Add-on Sketch #17

•••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

Add-on Sketch #16

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

Check back tomorrow and throughout the week to see how our creative team used this sketch.

If you haven't had a chance yet, be sure to travel along our blog hop. You can start by clicking here.
•••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #15

 •••••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

I have to admit that flags are one of my new favorite embellishments to add to a page these days! They are cute, super easy to make and add such a fun and interesting element to any project. Plus, you can experiment with different shapes and styles and different ways to decorate them.

Be sure to check back throughout the week to see how our creative team used this sketch! 
••••••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #14

••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

The February add-on sketch is great for those Valentine's Day themed pages with several sizes of hearts adhered in a line and then stitching over the top of them. Try experimenting with different sizes of hearts or even different shapes like stars, circle, flowers, etc. You could also use baker's twine in place of the stitching or change up the straight line with a wavy line or a zig zag line.

Check back tomorrow and all week to see the different ways our creative team has used this sketch!

Add-on Sketch #13

•••••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

A snowman sketch seemed like a great fit for January. Even though there are lots of details the snowman is very easy to put together. There are also several different ways and products you can use like:

Body - cardstock, felt, fabric or buttons
Buttons, mouth and eyes - brads, buttons, jewels, Stickles or hand-drawn
Arms - craft wire, hand stitched, cardstock or Memory Thread
Scarf - baker's twine, ribbon, thread, cardstock or Memory Thread

Be sure to check back throughout this week to see what our creative team has put together based on this sketch!
•••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #12

••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

With a lot of small strips of paper, this Christmas tree is great for using up a lot of scraps! Plus, there are a lot of different ways to play around with the design.

• try using strips from the same patterned paper
• use smaller or larger strips
• use different sizes of strips together like 1/4", 1/2", and 3/4"
• use ribbon instead of patterned paper
• use a border punch on the strips
• use baker's twine for the garland
• add ornaments with jewels or buttons

Be sure to check back throughout this week to see what our creative team has put together based on this sketch!
••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #11

•••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

This month the add-on sketch opens a great opportunity to use up some scraps. The leaf is mainly constructed of small strips of paper to create a colorful and eye-catching design.

There are actually a couple of ways you can play around with this one:

• try using a larger strip like 1/2" or 3/4"
• try using different sizes of strips together like 1/4" and 1/2"
• use the same patterned paper for each strip
• add twine down the middle instead of stitching

We've got full week of wonderful projects based on the sketch! Be sure to check back all week!

And don't forget about our Creative Team Call!
••••••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #10

••••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

One of my favorite ways to make my own embellishments is to take simple shapes and layer them to create an object, like the add-on sketch for this month. The balloons are made with three circles in different sizes layered with the largest on the bottom to the smallest on the top. 

You can use three circles of the same patterned paper or mix it up and use three different patterns and colors. I always recommend using some sort of ink to define the edges of each piece and help the layers stand out. Foam adhesive always works well for helping the layers stand out too.

The concept of using the layered circles isn't limited to just balloons. Pumpkins, baseballs, basketballs, lollipops, and Christmas ornaments are all great ideas too.

We've got another great week of layouts so be sure to check back tomorrow for the start of Add-on Week.
••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #9

••••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

After I made this layout based on Two-page Sketch #10 I had lots of requests for a camera add-on sketch. The little cameras on my layout are easy yet a little time consuming because of their size so I created a larger version for the sketch.

This sketch can be used for so many things because, obviously, a camera is one of our biggest tools for creating a layout and the general theme or focus of most layouts is the pictures. You'll see so many different themes this week that have used the camera sketch and in many different ways.

The camera fun starts tomorrow so be sure to check back and see what our talented creative team did with this sketch!

Add-on Sketch #8

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

Between the four of us in my house three of us celebrate birthdays in May, June, and July. The late Spring/beginning of Summer, I end up with a lot of birthday photos and that was probably the reason behind the design of Add-on Sketch #8, a birthday hat. Birthday layouts are one of my favorites to make because there are so many fun ways to make your embellishments (cakes, presents, balloons, etc) out of simple supplies like paper and ribbon.

The best part about the add-on sketch for this month is that the design can be used for more than birthday themes. You can use the same concept for a Christmas tree or flip it and turn it into an ice cream cone or a decorative pennant on a banner.

We've got many examples of this sketch to share this week so make sure you come back on Monday to see the different ways we used it.
••••••••••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #7

••••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

If you haven't noticed yet, the sketches this month are all on the patriotic side. July is one of my favorite months and I might have gone a little overboard with the 4th of Julyish themed sketches! This add-on sketch is intended to look like fireworks exploding in the sky but it will also work for other themes as well. The fireworks could be used as flowers or as the flame on a birthday candle.

The is a fun sketch to work with and I can't wait to start sharing the ways the creative team used it. Add-on Week starts tomorrow!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #6

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

 You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

With Father's Day approaching I thought an argyle pattern might make for a fun add-on sketch. Not only is is great for layouts about Dad but also works for themes that include boys, men, babies, family, golf, or as just an interesting and different element. Don't count out using it for a girl theme too! This pattern looks fantastic is girly colors like pinks and purples.

Here are a few ideas for putting this sketch to use:

• create a border across a layout
• use it for the background of your title
• use pictures instead of patterned paper for the diamonds
• use the middle diamond for journaling
• add brads to the center of each diamond where the stitched lines meet

Check back on Monday to see what how our creative team used the sketch! 
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #5

••••••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

One thing I'm really enjoying about this time of year is seeing the bare, naked trees fill in with green leaves! It sure does make my morning drive to take the boys to school a whole lot prettier along the scenic road we take.

This tree sketch can be used for almost any outdoor pictures, pages that have a scenic/landscape look in the design, and it works well with a family theme too. There are lots of ways to vary the sketch like:

• use circles in the same size
• use brads, buttons, or jewels instead of patterned paper for the circles
• use several different patterns or colors for the circles
• make it larger or smaller by keeping the same proportions
• add birds or butterflies to the top
• add a swing, grass, or hills to the bottom.
• use different shapes instead of circles

Check back tomorrow when we'll start sharing the wonderful pages and cards our creative team made based on this tree sketch.  

Reminder: The deadline for our Creative Team call ends this Friday, May 20. You can find all the details by clicking here.
••••••••••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #4

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

April showers bring May flowers, right?  Add-on Sketch #4 is perfect for this time of year!

The umbrella can be used on any project and with many themes like: rainy days, Spring, and cute baby pages. And you might be surprised this week at some of the different and creative ways this add-on sketch was used by our creative team.

There are several ways you can construct the umbrella.

For the scallop on the bottom edge:

• use a scallop border punch to create the bottom scallop across a straight edge of paper. Your scallops with be the opposite direction than on the the sketch but you still get the look of an umbrella.

or

• hand draw an upside down scallop and cut with scissors.

For the half circle body of the umbrella:

• holding a circle punch upside down, line the upside down scallop in the middle and punch a half circle


or

• use a circle template, draw the half circle, and cut with scissors.

Tomorrow we'll start the first day of sharing what we have created based on the umbrella add-on sketch. You won't want to miss it!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #3

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

The cupcake add-on sketch for March doesn't require a sweet tooth and has zero calories. Who doesn't love that kind of cupcake! This sketch will work perfectly for themes like birthday, baking, or sweet snacking pictures.

The bottom of the cupcake, the "wrapper", is made from a rectangle with diagonal edges and then stitched lines. You can also fold the "wrapper" to look like a real cupcake liner. The top, the icing, is made from a combination of different sizes of circles. You can use the same patterned paper for each circle or even mix up the patterns.

If you don't have pictures or projects that will work with a cupcake try using the general shape of the cupcake as inspiration. This sketch would work great as a pot of flowers or a bucket of popcorn too. 

Check back tomorrow for the start of add-on week. We've got several cute projects based on this sketch that you won't want to miss!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #2, a Bonus Download, and our Card Product Challenge Winner

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 

 You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

Break out the Thesaurus, this month our add-on sketch is a word collage. The sketch has a love theme, but word collages can work with any theme. You can make this on your computer and print it out or you can construct it with alphabet stickers, word stickers, chipboard letters, or die cuts.

Tips: 
• Use a combination of different styles and sizes of letters.
• Having a Thesaurus on hand really helps to find words that fit your theme.
• Start with a larger word and then build around it with smaller words.
• Try making the collage on a piece of paper cut to the size you want the collage to be. This helps with getting the words lined up evenly.

Variations:
• Use an embellishment, a picture, or add your journaling in place of the largest word and build a collage of words above and below it.
• The sketch shows a 3" x 6" collage but you could easily make one that stretches across your whole project.
• Make a collage with words that stretch out further than the others.
• Add small details like brads, jewels, or stitching.
• Try making a horizontal word collage.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the first post of add-on week and to see the awesome projects the creative team has put together.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Bonus Download

This month we've got a bonus printout for the add-on. If you like the sketch collage as it is you can print out our color version of it to use on your projects.

You can find this color version of the sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar. 

Each day this week, I'll show you ways you can use the color printout of the sketch on several different projects.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

 Card Sketch/Jillibean Soup Product Challenge Winner

Thank you so much to those who shared their projects with us and took part in the challenge. We enjoyed getting a chance to travel to your blogs and galleries to see them!

The winner of the challenge is:

ruth said... 

This was so much fun! I love sketches for layouts and I'm learning to use them for cards now too. :)

Ruth's card is so pretty and such a great interpretation of the sketch. Ruth, you can email me at allison@scrapbookgeneration.com with your shipping information.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Add-on Sketch #1

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I'm thrilled to be revealing our first add-on sketch.

Add-on Sketch #1 - Mug with steam

  You can download and print this sketch by clicking on the add-on sketches link found under the "printable sketches" tab on the right sidebar.

The add-on sketches can be used on anything like a layout, a card, a tag, home decor, etc. Really any project! They will be great for making your own embellishments or adding a decorative element to your project. I really think they are going to be a lot of fun.

For the most part I use pre-made embellishments because I love the ease that comes with them. However, there are always those cases when you run into a project that you just aren't sure what embellishment or elements to add to it. Or maybe you just don't have the right embellishments in your stash. That's when I put on my creative thinking hat and make my own. The beauty of making your own and using our add-on sketches is that you can adapt them to your own style, the colors on your project, or even the right size you need.

The January add-on sketch is a mug with steam coming out of the top. The mug could work with themes like hot chocolate, winter, or coffee. While the theme that this sketch is used with might be a little limiting, the finishing touches are not. The steam can be created with rub-on flourishes, brads, jewels, stitching, Memory Thread, craft wire, or even journaling. The snowflake in the middle can be replaced with whatever element you need to use to fit your theme. If you follow the directions on the sketch the mug is smaller but to adjust the size you only need to keep the same proportions, which is very easy to do.

I can't wait for this coming week and to share what our creative team and guest designer have created with this sketch. You'll see it used in so many unique and creative ways and on so many different types of projects. We'll start the add-on sketch fun tomorrow, you won't want to miss it!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••