2/10/12

Paper Manufacturers

When I first started 'modern' scrapbooking, I would visit the local scrapbook store, wander aimlessly with no plan, and buy whatever random sheets of paper struck my fancy.  I'd get three of the same sheet (so that, in theory, I could use two as backgrounds for a 2-page spread, then one more for matting photos.  I don't think I ever actually did that.)  I never had a plan for the papers.  I never bought anything to coordinate with those papers, nor did I even notice that most paper was part of a coordinating line of products.  I didn't pay attention to who the manufacturer was and I didn't pay any attention to the quality of the paper.  Of course, I didn't know it at the time, but I bought a LOT of paper that I would never use.  Often, I had three matching sheets that I didn't use.

Times have changed.

In 2008, I started on my first Design Team.  Wow, what an awakening that was for me!  For the first time ever, I needed to know who manufactured what product and what line it was from.  I needed to know what was current, what was hot, and what the price points were.  That changed my way of thinking and my way of scrapping forever.  For the better, of course.

Now I am very familiar with all the major manufacturers of scrapbook paper.  I can discuss their different styles and lines intelligently.  I can recognize many papers and most of the signature fonts that manufacturers use.  I have a core group of favorites.

One of my latest favorites is Bella Blvd.  When I first saw a collection from Bella Blvd, I thought it was too cutesy and busy for me.  What I didn't appreciate at the time is that the papers are far more versatile than I thought.  The papers are two-sided (with one side less busy than the other), the colors are bold, and the style is clean.  It's a good fit for me.  Here's a layout I made using Bella Blvd's "Finally Fall" line.


Have you used Bella Blvd?  Do you pay attention to manufacturers?  Who are your favorites?

6 comments:

  1. I loveeeeee this lo! Loving the photos and the design! And I love Bella too! And I was like you....didn't know company names to save my life! Now some of my faves are Bella, lily bee, graphic 45, crate, Bo bunny, 7gypsies and of course Nikki Sivils!

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  2. Love the layout! Lol I think we all startedvthatbway and then we got picky as we discovered new things! My current fav is echo park! Thanks for visiting me!

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  3. You are such a minimalist...I never thought you would buy a lot of papers actually....lol. I used to buy paper packs when I first started....I still have some of those left (yikes) but now I just buy papers that appeal to me...never multiples though...I get bored with the same design.

    Love how you used the Bella line...I must rethink that brand.

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  4. I love that brand!! I started out madly in love with Basic Grey and October Afternoon. Today? I love Stampin' Up, Studio Calico, Cosmo Cricket, Crate Paper, American Crafts and my original favorites. I could list many more, but I'll leave it at that for now ;) LOL

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  5. My current favorites are Crate Paper and Studio Calico but it changes with every new release. LOL I will always love Basic Grey though. They always have one really awesome collection in each release.

    Fun post Cindy! That layout is very cute!

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  6. I will admit to having been a bit of a manufacturer snob. :( Maybe I still am a little, LOL.

    I have been a Doodlebug addict/junkie since they started 10 years ago. You can look back through all the scrapbooking I've done, and 99% of it is Doodlebug. Over the last year, I've come to LOVE Bella Blvd, especially the Family Dynamix and Finally Fall collections. I have used them A LOT. I have also grown to love Echo Park. I often use the B sides, the less cluttered side, in my pages, or their Dots & Stripes and Style Essentials lines. I used to use a lot of KI Memories as well, but not so much lately. I love bright, cheerful, bold colors, and basic patterns - dots, stripes, plaids, etc - and all these manufacturers have that in common.

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