Sketches are the penultimate resource. I know, right? I hate to overstate the obvious, but anyone who has ever designed from a sketch knows that sketches take the guesswork out of design and offer us a place in which to begin.
It's as simple--and as wonderful--as that.
From there we can apply our favorite products, our top-of-the-list color schemes, and our rock star techniques all while adapting the sketch to the occasion, project type, gender, age, and style that fits our needs at that moment.
For example, take this sketch by Kim Hughes on page 59 of our moxie fab special issue, Go-to Sketches:
Just look at all the many ways these designers have adapted this one little sketch. Check it:
Where the Heart Lives Box by Julie Campbell, p. 59Moxie Fab Alert: This beautiful box shows the ultimate versatility of using sketches--we can adapt them to any project type we need. Whether it's a card, a tag, a gift bag, a box, a home decor item, a layout, or the cover of a mini-album, sketches can be adapted to any project type we so desire.
Starry Noel Card by Beatriz Jennings, p. 61Moxie Fab Alert: Yet another example of sketch versatility, you can adapt sketches to any occasion under the sun. Here Beatriz has created a Christmas Card from Kim's sketch. At another point in time she could refer to the same sketch to create a birthday tag, a wedding layout, or a Halloween treat container. Easy peasy, puddin' 'n pie!
You Can Do It Card by Alicia Thelin, p. 60Moxie Fab Alert: Here, Alicia has applied a clean and graphic style that would be suitable to a teen-aged boy. She could swap out the colors and add some frill and prest-o change-o! A card for a teen-aged girl that might be a little on the fun and cute side or even shabby chic!
Oh So Sweet Card by Betsy Veldman, p. 60Moxie Fab Alert: As you can see, this is a gender-neutral baby card. But because the products Betsy's used are fairly generic, she could swap out the sentiment and turn this into a Mother's Day card, an encouragement card, or a friendship card with relatively little effort.
True Freind Gift Bag by Sarah Martina Parker, p. 60Moxie Fab Alert: Again, we've got a great example of an adaptation of the sketch to a different project type, in this case a feminine--and fun--gift bag.
Celebrate Card by Maile Belles, p. 61Moxie Fab Alert: Not to leave out the gents, this project could be used as a masculine birthday card, a wedding card, or a even a "congratulations on your new job" card.
Sustaining Hope Card by Debbie Olson, p. 61Moxie Fab Alert: And while this card would be most appropriate to give to a woman, Debbie could easily swap out the sentiment for an occasion such as birthday, Mother's Day, hello, or thinking of you.
7 ideas from one sketch, all spanning different styles, occasions, project types, genders, ages, and purposes. Now that's what I call stretching a sketch!
And if that isn't enough inspiration for you from Cath today, the Paper Crafts Go-to Gals have even more ways to stretch a sketch. Check it:
Feeling all stretchy and bendy,
~Cath
PS Be sure and stop by Paper Crafts Connection today where our editor-in-chief, Jennifer Schaerer, is not only showing all kinds of Go-to Sketches goodness, but is offering even more chances to win this spectacular special issue!
And if that isn't enough inspiration for you from Cath today, the Paper Crafts Go-to Gals have even more ways to stretch a sketch. Check it:
Visit Betsy's blog to see how she's turned this sketch upside down.
Visit Teri's blog to see how she's turned this sketch 45 degrees to the left.
Visit Kim K.'s blog to see how she's turned this sketch 90 degrees to the left.
Visit Kim H.'s blog to see how she's turned this sketch 90 degrees to the right.
Visit Jessica's blog to see another approach on turning this sketch upside down.
And visit Maren's blog to see how she's turned this sketch 90 degrees to the left.
Visit Teri's blog to see how she's turned this sketch 45 degrees to the left.
Visit Kim K.'s blog to see how she's turned this sketch 90 degrees to the left.
Visit Kim H.'s blog to see how she's turned this sketch 90 degrees to the right.
Visit Jessica's blog to see another approach on turning this sketch upside down.
And visit Maren's blog to see how she's turned this sketch 90 degrees to the left.
Simply moxie fab!
Friends, leave me a comment that tells me which of these ways of stretching a sketch is the most inspiring to you and why by midnight MDT on Sunday, April 11 and I'll draw three random winners to receive a copy of Go-to Sketches. Leave a comment on each of the Go-to Gals' blogs and increase your chances of winning!
Friends, leave me a comment that tells me which of these ways of stretching a sketch is the most inspiring to you and why by midnight MDT on Sunday, April 11 and I'll draw three random winners to receive a copy of Go-to Sketches. Leave a comment on each of the Go-to Gals' blogs and increase your chances of winning!
Feeling all stretchy and bendy,
~Cath
PS Be sure and stop by Paper Crafts Connection today where our editor-in-chief, Jennifer Schaerer, is not only showing all kinds of Go-to Sketches goodness, but is offering even more chances to win this spectacular special issue!
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134 comments:
I was so tickled to see Kim Hughes version stretched to three dimensions! Surprising use of the sketch for box, instead of the usual card and layouts. Thanks for the inspiration. I'll never think flat for a sketch again.
I like the idea of applying the sketch to the box - it just proves that "card" sketches are not limited to just a card!
I love anything Betsy does with paper, so turning it upside down is most inspiring to me!
Loved all the sketch ideas but I must say the boxes that Maren and Kim H made were superb. Loved the Album that Kim K did using the Fresh Print Papers and the cards that had such inspiration that Bestsy V and Debbie O did were great. Great way to take a sketch and give us so many fabulous ideas.
Just wonderful projects....I love to see how the creators like Betsy flipped the sketch, then Kim made that great box....
Mailes and Sarah Martina's are my favorite so far! I will be clicking away some more! I love all this inspiration!!
My favorite way is definately rotated 90 degrees to the left. I love the scallops on the left hand side.
I love the box by Kim Hughes. It's so cute - a really interesting use of the sketch! And I also love Betsy Veldman's card.
Love the idea that a sketch is useful for projects other than cards. Nice.
I'm a BIG fan of just showing the different ideas for different people- masculine v. feminine v. kid's card, and the idea that there's the same sketch rotated and flipped!
I love how you've all turned the sketch around in all different ways. I always use sketches and a favorite thing for me is to do something different with it! Thank you for the inspiration!
I love Betsy's take on turning the scallops into clouds. I would have never thought of that...what an easy and pretty transformation! I can't wait to see more!
I love it when they are kept more simple and are more of a masculine design. I have lots of guys in my family! :)
This is really hard because I LOVE all these designers and visit their blogs routinely! Kim Hughes design works really well on the box but I'm going with Debbie Olson! Her card does seem very versatile and I liked how she used the ribbon instead of a piece of cardstock for the vertical piece, the interesting use of patterned paper, and besides that she did it in my favorite color!
oh common... how can you ask as to choose??? Really they are so nice.
I really like Betsy's card. The colors are fabulous and like how she rotated the card and added the hearts at the bottom... but really they are all amazing and inspiring!
I really love Kim's box! It has such a strong and sophisticated design! Very nicely done. Debbie's card is super fabulous, too! Gorgeous!
I love the two gift bags! It's always fun to take paper into 3-D! They are all gorgeous, but the treat bag is truly moxie fab!
I love Betsy's version of the sketch turnign it upside down!
I really love the Sustaining Hope card. Though I do think sketches are great for items other than cards. I'm going to try using a sketch on a photo cube. I have also used card sketches for the fronts of journals and stuff like that.
Oh, these are awesome! I do LOVE sketches -- and I love how Betsy used clouds instead of the scallops on the sketch. Clever!
Sorry about my mistake, Julie! I've corrected the attribution! My bad!--and thanks for pointing that out to me! :)
I love the idea of using the sketch to decorate gift bags. What an easy way to make a coordinated gift set!
my favorite is Debbie Olson's card!! Just love it!!
Turning that sketch into a box is an awesome idea! And the execution is just perfect!
I love the way it was flipped upside down...totally awesome!
- April
I just love how Kim K. flipped that sketch on it's side and made it a mini album genius!
I love how Betsy flipped it upside down and then incorporated the hearts. That is a great idea!
Love that Julie turned it into 3-D!
I love Kim's sketch and how it was turned into a gift box!!!! Super job!
I love all these inspirational ideas for a single sketch! I especially like the gift boxes/bag and mini-album, but all of the cards are gorgeous, too!
I like using sketches for several different occasions. I love how you can change up one little thing and go from a birthday card to a thank you card with ease.
I love all of them, but the way Maren turned it and made it fit the box gave me inspiration to tackle some end of year teacher gifts!
I love turning sketches in different directions and often do so when my embellishments (or photos) don't line up as well with the original sketch.
I loved all the projects. The boxes were especially neat. For me, the balance and weight of the upside down sketches were my favorites. Thanks for sharing!
Amazingly inspiring work!! wow!!
I love how she turned the sketch into a milk carton ... taking it off the page and into 3D! Very cool.
I was most inspired by using the sketch to make non card projects--I never thought of that-duh!
Debbie Olson's is so clever to me with the images on the left...so cute!
When I begin making a card with a sketch my ideas begin to flow. If I don't have a sketch I sit for way too long contemplating where to begin. The idea of turning the sketch upside down or sideways, only gives me more ways to get crafty.
The "Oh So Sweet" and "You Can Do It" cards are most inspiring because they are so my style. Love the graphic simplicity of "You Can Do It" and the clouds on the "Oh So Sweet" card.
I'm lovin these ideas! Thanks for showing the other creative uses-boxes, bags, etc-helps me think outside of the "box"!!
I do not know if I can pick one of these sketches as a favorite - they are all so incredibly fabulous! I just received my copy of Go-To Sketches yesterday, and I cannot believe the inspiration in that magazine. WOW, WOW, WOW!!
I like seeing a sketch upside down.
Loved all of these-but fell in love with Jessica's Santa card.
I especially love Alicia's card b/c of it's clean and simple lines!
Betsy's card was so beautiful and inspiring to me, and I love seeing new ideas to use my Cricut for!
thank you for showing us the versaility of the sketches. I for one, need the inspiration!
I love seeing the way others adapt a sketch because it really pushes me to "think outside the box." I wouldn't have thought to turn a sketch upside down or make it into a box, but seeing it done really inspires me to push myself creatively :)
I love Teri's as I never would have thought to angle the sketch like that! Fantastic and so creative!
I love turning sketches around :) Teri's 45deg tilt has my head spinning with ideas!!
All the creations are inspiring in different ways, but I think Julie Campbell's sweet gift box really showcased for me how versatile a sketch can be! Think outside the card!
Great posts all around! I especially like Kim H.'s "distortions" of the sketch!
I narrowed it down to 2. Teri's because I would have never thought of shifting the sketch at an angle and Kim K's because it was a mini album. I alsoway think card only when I see a sketch like this!
Wow--what versatility. It is so hard to pick such one. Kim's box is just a wonderful example of a "non-card" project to show sketches have no limits.
I love love love Teri's version! I never would have thought to do 45 degrees! Who thinks like that? Genius people, not me!
Love the way it was incorporated into a box, really shows how versatile this sketch is :o) Each card/project is just so fabulous!
the pic of the box was most inspiring to me. so very clever! I tend to think more of cards, so this was great!
I like how Betsy turned the sketch upside down.
Great cards! I love the twist on the sketches. I never considered just doing a slight turn as opposed to a full 90 degree turn.
Fun design and such lovely projects!
As others have said, it is hard to pick just one. What I like is the variety ... the many ways of 'scrapping' outside of the box. It is the many samples that boost my 'mojo'.
Fingers crossed that I win this must-have issue!! Love it!
I love how Teri tipped it. I've never thought of that. Now I'll have to try it.
lovin' them upside down!!
I love Sustaining Hope because of the colors, the vertical design, the ribbon, and the composition. I would like to learn how to make that card. Thanks so much!
I think all the Go-To Gals did a great job! I liked the boxes and really liked Teri's tilt job!
I got tons of inspirations from the 'go to gals', and I love Kim Hughes's gift box the most. So inspiring!!
The whole concept of stretching a sketch is inspiring to me! I tend to take sketches too literally--i.e., I don't change one little thing! But if I had to choose, I'd say I most prefer the ones that turn it to the left 90 degrees. And I love Betsy V's color combo!
I love the way everyone sees a sketch and the results are totally different. Especially like the box - thanks for the blog hop.
I'm loving Marin's and Kim H's interpretations! Love the little boxes.
I love what Betsy did. Her stuff is always so pretty!
My favorite is Celebrate Card by Maile Belles. This is a gorgeous card. Love the style. Thanks for sharing
Such great ideas from everyone, but I loved Kim K.'s use of the sketch for the mini album.
Rachel in Spooner, WI
tunring a sketch just 45 degrees. WOW... only Teri, right? SHe rocked it.
Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [08 Apr 02:00pm GMT]. Thanks, Maria
I was inspired by Betsy's up side down interpretation! Go- To Sketches is definitly a must for all paper crafters. :)
I love Betsy's card, with the nice color scheme and how she used the hearts instead of scallops. Beautiful!
I am a huge fan of Sarah Martina - her art is always beautiful. And I like the fact that she took the sketch and transformed it into a gift bag.
love kim h's rotated 90* to the right!
I like the sketch being transferred into the box. I would have never thought to try that from a sketch.
Just fabulous.
I liked the sketch being stretched by turning it upside down. Betsy's and Jess's cards were my favorites today.
I love that the beautiful box shows the ultimate versatility of using sketches--I never think of boxes and altered items when I see sketches. I tend to be a literal thinker until I see some inspiration! Thanks!
Betsy's version caught my eye because she used the clouds as the scallops. Love it!
I love the simplicity and versatility of Alicia's card.
I like it 90 degrees to the left, that's where I start with my eyes and my projects-left to right.
I love Teri's diagonal take on the sketch..but all projects were wonderful!
I love seeing the sketches applied to other paper crafts such as boxes, bags, tags, etc.!!! Really showing off the versatility of a single sketch! AWESOME!
I love the gift box {very creative} and the clouds used for the scallop design is cool!
I love Betsy's "turned upside down" approach! My world often feels that way, so why not celebrate it?!
In my "Sketch Book", Betsy can do no wrong! Everything she does inspires me to 'color outside the box'. So, turning this one upside down is enough versatility for me.
PS: I'm one of those card makers who takes a sketches literally~but I am trying to stray in more directions :o!
I truly was inspired by Teri's tilting, as I would never think of that, really. She kept her design clean and simple and it spoke words of its own. Fun hop today!
I love love love that box! The rich brown tones with the pop of pink, the gorgeous swirl, the feathers... Swoon!
I love Beatriz's shabby Christmas card! I love the shabby look so these always inspire me!!!
Blessings,
Christine
Great sketch, I loved seeing all the Go To Gals cards. My fave was the Santa Christmas card. Thanks girls for sharing your lovely work with us.
This is a great sketch. I especially love the elegant Where the Heart Lives box. Such rich and decadent colors, perfect for a rich and decadent treat!
Ok, I've seen them all, and I think that I have finally chosen: Jessica's. I liked that she used what she had on hand (little to choose from because of a move). That is what we non-Paper Craft employees do. We use what we have available--we spin gold from hair.
The clouds as a decorate at the top of the card is an adorable way to use that sketch. Picking one fav is hard though because each creation is so unique.
What great projects!
I love Betsy's upside down version - very cool!
Oh, it is so hard to pick one favorite. I guess I choose Teri's 45 degree turn as the most innovative. I have a tendancy to have things lined up, evenly spaced etc., so this helped me to see that you don't always have to do that.
Carol B
www.scraphappystudio.blogspot.com
Wow! Which card is more spectacular than the next. This sketch has so much potential.
wow! these are all great! I especially love the "oh so sweet card"! love the whimsy feel of it!
I love the sketch being used for gift boxes and bags as well as rotating the sketch for a different look. Creativity and imagination rocks! Lori B!
I loved Betsy's Upside Down Version, Her card colors were so vibrant and all the layers and detail. I just wanted the card.
The hop was fun. All the creations shared were unique. Great to think out of the box!!! Thanks for the inspiration and I hope I win a copy before I buy it!!!!
I feel in love with the first example..the gift bag! It's too cool to be able to take that "1" sketch and make so many, many, and even more versions. I'd love to be one of the winners...cuz I want this issue!!!!!
I like the upside down sketch... I think that's my favorite. Thanks for sharing all those lovely cards and for the chance to win!!
The most inspiring way to stretch a sketch to me is to turn it upside down or move it left or right. I almost always change an original sketch. Thanks for the chance to win!
Terri's turning it 45 degrees is pretty clever! Loev them all tho!
I'd have to say turning that sketch into a 3-D project amazes me!!! Wonderful idea.
lisa a.
Definitely I am always inspired by BETSY!!! Her post was the first I visited, and when I saw the sketch, I was like, What can anyone do with that??? But when I saw her card, I just swooned. I love Betsy and her style! And upside down too :)
So many great ideas....I liked turning the sketch on its side so the scallop is on the left...and also upside down! All of these ladies worked magic with this sketch! Thanks for the inspiration!
I loved the way Betsy used the hearts upside down to make the scallops....
DeniseB
Kim Kesti's turn to the left appeals to me most! For starters, I have never thought about turning a sketch on it's side. I have turned them upside down, but never on it's side. Good stuff here today! And the sketch just makes the most sense to me turned on it's side to the left.
They are all so super, but Beatriz' card spoke to the shabby lover in me!
I love all the takes on the sketch! But my favorite card/project...is Betsy's card with the clouds instead of the scallops!! GENIUS!!
I love them all but Alicia's is something I can do for my teenage son. I'm enjoying this week!!
OMG the bag is so cute...never would have thought to use a sketch that way!
Maile's card looks so rich with realtively simple adornment!
I love love love Maren's card so happy and fun and well I am just butterfly crazy right now!
Kim H is always inspiring!
All the gals did a great job--I am so inspired...I just need to have one of the Gals figure out how to add time in the day so I can try all of the sketches:) That's their new challenge: How does one scrap/create with little time!! :)
Thanks so much for everything! Great job, GALS!
Ok, I want to stay with the original sketch due to:
Long and narrow makes you look skinner and also with the title toward the top, more people pay attention to your "top" and not your "bottom". Does it sound like I have an obsession about something else and it is overlapping into my scrapbooking? LOL (hey, you asked for a reason and I am willing to accommodate!)
Have a great day and thanks for all these great sketch ideas!
I love the different ways the scallops were interpreted -- in lace, upside down, and my fave, clouds! So creative!
I love Betsy's card - the clouds she used just float off the top of the card and the layers work together so well!
I love whenever I see a sketch used for something other than a card or layout- always looks so original!
Julie's box is probably the biggest stretch for me. I would never have thought of using a sketch on a 3D project. The uses are truly endless aren't they?
I like how Jessica turned her's upside down. I am always trying to make the most out of a sketch. Thanks for the chance to win.
I just love the white paper bag by Sarah Martina Parker! Too cute!
I love Debbie Olsen anyways, but her card is Gorgeousness. I have to leave a link to my blog cause I got so confused with all the challenges that I made a card with this sketch myself. I have to share it...
http://nikkistamps.blogspot.com/2010/04/celebrate-rejection.html
90 degrees to the left! Wow! love that!
90 degrees left is great!
I found that gable box most inspiring! Way to think outside the box. I usually stick to cards but this has definitely inspired me!!
I liked terri's where she tilted it 45 degrees- that was very creative!
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