June 16, 2011

Sketches as tools....

When I think of what kind of newsletter post I want to do, I often try to think up new and creative ideas. Some new technique to show. A new way to use your products. Something new, and fresh, and innovative. Aside from all the fun stamps and tools that we have in our crafty spaces, I think we often overlook a very important tool that doesn't cost a thing. It's a sketch. A sketch can provide oodles of new ideas if you just think outside the box a little. Let your creativity blossom and interpret the sketch in different ways. Use a sketch on a card and then try it out with a tag or a scrapbook page. Today I'll be using the single sketch below for 4 different projects.

I'm also showcasing Vintage Picnic + Vintage Picnic Sentiments....a fun set that Nichole and I collaborated on a while back. And now it's even better because this month Papertrey released the much requested Vintage Picnic Basket die.
To start out I created two cards using the same basic supplies...scalloped border dies, Vintage Picnic + Vintage Picnic die, PTI sentiments + patterned papers.
My first card follows the sketch pretty closely. I had a tiny version of this sketch doodled in a notebook. Many times I'll take a sketch book to bed with me at night or bring a pad of grid paper in the car with me and sketch while waiting on the reds. As you can see the elements on my card do not vary much from the sketch. A few fun things to note are the combination of sentiments that have the words *notes* in them. I dug out my Take Note set for a few more sentiments to mix + match on my card. If you zoom in you can also see that instead of paper strips or tape I used a paperclip and pencil stamp in the upper right hand corner of my card. The idea behind a sketch is to interpret it however you wish. Follow it closely or mix things up a bit with some creativity.
My second cards uses the sketch turned sideways. Same basic idea and supplies but this time I added die cut and stamped apples from Fruit Fusion: Apple along with a fun sentiment from Say It With Style. The little strips on the bottom left were replaced with a strip of patterned paper that was notched on one end + has the sentiment stamped on top.
Next up I used the sketch to inspire some scrapbook pages. I'm just thinking on a bigger scale here but same basic idea. Many of my stamped, focal images are now photos. This 8.5" x 11" page uses the sketch in it's original orientation.
Just a few strips of patterned paper + a scalloped border die + Piney's All-Star Team and All-Star Team Additions stamp sets. The sentiment is stamped on a Label Basics stamped die. Perfect for a page insert in my Project Life scrapbook album.
And here I used sketch turned totally upside down to the do the back side of the above layout. All photos in my two layouts feature the girls' track events so I wanted to keep the supplies fairly similar and easy.
I used a Label Basics die to place the sentiment from All-Star Team Additions plus a few additional stars from All-Star Team.
So as you can see, sketches are such a valuable tool to have on hand. I'd like to say that all my sketches are in one notebook....but they're not. I'm a notebook-aholic. I have lots and lots and I tend to just pick up the closest one and start sketching.

How do I come up with sketches? Most of my card sketches are my own original ideas but I also like to find sketches from websites and blog. Magazine ads and little flyers also provide great inspiration. Sometimes I create card ideas from scrapbook layouts I see....one little thing will spark an idea. You just never know when a good sketch idea will come along.

Feel you're not creative enough to make your own sketches? That's okay...there are tons of blogs and websites and books available that already have sketches. You can join in on some sketch challenges too if you're in a rut. Sometimes I feel that it's not new tools or cool, new papers that we need.....we just simply need a fun new idea. Sketch challenges are a great way to break you out of your typical mode of creating too. You might just find a new favorite card or scrapbook page layout to use. And remember to think outside the box. Get fun and funky with your embellishments....use only a part of the sketch if that's what you like. Rotate and flip the sketches. It's all good.

I hope you try out my sketch and maybe start creating your own sketch notebook if you're feeling creative. You can see a few more of my sketches at this link too. Be sure to link up your projects in my comments section. I'd love to see them.

21 comments:

SusieQ said...

Thanks for the inspiration. I find sometimes I have all my elements and need a sketch to help me put theml together. I have an idea journal where I kept them along w/other things. I always enjoy your ideas.

LittleSurferGirl said...

Thanks so much for a great post, Mish! I've never really created from a sketch before, but I'm certainly going to give it a try! (Hopefully today!) Hmmm, maybe I'll use your sketch to make a notebook so I can sketch! REALLY looking forward to meeting you at Stamp-a-Faire next month!

Kim H. said...

I see sketches all the time but have never really used them. Thank you for your post. It really helped me believe I CAN use them to create a card.

Maggie said...

Thank you for a great post!

Nancy Jensen said...

I LOVE using sketches. I usually try to find a sketch challenge with a sketch I like and then work from there. I haven't really made my own sketches but maybe I should give it a try? Your cards and scrapbook pages are amazing! I like how you put so many different idea with one sketch.

Sue Ann said...

LOVE your never ending inspiration. I love how mix / match you are ...... I bet you were one of those kids who could make plaid and stripes work beautifully. Fabby sketches ~~ might have to give them a whirl!!

Luanne said...

Guess I need to get a sketch book! Sometimes I lay awake at night with a card in my head...lol. Great idea, thanks for your inspiration!

Diana F. said...

One of the good things about being back home from a beach vacation is getting back onto your blog. It never lets me down, you are always comimg up with great ideas and amazing cards and projects. I see sketches all the time but typically have not focused on really using them as a tool, but I should, I always love your sketches. Thank you for taking the time to walk us through the process.

Beverly Montez said...

I like to sometimes use a sketch as a jumping off point. Lots of times by the time I am finished with my card, it looks NOTHING like the sketch I started with. It just gave me the "inspiration" I needed to get started!

FrancineB said...

Great post. I love sketches, too. So versatile and you're only limited to your imagination.

Verona said...

I love the way your sketches turned out and am so glad that PTI now has a die for your picnic basket. It's on my "list". Thanks for walking us through the process. I don't see as much in a sketch as you do. :) Great job.

Chinnu said...

I was just thinking the other day that I'd never used a sketch - and I'm always a bit stumped when I start to design a card. Thanks for this inspiration - I must try to use a sketch!

Cynthia said...

It's great to see that you use sketches, too. I almost always create a blueprint of my design before I begin--just a little map. Yes, I stray from the sketch quite often, but it gets me going. Love your creations, as usual. Thank you, for the inspiration! Many blessings!

Pearl said...

love your newsletters! talk about stretching your sketch! thanks for sharing!

paperplay said...

Love your posts. Mish. You always make card creating seem soooooo easy. I do not have a sketch book (although I constantly plan to do this) but I love to take your lead and follow along with your sketches. I can't wait to get my own vintage picnic die and start playing. Love both those sets!

Juanita B said...

These are sensational and so full of inspiration. You have a special gift when it come to layouts and papers. My, how the girls have grown. TFS.

roxanne o'brien said...

I have to say, I never sketch or if I do, I don't really use them!! I love how you showed how just ONE sketch can be used so many different way. You have really and truly inspired me to actually use my sketches! :) Thank you! You're amazing!

Peachy Wessels said...

I love your ideas and tips about the sketch! A very handy tool and helps to really jumpstart a card. The new fruit stamps and dies are really cute with this new vintage picnic basket die - I can't wait to order this. I always did love that stamp set! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Great post. Thanks so much for your inspiring words.

Debbi said...

I *love* your sketches, Mish! You have the neatest way of expressing your creativity. Personally I think you should write a sketch book, I'd buy it!

Unknown said...

So neat! I always find good inspiration from a decent sketch, that's often a starting point for me. This is a nice one, going to have to try it, and keeping them in an idea journal would be a great tool. Lovely use of the picnic baskets!

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