Use a scrapbook sketch to created a masculine steampunk layout

Masculine-themed pages are difficult to find, which is why I am always happy to share them with you. As my sons have grown older, finding designs that don’t involve pastels and polka dots has been challenging. Recently, I discovered the {Not} Just for Boys Kit club, and I appreciate the versatility and excellent design of each kit for creating pages tailored for boys.

your furry crew scrapbook page with a masculine feel portraying photos of a boy working on a car with his dog. The page use Mintay Mr. Fix it collection

In the NJFB Facebook Community, you will discover sketch challenges. This month, I accepted the challenge and create an awesome design filled with metal gears, acrylic shapes, and fur baby memories.

I found inspiration for this page from the March challenge sketch in the NJFB group. Below are just a few of the adjustments I made to the scrapbook sketch when I made this page.

simple ways to alter a scrapbook sketch showing the original sketch compared to the completed page

I am a fan of multi-photo layouts and like how this one has options to work with. I wanted to keep the circular element and replicate the gear background to match the theme of the page.

By incorporating wooden gears around the photo, I was able to bring a unique element of craftsmanship to the design. Do you want to know my secret to transforming wood into a metallic finish? It’s just embossing powder and paint!

wood gears made to look like metal with paint and embossing powder - your furry crew scrapbook page with a masculine feel portraying photos of a boy working on a car with his dog. The page use Mintay Mr. Fix it collection

As a beginner in mixed media, I opted for a straightforward approach. I started with some stenciling on the background, followed by a layer of black paste, and then added the gears on top.

Like you, I often need to adjust the quantity of photos when I use a sketch. With only three photos available, I decided to replicate the clustered appearance by enlarging one slightly to create a visually appealing arrangement.

title You Furry Crew with an acrylic tag that says on this day - your furry crew scrapbook page with a masculine feel portraying photos of a boy working on a car with his dog. The page use Mintay Mr. Fix it collection

To highlight one photo as the focal point, I increased its size and backed it with an envelope and tag. The tag gives me a place to add journaling on the page which is something that wasn’t shown in the original sketch.

I was inspired by the tags and labels on the initial sketch. Not only did I integrate a large tag behind the main photo, I also brought in some mechanical labels and acrylic tags to the design.

tag that says remember right now - your furry crew scrapbook page with a masculine feel portraying photos of a boy working on a car with his dog. The page use Mintay Mr. Fix it collection

The acrylic tags, puffy phrases, and title truly enhanced the story. I enjoy scattering small clusters of elements throughout my page, and the sketch provided ample space for these items. I repositioned a few of the elements to align with the layout of my photos.

To add texture to the layout, I embroidered thick zigzags and tied on some twine. These enhancements not only added depth but also contributed to the overall visual impact of the page.

zig zag embroidery stitched with thick thread next to hello there sticker - your furry crew scrapbook page with a masculine feel portraying photos of a boy working on a car with his dog. The page use Mintay Mr. Fix it collection

Stitching and acrylic shapes are fantastic enhancements that can really bring a page to life. Elements like these are often not shown in a sketch, but they can be added to just about any design.

In this video, you will discover how simple it is to alter a scrapbook page and turn it into a masculine-themed masterpiece. You will also learn a simple way to create metallic elements for your projects.

The combination of the gears and simple accents on this sketch provided me with the inspiration needed to created a mixed media masterpiece that captures both the steampunk aesthetic and a touch of modern flair.

I’m so excited to see the projects that you create. Don’t forget to share your finished creations with me. You can leave me a comment below with a direct link or tag @misscarriescreations on your favorite social media site.

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