It’s okay to be different.

I just took it in good fun, rather than "acceptable" vs. not acceptable. If someone wants to stick "best day ever" on every LO, more power to them, doesn't bother me in the least lol...for me, I just can't do it.

I will say though, that there are stereotypical, gendered and somewhat condescending phrases that are out there and while I respect every scrapbookers' right to use them, I won't stop advocating for manufacturers to come up with something better.

I appreciate your willingness to advocate for all scrapbook styles.

Thank you for saying that - I know it took me a long time to be comfortable sharing my layouts here because they are so simple and boring compared to most. And I still sometimes feel like that. That's just my style though and I love seeing all the different styles here - and often I'm inspired by a layout that is completely different from my own.

I hope no one feels they cannot share a LO b/c it is off trend, or in colours other people don't prefer. In fact, it would be pretty boring if everyone posted only the "right" kind of projects!

Lots of reasons for thinking a scrapbook supply "should be retired": one of them might be "I already purchased that pattern/phrase/colour a hundred times! I am ready for something different." Don't think I am the only one who has been stockpiling supplies for quite a few years. I happen to be one of the crew who doesn't enjoy purging, so if something was trendy 20 years ago and I liked it and could afford it, chances are I still have some of it. Bring it around again and I may snap it up to use with what I already own, or not. And that is my choice.

Not only that, but I know MY tastes change over time depending on what I see other people doing with a particular supply or pattern or colour. So go ahead and share projects that don't follow--or DO--the current trends.

When I look back at my scrapbooks, I don't find myself cringing at the style I used. I let myself be carried away by the memories in those books. not just by the photos and stories. If I think about the actual elements on the page, I am more likely to remember how much I loved them then than to scoff at myself for using them so often. After all, I got into this hobby to play and to preserve memories, so if I did one or the other, I am happy!

I think most of these threads are for fun and conversation. Gives us all a chance to weigh in, give our opinions and thoughts, and learn from others ideas. Personally I don't have anyone to talk to about scrapbooking, and paper, and what I like etc. So, I love that people are starting conversation threads on this board so that we can chat about stuff! I don't think that they are ever meant to be negative or down grading to anyone's personal style, talents, or likes and dislikes. And, if there are members making other members feel that way, then that needs to be addressed and taken care of.
That being said, it is always a good thing to remind people that there is no right or wrong here, and their projects are perfect if they are happy! Hopefully we are inclusive here when it comes to the crafters on our board.

This times a 1000!!!  There are no rules to scrapbooking...the creator is the only who has to love the work we're all here to admire it. 

You make a good point, scrapnnana, and I appreciate what you said. I also feel that if I post something, that means that I like the way it turned out, and I want to share it. If someone doesn't like it, that's perfectly fine. There are always going to be people who like what we do/say and people who don't.

Hey, if you are a girl boss and want to document your hustle, I would love to see it!! It's just not phrases I would use, but I am not going to dis your lay out, it might lead to inspiration for me for a layout~!

I'm with you on that. I definitely think manufacturers can do better in a lot of areas. For example, I won't get upset about a person using a Native American motif on their layouts, but I will complain that manufacturers should pay Native artists to design those motifs if they insist on using them in collections, and I personally would rather they stop using them the way they do. And I'll bitch about gendered products no matter how much I understand why they continue to be made.

I will also lament the random icons and most overused phrases ever but that's just in fun. If my MIL scrapbooked her pages would probably all have "best day ever" on them because she says that almost every time we go on a trip or outing. That's OK.

I hope everyone shares the pages and projects they're proud of, no matter what the trends and no matter who might think they're cliche or whatever. Most people are very supportive and the ones who maybe aren't are pretty good at scrolling on by and holding their tongues in my experience. I've never seen anyone's projects criticized. At the very least we all respect that making things is hard work.

That's so cute, I love it! 🥰 It reminds me of the time I took my niece and nephew (brother's kids) to my MIL's house. They were playing on the slip'n'slide, which they'd never done before, and they told me later that it was their "best day ever". You'd better believe I am going to use that phrase when I eventually scrap those photos!

I love that the OP of that thread starts new threads frequently. I always take most threads on the SB side as just sharing of thoughts like you would at a crop. I very rarely take things personally here. I think anyone here who knows me knows I am not such a fan of pink or pastels, but people make the most beautiful pages using them. They just aren't what I would create (99% of the time).

OTOH I still love to see what everyone else thinks. I dunno, I always say I was raised with boys and I raised boys, so I have a bit of their "who the heck cares" kind of attitude when it comes to so many things. It is our differences and experiences that make this such a fun community. I'd have to check my pages to see if I use overused phrases. My favorite kind of titles are the ones that make me laugh.

I went back and found some pages I have on Flickr. I do have one Today was Amazing title. We went on a dolphin tour in the morning and they were everywhere. It was amazing. . Here is one of the titles that makes me laugh. When and if I ever had grandkids, I'm going to have some explaining to do.
2020 Amazing Rack by Nancy Tim, on Flickr

LOL! They'll love that you have a sense of humor, I'm sure. ^.^

I agree I want everyone to feel comfortable with what they choose to do.  And I want everyone to feel comfortable sharing here too.  

I don't take any of the opinions shared here personal and I really wish no one did because if we didn't have threads specifically sharing various opinions, this board would be dead very fast.  Most of us manage to live in harmony here.  You can see it on the AE thread.  Some people criticize, some people love something, I will love something and then I will find something that I don't love.  And yet, nobody who posts on the regular on that thread feels smacked by another person's opinion.  

I try to think hard about the way that I share my opinions.  In other words, did I do it in way that would not be offensive, that's my goal.  But you've got to have a thick skin to post here.  Maybe not as thick as the NSBR side, but still, you've got to have some confidence in yourself and what you do.  Be bold.  Make no apologies for the way you do things.  Share without caring if your stuff isn't everyone's cup of tea.  It will be someone's, I promise you.  Somebody out there is going to love what you do and take inspiration from it. 

While I can appreciate threads like this (and I happen to agree with the premise), I don't want to see handslappy posts.  (this OP is not).  The recent scrapbook room thread had a handslappy post from a relative newbie.  And you know I went back and reread my comment in that thread and it might have been a little harsh.  I could have said it better.  But anyone who has read any of my posts on this particular board knows I try to be environmentally conscious and I have a big problem with waste.  When you have over 1000 ink pads, I think that nearly everyone can agree that's excessive.  There are some areas that are gray and debatable.  Then there are some that you wonder how anyone can find it anything but excessive to have over 1000 ink pads.  And if that warranted a handslap, well OK.  I would never call out a pea sharing their craft room on here.  


I just hope we can welcome everyone here.  But seriously, there's got to be some thicker skin.  I like to think I'm a kind person, but over the years here I have expressed all sorts of opinions, everything from waste to lack of journaling.  If every time we say what we like, somebody gets offended because that's not the way they do things, they have really got to either grow a little stronger or maybe it would be better for their mental health not to read and post here at all.  I don't want to see that happen.  I really, really feel like I want a variety of opinions and scrapbook eye candy.  I don't want anyone to leave, but I also don't want you to be hurt every time someone says something contrary to your personal style.   

I am a bit envious of people who can take generic phrase pocket cards and make them work. I just have such a hard time with that. It never seems to fit quite right.