Tuesday, July 12, 2011

New two pager and a giveaway!

This week at Sketch Support there is a wonderful 2 page spread. I had several photos from my sons' butterfly fair in the fall, so I decided to use the sketch to scrap that event. The sketch uses stars, which didn't fit for my theme, but butterflies did, so I swapped out the stars for butterflies. Here's what I did (click the images to view them larger):


I sort of wish I'd used a lighter background yellow, but this color is the color of monarchs, and so it goes. Same with the die cut paper: I wish I'd tucked it in a little more. Ah, well. Neither of those bothered my boys, so I'm over it.

I hand drew then hand stitched the swoop across the page, then used my Studio Calico butterfly stamps and my Martha Stewart butterfly punches on scrap paper to add the butterflies.


After I adhered them, it became perfectly clear they would not stay, so I machine stitched each one on because I do nothing but eat bon bons and recline on the couch, so I have enough time to do so. (Big lie. I was internally swearing as I was stitching because of how much time it took. Not sure I will ever do that again with such a rabble of butterflies.)

I added more rabble to the title just 'cause I liked it. I didn't internally swear at these.

And now for the giveaway!


I would like to give a copy of Debbie Sanders and Allison Davis' Sketches for Scrapbooking volume 8. If you want to be considered for the random drawing, please leave a comment telling what hints you have for making two page layouts. Comments will be open until Thursday, July 14 (ETA 8 P.M. CST).

40 comments:

Karen S. said...

My hint... just have fun! Don't worry about the layouts having to be the same.... just preserve your memories!

Thanks for the chance to win! I've been wanting to order all of these books for a while!

karenskapin at yahoo dot com

Olivia said...

Beautiful layout, llove the stitching & butterflies (plus your neat handwriting)!

When working on a double layout I try to create a visual triangle spanning both pages. I also often mirror an element in the top left of the first page on the bottom right corner of the second.

Thanks for a chance to win the book, it looks fab!

Cassie said...

Thank you for the chance to win. When I create a two page layout I create it like a one page layout and sit the two pages together on my desk and just work on it as 1 layout.

Anonymous said...

Always treat it like one big canvas - that's my approach. But I could sure use this book to really get some more pages going! Thanks for the chance to win it!

janet said...

Oh my goodness, what an AWESOME layout! You should be very proud of this one! All that punching and stitching- I wouldn't change a thing.

Thanks for the chance to win Vol 8. As for working on double pages- I always lay everything out on BOTH pages and move things around, before adhering. And I ALWAYS try to create a visual triangle with my embellishments that moves your eye from left to right.

Again-GREAT layout; into my favorites!

Brenda Johnston said...

Super cute layout and super fun giveaway! My hint is to select your FAVORITE pictures only and focus on them first before you pick all your embellishments--get them laid out in an eye catching way and then add all the fun "extras."

Snips and Snails said...

If you're working from a 1 page sketch, try using the mirror image of the sketch for the second page.

Love your layout!

mom2h said...

I love Allison Davis sketches. I have one of her books already, and use it a lot! ANd I follow the Sketch Support blog regularly. I have even been to her store, Scrapbook Generations several times.
When it comes to working with double page layouts, I like to find a balancing place that spans both pages, like a strip of paper that connects in the middle or a large shape divided by the split.
Would love another of her idea books! I am a fan.

Mel H. said...

Holy crumb cakes, hand stitching all that?? Did your hand feel like it was going to fall off afterward??

A hint for a two page spread??
Use a sketch or copy someone else, LOL!!!
I say that jokingly, sort of. I have a hard time balancing two page spreads which is why I LOVE Sketch Support sketches.

Rowie said...

gorgeous layout! love all the stitched down butterflies!! hehe

i start with the photos then add the embellies and work with both pages as one canvas together!

thanks for the chance to win, looks like a neat book :o)

Jen said...

Great LO! I might have to try something like this - but handstitching all those butterflies?? No way! I'll try machine stitching the curve and butterflies simultaneously. Probably won't be as well done, though!

I would love to win this book - love Allison's sketches, and love 2-pagers! I treat it as one bit canvas as well, and try to use PP so that it "jumps the gutter" and ties the to pages together.

Always love your work!

KristenK said...

I love this layout! Love the butterflies!!! :)

Inkerbelle said...

Great job on your layout...love those butterflys! I actually have two hints that I use for my two page layouts. I use an odd number of photos in various sizes and I compose my layout in a shape of the letter "C". I think it gives the eye a starting point, a flowing path and an end. My "C" goes in any direction to keep variety in my layouts.

serenarepsold said...

When making a 2 page layout, I usually start with the papers. I know this sounds completely nuts, but that's what works for me. I figure out my papers, figure out the number of pics I want to use, and then base the sketch from there. I find that I can always use a space I have created for pictures. If in the end I don't have pics to fill the space out, I use an embellishment (usually hanmade). I hope this makes sense. I am most creative when I am not held hostage by my pictures. But I scrapbook for the art of creating, not for the art of preserving. Being artful keeps me sane!

GLOANN said...

Oh, this is the beautiful LO of yours that I saw this morning on Sketch Support. Love, love, love the way you did those butterflies and wondered at the time how you ever managed to stitch all of those down! Now I know!! My advice on doing 2-pagers is. . . JUST DO IT! I find them so rewarding when I have lots of pics from events. To me, they're real scrapbooking.

okanogangirl said...

Beautiful LO!

My hint for two pagers....stick to one-pagers??? But really, for me it's all about having a good story. If I have a good story with lots of pictures, I can make it work.

Scrapthat said...

Oh yes...please consider me!!
Tips for two pagers...use Ali's and Debbie's Sketches...seriously! I used to work soooo hard on putting two pagers together and now I only have to concentrate on my embellies and papers!
Always have fun! I am a huge believer that if you are having fun it WILL show!
Thanks for sharing your fab LO! and for a chance at book 8.

Devra said...

Great LO. I love all the butterflies.
When I work on a 2 page LO, I like to have it flow from left to right.

scrapstampcrazy said...

I alwayd make two pagers, in fact I find one page layouts more of a challenge. Sketches are my absolute favorite way to get started on a layout. I'd love to win this book.

Sandy said...

Love all the butterflies, a lot of work but it was worth it!

I try to lay out the pages so the eye-catching elements flow in a sort of backwards 6, something I was taught in newspaper layout.

Marina said...

Gosh, I haven't made a 2-pager in quite a while, but when I do, I just treat it as one huge layout & make sure that some item - a border strip, stitching or even a photo continues over both pages. What does CAthy Z call it 'jumping the ditch' or something like that hehehe
Thanks for the chance to win. Gotta love sketches.

Michele said...

I love the butterfly border! I'm a 2-page girl, just love 'em ... my tip ... Always start with a sketch! Things come together easier and faster.

Dizzy Daizy Creations said...

Great layout!!! I love all the stitching :)

As for a hint...not quite a hint, but I like to turn to sketches when doing my 2 pagers...sometimes combining 2 different 1pg layouts to make a 2 page.
~Michele~

Megan D said...

Gorgeous work as ever Jennifer! I love the sewing and the butterflies. What a wonderful event your school put on!

Stephanie Feltus said...

CUTE! Love all of the butterflies!

Andrea said...

awesome layout! I usually try and do something symmetrical on both of the pages.. or just do what comes naturally!

Kate aka stinkydudette said...

Can I be honest and say that I'm terrified of 2-pagers? Too much blank canvas... And have this fear of not making it cohesive-looking enough.. You make it look so easy! Great page!

NicoleA said...

Love your layout! The butterflies and stitching are amazing! I really like making two page layouts. I try to find some way to create continuity between the two pages, like patterned paper or ribbon that spans both pages. Or some sort of visual triangle to keep it connected. Or else I browse galleries for inspiration ! :) Thanks for the chance for the book, I don't have any sketch books, but I'd love to have the ideas handy!

Ashley Horton said...

Great lo Jennifer! All of the work you put into it paid off!! I think when I am doing two-pagers...if I use a color or embellishment on one side of the page, I like to carry over a little of that to the other page to give it continuity. Thanks for the giveaway!

Rodriguez Family said...

My two page hint is to try and make at least one element, paper or a photo be on both pages. I would love this book, your layout is so very inspiring!

Steffanie said...

Love this layout---the butterflies are so playful!
My hint is to have a connection between the two pages. Whether it be the colors you use, the embellishments, the photos or a title that stretches across both pages---if there is some kind of visual connection, it works for me!

Lynette Jacobs said...

Delightful! I love your take on the sketch!

Beth Hallgren said...

I strat with the pictures and use 2 pieces of white cardstock as my initial base to work out the placement. Thanks for the chance to win!

Anonymous said...

My hint is balance... not having too many photos on one page and not enough on the other. Also balancing colors and embellishments. And I always start with a sketch, which is why I love this giveaway!

yokaye said...

Love the butterflies! My hint: have some element (like your butterfly line) that connects the two pages and brings them together. It helps connect the pages.

BabyBokChoy said...

my hint is that you scrap lift the heck out of those who are good at it, like here, the owner of this blog seems to do well with 2 pagers, lol. more than "seems" lol

ELLEN said...

I LOVE your 'rabble' of butterflies flitting accross both pages!
My hint in doing two page spreads is to use a design element to tie the two pages together. It can be a border that stretches over the gap, a visual triangle that draws your eye from page to page, or something similar to your rabble of butterflies! And of course, start with a good sketch!

alisonm said...

Ooooh, Baby Bok Choy stole my answer. I was going to say, "visit the Midwest Scrapgarden and do what ever she says..."
Did I win?????

Lynne said...

Oh, I love your layout with all the butterflies!!

I love to make two page layouts using a sketch but I don't get too worried about sticking exactly to the sketch. I just make it work.

Mollie Deem said...

I feel like I'm terrible at two page layouts.

When I am needing to do a 2-pager, I tend to look to magazine spreads to get some ideas for placement of the photos and journaling.