Craftin' Around the World February Design Team Share

Hello Craft'n Around the World friends!

I’m so excited to reveal my February Design Team layout for this month’s challenge at Craftin' Aroung the World Facebook group. As always, we’ve got an open theme, with a card or scrapbooking sketch and a bonus of a Colour Moodboard to get you really thinking. I’ve chosen to focus on the monthly sketch for inspiration for this layout. If you haven’t checked out the sketches yet, I encourage you to do so at the Facebook Group. 

Monthly Challenge Details

Don’t forget, the Craft'n Around the World challenges are open to everyone, and you have a few ways to play along each month: Use the Sketch: Create either a card or layout based on the provided sketches, or now choose from the rotating monthly Mood Board or the Tic-Tac-Toe. The possibilities are endless, and we can’t wait to see what you come up with this month!

This month, I created a layout celebrating my daughter Bronte, who just completed Year 12 and graduated from college! It’s a huge milestone, and I wanted to capture that special moment. I used the scrapbooking sketch to guide the placement of my photos, title, and embellishments-making the layout come together so fast. The final result is a beautiful tribute to her accomplishment, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out.

Using Sketches for Inspiration: A Blueprint for Your Creativity

One of the things I love most about sketches is that they provide a clear framework for your project, but still leave room for personal creativity. Think of a sketch like a blueprint—it’s a guide that gives you a general idea of where to place your photos, title, and other elements on the page. It’s a fantastic way to get started, especially if you’re feeling a little stuck or need a spark of inspiration.

Here’s why I love using sketches for both scrapbooking and card making:

• Quick & Easy Design: When you use a sketch, you’re essentially working from a plan. This allows you to create a well-designed project quickly and easily. The sketch gives you a clear structure to follow, which makes the process smoother. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—just follow the outline and let your creativity fill in the details!

• Flexibility to Personalise: While the sketch provides a starting point, it’s not a strict rulebook. There’s no law that says you can’t move the elements around or change them up a bit! Feel free to swap out embellishments, adjust photo sizes, or add more layers to suit your style. A sketch is simply a guide, not a set of rigid instructions, which means you have the freedom to make it your own.

• Build a Professional-Looking Layout: Sketches can help you create a layout that looks polished and well-balanced. If you’re a beginner, they provide a great way to ensure your photos and elements are arranged in a visually appealing way. If you’re a more experienced scrapper, a sketch is a way to streamline your design process while still achieving that “wow” factor.

 I hope this layout and the tips I’ve shared inspire you to give the challenge a try if you haven’t already. Remember, sketches are a fantastic tool for streamlining the design process while still allowing room for your own creativity. Whether you’re creating a layout for a special milestone like Bronte’s graduation or a card for a friend, a sketch can help make the process both fun and efficient.

I can’t wait to see what you all create for this month’s challenge! Don’t forget to share your projects with us in the group—we love seeing all your amazing work.

Happy crafting.