Clusters and Layers

It's the simple things - by Lisa Greedy (Embellees)

What a great day we had on Sunday 22 July 2012 at our most recent Workshop - Cluster Clever.  We loved seeing all our regulars and few new ladies who have returned for their second and third workshops.

We spent the day playing with lots of techniques that we decided should be defined as 'clustered layers'.  Lisa Greedy had everyone working through two lovely layouts... It's the Simple Things (above) and Share Your Smile (below). 

In this Workshop we wanted to get our workshop lovelies working with 6 x 6 paper ranges.  These little gems are often forgotten, but what we found is that they worked beautifully for layering and clustering. It allows you to get a whole paper range to play with these techniques you don't always need a full sheet of paper.  What makes these even more versatile is that you still have heaps over to play with, the papers seem to go on forever - so we sent our workshop lovelies home with lots left in their kits to keep creating. 

For Lisa Greedy's - It's the Simple Things layout above we introduced the beautiful Simple Stories Summer Fresh paper range.  Lisa had everyone playing with a range of Tim Holtz Distress Stains to free-hand the gorgeous Chevron on her 'It's the Simple Things' layout above.  Masking off the chevron and stamping adding the second of our background layers and defining with a black outline pen and it really took a simple piece of white cardstock to a whole new level.  In the beautiful "clustered layered" it is hard to see all the bits and pieces - but the workshop kits were full to the brim with lots of little eclectic bits and pieces (just how we love our kits).

Share Your Smile - Lisa Greedy (Embellees)

Our second layout for the day Lisa Greedy's - Share Your Smile, we introduced the beautiful My Minds Eye (MME) - Follow Your Heart paper range.  We loved the softness of the layout and Lisa had everyone busy using a patterned background paper (MME Follow Your Heart - Be Amazing - Honey Blue), adding Glimmer Mist (just love a dribble of GM) and then lots of layering with masks, distress stains and stamping (love those background stamps we have in our stash).  One of the great techniques that our workshop lovelies played with was making their own ceramic tile embellees - nothing like a trip to Bunnings, gesso and some know how  to pull off a beautiful handmade embellee for a layout!  Again, back to our fabulous eclectic kit mix to keep our clustering and layering unique and to add texture .... hessian, fabric, lace, buttons, ribbon, chipboard, doily, papers, stamped images... just lovely and a favourite with all our attendees!



I Absolutely Adore You - Cassie McCumstie (Embellees)



Our third layout for our Workshop was by the very talented Cassie McCumstie (DT member).  This gorgeous layout had us using another background patterned paper from the MME range (Follow Your Heart) and lots more from the 6 x 6 paper range.   Again, the layout started with layering from the background patterned paper - enhanced with a mask and some misting, paint and stamps.  Cassie had everyone working with lots of small clusters of elements to add dimension.  There are always so many little interesting bits and pieces in our kits and lots of use of different stamps for our workshop lovelies to 'fall in love with'.  We especially love the introduction of some gorgeous hand dyed seam binding sourced from our lovely friend Alex over at her Etsy Store - Scrap Alley Kits & Treasures.

It is always a fun filled and very busy day at an Embellees Workshop ... below are some other 'great layouts that starred in our  'Inspiration Gallery' on the day.

Little Girl .. Big Love - Natalie Bright (Embellees)

Brighton Beach - Lisa Greedy (Embellees)

Sk8 Dudes - Lisa Greedy (Embellees)

Inspired - Liz Smith (Embellees)

Hope you have enjoyed a look at our workshop day and layouts - we will be back very soon updating with our 'Sneakies' for our Mixed Media Workshop in August.  We had our projects on display at this months workshop and, it was so great that all our attendees were busy signing up for August - not many spots left with all our regulars returning so we are opening up registrations in the next few days.

Be back soon.

Lizzie & Lisa