If you’re like me, you’re probably looking for some time-saving ways to get all your photos scrapped. When I’m crafting I find I sometimes spend more time conceptualizing my design than I actually do crafting! That’s why I’m totally digging this new book from master sketch artist Becky Fleck. In Scrapbook Page Maps, she features 60 sketches adaptable to any page theme or style.

But don’t for a minute think this book falls short on tips and techniques. There’s also a wealth of inspiration and ideas for taking your layouts to the next level with creative ways to use brads, paint, seed beads, silk flowers, dimensional medium, fabric and much, much more. You’ll also fall in love with cool digital techniques such as using filters, color conversions, altering the contrast in a photo, mixing fonts and wrapping text around an image.

One of my favorite projects from the book is this masked painting technique, which you can use to create a title or part of your journaling. Gather these materials before you begin:

• A small block of cardstock (trimmed to fit your title)
• Letter stickers (choose a type treatment that fits your layout’s theme)
• 2-3 acrylic paints in colors of your choice
• Acrylic thinner
• Old toothbrush
• Wax paper or newspaper to protect your work area

Step 1:

Spell out your text in an arrangement of letter stickers. (Tip: Select letters than can be easily removed later and don’t leave a sticky residue.)

Step 2:

Select several colors of acrylic paint that complement your layout. Squirt out a quarter-sized puddle and thin with acrylic thinner or water to an inky consistency.

Step 3:

Dip an old toothbrush into the paint and run your thumb over bristles to spatter the paint over the stickers. The more paint on your brush, the larger your spatters will be; less paint results in fine, smaller spatters. Multiple applications of each color will achieve the best result.

Step 4:

Allow to dry, then carefully remove letter stickers.


Don’t forget to enter our giveaway to win a free copy of Scrapbook Page Maps. To enter the giveaway, check out Kristin’s Monday post by noon (eastern time) this Friday.

And don’t forget about the free techniques and projects available on the S+P homepage. Stop by tomorrow for more fun with sketches!

Amy