On Trend: A layout and free font guide

I recently bought the Trend by Latinotype set of fonts and have been having way too much fun playing with them. Mostly just adding text to photos.

Clearly it is a very edgy font. I mean, look at this promo graphic. I, on the other hand, used it to write Nandini+Bear on a layout.   Ha.

I used a couple of JBS die cut patterns to cut apart some Crate Trend papers.  I really liked the black and white paper and the sort of funky chevron (multicolored herringbone? whatever).  I even let a bit of the Navajo pattern on the back show through, even though it is not really my style. I was actually turned off by the whole collection at first because I am so not into animal print.  Turns out, no big deal.

I dabbed fountain pen paint on top of the paper layers before putting on the photo. I lined everything up down the middle. A little bit different for me, since I tend to scatter things all over the place. 
The journaling card is cut from this graphic paper. Love it for project life too. I added a little washi to the top and bottom to ground it. I'm actually amazed that I mixed this many patterns at once, it really was a lot of fun.

For an extra little touch I used a MS glue pen to add glitter along the chevron pattern. I also used the punctuation from gold glitter thickers next to the happy chipboard and stuck some loose gold thread underneath. What now rule of threes?

If you love this font too, but hate to pay for it (I hate paying for fonts too, this was a major first) here are a few free Trend font alternatives:

Kraft Nine//Neo Retro Draw//White Bold//Neo Retro Shadow//Eclipse//Bergamot Ornaments

Speaking of great free fonts, does anyone know of a free shadow marquee font? Do tell.

I am linked up with Ashli for this month's Layout linky-love, always fun to play along and see her long list of gorgeous layouts.