Articles : Tutorials - Digital

Digi Cluster Class

learn all about clustering!!!

Have you ever wondered how all those GREAT digital scrappers out there manage to get those CLUSTERS..JUST RIGHT…on their layouts? Well, here is just a little look into that clustering philosophy…

Clustering: it’s all about making your elements work with each other. The best place to start is by having a program that you can view all of your elements in at one time. For me, I have VISTA and use the WINDOWS Gallery by adding my Digital Kit Folders {i.e. Favs/ACOT/Alphas/etc} into the gallery I can see everything that is included under that folder, even if it is subdivided…see below

{NOTE: sorry some of the colors are kind of distorted, it is how they saved as screenshots :) }

…then I start with an idea in mind….either from a kit that I want to use or a photo{s} that I would like to work with. Then I decide whether to make it a 12x12 or 11x85 in LO.

Now…let’s cluster….{ I already have my background paper n my layout choosen}

1. I started with a frame that already had cluster elements on it {K Moore: Muddy Puddles}

2. Now I am going to add a ribbon that already has clusters added to it

3. Then I added 1 of each color flower from the kit {pink,blue,yellow,green}…and I placed them randomly until they looked good…I placed the blue flower under the ribbon

4. Then I added a brad if each color {pink,blue,yellow,green} to the center of a flower of the opposite color {I zoomed in to show you detail}

5. Then I added the blue star, glitter heart and 2 red * {I zoomed in for detail}

6. Then I go back and add all of my shadows to my elements….I give the elements on the top a deeper shadow than the elements on the bottom….{example below is the drop shadow I used for the yellow flower, my Distance/Spread/Size is all 9}

7. So my shadowing on the Star {since it is behind the other elements I made the Distance/Spread/Size smaller…all 5}

8. Here is an upclose shot of the shadow details of all the clustered elements

9. Then I add my picture {in this case I started with the kit first} and journaling and VIOLA!

 {and I would show you my original LO but it is saved on my hard drive in the states and I am currently in Kuwait :)}

About the author ...
Angie became part of the Digital CT in May 2007. She loves digi scrapping and has really not found a favorite designer because they are all great! She is inspired daily by ALL the great work done here and posted in the ACOT gallery. She also has 4 beautiful kids that you will see VERY much of in her LO's. Especially little Abby Lou!

Submitted by nun69