artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,388 
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Post by artbabe on Dec 13, 2022 15:56:26 GMT
I looked at the Echo Park and Carte Bella releases and I'm really underwhelmed. There are so many releases and yet they mostly seem very "blah" to me.
There are only so many popsicles and wonky rainbows one can stand.
It isn't just them, however. A lot of scrapbook manufacturers seem to return to the same old ideas. And when one does it, they all do. Like those wonky rainbows I just mentioned. It isn't a one company thing- everyone jumped on that bandwagon.
The one in the past few years I've noticed is the red pickup truck with whatever season it is stuff in the back. I think it is a cute image. I do. Red pickup trucks are really cute, especially the older style ones. But does everyone have to do it? But I guess it sold for one company so everyone followed.
I remember all of the old fads- hot air balloons, chandeliers, mustaches, owls, llamas, sloths, bicycles with baskets, mason jars, etc. I have no idea why everyone thought a mustache or a chandelier was a good idea. How many times can you use it?
I understand that it is hard to come up with something new and different. And Easter demands rabbits (I love rabbits) and Christmas demands deer (I love deer). And of course pumpkins for fall. But they really need to expand more.
But perhaps people aren't tired of buying wonky rainbows yet. Evidently they must sell, because the goal is to make a profit.
How many of you have piles of rainbows in your stash? Do any of you still have chandeliers, mustaches, and llamas from the old days that you never used?
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Post by infochick on Dec 13, 2022 16:03:31 GMT
The mustache trend was really a mystery to me. I had one sheet of moustache paper that was on the b-side of something I never ended up using. I scrapped a layout of my nephew wearing a fake moustache while playing a board game. Definitely not a trend I needed to "hoard".
I definitely hear what you are saying about all the "sameness". I feel like back in the scrapbooking golden era there were a lot of trends (see chandeliers and mustaches) that appeared in lots of different lines, but there was also more variety--different colour schemes, embellishments, etc. There was always at least one line that was different. I really miss that now.
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Post by breakfastattiffanys on Dec 13, 2022 16:24:43 GMT
Sometimes the trends worked out. I go to a hot air balloon festival every year, so that was an advantageous trend! But I totally agree, there are so many I don’t “get”.
I never used one of the camera die cuts on a layout. It looks good on other scrappers’ layouts, but for me, I just couldn’t add them anywhere. It’s like, it’s a photo! See? And I took it with my phone! Not actually a camera!
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,492
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Dec 13, 2022 16:24:54 GMT
I didn't scrap when chandeliers were in, or didn't buy anything so I've never used one. I think I have a llama chipboard laying around somewhere... I used one set of moustache stickers on a page about DS when he was two or three dressed up as Super Mario... I cut out yellow stars for the background and put moustaches on all of them.
I am actually so bored of the same old colors, same old themes, that I am finding it hard to buy anything...
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Post by Linda on Dec 13, 2022 16:47:32 GMT
I think, in part, companies are marketing to the average buyer and I suspect that average buyer is not a longtime scrapper like us with a big stash - they are likely fairly new to the hobby and they are probably scrapping small children primarily. So the designs are new to many of them rather than the same-old that we see. I think this is especially true for companies like Doodlebug, EP, Photoplay...
And I think the wierd icon trends tend to be trending outside scrapbooking also - foxes were everywhere the last couple of years, llamas were big for a while, so were mustaches/mustaches jokes/puns...and I'm sure that the companies do try to keep up with what's popular in general.
I think that themed stuff is probably always going to be repetitive to some degree - the less themed collections - like Pinkfresh, Cocoa Vanilla, VB etc...are probably more geared at experienced scrappers - and more unusual themes/unusual takes on themes are likely to come from smaller companies - Reminisce, Scrapbook Generations and so on
No wonky rainbows in my stash and I think I successfully avoided chandeliers, mustaches, and llamas along with donuts and pizza slices. I do have foxes (but I love foxes and we had one that visited our old yard) and pickup trucks (but DS has an old red pickup truck) and hedgehogs (but they are my favourite!)...I have some cameras and do use them now and then
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
Posts: 7,263
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Dec 13, 2022 19:52:38 GMT
I don’t understand messy handwriting stamps like SC sells. Even my starts nice but gets messy handwriting is better than that. NO thank you! And then you want to charge $20 for that? Just no!
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Post by papersilly on Dec 13, 2022 21:54:01 GMT
you described the feeling very well. "underwhelmed". i can't remember the last time i looked at a collection and had to have it. i think those days have long passed.
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Post by Embri on Dec 13, 2022 22:06:51 GMT
The whole scrapbooking/cardmaking industry is like this to me.
So many cards are repetitive! It's wild to me because as a visual medium there's literally no limits on what you can build. But so much of it ends up boiled down to "put this big coverplate/flower/shape on the front, slap a big word diecut/sentiment strip over top, done". With nothing but small variations in how they made the two parts, usually geared to selling folks yet another overpriced art supply they can probably make themselves for far less out of things they already own.
I don't know, it often feels like paint-by-numbers trying to masquerade as creativity.
Products and themes, there it's more company B sees company A is selling X, so they quickly rush out X too. Whatever happens to be the "new" thing, which quickly becomes the "meh whatever" thing because everyone and their dog is trying to sell you yet another minor variation of it.
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Post by scrappypeanut on Dec 13, 2022 22:09:52 GMT
Yes, I hear you. I didn't get into the trends much and if the papers I did pick up had those more trendy (sometimes bizarre) things on them, the b sides usually worked. But yes, besides Xmas lines, because I may or may not have an unhealthy obsession with all things Xmas,  I shop mostly from my beloved stash. I rarely buy paper, its mostly stamps, dies, stencils, etc. |
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Post by AussieMeg on Dec 13, 2022 23:10:53 GMT
I looked at the Echo Park and Carte Bella releases and I'm really underwhelmed. I understand that it is hard to come up with something new and different. And Easter demands rabbits (I love rabbits) and Christmas demands deer (I love deer). And of course pumpkins for fall. But they really need to expand more. I completely agree, and I was underwhelmed as well. I have the added frustration that Christmas is in summer here, so give me bright fun colours, and please, NO DEER!  We don't have deer here. 95% of Christmas kits are useless to me, because I dislike traditional Christmas colours and we don't have snow, snowmen, snowflakes, deer, poinsettia, mistletoe, etc etc etc. But almost every kit is red and green with all those things. I just bought a fun add-on kit by Humble and Create called "Christmas, But Hot". The embellishments are really fun - Santa in sunglasses, icy drinks, palm trees, and even a snowman - but that's okay because he's wearing sunglasses! I don't really like the colours, but that doesn't matter, I can adjust them in Photoshop. Easter kits can be a bit of a problem too, because so many of them are spring themed. And of course Easter is in autumn here. But at least the colours are usually pretty. |
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,956
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Dec 14, 2022 0:38:21 GMT
Sadly, I've noted for years that many manufacturers, including EP/CB, are repetitive/formulaic. Not only does the industry predictably use the same tired sentiments/icons/colors for the same themes on a loop, but also includes them on all products within a collection (e.g. patterned papers, flat/foam/puffy/layered stickers, ephemera, journaling cards, chipboard, washi, brads, stamps). Even a new phrase/icon/color palette is not fresh for long, since it's a "copycat" industry & popular icons/phrass/colors quickly appear throughout other manufacturers' collections as well. This inevitably leaves consumers with multiples of the same overused icons/words/phrases/colors. I'm grateful to still have supplies from defunct manufacturers (e.g. Chatterbox, KI Memories) in my inventory because I find them more creative/diverse/versatile/usable, & less themed/repetitive than more recent releases. ETA: ... How many of you have piles of rainbows in your stash? Do any of you still have chandeliers, mustaches, and llamas from the old days that you never used? No; none (unless on the reverse side of a classic patterned paper in my inventory). I'm neither a theme nor collection scrapper, so rarely buy/use themed supplies & never purchase/use an entire collection. My current dislike is the overabundance of florals; they're seemingly in every collection...ugh! |
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Post by janamke on Dec 14, 2022 1:16:05 GMT
Totally agree! I haven’t purchased any scrapbook collections in well over a year. Nothing is inspiring to me. I’m happy with my monthly kit of the month for PL supplies.
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Post by scrappyrabbit on Dec 14, 2022 1:32:11 GMT
I don’t think I have any wonky rainbow papers, but I agree. Especially Echo Park/Carta Bella. They reuse icons like nobody’s business. And then the embellishments all have the same icons too.
I personally think you can find more unique designs by branching into the “generic” brands. Park Lane has some really nice paper pads. I just got a Christmas one that is unlike any Christmas collection I’ve ever seen. I also got a Park Lane travel one that is very unique (imo) on clearance.
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,627
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Dec 14, 2022 3:04:54 GMT
While I get why companies use "trendy" colors/themes/icons, I really, really wish they would switch up the illustrators every year or two. Lori Whitlock has had dozens of EP collections. I saw that Traci Reed has six collections coming out with Simple Stories next year. Nothing against either of them, they are both extremely talented at what they do, but IMO, too much of the same style from a single company.
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chendra
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,877
Location: The 33rd State
Jun 27, 2014 16:58:50 GMT
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Post by chendra on Dec 14, 2022 3:06:30 GMT
Hello, wild child, wild and free.
Bloom! Bloom where you're planted!
Dream! Follow your dreams!
Go, see, do! Not all who wander are lost.
Best day ever.
⬆️
Cut-apart/ephemera compilation poem.
Read with feeling.
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Post by 950nancy on Dec 14, 2022 3:27:07 GMT
When I go into my stash of papers, I have so many different kinds. It does seem with the loss of so many companies that sameness is new trend.
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Post by Night Owl on Dec 14, 2022 4:01:59 GMT
I had commented on here awhile ago that I was tired of the "Dream Big" sentiment in so many collections. I had to laugh when I saw that EP actually has 2 new collections called "Dream Big Little Girl" and "Dream Big Little Boy" and they have wonky rainbows.  Doodlebug which is one of my favorites tends to use the same color scheme which is nice because you can match old with new, but it is getting to the point where their stuff looks alike. Like said above, they hope to appeal to new scrapbookers who haven't seen those things repeated dozens of times. |
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Post by epeanymous on Dec 14, 2022 4:16:54 GMT
I checked out the scrapbooking section at our Ben Franklin on Monday, and I left without buying anything. Not in a huff -- I just couldn't find anything I was excited to get, so I didn't. You are right -- everything looked like it has always looked, even if I knew the lines were new.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Dec 14, 2022 5:02:23 GMT
I agree.
The last several Echo Park collections have all looked the same.
I am not one to follow trends.
I think, when a company or designer comes out with something new, then all the rest jump on the bandwagon.
Way too many followers.
I miss some of the older styles, from years past.
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Post by vjlau on Dec 14, 2022 7:11:53 GMT
I wish a company like Chatterbox (adored their "walls" collections) or Basic Grey would come back. I miss Making Memories too. Not all themed, but pretty coordinated papers. Papers you could use on other things too.
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Post by myboysnme on Dec 14, 2022 7:54:01 GMT
My 3 year old granddaughter loves rainbows. She was even a rainbow for Halloween last year. Even still I have rainbows out the wazoo. So many rainbows!
They must feel that those themes sell for them. By the age poll on nsbr there are no young people on this site. So if anyone is coming into the hobby they are at least over 30. CM is still keeping a huge following.
I dont think we on sbr represent scrappers anymore. We are the hobbyists who would buy a 17k bike or a 1966 Mustang to restore. Frankly I don't think what's left of the sbr manufacturing world cares a whole lot about us. They already hooked us with past collections.
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Post by tealpaperowl on Dec 14, 2022 13:57:46 GMT
Agreed! I haven't bought paper in awhile because of this. I feel like I already have something similar. It's very hard to find prints that fit my sons - 18 and 20. Most are baby or toddler boyish or say dad lol
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,434
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Post by scrapnnana on Dec 14, 2022 14:36:34 GMT
I have few, if any, of the trends listed in the OP. However, I have noticed that a lot of papers seem too similar to older ones. It makes it easier to feel content shopping my stash, though. I seriously don’t need new papers, especially if they are similar to past releases.
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Post by Linda on Dec 14, 2022 14:45:50 GMT
I wish a company like Chatterbox (adored their "walls" collections) or Basic Grey would come back. I miss Making Memories too. Not all themed, but pretty coordinated papers. Papers you could use on other things too. check out Scrapbook Generations for versatile lightly themed collections. Also Simple Stories Colour Vibe |
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Post by joblackford on Dec 14, 2022 16:34:54 GMT
My situation is slightly different as a cardmaker who uses up collections and gives away all of the cards pretty quickly. I don't really have stash to speak of. I do notice when I buy patterned paper and ephemera that there's a lot of sameness, but if I like the style it doesn't bother me, it just gives me another chance to enjoy using bright colored flowers (Paige Evans) or cutesie pun stuff (Doodlebug), etc.
If I hate the trend, like wonky rainbows or childish illustrations/writing it's a bummer to see it repeated over and over and there are definitely brands/designers I don't even look at any more. It's been a while since I saw anything I really had to have in the paper/ephemera releases.
I do get really frustrated by the blatant copying and bandwagoning in the stamp and die world though. No company can have their own thing without a bunch of others making their own version. And it actually stops me from buying because I don't want to buy a die that I just like and then find that 3 other companies have put out versions that I love more. I also get mad when a bigger business copies what a small business came up with and uses their scale to undercut the little guy.
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Deleted
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Nov 6, 2024 20:48:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 14, 2022 18:15:27 GMT
I definitely not hanging onto any of the old trendy icons and avoided most of them to begin with! I've been feeling "blah" by a lot of the new collections, too. Partially because my 20+ year old stash will last a lifetime and a lot feels like stuff I already have. When I scrap I tend to still be pulling mostly from my SC kits in all honesty.
Few bright spots I've found lately are:
* More of the CM collections than in the past. More recently I got the Leave Nothing Behind collection (& the hiking boot punch!) for our outdoor adventures and the Bark & Meow collection, since I prefer primary colors for pet pages.
* At Tuesday Morning, I found a 12x12 and 8x8 pad of Graphic 45's Well Groomed collection plus chipboard embellishments. Again, lots of pet related scrapping from the last few years, so this was a good find.
Besides that, really my only recent favorite of the more mainstream designs has been Vicky Boutin, although I skipped Evergreen and Holly since it was too similar to her prior Christmas collection and in general, it's so bold, I don't need it all.
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,388
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Post by artbabe on Dec 15, 2022 0:09:41 GMT
Hello, wild child, wild and free. Bloom! Bloom where you're planted! Dream! Follow your dreams! Go, see, do! Not all who wander are lost. Best day ever. ⬆️ Cut-apart/ephemera compilation poem. Read with feeling. This is fantastic. I bow down to your genius. An Echo Park zoo line I used yesterday had “wild and free” for one of their stickers and I thought: “really? For a zoo?” I don’t like Pinkfresh phrases because their phrases are bossy: “be kind” “follow your dream” “bloom where you are planted” “reach for the stars”. No! You can’t make me! Stop bossing me around! When I see “Hello” I want to scrapbook Lionel Ritchie. The clay head video was classic. I think I’ve been scrapbooking too long. |
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Deleted
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Nov 6, 2024 20:48:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2022 1:03:03 GMT
An Echo Park zoo line I used yesterday had “wild and free” for one of their stickers and I thought: “really? For a zoo?” You really pointed out the obvious there and every time I've seen it before, I missed it  thanks for the chuckle! |
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amysolovay
Full Member
Posts: 331
Sept 4, 2022 6:25:20 GMT
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Post by amysolovay on Dec 17, 2022 15:12:36 GMT
Hello, wild child, wild and free. Bloom! Bloom where you're planted! Dream! Follow your dreams! Go, see, do! Not all who wander are lost. Best day ever. ⬆️ Cut-apart/ephemera compilation poem. Read with feeling. This is fantastic. I bow down to your genius. An Echo Park zoo line I used yesterday had “wild and free” for one of their stickers and I thought: “really? For a zoo?” I don’t like Pinkfresh phrases because their phrases are bossy: “be kind” “follow your dream” “bloom where you are planted” “reach for the stars”. No! You can’t make me! Stop bossing me around! When I see “Hello” I want to scrapbook Lionel Ritchie. The clay head video was classic. I think I’ve been scrapbooking too long. OK, I am laughing so hard I have tears running down my face. I totally agree -- the poem is genius! Loved it! How is it possible that you and I both think of Lionel when we see those Hello stickers (and stamps)? Love and adore Lionel. Funny thing, DH and I were just watching some of his videos on the internet a few days ago. I still love them all these years later. The bossiness is definitely a problem I have noticed with planner stickers. I'm thinking there must be some overlap between the planner designers and the scrapbooking supply designers, because the "be kind" thing is huge with planner stickers -- and I had EXACTLY the same reaction to them that you had! I do not need my planner bossing me around! I avoid purchasing anything that says "be kind" (unless it happens to also be packaged with something else I really, really want...) That said, I love and adore Pinkfresh, and many of their sentiments really do resonate with me, including some of the bossy ones ("Feel the fear and do it anyway" is my favorite, bossy or not).... Another thing I appreciate about them is that they offer a lot of unique sentiments. You have the possibility to get sentiments from them that nobody else offers, and there is a lot to be said for that. |
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amysolovay
Full Member
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Sept 4, 2022 6:25:20 GMT
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Post by amysolovay on Dec 17, 2022 15:23:10 GMT
I am totally with you on the wonky rainbows. Just no! The rainbow is one of my favorite design elements, but it has to be a nice, neat, tidy rainbow before I am interested. One of my Happy Planner guided journals has rainbow doodles to color that are not wonky, and they make me happy. One of my stamps from Citrus Twist has a not-wonky rainbow, and I use that one often.
The mustaches and chandeliers make me think of Hambly. I miss Hambly, but definitely not the mustaches and chandeliers.
Funny thing you should mention that. I once got a whole collection of Hambly mustaches in my design team box from Clear Scraps (The former owners of Clear Scraps used to also own a scrapbooking store, and they did product swaps with other manufacturers they did business with) -- we're talking the mustache stickers, transparencies, papers, everything. I took one look at it and thought "Ugh, I am never going to use this", and promptly included the whole lot of it in a giveaway I did for one of my craft websites. I wonder if the recipient actually used that stuff? I did think some of the Hambly DT's projects they did with those products were cute and funny, at the time, but I didn't want my own scrapping to go in that direction.
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I shop mostly from my beloved stash. 
We don't have deer here. 95% of Christmas kits are useless to me, because I dislike traditional Christmas colours and we don't have snow, snowmen, snowflakes, deer, poinsettia, mistletoe, etc etc etc. But almost every kit is red and green with all those things. 
thanks for the chuckle!