Edit: the giveaway has now been closed & winner picked. Comments still open though, in case of question and stuff :)
I’ll be the first one to admit that uh, sketches isn’t really my forte. Not if I *have* to follow it step by step (although in some cases it’s the most simple and actually the best solution). But – if you can allow yourself to handle a sketch quite freely without really feeling you have to do this and that because it’s on the sketch then it can be a wonderful startingpoint. And that’s what it is to me.
It’ll tell me how many pictures and elements I’m supposed to use, then it’s up to me to see during the process depending on what I have for hand if it’s actually necessary having this and that on the layout or if I’ll just ruffle it up and flip and add and deduct and put together and whatever.
Now, that being said – if you’re entering a sketch-contest you might want to double check what’s allowed to do with the sketch – some allows you to flip or mirror the sketch, others are more rigid. If it’s a contest then the rules laid down needs to be followed imho, and you really ought to be able to see on the layout that yeah, it’s the sketch alright – to make it just for everybody.
But if you’re creating just for yourself, just to get your project a flying start – then be my guest – do whatever you want with the starting point!
I’ going to share my process of working with a sketch from start to end. My starting point here is this sketch found at page 88 in the new Pencil-Lines Sketch Book by Anna Bowkis, the founder of Pencil-Lines. (You can purchase the book from here and yes, you can also find several of my layouts in the book so yes, this is a bit of self-promotion :) ) It’s a pretty three-photopager with nice elements which can be interpreted two ways – either with the scalloped border as your 12x12” base, or with the larger frame as the 12x12” base. I chose the latter. You can see from Annas example on the same page in the book that she chose the first.
Here’s the original image of the sketch, courtesy of Anna: 
And some glimmer mist to add some more interest to the background. But ofcourse :) Grabbed a brush, shaked and opened the bottle and soaked the brush so I could spray larger splotches on the paper with my fingers running through the brush (not sure if I’m explaining it correct, but I hope you understand what I mean. I mean – this is kindergarten-stuff :) )
For the square background (the scalloped one on the sketch) I decided to go with an oldie but goldie from Hambly Screenprints – a mini graph transparency in black. It would provide a nice background to the pictures I thought, without really taking any focus from the pictures themselves plus still allow the lovely splatterfun on the background to show through. I also decided to handcut the green “Hanging Heliconias” paper – I cut out three strips of them. I like how the Kelly-green color (note to self: obtain more scrappy papers in Kelly-green! Such a lovely color!) compliments the layout.
I decided to staple the strips to the transparency before continuing. (I like to use my staples for pretty much everything. Especially when attaching embellishments that I want to still be a bit loose in the ends sort of.
Pulled out my Luxe-labels.
Decided that my title needed help to stand out on the layout, hence the label. 
Threw a quick glance on the sketch and thought mkay, I can do something indicating the horizontal strip of paper. But I didn’t want it that broad (repeating: because I didn’t want it to steal too much attention from the pictures. I had a feeling solid patterned papers would in this case.) Ended up whippin up my Hambly Kraft stickers for this purpose.
Only, I’m so cheap that I measure and cut stuff in two where it’s supposed to be covered anyways. What can I say. I love my Hambly! :p 
Here’s the sketch again:
I think I did an ok job keeping most of the elements as they were on the sketch. When I work with a sketch I look at it in the beginning, trying to memorize how it looks – then while working on the layout itself I try to not look too much on the sketch, but rather pull the elements from my memory. It feels it’s easier then to not be stuck on something on the sketch that you might not agree with/doesn’t work for your project, and rather than getting annoyed or frustrated, just move on and do stuff on your own.
Materials: Scenic Route, Luxe Designs (labels and alphas), Hambly Screenprints, glimmermist and distress ink.
Hope you enjoyed todays walkthrough on working on a sketch/layout. Figured I’d do such a post on Sunday, as that’s when the Pencil-Lines sketch of the week is posted. And since we split the DT and it’s my Sunday off today I figured I’d post this one instead :)
Also – as you might have guessed – there will be a copy of the Pencil-Lines Sketch Book included in the giveaway :) It's a mighty fine book (how can I say otherwise - I'm in that book *wink* ;) ) - spiral bound (HUGE plus imo), 40 sketches (including single and double ones) and three different interpretations of each sketch...you'll also be guidelined on how to use sketches and so on in the book.
So. Simply just drop me a comment (if you're not sure what to say, how bout - what's your stance on sketches? Yay or nay?) on this post and you’re in for the drawing of the huge giveaway occurring on March 18th (to see what else is in the giveaway scroll to the previous tutorial-posts :) ). For more chances on the giveaway, just add my blog to your reader/rss-feed and drop me a second comment. If you already do have my blog in your reader, and want a second ticket, just comment away :)
Also, if you’re new to this blog and missed out on the previous tutorials, just scroll down and comment away – they’re still open for new comments :)
See you all again soon with new tutorials and new winner-chances :) And thank you all so much for celebrating my bloganniversary with me :)
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gorgeous layout and interesting to see how you put it all together from the sketch! :)
What fun! I love the page--what a great tutorial! You really broke it down in detail--awesome job!
Nice LO - Interesting to se how you work :)
thanks for showing us how you work the sketch ... that was fun! Sketches always help when my mojo is stuck, or when I just don't want to think of a starting point. :)
wow! thank you for showing us this. love the step by step.. your lo is fab as always.
and you know what, seeing the clutter behind the step by step photos makes me miss my own..used to have those when i was still in the philippines, lol! :D don't have a table now where i am... and don't have that much to clutter anyways hehehe
oh and im a follower as well... aside from subscribing to your feed... ;)
Thanks for sharing with us how you work a sketch and for the "paint brush + ink tip" Love your take on the sketch.
Vad kul att se hur du tänker när du skapar efter en skiss! Och snyggt som bara den blev det! =)
Gorgeous layout and I love your take on the sketch! Thanks for your step-by-step walk through!
I used not to get sketches but now I love them. Sometimes the intial jumping off point is all I need - sometimes I follow slavishly but the inspiration is always great
Veldig gøy med sånne step-by-step med forklaringer! Supert hvis du fortsetter med det på bloggen (med og uten skisser) :D Og LOen ble kjempefin, jeg synes ikke det gjorde noe at det var mye skrift nederst, bare fint:) Tror jeg klarte å bli follower av bloggen din nå.. :)
Herlig Ania!
Skjønner ikke hvordan du får tid til dette, ved siden av jobben :o)
I like to use sketches if I'm going through a scraping block and I have no idea what to come up with. Usually my layout turns out nothing like the sketch but it got the creative juices flowing. Love your layout.
What a lovely sketchbook page, thanks for showing a beginner the process. Glad to see you work in the same way as me - a small space in amongst the crafting clutter! :-)
I tend to do my own design on a layout, but I do think following a sketch is easier.
Så artigt att se hur du gjør når du tolkar en skisse! Så lekkert resultatet blev! :)
Stilig! Moro å se "trinn for trinn" hvordan du tenker ang. skissen!
Og resultatet ble råkult!
Jeg har et litt blandet forhold til skisser. Noen ganger får de meg igang, mens de andre ganger hindrer kreativiteten.
I do like sketches to kickstart me over the getting started hurdle which is my thing sometimes. The book looks good. Thanks for the tutorial as well, I love getting a breakdown of how you get to the finished product.
love your take on this sketch! and loving all the inspiration this week
hugs xx
Great LO! The book looks fab. Might just have to get myself one of those :)
WOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!! Digg Ania!!!!! Herlig forklaring!!!!
Nice work! Would love to win the sketchbook!
I love to work from sketches and it's so interesting to see your process. Thanks for sharing.
love love love the idea! multiple ways to utilize beloved sketches is my FAVE way to work.
Hi Ania. I've commented in one other post and so this one might not count as far as the give-away and that's okay. Just stopped by to see what you were up to and to tell you that I now have a 2 inch braclet in black and pink. After doing the gesso I used Mars black and than used magenta using a top to bottom stroke with a brush and it gave me a wood-grain look with a purple hue as well. From there I cut two 1-1/4 inches of pink with black polka-dots fabric made a 1/4 inch fold and glued it down with white glue and added a scrap of paper to cover the one inch gap...I just ordered some glue for metal and other stuff so the two little buttons and three sparkles are waiting to be at home on the bracelet. I decoupaged it- I used 3inch post-it notes cut in half as the inside covering. I haven't done a scrapbook page in awhile- guess what I will be gathering and doing in just a little while? Happy happies.
I *need* to order that book! I love sketches for the same reason you do . . . as a starting point. I also like to create sketches based off of layouts I've already completed for others to use. LOVED reading your thought process as you put together your page! :D Awesome! Makes me want to pull out my spray mists and Hambly! Thanks for sharing your amazing ideas! ;)
That was mind-opening. Thanks. I don't often do sketches because I find I tend to interpret them exactly as they are (which doesn't feel very creative). This has given me a new perspective.
Gosh - I so need to get some Hambly in my stash!!
thanks for this- I have always struggled with sketches too- instead of making it easier for me, it always seems to restrict me. I need to work on not being so literal with the interpretation! Loved the idea to use the paint brush with the glimmer mist too!!
I also added you to my blog roll (http://embellissez-moi.blogspot.com)
thanks for the fun giveaways!!
Lovely layout, I tend to use sketches sporadically myself.
Du er bare den flinkeste til tutorials!
Klem
LOVE sketches! I adore the starting point...since starting is the hardest part, if I have a sketch, I can then get down to being creative!
I love sketches as a starting point. It helps with the blank page syndrome!
Your layout is gorgeous!
what a great tutorial! I especially like the tips on how to use the spray ink... am always curious how you guys use those to get such neat backgrounds. I love sketches - I like to start with a sketch for placement ideas.
Super skisse, kjempegøy at du viser hvordan den kan brukes :-)
Masse flottte tutorials hos deg for tiden!
jeg har hatt deg i bloggrollen min noen år allerede :-)
I LOVE sketches as a jump off point for when my mojo is playing peek a boo!!!
This was a really interesting post! I'm a sketchaholic myself and love to see how other interpret sketches.
Myself, I always use sketches - even if it's very often that the result isn't very much as the sketch... :)
that was really cool seeing you put that page together! I am really bad at layouts, so I am starting to find that sketches are a good starting point for me.
I love sketches! Lately I haven't really had time to scrap much and what I do seems to all be Skissedilla sketches. I used to do PencilLines every week for about a short year I think, don't know why I switched...
And I think I spy a fellow Fiskateer! My fav pair of scissors EVER!
Great sketches and layout!! Would love to win the book!
Also, you're in my reader already!!
Thanks for the tutorial, Ania. I'm not much of a sketch person but when I do attempt sketches, i do it pretty much the same way you do,ie I remember generally the key points and take it from there. My layouts never end up looking like the sketch. ;)
Thanks for the tutorials!! They are great!
Lekker layout ble det, så gøy ut med den turen ut til oljeriggene!
Jeg elsker skisser, synes de er en genial kreativ kickstarter. Av og til (okay, ofte) er den ferdige layouten min så langt fra skissen som man kan komme;)
Og du har vært på blogglista mi omtrent siden jeg laget bloggen min :)
I am a big scraplifter and sketches help me so much!
I have added your blog in my google reader.
Sometimes I work with sketches. Your LO is so nice, I like the photos and the colors...thanks for this tutorial. You are not in my feedreader, but your blog is on my blog-list. Does that count too?
This is stunning! I have found sketches to be more and more useful as of late. I am starting to really like them!
I totally follow your blog!
I LOVE what you did with this sketch. I'm a HUGE Pencil Lines Sketch fan :)! Thanks for another chance to win!
Hei Ania!
Kjempeflott tutorial :) Du er så effektiv at jeg nesten blir svett *lol*
Ha en fin uke, Klem
Jeg er veldig glad i skisser som utgangspunkt for mine LOer og denne boken hadde ikke vært dum nei ;)
I'm beginning to like sketches more and more, so doing my best to try the ones I see. =)
Hugs, Elenor
*skjønner ikke hvor overskuddet ditt kommer fra*
Kjempefin side! Jeg vil være glad i skisser, men jeg får det rett og slett ikke til. Jeg tror kanskje at jeg blir litt for "streng" med meg selv, alt må være som på skissen, og da blir det bare tull..
I love sketches. I often go through my albums and find a layout I make and create a sketch with it for a new layout.