Here’s Robin’s layout.  She used more than 5 patterned papers, but since the set was double-sided, she was able to get the most bang-for-her buck based on how she used them.  Popping some of the circles up is an important part of the design.

But wait, there’s more!  You will notice that the right side of the Robin’s layout really differs somewhat from the sketch.  That’s because the sketch is created from already-created layouts, and the right side is from my scraplift of Robin’s layout.  The papers are the same, the general idea is the same, but you can see how I made it my own.  Notice I didn’t use as many little circles, and my flourishes are different… and that’s okay!

After creating the layout above, I was working in a different album, and decided to use the sketch again (yes, I use & re-use my own sketches!)  Even fewer little circles, but it all still works.  (Just a note, I discovered the fun of making my own patterned paper on this layout, as I needed another pattern.  So I foam stamped the yellow cardstock and voila!)

The layout uses 5 patterns and 1 solid, but only 3 photos. I had never done a 3 photo layout before, but this time  I didn’t have much choice.  I’m very pleased with the result, though!  And while I didn’t have a photo to hang off the mat, the over-sized numbers work just the same way.

The layout, using 4 patterns (even those that look like a solid here have a slight pattern), is one of my all-time favorites.  You know those layouts that you do, and then you can’t stop looking at them?  This is one of those, for me.

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.

I created this 8 photo layout before the sketch, and it is one of my personal all-time favorites. I used papers from K & Company’s Urban Rhapsody collection.  I think there are 9 different patterns here, but that is only because the paper is double sided (I do try to limit myself to no more than 5 patterns, when I buy paper!)

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 layout focuses on faces, but could be used for anything.  It would be great for a “through-the-years” type of layout… in fact, I may just have to do that myself!  There are 4 patterns and 4 solids used here.

This layout uses 4 patterns and 1 solid. It is only 7 photos, and you can see how I adjusted the sketch to make room for embellishments. Almost all of the photos are cropped just a little smaller, and the journaling is limited to the circle on the right side of the layout. One of my favorite things about this layout, though, is the bent corner. To achieve that, you must use double-sided patterned paper.

The layout is different from the sketch in that I only used 8 photos. Using fewer photos allowed me to have a larger title, to include the cute crab embellishment (I couldn’t resist, even though I haven’t used a die cut in years!) and to include more journaling (part of the Sea Lion brochure). I used 3 patterns and 3 solids.