[Cindyrene]

I see such beautiful pre-designed embellishment clusters, and they are great, but I want to be able to make my own. I have lots of elements to use. I know the general idea of layer this on top of that, and so on, and how to do that with my software. But still, I can't create beautiful clusters. Can someone give me tips or hints or how to know what will work and what won't? Are there some general principles that will help make me more successful?

[AggieB]

A belated welcome to ScrapGirls!

Someone will be along soon to say if there are ebooks in the boutique. What you can do, though is look at all those great clusters you like & see how they are put together - where the big pieces are to anchor the cluster, how the smaller ones are arranged around them. Are there linear elements like ribbons or vines? How do they tie things together, or make the cluster longer. Where are the round pieces, like flowers in relation? Note how the cluster works with the page, do the pieces wrap out to frame the layout? Is it an anchor point - are the photos placed in relation to it? Is there more than one cluster? How do they relate to each other?

Now, pick out one you really like (start with a simple one). Try to copy it with your own stuff - not to match exactly, but to get the proportions of things similar. If the cluster has roses but you have daisies, go with the daisies. This is scraplifting - an old & respected technique. Pick out another. Soon you get a feel for how things balance & what looks good to you. Before you know it, you will be looking at your stash & thinking, hmmm - those two flowers, that swirl & oooh, look at that great vine to tie things together.

Making clusters is so much fun. As a start, you might just use your cluster to make a card, too. If you want advice - post them in the Help I'm stuck gallery & people will trip over themselves to offer advice - scrapgirls love to offer suggestions. I'm looking forward to seeing your clusters in the coming year. Enjoy!

[Cindyrene]

AggieB, on 06 January 2011 - 08:41 AM, said:

A belated welcome to ScrapGirls!

Someone will be along soon to say if there are ebooks in the boutique. What you can do, though is look at all those great clusters you like & see how they are put together - where the big pieces are to anchor the cluster, how the smaller ones are arranged around them. Are there linear elements like ribbons or vines? How do they tie things together, or make the cluster longer. Where are the round pieces, like flowers in relation? Note how the cluster works with the page, do the pieces wrap out to frame the layout? Is it an anchor point - are the photos placed in relation to it? Is there more than one cluster? How do they relate to each other?

Now, pick out one you really like (start with a simple one). Try to copy it with your own stuff - not to match exactly, but to get the proportions of things similar. If the cluster has roses but you have daisies, go with the daisies. This is scraplifting - an old & respected technique. Pick out another. Soon you get a feel for how things balance & what looks good to you. Before you know it, you will be looking at your stash & thinking, hmmm - those two flowers, that swirl & oooh, look at that great vine to tie things together.

Making clusters is so much fun. As a start, you might just use your cluster to make a card, too. If you want advice - post them in the Help I'm stuck gallery & people will trip over themselves to offer advice - scrapgirls love to offer suggestions. I'm looking forward to seeing your clusters in the coming year. Enjoy!

Aggie, you are amazing! They weren't kidding when you were labeled as a "Wise One"! Those are great suggestions. I'll give it a try!

[tiza126]

I have trouble creating clusters too! The trick is just to keep practicing with layering embellishments, resizing them, rearranging them...until it looks right to you. Try combining textures too, for lots of interest.

Something for you to keep an eye out for - once a month, Angela and Janine will host an "Emphasis on Embellishments" Chat. These chats will FORCE you to use several embellishments on one layout by clustering. They are challenging but fun!! Here is a link to the December embellishment chat post, so you can take a look at what to expect. These chats are great for practicing clustering!

Also, occasionally Scrap Girls offers an online class on Embellishments. Keep an eye on the boutique and newsletter for the next round of classes. I highly recommend that class as well!

But really, the only way to get better at clustering, is practice, practice, practice!

[DDecker]

Also watch for online classes that are geared toward embellishments, they can help loads.

[CRS]

I took a class that covered clustering and it was amazing! I learned so much...