artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,844 
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Post by artbabe on Mar 27, 2025 15:03:21 GMT
We are always looking at lines by American Crafts, Simple Stories, Echo Park and Carta Bella, Bella Blvd., Doodlebug, Photoplay, etc.
And I assume our Australian scrappers use Paper Rose, Cocoa Vanilla, etc., as do I.
But what about the ones that don't get a lot of mentions on here? Do you ever use any of them?
If so, which ones? Do you have a favorite?
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,844
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Post by artbabe on Mar 27, 2025 15:14:00 GMT
I've used all of the ones I mentioned. Some are not my favorite.
Mintay is pretty impossible to use, except the B sides, but I made a few pages with one of their Christmas lines (and A LOT of fussy cutting) that I quite like.
I am definitely not the target market for Prima, but I absolutely love their pink Halloween paper. It is so fun to use.
Ciao Bella is hit or miss. They have some edgy Bad Girls stencils and stamps that are really fun for non-traditional pages. I have made pages with some of their papers.
Stamperia made two of my favorite lines to scrap with- one was a safari line (I own a huge amount of it and love those layouts) and the Bauhaus one (fun for this art teacher).
P13 - meh. Most is a pass, but I loved Into the Woods and the lemonade one.
Graphic 45 - I either love it or hate it. I have made some nice layouts with it, but I buy a collection pretty rarely. They had a recent one with bunnies that I can't wait to work with, though.
Asuka Studio - I made one of my all-time favorite layouts with their paper- it was a beach collection. I bought a comic book collection from them I haven't used yet.
I'm much more comfortable making layouts with the big American/Australian companies, but I like to challenge myself, so sometimes I buy "out of the box" lines to mess with.
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Post by pantsonfire on Mar 27, 2025 15:16:19 GMT
Mintay Chippies. Do not recommend.
I have never been drawn to any of the above listed lines. Not my style.
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Post by justlisa7 on Mar 27, 2025 15:19:06 GMT
I don't think I have ever used any of those paper lines. I did purchase a single 12x12 Prima sheet of Christmas paper with Santa, etc. icons that can be cut out in pretty pinks to use for my granddaughter. I did used to use prima flowers and ribbon big time back in the day. That was so long ago. I still love those layouts though. lol
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Post by BSnyder on Mar 27, 2025 15:20:57 GMT
I have never made a layout from any of these companies…yet. I have some P13 paper set aside for my kids to do layouts about their schooling and professions. I also have some Ciao Bella set aside to document a trip to Italy and memories from my childhood (70’s inspired design). I am not a collector, only picking and choosing what fits me and my style.
Graphic 45 is gorgeous and I love it. However, it does not fit my life, photos, or scrapping style. I have used it for several mixed media projects just so I have an excuse to pick it up every now and then. Prima is the same. There have been several limes that I love the colors, but can’t scrap with the papers. I have used them for mixed media projects and mini album projects that were created as gifts.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,316
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Mar 27, 2025 15:46:03 GMT
I have a Ciao Bella collection (6 by 6) in my stash because it was very 70s and I had plans... I still have plans  I have used a sheet of P-13 and Graphic 45 (b-sides on both) on layouts. To add to the list, Paper Rose Studio, Ella and Viv, and Funky Fossil although FF only makes 6 by 6 paper and it's shinier I needed retro video game paper and they had some. |
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artbabe
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,844
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Post by artbabe on Mar 27, 2025 15:59:10 GMT
I didn't include some of the Australian ones because I figured our Australian scrappers used them. I know I've used Cocoa Vanilla a lot, and I use a lot of Paper Rose (even though it is glossy- not my favorite). I probably should have included them, though.
Ella and Viv is (or was- do they still make those lines) is Reminisce. I think I need a whole different thread about Reminisce- they are so out of the box.
I just looked up Funky Fossil. Oh no. I love that mid century collection. Looks like I'm going to have to try them out. It looks really fun to work with. If we are doing 6x6, we can add Brutus Monroe to the list- although his paper is glossy. It is pretty fun, though, and has some interesting designs. It works better for my junk journaling.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,316
Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Mar 27, 2025 16:07:00 GMT
I didn't include some of the Australian ones because I figured our Australian scrappers used them. I know I've used Cocoa Vanilla a lot, and I use a lot of Paper Rose (even though it is glossy- not my favorite). I probably should have included them, though. Ella and Viv is (or was- do they still make those lines) is Reminisce. I think I need a whole different thread about Reminisce- they are so out of the box. I just looked up Funky Fossil. Oh no. I love that mid century collection. Looks like I'm going to have to try them out. It looks really fun to work with. If we are doing 6x6, we can add Brutus Monroe to the list- although his paper is glossy. It is pretty fun, though, and has some interesting designs. It works better for my junk journaling. Ella and Viv has their own website, and is also sold on Scrapbook.com so they still exist, I didn't know they were part of Reminisce. |
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Post by jenr on Mar 27, 2025 16:12:38 GMT
None of these are really my aesthetic. I sometimes really love Graphic 45's themes, but I find the papers a little too busy.
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Post by Linda on Mar 27, 2025 16:15:54 GMT
I don't think I've ever used any of those nor have I seen them in person. Maybe Graphic 45?
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Post by melanell on Mar 27, 2025 16:17:28 GMT
To me, companies that produce very busy pages or pages with a single image that fills the whole page, are ones I rarely purchase anything from, simply because I find it very difficult to work with those papers.
The one company on your list that I have purchased from more than once is Graphic 45 because they have, in the past, simply hit upon a few themes I really loved, plus I find that they often have pages that lend themselves to being cut apart and used in small pieces, which helps me use their lines a bit more easily than some of the others.
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Post by scrappyrabbit on Mar 27, 2025 16:19:46 GMT
I have some P13 and have used it recently! I like their stuff.
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Post by mayceesgranny on Mar 27, 2025 16:46:34 GMT
I've been seeing Fancy Pants collections on Peachy Cheap a lot lately. None of it appeals to me - I don't like the color combos. I mostly used non-themed papers that consistently use a color palette that can be mixed and matched.
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Post by scrapcat on Mar 27, 2025 18:50:21 GMT
I've gotten more into these lines in recent years. Mostly because at the Expo there were single sheet sellers and the quality is good. I think it's sort of been challenging to me to change it up and try to use these lines. My favorite way is to use an exacto knife to cut around some of the images and then pop them up with foam, sometimes will ink blend behind the image to make it stand out or accent more. It's a quick way to not have to use a bunch of other embellishments.
A few that I've used...
Mintay - used Day by Day collection for "me" pages, feelings, longer journaling stories, everyday type stories. I am a sucker for their door and window page designs and sometimes I will put a very decorate paper as a compliment to another layout. I like to photograph doors and windows when traveling, so use them with that.
Asuka - obsessed with their sweater print design and own several colors, the b-side is a gingham design. I like their Play collection - it has gamer theme and cheeseburgers, used to make layouts of teenage boy.
Ciao Bella - Love their London Calling line and used the 8x8 pad to make a folio for a Christmas trip to London. Also used Bella Blue Note for concerts and city visits.
P13 - only a couple sheets of this, but their Goodnight collection has a cute baby fox image, so scrapped my cat Foxtrot on that. I think I also have a sheet or 2 from one of their halloween lines.
Graphic 45 - I've always used them over the years here and there, but really love the Life's Abundant line - have mostly used it for cards recently.
And yes to Cocoa Vanilla, Paper Rose and Fancy Pants. I am still really someone who likes Simple Stories, so these are different, but I like trying different things to keep it interesting.
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Ryann
Pearl Clutcher
Love is Inclusive
Posts: 2,871
Location: PNW
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Post by Ryann on Mar 27, 2025 19:02:46 GMT
Mintay Chippies. Do not recommend.Can you please expand on this? I have some but haven't used. I'm curious what your thoughts are. Thank you! |
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 27, 2025 19:25:38 GMT
I have purchased from all of those companies. I still have a LSS, and she carries them. If it is a good nature line, I'll try any company.
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Post by pantsonfire on Mar 27, 2025 19:30:40 GMT
Mintay Chippies. Do not recommend.Can you please expand on this? I have some but haven't used. I'm curious what your thoughts are. Thank you! A lot ripped when I was removing them from their little connectors. I have since seen a YouTuber use an exact knife to cut them from their holder, like what you do with building kits of airplanes or cars. But with some of the dinos the connectors were on their tiny feet or small head So you'd need to be super careful. A lot have begun to peel with no use. I have them all together in a photo Iris container. The are very flimsy and have bent. I have to be careful coloring them with my alcohol markers because they can begin to pull up and pill and get a weird texture. I wanted to do 2 colors with Stickles on a brachiosaurus and it really pilled. I am using them on layouts for DD and a few for ds. I decided they aren't worth the cost and won't buy anymore. Going to look for stamp and die set or even just stamps that aren't cutessy and look more realistic. I honestly thought they were like other chipboard shapes I have used but would call them more cardboard. I have used hearts, stars, people bathroom figures, arrows and never had an issue. |
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kitbop
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,888
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Post by kitbop on Mar 27, 2025 21:13:08 GMT
I have a few pads of 6x8 Mintay cardstock that are very basic - woodgrains, burlap, textured basic colours... they are great for punching or matting.
I have used Asuka once - a "superpowers" line I believe for boys - but my LSS only carried it the one time (it was a "one hit wonder" I believe - everyone wanted this specific line...)
One of my LSSes carriers lots of Mintay, but they aren't my vibe.
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Post by pantsonfire on Mar 27, 2025 22:06:06 GMT
Mintay Chippies. Do not recommend.Can you please expand on this? I have some but haven't used. I'm curious what your thoughts are. Thank you! I will try and take a picture of one of the dinosaurs that pilled and got fuzzy. I just did 1 light layer of tri blend alcohol markers on it. |
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Post by justlisa7 on Mar 27, 2025 22:08:20 GMT
I was just looking thru some primary color birthday stuff at hoem for layouts and guess what?! I found 3 small stickers sheets (super cute) of P13! 😳 I remember now seeing them at scrapbook dot com a while back and thought they would make a nice addition to birthday layouts. So, I have bought one of those lines. ☺️
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Post by justlisa7 on Mar 27, 2025 22:10:07 GMT
I have purchased from all of those companies. I still have a LSS, and she carries them. If it is a good nature line, I'll try any company. You are so very fortunate to have a LSS. ☺️ I sure do miss the ones we had. I went every week and sometimes twice in a week with my friends. It was just the best. |
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,843
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Mar 27, 2025 23:04:54 GMT
No. While all these brands are creative & offer beautiful products, I'm not their target audience.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 20:21:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2025 23:57:45 GMT
I've also used 3Quarter Designs, a company based in New Zealand. Here's a link to their website: 3Quarter Designs |
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 28, 2025 3:12:37 GMT
I have purchased from all of those companies. I still have a LSS, and she carries them. If it is a good nature line, I'll try any company. You are so very fortunate to have a LSS. ☺️ I sure do miss the ones we had. I went every week and sometimes twice in a week with my friends. It was just the best. I completely agree. She just celebrated her 27th year. I was so worried that she'd close due to Covid. She did limit her hours (still has shortened hours on Mondays and Tuesdays). But she ended up going with Facebook Lives that showcased her new stuff every Tuesday and people buy the stuff before it even hits the shelf. If she wasn't so far north, I'd be there a lot! I also have a good second hand craft store about 15 minutes away and I find new dies, stamps, and ephemera there frequently. |
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camcas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,414
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Post by camcas on Mar 28, 2025 3:23:32 GMT
Speaking as an Aussie- I use paper rose for cards but NOT scrapbooking- don’t like the glossy
I don’t like Cocoa Vanilla as a rule - something too busy/childlike for me
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Mar 28, 2025 5:23:16 GMT
I never use Graphic 45...it's not my style.
The other brands listed, I have purchased their product(s)....but some I haven't used yet, because I am waiting for the right photo.
When I purchase scrapbook products, brand is not a priority.
My product priority is >> color, style, and pattern(paper).
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,010
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Mar 28, 2025 5:38:01 GMT
I've used Mintay, a friend gifted me some gorgeous floral papers that I loved, but I mostly look for the b sides in their collections. The same goes for P13, I find their b sides much easier to use.
I've picked up a few pieces from Prima over the years, I particularly love the black kitties in their halloween lines.
I know I've got a single piece of G45 I picked up on my trip to the US last year but it hasn't made it onto a page yet.
Some others I've used that are not in the list: 3Quarter Designs, AB Studio, Alexandra Renke, and Lora Bailora. And Cocoa Vanilla of course.
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Post by lisacharlotte on Mar 28, 2025 12:16:50 GMT
I've made cards from Mintay, but do not find them useful for scrapbooking. Their designs pull all the attention and I feel the photos would be an afterthought.
I've also only made cards using Graphic 45 for the same reason.
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Post by mikklynn on Mar 28, 2025 13:25:54 GMT
I've made cards from Mintay and P13, and one or two layouts.
I just can't work with Graphic 45. It's not me.
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,461
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Mar 28, 2025 15:07:50 GMT
The way I buy paper is a sheet at a time- from online or if I am lucky enough to be in a store selling paper. I just pick a sheet here and there that calls to me so I rarely know a designer unless they are distinctive. Like I can identify the old basic grey sheets I still have scattered in my paper stash.
That said, I recognize Mintay and I have purchased and used- mostly the B especially during Christmas and winter. I’ve never purchased any collections from any company.
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