The Memory Nest Make it Monday #34 February Sketch Challenge #2

Hello everyone!  It is time for another Sketch Challenge from The Memory Nest - this is the 2nd challenge for the month of February.  I really hope you will play along with us - not only will you create what I am sure will be a FAB-U-LOUS Layout - you could WIN a GIFT CERTIFICATE to THE MEMORY NEST too!

I thought I would do something a little different on this blog post / sketch challenge. I want to take you along with me, and give you a little insight on how I go about interpreting a sketch, and designing a layout.  I hope you continue to read through my creative process:

Step (1) First UP  "THE SKETCH"  - Yes, its "ALL about The Sketch, 'bout The Sketch, - No Trouble!"  (Okay who else has "All About the Bass" running through their brain now?? - sorry about that!)

But that is what a Sketch means to me -  "No Trouble" or "Less Trouble" Scrapbooking!  They really help me to complete layouts, and to make some headway with all of the photos that I take, and memories that I want to record!  AND - when you play along with a Sketch Challenge, you get a chance to WIN something too!

Without further ado - let me show you this AWESOME Sketch, that was designed by Leslie Germain.

I decided to go along with 2 photos as shown in the sketch.  That's the cool part - I could have easily have selected 3, or even turned the 2 photos into 4 - as long as you can look at the sketch, and look at your layout and "see" the sketch design in you project - I feel that it is all about how YOU "Interpret" the sketch.

Step (2) - I pulled out my box of printed photos, and started looking for (2) 4x6 "landscape" sized photos as shown.  Well, I wasn't that successful, as one of the 2 photos that caught my eye was "portrait."  I decided to use it anyway, and just trim it down a bit, and since, as I said above, sketch challenges are all about "your" interpretation of the sketch - YES - you can do that!!

Step (3) Next, I try to find my color scheme for the layout.  To do this, I usually try to work off the colors in the photos.  (Although, sometimes it is all about the paper that is "calling my name" at the moment! - or that I just bought and really want to use!)

In this case, the 2 photos that I picked had very vibrant colors. I began to dig through my drawers and boxes of "MISC" pattern papers and "KITS" to see what would look best.   I came across one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE Paper Collections - Marrakesh, by Basic Grey.  I originally made a mini album with this paper line for my cousin's engagement party, many years ago - and had quite a few papers and scraps left - many of them in the correct square shape needed for the sketch!!  BINGO!!   
*As an ADDED TIP - I usually place most of the papers/elements on the base page BEFORE I glue them down, and sometimes even take a picture of the page with my phone - A. to get a different perspective and  B. to look at when it is time to reassemble and glue down.

Here is my take on the sketch!

As you can see, I used 4 different patterned papers, along with the soild orange background and blue base paper
 - I love the Orange and Blue combo!
I added the journaling on a small tag 
- to which I added a "Hidden Mickey" to, too!
I also searched my "stash" for coordinating embellishments /gems/fibers Et cetera, to add to the layout too.

And here are some close ups for you too!

I layered stickers on top of the chipboard elements from the Marrakesh Collection, and even added a green pearl embellishment on top of it! The blue word "Adventure" - as well as "Epic" are from Heidi Swapp.

I love to create hidden pockets behind photos by adding 1/2 inch 3D Foam Dots to only 3 sides of a Mat, in this case, I left the top open, and inserted an embellished tag, which I journaled on both sides about our trip.
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I hope that gives you a little insight on how I approach a Sketch or Sketch Challenge, and that it motivates you to give it a try and play along with me sometime!

Here are the items that I used for this Layout:

Base - "Around the Block" - #00237 - Ride the waves

Basic Grey Marrakech: 5 different pattern papers, Element Stickers, and Chipboard Elements

Powder Puff - Marichino Cherry  and Blue Moon Chalk Inks

Heidi Swapp - Words Hs01109 and HS 00654

Tim Holtz Tag Die

Queen and Co -Twinkle Goosebumps

Various Assorted Bling/Brads/fibers and cardstock



* I am also linking this post and layout to the latest Paper Issue Blog Challenge!  "Perfect Pairing" - 2 of my favorite colors - Orange and Blue -and a "Perfect Pair" - my husband and I celebrating our 30th Anniversary  - at Disneyland! Hop on over  and Check it out too!*

As always, THANK YOU for stopping by and feel free to leave a little "Bloggy LOVE" if you have a minute!

((HUGS)) ~ Sherri