what do timeless, classic scrapbook pages look like?

I've been thinking about trends and designs and the commerce bandwagon because I've been buying supplies for my daughter and trying to figure out what to buy that won't go out of style by next year. My bf suggested that it was perfectly fine for a scrapbook to "age" because when you look back at it in 20 years you'll have fun with seeing the colors and designs that were in style way back then. It's a good theory and I'm a lot happier about buying stuff that is drenched in glitter and bling now

I'm curious what other, more experienced scrappers think about trends and if they try to avoid them or just go with the flow.

What makes a page timeless or classic to you? Can you point out some examples in the gallery that I could look at? I found the Classic section under Style, but the pages look the same as pages in other sections so I don't understand what's classic about them.

Lulu

I don't really think there is anything as "timeless", whether it's scrapbooking, or clothing, or wedding gowns, or hairstyles, or anything else ... everything is a product of its times

that being said, there are ways to make pages look less dated, if that's a goal ... neutral colors, clean design, classic embellishments (as opposed to banners or glitter or any of the things that are trending right now)

I don't personally care if my pages look "dated", since the pictures in the scrapbook will look dated as well ... some of my pages look trendier than others, but that's part of the fun (imo)

• lifekeepshappening Said:

These pages look the same as pages in other sections because it's all based on personal opinion. We chose the style ourselves when we upload our photos to our galleries. What I might consider "classic", someone else might consider "simple", and so on.

I never worry about my pages going out of style, because styles change so quickly. I just go with what is current (or is in my stash) because it's fun to just go with the flow and play with different styles and techniques. For the most part, I create my pages for my family, and they are clueless to what is trendy or out of date

You should do what YOU feel is YOUR style! I sometimes get too wrapped up in other people's style and lose sight of my own! If you like and it makes you happy than go with it. I'm not one for using stickers, but some people love stickers. I wouldn't be fun if all of us were the same.

MHO...HTH!!!

I agree, I don't think there's a whole lot that's "timeless" in scrapping. Styles happen, and they WILL change.

Kinda makes me sick to think how much I spend on things that are "in" like birdcage stamps and a ton of primas

That said, if I don't like the current style, I don't do it. Period. I love my pages, so why not go with the style if that's what I like??

It will be interesting to look back in 20 years and see how the styles changed over the years! Isn't that part of what a scrapbook is all about??

I have to agree that I don't think there is a timeless style for scrapping really. As with fashion, haircuts and so on you can always guess at the age of things like that and I think scrapping will be the same to a degree. I guess if you stuck to the basics of matting, a classic colour scheme etc you wouldn't go far wrong (although they might be a bit dull) but the page would show it's age anyway from what's in the photos.....like hairstyles and fashion

I agree with the above, even colors will go out of style as new colors become the rage.I look at what I made 12yrs ago and it's not what I'd make today but there is a certain charm to it now.
That being said, there was a recent article about creating layouts you will love in 20 years. It was pretty much all about clean simple lines and fairly neutral papers w/only a little pp to accent. If I come across the article, I'll let you know. I don't think you can go wrong w/neutral colors and a trimmer and I love alpha stickers (unless you have a cricut or other e-cutter).

I'm really uninterested in following trends. My scrapbooks are for me and my husband, my parents and siblings, and any potential kids. Do they know or care what the trends were in the specific six-month period in which I made a certain page? Of course not. Just because a company says something is the "hot new trend" (looking at you, Archivers), that has no bearing on whether I'm interested in it. If it's in colors and styles I like, and is something I'll have use for, I'm there - that's my only criteria. If it isn't, I just pass it up. Saves a lot of money, actually. I buy and use what appeals to me - if I am scrapbooking for the future, and not solely for the here and now, what matters most to me is products that reflect my style and help tell my stories.

For example, banners. That's a big thing right now. They don't really appeal to me visually, so I don't buy them or try to make my own. But I can absolutely see how some people might really love them. Alternatively, I've been led to understand that photographic background papers are woefully out-of-date; but sometimes they just absolutely WORK for what I want to do. (I kind of love you, Joann's and your never-changing open-stock paper racks.) So if a trend happens to be something you love, then go for it! What I don't like is the idea of people buying or doing things solely because they've been told that those things are the new trend. Spend consciously - when you have the choice, choose to spend time and money on what you genuinely love!

I don't care about fashion trends, home decorating trends, scrapbooking trends, or any other stylistic trends - I buy what I personally like, instead of worrying about whether I'm doing the trendy, popular thing. It's fine if someone else wants to, but it's not for me.

I just go with what feels good to me right now -- and I'm a pretty simple scrapper, but I do use some trends now and then. I think "clean and simple" scrapping is what is supposed to be "classic" but I've seen some not-so-clean-and-simples that I'd label classic. It's all in the eye of the beholder. Do what you like, and don't get caught up in labels! Your daughter will love looking at the progression of your style!

As a trend LOVER, I don't think that there is a "classic" style. As in fashion, trends change and also cycle back.

You could use classic color combos to make a page feel timeless or a clean style.

Really all that matters is that when you look at it, you are happy.

I think black background paper, with photos mounted using corners (maybe some memorabilia included) would be classic!

(It would probably get a bit boring for an ENTIRE album... )

• Bxr-Linda Said:

Or Kraft brown...

I've done albums like this and they weren't boring, but that was because the photos were the key...Not only did I use photos as the focus, I printed smaller photos of signs, plants, animals etc to use instead of stickers/embellishments. the only other thing I added was ticket stubs and brochures and other sorts of memorabilia.

I have to laugh because EVERYONE IS going with the trend when they scrap 12 x 12 or 8 x 8. Those sizes were forced upon us!

Rather than trying to figure out what is "timeless or classic" I would suggest you just try to keep it "clean & simple".

I recently loaded 4 "blast from the past" 10+ year old pages. The materials are "dated" but still fun. AHHHH CHOOOOOOW Sticker sneeze!

• aquabunny Said:

I agree. I'm still trying to find out what I like. As I learn more I expect I'll look at supplies and be able to visualize what to do with them. At the moment though, I go to the lss or craft chain and feel overwhelmed by so many choices and designs.

even clean and simple is a trend,,,,shrugs. Just do what you love, you will love looking back and remembering that you loved the clean and simple look,,,,or you loved primas and bling.

whatever you love is classic for YOU.

Can't say much that hasn't been said already. I have been sb for 20yrs and when I pull out my first it was nothing but circles, journaling and stickers. There just wasn't much around then, it was just getting popular. Just go with your gut, with whatever makes you look at a page and say "wow, that looks great". I no longer have the $ so I scrap with what I have collected. Its not what is ON the page, it's the love u put INTO the page. Just experiement and have fun.

• FlashofPurple Said:

Excellent point, I am going to add that to my scrap fasting motivational quotes. It is all about the love.

I tend to think plain and simple, along with neutral colors, square photos (as in no deco scissors or star shapes), Proper grammar (no slang) will make the most timeless album.

I also agree with everyone who feels this might get boring. If it's the job of getting the book done, it's one thing. If it's the love of letting your inner artist play, it's another.

I hope you both enjoy whatever your process is and your product ends up.

I used to think about that a lot. I thought, "gee this is going to look so old/tacky years from now..."

Then my God Daughter was born. I began a scrapbook for her, that I will give her on her 18th birthday. And I love the thought that she is going to have a book that displays all the trendy patterns and styles from all those 18 years. I think that is an added effect to the memory book.

• FlashofPurple Said:

Soooo true! Thanks for the reminder to keep it all in perspective!