How do you feel about following the latest scrapbook trends that hit the industry? Are you always on the lookout for new techniques and materials, or do you prefer to ignore those "scrapbook fads," stay on the beaten path, and develop your own signature style instead? Scrapbooking has already seen several trends come and go.
Most were just a flash in the pan, so to speak, but others have captured the hearts of scrapbookers everywhere that the trendy techniques and materials have now become a part of their repertoire.
But even if you're not really a fan of all these scrapbook trends that keep popping up every once in a while, it pays to have your nose to the ground and pay attention to the latest happenings in the industry.
Who knows? You might find something that grabs your attention and make it worth your while to check things out.
Here are five of the most popular trends that have recently come on the scrapbooking scene: Pleating - Pleats have become a favorite thing for lots of scrappers nowadays.
Craft shops are now selling kits containing buttons, brads, and other embellishments that already have pre-made pleats for your convenience.
If you're the DIY type, there are also kits that allow you to "pleat it yourself", using background papers, ribbons, and cards.
Cross Stitching - Cross stitching techniques can give your scrapbook pages that "old country home" look and feel, and has already started to become very popular among scrapbookers since last year.
You can do it on the whole page, or just on a small piece of fabric or ribbon.
If you're already a practiced cross-stitcher, it will only take a few minutes to produce a beautiful, handcrafted work of art! You can find lots of patterns on the Internet to help you out, or maybe try to find some in your local crafts shop.
Kitchen Stuff - This is one of those things where you might say, "What in the world were they thinking?" However, do give it a try, and you might be surprised to discover lots of great retro ideas popping into your head once you get started! There are already several pre-packaged kits being sold with "things from the kitchen" chipboard stickers, and I wouldn't be surprised if we see more nostalgia items coming up later as well.
Buckles and Metals - Actually, metal embellishments have been around in scrapbooking for quite a while, but they have recently experienced a resurgence in popularity, hence their entry into this list.
Some of the most beautiful scrapbook albums I've ever seen have a few choice elements made out of cast iron, bronze, silver, or gold.
The choice of metal will depend on the theme and look that you want -- iron and bronze for a grungy look, or silver and gold for a luxurious feel.
You can also go with distressed metal elements for vintage themes.
Neon and Plaid - How about taking some of that '80s look and bringing it back to the 21st century? The success of going retro depends on how you do it and how much (or less) you put into it.
Just be careful not to go overboard, and you can rock the '80s all you want! All you need are some brightly colored embossing powders, neon and plaid background papers, and finish it off with your choice of embellishments!