This weekend I did a layout for the weekly sketch challenge at the Scrapbook Steals blog.

The interesting thing is that this is the FIRST layout I’ve done for baby Gwen (already 11 months old).  I am not planning to start her albums till the fall but I was inspired to do this layout and I didn’t think boy photos were going to go well with the colors here.

I made the layout first and then decided these would be great photos to use with this paper.  I  had just printed copies of these photos to give to family members for her upcoming birthday so I was thrilled to have them all ready to go.

All the supplies are from the Follow Your Heart collection by My Mind’s Eye (purchased from Scrapbook Steals). The subtle pink, green, ivory & peach are perfect for a baby girl layout.

Here’s the original sketch:

I liked this sketch because of the circles and the pennant pieces. I knew right away I’d have to extend it to a two page layout. I rarely do one page layouts because I have too many photos that I want to put on each layout. I have to make a concentrated effort to narrow down photos when preparing for a layout so they all don’t have 20 on them!   (not exactly but you get the point, editing is crucial for me)

I added buttons to the chipboard pieces and then cut strips of paper to put behind.    I threaded the twine through the buttons with a thick needle and also put a cute pink/white bow through the blue button.  This is my first time using twine.  Love it and can’t wait to use again.

Variations:

• Extended the layout to two pages
• Tried to have the 1/2 & 1/4 circles hanging above/through the banner but it didn’t work.    I added some straight strips of paper to attach the hanging banner so that it would be grounded to the layout.
• Carried pennant across both pages and changed the shape of the pieces.
• I put a larger title where the journal block was placed.
• Skipped journaling on this layout because all the room the photos take up. The large one is 5×7 & the other three are 4×6

I punched small holes in the top of the pennant pieces and then strung the twine through.  Glue dots worked perfectly to secure all the little pieces.  I considered adding buttons to some of the pennant pieces but then decided not to.  There’s a lot going on in the photos with the pearls, flower headbands & hats and I didn’t want to take away from the lovely photos (taken by our favorite photographer)

Supplies:  chipboard accents, twine, decorative buttons, pattern papers-My Mind’s Eye Follow Your Heart collection,  cardstock-Bazzil, black letter stickers-Making Memories, cardstock letter stickers-Thickers

I am planning to do one more layout and then some cards with this beautiful Follow Your Heart line.   I have yet to use the shiny & colorful decorative brads that are  that will be GREAT on some cards.