If you love using sketches to brainstorm ideas for your scrapbooking projects, you won't regret investing in a copy of Scrapbook PageMaps. Written by popular scrapbook sketch artist Becky Fleck, this great new idea book contains 60 never-before-seen sketches in five sizes, along with more than 140 breathtaking layouts and an innovative idea card deck that's guaranteed to inspire your creativity.
Using Sketches to Jump Start the Creative Process
Many scrapbookers say the biggest obstacle to completing their albums is simply finding the time to scrapbook. Once they've gathered all the necessary photos, patterned paper, and embellishments, they're too busy to spend hours trying to come up with the perfect layout arrangement. Luckily, Scrapbook PageMaps takes care of this step for you. Simply choose the size of layout you wish to create and flip to the correct color-coded section of the book to find a sketch that fits your needs. The book's spiral binding is designed to lie flat on your work surface, so you can easily refer to the sketch you've chosen while you're completing your layout.
Scrapbookers who are new to the concept of using sketches often fear that this tactic will limit their creativity. In Scrapbook PageMaps, Becky Fleck is joined by 14 scrapbookers with varying artistic styles. Watching each artist put her own unique spin on the sketches is sure to give you several ideas for how to adapt the featured designs to suit your own needs! There are also tips and technique demonstrations scattered throughout the book that you can use if you're in the mood to experiment.
Interview with Becky Fleck
Recently, Becky Fleck took some time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions for the readers of LoveToKnow Scrapbooking.
How would you describe your personal scrapbooking style?
I lean towards a pretty linear style with a fair amount of dimension, but often get myself out of a scrapbooking rut by trying something new that departs from my typical style. It's fun to get out of my comfort zone from time to time.
How did you first become interested in creating sketches for scrapbooking?
Several years ago, I had a few page assignments to complete in a short amount of time and my creative mojo had left the building. I started sketching some designs on graph paper and quickly discovered how useful the sketches were. Since then, I almost always sketch my layout before actually putting it together.
Where do you get the ideas for your scrapbook sketches?
Ideas comes from many sources, but I've been inspired by billboards, advertisements and the magazine Anthem.
Your book includes both single and double page sketches for 8 1/2 x 11 and 12x12 pages. Do you have one size you use in your own albums or do you prefer to mix and match as the mood strikes?
I typically scrapbook in a 12x12 format, but since writing this book, I've grown quite fond of the 8 1/2 x 11 format, especially horizontal. The smaller format brings a page together so quickly!
Could you briefly describe your process for creating a layout for your own personal use? Do you begin with the photos and journaling or do you prefer to work with whatever products and techniques happen to inspire you at the moment?
Unless I have a very specific goal for the layout, I either draw a sketch or find one in my archives that fits the number of photos I have. Before I start a layout, I write my journaling. I then print the photos and hunt through my ever-growing stash of products for complimentary papers and embellishments.
Do you follow your sketches exactly or adapt as needed?
My layouts seldom turn out exactly as the sketch is drawn. In fact, there are many times when the page turns out so different that I create a new sketch from it.
The deck of laminated cards included with Scrapbook PageMaps is a fabulous idea for scrapbookers who like to shop for supplies as they complete a particular project. How did you decide to make the cards part of your book?
Before Memory Makers asked me to create this book, I had been planning to self-produce the deck of cards all by itself. When my editor and I talked about ideas for the book, we both thought it would be a great idea to incorporate the deck of cards into the back of the binding. It's definitely my favorite part of the book!
Are you bothered by the constant comparisons between PageMaps and the Becky Higgins column in Creating Keepsakes? Is the world of scrapbooking big enough for two amazing sketch artists?
It doesn't bother me at all! Becky Higgins has a much different sketching style than I do and I think her sketches very useful and handy. I detail my sketches in an effort to help out the beginner scrapbooker, but have discovered that even the most seasoned artist finds them a useful resource for their scrapbooking, too. This world is big enough for a lot of things, including many, many sketch artists!
What can fans of PageMaps expect to see from you in the future?
Shortly after finishing the book, I went back to work at BasicGrey. Between work and travel/teaching, I squeeze in time to maintain the site and bring everyone a fresh set of free maps each month. I'm constantly asked about "Volume II," but I'm just trying to survive the first book!
Additional Information
~A review copy of PageMaps was provided by the publisher for this article.
