left template
right template

The layout uses 6 photos and 5 patterned papers.

This 6 photo sketch uses all uncropped 4×6 pictures and can be created with just 5 sheets of 12×12 paper.  It uses a large title, and the large right side circle balances that.

The layout uses 8 photos, and arranges them just a little differently. On the left side, a photo was used in the title, and 4 2×3 photos replaced the 2 6×4 photos. On the left side, the journaling circle was replaced with a photo, and two larger photos were used instead of the four. Three patterned papers were used.

So often I see 1 page layouts with 1 large photo, but what do us 2-pager-multi-photo gals do with that?  How about something like this 6 photo layout?

I cropped my photos a little more than called for in the sketch, because I had an extra photo and wanted to add some embellishments.  I didn’t need to journal, so replaced the journaling block with another embellishment.  There are 4 patterns and 2 solids used in this layout, all from the Basic Gray Granola collection.

The layout, using BasicGrey Marrakech, does have cropped photos on it, because I wanted to show the paper a little more, and add some journaling and embellishments.

The layout uses 7 photos, though one of them is tucked into the title.  There is no journaling, just a quote, because the pictures and title say it all.  I don’t usually leave so much space that doesn’t have photos in it, but the busy word paper made me okay with the idea.  As it turned out, this is one of my favorite layouts I’ve ever done.

The layout only uses 6 photos, to allow more room for journaling.  And instead of a large photo on the right, I used Tim Holtz Grungeboard Numbers (which I love!)  I used 3 patterned papers and 3 solids.

In this 6 photo layout, the photos have been cropped more than in the sketch, to allow more room for embellishments, and the large initial (number, in this case) starts the title that is finished in the journaling (Five Things I Love About Easter).

This 7 photo sketch, with 4 large and 3 smaller photos, could easily be altered to use just 4 photos and 3 embellishments.  I don’t often design with a large focal photo on the right page, but it works this time partly because of the size progression of the photos on the left side.  (I think… really, I’m not a design expert, so am just guessing, folks!)

In this layout, I only used 6 photos, and added extra title space.  I also left space for journaling at the bottom left of the right page.  The layout uses 5 patterns and 1 solid.

This sketch has a strong focal point on the left side, with several overlapping circles and circle outlines.  Due to the placement of the title, it is best to use a solid paper for the outermost circle.  The larger circle on the right helps bring visual balance to the layout.

This layout, created by Robin S, was the original inspiration for all of the layouts and sketches.  The circle outline on top of the focal photo on the left is painted chipboard, but you could also use paper and popdots for the same effect.  There are 3 patterns and 4 solids (or almost solids) on this layout.

Take Two!

The second sketch orients the focal picture horizontally, and uses a different size photo altogether. There are also more photos on this sketch, plus room for a subtitle and journaling. While the layout of the paper initially looks similar, you’ll see some changes if you look closely… for instance, the 3rd circle in the top left corner of the right side.

This layout, created by me, happens to be one of my all-time favorites that I have done. (The rest of the title quote says, “…is our favorite place to be.”) There are 4 patterns and 2 solids used here.

Take Three!

The third sketch gets the most pictures on the layout, at 7, and still leaves room for journaling. Christine liked my idea of using a second circle on the right side, but she brought it out of the corner and down to the middle of the sketch. Also, while her focal photo on the left is vertical (like the original), it is smaller and she used a smaller and more offset topping circle.

The layout, created by Christine P, at first appears to be simpler, but still manages to sneak in a few doo-dahs!  A major embellishment constant on these layouts is the ribbon(s) on the top outline circle on the left side. Not only are they fun, they take up some of the “dead” space near the top of the layout. And while it may look like the circles on all these layouts are different sizes, I promise you they are all exactly the same size! This layout uses 4 patterns and 2 (almost) solids.

This is the 7 photo layout that Christine created. It uses 4 patterns and 1 solid. She amazes me how she can just start cutting paper and sticking it down, without knowing how she’s going to crop her pictures or where they’re going to be placed. Her layouts always turn out looking great, though!

Before I created the sketch, I was inspired to create my own version of Christine’s layout. I only used 6 photos, but kept the same basic elements of the layout and the sketch. It uses 3 patterns and 4 solids.