B&B Review: Scrapbook Page Maps 2

Each Thursday I review a book or blog related to scrapbooking.
The Review
Scrapbook Page Maps 2: More Sketches for Creative Layouts and Cards, is the sequel to Scrapbook Page Maps: Sketches For Creative Layouts, which I reviewed here.
Initial Thoughts
Scrapbook Page Maps 2: More Sketches for Creative Layouts and Cards provides more sketches–or page maps–for scrapbookers and card makers. An effort was made to include both digital and paper scrapbooking. I would have preferred that both forms of scrapbooking were mixed together instead of segregated in separate chapters.
Spiral Bound
Like the first volume, this book is also partially spiral bound. This is a nice feature because it means the book will lay flat, however, I wish it were just completely spiral bound so that I could flip the cover around completely.
Keep an Open Mind
The book is not organized by paper size or direction. You will find 12×12 page maps opposite a vertical 8.5×11 page map. This arrangement forces you to keep an open mind and review all of the page maps instead of just the page maps for the layout size you typically use.
Cardmaking
One chapter is devoted to cards. I know a lot of scrapbookers make cards and a lot of cardmakers make scrapbooks, but not all do. I would prefer a separate book on page maps for cardmakers. I do make some cards but I do not exert much effort on them. I make them with my scraps from scrapbooking. I do take issue with Fleck’s assertion that buying a store bought card is an “offense” and that all receivers of homemade cards are appreciative. I have had my homemade cards thrown in the trash right in front of me immediately after the card had been opened.
Huh?
Chapter Three is about “scribbling outside the lines.” I am unsure how “scribbling outside the lines” makes a scrapbooker any more authentic than if they scraplift everything. I’m still at a loss as to what the purpose of this particular chapter is and how it differs from Chapter One.
Consistency
I did like that the page maps are located in the same space on every page–something that was a flaw in the first volume. I also felt that the page maps to layout made more sense this time around. I am unsure if the difference is me or if the layouts more closely adhere to the page map in the first place. Again, like the first volume, this volume has an excellent index.
Take-Away
If you like sketches and use sketches, then pick up Scrapbook Page Maps 2: More Sketches for Creative Layouts and Cards. If you don’t use sketches (I don’t), then you probably will not get anymore from this book than you would if you just googled “layouts” for ideas.

Publishers and Authors
If you are a publisher or an author and would like me to review your scrapbooking-related book or blog, please email me at stephaniemedleyrath at gmail dot com.