Cluster Template and an Attempt at a Tutorial

I've had several requests to do a tut on clustering. I am a firm believer in learning by doing, so I learned a little something for myself, and created my very first template to help ya'll along! Clustering is a skill that comes with practice, but I hope this helps to get you started!


Okay, ya'll...I've had multiple requests on help with clustering, so I'm going to attempt a small tutorial. Sorry, no screen shots, I'm not that professional, lol. I have however created my first template to help you get an idea of placement. Let's have a big woohoo for the Vickster! I decided to make this template, because that is really a great way to learn. Keep in mind that there are a million ways to approach this skill, but this is the way I do it. Like any skill, it takes practice. Here are the basic principals that I use. Play, play, play and before you know it you'll be clustering like a maniac! Once you get the swing of placement, you will develop an eye for it and can fly on your own. I can't say it enough, practice, practice, PRACTICE!
For me, the basics needed for clustering are: an assortment of long ribbons, strings, foliage, some scatter and a large variety of elements. If I'm looking to purchase a kit and it has all of these, that really blows my skirt up! Just to be clear, this tut is using PSE. Allthough I have CS4, I find that I do 99.9% of my scrapping in PSE, it's just too easy,lol. Open up your photo program, open up your kit, and let's get to clustering! If you're using a template, open it up in your photo program. If not, create a new document at 12 x 12, 300 dpi transparent. Squinch both into a small window. Look in the kit's elements and start dragging interesting stuff into the bin. Heck, sometimes I end up with everything in there! I find it's helpful to start with a light colored background paper, (you can change this later) so find one and drag it into the photo bin. Place your background paper in the document/template. Now let's find the 'bones' of our cluster. I like to start with a long swirly ribbon or foliage. Place in document. Now add some ric-rac(or more ribbon) and some string.Twist, turn and rotate till it looks good. Next, drag in a frame and place it, using the rule of thirds (or on template). Now let's add some stuff! Remember, elements are best clustered in odd numbers(3-5,etc...). When making a frame cluster, i like to use a triangle placement, sometimes it may be really a really woppy one, but it's still a triangle. Here's where it gets tricky, when using the same element over again, remember to change size and rotate. Continue to place your various elements, and then add some scatter behind (scatter is SO cool, and adds the perfect touch!). I don't add shadows until I am through tweaking the placement of everything.

Today's gifty: txbubbles-Cluster template.zip
Any questions, give me a holler.
Big hugs,
Vicki

Here We Go Again...

This morning...

Here's my Texas snowcone, heehee...

Where the heck is this global warming supposed to be happening?????

Hello??? I live in TEXAS, not Canada!

February PDW Color Challenge

Talk about a challenge!!!! The colors for this swatch really tried my patience. I tried the beach theme as suggested, but I just couldn't make it work. There was no way I could tone down that hideous neon blue and lavender, and the red was out of the question. Three colors have to be used for it to count in the challenge, so I picked the pink and the taupe and added just enough of the purple to get by. I sure hope the March colors are more 'user friendly', this is supposed to be fun!



Today's gifty: txbubbles-Feb PDW CC Papers.zip txbubbles-Feb PDW CC Stuff.zip
MWAH! Vicki

Rustic Warmth

I have to give ya'll a look at Kim's newest creation! Rustic Warmth lives up to it's name with rich, warm colors throughout the kit. Plenty of strings and ribbons, along with some unique elements are also inside. But the thing that really takes this one over the top is the alpha. It is AMAZING! Kim says it took forever, and I can believe it, the attention to detail is fantastic! Check out my two LO's, I love it when you can get such different looks from the same kit. Pick it up now , you'll be glad you did!

MWAH!!! Vicki

At My House Today

Yep, that ruler is at 8-1/2 inches. The last time it snowed like this in my part of Texas was 35 years ago. I'm moving to Costa Rica.

Give Yourself Some Love

Go on...treat yourself to a Valentine gift that you'll be sure to enjoy! DigiScrapVault DSO

Big News From Scrap That Idea!

It's been awhile, but you will find that the wait was definitely worth it...yep, the Scrap That Idea store is back up and better than ever! It has a sleek new look and is oh so user friendly. Check it out, you'll be glad you did. Be sure to sign up for the newsletter while you're at it, word has it there's a gift certificate up for grabs.

As part of the celebration, Vicki has a new kit, Doodle Love. Oh my gosh, I fell in love with this one as soon as I saw the previews. If you're a doodle fan, this should be on your must have list! Here's a LO of Natalie and Dave to give you an idea of what you can create with a little Doodle Love.

It's A Manly February

I had two suggestions for the color swatch this month, Simona wanted a "man kit" and Sue got even more specific, lol "guys' kit with fabric/grungy/fabric-textured papers - plaid, striped, ropes, chains, strings, chicken wire or chain link fences, cardboard, more "tough" elements and papers".
This one is for the two of you. To tell the truth, once I got started with it, things came together really easy. I still have some ideas knocking around, so there is a good possibility of leftovers this month.
For the solid papers I used Kristine's rocking new texture plate bundle. She so kindly RAK'ed me with it, and let me tell you, they are fabulous! The bundle is stuffed with 25 different textures, including brick, wood and fabric. At .32 each, it's a heck of a deal!


Today's gift: txbubbles-Feb 2010 DSO CC papers.zip txbubbles-Feb 2010 DSO CC-stuff.zip
MWAH!!!
Vicki

February Colors????

Okay, I'm 'gonna post these and see if we have any suggestions. Personally, I am stumped. This one I can probably freestyle, but the one from PDW is a whole 'nother ball of wax. HELP!!!!

Help me Rhonda!

A Sunshiney Day

If ya'll are like me, you're sick and tired of the cold weather. Well, our friend Kimbob has sent a little South African sunshine to brighten up the day! A Sunshiney Day has the most gorgeous yellows and greens in a huge assortment of elements and papers. Get it now while it's 30% off!

This cheerful kit was perfect for this photo I took of my friend's granddaughter, Allison.

Bear with me, I have to toot my horn just a little, my LO received Gallery Standout at Digishoptalk!!!!

I have the clustered frame as today's gifty for you, now zip on over to DSO and put some sunshine in your day!

Today's gift: txbubbles-KB-A Sunshiney Day cluster frame.zip

BTW...4shared has gone wonky, if you prefer to comment there, do it before you hit the download button! Of course, I love to hear from ya'll right here on the blog, too!

MWAH!!! Vicki

Time for the February Grab!

Yeah, I'm thoroughly ashamed of myself for being such a bad blogger, but believe me, it's not like I have been lolling around on a beach drinking margaritas. Have I ever mentioned that I HATE the IRS? I rode it right down to the wire and didn't get the last of the W-2's and reports out until yesterday. At this point I could use a little beach time, but nay nay my friends, now I have to catch up on everything that I put off in order to deal with the mountain of end of year crap.
I did manage to get a tiny bit of time to play with Kim's February Grab Bag. It's filled with lots of really cool stuff for a teeny tiny price. You can get it here DSV or here DSO.
To give ya'll an idea of what's included, I have a Twiggy Frame for today's gift. The preview sucks, I should have made it larger to show the detail, but dang it I was tired and just threw it together.



Today's gift: txbubbles-KB-Twiggy Frame.zip
MWAH!!!
Vicki