How do you get those awesome clusters?

[Kiki]

There is some amazing eye candy in the gallery here. So much so that I could favourite almost every layout. Often times I feel like I can definitely improve in my clustering. I'm not much of a cluster person. I've always done simple white space layouts. But I tried the Cookie Decorating challenge this month with Lynnette's template and I love it! I just bought some of Cindy's templates too, but again, I've looked at the gallery and WOW how some of you have used this template!!!!

So what's your trick? How do you make such awesome clusters and layerings? Got any tips to share while I try to improve?

 

[nun69]

I just like to keep adding and adding until I get what I really like and usually I focus in one corner or around a photo etc....and I actually use alot of inspiration from the gallery myself of coarse if you have a kit that has lots of goodies in it, that helps too

 

[newfiemountiewife]

Yeah, I just pile it on, and rearrange and resize as I go. I poke little pieces of flowers out, ribbons, etc. I use frames for embellishments, all kinds of weird stuff LOL.

I like to have a kit where there are a lot of different embellishments, makes this so much easier!

 

[krystalhartley]

Lately, I just throw it all onto the canvas without a care as to how or where I want to use it. Then I just move and size things to taste. I go ahead and throw a basic drop shadow on just to help me see the layers better, and then I adjust each shadow individually as needed for more realistic depth, etc.

This gets me lots of clustering and layers. If I only add things as I think I need them, then I get tired of working with it and end up with a much simpler page.

I've got a few more clustered pages in my full gallery at DST than I do here.

 

[Kiki]

Oh these are good ideas!!! Keep them coming!

 

[carriesmom]

I draw alot of inspiration from Katie Hadfield's gallery. She is wonderful at putting tons of stuff on her pages without it looks messy, cluttered, or just wrong. I do what a lot of people do and just pull a ton of stuff to use. I usually just browse through my stash one I have the basic foundation done and open up anything that catches my eye. Then, I just place and spin and resize until I love it. I also do very simple unadorned pages too, but I love putting lots of clusters and things on my pages!