If you're stuck, they can provide you with a starting point for your layout or give you the inspiration to spin off your own creation. Using a pre-designed layout grid can also save a scrapper lots of time, so that instead of using precious minutes to decide on page arrangement, valuable time instead is used for creating the page.
What's new in the "sketches" world are two terrific books:
The first is "Page Maps" by Becky Fleck. Here's a review from Amazon.com:
Scrapbook Page Maps takes the guesswork out of where to begin by giving plenty of design ideas for their scrapbook layouts!
By referring to the sketches in the book, readers can select photos, papers and embellishments and then bring the page together quickly and easily. Helpful resource information such as a supply list and photo sizes are included on each card, along with page information cross-referencing the sketch back to the book. Scrapbook Page Maps is the essential book for beginning scrapbookers as well as those short on time.
And you get more than just an inspiring, design-filled idea book!
Also included is a deck of laminated cards that includes a thumbnail of many of the sketches in the book along with corresponding finished layouts.
The second of the new "sketch" books I want to share with you is "Layout Blueprints 2" - the eagerly awaited sequel to Amy Elkins "Layout Blueprints":
I haven't seen any reviews of the book yet, but I know it is due to hit stores very soon. I loved the first book and have been anxiously anticipating the arrival of the second one!
You can check out the Layout Blueprints blog here.
