal point when stacked on a large mat of patterned paper.  Use up your stash to create the banner floating across the photos!

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the small photos for one large photo.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. Supplies:  Now & Then:  Dorothy - Wild & Free Mixed Bag, Enamel Dots; Dorothy - Lovely Day 'Play' Paper, Flair; Doroty - Celebrate Buttons, Alpha/Tiny Words Necessities: Teal - 6x6 Pad, Black & Grey - 'Confetti' Foiled Vellum;  Market Street: Nob Hill - Chipboard Buttons; Other: Ranger lnk: Dina Wakely Media Gesso & Heavy Body Paints, Golden Paints, Jillibean Soup Alpha, Black Pen, Fiskars Border Punch

The gray background paper is a lovely neutral paper for my vacation photos.  I've been thinking about this beach ever since i left it.  I am ready to go back there & stay a while.  I used the teal Necessities 6x6 paper pad and layered rows of the foiled vellum over the it.  I used a border punch along the edge of the vellum to give it texture.  

Got leftovers?  Line up little pieces of chipboard, patterned paper, buttons, die-cuts, and other items to make your own adorable banner.  I love the pop of color in the little banner, especially against my photos.

Did you know you can sew through the chipboard?  No needle change, just use a regular size need.  Because of the adhesive on the back of the chipboard, you should wipe the needle after sewing with alcohol.  It removes any sticky residue.  

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our next challenge on   . You have until the end of the day on Monday, June 31  to share your project. The winner will be announced with the July challenge on July 1.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

An InLinkz Link-up

May Sketch Challenge

Hello all, it has been awhile!  It's Ronda here with your May Sketch.  This month's sketch is all about playing with layers of patterned paper.  Stacking them behind your photos to create a dynamic focal point.

Remember...you are interpreting the sketch so feel free to rotate the sketch or change out the two photos for one large photo.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

Before i jump into my interpretation of the sketch, let's talk a little bit about patterned paper.  

My Mind's Eye always offers you a wide variety of patterned papers with larger patterns, small patterns, neutrals, & bold colors.  So how do you decide which ones to use?  Patterned papers should complement your photos not compete.  

In the above photo, with her pretty floral dress these papers compete for attention.  

These papers complement with the photos, letting them take center stage.  But there is a way to use all these lovely patterns without competing with the photos.  

Supplies:  Necessities: Teal - Decorative Tape, Metallics - Monogram Alpha, Decorative Tape, Wood- 'Light' Wood Paper, Wood Shapes, Decorative Tapes;  Market Street: Ashbury Height - 'Global' Paper, 'Flowers' Paper, 'Shimmer' Foil Paper, Chipboard Elements,  Decorative Buttons, Decorative Stickers, Enamel Dots, Flair; Misc: The Crafter's Workshop RetroBursts Stencil, Ranger archival Ink: Black & Rose Madder, Black Pen, Neocolor II, DMC Floss

When I stacked these patterned papers, I took care not to put the floral paper near the photo.  The floral print is beautiful and I completely adore it, but if I placed it right under the photo it would compete.  So I stacked the more neutral paper next to the photos.

I love how all the paper looks stacked on each other.  I stitched a wonky border around them all and inked the edges with black ink.  I offset the patterned papers to showcase them all.  

Stacking & layering things together just like the paper stacks: watercolors, stickers, enamel dots, wood elements.  I loved the chipboard title stacked with the flair.  The chipboard heart looks great on the photo.  

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our next challenge on June 2  . You have until the end of the day on June 1  to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

An InLinkz Link-up

December Sketch Challenge

Hello all!  It's Ronda here bringing you your December Sketch.  This month's sketch is all about playing with lines & shapes.  You can change out the single photo for multiple photos or one large photo.  Here are examples of what it would look like with two photos:

or one larger photo:

Think of the sketch as a jumping off point.  Envision the pieces and see how you can make the sketch your own with embellishments, paint, patterned paper, and other wonderful My Mind's Eye products. 

Supplies:  Cut & Paste: Charm - Sweet 'Spin' Paper, Charm - Hey You 'Trend 'Paper;  Charm - Flair 'Forever' Enamel Dots, Snapshots Decorative Buttons; Lost & Found Record it: Antique - ''Charming' Paper, Timely' Paper, Sticker Sheets, Die-Cut Embellishments;  Cupid's Arrow: Sticker Sheet; Misc: The Crafter's Workshop Stencil, Golden Paints & Molding Paste, Black Pen, Maya Road Mist, Neocolor II, DMC Floss

Here's my take on the sketch.  Spending time with my hubby is ever so precious these days since I only get 6 weeks a year right now.  This recent photo was snapped while shopping for some household items for our upcoming life together.  I am happy I captured the everyday moment. 

I started this layout by making a colorful background using mists and watercolor crayons.  I used molding paste with black paint pushed through a stencil with a palette knife.  A touch of black always adds a nice touch to any layout.  The neutral papers and all the cool embellishments from Lost & Found Antique look great layered on the reds, oranges, pinks, & yellows. 

The papers make it easy to combine with other lines too.  I started by layering the neutral papers with the Cut & Paste line in rectangle strips.  Next i added the pictures and stickers to the page.  Always feel free to play with the sketch.  I added a few more strips than in the sketch. 

I also opted to have the circle on top of the photo instead of behind it. The papers from the Lost & Found Record It die-cut pack are perfect to layer into my patterned paper pieces.  The red sticker from the Cupid's Arrow line is the perfect pop of red I needed for the page.

I decided to hand stitch around the page using two different colors of DMC floss.  I stitched the glitter paper and the chipboard title.  I love the way the stitching looks on that title providing that pop of color.  I also stacked the button on top of the chipboard button and stitched them together.  I sprinkled enamel dots across the page to finish the layout. 

This month I asked Laurel to join me by making a card for this sketch. Here's what she came up with.

 

Supplies: Mistletoe Magic: patterned papers, chipboard, stickers, enamel dots

 

Laurel says: I really like this month’s sketch for a card.  I love all the layering and the little cluster at the top of the sketch.  I am just creating the last of my Christmas cards for this year so I pulled out the Mistletoe Magic collection for this challenge. 

I love to mix the different elements for dimension and interest and am so glad that My Mind’s Eye always comes out with such fabulous chipboard pieces for their collections! Thanks for coming up with another fabulous sketch, Ronda. :)

 

Okay. Now it's your turn.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our next challenge on January 6 . You have until the end of the day on Sunday, January 5 to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.

Have fun and good luck!

 

Sketch Week!

Hello everyone!  We have a fantastic week planned for you, all revolved around our November Sketch!  We hope you will walk away looking at sketches in a whole new way!

On our past sketches we've noticed some great questions. Questions about how to involve more photos, questions about how to tweak the sketches...and that's what this week is all about.

Let us show you how to make a sketch your own. Not sure what to do because our sketch only has one photo and you are a multiphoto scrapper? Then this series is for you. Do you freeze and use the sketch exactly because you can't figure out how to make the sketch more "you"? Then this series is for you!

Today we will take the straighforward/ literal approach to the sketch.

November's sketch is full of pictures and little bits that all come together through a cohesive grid like design.  Swap out the smaller focal photo for a 4x6 with lots of smaller photos surrounding it.  Take the sketch and make it your own.

Supplies:  Cut & Paste: Charm - Sweet: 'Treat' paper;  Charm -Bliss: 'Delight' Paper; Charm-Smile: 'Shine Paper,' Decorative Brads, Enamel Dots; Charm-Hey You: 'Trend' Paper; Charm- Carefree: 'Relaxed' Paper, Chipboard Stickers; Flair - Small 'Charms' Paper; Flair- Snapshots: Stamps, Decorative Buttons; Flair-Wow: Label Stickers;  Chalk Studio- 'Happy Day' Paper,' Decorative Tape: Pink & Charcoal; Misc: Maya Road Mists, NeocolorII crayons, Ranger Ink Archival Ink

I used the sketch to capture an unexpected trip to Munich, Germany.  This sketch allowed me to use lots of photos I took on our journey.  On my layout, I used a lovely polka dot patterned paper from Chalk Studio as my background.  I covered it with a light gesso wash and let it dry.  I then added bits of color on the background using, paints, spray inks, and some watercolor crayons.  I then stamped some images around the page.

After adding my photos to the page, I pulled out my scraps and trimmed them down to rectangle strips & squares.  On some of the spots I used the decorative pennants, enamel dots, or even washi tape instead of scraps of paper.  I love those unexpected elements.

you can also stack strips of patterned paper to create a layered look.  I journaled around the page starting at the top working my way down to the bottom right corner.  The black elements around the page tie it all together. 

 

I asked Missy to join me today to show you how to use this sketch in a straightforward way. This is a great example if you are looking for an easy layout idea. Just follow the sketch to a T!

Supplies: Cut & Paste Flair:  “Small” Point Paper, 6x6 paper pad, Label Stickers, “Small” Enamel Shapes, “Snapshots” Decorative Buttons, “Sweet” Enamel Dots, “Small” Decorative Brads.  Cupid’s Arrow: No.14 “Chevron” Paper, “Cupid’s Arrow” Paper, “Alpha Love” Paper, 6x6 paper pad, Chipboard Hearts, Sticker Accessory Sheet, Decorative Tapes.  Find Your Wings & Fly Up & Away:decorative stamps, Alpha & Word Stickers.  Pop dots, Stampabilities ink, cord, black pen

Missy says: I took a very literal approach and didn’t stray much at all from the sketch.  I love all the squares and rectangles in this one…it gives you lots of opportunities to use lots of patterned papers or embellishments all around small photos.  I began with the “Small” Point paper from the Cut & Paste Flair collection because it coordinated well with my photos.  Then I picked out several papers and embellishments from the new Cupid’s Arrow collection. 

For some of the rectangular shapes, I decided to use one of the frame papers from the Cut & Paste “Flair” 6x6 paper pad.  They’re perfect and just the right size, and I also wanted to add some black into my page, so these fit the bill.  I also added a few of the cute quotation mark enamel shapes.  Those can add a little pizzazz to any project!

I hope this sketch inspires you to break out those patterned papers and cut them up!  Sometimes it’s fun to use small pieces for a layout and create a mosaic type look rather than always use big pieces and create layers.  I’m a HUGE fan of layering, and this sketch took me out of my comfort zone and made me try a technique I’m not used to.  I really love how it turned out.  And remember, you can always just use the sketch as a starting point and go from there.  Sometimes it’s fun to use the sketch “as is,” while another sketch you may only use a piece of it for inspiration.

Missy

 

Thanks Missy!

Now it's up to you guys to decide how you'd like to use this sketch. We will be sharing variations on it all week long but we are also challenging YOU to join in our November sketch challenge.

A random winner will be chosen and shared with our next challenge on December 2nd . You have until the end of the day on Sunday, December 1 to share your project.

Please link your sketch via the InLinkz tool at the bottom of this post. Your layout must feature MME products. Only one entry per participant, please. The prize is any MME collection.