Got Sketch? Three takes on the September Sketchy Challenge.

Hello and Happy Fall! Kim here with some layouts to share, inspired by the September Sketchy Challenge.

It’s no secret that I LOVE a good sketch as a starting place for scrapbooking. It seems to be what my brain seeks to start my creative process. I’m not one to always follow a sketch exactly. I never see absolutes with a sketch. Some folks see a sketch and distinguish what is a photo, paper and embellishment, they want to know what size to print photos and cut paper to make an exact replica, this is not wrong, just not my way.

I, however see a sketch and think looser. What if the photo was paper or vice-versa, could an embellishment be a photo, one photo could hold the ‘weight’ of many photos, a photo could be a journal block, etc. I do not look to replicate the sketch, though sometimes it happens, I do look to spark ideas.

I loved the September Sketch as soon as it was revealed. I knew I’d enjoy it as a jumping off point. I had so much fun with this sketch, that it inspired three projects! I was surprised that I stayed pretty true to the sketch You will see how different they are, yet also very similar in many ways. Let’s take a peek!My first layout has multiple photos on the right, no fixed sizes but similar ‘weight’. I have embellishments, a journal block and horizontal title. My main background paper is plain, so my border of embellishments doesn’t compete with a big patterned background.

scrapbooking / Kim Gowdy / Simply Stated Designs / Sketchy — Simply Stated Designs paper & embellishments, Ranger Glossy Accents & Distress Ink, Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L, CTMH stamps

Kim Gowdy / Ranger / Glossy Accents — I used glossy accent on a few of the embellishments and popped them up with Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L foam squares.

My second layout also has multiple photos, fixed sizes, randomly placed on a larger image/map. I still have the horizontal title, however my journalling is more like sub-titles and my embellishments are not clustered.

September Sketchy Challenge / Kim Gowdy — Simply Stated Designs patterned paper, Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L, Ranger Distress Ink & matte medium. My ‘paw print’ paper was actually tissue paper that was adhered to cardstock with matte medium. I love to upclycle something that would otherwise go to waste!

My third layout is a 2-page planner layout, that feels similar to the sketch in elements, but the visual weight falls to the left with the dark background paper. I’ve included embellishment clusters, a horizontal title and I have a journal block that tucks behind the photo on the left [the pull tab is a flower that blends with the others].

Sketchy Challenge / Kim Gowdy / Simply Stated Designs — Simply Stated Designs paper & embellishments, Nuvo Adhesive & glimmer gell, Sakura white gel pen, Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L, Elizabeth Craft Design planner, Ali Edward journal card that tucks behind photo for story details.

I love how all three of these layouts turned out! They are all so different but start from the same place – the sketch! It’s exactly why I love to be loose with sketches.

We’d love to see how you create with our sketches. The Sketchy Challenge Facebook group is open 24/7! The members are always ready to cheer on new uploaded projects!