"Selfie" in the News!

"SELFIE" is making the news! A selfie is a photo taken of oneself and often posted on social media.  It was recognized as the 2013 Word of the Year by Oxford dictionaries.  It's usage was up 17,000% from 2012 (really, 17,000%!).  The editors picked it as the word that best reflects "the mood of the times." 

"Selfie" made news again recently when Ellen Degeneres took a selfie photo in the audience at the Oscars. That photo has gone viral!

  One of our favorite vendors Reminisce added a selfie themed paper and sticker to its most recent collection.

 Have you got selfies? Print them because we have the most adorable book for you to post them in! To go along with our March theme of folded crafting, It's an accordion style album using the new selfie paper & stickers by Reminisce.  AND -- it comes in a kit with instructions and everything you need to create it!

Stop in and we'll get you started on an album for your selfies!   Kellie

Trendwatch: Black & White

Hello, Memory Bound friends!

I recently watched Breakfast at Tiffany's on Netflix. If you've ever seen that movie, you can't help but notice Audrey Hepburn's amazing wardrobe. Of particular note is the black dress with the white pearls she wears in the opening scene. This is one of the most iconic movie images of all time. Even though the movie was filmed in 1961, her dress is timeless. Black and white just never goes out of style.

 Whether in home decor or fashion, the timeless look of black and white is getting a lot of attention these days. As Dawn spotted recently in this issue of Life & Style magazine, the black and white color scheme can also look fresh and new when paired with today's styles.

Black and white prints are also popular right now in home decor. From window treatments...

 

...to baskets, you're sure to find black and white patterns most anywhere you look.

 

 The black and white color scheme takes center stage in the chalkboard art which is so popular right now. In fact, you could even argue that the chalkboard trend STARTED a resurgence of black and white color schemes in fashion and home decor. I'm not sure which came first, but it seems that black and white is to stay!

 

While black and white is timeless, it's also a very versatile color scheme. Just add another color or two for a completely different look. (And yes, spring really IS just around the corner!)

 

Trends in fashion and home decor make their way into paper crafting, and this one is no exception. We have lots of black and white products at Memory Bound, and the new Chalk Studio II collection from My Mind's Eye is one of our favorites!  Some elements of this line have been paired with colors for an updated, fresh look.

And here's where paper crafting and home decor meet: My Mind's Eye created 8x10 Word Art, ready to be framed! How fun is that?

Take a look around you this week and watch for black and white color schemes. Then stop in soon and check out some of our great black and white products! Timeless yet fresh, you just can't go wrong with this trend!

Janet

Trendwatch: Colorblocking

Hello, Memory Bound friends!

Have you ever noticed how trends come and go over the years? If you stick around long enough, you'll see some trends you once enjoyed (or didn't!) come back! Who remembers OWLS from the 1960's and 1970's? Well, owls made a resurgence a few years back and are still PERCHED on the scene! How about tights? Or skinny jeans? Or wide-legged jeans? Or shabby chic home décor? All of these are trends which have come and gone, or come and stayed, in recent memory. 

It's interesting to note how trends in fashion and home decor quickly find their way into the world of paper crafting. One such trend is COLORBLOCKING. Colorblocking was popular in paper crafting about 10 years ago. In fact, I taught a class on colorblocking at Memory Bound! While this trend never completely went away, other trends overshadowed it for awhile. Now colorblocking is getting quite a bit more attention -- in fashion, home décor, and paper crafting. As you can see in the top photo which Dawn spotted recently in Life & Style magazine, colorblocking is drawing praise in the world of fashion. Dawn and Kellie also noticed the colorblocking trend at the recent Craft & Hobby Association trade show. 

So...what is COLORBLOCKING? 

According to the Hero Arts website, colorblocking in paper crafting is simply “arranging your papers, photos, journaling and perhaps some embellishing in a clean lined and geometric order. The overall look of a color blocked layout is usually a collection of squares and rectangles set up together to interlock and form a cohesive and clean-lined pattern on your page. The results are easy on the eye and timeless in design.” 

That last sentence is significant: Colorblocked projects tend to be TIMELESS IN DESIGN. I think that’s why colorblocking as a trend never really went away. Now crafters are seeing, with fresh eyes, how simple blocks of color can pull together a project quickly and easily! Even better, a colorblocked project will stand the test of time!

Let’s take a look at some examples of colorblocking in fashion, home décor, and paper crafting.

Colorblocking in FASHION is defined as "a technique where blocks of various fabrics are sewn together to create clothing with a few different solid colors." You can also achieve a colorblocked look by wearing pieces in different solid colors. Notice how these colors are all strong, saturated hues? Colorblocking tends to make use of strong colors, but it can also work with pastels.

Colorblocking in HOME DECOR works the same way. Here's an old dresser, freshened up with colorblocked drawers.

Colorblocking in home decor creates backdrops of solid colors. There are very few patterns used in colorblocking, and I think this is one of the keys to colorblocking's timeless look. Patterns have a tendency to go in and out of style quickly. A good example of this would be the fruit wallpaper which graced our kitchen up until a few years ago. It was very popular in the 1990's, but today...not so much! YIKES! :)

 Patterns, if used, tend to be low-contrast, tone-on tone.

Here are some good examples of colorblocking in PAPER CRAFTING. The designer of this card used embossing to add texture to her blocks of color. Embossing is a great way to add interest without the complexity or busyness of a pattern.

Here's another card with a colorblocked background. Here again, the green is a tone-on-tone, low-contrast pattern, which essentially functions like a solid.

Here are two colorblocked scrapbook pages I found on the internet. Each uses blocks of low-contrast patterns.

Here's a page I made recently using colorblocking. It's a great technique to use when you can't find exactly the right patterned paper to work with your photo. Just pull three solid colors from your photo and add to the layout.

So whether you're new to colorblocking or never really left it, this is one trend which is worth another look. Unlike BIG 80's HAIR or SHAG CARPETING, colorblocked projects will stand the test of time! :)

Janet

September = Mixed Media Month!

Hello, Memory Bound friends! 
September is Mixed Media Month at Memory Bound!

What's mixed media? Here are a couple of definitions which should take the mystery out of this exciting trend!

An artwork in the making of which more than one medium, or material, has been used; a new trend in paper crafts.

A technique involving the use of two or more artistic media, such as ink and pastel or painting and collage, that are combined in a single composition.

Mixed media is an important new trend in paper crafts. We saw many examples of mixed media at the trade show this summer. Take a look:

Take advantage of this great opportunity to expand your paper crafting horizons by learning mixed media techniques -- any of which can be used on cards, scrapbook pages, and home decor projects. In September, you can sample different materials, try new products and techniques, and discover what you like! 

Mark your calendar for these mixed media activities:

 Mixed Media Monday Make-N-Takes 
September 10, 17, and 24, 1-6pm each day

For just $1-2, you can try mediums such as gesso, canvas, tissue, metal, and more while you make a fun project.

Join us at our two featured mixed media classes:

Surface Art  
September 25, 6-7:30pm

Learn all about grunge paper, sticky back canvas, foil sheets, and many more SURFACES used in mixed media.

Haunting Time Halloween Canvas 
September 29, 9:30am-12:30pm

Create a seasonal home decor piece on a Tim Holtz burlap panel using fun mixed media techniques!

AND get inspired by the many mixed media projects we have on display at the store this month!

Click HERE to for complete information about our September activities, then give us a call to sign up for these fun and unique classes. We look to introducing you to the exciting world of mixed media this month!

Janet

Trends in Paper Crafting - Part 2

Hello, Memory Bound friends! 

I must apologize for the lack of blog posts over the past few days...but we have a good reason for that! We've been hard at work finalizing details of our holiday season activities at Memory Bound. Our 4th quarter FULL-COLOR newsletter is at the printer right now, and all I can say is you'd best plan to spend a lot of time at Memory Bound this holiday season! We have so much inspiration and FUN planned -- and we can't wait to share it all with you! The newsletter should be in the mail to you in just a couple of weeks!

Meanwhile, I want to share with you the second installment of our TRENDS post from the summer trade show. (If you missed Part 1, check it out HERE.)  Much of the new merchandise we ordered has started arriving at Memory Bound, so you'll soon be seeing all of these trends -- up close and personal!

Hexagons 

The 6-sided honeycomb shape is becoming extremely popular. We spotted it on lots of different products and on many beautiful projects. Take a look at these examples and be on the lookout for hexagons this fall!

Hexagons "sprinkled" on a layout. The designer also used the hexagon shape as a "mask", lightly misting the background with green paint so that only the shape appears in some areas. Fun!

Hexagons as a background on a tag:

A strip of hexagons, with a chevron (another popular shape) motif:

Hexagon paper, cut apart to create a layer on a layout:

 Home and Party Decor

If you're a paper crafter, you've got all the tools you need to create beautiful home decor. With the holidays coming up, there is no better time to make the most of those tools by creating some seasonal home decor pieces! We saw many examples of seasonal and year-round home decor projects, as well as special items created for parties.

Place cards, napkin holders, and more:

Thanksgiving table decor:

Halloween pumpkins decorated with paper crafting supplies -- the white pumpkin is wearing a sweater!

Wall art created by framing a dimensional scrapbook page:

Beautiful fall wall hanging created with large die cut letters and shapes:

Pinwheels create fun party or room decor:

Decorated canvas to showcase a special photo:

In addition to these examples, we have TONS of home decor projects at Memory Bound...with even more to share with you later this fall at our holiday open house!

Layers and Texture/Dimension

If you have a teenage girl in your house, you already know that one of today's fashion trends is LAYERS: One shirt is just not enough these days! Same thing goes for paper crafts...a single layer just won't do! Layering papers and embellishments provides texture, dimension, detail and interest to your projects. Take a peek:

Layered embellishments in a cluster:

Texture created with rolls of paper. What a clever idea!

Texture provided through embossing, layers, and distressed paper edges:

This simple layout still has three layers of paper -- the tan background plus the green and tan snowflake papers:

Another layered layout, with a variety of small elements "peeking" out from behind larger pieces:

Here's a "clean" look layout (it's not inked or distressed) with lots of layers. Notice how the pinwheels and rosettes provide dimension. A dimensional layout like this one would be great in a frame, or you could swap out flatter embellishments if you planned to put it in a scrapbook.

Watch for layers in all the projects on display at Memory Bound, as well as class projects planned for this fall. Experiment with adding another layer or two to your next layout or card!

 Specialty Ribbon

If you love ribbon, THIS IS YOUR YEAR! We saw so many wonderful kinds of ribbon at the trade show -- in many materials and widths. Think canvas, jute, burlap, tulle, and more!

Wide ribbon on a box; lace and twine on the tag:

Burlap, canvas, and twine add texture and dimension:

Burlap and tulle rosettes:

Bonnie and I ordered this wide jute ribbon in holiday colors. It's available NOW at Memory Bound!

It's adorable tied to a tag and would be great wrapped around a package:

Canvas and loosely woven ribbons lend a natural, earthy feel to projects:

Vintage Style

Fans of the vintage style can relax and settle in for the long haul! I'm going to predict that the vintage look, popularized by Tim Holtz, is here to stay.

Vintage cards and home decor:

Cards and framed holiday art. If you've got old mercury-glass Christmas ornaments, put them on display. They're perfect accents to use with the vintage-style home decor pieces you create!

Doesn't this vintage-style tag look great on this old typewriter? My dad has a typewriter just like this in his basement. I'm thinking it needs to relocate to my house... :)

Stop by Memory Bound to see all kinds of vintage Halloween merchandise! With October just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start making a few fun decor pieces.

 Washi Tape

Washi Tape, or Japanese decorative masking tape, has been around for a couple of years, but crafters have now fully embraced it! If you haven't tried it, you need to pick up a roll or two. It's inexpensive and super easy to use! Tear or snip it to add all kinds of fun color to your next project. We'll be offering a class about Washi Tape on our next calendar, so be sure to watch for it!

Surely this is Washi Tape heaven:

Washi Tape strips along the bottom of a card. Just peel and stick!

Washi Tape banners along the side of the layout:

Washi Tape strips add a bit of color to the left edge of the photo:

Be sure to stop in to see all of the latest and greatest products we ordered at the summer trade show! And be on the lookout for all of these trends on the products and projects you'll see at Memory Bound. Which trends are YOU most excited about?

Janet