Things have been hectic around here… to say the least. The Pesach (Passover) buzz is looming and I haven’t begun cleaning. Family weddings are in the midst. My in-laws are in town for a visit and I’ve been working on finding investors for my scrapbooking endeavor (selling scrapbook supplies in Israel). It’s been a challenging month and interestingly enough, I’m happy to say that it’s coming to an end.
Having said all that, I’m a bit behind on my reading. As an avid reader of Creating Keepsakes Magazine (the print version), I was a bit shocked when my April issue arrived in the mail today and I hadn’t yet opened the March issue. So, I sat down and began reading (the March issue, of course). I was intrigued to discover scrapbooking is as trendy as any other commercial industry out there.
Remember when everyone was putting eyelets on their layouts? Dotting their i’s, creating dimension in new creative ways using new colors and new shapes… it was an eyelet craze! I searched the issue for eyelets in any of the featured layouts and guess what folks. Eyelets are out. Now, guess what’s in?
If you guessed chipboards, then you’ve already been bitten by the chipboard bug! They’re everywhere! In fact, in the March issue of Creating Keepsakes Magazine, there was an entire article of giving old layouts a makeover. Every layout featured, did not use chipboard in the “before” pic yet each and every makeover included our latest trendy embellishment friend. I suppose I shouldn’t be so surprised… chipboard really is fun.
Interestingly enough, though, chipboard is still too new that only select companies carry any of it. American Crafts (a large producer of chipboard) Heidi Swann at Advantus and Scenic Route were the three companies whose items were featured throughout the magazine.
However, I happen to know that (since I supply their products in my store) Bazzill Basics Paper also carries chipboard. Beyond those companies, I haven’t a clue. Which is interesting since as a scrapbook retailer, it’s my business to know who carries what.
I haven’t seen so many borders being created in layouts recently, but the new edged paper (can be found at Bazzill) is catching on. And here’s one to keep an eye on… stitching your pages. I actually love this idea. Bazzill is already selling templates for designing cool stitched designs. Or, buy paper with stitch designs pre-made. Just pick a color thread and start stitching. It creates such a cool effect. I’m already working on how to incorporate this technique into my next design.
I must admit, though. I’m not sad to see eyelets go. While some consider them a staple in scrapbooking, they’re just as trendy as any other embellishment fancy. I always found eyelets inconvenient to work with or simply too much trouble. And without an expensive, machine to set the eyelets for me, I admit I’ve always been too lazy to use them. I just used brads instead.
Buttons have been around a while and they’ve become a lot more interesting in shape and design, also. I haven’t used them in any of my personal layouts (no particular reason why), but I like viewing layouts with a button or two in it. They add a fun touch to the design.
I’m interested to find out how creative the designers and manufacturers will get with chipboard. Time will tell.
Happy Scrappin’!
