I love to scrapbook, but I have trouble coming up with my own layouts.  Mostly, I don’t feel like I know enough about composition, scale, balance, etc. to consistently create a layout that is pleasing to the eye.  I can tell you if I like a layout, though.  And that is where sketches come in for me.

One of my favorite scrapbook sketch artists is Becky Higgins, who is often featured in Creating Keepsakes magazine.    I used her June 2008 sketch (example and top sketch) as my inspiration for a Halloween page.  [editor's note: Upon review, I have noticed that this sketch is not actually a Becky Higgins.  My apologies to Amanda Probst, the creator of this sketch.  I have included links at the bottom of this post with actual Becky Higgins sketches.]

I found this great rub-on K& Company Halloween art at Michael’s and I decided to use it in place of the sun & title in the lower right-hand corner of the layout.  This is a 12X12 layout, my preferred size.

Here’s how it went…

I cut all my pictures using a small paper cutter (old skool Creative Memories brand).  The largest one I kept at 4X6, the middle size is 3X4, and the smallest is 2X3.

Then I gathered supplies.  Not sure where anything came from except the rub-on mentioned earlier and the small discs, which came from the $1 section at Target.  The rest is just in my stacks.

From there I layered the three papers together.  Green was the base, then a three inch strip of orange pattern on both green pages.  I tore the shiny black paper on one side and glued it over the top of the seam of green & orange. (sorry for the pic quality)  It really is just solid green paper.

I placed the pictures in the format from Becky’s original sketch.  I tucked the top edge of the uppermost pics under the torn border to give it a little something.  I did not mount any of my pictures, nor did I use any of the spiffy clips she had in the example.  I would have, but I used what was on hand. (again the photo quality is poo)

For the last step, I went hog wild with the rub-on art.  In addition to the main title at the bottom, I sprinkled a few ravens & cats along the black edge.  And there are three spiders dangling where the original sketch had the circle & flower.  I also used the orange paper and plastic discs with brads to replace the journaling boxes in the original design.  I felt like these pictures spoke for themselves.  And I hate the writing part.
Left Page:

Right Page:

Close up of the embellishments:

And for the record, the future Mr. Lanigan did indeed carve a Miller High Life pumpkin.  At Easter he made a Coors egg.  Are we sensing a pattern?  Perhaps beer themed crafting will be a future post…

Becky’s Sketch Downloads from Creating Keepsakes Magazine

October 2008

September 2008

August 2008