To cluster or NOT to cluster? That is the question!
When should we use a simple, elegant layout and when should we go cluster-crazy?

Below are my two layouts, using the same photo with very different results. Some might disagree with me, but I feel the simple layouts are for the more elegant pictures. For something whistful and something where “the picture says it all”. Now, that is not to say that I have not seen any fully-clustered layouts that are not elegant, but that is generally how a simple layout comes across. So, if I wanted to show how my daughter was having a relaxing time, just chilling at the pool, here is my simple layout:

If I wanted to show her having a blast of fun, here is my clustered layout:

And, boy, was that fun to make. I just cut out tons of circles from the brightest paper I could find, went through the kit and added tons of flowers and other elements to my page, duplicated and resized like crazy and then just played around with the layers, moving the elements under and over each other until I liked it!

Both layouts were made with Friends are Like Flowers by Trixie Scraps Designs and Connie Prince. Which do YOU prefer?

So challenge yourself to think about what “type” of layout you want and go crazy with the clusters or simple with the elegance!

Below are some fabulous inspiration pages from the CT Stars to give you some awesome ideas. First, the more simple layouts:

Theresa used Saffron Blues by Trixie Scraps Designs and Bella Gypsy for this pretty layout

Theresa used Nature Girl by Trixie Scraps Designs

Bree used Old Glory by Trixie Scraps Designs.

Bree used A Mother’s Love by Trixie Scraps Designs

Bree used Yuletide by Trixie Scraps Designs

Bree used Girls Day Out by Trixie Scraps Designs

For some seasonal inspiration:

Bree used A Boo-tiful Night kit and template pack by Trixie Scraps Designs and JennCk Designs

NOW for some clustered-inspiration. These are my favorite lately as I used to have very simplistic layouts and am only recently moving into the cluster-zone!

Fran used A Boo-tiful Night and A Boo-tiful Night Cluster set by Trixie Scraps Designa and JennCk Designs.

Theresa used This Woman’s Work by Trixie Scraps Designs and Wimpychompers Creations

Check out this awesome clustered title:

Bree used Partini in Paradise by Trixie Scraps Designs

Bree used Sunday Afternoon by Trixie Scraps Designs for this beautiful layout

Fabulous ribbon work below:

Bree used Yuletide by Trixie Scraps Designs

One of my favorites:

Bree used Defining Me by Trixie Scraps Designs for this fun layout

Last, but not least, is this awesome layout:

Bree used Yuletide by Trixie Scraps Designs for this great layout

So, what are you waiting for? Go try your hand at something a little different. Clustered or simple? What do YOU prefer?