Trendwatch: Fall Leaves

In every shape and form, leaves seem to be falling into scrapbook stores! While many of the designs are tied into seasonal lines, leaves could certainly be used for any number of crafting subjects. Here are a few great products I've noticed recently:

Above: Spellbinder Shapeabilities Assorted Leaves dies, Sizzix Tim Holtz Mini Tattered Leaf dies, EK Garland punch - Leaf

Above (l-r): Creative Imaginations (Harvest Moon - Brown Leaf), American Crafts (Nightfall - Fall Leaves), Jillibean Soup (Apple Cheddar Soup - Apple Cider), Bella Blvd (Finally Fall - Leaf Pile)

Above: American Crafts (Amy Tangerine - Paper Leaves), Prima (Lovely - Mix 5 fabric leaves), Bazzill Cardstock Shapes (feather leaves)

These products are just the beginning! Whether used as an all-purpose embellishment (as you would a flower) or to emphasize the season, leaves add texture, and depth. Leaves can be found in many forms, pre-made or customizable with the use of die cuts or punches. While certainly not new, I bring up leaves today in this trendwatch column because every company seems to be offering something featuring them right now, and the choices aren't limited to fall lines.

The leaf, cat, and oak leaves stamps shown above are by Inkadinkado, and while there are many leaf stamps out right now from other companies (Hero Arts and Tim Holtz for Stampers Anonymous come to mind), Inkadinkado has really blown me away with the variety and creativity of their designs.

Leaves can also be found in templates - like the Crafter's Workshop template shown above.

With the increasing trend of more all-purpose product and fewer theme-specific items, leaves are a great example of something that can ride the line between those two types of product. Lately I have used them layered with other embellishments to add another layer to my layouts, as well as looking to leaves to add fall mood to my seasonal projects.

Here is a card I created using American Craft's Nightfall line. This new line is one of my favorite this fall. Between the leaves and color palette, it is useful for everything from Thanksgiving to Halloween, harvest to general fall projects. (Besides the Nightfall line, I also used mist from Studio Calico - Mister Huey in Custard -  and  Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Brushed Corduroy.)

Another image I'm seeing a lot this fall that ties into the leaf trend is acorns. A few of the lines mentioned in this article feature them, and I expect they're popular because they are a great fall symbol that adds mood without being heavily themed.

Whether you are using products straight from the package or customizing your own punched or die cut leaves with paints and texture, stamping and embossing or just using a bit of patterned paper - I am betting you will find some leaves sneaking into your projects this season. I invite you to share any of your favorite leaf products here with us in the comments.