oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,990
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Sept 23, 2019 14:37:12 GMT
Let's talk about creating clusters of embellishments to use on your layouts.
I am creating my layouts intentionally making sure I have that visual triangle going on, and I am enjoying making little clusters of embellishments (as is the style right now).
I find I'm struggling to put my hands on the right materials to create these little clusters. I have little doilies, a few of those Martha Stewart white ones I bought years ago at Michaels. That pack is going to run out soon though. I have buttons and I have punches, I have October Afternoon label sticker sheets.
What else, ladies? I'm starting to feel like I just need to join a kit club to make my life easier and rebuild my stash.
Do any of you pre-make clusters? I remember years ago there was a scrapbooker whose blog I followed, Retrospection. I can't remember her name but I think she stopped scrapping. She was a young widow and scrapped her young son and did AMAZING work. She did a whole series on cluster making and they were mini works of art.
I don't want to do anything that involved and I know I probably have more things in my stash that I am can use but last night I was scrapping and I was struggling. Tips? Techniques can you can offer?
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Post by dasmith2 on Sept 23, 2019 14:46:48 GMT
I’ve never premade them, but I definitely should! I watched a lot of Victoria Marie on yt and took a couple of her classes, I love her clusters.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,437
Location: So Cal
Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Sept 23, 2019 14:56:50 GMT
You need some enamel dots!
Check out Shimelle. She is the queen of clusters and layering. She does a Friday FB live pretty regularly and they are saved on her FB page Scrapbook Like a Superhero.
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Post by infochick on Sept 23, 2019 15:06:19 GMT
My go-to cluster bases are tags (either plain shipping tags, pre-made embellishment tags, or die cut/punched tags from patterned paper), circles, doilies, paper frames with other patterned paper layered inside, or pocket page cards (sometimes trimmed down or cut into a shape. Usually I start by tucking the base under my photo or a layer, and then building on top of it from there. I have way more patterned paper than I do embellishments, so I have started to look for generic sticker sheets or die cut packs that I sort by colour to include in my clusters. I also try to fussy cut or punch elements out of paper to make embellishments. Foam dots work great for giving some dimension and making them look more like embellishments.
I also bought a set of circle punches that I use constantly for clusters. Cutting a large one for my main cluster base, and then a couple of slightly smaller ones for other clusters.
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,116
Location: New York, NY
Jun 26, 2014 18:02:19 GMT
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Post by christinec68 on Sept 23, 2019 15:21:56 GMT
I never premake things like clusters and tags because I know I wouldn't use them for one reason or another.
When I make clusters I use different things as a base: doilies, tags, labels, random scraps of coordinating paper or cardstock (sometimes punched or die cut into a shape, torn or as is in blocks or strips). Then I go around to each one adding something themed (stickers/die cuts, word/phrase stickers), something for texture (ink splatters and thread are my go to-s) and then some doo-dads like enamel dots, buttons, small wood veneer pieces.
For me, it also takes practice to feel more natural.
Thinking about this now makes me want to pull out stamps -- background ones for under the base and smaller ones for the doo-dad portion of my cluster making.
I totally agree with the Victoria Marie & Shimelle video recommendations...they nail clustering!
Good luck!!
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,990
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Sept 23, 2019 15:32:52 GMT
You need some enamel dots! Check out Shimelle. She is the queen of clusters and layering. She does a Friday FB live pretty regularly and they are saved on her FB page Scrapbook Like a Superhero. AH! Enamel dots, yes! Where do you all get ED? Does Michael's sell cheap, Recollections ones? I feel like I need a good stash of those.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,990
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Sept 23, 2019 15:33:48 GMT
My go-to cluster bases are tags (either plain shipping tags, pre-made embellishment tags, or die cut/punched tags from patterned paper), circles, doilies, paper frames with other patterned paper layered inside, or pocket page cards (sometimes trimmed down or cut into a shape. Usually I start by tucking the base under my photo or a layer, and then building on top of it from there. I have way more patterned paper than I do embellishments, so I have started to look for generic sticker sheets or die cut packs that I sort by colour to include in my clusters. I also try to fussy cut or punch elements out of paper to make embellishments. Foam dots work great for giving some dimension and making them look more like embellishments. I also bought a set of circle punches that I use constantly for clusters. Cutting a large one for my main cluster base, and then a couple of slightly smaller ones for other clusters. oh excellent, yes, thank you! I'm copying and pasting this into a Word doc for reference..you guys are great!
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,990
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Sept 23, 2019 15:36:17 GMT
When I make clusters I use different things as a base: doilies, tags, labels, random scraps of coordinating paper or cardstock (sometimes punched or die cut into a shape, torn or as is in blocks or strips). Then I go around to each one adding something themed (stickers/die cuts, word/phrase stickers), something for texture (ink splatters and thread are my go to-s) and then some doo-dads like enamel dots, buttons, small wood veneer pieces. For me, it also takes practice to feel more natural. Thinking about this now makes me want to pull out stamps -- background ones for under the base and smaller ones for the doo-dad portion of my cluster making. I totally agree with the Victoria Marie & Shimelle video recommendations...they nail clustering! Good luck!! On those wood veneer pieces, do you all just use them as-is, naked? I keep thinking I need to paint them or something but gah that's so much extra work. and stamps, I hadn't even thought of that. So, what do you do, stamp on some card stock and then fussy cut it out? Trying to envison this..
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Post by grammadee on Sept 23, 2019 15:39:58 GMT
Lots of awesome ideas here. And lots of inspiration in the 2peas Gallery. I especially love AussieMeg ’s and kitbop ’s way around a cluster. Seems like they can pile things in or scatter them around and wind up with a delightfully designed look. DawnMcD does some fun clusters. And I love what Chinagirl828 can do with a tiny banner a button and a couple of dots up in a corner. audreykit attaches process videos to her gallery posts so you can see how she makes her clusters. I like to start by tucking something (a doily or diecut or punched pp) behind a photo mat. Then layer a different shape, colour or texture over the place they meet (a flower, slightly smaller diecut, a sticker). Follow that up with something thicker (wood veneer, buttons, metal pieces maybe tied with twine). I also like a bit of a scatter behind or around a cluster, so have tried using a background stamp or some stencilled ink or spritzers as a base and/or scattering some enamel dots or sequins or small confetti around the edges. I struggle knowing where to stop, though so mine often look clunky. infochick and christinec68 , I would love to see pics of your clusters. Have fun playing!
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,116
Location: New York, NY
Jun 26, 2014 18:02:19 GMT
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Post by christinec68 on Sept 23, 2019 15:45:26 GMT
When I make clusters I use different things as a base: doilies, tags, labels, random scraps of coordinating paper or cardstock (sometimes punched or die cut into a shape, torn or as is in blocks or strips). Then I go around to each one adding something themed (stickers/die cuts, word/phrase stickers), something for texture (ink splatters and thread are my go to-s) and then some doo-dads like enamel dots, buttons, small wood veneer pieces. For me, it also takes practice to feel more natural. Thinking about this now makes me want to pull out stamps -- background ones for under the base and smaller ones for the doo-dad portion of my cluster making. I totally agree with the Victoria Marie & Shimelle video recommendations...they nail clustering! Good luck!! On those wood veneer pieces, do you all just use them as-is, naked? I keep thinking I need to paint them or something but gah that's so much extra work. and stamps, I hadn't even thought of that. So, what do you do, stamp on some card stock and then fussy cut it out? Trying to envison this.. I leave the wood veneers plain. Victoria Marie's latest newsletter had a quick tutorial using double sided tape and glitter on wood veneer that I might try. For the stamping, I hadn't thought of it before either. It popped in my head while I was responding..ha! I am not much of a stamper so I would keep it super simple and just stamp on the page. Although, I do sometimes fussy cut things from patterned paper.
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Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,768
Location: Kentucky
Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
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Post by Kerri W on Sept 23, 2019 16:02:26 GMT
Do any of you pre-make clusters? I remember years ago there was a scrapbooker whose blog I followed, Retrospection. I can't remember her name but I think she stopped scrapping. She was a young widow and scrapped her young son and did AMAZING work. She did a whole series on cluster making and they were mini works of art. Was that Christine Middlecamp? I just *adore* her work! She recently popped back into the paper craft world with a collection from Fancy Pants Yellow Door. I think she makes great clusters and I love her sense of color. Here's her current Insta account Fifteenacres
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,437
Location: So Cal
Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Sept 23, 2019 16:24:25 GMT
In addition to the big box stores check Tuesday Morning and AliExpress for wood veneer and enamel dots.
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Post by justjac on Sept 23, 2019 16:30:27 GMT
Inkie Quill has a DIY embellishment video she made that is kind of like pre-made clusters. I don't usually have a base for mine. I start with a sticker or a die cut or two or a wood veneer (I use them bare) and then add in sequins or Nuvo drops.
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Elsabelle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,602
Jun 26, 2014 2:04:55 GMT
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Post by Elsabelle on Sept 23, 2019 17:25:58 GMT
I never premake things like clusters and tags because I know I wouldn't use them for one reason or another. When I make clusters I use different things as a base: doilies, tags, labels, random scraps of coordinating paper or cardstock (sometimes punched or die cut into a shape, torn or as is in blocks or strips). Then I go around to each one adding something themed (stickers/die cuts, word/phrase stickers), something for texture (ink splatters and thread are my go to-s) and then some doo-dads like enamel dots, buttons, small wood veneer pieces. I tend to use a lot of stickers and word stickers layered onto the base items that Christine mentioned. Sometimes I make my own word "stickers". I type some words, sometimes random and sometimes on theme, in various fonts, make sure they're well spaced for easier cutting, and then print. Then once I cut out one I want I mat it on paper and then put that on a DIY tab. I just cut a strip of paper to about 1x3" and round the corners of the sides that will be visible. The sides that aren't visible get tucked behind pictures or paper. Layer the tab on a sticker over a tag, circle, or doily or a combination of two or three and add some enamel dots and you're golden. I think it's also key to make sure most of the things in the cluster are touching so it feels like they belong together.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Sept 23, 2019 17:58:02 GMT
I also do visual triangles.
I don't premake my clusters, but I do sort of have a formula.
My triangle "points" need to draw the eye to important parts of the layout. Photos and journaling, usually.
Each cluster needs three main embellishments, in sizes small, medium, & large. Large is usually around the size of a 2" punch. These embellishments are usually a large sticker, a fussy cut stamped image, a large paper punched or die cut. One of these main embellishments may or may not have a pop dot. All of these embellishments will be touching each other, sometimes just barely, sometimes quite overlapping.
Then I add three more "sprinkle embellishments." Usually enamel dots/ shapes, tiny puffy stickers, a drop of Nuvo drops, a tiny punchies star, tiny stamped image.
For me, the trick to making cohesive embellishment clusters is repeating colors and shapes.
I try to use at least one same color in each of the three clusters, and one same shape in each cluster.
Also, one tip I read here at some point is that it's okay to use pieces of embellishments. Half of a large sticker peaking out behind a photo or another embellishment.
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Post by dasmith2 on Sept 23, 2019 18:33:19 GMT
When I make clusters I use different things as a base: doilies, tags, labels, random scraps of coordinating paper or cardstock (sometimes punched or die cut into a shape, torn or as is in blocks or strips). Then I go around to each one adding something themed (stickers/die cuts, word/phrase stickers), something for texture (ink splatters and thread are my go to-s) and then some doo-dads like enamel dots, buttons, small wood veneer pieces. For me, it also takes practice to feel more natural. Thinking about this now makes me want to pull out stamps -- background ones for under the base and smaller ones for the doo-dad portion of my cluster making. I totally agree with the Victoria Marie & Shimelle video recommendations...they nail clustering! Good luck!! On those wood veneer pieces, do you all just use them as-is, naked? I keep thinking I need to paint them or something but gah that's so much extra work. and stamps, I hadn't even thought of that. So, what do you do, stamp on some card stock and then fussy cut it out? Trying to envison this.. Sometimes I leave them nakey but usually I’ll ink the edges or paint them. I screenshotted the cluster ideas so I can refer to it later. Great thread! Ty
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Post by joblackford on Sept 23, 2019 22:44:39 GMT
I've seen people heat emboss wood veneers too. Rub the wood veneer on Versamark ink pad, dip in embossing powder, and heat gun it. Might need some tweezers. I think that can give a nice clean look if you're not a fan of the woodiness. And you can use glitter embossing powders to avoid the mess of glitter. There are tons of old Glitter Girl episodes on YouTube if you need more Shimelle without dealing with Fbk. Lots of clustering and layering there. ( GG Playlist link)
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Post by steakgoddess on Sept 23, 2019 23:28:55 GMT
I love clusters.
What really turned me around on clusters was thinking I had to have everything based on one little element. Or that they all have to be the same.
Clusters can be whatever you want to them to. As big or as small as you desire. I usually have one thing anchoring the cluster and then everything else is smaller. I also don’t layer every little bit of a cluster. Sometimes I just nestle things close to each other.
One thing that adds interest is varying heights as well. So I don’t just use all stickers or all paper. I pop things up, use enamel shapes, puffy stickers, flair, epoxy, etc.
I really like using clear embossing powder on paper to give it a little pop. I did this regularly until my stash was built up over time with other elements. I still do this technique as I love it.
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,534
Jul 24, 2014 19:51:57 GMT
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Post by MerryMom on Sept 23, 2019 23:32:24 GMT
Janet on YT under RTS scrapbooking has a video about visual triangles and clusters. m.youtube.com/watch?v=fkJ37l8Aw5Q I think she does a very good job of explaining.
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Post by ecvnj58 on Sept 23, 2019 23:54:57 GMT
I just found some clusters I made for a scrapbook generation online crop that were so cute. I wish I could find more sketches like that. They were all paper. I could probably buy their sketch kits but I’m cheap. Lol.
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,459
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Sept 24, 2019 10:12:10 GMT
When I make clusters I use different things as a base: doilies, tags, labels, random scraps of coordinating paper or cardstock (sometimes punched or die cut into a shape, torn or as is in blocks or strips). Then I go around to each one adding something themed (stickers/die cuts, word/phrase stickers), something for texture (ink splatters and thread are my go to-s) and then some doo-dads like enamel dots, buttons, small wood veneer pieces. What really turned me around on clusters was thinking I had to have everything based on one little element. Or that they all have to be the same. Clusters can be whatever you want to them to. As big or as small as you desire. I usually have one thing anchoring the cluster and then everything else is smaller. I also don’t layer every little bit of a cluster. Sometimes I just nestle things close to each other. Yes to both of these. There's a lot of advice about making sure the pieces in a cluster are touching each other but one of my favourite things to do is scatter the final pieces (sequins, enamel dots, mist splatters, whatever) around the cluster so they're not touching but are nearby. I use florals a lot in my clusters, often fussy cut from paper and love the look of leaves. I never pre-make my clusters because I never know what space I'm going to have to work with or what might work on a page as it's coming together.
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Post by 950nancy on Sept 24, 2019 14:03:41 GMT
There are a number of doily dies out there that range from 2-5 inches. Investing in one is a good idea. That way you can use the paper from the pack/collection and have pops of paper that your clusters can sit on. I also use tags cut from the paper to start as the base of a cluster.
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,116
Location: New York, NY
Jun 26, 2014 18:02:19 GMT
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Post by christinec68 on Sept 24, 2019 14:20:39 GMT
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Post by grammadee on Sept 24, 2019 14:52:47 GMT
Thanks SO much, christinec68! These pages are awesome. I love how you have named them each to identify the elements of your clusters. So many different yet very fun and interesting looks!
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christinec68
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,116
Location: New York, NY
Jun 26, 2014 18:02:19 GMT
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Post by christinec68 on Sept 24, 2019 15:19:36 GMT
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Post by KikiPea on Sept 24, 2019 16:04:48 GMT
You need some enamel dots! Check out Shimelle. She is the queen of clusters and layering. She does a Friday FB live pretty regularly and they are saved on her FB page Scrapbook Like a Superhero. AH! Enamel dots, yes! Where do you all get ED? Does Michael's sell cheap, Recollections ones? I feel like I need a good stash of those. I stock up on mine at conventions. I usually get Echo Park there for a good price. I've never purchased from Here, but it looks like they have a great selection, and great prices. I have some in my cart now! I also like Eyelet Outlet dots. You can Google them to see where all you can purchase them.
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Post by KikiPea on Sept 24, 2019 16:08:59 GMT
When I make clusters I use different things as a base: doilies, tags, labels, random scraps of coordinating paper or cardstock (sometimes punched or die cut into a shape, torn or as is in blocks or strips). Then I go around to each one adding something themed (stickers/die cuts, word/phrase stickers), something for texture (ink splatters and thread are my go to-s) and then some doo-dads like enamel dots, buttons, small wood veneer pieces. For me, it also takes practice to feel more natural. Thinking about this now makes me want to pull out stamps -- background ones for under the base and smaller ones for the doo-dad portion of my cluster making. I totally agree with the Victoria Marie & Shimelle video recommendations...they nail clustering! Good luck!! On those wood veneer pieces, do you all just use them as-is, naked? I keep thinking I need to paint them or something but gah that's so much extra work. I either use mine naked because I like the added wood tones, or I will use a Wink of Stella pen. I know you can get them at Hobby Lobby, maybe even Michael's. I have clear, gold and red. I use the red mostly for hearts or flowers (Even paper).
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Post by KikiPea on Sept 24, 2019 16:25:24 GMT
I LOVE clusters. I usually start with a large item (Maybe a paper flower, or pre-made die cut), then add smaller things on top of, and around that main element. I'll use pop dots to elevate 1 piece of each cluster, then sprinkle enamel dots. Here's a few of my favorite clusters. I an now normally leaning towards 2 clusters, but it totally depends on the LO.
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Post by KikiPea on Sept 24, 2019 16:26:09 GMT
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Post by KikiPea on Sept 24, 2019 16:26:37 GMT
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