Old Basic Grey

I love Basic Grey! I mean, I really love it! I miss them being in business but I do have a pretty good stash. I use it a bit, but not too much. LOL! Honestly, I think all the collections are my favorite, but my top 4 are for sure: Ambrosia, Persimmon, Periphery, and Wisteria! All so beautiful! And, yes, they really did have great grey papers!
I think that are some papers/companies out there that aren't always themed designs, but I think part of the problem is that everything is so samey anymore! I have seen some of the companies from outside the US making more papers that are more graphic and design based. Of course, I can't think of who they are right now. But, if I do, I will come back and comment. I agree with Vicki Boutin's stuff being similar. I really her papers and the bright colors.

I have a good BG stash too - love Max and Whiskers! Yesterday I pulled out and used a sheet from their “Basics” line. That is one that hurts me to use, it’s sooo good. I think I had each pack - white, manilla, and I think a brown. The branding strip is date 2009. Great, basic backgrounds - some look like notebook or ledge, graph, etc. Simple Stories has a collection that’s an ok substitute, but they go too yellow/cream; the BG manilla is perfect when you don’t want a stark white.

I have always found BG papers to feel muddy and dark, so I didn't buy them often. I did like some of their Christmas designs.


I think when Echo Park came out in 2010, they changed the landscape of scrapbooking collections. IIRC they only had 12x12 paper & sticker sheet "collection" packs when they first started and they were very theme heavy, but not overly "cutesy" like Doodlebug or Bella Blvd so more appealing to the average scrapbooker. After they took off in the industry, I think other companies jumped on "themed" scrapbooking collections harder than ever before.

I feel overly themed designed collections have slowed down quite a bit actually. AC brands have had a LOT of non-themed (or just barely themed collections) in recent years - think Maggie Holmes, Paige Evans, Obed Marshall, Amy Tan, Dear Lizzy, Vicki Boutin and Jen Hadfield. I think Shimelle was the most themed of their designers, followed by Pebbles. Pink Paislee has had plenty of not heavily themed collections. Same with Crate Paper. Bo Bunny also has lots of non-themed collections. For non-AC brands: Pretty Little Studio, My Minds Eye, Kaisercraft, Paper Rose, Pinkfresh Studio, Paper House Productions, Prima/Julie Nutting and Rosie's Studio (to name a few).

I don't see Echo Park ever changing; themed scrapbooking is their wheelhouse - same with Doodlebug and Bella Blvd. I consider PhotoPlay to be similar to them. I would have included Simple Stories here too, but I think they've turned a corner and expanded their offerings the last few years. Their newest summer and "crafty" collections are great examples of this.

TBH I see it less "too many themed collections" and more "not my style". You like what you like, and if you don't like what's being released/what is popular, it's disappointing for sure. Trends almost always outstay their welcome in this industry; they move SO slowly.

I'm glad you found exactly what you needed in your stash, I love it when that happens. I used some of my Chatterbox papers a few months ago and it made me so happy to work with it.

I was really into Basic Grey back in the day but bought too much to it. I just sorted all of my papers last fall and have a stash of it to sell on kijiji this spring for my annual purge sale. They're really pretty but I just won't use them anymore.

I was into BG too but didn't really buy enough!

Some time ago I recall seeing a website where it was possible to download quite a few of the collections. Anyone else remember that? Does it still exist?

Love love love Basic Grey and I wish I had bought more of it when I had the chance - who knew back then that it wouldn't be around forever?

I'd have a hard time picking just one line to be my favorite BG of all, but Sultry, Periphery, Lemonade, and Out of Print probably come close to the top. I still have a whole 6x6 pad of Sultry, but sadly none of the others I mentioned. I still have miscellaneous bits of a few of the later lines left (Adrift, Tea Garden, Spice Market, Serenade, Marjolaine, Grand Bazaar & a few others) - mostly 6x6 pads, a few collection packs, a few sticker sheets & ephemera packs, random papers where I didn't buy the whole collection...

artbabe, I agree there aren't any lines today that really are close to what Basic Grey was. Also, this Buckeye wants to see your OSU page!!

Basics & Black Tie are my favorite BG collections. Luckily, I still have an original Cropper Hopper filled with BG & often incorporate it into my layouts. I always request non-themed neutral collections & certainly miss the plethora & diversity of companies, styles, & creativity in the industry during the 2000s.

I was on the BG team for some years and I started with some old collections like Origins, Fact and Fiction, Konnichiwa. Then Persimmon, Capture, CArte Postale, Second City by KP (my fave)

I just looked, all the Basic Grey in my stash is from the Sublime Collection.

I loved Basic Grey! Every last bit that I ever owned is already in my albums.

And I'm glad, but also sad, if that makes sense.

I really miss paper & collections being so useable. No silly random icons. Just color and mood. 

Like everyone else, I loved Basic Grey, too. Fortunately, I am a quilter and can still indulge myself with their fabric lines. I usually think, "wouldn't this look good, too, in paper?" Their Grunge is a favorite for a blender and I use it often in my quilts for the backing fabric.

I actually think I would like BG more now than I did back in the day.

My favorite line was Olivia.

I used some leftover BG christmas paper to cover a wooden advent calendar. I miss BG!