Hi everyone! Allison Davis here today to share my first Life Documented project with you using I Heart Summer!
The Life Documented philosophy of sharing your memories in a quick, simple and meaningful way mixes well with what I do, create sketches. My goal when creating sketches is to help others save time and make the process of putting a page together easier giving you more time to focus on the photos, the story, and the memories.
One of my favorite things about sketches is that they are a great tool for any scrapbooker, even the seasoned pros! To a beginner they can be a guide from start to finish. To an advanced scrapbooker they can be a starting point to build on with their own creative ideas. I see the Life Documented products in the same way, from beginner to advanced, they work for everyone. Use them as they are for beautiful, effortless pages or add your own details and ideas to feed your creative needs.
I am so excited to share a sketch with you today that mixes the Life Documented style with traditional scrapbooking!
You can download the full sketch with measurements and placements here: Life Documented Sketch #1
The right side of the sketch is designed to work with the 12x12 Sn@p! Pocket Pages, Design 4. The left side of the sketch is designed to coordinate with the right page but uses a more traditional scrapbooking design. It's like the best of both worlds!
Here's a look at my layout based on the sketch above.
I heart the I Heart Summer collection! It was the perfect fit for a layout with our Summer vacation beach pictures. With this sketch and the Pocket Pages I was able to include a lot of photos (12 total) which is always a plus with vacation albums.
On the left page I created waves with two strips of paper and layered the smallest one over the larger one with foam adhesive. Making the waves is a super simple technique and one that I use often.
All you need to create the wave strips is a circle punch, I used a 1" punch for these waves. Flip the punch over so you can see where you are punching and then punch half circles along the strip.
I like to make my waves/punches at different heights. You can also use two different sizes of punches on the same strip for a similar look. After I punched the waves I added hand stitching along the tops to define those edges and help them stand out. (I also happen to have a stitching addiction and can't seem to make a page without including it!) I finished the waves with some of those cute fish stickers.
Here's a closer look at some more details on the left page:
I made some paper splashes and placed them so they are peeking out from behind a surf board sticker.
The title is constructed with several different letter stickers, the beach arrow sticker, and the fun little chipboard anchor.
I used a tab sticker and word sticker at the top of the photo and added a yellow brad to the center of the sun on the tab.
The right page took very little time to put together thanks to the Pocket Pages and cards! I added a few of my own details to the cards and photos.
On the 2 x 12 strip I added some stitching along the black strip and a few smaller pictures at the bottom.
I also added a stitched border around the quote bubble on the 3 x 4 fish card.
On the top photo I added my journaling.
If you don't have a picture with lots of open space like I did, try using a 3 x 4 photo with a 3 x 4 journaling card in that space. You can mount them on a 6 x 4 piece of cardstock to keep them in place in the pocket.
I think the middle card is my favorite out of all of them! The surf boards are so cute and the "life's a wave..." phrase fit so well with pictures of my son, Drew, attempting to boogie board.
I sanded the edges of my photos to help them stand out. I actually did this with all the pictures on my layout.
On the "Fun in the Sun" 4 x 6 card I added a few arrow stickers and sun to match the saying on the card.
On the bottom 4 x 6" picture I added a few word stickers to the top and bottom corner. I love word stickers! They are one of my favorite go-to embellishments!
My favorite part about this layout is that by using the Pocket Pages and cards I ended up with a detailed look without spending a ton of time it! The cards were so cute and I just added simple little touches here and there like the word stickers and stitching. When I'm working on a vacation album I need to save all the time I can on each page and I'm convinced that the Pocket Pages are the perfect way to do that!
I will be using the 12x12 Sn@p! Leather Album in black for my Life Documented pages. I love the leather and how well constructed the albums are.
I used the 12x12 Sn@p! Pocket Pages, Design 4 from the Variety Pack. You get so many different options and great designs with the Variety Pack!
Other I Heart Summer products I used were:
• Fundamentals Cardstock Stickers
• Expressions Cardstock Stickers
• Chipboard Stickers
• Decorative Brads
• Smooth Sailing Patterned Paper
• Daydream Patterned paper
• 3x4 Journaling Card Elements
• 4x6 Journaling Card Elements
• 2x12 Border & 4x12 Title Strip Elements
• Sn@P! Cards
I hope you have fun playing with the sketch and all the Life Documented products!
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Oh me, oh my! This layout is to die for! Love how you paired the full sized page with the pockets! Pinning this right away! :)
Posted by: Mendi Yoshikawa | June 28, 2013 at 12:13 AM
Your attention to detail in both your layout and in your description is outstanding!!
Posted by: Lisa Dones | June 28, 2013 at 12:52 AM
I have been really looking forward to your project. And, with good reason - it is amazing! Love the sketch and ALL of your special touches. Glad you are here with Simple Stories.
Posted by: Pokey Puppy | June 28, 2013 at 04:43 AM
Great sketch and I absolutely love your spread!! Awesome!!
Posted by: Tracey | June 28, 2013 at 04:51 AM
Gorgeous!!! LOVING the photos and the colors!!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | June 28, 2013 at 05:09 AM
Love this layout. Your ideas are inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
Posted by: Cheri | June 28, 2013 at 05:15 AM
fantastic fun! i love the mix of elements on your pocket page it really helps the page stand. Your obsession with stitching makes me smile! I am off to find those beach pictures I have waiting to be scrapped!
Posted by: michelle | June 28, 2013 at 05:32 AM
Fabulous sketch and page, Allison! Love the melding of traditional 12x12 scrapbooking and the Life Documented concept!
Posted by: Cynthia B. | June 28, 2013 at 06:12 AM
I absolutely adore your sketches and layouts. You are such an inspiration to me. Thank you for sharing your beautiful pages and stories with us :)
Posted by: Patricia Manley | June 28, 2013 at 06:55 AM
I love the sketch and layout...I believe I have soms holiday photo's left to scrap....although I can also imagine using it to scrap pictures of my little boy, who has a beach themed room.
Posted by: Annelies | June 28, 2013 at 07:39 AM
Have just discovered the sketch fusion and life documented projects. love your layouts.
Posted by: Priscilla W | June 28, 2013 at 07:53 AM
I also use the same album and I love it! Love the sketch and your layout! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Tiffany | June 28, 2013 at 07:55 AM
This is juts the style of scrapbooking I love! I do that a lot, a traditional layout with a divided page protector with pictures and embelishments, its such a fun and easy ways to use lots of fotos! Yours is sooo cute, tks for sharing!
Posted by: Debora Prass | June 28, 2013 at 08:09 AM
Absolutely love this layout!!!
Posted by: Michelle P. | June 28, 2013 at 08:13 AM
I love this!! I love Alison Davis and Simple Stories...two of my favorites! And this is how I have started scrapbooking...saves so much time, includes more pictures, and allows me to scrapbook traditionally also. Love!!!!
Posted by: Julie Jones | June 28, 2013 at 08:14 AM
Beautiful!!!
Posted by: Wendi | June 28, 2013 at 08:19 AM
Great layouts....love this idea for scrapping! Might just be my new way of scrapping all those photos that are waiting for me!
Posted by: Carolyn | June 28, 2013 at 08:25 AM
I may just have to purchase this so that I can do my vacation album this way! Love the idea of being able to get more photos in!! Thank you!!
Amy V
Posted by: Amy Vandiver | June 28, 2013 at 08:28 AM
Beautiful! What a perfect match Alison Davis and Simple Stories!
Posted by: C.O. | June 28, 2013 at 08:32 AM
Love the LO and the I heart summer. I think I need to get some LOL. It will be perfect for photos of my grandchildren. Thank you for the sketch. I got into a rut until I started acquiring Second Generation sketches. They have motivated me to get started again.
Posted by: Judith Aitken | June 28, 2013 at 08:43 AM
I always love your sketches, but I really, really like how you combined traditional 12x12 with those pocket pages! I've been wanting to try that and having a sketch (especially yours--always my go-to sketches) makes it so easy.
Posted by: Janet N. | June 28, 2013 at 09:27 AM
Love the look of these!!
Posted by: Carri B | June 28, 2013 at 09:28 AM
Fab sketch! Love your sketches and use them often! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: sdmoore | June 28, 2013 at 09:30 AM
I think this is awesome! I think this will be the way to get a lot of photos done!
Posted by: Karen | June 28, 2013 at 09:46 AM
Love this!
Posted by: Karen K | June 28, 2013 at 09:53 AM
Love the combination of traditional layouts with the divided page protectors!
Posted by: Merrilee W. | June 28, 2013 at 09:59 AM
Wow, that's really cool using pocket pages. I want to start using sketches and croplifting to help me break out of my same ole style. Pages all start looking the same. Thanks for the ideas!
Posted by: Susanne Pearce | June 28, 2013 at 10:05 AM
Love the layout and all the fun colors! Also love how you used the pocket page with the traditional layout
Posted by: Melinda Koch | June 28, 2013 at 10:15 AM
Love your fun summer layout.
Posted by: Celeste B. | June 28, 2013 at 10:32 AM
Great concept with half the layout being traditional and half being pocket pages. I love the colors of this line, too! Great book give away!
Posted by: Jennifer | June 28, 2013 at 10:38 AM
I am so happy to see Allison's work with Simple Stories!
Posted by: Laura C - Michigan | June 28, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Gorgeous!! I love the mix of traditional with a pocket page. Sweet!
Posted by: Amy | June 28, 2013 at 10:56 AM
Love this layout!
Posted by: Jackie Baker | June 28, 2013 at 11:13 AM
Wonderful LO! and I love the albums!
Posted by: Cindy Andrews | June 28, 2013 at 11:55 AM
That is just great looking. Lot's of nice parts to it and great use of the products. Nice to see the chalkboard in use too.
Posted by: Karen L K | June 28, 2013 at 11:59 AM
Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Jackie Gordon | June 28, 2013 at 12:16 PM
I am always amazed by all the little details you are able to add.
Posted by: Sheryl | June 28, 2013 at 12:29 PM
I love it! Great colors & details.
Posted by: Tabitha Stewart | June 28, 2013 at 01:03 PM
Love your inspiration!
Posted by: Marita | June 28, 2013 at 01:39 PM
I love all the up close details! The hand stitching is always my favorite. :) I think your placement of the journaling strips is great!
Posted by: wteagon | June 28, 2013 at 02:05 PM
Wonderful sketch, like the mix of traditional and SNAP styles, and such a cute layout spread you have created! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Kathy P | June 28, 2013 at 02:43 PM
I have anxiously awaited your post on this site. You did not disappoint me. I love the 12x12 mixed with the pocket page. I love your work and have since I first walked in Scrapbook Generations. I may get to stop by next week. Thanks for including the sketch. You ate awesome!
Posted by: Linda | June 28, 2013 at 02:58 PM
I'm so happy to see 12x12 pages and the pockets because its my favorite size. I'll follow this Simple Story closely! LOL
Posted by: Margaret Lewis | June 28, 2013 at 03:22 PM
Absolutely luv it!!!
Posted by: Rhiannon Metzger | June 28, 2013 at 03:27 PM
Love love LOVE this! And perfect for the photos I'll be getting on the Coast in a few weeks...
Posted by: Betty Weaver | June 28, 2013 at 03:35 PM
Love your layout and the sketch too, Allison! The left side looks like it could be a great layout all on it's own.
BTW, I just tried downloaded the sketch and all I'm getting is a blank page when I click on the link.
Posted by: Christel | June 28, 2013 at 03:59 PM
I like how you made each letter a different color!!
Posted by: Sharon Gullikson | June 28, 2013 at 05:19 PM
I adore everything from Allison, the ideas are always new and fresh!
Posted by: Suzanne | June 28, 2013 at 05:51 PM
You hit a home run with your debut layout and how you used the SS pieces so creatively and wonderfully.
Posted by: Marcia Scantlin | June 28, 2013 at 06:05 PM
Beautiful! Love the stitching!
Posted by: Annie~SavorThisMoment | June 28, 2013 at 07:10 PM
Super cute layouts! Hard to decide which I like best.
Darlene
Posted by: Darlene Ragon | June 28, 2013 at 07:23 PM
Oh Drats I can't get the sketch to download for me. I downloaded my new version of adobe and that hasn't helped so far....will try again in the morning.
TFS it's a Great LO and cool sketch!
Posted by: Dolly | June 28, 2013 at 07:35 PM
I love this sketch & pretty much anything Allison does.
Posted by: Jennifer Breihan | June 28, 2013 at 07:41 PM
Love the layout Allison!
Posted by: charlene | June 28, 2013 at 08:26 PM
Love all the details you've added. Great pages!! Nancy J
Posted by: Nancy James | June 28, 2013 at 09:02 PM
I was there the day she put these together - they are fabulous!!!
Posted by: Cathy R. | June 28, 2013 at 09:17 PM
As I said in my other comment very interested in how you joined both techniques.
Posted by: Beneta | June 28, 2013 at 10:38 PM
It is a great LO! Very fun, bright and summery!
Posted by: smcl | June 28, 2013 at 10:45 PM
Super cute layout!! I am beyond excited that you are part of the Simple Stories team and love that you will have a sketch each month to go with your half traditional/half pocket pages layout!!
Posted by: Mary Ann Jenkins | June 28, 2013 at 11:38 PM
I love this and all the great ideas you have packed into this beautiful layout!
Posted by: Gina | June 29, 2013 at 05:28 AM
You make it look so easy! I really need a copy of your book, not sure why I've waited. Thanks for the inspiration. I can't wait for 12x12 snap products to be out!
Posted by: Stephanie W. | June 29, 2013 at 06:34 AM
This is so awesome! Allison, you have almost made me a project lifer... haha... maybe not. But I love how easy you make it look and I just adore your sketches.
Posted by: Melissa Elsner | June 29, 2013 at 09:00 AM
Congrats on such a great layout Allison!! Thanks at the chance at your book!
Posted by: Patricia F. | June 29, 2013 at 09:05 AM
Great sketch Allison! Thanks for the inspiration!
Posted by: Annelies | June 29, 2013 at 09:21 AM
Great layout!! I will have to invest in some pocket pages to get caught up on some of my own vacation albums.
Posted by: Jennifer | June 29, 2013 at 10:19 AM
LOVE both sides of the layout - what a great layout for incorporating so many pics!
Posted by: Jill S. | June 29, 2013 at 12:11 PM
Love this layout! I can't wait to try it!
Posted by: Janelle | June 29, 2013 at 03:50 PM
Awesome two pager (as usual), love the sketch, looking very forward to seeing this every month!
Posted by: Kim M | June 29, 2013 at 07:22 PM
Gorgeous !
Posted by: Isbaha | June 30, 2013 at 02:17 AM
Love this gorgeous LO!
Posted by: Heather V | June 30, 2013 at 10:57 AM
Great LO! Love the combination of pocket pages and traditional scrapbooking!
Posted by: pam | June 30, 2013 at 11:53 AM
I enjoy your work so much. This is a great design...love all the details.
Posted by: Linda J | June 30, 2013 at 03:28 PM
Love this mix of traditional and pocket scrapbooking. I've been collecting simple stories papers for a while and now I have some new inspiration to get them out and use them.
Posted by: Tammy Luiz | June 30, 2013 at 11:37 PM
I am loving using both the pocket page and the traditional pages. With this technique, I might get caught up on my scrapbooking!!
Posted by: Jill Tate | July 01, 2013 at 09:26 AM
I love this layout. Where can I find these pocket pages? I checked Amazon and didn't see them. I don't live near a traditional scrapbook store - just the big box craft stores. Any ideas?
Posted by: Alissa H. | July 04, 2013 at 08:59 AM