Cluster away!

Hi, it's Geli.

If you scrap a formal photo, all you really need is a nice cluster (or two or three). Let me show you how easy it is to cluster away! 

 That's my sisters and I. This layout was inspired by a class kit by Cathy Cafun.

Take a fairly plain background. Something with some small designs around the edges is perfect. Trim it to 11x11" and distress the edges. Add a little colour in the middle, where the photo will sit, with glimmer mists etc. Doesn't even have to look great at this stage. Let it dry.

Mat it on a plain background paper or cardstock. Add some ripped strips of printed tape to the edges. 

 Stamp around the photo area with a background stamp. Find lots and lots of them to choose from in the Kaisercraft stamp section here. 

 Mat your photo on a mat 1" bigger (5x7" for a 4x6" photo) and gather some embellies for your cluster. Start off by hot-glue-gunning some metal leaves... 

...and add flowers in different sizes. 

 Don't go crazy with colours, it will look more classy tone-in-tone. 

I stuck to blues and sea greens to bring out our blue eyes. We don't look much alike, but that's one thing we 3 sisters have in common.

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What does every big cluster need? A mini counter cluster or two to balance it out. Think of a visual triangle and add something small in 2 other places. It can be a title, single flower or small embelly in the same colour. 

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This is what I used to create my cluster layout:

 

 2 large bronze leaves, 2 Canna lillies, 2 cherry blossoms, blue pearl garland

 I ♥ family charming word

1 large rose, a tulle flower from my stash, 1 bronze leaf

 1 blue gardenia, 1 bronze fern, 2 resin flowers

1 star flower and champagne glass glitter

If the flowers or bronze leaves are a little too bright for you, brush some gesso over them, as I have done on some flowers.

Geli