scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,637 
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 24, 2025 17:40:41 GMT
It’s really sad to read how many stores that sell paper crafting supplies have closed or announced that they are closing, although I also see new lines announced here regularly, so I hope our hobby will keep on going, but sometimes I wonder.
To be honest, I have such a ridiculously huge stash that I could continue to scrapbook and make cards, even if I lived to be 200. I still buy things here and there, mostly from the relatively new LSS sort of near me, but I don’t “need” anything. I probably never will need anything more at this point, even if I scrapbook around the clock for the rest of my life. Besides my stash, I have stamps, dies, and plenty of digital images. I could/would make what I need, if I don’t have it ready made. That’s what I used to do when I had fewer options.
What would you do if new products dried up? Would you make your own embellishments, stamp designs on plain card stock, etc.? Could you stick to your stash? Would you stick to paper crafting or just find a different hobby?
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Post by Linda on Apr 24, 2025 17:49:54 GMT
What would you do if new products dried up? Would you make your own embellishments, stamp designs on plain card stock, etc.? Could you stick to your stash? Would you stick to paper crafting or just find a different hobby? I'll still paper craft as long as I can find the actual basics (white/black/kraft cardstock, adhesive, and page protectors...) and since I scrap 8.5x11, I have a much better chance of those continuing to be available via the office supplies even if scrapbooking options dry up. The album I'm currently working on - embellishments are heavy on stamped images, printable (fussy cut), embossing, punched and die cut shapes etc...Sure I'm using pre-made die cuts and stickers and enamel dots as they work with my page but I could easily make very similar pages without them. I have a decent stash - not as big as some, not as compact as others. Lately I've been focusing more on non-consumables - dies, embossing folders, stamps, printables...although I have also picked up some paper and embellishments as well. I think I would be okay... |
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by craftymom101 on Apr 24, 2025 17:57:35 GMT
I'm more and more worried about our beloved hobby. I still buy (a lot!) but I worry the major manufacturers will cease production of new lines soon and I will have to "shop my stash" after that. Like most of us, I have a HUGE stash that can keep me going for the next 100 years, but I do worry about albums + page protectors vanishing. Where will I put my layouts if I can't buy albums?
My husband comments that my scrapbooking stash is taking over the house, but I remind him of all the manufacturers who have gone out of business in the past few years and my fear of the hobby disappearing, so he keeps his comments to a minimum. I do need my own crafting room eventually... I have product stashed in so many placed in my house I feel like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter!
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Post by Linda on Apr 24, 2025 18:05:15 GMT
Where will I put my layouts if I can't buy albums? that is a concern - I'm already struggling to find albums. I used to buy mine at HL but they discontinued the ones I used. I switched to 9x12 from SB.com...and they've been OOS for ages now although they've assured me that they haven't been discontinued. I COULD go back to office store binders (which I know isn't an option for 12x12) but I really don't want to. Right now my trip album is living in Iris cases until I finish it and can find the requisite number of albums for it. |
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by craftymom101 on Apr 24, 2025 18:16:14 GMT
linda I really like the look of a 9x12 album, but when they were released, I worried about their longevity. It seems like everything "new" ends up discontinued relatively quickly, which is a shame.
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Post by Linda on Apr 24, 2025 18:19:20 GMT
linda I really like the look of a 9x12 album, but when they were released, I worried about their longevity. It seems like everything "new" ends up discontinued relatively quickly, which is a shame. I mostly liked the fact that they took my 8.5x11 page protectors and didn't look too out of place on the shelves next to the 8.5x11 albums. I think albums are so heavy to ship that they might not be easy to sell in sufficient quantities. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,637
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 24, 2025 19:08:41 GMT
craftymom101, I started scrapbooking when I had 5 kids in a small 3 bedroom home. Like you, I had to squirrel my scrapbook supplies wherever I could find a spot. Thankfully, I now have my own scrapbook area. I even have extra albums to fill. I stocked up on CTMH albums at least a year or more before they went out of business. In a pinch, though, I could go back to the 3 ring, 8.5x11 binders that school kids use.
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Post by mayceesgranny on Apr 24, 2025 19:37:51 GMT
I could limp through quite a few years with the paper supplies and embellishments I have collected. I would be short on 12x12 page protectors and Albums. But, I also have a nice supply of 6x8 Snap albums that need to be filled and I think I'd be able to create mini albums. I would learn to adjust and find a way to fill that creative need! I'm already branching out to junk journals and art journals.
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Post by mikklynn on Apr 24, 2025 20:06:20 GMT
I'd be fine. I'd be sad, but I have enough supplies. I've been using some of them for junk journaling, which I find really relaxing. It's a good way to use up ephemera and the last stickers on a page.
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Post by ScrapbookMyLife on Apr 24, 2025 20:11:08 GMT
I will always scrapbook.
I love it just as much now, as I did when I started 28+ years ago.
I have enough in my inventory, that I could probably scrapbook the rest of my life without purchasing more.
I do continue to add to my inventory, when new product comes out.
If all the "scrapbook" companies ceased business, there are still products available via other industries and sources. Ebay sells new and old merchandise. Many companies sell stickers and papers, for non-scrapbooking purposes.
I could make my own if I had to, but I don't really want to. The only thing I make is frames >> with my we r memory keepers circle cutter and my sizzix big shot(I have circle, square and rectangle die cuts).
Though the number of scrapbook companies has decreased over the years, I don't think they will all close......so I think there will always be product available.
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FuzzyMutt
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Apr 24, 2025 20:14:15 GMT
I have so so much stuff. It might even help me out if I “knew” I couldn’t get more stuff.
Embellishments I’ve been holding onto for just the right paper I’ve never seen (yet to be made of course lol), or handfuls of papers for which I feel like there will someday be a “perfect” collection it will work with so I hold on to it waiting… waiting.
I hold on to stuff I don’t love- because I see it get used with new things. Example—- the new Ali Edwards WITL collection is full of ridiculous colors that I don’t love. (To be fair the videos and photos don’t look the same so I hope I will like whatever comes out of the box lol and it always looks nice in the end lol) Well- someone mentioned that those colors are just ripe with stash busting potential- and I agree!!
So, I’ll continue holding on to the salmon and mustard colored crap I don’t like (gah) and eventually the collection will come out—- I just know it will.
But, if there were to be no more- well. I’ll just have to use it best as I can, or choose to part with it lol Either way, I can scrap to eternity.
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Post by justlisa7 on Apr 24, 2025 20:16:17 GMT
I worry too. I mainly scrapbook 6x8 now at this time in my life and on white textured cardstock paper - no more 12x12 (I have so many filled 12x12 albums and 6x8 too). I have a whole lot of 6x8 albums and white cardstock stockpiled. I have scrapbooked since 1996 and have a whole room that is getting quite organized and easy to find and see stuff.  Finally. I let it go for so long. I am enjoying scrapbooking again. I worry a little about page protectors but I do have a stockpile of them and I do have a stockpile of white textured 12x12 cardstock paper - probably 200+ sheets. I may buy another 12x12 60 pack of the AC textured white cardstock to be safe. I stocked up on adhesive big time the beginning of the year due to tariffs and due to limited supplies. Will reevaluate in 6 months and see where I am at. I have so many AE Story Kits, AE sbtm, AE DD, AE scrapbook kits, SC scrapbook and documenter kits, FJ kits, Citrus Kits all unused, plus a whole lot of embellishments and alphas and pattern paper. I don't use a whole lot of colored cardstock but do have some. I feel I am good for the rest of my life if I live to be a 100. Heck, I even have 100's of photos printed to use still. But I am so sad to see kit clubs and stores online go away - especially after losing all my lss years ago. I love this hobby - it brings me so much joy still. |
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Post by ebbie on Apr 24, 2025 20:36:46 GMT
What would you do if new products dried up? Would you make your own embellishments, stamp designs on plain card stock, etc.? Could you stick to your stash? Would you stick to paper crafting or just find a different hobby? I would be fine. I have enough scrapbooking supplies to last my entire lifetime, and then some. I would continue to scrapbook and go to crops and retreats. There are often scrapbooking garage sales and I would buy gently used items and continue to grow my stash... although in reality, I should just start to make a dent with what I already have! |
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breetheflea
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Location: PNW
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Post by breetheflea on Apr 24, 2025 21:03:41 GMT
I would make it work... I don't have a huge stash, but I have enough to last quite a while and I can get creative. The two things I would not be able to make myself (besides paper) are albums and page protectors. I was just watching something about the board game industry on Youtube, and I'm also glad we have a good stash of games because either companies are not selling to the US right now, or closing  |
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Elsabelle
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Post by Elsabelle on Apr 24, 2025 21:42:56 GMT
At the rate I'm completing layouts with the stash I have I could scrap as long as I'm able to. Finding albums and page protectors might eventually be a problem but I guess I could switch over to 8.5x11 and use binders if I had to.
It is sad to see things dry up little by little.
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Post by Citygirl on Apr 24, 2025 22:00:12 GMT
I don’t think I would ever quit the hobby. Memory keeping is my first love (as far as hobbies go). I’ve been hoarding for the scrapbook apocalypse so I think I could manage for a long time with my stash or create my own stuff if needed. As others have stated albums and PP are a concern but one can always make an album out of a binder, old book, paper, etc.
If all the new physical products went away I would probably switch to digital photo books or just old school photo albums where you pop in a photo and that’s the end.
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Post by scrappyrabbit on Apr 24, 2025 22:24:54 GMT
I would be fine for a few years. When I first started scrapping, I fussy cut things a lot more and kept all kinds of bits and bobs from greeting cards I received, etc. I used to use punches on my scraps to create basic shapes and embellishments. I gutted my paper a lot more (even cutting out small circles behind my photos to use the paper again). Basically, I was a lot more "scrappy" and creative. I've gone away from a lot of that as my stash has grown. Now I use mostly premade embellishments or things that come together in a collection. Something else I would probably start doing more is downloading digital things and printing them. My mom already uses digital paper for physical creations, so I would do the same. I love the flexibility of that, but I don't currently have time and the right printer for digitals.
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Post by AussieMeg on Apr 24, 2025 23:34:36 GMT
I daresay a lot of you would switch to digital scrapping, and maybe even grow to love it!   |
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Post by lindamh on Apr 24, 2025 23:47:09 GMT
I was planning on purging stamps, stencils and dies this summer. After receiving an email from Sunny Studio this week that they will not be producing any new product for the rest of 2025 I decided it would be smarter to hold on to my current stash, just in case . . . .
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Post by Linda on Apr 25, 2025 0:10:55 GMT
I daresay a lot of you would switch to digital scrapping, and maybe even grow to love it! I don't think I'll switch to digital - I struggle making photo books, lol. But I am dipping my toe more into hybrid and printing/fussy cutting embellishments |
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Post by melanell on Apr 25, 2025 0:45:55 GMT
In my early scrapping days I used very little patterned paper, instead using a ton of cardstock. Cardstock exists for many purposes, so at least I could go back to that.
I also used to buy papers not meant for scrapbooking prior to having any big box craft stores carrying it around me (I have never, ever had an LSS.) or online stores becoming common.
I used stationary, ephemera, etc. I used a lot of Archival Mist back then to neutralize acidic papers.
So that's something I could do as well.
But I think before I had to resort to any of that, I'd likely buy as many smaller albums as possible, and scrapbook smaller photos, to make my stash last longer.
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,704
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Post by cbscrapper on Apr 25, 2025 4:10:12 GMT
As others have said, the main limiting factor for me would be albums and page protectors. If those ran out, I would store in cube bins or ArtBin boxes. I would need a source of 12x12 white cardstock, but could potentially switch sizes. And I’d need to replenish adhesive. I have plenty of product otherwise and really should go on a no-buy year, but the new things call to me…
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Post by Night Owl on Apr 25, 2025 11:02:13 GMT
Shhhh.... don't tell Mr. Night Owl but I have enough supplies to scrapbook for the rest of my life.
I have stocked up on patterned paper, cardstock, albums & page protectors. I have letter stickers and embellishments plus a Cricut and Big Shot (also I kept my old Big Kick and Cricut Expression for back ups).
I have Creative Memories markers (Sakura Micron) from 25 years ago that still work so hopefully my pens and inks won't dry up.
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Post by kimba on Apr 25, 2025 13:40:34 GMT
I have a very small stash, but I scrap very slowly. I have a Cricut and dies that I hardly ever use, so that would be a good use. I like to stamp and have a good supply of various stamps and inks.
I would run out of page protectors, but could just go to full size layouts. I don't scrap in 12X12 or 9X12. I prefer 6x8 but could go to 8X11 if that was the only album size available.
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Post by pantsonfire on Apr 25, 2025 14:06:15 GMT
I would honestly just stop and move to printing photos, placing in an album and writing or printing some journaling to state who, when, where, etc
While I love the creativity of scrapbooking, lately it seems harder to be inspired. So many lines are the same year after year. Flowers everywhere. Designers moving around and styles changing. Same icons over and over and over. I can only take so many figgy puddings and swans at Christmas.
Sometimes I have a hard time making a layout because it's almost like I already made it due to the above.
And I have been thinking lately that when DD moves out and ds moves to a private group home, I will most likely stop.
So for me it is a non issue. I would just make sure photos are printed and secured.
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Post by Mel on Apr 25, 2025 14:22:37 GMT
Well, I have a whole shed full of stuff so I very likely could continue through my life without buying much of anything.
My adhesive isn't industry-specific (I use ATG & fine detail glue for the tiny stuff) I have my cricut so letters and embellishments would be cut and assembled using that and if they ceased too, I'd go back to my cartridges since I still have a huge collection that I've never parted with. I do 12x12 so page protectors & albums would be my worry. But as everyone else has said, I could always go back to using the old 3 ring binders from the school supply section. lol
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Post by fawkes76 on Apr 25, 2025 14:23:23 GMT
Like most everyone already said, I have plenty of supplies to keep going for years and years (though it looks like the consensus is that I need to stock up on page protectors).
I love reading here and watching scrapbooking videos. My concern is that the community aspect will dwindle if the hobby continues to shrink due to lack of new product.
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Post by hoopsfn on Apr 25, 2025 14:36:47 GMT
Like many of you, I have a lot of supplies except for 12x12 3-ring albums & page protectors. A great reminder to see if I can buy up a few soon. But I would still sb even if I had to use 8.5x11 office style binders. We will find a way! Great question scrapnnana. |
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scrapnnana
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,637
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Post by scrapnnana on Apr 25, 2025 16:02:51 GMT
I daresay a lot of you would switch to digital scrapping, and maybe even grow to love it! I don't think I'll switch to digital - I struggle making photo books, lol. But I am dipping my toe more into hybrid and printing/fussy cutting embellishments I tried digital scrapbooking and decided it wasn’t as much fun for me, even though I am computer savvy. However, I really love the ability to print digital patterned papers and digital images to use as embellishments for my traditional layouts. I can’t always find what I need in my paper and/or stamp hoard, but with all of the digital images available now, I can find literally anything I need or want to go with my photos. It’s also nice that digitals can be sized to whatever you want. Even without digitals, I could scrapbook for far longer than I am likely to live. |
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Post by QueSeraSera on Apr 25, 2025 18:03:41 GMT
I don’t think I would ever quit the hobby. Memory keeping is my first love (as far as hobbies go). I’ve been hoarding for the scrapbook apocalypse so I think I could manage for a long time with my stash or create my own stuff if needed. As others have stated albums and PP are a concern but one can always make an album out of a binder, old book, paper, etc. If all the new physical products went away I would probably switch to digital photo books or just old school photo albums where you pop in a photo and that’s the end. Love the term scrapbook apocalypse. It feels like we are on the precipice of the scrapbook apocalypse. Over the years as companies or websites have closed, I have stocked up on basics like albums, page protectors, and paper. I love the inspiration of new collections. I don’t even want to think of a world without scrapbook suppliers. First the companies, the LSSs, the websites, then Tuesday Morning and now Joann’s. My crafty heart cannot handle much more. As a generalization, I think most scrapbookers and paper crafters tend to be nostalgic. Memories are our siren song. I hope the industry is around for a long time, but I’m really worried. |
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Finally. I let it go for so long. I am enjoying scrapbooking again.
