Creative Team Article on "Creating Clusters" for Scrapbooking Memories Vol. 17 No. 5

Hi everyone :)

 

I am slowly getting there on sharing the pages that were part of my 2014 Creative Team articles for Scrapbooking Memories.  This is the 2nd last one, and it is on "Creating Clusters" for Vol. 17 No. 5.

 

I'm sure you all know that it is very rare for me to create a layout without a cluster....or two!

So that's what I decided to do this article on....how I go about creating them, and ideas on things you can include in them...which is pretty much anything & everything :)

 

A cluster can be as big or small as you like, depending on your scrapping style, your budget, and what will work in the space that you have on your page.  it can be anything from a small petite cluster to something that flows right across your page.

 

 

For my first layout I have demonstrated the use of 2 clusters....opposite each other at either end of the photo.  One being quite large, and the 2nd being much smaller.

 

"Remember"

 

When working with quite a few flowers in your cluster, try to choose a variety of sizes as this will give a more blanced look, rather than them all being the one size.

 

For the smaller cluster, I have used things like blooms, chipboard, buttons,

diecuts, stickers & cotton thread....and I also cut a few strips of PP into little banners & placed them so that they were fanned out at the bottom of the cluster.

 

 

Chipboard pieces are always my go to for adding into my clusters.  And this piece here has been cut in half so that you aren't wasting the bit that would otherwise be covered up by your photo or papers. 

 

 

Here's a few more close ups of around the page....

 

 

 

 

The larger cluster has similar items....just on a bigger scale & they wrap around the corner of the photo.

 

 Here's a close up of both clusters on the corners of the photo.

 

Your cluster doesn't have to be right at the photo...it can be anywhere on your page that you think suits best.  Although I must admit, that I do tend to put them near the photo more often than not.

 

 

Next I used an example of a much smaller cluster....with only one on the page.

 

"The G.O.R"

Although I have used similar products as the previous layout, this one looks quite

different and is more minimalist. 

 

 

For me, these are the staples for creating my clusters....flowers, chipboard, diecuts, buttons, threads & fibres.

 

 

And here's a few more close ups of other areas of the page....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaves....of any description, are also a favourite to add to my clusters.  Whether they be punched or diecut leaves using patterned papers...chipboard leaves, as I've used here, skeleton leaves, stamped leaves....or even manufacturers diecut leaves.  Just any type of leaf always looks fabulous in amongst a cluster, especially when it contains flowers....Leaves, I love them!

 

Well that is all I have for today...I have 1 more article to share, and that's me done & dusted :)

 

Thanks so much for visiting & for any comments you leave...I hope you were inspired

by my layouts & the basics of the article.

 

Until next time...xx