Calvinball Bonus Rule #2 - Using a GIS Sketch or template

One of the first rules that was added to Calvinball this year was to use sketches from Get It Scrapped.  I love using sketches as a starting point for my scrapbook layouts.  If left to my own devices, all of my layouts start to look the same.  The use of sketches helps me break out of my box in this way.  I tend to modify and alter sketches to better suit my photos and the story I am documenting.  I may rotate the sketch or change the sizes of the photos.

Always and Forever Sisters

I created this first page, Always and Forever Sisters, of my daughter and her oldest (step)sister, using a sketch (#101) from Get It Scrapped.  I really liked the mix of photos and embellishments that it shows in the sketch.  It also provides a good deal of white space potential.  I used one of my page kits that I created for my Calvinball Prep. 

Amazing, Beautiful You!

I also created Amazing, Beautiful You! using a Get It Scrapped Sketch (#97).  This layout is a letter to my daughter about all the ways that she amazes me every single day.  In the journaling I noted how loved she makes me feel and her recent tendency to pass out hugs and kisses, which has been a nice change from a few months before when she was rather stingy with giving out love.  I also created this page with the same page kit as the first one above.

Let Your Style Shine

You can see that my style still shines through these pages despite having used sketches for both of them.  My favorite things to add to scrapbooking layouts are gems or sequins and other small little bits within my clustered areas.  I also included my handwriting for my journaling, which I try to do for every layout.  And of course, I love including patterned paper - its my favorite product to buy!  You can find even more sketches for inspiration on my Pinterest Board.  Get It Scrapped as a ton of sketches on their blog as well.

Increase Your Productivity and Speed with Sketches

Usually sketches increase the speed and productivity for my scrapping, which is one of the reasons I enjoy using them.  Especially in a competitive speed scrapbooking challenge like Calvinball!  When I start with a sketch I spend about 30 minutes per layout.  Normally layouts like these two would have taken me at least an hour to complete.  The reason sketches greatly increase my productivity and speed is because the design choices have been made for you already.  Even better, by combining sketches with prepped page kits you can be even more productive and open yourself up to increased creativity as design and product choices have already been decided!

Do you use sketches in your scrapbooking?  Do they seem to help or hinder you in your process?  I'd love to hear about any other sketch resources you have, just leave me a comment down below!