I am not a huge user of flowers and even less so with foliage but I have discovered I have a heap of it so would like to learn how to use it better. Any tips or tricks because my few attempts (usually because of speed scrap instructions) haven't been great and I don't particularly love how they've turned out
You can always use it on the edge of the page, just a little pop, or behind other elements in a cluster.
Not great at clustering which is probably why I struggle with foliage Here are a few of my attempts Not entirely happy with this one....maybe scale or order of layers might be the problem but something feels off This one feels off too...scale possibly again
I really like the 2nd one! I struggle with foliage as well but have gotten better by looking at how Cheryl layers it in her templates. I also try to emulate clusters on layouts that I like when I'm using the same kit. Keep at it! Edit to add: After looking at the first layout some more, I do think the layering could be better. I'd try the bright green one towards the bottom instead of the top. Maybe having some of it on more of an angle would help instead of everything sticking straight up. Just some ideas.
@HavaDrPepper, they were both for MOC or speed scraps so tweaking them isn't a priority but I'm more using this as a learning experience. I can layer and play with paint, paper, stitches and stuff like that super easily but flowers, foliage I struggle with
I use a lot of Cheryl's clusters as examples. I also will look at photos of flower clusters on artwork to see how they play together. The first layout you shared, you could try varying the heights on the cluster. It would add visual interest to have the foliage at different heights. In this one by HeatherB, you can see her cluster has varying heights on the leaves. The second layout, I like your foliage. It looks great to me!
Also, I don't know if you've seen this video by Cheryl? But she talks about clustering, and a lot of those tips transfer to foliage.
@bestcee I do the same as you! I have purchased some kits that have premade clusters but there could be something in the cluster that I want to take out or change so I've actually tried to recreate the cluster with what I want. That's another way I've learned.
Tweaking might not be a priority, but maybe playing around with them would help you out. Play around with the first layout and see if changing the layering of the items in the cluster do make a difference. Sometimes just a small change makes a big difference whether it be changing the layer placement, changing the size of the item (like @bestcee notes) or the angle of the item. You won't know unless you try it.
In your first LO all the greenery is stacked on top of each other, all pointing upwards. Try rotating then a bit, fanning them out. When you have time, here are some blog articles about clustering that may help. CLUSTERING ARTICLES
I have seen it, just haven’t quite had the time to watch it yet with family issues taking priority. My grandmother needs full time socialisation during the day as she has dementia (is bored, has no desire to do anything and will make several hundred phone calls a week to various friends and family….record for one person was 120 calls in one day from her) and it’s fallen on 2-3 people plus paid caregivers after a stint in respite didn’t work out to do the care. She needed to spend 7 days in quarantine at the care facility and she lasted 2 before causing major issues so the family decided while under non COVID circumstances it’s where she needed to be, it’s not ideal if she can’t see anyone for 7 days either inside or outside the facility due to current regulations. Hoping all is resolved ASAP but that requires our city to have 90% 2nd COVID vaccinations before that happens - estimated to be in December some time.
@littlekiwi I totally get that! I currently take care of two people with dementia. One is obsessed with her calendar, the other with meal time. And both with tv crime shows. Sigh, it's a lot of tv murder in my life right now. I'm sure you've tried a lot of things! But, just in case, my old ladies enjoy solitaire with cards, phone solitaire and match 3 games, reading the same book*, doodling, and coloring mandalas. We also have one friend who texts a joke a day, which gives some respite. I don't know if you have something like this, but our library also has a story line. You can call and they read a short story. It changes weekly, and they have an adult and kid one. I've started to get my mother in law into Podcasts too, so she feels like she is involved. Our library has a podcast called Random Lines. They read some bits from a public domain book and then share why you might like it too. Anyway. I don't know if anything might help, but I figured I'd share. It's hard work to be a caregiver, so don't forget to make some time for you! *I must say, I think it's kinda nice that they can't remember the plot after a week, and can reread the same book. They are never sure if the guy gets the girl, who the murderer is, or how the book ends. It saves a lot of money on books!
@bestcee, I'm not actually doing any caregiving because of my own situation, I'm just the supporter in the back doing what I can. My Aunt (well officially ex-aunt) is doing most of it in amongst a full time job, my mum did some during the full lockdown about 3-4 weeks ago and will be doing 2 1/2 days/2 nights next weekend and probably another chunk or two like that over the coming months depending on the changing situation. Our biggest issue is lack of man power so to speak (my uncle is north of a hard COVID border and has health issues so can't come down and help and my cousin is south of the hard COVID border restrictions so can't help).
I used to not be able to cluster at all. Then I started really studying cluster heavy layouts trying to mimic those clusters on my layouts. It is definitely something that takes some time to learn. Like @bcgal00 said rotating florals and foliage does give the clustering a more natural look. Also shadows are an important thing too. Making sure shadows have different depths makes cluster more realistic. Cheryl’s Dressed Up templates have wonderful clustering on them too.
Kiss Bart! Jennifer, you have been given great advice. I have picked up somuch from watching Cheryl's videos.
I had a play with one of the layouts just using what was already there and I like it so much more already...baby steps but its progress