Add-on Week, Part 6 - A special guest designer

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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.

"Snowgirl" by Mia
(Daughter of creative team member Suzanna Lee)
Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill, Recollections; Buttons: Blumenthal; Glitter Glue: Martha Stewart; Paper Clips: Boxer; Cricut cartridge: Every Day Paper Dolls; Ribbon: Recollections; Unknown: fabric, bling

Here's what Mia's mom, creative team member Suzanna Lee, shared with me about Mia's adorable snowgirl:

"Mia had to make a snowman for a Kindergarten project. When the project came home she told me that it was going to look just like the sketch that you sent me which was sitting on my desk. As we were creating, she kept referring to the sketch. "I want a hat like that one Mum!" So, she cut out the two green pieces. Next, "I need ribbon for that other piece". And so on. She had to tell a story about the snowgirl (girl, not man Mum!) and her snowgirl is ice skating with Mia. Hence the ice skates.


It's difficult to tell in the picture but she has painted the body of the snowgirl with glitter glue."

How cute is that snowgirl! A big thank you to the talented Mia for letting us share her very creative take on the add-on sketch. 
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Sketches for All Ages, Part 7

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The last projects we have to share with you for our Kids Week are from 4-year-old Mia and 8-year-old Nikolas, both children of creative team member, Suzanna Lee. We'll start with Mia and her adorable version of the cupcake add-on sketch.

Cupcake card by Mia Lee, age 4
Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Cherry Arte, My Mind's Eye, Heidi Grace, Making Memories, KI Memories; Button: Blumenthal, Favorite Findings; Misc: Ric Rac

What do you like about scrapbooking? 
I get to use Mom's tools.

How much does your Mom scrapbook? 
Uh, a lot!

What is your favorite color? 
Pink

What is your favorite scrapbooking supply? 
The blue glue thingy (the dot 'n roller)

What is your favorite thing about this sketch? 
(she's only 4, she couldn't answer this question despite multiple attempts)

If you could have your mom make a page about anything what would it be? 
About me swimming.

What is your best tip for other scrapbookers?
Have fun!

Next we have Nikolas's excellent layout based on the March one-page sketch. He did a great job with adding extra details and even flipped the sketch! 

"Tidal Waves Coaches" by Nikolas Lee, age 8

Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: Reminisce, Quick Quotes Paper; Ribbon: American Crafts: Border; Making Memories; Button: Purple Pumpkin; Glass beads: Oriental Trading; Stickers: American Crafts; Alpha stickers: American Crafts, Cosmo Cricket; Felt: BasicGrey; Journal Spot:
Jillibean Soup; Punch: EK Success

What do you like about scrapbooking? 
I like to be creative.

How much does your Mom scrapbook? 
About every day.

What is your favorite color? 
Green

What is favorite scrapbook supply? 
Scissors

What is your favorite thing about this sketch? 
That it used lots of pictures.

If you could have your Mom make a page about anything what would it be? 
My Mum scrapbooking.

What is your tip for other scrapbookers? 
Be creative.

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Thank you to all of the kids who created layouts for this week! You all amazed us with how creative you are! It truly was a delight to see how you used the sketch and all of the hard work you put into your creations. I think we just witnessed the start of some future scrapbookers!

I also want to thank our readers for all the wonderful comments you took the time to leave for them. The kids loved seeing their projects online and hearing the sweet and encouraging words you left them!
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Sketches for All Ages, Part 6

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Today we are sharing a layout from adorable 5-year-old Hayden, son of creative team member, Shari Thurman.

Hayden used the March one-page sketch to create his funny layout about eating noodles. Hayden did a fantastic job and Shari gives us a great peek into how he worked with the sketch. 

"How to Eat a Noodle" by Hayden Thurman, age 5
Supply List - Pattern paper, Journal card and Die cut shapes: Cosmo Cricket; Alphabet Stickers: Basic Grey

What do you like about scrapbooking? 
Mommy and me have fun.

How much does your Mom scrapbook? 
A lot, every night.

What is your favorite color? 
Light blue.

What is your favorite scrapbooking supply? 
Glue

What is your favorite thing about this sketch? 
It gives me all the instructions. We scrapbook the same as the sketch.

If you could have your mom make a page about anything what would it be? 
Star Wars or Buzz Lightyear

What is your best tip for other scrapbookers? 
Scrapbooking is really fun. Why don't we go scrapbook right now.

Scrapbooking with my son turned out to be really enjoyable. I was amazed by how easy it was using one of Allison's sketches. I have a tendency of being a control freak, so letting my son loose with my scrapbooking supplies kind of scares me. Hayden was able to look at the pictures and follow the directions without either one of us getting stressed out. I was excited to see how much he enjoyed it and how pleased he was with his scrapbook page.

To simplify the process I picked out a set of photos and had Hayden choose his favorite pictures. I then let him choose a paper collection that he liked. I cut all the paper with my trimmer, but let him use my sharp scissors to cut out the journal card. I was amazed by his cutting skills at age 5.

I gave him the sketch and explained that these were the directions. He decided where everything would go on the page and put adhesive on everything (literally). I think I still have glue on me.

 He listed all the steps for eating a noodle and I wrote them down. He also was very concerned with the little word strips around the page. He took the sketch very literally and made sure that we added them. Allison's sketches are amazingly easy to use, no matter what your age.

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Scrapbooking With Kids tips

• Try limiting younger kids choices to two or three when it comes to picking out photos or paper collections. They will often get overwhelmed if they have too much to choose from. Plus it can help to keep them away from papers that you aren't willing to part with. 

• Set aside a special time free from the distraction of other siblings. Shari says, "We scrapbooked while daddy put the younger two boys to bed. Often Hayden will get to stay up later than his brothers and play video games if he has had good behavior and it's not a school night. This time he was able to scrapbook with mommy." 
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Sketches for All Ages, Part 5

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Next up is 7-year-old Emma, daughter of creative team member, Tammy Tutterow.

Emma used the March one-page sketch to make her super girly, super cute layout. I think we've got another future scrapbooker here! She's got her Mom's talent for sure and after reading her answers to the questions there's no doubt she knows scrapbooking!

"American Girl" by Emma Tutterow, age 7
Supplies - patterened paper: EK Success American Girl Crafts Super Paper Pad; cardstock: Bazzill Basics; metal and chip glitter stars: unknown

What do you like about scrapbooking?
I love art and it is part of art.

How much does your Mom scrapbook?
A lot! {giggle}

What is your favorite color?
Pink!

What is your favorite scrapbooking supply?
Sparkly hearts and stars!

What is your favorite thing about this sketch?
That we didn't have to just do what was on the sketch.

If you could have your mom make a page about anything what would it be?
About our whole family.

What is your best tip for other scrapbookers?
Make sure it is your style.

Here's a closer look at the details on Emma's layout:

 

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Scrapbooking With Kids tips

• Make sure you add the date somewhere on your child's page. It's will be fun when they are older to see how old they were when they made the scrapbook page. 

• Chances are their page is not going to turn out like you want it, so instead of trying to influence their choice as to where to put what (guidance is good though if they ask for help), sit back and allow them to figure it out and make it the way they want to.
 

Sketches for All Ages, Part 4

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Today we've got two more little creative kiddos to introduce. Below you'll see pages based on the March one-page sketch by 6-year-old Madison, daughter of creative team member, Christy Arthur and 5-year-old Drew, son of Allison Davis (me).

"Madison, 02-21-11" by Madison Arthur, age 6
Products - Scissors, glue stick; Kraft cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: Jillibean Soup (Pasta Fagioli: Blended beans, Shell Macaroni, Italian Seasoning, Romano Cheese)

I gave my daughter the sketch and a little direction and a bunch of products to choose from. She chose not to use any printed photos, but instead create a photo of "herself" listening to speakers, playing the
guitar, under a camera. One of the best parts is that she decorated both sides of the cardstock (because the striped paper was cut to look like a curtain, according to her imagination).

A closer look at Madison's hand drawn picture and the curtains on the back of her layout:

 

What do you like about scrapbooking? 
I like that I can draw things!

How much does your mom scrapbook? 
LOTS!

What is your favorite color? 
Pink. I love pink.

What is your favorite scrapbooking supply? 
Flowers you can make.

What is your favorite thing about this sketch? 
I like when my picture was playing the music.

If you could have your mom make a page about anything, what would it be? 
About a flower growing.

What is your best tip for other scrapbookers? 
Use more different kinds of cool papers.

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"My Sweet Abbey" by Drew Davis, age 5
Supplies - Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: Pebbles Inc.; Stickers: Karen Foster Design and K&Company

Drew and I have been scrapbooking together for quite some time. It started when I would scrapbook on one end of the table and he would color at the other end. Then a bright red bottle of paint caught his eye and he was suddenly very interested in what I was doing. He inherited my wild imagination and love for creating so naturally scrapbooking is something he loves to do.

I gave him very little direction since, (surprise, surprise), he already knew what a sketch was. I pre-cut the papers he had picked out and he used pictures that I had left over from a page I had done. I got a good giggle when I asked him if he wanted to ink the edges of the papers. He said yes and when I went to show him how he said, "Mom, I know how to do it. I've seen you do it a million times!"

What do you like about scrapbooking? 
Putting the stickers on.

How much does your Mom scrapbook? 
A lot! All the time.

What is your favorite color? 
Red

What is your favorite scrapbooking supply? 
Stickers

What is your favorite thing about this sketch? 
The numbers where you put the pictures.

If you could have your mom make a page about anything what would it be? 
About our family.

What is your best tip for other scrapbookers? 
Um, I'm not sure. Ummm, make sure not to get too much glue on their page!

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Scrapbooking With Kids tips

• Make a day of it! During Drew's Spring Break we picked out the pictures he wanted to use, took a trip to Scrapbook Generation to get our supplies, and spent the rest of the day scrapbooking. Drew told me it was his favorite day during his Spring Break.

• Try encouraging imagination and story telling skills by having your child draw the pictures like Madison did. You can even give them specific themes to help them tell their story. A few examples are: "What I Wish", "My Favorite Things", or "My ABC's" (with hand drawn pictures to go with each letter like, A: apple, B: balloon, etc.) You could also have them draw the pictures to tell the story of a fun activity that you did, like a trip to the park or a day at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

• Teach them a few techniques and how to use age appropriate tools. Stamps are easy to use and kids love them! Painting and kids go together like peanut butter and jelly! They can paint chipboard, the background of the page, or use a mask/template to make a cool design. Punches are another great one for kids and very easy to use.

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Sketches for All Ages, Part 3

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Today we are sharing a layout based on the March one-page sketch from 6-year-old Amber, daughter of creative team member, Mireille. She must get her attention to detail from her mom and I'm sure we'll see more from her in the future. Scrapbooking world, watch out!

Hi, my name is Amber, I am 6-years-old and I live in the Netherlands. I am totally happy to finally be a GDT. I wanted to be a designer since I started scrapbooking but I am too little. I think it's not fair since my mommy gets all the good stuff!

"Amber" by Amber Divjak, age 6

What do you like about scrapbooking?
Well... that I am able to do something fun, crafting!

How much does your Mom scrapbook?
Very, very much!

What is your favorite color?
Pink

What is your favorite scrapbooking supply?
Butterflies

What is your favorite thing about this sketch?
I don't know, I just like it all!! It's easy =)

If you could have your mom make a page about anything what would it be?
Me as a princess.

What is your best tip for other scrapbookers?
Just have fun crafting with pictures. Anything goes! Nothing is wrong, nothing is forbidden. You need to have fun!

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Scrapbooking With Kids tips

• Keep a box of supplies just for your child. You can fill it with scraps, older papers you don't want to use, half used sticker sheets, markers, crayons, pictures, and any unwanted supplies you might have that are age appropriate. It's a big help for them and a big stress reliever for mom when the kids know what they can use and what they can't. Plus it makes them feel more grown up, like they are "official" scrapbookers.

• Create a special area in your crafting space just for them. It could be a small kid size table for them to scrapbook at or an extra chair at your own table. If that isn't possible, designate a shelf with supplies just for them.

• If you are using a sketch pre-cut everything for younger children. That way they have all the pieces and can just put them on the page according to the sketch. If you have a child that is eager to work on their cutting skills you might try drawing cut lines on the papers and letting them cut the pieces for the layout themselves.

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Sketches for All Ages, Part 2

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Today we are featuring layouts from 4-year-old Mason and 5-year-old Caden, sons of creative member, Amy Roller. From the looks of the pictures, they had a great time creating their cute layouts and did such a wonderful job making their own embellishments to go with them. Amy also shares lots of great tips and the approach she took to help them create their pages.

 

"Trucks" by Mason Roller, age 4

What do you like about scrapbooking?
My favorite is sticking stuff on it..like pictures.

How much does your Mom scrapbook?
A LOT!

What is your favorite color?
Red, blue, black , green, purple, orange, and yellow. All of them are the best!
Oh, and white. I like ALL the colors!

What is your favorite scrapbooking supply?
Colors, paper and scissors are my favorite! ( You may see a theme here, he doesn't discriminate against anything being his favorite!)

What is your favorite thing about this sketch?
Putting on the pictures was the best part! (It is nice to see they know that the photos should be the focus. I hadn't expected that answer out of either of them and I got it out of both!)

If you could have your mom make a page about anything what would it be?
Make a page about Bella (the cat), Papa, Daddy, the backhoe, my toys and everything I like! Make it with all of it!

What is your best tip for other scrapbookers?
Scrapbook your pictures, then put 'em on the fridge and take them to Granny!

"Cardinal Game" by Caden Roller, age 5

What do you like about scrapbooking?
It's really fun when I get to put stuff together and show people my family.

How much does your Mom scrapbook?
LOTS!! I mean really, really a lot. ( If I have any free time he knows where I will be...)

What is your favorite color?
Red, black, and orange (It's always these three, he never just picks one!)

What is your favorite scrapbooking supply?
Markers are my favorite, I like drawing. (90 % of the time he's not in school, he's drawing or writing something.)

What is your favorite thing about this sketch?
My favorite thing was picking out the pictures. I like making stuff of my family. (This is true, he draws new pictures of all of us together almost every day and if he's feeling a certain way he will tell us by writing a note!)

If you could have your mom make a page about anything what would it be?
I love it when she makes pages of me and tells me how much she loves me!

What is your best tip for other scrapbookers?
Make sure you put the pictures in the right spot. (If he thinks he messed something up, he will start all over instead of trying to fix it. I don't know who he gets the perfectionist trait from...wink, wink)

I went with the March one-page sketch because I thought a two-page sketch might overwhelm them.

I let them decide on pictures and made sure we could find enough for the sketch and I copied and cropped them down. Caden had pics of Springfield Cardinal Baseball with his grandparents and Mason used him and Papa playing cars. I then let them help pick out papers that sort of went with their pictures and I cut them to match the sketch. I also let them choose a few extras out of my scrap piles or make their own embellishments. I was surprised at what they went with, things actually worked well
with their pages and Caden has a great imagination, so he altered a few things to make his page like the sketch! I am surprised at how well they did on their own.

To start off I explained what the sketch was and how we picked papers to go in each area. Caden, who is almost six did well without much explaining. ( You know you're a true scrapbooker when your 5-year-old knows what a "sketch" is and knows what to do with it!) Mason is four and needed a little more help understanding what he was supposed to do. With him, I would say, "Can you find the stripes on this page (sketch)? Ok now can you put it where you think it goes on your page?"

For the title and journaling areas, I wrote what Caden wanted to say on another scrap paper and he copied in his writing to his page.

 Mason just told me what he wanted his to say and where to put it and I wrote it for him because he can't really do that just yet.

Caden was better at keeping to the sketch and would keep moving things till he had them right where he wanted.

Mason, had more of the stick and go approach!

I loved the little "Cardinal" bird embellishment Caden picked. It fit his theme well and he even added little bird legs! Too cute!

 He also surprised me when he decided to tear a scalloped journaling spot in half because he said it looked like the clouds in the sketch. He tends to be very detail oriented! I let Mason pick a few elements out to add but he wanted to draw his own car embellishment, so he did and added it to his page.

They had a lot of fun and Caden can't wait to see if his page shows up on the computer like Mommy's! They were both so proud.

Caden even said he had "to go show Daddy because he was gonna be so proud of me!" Mason promptly carried his upstairs and announced it needed to go up on the refrigerator. And we can't forget to show Granny!

I am glad we did this and now have them to add to their scrapbooks.

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Sketches for All Ages, Part 1

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Today we are sharing the layout from 4-year-old Abigail, daughter of creative team member, Jill Sarginson. She used One-page sketch #4 to create her bright and cheery layout about swimming. Just wait until you see her adorable, handmade sun!

 

"Jessa and Abigail" by Abigail Sarginson, age 4
Supply list - Patterned Paper: Cosmo Cricket, My Mind's Eye, Bella Boulevard; Tools: Fiskars Boundary Waters border punch, Creative Memories circle punches

Hi, I'm Abigail and I'm 4 years old. I love to scrapbook with my mommy. This is the first time I've ever used a sketch. (Mom adds: Abigail was really upset that her sun didn't look exactly the same as the sketch. She also wanted to make her title "Title", the same as the sketch). 

What do you like about scrapbooking?
Pretty pictures from downstairs. I like cutting papers.

How much does your Mom scrapbook?
Lots. (long pause) Lots.

What is your favorite color?
Pink. And purple.

What is your favorite scrapbooking supply?
Flowers. (Mommy adds: and my buttons and bling!)

What is your favorite thing about this sketch? 
The sun.

If you could have your mom make a page about anything what would it be? 
Don’t know. A butterfly.

What is your best tip for other scrapbookers? 
Don’t know.

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Scrapbooking With Kids tips:

At a younger age, sketches might be a little frustrating at first. Like Jill mentioned, her daughter was upset that her sun wasn't exactly like the sun on the sketch and she wanted to actually use the word "title" as her title since that is what is on the sketch. 

• The younger the age, the more time you might need to take to explain what the sketch is for. If you've used a sketch before you might try showing your child the layout you made and the sketch you used. Point out areas on your layout that aren't exactly like the sketch and explain that you changed them to fit your pictures. Be patient, it might take awhile for your child to understand. And if it just isn't working and your child is still getting frustrated let them create without the sketch. You can always try them again when they get a little older.

• Be prepared, whether you are using a sketch or not, to help them a lot. The first few times you scrapbook together chances are you won't be doing a lot on your own pages. 

• Keep in mind that kids are usually more entertained and interested with the creative process than the finished page. Let them do their own thing and resist the urge to suggest other ways to do it. Even though it's hard sometimes to watch them do what we have programed as "wrong", it makes it a much more enjoyable time for both parties.

• Encourage your kids to make their own embellishments, like the sun on Abigail's layout. Kids usually have a much larger imagination that adults do and you might be surprised at the different things they create to go with their layouts.
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Sketches for All Ages

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In the May 2009 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine I had a published article called "Scrapbooking With Your Kids: Involving your children in 5 easy ways." My little creative sidekick, Drew, helped me with the layouts featured in the article. The five easy ways included letting your kids create embellishments, take pictures, draw a background, tell the story, and pick out the products to use.

This week we are expanding on that article and introducing the sixth easy way to scrapbook with your kids. You guessed it, sketches.

Not only is scrapbooking with your kids an easy and fun way to spend time together but it can also help them to stretch their imagination, explore their creativity, and learn new skills like cutting, writing, drawing, and telling a story. By using sketches, kids can be creative and use those skills while having a picture that helps guide them. It can almost be looked at like a challenge. Think of it in terms of putting a puzzle together. They have all the pieces, the picture to guide them, and it's up to them to put it all together.

Since March has an extra week and the next sketch won't be revealed until next Sunday, we decided to let our kids take over Sketch Support for the week. Our "mini - guest designers" have created layouts based on some of the March sketches. Each day this week we'll showcase the pages, their funny and cute answers to some scrapbooking questions, and tips from us on how to scrapbook and use sketches with your kids.
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