What kind of Quirky Elements do you love?

[maya]

Hey everyone!!!

I am putting together some new Quirky Kits for the Studio Girls at Scrapbookgraphics opening on June 30th. What do you love to Quirk with? I just want to know what kind of products to keep making, or start making.

maya

[Kazadoodle]

I love to work with everything - LOL - but things that would be nice

Buttons
Appliques (like flowers and butterflies, etc)
Printed pages of any kind
Hats
Shoes
Office supplies (pens, pencils, rulers, staples, clips, etc)
Vintage images - especially people
Jewelery pieces - like brooches, beads, etc.

Is this what you are after?

[Nevermore]

Threaded buttons (I hate threading them.) Bonus is plain buttons with threaded fibres included so they can be "sewn" or not

Interesting fasteners of the office, building supply or sewing kind (ie brads, hinges, frogs)

Textures by any means: papers, brushes, overlays. I would love it if people started including displacement maps...

[rocksgirl]

I like the ink drop brushes. I'm trying to make my own but haven't gotten the look I want yet. Flowers, tree branches, butterflies lots of natural things. Thanks for asking.

[Madge]

I'm a dial-up user so, for me, kits are rarely an option. I would love to see a pick'n'mix facility, so you could download individual elements. Perhaps paying a flat-rate for X amount of elements.

It's probably not a viable proposition but I'm just thinking out loud here! ;)

[kygirl]

I feel like a kid at Christmas getting to make a wish list. So, Maya, I wish...

* there were more office products -- tapes (scotch, masking and duct tape would all be nice), staples, clips, envelopes, etc.

* a collage starter kit with the basics (wings, crowns, hats) for all of the people who are just getting into this. We have a lot of people coming here asking "where do you get that stuff?"

* an Explorers kit with maps, compass, blank postcards, string, etc. I do a lot of envelope art and these are things I search for.

* a Victorian embellishment kit -- pearls, lace, paper doilies, angel stamps, maybe a cameo, etc.

Thanks for asking.

[webchyck]

More paint stroke brushes--man, I love those. Vintage maps. String. Torn bits of paper. Love what everyone else is suggesting, too--collage starter kit, great idea. You know I love the broken doll bits and I love the Weird is Wonderful brushes--more vintage science stuff. ATC frames (brushes). Text papers are great for blending. And I would totally buy some high quality texture .jpgs for blending, too. I'm too lazy to make my own or go hunting all over the internet. LOL

I'm also interested in doing more cartoonish ATCs ala Ed (http://www.geocities.com/edsatc/cards.html). So maybe some doodly cartoon characters to play with since I don't really draw myaelf! Though maybe I could manage a doodle...we'll see!

[graybonnie]

As a new quirk, I would vote for a collage started kit. Also anything Victorian. Thanks for asking. Bonnie

[SteinwaysMom]

One thing is that most scrap kits don't seem very useful for quirking. The elements are more suited to cute, girly or 'theme' layouts so its frustrating...


Metalwork/painted wood elements and fasteners with a grungy/shabby chic finish - cool oversize hinges or unique fastener type hardware (instead of the same old brads, slidemounts and cutesie ribbons found in most kits).
String/twine/scotch tape/shabby ribbon/cardboard/old envelopes/postmarks
Faux painting toys - paint strokes, spatters, splotches, overlays to achieve the multilayered altered-collage effect
'Basic Grey' style papers
Papers with grungy typesetting or numbers are always fun
Frame/bkd effects that make the LO look more three dimensional - like a faux journal or blotter or fabric book binding.

[SteinwaysMom]

Plus, I also like the a la carte idea with a per purchase minimum to cover the Paypal fee. Sometimes I love one element in a whole kit but I don't want to spend $7 just for the one element I like. I'd rather spend more per element and get what I want than download a package w/stuff I won't use...

[Kazadoodle]

Wouldn't you just love it if Basic Grey went digital? Too cool!

I agree about the element thing - I notice that more and more designers are separating out their papers and elements and selling them as individual kits, as well as a complete kit.

The idea of being able to buy individual elements sounds good, but would it work? From a designer point of view, it's not much of a cash in hand - how much would you charge? And then taking into consideration that most stores take a 25% commission, it doesn't leave much in the end.

[Jeannie]

Wouldn't you just love it if Basic Grey went digital? Too cool!.

I am not looking forward to them invading the market, I think between them and the veggie site they are going to drive the cost of items out of sight.:eek: :(

[Jeannie]

I would have to say, I like all the suggestions already posted. Definitely looking for (real) shabby found items

[happyrobyn]

Old paper, cardboard (think Collage Lover's kit here), brushes of all kinds, stamps, old printed words (a whole alpha with old fashioned letters on worn paper would be cool!), newspaper, staples, rusted stuff, ephemera of all kinds, tape measures, crowns, wings (can't get enough of them!), metal and mesh, hands, jewels, lace, clocks, wild backgrounds ... that's all I can think of right now Maya ... I'm on vacation and my brain is mush!

[Madge]

What fabulous ideas! I love the sound of all the grungy, splodgy, shabby, rusty bits and bobs. Would anyone care to come and rummage in our garden shed? LOL. ;)

[Nightwolf]

art dolls, stamps, wings, crowns, lace .. can't think of anything else that hasn't already been mentioned

[webchyck]

Look at that list of Robyn's. This is what we get when her brain is mush! Can you imagine what we'd get if her brain was more spongey like a real brain?

[akissling]

Robyn mentioned the alph set of old fashioned letters. I second that!!! Lots of great vintage images out there but almost no "quirky" alpha sets (mixed up fonts with the cutout look etc!). PLEASE make these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[skyescrapz]

Look at that list of Robyn's. This is what we get when her brain is mush! Can you imagine what we'd get if her brain was more spongey like a real brain?

It certainly gives one pause... and makes one wonder... it's almost overwhelming to ponder, frankly.

[webchyck]

Robyn mentioned the alph set of old fashioned letters. I second that!!! Lots of great vintage images out there but almost no "quirky" alpha sets (mixed up fonts with the cutout look etc!). PLEASE make these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Yes! I want an alpha that looks like every letter was cut out of a vintage magazine or something--everyone different! Different shapes, different fonts! And really looking like it was torn out more than just cut. I don't want to do that work myself, you see! And well, designers have all those cool tricks up their sleeves to make it all less tedious, right? :p

[Kazadoodle]

Robyn mentioned the alph set of old fashioned letters. I second that!!! Lots of great vintage images out there but almost no "quirky" alpha sets (mixed up fonts with the cutout look etc!). PLEASE make these!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As this is a no advertising zone, I can't provide a link, but I do have such an alpha - LOL

[webchyck]

As this is a no advertising zone, I can't provide a link, but I do have such an alpha - LOL

You mean the one at that "site that rhymes with Migitals?" Found it via your blog--yea for me!

[Fiddlette]

What everybody else has suggested sounds great...I think it would be wonderful to put out a weathered treasures kit part II....lol!! I use that kit with practically every layout I do...some piece of it...it is so classic! and collagers just cannot get enough of text papers!! :)

[Chinook]

Wow Maya ... thanks so much for asking! I second what everyone else has asked for ... but ... is is possible to put each on it's own .png file? Having to 'cut and paste' is a pain, when you have a whole sheet of .png's and you only want one little tag out of the center.

I don't actually have great mouse control (muscle problem with my right arm) so lasooing something isn't always easy to accomplish.

Cheers!

[Kazadoodle]

You mean the one at that "site that rhymes with Migitals?" Found it via your blog--yea for me!

Yep, that's the one - and yeah, for me - LOL

[Fiddlette]

Karen, have you tried using your pen tool? Just click click around the object like scissors....totally fast!!

And btw, I love your new cute pinky avatar! So pretty! :)

[happyrobyn]

Look at that list of Robyn's. This is what we get when her brain is mush! Can you imagine what we'd get if her brain was more spongey like a real brain?

Is a brain matter supposed to be spongey? I KNEW I should've paid attention in biology class but the guy in front of me was just too cute! And what a great biology tutor, too! ROFL!!!

[Nevermore]

Let's be clear here. We are not talking loofah!

[happyrobyn]

And now I'm confused Raven!

[webchyck]

I really have no idea what brain feels like to the touch, all I know is MUSHY is not good! SPONGEY sounds about right. I mean BRICK-LIKE wouldn't be good either, would it? It's like the Wendy's ad...the brain is a SOQUID, I think (part Solid, part Liquid! LOL)

[happyrobyn]

Thank you for that very scientific definition Becky!

[webchyck]

Thank you for that very scientific definition Becky!

Well, you know...I'm all about educating you people....

[happyrobyn]

Oh grasshopper - you speak and we listen!

[Nevermore]

Exactly, Becky. Not a loofah (that fibrous tough instrument of Nordic torture) but a softer SPONGIER matter...

[skyescrapz]

It's like the Wendy's ad...the brain is a SOQUID, I think (part Solid, part Liquid! LOL)

Looks like Wendy's is succeeding in their advertising if Becky can quote it back to us like this. :D

[skyescrapz]

Well, you know...I'm all about educating you people....

Thank goodness somebody is. I need some educating. Actually, I need better math skills. Are you good at math, Becky, or just brain-related (i.e. degree of mushy-ness) stuff?

[webchyck]

Oh yes, I'm a math whiz...that is why I am able to scraplift so well...I use fractions and percentages and everything!

[skyescrapz]

Oh yes, I'm a math whiz...that is why I am able to scraplift so well...I use fractions and percentages and everything!

Wow, that's impressive. Fractions. I often need help with multiplication if I don't have a calculator... LOL.

[webchyck]

The calculator is my friend!

[Pixeldigger]

I really have no idea what brain feels like to the touch,

OK, if you MUST know, it feels like silken tofu. Now how quirky is that, I have actually felt brain.

[kygirl]

Judith, you are officially Quirk Queeen of the Day. Touching brain? I don't think we need to know anymore. :)

[webchyck]

Judith, you are officially Quirk Queeen of the Day. Touching brain? I don't think we need to know anymore. :)

Oh yeah...she wins! And I think we'll just let her keep the title and just slowly back out of the room...

[happyrobyn]

Didn't I mention that I am a brain surgeon in real life? I touch brain on a daily basis! Anyone here need a lobotomy? ROFL!!!! Sorry ... I have touched fish and lobster brains. Probably frog brain, too in high school biology but never real, human brain. I bow down!!

[Pixeldigger]

Getting back to the subject, I would like to find some swirly or flowery brushes. I love the Victorian look and could use some brushes to advantage in my heritage layouts for the ladies in my family.

[CathyRose]

Judith, Dianne Ridgdon does swirly very well. She has brushes for sale.

[Pixeldigger]

where! I googled her name and came up with a dog grooming parlour

[happyrobyn]

She's at Scrap Artist. Lots of the ladies have great swirlie brushes there. Also Ronna Farrer at 2 Peas.

[Pixeldigger]

Thanks, Robyn, I shall go and have a hunt

[Nightwolf]

I have an obsession with Ronna's brushes lol ... hang on, I have an obsession with brushes full stop *giggling madly*

[webchyck]

Dianne has her own site, too. ShabbyElements.com

[SteinwaysMom]

Michelle Coleman @ Scrapartist as well. You can get some free ones by Denise Docherty at her www.spaceraven.net site.

[coffeequeen]

heeee...I had to read back through here and find out what Pixeldigger ad touched- Brain!Cool! Back in the day, I took anatomy and physiology, and we got to work on cadavers- what a truly incredible experience! If we could all see what the bad habits we have do to the insides of our bodies, it might make us change our ways. I held a lung in my hands once from someone who had died of emphysema...it had the most profound effect on me. Ya know those "puff balls" that grow in your yard? That is what that lung looked like, it was black and actually pieces fell off and disintegrated in your hands. Then we got to hold the lung of someone who died from other issues, and it was pinkish gray and firm, like a large smooth hot water bottle. Amazing. I wish I could see what my own arteries and heart looked like, might motive me to get up and move my butt a whole lot more!

[mizamigo]

Well, I would like to have some of those vintage, ripped scotch tapes - different sizes. I've gotten a band aid and some duct tape; but haven't seen any old scotch tape. That's what I would like to have as a "quirky" element.

Reading through this thread, there are a lot of elements that I agree would be a wonderful addition to my "quirky" collection (not that I have all that many, but I've started my collection).

[happyrobyn]

Iron Orchid Designs (at Scrap Artist) has an awesome tape elemetn in their Element Essentials kit. I use it all of the time!

[TammyMoore]

As I got started in the digital world with digital collage, I'd like to say that I have many many of the items requested here where I sell... I also have lots of papers that have been digitally collaged, and bits and pieces.

As always, you can find out anything about me on my blog. ;)
Tammy Moore

[Pixeldigger]

Not to have to use paypal is brilliant.

Victorian photo album pages, with the flowers curving over the edges of the frames

Delicate flower and foliage brushes

I also enjoy bold colours, eg Cosmic Kimono, which is the nicest kit I have seen.

[SteinwaysMom]

I'm really jonesing for that cool metal ball dangly thing in Maya's Sensual kit.