Sketches and Page Maps

I love using sketches and page maps as a starting point for my layouts. By using sketches, I scrap by what fits--what events do I have just 1 photo I want to highlight, or do I have a 3-4 photo event and sketch that works? I scrap out of sequence and sometimes i reuse photos in the creative process. I think it's not just about getting the pictures in the albums, but having fun creating!

I joined Big Picture classes 28 days of Sketches. Here is Sketch #1:

Here's what I did with it:

Instead of squares, I used the patterned paper as a block, added journaling stickers, buttons and stars.

I have always loved Page Maps, and I recently stopped by the blog! OMG! I love what she has going on there! I completed this layout with the color mix provided:

I turned this so the scallops are at the top and I used some Pink Paislee rub-ons to embellish the layout: