Hi! Jennifer Rzasa here, and I'm thrilled to be guest-blogging here at Ella! Today I have some tips and tricks for maximizing a sketch when making a card.

Below is a sketch I drew of a card layout I use often. It's simple, well-balanced, and is open for interpretation!

Of course, you could make a card following this sketch precisely as it is drawn, or you can try these variations:

1. Flip the Sketch
This one is a no-brainer! Look at the sketch sideways or upside down. Sometimes inspiration can strike when you look at things in a new way. I flipped my sketch and immediately saw the perfect place for a simple Christmas ornament.

2. Move the Sentiment/Play With Scale
Who says the sentiment has to be right there? I also enlarged the focal circle, to really showcase that pretty stamped flower.

3. Think Outside the Box
That circle can be a tree, a butterfly, a skateboard, a snowflake...whatever you want! I chose to use a negative die cut of a bird, on a square piece of cardstock. And if you have ever been to my blog, you know that I adore embroidery floss! A rainbow of floss was the perfect thing to set behind that die cut. Get creative!

4. Run Wild!
Use the sketch as a jumping-off point. I added a scalloped border, some black pearls, ribbon loops, and a hand-drawn frame. They weren't in the original sketch, but who cares!? Even if you embellish so much that your card looks nothing like it, you still succeeded! As long as you love the result, you can keep pushing the envelope! 

I hope these tips help you look at sketches in a new way.  Thanks so much for visiting during Card Making Month, and please check out my blog, Our Change of Art :)