Hello.  My name is Kim Hughes and I am thrilled to be here today.  I have dabbled in so many artistic venues but the one that makes my heart swoon is card making.  What I love most is the freedom that I have with each mini creation.  Yes, the rules of three sometimes apply,  design certainly matters...but not always.  What ultimately matters in the end is that you have a piece of art that can easily make someone's day.  Pretty powerful stuff!

I love cards with playful elements that make me smile.  "Cluster Cards" have this effect on me.  It's nothing more than forming a collage with scrapbooking products.  You can take advantage of a stamp set that includes many coordinating images, a rub-on pack that works beautifully together, or collect many different products to create a focal point that is just so sweet.


Here is an example of a cluster that is centered and truly the focal image.  This is a playful look that you can achieve by mixing different textures and colors.  The dominant white Fleur de lis is calmed by the fresh elements that surrounds it.  Everything is aligned neatly but still has the look of a collage.  The kraft card base helps the colors pop, the subtle polka dot pattern lends to the "cute factor"


This card is so simple but says everything it needs to.  It would be so easy to over-do this card, just by adding embellishments and ribbon.  So, I simply stamped a hot air balloon and 3 clouds.  The color combination draws attention to each element and some tiny hand stitching is all the accent you need.  A hand written sentiment is simply said.  It's not "top heavy" because it's a scene that takes place in the sky and the colors are soft.  It becomes a warm card by stamping on grid paper and rounding the bottom 2 corners brings your eye back up to the top



When choosing rub-ons to create a collage from, make sure to have a

• larger focal image
• sentiment
• pattern
• supporting elements

(and be sure to keep the backing in tact so that you can play with the placement before committing to the card base)


Keep in mind that you are not tied to a certain look or pattern with rub-ons, simply cut off what you don't want to use.

I chose a textured, scalloped card stock to add interest.  This is a flat card that won't require extra postage when mailing.  You can easily add some bling to the dots, glitter to the bats or a few brads along the border.

Note this card has balance because the witch is pointing to the white space and the bats bring your eye back to the main event.

I hope that I have inspired you to break the rules a bit and just have fun creating.  This is a great way to use up random stickers and scraps as well.  Have fun!

Supplies:
card stock: Bazzill Basics
paper: October Afternoon
pearls, rose: Zva Creative
chipboard, stamps: American Crafts
scalloped border rub-on: Jenni Bowlin
rainbow border sticker: Doodlebug Design
ink: Papertrey Ink
floss: DMC
corner rounder: Fiskars
word sticker: Making Memories
pen: Sakura

about me:
I have been a card maker since 2004 and have truly enjoyed meeting the most wonderful people in the industry.  I am a Go-to Gal for Paper Crafts magazine, and I am the DT Coordinator for Zva Creative.  I design for Papertrey Ink, Provo Craft and Therm O Web adhesives.  I teach for Paper Crafts and at my local scrapbook store.  My hand written fonts can be found at ScrapNFonts.  I was a Stamp Illustrator in the past and may possibly dabble in stamp design once again someday.  I blog at least three times each week stop by and say hello.