New Becky Higgins Sketches Book

[shazzt]

Becky Higgins is doing another sketches book (yay!!) and they are calling for layout submissions by 21 March. Link is here if any are interested:
http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/mag/your_work/?forward=submit_idea&index_field=110

[Angie]

I am thinking about doing this. But I am finding it very difficult. I usually never work off sketches and I am finding that it is hard for me to get my creative juices flowing. Maybe I am thinking to much about where to place the pictures and this is why I just can't get the scrapping excitement going. Anyone else having this problem??? Or is it just me?

How many have you all scrapped? How many do you plan to submit?

[Funtolearn]

Talk about ESP LOL I just came to DSU to suggest a challenge using The new layouts to submit and DSP Artist kits. I thought we could get some good layouts to submit and get in a good word for DSP.
Muriel

[Angie]

I really need help getting myself excited about this.... so the more people working on it the better. Lets show CK how wonderful the DSP members are!!! :D

[andyapc]

Angie - I'm like you. Sometimes I find it hard to work off of a sketch. I spend so much time making sure I'm copying the sketch that my creativity kind of slows down to a mere crawl. :(

[nclauri]

But doesn't she almost always have a layout that didn't follow the sketch exactly? Isn't the sketch like a starting point and they want to see what everyone will do with their own personal touches.

[Angie]

I believe you are right, I looked at her other sketch book and it looks like you just need to use it as a guide and use your own interpretation of it to make a layout that is right for your pictures.

Lets get going on these---- post here when you have one done :)

[bpalmer]

This is my first attempt at this... any suggestions or comments on improvements would be greatly appreciated! :) Sketch # 6 (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26369&password=&sort=2&cat=500&page=1)

[Angie]

Wow, I love it. You have inspired me. I will just have to get some of these done. :)

[valeri]

Im just the opposite as you angie! I love sketches, makes it really easy to place things. Most of the time I make myself think of where to put things to challenge myself, lol

This is the one that I did. Sketch#4 Oregon Trail Museum (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26181&password=&sort=2&cat=500&page=1). I want to get some more done though. It was fun! :)

[Amanda]

Angie and Andy - maybe you are finding it hard because your style is more graphic????

I LOVE LOVE LOVE sketches! I was published in CK last year in their sketch column.

I usually have a ton of photos and sketches just make it so easy to lay them all out.

[Angie]

Yep, you are right Amanda. :) I need to try to find a balance between my style and the sketches. Right now I am trying to scrap to meet the sketch, I need to change this and try to scrap to meet my style. (does that make sense?) I have the day off tomorrow and want to try to get some of these done. I really like the ones that have 19ish pictures on them. :)

[andyapc]

Amanda - I think you are right. I am so comfortable with the graphic style and I am so uncomfortable working with elements. I look at a kit and am just stumped - I have no idea what to do with it. Why I have collected so many, I have no idea. I think this is so odd, because when I was a paper scrapper, I used lots of different embellishments on my layouts. And Angie ... I found myself doing the same thing.

Yesterday (and this is no lie) I spent over 4 hours trying to do a 2 page layout following one of the sketches and using a kit - I was up until almost 2:00am. And at the end of it all, I was so frustrated that I wound up deleting the entire thing.

Do you think it's OK to follow the sketches but do it in a graphic style, without any elements? Or do they not like that type of design?

[Funtolearn]

I think it would be a nice idea to show people other ways to scrap. Why not graphic style? She wants to get as many people interested in her sketches as possible, boraden the field so to speak.
Muriel

[niccikatie]

I just got done with this layout using sketch number 38. I guess you would say it's a more graphic style?!?! I figure that they *want* you to put some of you in it ya know? Anyway, here's page one (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26428) and here's page two (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26429&password=&sort=1&size=medium&cat=500&page=). I would love some cc if you have any as well!

[Amanda]

Do you think it's OK to follow the sketches but do it in a graphic style, without any elements? Or do they not like that type of design?

The page I had published in CK last year was more graphic :) No embellishements at all.

[Angie]

Well, I finally got a sketch finished. I used her sketch #39 in a 8.5 x 11 format. It was fun :)

Here is the linkColors of Fall (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26496) BH Sketch #39

[bpalmer]

This may sound kinda dumb but how is everyone submitting thier layouts? Scrapsubmit or emailing it directly? I've not really done this before so any suggestions would be great! :)

[Funtolearn]

These are the directions on the CK site:
MAGAZINE
Send Us Your Work



Call for Becky Higgins' second Sketches book
Hey, fabulous & talented scrapbookers!

Ready for an assigment? Don't worry—this is optional AND fun.
I'm working on another Sketches book (yippee!) and I'd love
to see your best page submissions for the publication due out
this fall. I've drawn almost 60 brand-new sketches for this project.
Simply look at the sketches and create a fabulous layout or two (or ten)
based on the ones that work best for your pictures. Submit these by March 21, 2005,
and we'll be in touch if we choose your work to publish in my book.

Please include the number of the sketch that your layout is based on
in the subject line of your email.
Send your submissions to sketches@creatingkeepsakes.com. Or you
can mail them to: Fred Brewer, 14850 Pony Express Road, Bluffdale, UT 84065.

http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/mag/your_work/?forward=submit_idea&index_field=110

Hope this helps.
Muriel

[andyapc]

I managed to actually follow a sketch (#20) - here it is:

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26532

[bpalmer]

I'm having fun with these sketches. I haven't used them alot before now but this is another one. I combined the color challenge and the sketch. Let me know what you think.
75 Insp-Ear-ational Years of Mickey Mouse (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26803&nocache=1)
Thanks!

[niccikatie]

Here (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26973&cat=500&page=1) is another layout I did based off of one of Becky's sketches. This was based off of number 10 and inspired by the March smile challenge. CC always welcome :)

[andyapc]

Yippeeee - did another one! I think I'm getting to like these sketches!!

Sketch #18. (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26904)

[niccikatie]

Yippeeee - did another one! I think I'm getting to like these sketches!!


Me too! I LOVE seeing what everyone else is doing, as well! The last one you did is fabulous :)

Here is my latest! Sketch #55 (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27089&cat=500&page=1)

[digiscrapjunkie]

Here's one I did based on #22; this is my first attempt at a LO based on a sketch.

Three Going on Twenty (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=26937&cat=500&page=1)

[SuzanneCWalker]

Oh, GREAT, thanks a lot. Like I have time for a new OBSESSION?????????

Can you hear the sarcasm? These are all awesome, AWESOME!!!!!!! WOW!!

I just must now go try my hand - you've INSPIRED me once again!

[andyapc]

This time, I followed #53. I gotta admit, these sketches are awesome for getting tons of pics on a layout.

Sketch #53 (http://tinyurl.com/5qp5e)

[bpalmer]

these are getting addicting! here is my 3rd. Based on sketch #1.
Happy Birthday Grandma! (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27351)

[BerryGirl]

This has been fun but it takes awhile. Usually I use sketches as a jumping off point but my finished lo doesn't look much like the sketch. I like the way these turned out though!
sketch 54
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27470
sketch 47
http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27469&cat=500

[digiscrapjunkie]

#40

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27608&cat=500&page=1

Kathy

[andyapc]

Another one I did:

sketch #5 (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27580)

[niccikatie]

Here's my latest. I'm SO addicted!

Sketch 40 (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27667&cat=500&page=1)

[Rosemary]

Now it's my turn! I used lots more photos than I first thought I could when I took these, so I'm very happy!

Layout #27 (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27751&cat=500&page=1)

[AfterMath]

Yay! I did a sketch! I took #23 and rotated the whole thing 180 degrees so that my pictures could "hang" on the clothesline.

Here are the links:
Good Clean Fun - Left (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27758&cat=500&page=1)
Good Clean Fun - Right (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27757&cat=500&page=1)

Let me know if you have ideas for making it better. It doesn't look quite as natural as I hoped it would. I wasn't sure what to do with shadows, etc. But I learned how to make a (very simple) brush! It was fun to do, anyway!

Thanks! :D

[niccikatie]

Man, I did ANOTHER one. I'm really digging these sketches. They really get the ideas flowing for me :)

Sketch 19 (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27792)

Everybody's are turning out so nice too!

[digiscrapjunkie]

Me, too! I'd never done a LO from a sketch 'til these came out, but I'm sure doing LOs with more pictures thanks to Becky!

Where'd it go? (#9) (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27836&cat=500&page=1)

[irishgoose]

I really liked sketch #10 and immediately thought of which photos to use. I even got brave and submitted.

Here it is!
How Do You Measure Up? (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27870&cat=500&page=1)

[LauraLou]

I have been using the Becky Higgins sketches for a couple of weeks, now. I chose 3 double layouts to send her. I would appreciate any comments so I am not TOO disappointed when they don't get chosen.

Snow Bunny-Left: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27601&cat=500&page=1

Snow Bunny-Right: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27602&cat=500&page=1

Miss Toddler-Left: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27211&cat=500&page=1

Miss Toddler-Right: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27210&cat=500&page=1

Child of my Child-Left: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27137&cat=500&page=1

Child of my Child-Right: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27153&cat=500&page=1

[andyapc]

Well, I just viewed them, and I don't think you have anything to be worried about! I think they're adorable!

[LauraLou]

Thanks, Andy, I just uploaded another two pager that I sent Becky Higgins but hadn't displayed here.

Baptism Right: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27965&cat=500&page=1

Baptism Left: http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27966&cat=500&page=1

Although I was an editorial designer for 18 months, I never submitted anything except what I was hired to do. This is pretty scary!

[valeri]

I did another one last night

Faded Memories pg1 (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27967&cat=500&page=1)

Faded Memories (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=27968&cat=500&page=1)

[bpalmer]

Another dumb question... when you are submiting are you putting the 2 pages together and sending it as one file or are you sending each page as a seperate file? Also are you giving them the credits now or do you wait till they contact you. I've not done this before and I just want to do it right the 1st time! :D
Thanks!

[andyapc]

This was the first time I've submitted directly to the magazine instead of through ScrapSubmit. Even though I made my pages separately, I plopped them onto one canvas and sent them the entire 2 page spread at once. They told me that as long as an image was under 500k, it was acceptable and that it didn't have to be of the highest quality. As for credits ... I'm not sure - I didn't need any for mine, but I did include my font choices.

[bpalmer]

Thanks! I'm off to email the 3 I have done!

[Rosemary]

Anyone else had their email submission to CK Sketches bounced back by the MS exchange server at CK?

[niccikatie]

Anyone else had their email submission to CK Sketches bounced back by the MS exchange server at CK?

Yep! I found they had to be around 200k for mine to go through. I was trying to send them bigger than that at the beginning. HTH!

[rebecca burkett]

Was reading through here...interesting comments. I wish I could work with sketches. I am an empty shell as far as creativity goes if I do not have a picture. For me, everything comes from the picture. My mind is a total blank without the colors, textures, mood, and all that photo stuff to inspire me. Just wanted to say I relate to this thread and I have been trying to do something from the sketches, but no dice. When I paper scrapped I used Becky Higgins sketches all the time though! go figure

[andyapc]

Rebecca, I was the same way. It was extremely hard for me to follow a sketch. I felt like it restricted what little creativity I had, because I was consumed with adhering to the sketch.

But I've done a couple now and except for one, I'm finding that they are all pretty much in keeping with my style. I'm getting more comfortable with them, and I think they're great for fitting a lot of pics on a page, but I still think "winging it" is more up my alley.

That being said, I managed another one, based on sketch #16. You can see it here (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28038).

[Rosemary]

thanks niccikatie, that indeed was the problem!

[digiscrapjunkie]

Three more...I'm hooked (and submitting waaaay too many of these, LOL!)!

Dog Days, #11. (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28218&cat=500&page=1)

Beautiful, #28. (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28217&cat=500&page=1)

Papa Zeke's Truck, #6. (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28221&cat=500&page=1)

TFL!

[bpalmer]

Don't forget to email your layouts if you haven't all ready done it! There are so many awesome layouts that have been done I can't wait to see how many from DSP get in! :D
I'm off to email mine before I forget!

[niccikatie]

Yep, was just about to post the same thing! I can't WAIT to hear if any of us make it in :D Here (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28361&nocache=1) is my last effort, for submission at least ;)

[digiscrapjunkie]

My last effort, too. This is a double submission because they're also looking for farm pic LOs and since we live on a farm, LOL...

#25 (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28404&cat=500&page=1)

This has been so much fun and I've really enjoyed seeing everyones LOs!

[AfterMath]

I've been trying to submit something and it won't go thru no matter what size. I even sent a test email with no attachments and it still got bounced. Did this happen to anyone else? :confused: I was trying to sneak one in before midnight, but I guess I will miss it. This happened with another layout last night, but when I tried this morning it went thru, or at least didn't bounce back to me! It's as though they don't accept email at night! Any last-second ideas?!?

Thanks!

[shazzt]

I have heard of this happening to others. I think their inbox gets too full and bounces anything that comes in until they empty it. They must be getting an enormous number of submissions!

[Happy2bhere]

Here is mine: Tell me if it too large to see on screen. Trying to get the two page spread to upload correctly.

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28461

I too had a difficult time getting it to go through late one night towards the deadline. I waited till morning, made a very small sample (200K) and I didn't have anything come back but realized I sent them my no texture copy. Oh well, I'm just happy I sent something.

Thanks for looking,
Wendy

[AfterMath]

Well, as a last ditch effort at eleven-fifty-something last night I submitted mine thru their regular submission screen with a note that it was for the sketches. I hope they see it, but if not, no big deal, I just sent it for the fun of it. Anyway here are the links, it was sketch #4:

Jumpin' Jonahs! - Left (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28489&cat=500&page=1)
Jumpin' Jonahs! - Right (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=28488&cat=500&page=1)

This was only my second time doing a 12x12 layout, but I think I could get used to it!

Good luck to everyone who submitted! :D

[Kelly]

Does anyone know... how long after the submission deadline they usually take to notify you if you're a winner?

[Rosemary]

Thanks for asking Kelly, I was wondering the same thing.

[shazzt]

I think it will be a long wait. Someone on another forum suggested probably about June! They will probably have literally thousands of layouts to look through so don't hold your breath!