Let's start with an introduction and context for the summer show, both of which I shamelessly stole from my Summer 2012 Armchair Attendee week. Don't worry, I've updated the links for 2013!
Introduction
What Does It Mean to Be an Armchair Attendee?Some of you may be wondering what it means to be an “armchair attendee.” How can you “attend” the show if you’re not there? Well, here’s my process.
- In the weeks ahead of the show, I regularly frequent websites that compile manufacturers’ sneak peeks. Most manufacturers “sneak” their new releases prior to the show via their company’s blog/website, Facebook, Twitter, etc. and that can be exhausting to follow without the aid of websites that do the work of compiling sneaks for you. Two good websites for this are Scrapbook Update and The Scrap Review. Each presents the sneaks a little bit differently: Scrapbook Update provides a clickable list by date of sneaks (the list can also be sorted by manufacturer by clicking at the top of that column) and The Scrap Review blogs sneaks as they appear. Anything that looks interesting gets pinned to a Pinterest board I set up specifically for each show: CHA Summer 2013.
- As I look at sneaks, I make sure to check out both official product images as well as any projects showcasing the new products. Often a line or a product that doesn’t grab me at first looks different when I see it on a layout or a card.
- Once the show starts, I watch online for photos and videos from the CHA show floor. Not all companies do sneak peeks or extensive sneak peeks and seeing new products together with projects made with them in the booth can inspire. You can try searching #CHAshow on Twitter, check magazines' and manufacturers' Twitter feeds/Facebook pages/blogs, or follow scrapbooking message boards (like at Two Peas in Bucket or Studio Calico).
- The most important piece of my process: I make my wishlist! :)
Summer Show: Some Context
In many ways, the summer show is a bit predictable. There are always lots of fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, winter, and Christmas lines released. Those lines represent the upcoming seasonal highlights, and manufacturers want to be sure that their customers have what they need for the holiday season. However, just because the themes of many of the lines are predictable, that doesn't mean that there isn't great variation from year to year in the way product designers interpret those themes. There are also still many lines released at the summer show with non-seasonal themes, but most manufacturers throw a holiday line or two into the mix amongst their other collections.
The Plan for This Week
Today (Tuesday), I'm going to focus on design trends (pattern, theme, motif, etc.). Tomorrow (Wednesday), I will focus on product trends (think types of products, materials, etc.). On Thursday, I will share my wish list. I will try to stick to my top ten. Given what I've seen thus far from this show that will be a challenge!
Design Trends
Let's get started! While there are many ongoing trends, I'm going to try to highlight some that are either newer and/or more prevalent this summer. I'll give a little explanation for each and then choose several examples of products to highlight for each trend. Apologies if I overlook your favorite trend or product! (If I do, leave a comment and let me know - I might have missed it!)Chalkboard
This trend is ubiquitous. We saw some of this emerging across the last year, but it's hit hard this summer. The majority of manufacturers seem to be incorporating chalkboard in some way in at least one, if not more, of their lines. The chalkboard trend is taking on a couple of different forms.
First, a couple of manufacturers are releasing entire lines that are chalkboard-themed:
2. We R Memory Keepers Chalkboard
Second, many manufacturers are incorporating chalkboard fairly heavily into their lines without specifically calling chalkboard out in the collection title:
1. Simple Stories December Documented (one of many, many manufacturers featuring chalkboard in a Christmas line)
2. Teresa Collins Memorabilia
Third, the chalkboard look is making an appearance in various forms of embellishments. Some of my favorite takes on this include:
1. Studio Calico Thataway Stickers and Die Cuts
2. Pebbles Thirty-One Stickers
Feathers
I have, thus far, resisted this trend that started at the last trade show. It's picking up, however, so I may cave, especially given these products:
1. October Afternoon Daily Flash Girl Talk Patterned Paper
2. The Crafters Workshop Ronda Palazzari Designs Fancy Feathers Stencil
3. Studio Calico Thataway Die Cuts
4. Basic Grey Persimmon Die Cuts
5. Maya Road Antique Plume Feathers
6. Glitz Finnley Tiny Roller Doodle Feathers
Cassette Tapes
80s anyone? :) Quite a few of these popping up!
1. Webster's Pages Recorded by Allison Kreft Designs patterned paper
2. The Crafters Workshop Ronda Palazzari Designs Mix Tape Stencil
3. Maya Road Mix Tape Stamps
4. Simple Stories SN@P! Him Stickers
Ampersands
This was the big trend surprise for me as I pored over the new releases. Ampersands are cropping up everywhere, either singly or many together, many of them patterned (think woodgrain, floral, etc.). Here's some of what I'm seeing:
1. Webster's Pages Recorded by Allison Kreft Designs Patterned Paper
2. October Afternoon Daily Flash Girl Talk Patterned Paper
3. My Mind's Eye Cut & Paste Flair Stickers
Gold
Lots of shiny product out there this summer! For instance...
1. Jenni Bowlin Rub-ons
2. Crate Paper Maggie Holmes Flea Market Washi Tape (this line features a lot more gold!)
3. Lawn Fawn Into the Woods Sequins
Sure, there are lots more trends out there, and lots more examples for each of the trends I highlighted, but I hope you've gotten a glimpse of what's out there and what's likely to come next given some of the new trends!
Stay tuned for my post tomorrow, which will address trends in types of products!
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