Framed with Intention | Creating Embellished Clusters with a Frame

 spark inspiration

So many elements to love about the paper craft arts. This post and VIDEO is no exception. Love that we can take focused elements and layer them up to create an opening page to a new photo album that sets the mood, tone and visual rhythm for the pages to follow. Love that we can take that same concept and craft a tag with similar pieces yet create a completely different cluster sample that sparks it's own inspiration.

Heck! I just love paper craft arts!

And you too can jump in and explore as well. Whether you are just starting in this lovely hobby or need some fresh ideas, the VIDEO attached to this post will walk you through more than a few ideas. This YouTube video shares this opening page how-to PLUS a bonus sample of another cluster idea.

One of my tried and true tips is that before you start making from this inspiration or any other project, gather the pieces of ephemera and work with those. I include a list of items that were used for both of these projects. More on that in a moment.

This main project, the opening to a new photo album, starts with a base layer. I started with a mostly neutral pattern background from 49 and Market Krafty Garden. I am using a Storyline Chapters book for holding these photos and memories. 

Next was that frame. Search through your stash for frames of all sorts and sizes. A light colored frame works great and allows for a variety of embellishments that could be different in pattern or hue.

Cluster with intention! Ha ha. Watch the VIDEO as I walk through several tips as well as the thinking that occurs when moving florals and labels and bits around the clustering. Oh...and...double sided foam tape is our friend to help pop up the pieces for dimension and interest. More on that in the video too.

TIP Something else I talk about in the video is to be mindful of how the elements intersect. Create space all the while letting them overlap too. It's key to creating great layers.

One more frame cluster idea:

After finishing the opening page, I then took the same elements (list below) to create an additional cluster of embellishment. This cluster included another 49 and Market frame and that was layered over a base. Then all the pieces tucked here and there. Don't miss this tutorial!

The little recipe of elements for these clusters can be found here:

• background (photo or paper)
• frame ... of course!
• tab
• floral or botanical
• film strip (I used THIS die)
• postage
• label
• sentiment
• icon ... I used butterflies of course

Try your hand at limiting yourself to just those pieces. Great way to practice!

Don't rush the layering. Practice and play. That's what I always say. Enjoy the process of learning and give yourself time to explore the possibilities. You just never know what lovely combinations you will come up with yourself.

Framed embellished clusters are endlessly versatile. Whether you build them bold or centered, small or on a layout page, they are such a great way to frame both photo and emotion. 

Hope this inspired you to look at your frame stash with new eyes. You can watch the full process and see each cluster come together in my YouTube video here →

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