Now, tomorrow's post will show an updated, fresher-looking card than today's retrospective cards. These two cards follow a layout I used repeatedly years ago, so it looks and feels dated to me...and probably to any of you who've been stamping a while.
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| Quiet Color Scheme |
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| Bold Color Scheme |
Of course I had to make two different color schemes, just to see what the difference would be. I like the bolder one better, but the softer one is pretty, too. The softer card would definitely feel more unified with a "Thinking of You" sentiment rather than "Happy Birthday," though.
These two cards got me thinking about trends, and how they come and go, get make-overs and are transformed into something ever-so-slightly different, and revived. We
Most people who receive our cards have not a clue that the stamp or designer paper or deco scissors or eyelet we used on their card is passé. They don't care--never cared--about such things. We, however, can get sucked into caring very, very much.
Don't get me wrong. There is nothing in the world wrong with enjoying and following trends. They keep our hobby fresh and fun and growing. They are responsible for all the amazing products we have now that weren't available five or ten or two years ago.
But our attitude toward those trends can become skewed and unhealthy. We might spend too much money on the latest and greatest, we might judge ourselves or others harshly, we might get snarky on internet forums, we might feel like we have to keep up with Frieda Famous Flocker and Simone Superstar Spritzer.
I had a wonderful lunch on Friday with Leslie Hanna, also known as the Crooked Stamper. She and I lamented the fact that some magazines require cards to have "currently available" product. What's wrong with using old stamps? Creatively, we don't want to be bound by such restrictions. Neither of us bothers with submitting work to magazines, except my angry submission to Take Ten when I thought their design challenges were ridiculously complicated.
Incidentally, the stamps I used on those published cards were all discontinued. Stampington and Company doesn't restrict product as some other publications do.
But all this got me thinking. I love watching trends, and they make a pleasant whooshing sound as they fly by me. Occasionally, I invite one to roost in my craft space a while. If it's happy there, it stays, and if not, it flies away without regret on my part. It's all good.
But what about you? Do you get sucked in or do you ignore trends? Are you somewhere in between? Do you resent trends or celebrate them? Do you even think about this subject at all or do you have better things to do, like iron socks?
Please share your thoughts!
Supplies
stamps: Hero Arts (discontinued), Papertrey Birthday Basics
ink: assorted Hero Arts, VersaColor/Magic
paper: Papertrey white
accessories: glue, rhinestones and pearls
I watch trends but if I do not care that much about them (like the feathers trend right now) I do not bother with them. I love seeing what others do with them but I can resist the ones that don't tickle me! I have SO MUCH STUFF right now I am trying to start my own trend of using what I have!!! How novel!
ReplyDeleteI do love your cards today...I am a big fan of threes, so these made me smile.
Oh, I'm an in-betweener. Some trends I just don't take to, others I embrace obsessively (sometimes just as the trend is fading). But I still like to use my old, discontinued stamps.
ReplyDeleteI used to iron socks. And knickers, underpants, towels, everything, because my mother did. But now I'm cured and I'm just a normal ironer.
People still iron clothes?
DeleteShirley, my grandmother's in-home care provider ironed everything as well. She offered to do my laundry when I was home visiting, and she even ironed my son's toddler shorts and t-shirts and my blue jeans. I felt horrible that she went to that much effort, especially since I never did. When my grandmother died, we invited her to sit with the family at the funeral. She took awesome care of grandma!
DeleteLeslie, I iron my husband's work shirts but insist he buy only "no-iron" shirts that are quick and easy to touch up. When I get he paying job, he's on his own, though!
Susan, I totally agree with your frustration regarding the use of older, discontinued stamps. I want to use and enjoy what I have, and I don't like being "guilted" into buying new! Like you, that's a big reason why I don't submit cards to magazines. If new stamps come out that I adore, I will buy them, don't get me wrong. But I'm not one to jump onto a trend bandwagon...I tend to sit back and watch, wait, and if it still interests me after a while, I may try it out. (E.g., Chevrons. I waited a year before I purchased a chevron anything. Same with hexagons! I will never buy neon anything...that is a trend I am not buying into any time soon! And, I have to ask...am I the only crafter on earth who doesn't really like the chalk board effect?) I make cards because it makes me happy and is a wonderful outlet. That's good enough for me!
ReplyDeleteI do NOT like the chalkboard effect! Not at all! You are not alone. :)
DeleteTotally agree....do not like chalkboard or neon trends. And forget stencils and that messy paste stuff too. Got over that back in the 90's!!
DeleteNot a chalkboard fan either ... will NOT own anything chalkboard! Yay one less thing in my stash!
DeleteSo not a chalkboard fan! And I had to laugh at Susan G's "messy paste stuff", because I will admit: I almost bought a tub of spackling compound the other day, just to try the "messy paste stuff." I'm relieved to report that the little person on my shoulder asked, "Do you really think you will use this stuff?" Back on the shelf it went! (BTW, that little person's name is Les Iz Moore.)
DeleteSince I am the Chica in Charge of a large stamp group and I peruse a lot of blogs I am aware of a lot the trends going on. I try to pay attention to them as I'm bound to be asked about them. But try them, yeah, probably not. I won't shy away from them if someone offers a make and take or class because hands on is the best way to find out what it's really all about. I don't need to rush out and buy the latest and greatest to try out though. I will admit that selling a home party line I did rush out and buy some of their spray colors because I thought my customers would be interested. Spray colors are huge! The reason I didn't already own any is I suspected they were messy and didn't know what to do with them. Ditto my customers. To date the only sprays I sold were the ones to myself and that was a big mistake. I did try them and I now I can say with authority that I don't like them, they are messy and I still don't know what to do with them.
ReplyDeleteOh, and tell the Other Judy that this Judy doesn't like the chalkboard trend either. It brings back horrible childhood memories of an allergy to chalk and teachers who insisted chalk was hypoallergenic.
ReplyDeleteI never got into the chalkboard technique either. It's one I just don't get, but I think some stampers do a wonderful job incorporating it into their projects. if we all did the same thing it would be so boring!
DeleteI guess papercraft trends are just the same as fashion trends - I use then ones I like and ignore the ones that don´t suit me (like plateau shoes and miniskirts...). But you are right, it is very easy to be taken in by all the "must-haves". I like the blogs where they propose to look through your stash and use what you have. Many trendy designs can be accomplished by using household stuff - but of course, buying new, shiny, colourful items is a lot of fun, too :O)
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Christine
This is an interesting question. Kind of made my head hurt when I'd try to analyze it. For me, I think I'm less interested in the trend, than I am influenced by it. That probably doesn't make sense to anyone but me. For example, the hot air balloons of a few years ago - the balloons themselves weren't what thrilled me. It was the type of card they inspired: all open sky and a few punches of color. I think it was the STYLE, not the image that spoke to me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was new to stamping, I didn't recognize there were trends; everything to me was just "supplies needed for this hobby". It wasn't until I tried to actually USE my new supplies that I realized some work with a particular style and others don't. Anyone need any hardware (can't remember actual name, but you know: ribbon sliders, spiral clips, etc)??
great question. I'm more influenced by trends (and think most are) than we realize -- whether it is home fashion, clothes, or paper crafting. Our eyes just see things differently once they are no longer in style. Most of the time -- my clothes are not trendy!!
ReplyDeleteSimilar to the poster above, it took me a while to realize that crafting has trends too. Some I embrace, and others I just can't pull off. The one thing I've learned is to not jump in and buy a whole bunch of something if it is a trend I like. For example, sequins. I like what I see. In the past, I would have purchased some in every color. Now I bought none. Had some in the house and tried to use them. I'm not that good at sequins so I haven't bought any. Sometimes a vendor includes a few for free in a package and I may try again.
But I see fonts as trendy -- what looked fine a few years ago looks terrible now!! So I can't buy too much of today's sentiments cause I know they will look horrible in a year or two.
Poor magazines need advertisers and the advertisers only want product that they are still selling to be featured. I get that but think it is just a question of time before most paper magazines are done and finished, so this may no longer be relevant.
Fun question!
It was so great to meet you on Friday! :) And yeah, I tend to sit back and watch before I jump on new things. Like some of the others here, I waited a while for chevrons, sequins, feathers, etc. I like to try new things, but I'm not waiting for midnight to hit Enter on a new release for any company. It will be there next week.
ReplyDeleteI am not one to jump on the trend bandwagon. I tend to resist trends and try to decide if I really like whatever it is. Mostly trends are on the way out by the time I decide to make the purchase. And I definitely like old stamps. I mostly make cards for family, and they don't know old from new. They just like my cards. I just keep plugging along, reading the magazine, noticing the trends, and making what I like.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to get sucked into trendy things, but for the most part I like to use what I already have. I might try different colors and techniques, but there's nothing wrong with using discontinued stamps. It's just like fashion, somebody is making money with all those changing trends. So I get some new things to play with every now and then.
ReplyDeleteI am too cheap to get sucked in by the trends and tend to wait til the trend is waning and THEN I wil goi in like a big raven and scoop up,all the clear cued trends and use em on my projects ever so surreptitiously
ReplyDeleteI want to get inspired by new trends – not limited. Also, many of these “new” trends are originally quite old .
ReplyDeleteI got my first stamps at X-Mas 1999 and on the very first cards I sent out in 2000 I used embossing paste which was definetely not trendy at that time!
Believe me I was really surprised to see the newest trends last autumn: yeah, using these thick embossing paste seems to be very up-to-date and a “must have”. Luckily I still have a bin in my stash (but don’t want to use it because there are too many cards using this out now)
I still love to use my very old stamps, many of them are discontinued but still do have a worth (for me). Anyone out there who remember companies like PSX and Stampa Rosa? I can’t get rid of them…
Been limited by companies – only use special brands – makes me feel really sad. I get the most out of my stamps if I combined different companies. So any challenges which allows me to only use one single company won’t get a second thought of participate in. And that’s why my blog has been a fallow field for many years. I just try to re-animate it and show there what I like and what I do – not was someone is searching for.
Hi Sunny.....I have PSX and Stampa Rosa images....still love and use them after all these years. I'm also amazed at what is "new" again.....embossing paste & stencils?? Been there, done that!
DeleteI'm with Susan G. Old stuff becomes refreshed for current consumption. Sorry now I got rid of a bunch of stencils? Not really. None were my style anyway! Might or might not take the plunge for new ones, but the embossing paste...not interested. Messy, and takes too long, LOL!
DeleteToo funny you brought his up - My card today on my blog is TOTALLY TRENDED OUT! Ha - something I have never done before~ :)
ReplyDeleteSusan, you really hit the mark in this post. Lately I've been looking at new trends and asking myself, " How can I try this using what I already have?". I can report that so far it works! Some new products/techniques are either too complicated or even ridiculous to bother with, so I just pass on them altogether...to say nothing of how much $$ I'm saving!
ReplyDeleteWell, I still use my eyelets, if that is an indication of where I stand. I just hate to waste anything and you are right, my kids don't care if a card is on trend or not, They just like seeing the red flag up on our mailbox!
ReplyDeleteI would call me an in-betweener. I see trends and have to think on them for quite sometime before I jump in and when I do I try to use what I have on hand. for example there has been a technique out there for at least a year call northern lights and I finally did it and I do like it but it takes a wee bit of practice. I do admit that one technique that was a fad for a while was the blackboard technique now that one I liked right away. My motto is if you like it go for it ... if not then don't worry about what others think of your stamping. do it for yourself and be happy.
ReplyDeletestamping sue
http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/
I am definitely not a trendsetter! It's apparent in my stamping AND my wardrobe. Although I have found some of the new trends appealing, I watch them for quite a while before I decide it is something that interests me or not. I got sucked into needing everything when I first began this hobby and I'm sitting on a LOT of brads and buttons I may never use. I also use retired stamps if I like them. We all have to embrace our own style and who cares what anyone else thinks.
ReplyDeleteYou really got me thinking with this post. You are right, most people who receive our cards don't care/know if what we used was brand new or years old. They usual are just happy with the thoughtfulness of the handmade card. I seriously need to write this somewhere on my work area.
ReplyDeleteIt is so true that non paper crafters aren't concerned with the trends or nearly not as much. I was shopping with a friend when I saw a cute oatmeal colored sweater with tiny gold triangles on the front and squealed. My friend thought I was going crazy because it is nothing that I would wear. I had to explain it is just like a Hero Arts stamp I have been seeing my card bloggers use lately. The look I got after that was hilarious and totally threw me into a reality check.
I do get on some trend bandwagons but I really pick and choose. One day I picked up a pack of wood veneer feathers on clearance at TJ Maxx and to date have used them once on a card that I gave to a trendy 20 year old. I did feel odd giving it because it was so out of my box.
I make things I like or what the recipient would like; if it makes me happy, I call it a success.
Well said, Susan, well said. Like so many things that get SO much easier when you enter your sixth decade, you no longer care as much about what the popular kids are doing in terms of, well, anything, including trends and so you only do what makes your own heart smile. You are fortunate that you reached this epiffamony sooner than most of us!
ReplyDeleteIt's also easier to just use the old product for the same reason. Although product is harder to avoid than trends because there is such cool stuff always ALWAYS appearing. My biggest beef is not being able to buy ONE stamp that I really love. I've come to embrace the clear images, but geez, I really don't need the 32 teeny additional images that come in the package! Sorry, guess THAT wanted off my bazooms!
Enjoy the day! Hugs, Darnell
Really, really good question.Thanks Susan. I love reading the comments.here. For me, I too fly in between regarding trends. Dislike chalkboard and sequins, but recently bought a feather die. Love, love old stamps and just used one yesterday that is from Stampendous dated 1997. Oh, and most of my Christmas cards used multi-company stamps.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to read all the replies here! Mostly I'm looking for what will work for me in how I create. I'm not aiming for trendy. Some trends I love (baker's twine ... or maybe that's not trendy now) and others I don't (vintage) - but I'm happy as long as I can choose things I want to play with.
ReplyDeleteIt has been very interesting reading the comments. Some of the trends are well beyond my capabilities. I love the look of beautifully layered cards but won't likely ever spend hours making one card. The "economic downturn" had me learning to use what I had in my stash rather then rushing out to buy the next new thing. Not necessarily a bad thing
ReplyDeleteI am sometimes overwhelmed by new products/trends that are used by every star paper crafter. It feels as if those new products are must-haves. The phrase “out of stock” on the online stores almost convinces me that the trend is for everybody and I must have it. I feel frustrated as I think I cannot make beautiful cards/pages without those trendy products.
ReplyDeleteThat WAS me. I certainly buy new and trendy products very often, but I buy them because I know I will enjoy them. I cannot afford the time, emotions, money and space to follow every single trend and buy every available product. My boyfriend keeps telling me to enjoy the hobby, play with what I like and never let it stress me out. He is so correct.
I want to remind the readers to read Susan’s posts “what makes you happy?” and “what makes you unhappy” from January 2013. They are thought-provoking and help remind me of what I like about paper crafting.
Thanks, Joyce, for reminding us about those posts from last year. I'd almost forgotten about them!
ReplyDeleteGreat question, Susan, and some really interesting responses. Mostly, where I like a trend, I'll try it in a small way ... and do more if it works for me. If I don't like it, or it doesn't work, I leave it alone. The time I have available for card making is limited and I like to use it playing with the stuff I enjoy ... if that's following a trend, fine ... if it's not, that's fine too. Anita :)
ReplyDeleteI buy and use what I LIKE...if it happens to be part of the latest/greatest trend, that's fine, but I'm not purchasing because it is the latest/greatest. I find it amusing to see a trend using something I can go dig out of my old craft stash, i.e., sequins...it allows me to try out the trend if I find it interesting, and I love that I didn't have to spend any $$. I have too many "old" stamps that I love using on a regular basis and will often incorporate them with newer stamps on a card. I don't think twice about using my "old" stamps, because, Susan, you are correct! The majority of my family and friends haven't a clue whether the stamps/items I used on my cards are new, old or trendy. And, I especially LOVE IT when I send a card to one of my "trendy" card making friends and they HAVE to know who made and where I got "That" stamp! And, then I have to tell them it's an oldie but goody, and discontinued!
ReplyDeleteI create and sell about 70 cards a month. The cards I make are for a Financial Planner to send to their clients for Birthdays. Trust me they don't care for trends they care that their planner care enough to send a handmade card. Many of the cards I see from the designers are smart but, most of the time the don't work for the occasion. If stamps companies want to sell stamps, they need to create better sentiments to put inside cards. I will still follow the blogs and magazine because I still learn new things everyday.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first stumbled onto cardmaking from scrapbooking; I bought stuff that looked cool. I had to have this or that. So I have lots of "stuff" but don't use a lot of it. Partly because my time in the craft room is really limited. Because of that; I am a lot more careful about what I buy. So, I don't really do the trends.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorite stamps are old. But, I am a sucker for new stamps. I always check out the stamping aisle at JoAnn, Michaels and Hobby Lobby. I have ordered some things from Papertrey. But I don't have a lot of money to spend on stamps and ordering online seems so much more expensive than buying the occasional stamp from a brick and mortar.
I think the trend I do follow is buying stamps that have matching dies. I do LOVE those. And, I agree with 4Ucards; I wish their were more sentiments for the inside. I love the outside/inside coordinating sentiment stamps; but my biggest complaint is that most of them are too small. And I also agree with somebody up top who said they hate buying a whole sheet of clear stamps to get one or two they want and get stuck with five they won't use.
As far as designing a card; I'll play with a new trend, but don't feel that I have to.
I also have to say that I've resisted organizing my stamps somewhat because I wanted to keep sets together. So, if I ever did submit something for publication; I would know where it came from. But, I think I'm just about over that. I am thinking about at least organizing sentiments and words alphabetically in some type of binder.
DeleteI am definitely not the type to jump onboard with the latest trend, whether it be in regards to stamping, decor, fashion, or technology. I now what I like, instantly, and I only buy what really appeals to me. That being said, trends will continue to come and go, and we can be influenced by them without getting sucked in by every new thing. Change is good! I love how using an old stamp set with a "new" color scheme breathes new life into something you thought you were tired of. In other words, take what works for you, and leave the rest!
ReplyDelete