As for all this other whining about shutterstock and OMG they are pirating, where do you morons think all designers get their shit? Not all stock companies have TOU like Shutterstock, where do you think Lorie Davison gets her stuff, or Lily Designs, or SussieM or Natali Designs, Emka or Emeto, and so on ETC. I struggle to believe people are as stupid as you bunch LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL ooooHHHH now you have something new to whine and bitch about, bring it on morons, start accusing all the designers LMFAO, and while you're at it, perhaps I made some typos or god forbid some spelling mistakes, so you can all rip me an asshole about that too, deride my schooling, or maybe I'm Carley or Simon, or perhaps I'm the boogieman - BOOOO
As for all this other whining about shutterstock and OMG they are pirating, where do you morons think all designers get their shit? Not all stock companies have TOU like Shutterstock, ----
Dear Moron
But we are talking specifically about Shutterstock and even provided the links. Did you miss that part? We aren't even talking about all designers, but very specific designers and links were provided then too. Did you miss that as well?
Ohh no, she doesn't paint all of it, not by a long way, and besides Lorie is just one of hundreds of designers, where do you think they all get their 'elements' from, the magic fairy maybe? She comes to their computers late at night and leaves them in a folder? Grow the f**k up
Dear Pathetic I read the blog, unlike you, I'm not stupid, I can see what was said and I can comprehend it to, How you whiners decided the few designers you chose to target recently actually purchased those pics from shutterstock is beyond me, perhaps you are psychic LOL. But you ARE stupid if you think a photographer or artworker supplies to JUST shutterstock, Oh my, you are so ridiculously stupid its making me LMFAO
----
Dear Moron
But we are talking specifically about Shutterstock and even provided the links. Did you miss that part? We aren't even talking about all designers, but very specific designers and links were provided then too. Did you miss that as well?
As for all this other whining about shutterstock and OMG they are pirating, where do you morons think all designers get their shit? Not all stock companies have TOU like Shutterstock, where do you think Lorie Davison gets her stuff, or Lily Designs, or SussieM or Natali Designs, Emka or Emeto, and so on ETC. I struggle to believe people are as stupid as you bunch LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL ooooHHHH now you have something new to whine and bitch about, bring it on morons, start accusing all the designers LMFAO, and while you're at it, perhaps I made some typos or god forbid some spelling mistakes, so you can all rip me an asshole about that too, deride my schooling, or maybe I'm Carley or Simon, or perhaps I'm the boogieman - BOOOO
^^^^^ Or maybe you could be Shilo or Alyssa Happy Tits! You could also be a man! We just don't know LOL!
I read the blog, unlike you, I'm not stupid, I can see what was said and I can comprehend it to, How you whiners decided the few designers you chose to target recently actually purchased those pics from shutterstock is beyond me, perhaps you are psychic LOL. But you ARE stupid if you think a photographer or artworker supplies to JUST shutterstock, Oh my, you are so ridiculously stupid its making me LMFAO ------
Dear Alyssa
You don't read the blog because if you did, you would know that it was pointed out any reputable photo site has the same or very similar TOUs in place. You would also know that it was pointed out that no artist would have two opposite TOUs in place either. Please note that I said REPUTABLE. I do hope you know what that means.
Ohh no, she doesn't paint all of it, not by a long way, and besides Lorie is just one of hundreds of designers, where do you think they all get their 'elements' from, the magic fairy maybe? She comes to their computers late at night and leaves them in a folder? Grow the f**k up -----
Why don't you? Your feeble attempts at sarcasm are annoying and childish.
No one mentioned ALL DESIGNERS until you come along. The conversation was about very specific items and designers, with links provided. I'm not sure what you are talking about.
And not ALL DESIGNERS purchase their elements, some of them actually photograph their own stuff and do their own extractions. I know, shocking, isn't it?
------- If it's all fine and dandy to extract and sell images from Shutterstock as digi scrap elements, why were these two products at deviantscrap disabled shortly after this was posted here?
Pisses me off SO MUCH when stores are late with their payment. I've been waiting to be paid since the 17th. Nothing. The owner seems to be MIA around our forum, but is happily posting on Facebook.
July 21, 2011 8:03 PM
Have you gotten paid yet? Maybe send her a paypal invoice for what you're owed to see if she gets the hint.
I would send an email first...Even though you are in the right you dont want it to reflect on you in a negative light. Posting on her FB will just make you look like a bitch. That being said it is really crappy she hasnt said anything to you already about why she hasnt paid you yet.
Regarding not getting paid on time - sounds like a crappy store owner. Make sure you do contact her, and keep everything well documented. Start with the innocent approach of "just wanted to check in and let you know I hadn't received my payment to date, just in case you've already sent them". If/when you finally do get paid, I'd ditch that store. There's plenty other ones out there that do pay consistently on time.
I would like to see a 'review' of one of the stores not on your good/better/best lists. BUT, with actual reasons why you think everything is crap. I'm knew to the digi scrap world and I want to see what (in your opinion) makes top tier stores better than stores that didn't make your list. I noticed that Stuff to Scrap (or crap as it's been refered to) has been mentioned so of course that one peaks my curiosity...but I'm sure there are others on you bottom of the barrel list. Why, other than personal style preference, is ScrapOrchard better than Stuff to Scrap.
personally, I think SO is more selective about who they think will bring in the $$, than anything else, because the PP is right - the quality is iffy at times.
I know that Stuff to Scrap makes all of their new designers go through quality check before they are allowed to put anything in the store (for every single kit or product) for a minimum of 3 months. Also, most of the designers go through the QC process even if they don't have to anymore just to make sure. I agree that they have a lot of new designers, but that doesn't make them bad just because they are newer. And I've definetly noticed some designers there that I don't care for or their stuff looks kind of 'blah', but I've seen some really nice stuff too - just depends on the designer.
hey to everyone who keeps "voting" for reviews of certain stores... what's stopping you from posting a review to get the ball rolling? there are more good minds on this blog than just that of "Simon"... and for fun, I will throw in a "sheesh!"
personally, I think SO is more selective about who they think will bring in the $$, than anything else, because the PP is right - the quality is iffy at times.
-------------
So what do you do when the quality is crap? Do you email the designer?
"I know that Stuff to Scrap makes all of their new designers go through quality check before they are allowed to put anything in the store (for every single kit or product) for a minimum of 3 months. Also, most of the designers go through the QC process even if they don't have to anymore just to make sure."
^^^^ Quality doesn't only mean no jagged edge, blurriness, poor recoloring, or stray pixels. Scrapability is important. Sometimes it does come to taste, but I think everybody can recognize a good mix of real creativity and skills when they see one. From what I see in the store, I think STS misses that point more often than hits it.
Stuff That's Crap pumps our kit after kit that is practically indistinguishable fro the next kit. It doesn't matter which designer, either - they are all indistinguishable from the next. It's the same CU, recolored, it's the same Atomic Cupcake actions, it's the same patterns on the papers. It's also a whole lot of 'cutesy' stuff and that's about it.
It doesn't really matter where you get your kits from you are always taking a risk. I have many kits from SSD and they have with issues being out of gamut. That has to be my biggest pet peeve is the colors! Another thing is the repeat of elements just recolored. But that doesn't stop me from buying from there. I know designers that have perfect quality but their designs do not inspire me. I go for what I like and that really is the bottom line for me. Even if its Stuff That's Crap or Brownie SH**s and if I have seen it done over and over again....if I like it I will get it. That's how I buy/scrap.
I think that the kits at some of the 'best' scrap stores are boring. Just because it doesn't have a theme doesn't mean it's 'artistic'. And I've seen so many kits where the elements are just doodles that are filled in and have no texture to them at all, except maybe a little burn or dodge tool on the edge.
^^^^ I agree that all "big" stores have boring kits from time to time. However, doodles and drawn elements are just parts of a style. It's called "digital scrapbooking" for a reason. Not everything has to be made to look like paper scrapbooking. I actually would be agitated if a kit has doodles with texture but doesn't include ones without texture so I can blend them myself to papers of my choice.
I was looking at the design contest coming up at DSA and I found it a little wierd that the combination team of Americo and his wife get to be in the NEW designer category. Does that mean that any designer that has been around a while can just find a partner to start a 'new design name' and enter into the new category to get a better shot at all the prizes. I thought the point of the new vs. established designers was to make it fair for each category and also to give new designers an actual chance to win.
Yep - another contest that is already going sideways. I have to ask - why are the new designers getting such better prizes anyway? The new designers get guest spots and possible a Wacom, and the established designers get a bunch of CU (when they are probably using less CU and have bigger stashes of CU than the new designers anyway)
hey to everyone who keeps "voting" for reviews of certain stores... what's stopping you from posting a review to get the ball rolling? there are more good minds on this blog than just that of "Simon"... and for fun, I will throw in a "sheesh!" --------
I agree that all "big" stores have boring kits from time to time. However, doodles and drawn elements are just parts of a style. It's called "digital scrapbooking" for a reason. Not everything has to be made to look like paper scrapbooking. I actually would be agitated if a kit has doodles with texture but doesn't include ones without texture so I can blend them myself to papers of my choice. ---------------
I know designers that have perfect quality but their designs do not inspire me. I go for what I like and that really is the bottom line for me ---------
So who do you have to sleep with over at Me So Scrappy to get featured in the "We Love" post each week? Anyone know? It's really starting to become obvious (and annoying) that the same exact designers, some of them w/ very little experience and/or questionable products, are featured every couple of weeks. Who's got inside info? I'm ever curious.
It's all about who you are friends with at MSS! If you notice something from SSD is usually featured every week on there. I think everyone who is on staff at MSS is on half the CT teams at SSD.
Yep - another contest that is already going sideways. I have to ask - why are the new designers getting such better prizes anyway? The new designers get guest spots and possible a Wacom, and the established designers get a bunch of CU
-------
I had to check it out, since you were making such a big deal. I don't see the new designers getting 'such better prizes' at all.
The Wacom is just a Bamboo Craft and the guest spot is at one store. The rest of the prizes are also CU. An established designer is not going to need as many design resources as a beginner, that's a given. I would also think that any established designer worth their salt would have a graphics tablet already.
So who do you have to sleep with over at Me So Scrappy to get featured in the "We Love" post each week? Anyone know? It's really starting to become obvious (and annoying) that the same exact designers, some of them w/ very little experience and/or questionable products, are featured every couple of weeks. Who's got inside info? I'm ever curious.
---------
The inside info is that they probably applied. Go and check out the top of the page right here:
http://www.mesoscrappy.com/designers-we-love/
Maybe the designers you love just didn't apply. Maybe they don't think it's worth it.
That's a different feature, the one up for discussion is the products they love.
I don't have a clue, but one of the designers I CT for was surprised back in June with one of her products being featured there. I know she didn't apply or know anyone there.
I meant blinkers, it's a language thing. Horses wear them. We don't all live in the good ole U S of A. So quit your laughing, you just make yourselves look xenophobic.
Funny you should bring up the MSS thing, because I've noticed (and if you go back and look at the past month or two, you'll see) that it's not just SSD designers. One that's jumped out at me, in particular, is Litabells. Every. Damn. Week. Why? It's basically the same kit over and over, in slightly different colors. No imagination at all. That's the one that tips me off that they're just highlighting people they know/like IRL.
^^^ ETA: the exception being her collab this week, which is actually markedly different from her normal/regular kits. But I give credit for that change to Sugarplum.
I was looking at the design contest coming up at DSA and I found it a little wierd that the combination team of Americo and his wife get to be in the NEW designer category. Does that mean that any designer that has been around a while can just find a partner to start a 'new design name' and enter into the new category to get a better shot at all the prizes. I thought the point of the new vs. established designers was to make it fair for each category and also to give new designers an actual chance to win. ----------------------------- Ha! Maybe I'll get my husband to join a design team with me and I can go in the "new" category too. (He'll just give me the OK on all my entries, but hey, he's contributing and now we're new designers. Woohoo!)
I was looking at the design contest coming up at DSA and I found it a little wierd that the combination team of Americo and his wife get to be in the NEW designer category. Does that mean that any designer that has been around a while can just find a partner to start a 'new design name' and enter into the new category to get a better shot at all the prizes. I thought the point of the new vs. established designers was to make it fair for each category and also to give new designers an actual chance to win. ------
Did you see they made the exception because Americo only ever sold CU? There's a big difference between selling CU items and selling PU kits. Yes, there really is.
Did you mean you're? And no, I'm not, if I'm wrong, please point it out to me. I backed mine up, how about you do the same?
^^^ No I meant your. You know the language thing. LOL. I really don't care how many times Litabells has been featured! I was trying to be funny (you know with the blinker comment above). I can tell you that mostly every week SO is featured. I mean the owner is a Honeybee after all. So is the girl who usually does the picks. SO being on there weekly is a must. Half the time I don't like what they pick.
No I meant your. You know the language thing. LOL. I really don't care how many times Litabells has been featured! I was trying to be funny (you know with the blinker comment above). --------
You didn't succeed at being funny, not even a little bit.
I was directly replying to the person who was concerned about how often Litabells was featured, if it wasn't you, why comment at all?
I can tell you that mostly every week SO is featured. ------
So what? So is The Digi Chick and 9th & Bloom and The Lily Pad and Cat Scrap and MS Scraps and etc, etc, etc. I guess Honeybee is with them too, is she?
HoneyBee is a SO CT member. It's not her name. Yes, I agree that the same stores are featured every week. I rarely see little known stores picked. SO was an example! It was nice to see a few stores that aren't up there very often up there this week.
Well, realistically, people have their own taste, so they are drawn to... what they are drawn to. I have only had a kit chosen by one of these designs of the week sort of things a couple of times, and ironically they were not well-selling kits.
Why do some people seem to think there is an secret inner circle that you have to belong to to get to the "top" in the digi scrap industry? There really isn't. Or if there is, I have never run into it. I've been designing for over 4 years, and I have never talked to a single designer at any store that felt like they were part of an "in crowd" of designers, or that they knew anyone who could or would give them a step up. Maybe I just haven't been lucky enough to have that happen but I personally have had to bust my butt to get my designs noticed.
What I have generally noticed about the MSS posts, is that they feature pretty much the same kits that I also noticed and liked in the store news letters to which I sub. They are pretty much the same kits I'd be promoting if I were running that same kind of feature.
Maybe you should send MSS a polite email and ask them if they'd mind adding your store to the list of those that they review for weekly products. After all, there are a lot of stores out there. Maybe they just need to be pointed your way?
To the poster who asked about TDD, they pick their features from designers who have contributed to their site in the past. (Meaning they have provided free product to TDD for them to sell in exchange for featuring the designer on their site.)
Well, realistically, people have their own taste, so they are drawn to... what they are drawn to. I have only had a kit chosen by one of these designs of the week sort of things a couple of times, and ironically they were not well-selling kits.
^^^^^ Did being picked help those kits sell better?
Why do some people seem to think there is an secret inner circle that you have to belong to to get to the "top" in the digi scrap industry? There really isn't. Or if there is, I have never run into it. I've been designing for over 4 years, and I have never talked to a single designer at any store that felt like they were part of an "in crowd" of designers, or that they knew anyone who could or would give them a step up. Maybe I just haven't been lucky enough to have that happen but I personally have had to bust my butt to get my designs noticed. ---------------
I'm not the OP, but I've had kits featured on MSS a few times. And I don't know anyone there at all. I can't say that being featured there increased my sales. At least not noticeably. But I did appreciate having the product featured by them.
I have been a featured designer for TDD. They emailed me and asked me to do it. I think it probably did help a little. I don't know how to know for sure how many people actually visit the site. And of those, how many only bought the TDD product because it was several kits for very little money, and will never pay full price for a kit.
Personally, I think they ask for too much for what you get in return. But if you are trying to get noticed, it might help.
I just looked on their site. It looks like you can request to be featured. http://thedailydigi.com/lookingfor/
Well, realistically, people have their own taste, so they are drawn to... what they are drawn to. I have only had a kit chosen by one of these designs of the week sort of things a couple of times, and ironically they were not well-selling kits.
^^^^^ Did being picked help those kits sell better?
July 23, 2011 10:47 PM
Lol, no. My theory is that my good customers have different taste from the "experts" - not tnat one is right and the other is wrong... It is just different. When push comes to shove, I would rather my customers love it.
I started digiscrapping for real for a few reasons - I had a small baby, I liked to edit my photos and play in Photoshop anyway, and the big one, I seemed to have a problem with buying, sorting, putting things into pretty containers, reorganising, and then thinking some things were "too good" to scrap with.
I realised this was not at all healthy. I sometimes go through stages now where I sort and tag things too much, but it's not as bad as before.
^^^^^^^^^ I can totally relate w/ the 'things are too good to use' thing. I still have an entire office of craft/scrap supplies that I use for hybrid and school projects, but I was a much better collector of paper scrapping supplies than I was at actually scrapping with them...thus digital scrapbooking - I can use something I love over and over w/out worry.
I took a look over at the Design Factor. Gross, gross, gross. To me, this little challenge should show that "simply recoloring" isn't an easy thing to do for most people. It may not be the most creative thing, but good recoloring skills are just that - skills.
I didn't download a thing, but I will say that 2am Designs did manage to put together something that stood out from the crowd of garbage. I also liked Chunlin's entry, but not enough to download it.
I'm going to take a look at the review requests and I'll be back!
Wow 'Simon' you must be feeling a little more bitchy than usual tonight. I think there were a few different designers who did a decent job with the challenge they were given... Midnight Owl - good theme for colors and a few cute elements Chris Matthis - again - a some cute elements and the theme fits with the colors Designs by Angel - good Alpha Digital Harmony - good themed elements and a couple good basic elements Chunlin - some cute elements and nice alpha Those are the ones I thought were ok to download (but I don't really collect freebies anyway so I didn't). As for the rest, some were really, really horrible so they stood out too but the majority were just boring and poorly colored.
Challenge 6 is up. I wonder how many chocolate kits we are going to get? Followed by barbeque kits, coffee or tea, picnics and baking. I hope someone has an original idea.
Challenge 6 is up. I wonder how many chocolate kits we are going to get? Followed by barbeque kits, coffee or tea, picnics and baking. I hope someone has an original idea.
----------------------------- You forgot ice cream and cupcakes. But seriously, it's not like there are too many ways to get creative with a food kit.
Two little pixels is shutting down? I think it is a shame because I really did find some jewels in that shop! I wonder where the designers will be going?
Two Little Pixels is closing down. There's a surprise.
July 24, 2011 11:03 PM
I meant that I'm surprised. They seemed a nice, steady, drama free store.
July 24, 2011 11:32 PM
It's been dying for awhile, absent owner. I figured it was next when a handful of their designers posted in the DCR looking for new shops, then the number of designers retiring at the same time, and the other designers simply not loading their new products in that shop but still at their other shops.
I wasn't aware that a bunch of designers were retiring until I checked their forum. I just haven't been hanging around anywhere, except the forums where I'm CTing.
When I was last looking around for another shop I asked two of the 2lp designers I knew if they liked it and what the shop family was like. Both said the same thing, the owner was hardly ever around and the only time anyone communicated was the FWP every few months. One said she was thinking of leaving for a more active shop, now she'll have to.
The only designer retiring that I would ever purchase from would be Rainy Dayz. The others that I buy from there have other shops, and I'm sure they've at least gotten offers by now.
I have the impression that she thought the shop would just run itself after putting some time and money into it. Take a look at her blog, only 24 posts are under the scrapbooking category. Everything else is like she spends her days browsing pinterest.
Anyone know when they are actually closing? I'm too tired to shop right now, but I did see a few things I would like to get and would look a little more if I know I have time.
It's very strange that there is no announcement by the owner in the TLP forum. She has an announcement about closing her store on her blog, but nothing about the whole store closing. Who does that?
It's very strange that there is no announcement by the owner in the TLP forum. She has an announcement about closing her store on her blog, but nothing about the whole store closing. Who does that?
^^^^^^^^
An uninvolved store owner. I design there and Sharon very rarely posts. I was about to give my notice when I read that it was closing.
Simon said... I took a look over at the Design Factor. Gross, gross, gross. To me, this little challenge should show that "simply recoloring" isn't an easy thing to do for most people. It may not be the most creative thing, but good recoloring skills are just that - skills.
__________________
I agree. But I would add, after seeing so many bad entries, I downloaded the free CU pack that the conestants were required to use. I will admit up front that I haven't ever purchased or used extracted CU elements in my own designs, so I hardly have an expert opinion on purchased CU quality. Maybe those elements are what would be considered normal CU quality in the industry? But IMO, most of those extracted elements are really really badly done and unusuable. I'm mainly talking about the elements created by "ALD" that were included in grey scale. I played with a couple of them and was able to color them well enough that I wasn't disgusted with the results, but there is no way I would ever include one of them as an element in a kit.
Frankly, I was suprised that those are the elements that SM chose to give out for the contest. It did not represent SM well as a source of CU IMO. Which is really dumb, because this seems like an excellent opportunity for the hosting stores to show what they have to offer, as well as the contestants.
Frankly, I was suprised that those are the elements that SM chose to give out for the contest. It did not represent SM well as a source of CU IMO. Which is really dumb, because this seems like an excellent opportunity for the hosting stores to show what they have to offer, as well as the contestants. July 25, 2011 8:18 AM
---
I agree and basically said this earlier. The quality of Andilynn's CU is horrible. As the owner of SM, she sets an example for her designers. To me, that said nothing other than, "I sell crap and allow my designers sell crap, too."
I will start with Ninth and Bloom since it was listed first in the request.
Ninth and Bloom (Part 1)
Agnesingap Designs - Sells a lot of CU. I don't have any of it, so I can't speak to the quality. Bunch of extracted stuff. Some of her kit previews are strangely cluttered (with the wonky, distracting papers). I also can't stand elements on the paper preview. I want to see the papers. She uses nice color palettes and makes nice realistic style kits. Her CT pages are beautiful and showcase a variety of scrapping styles.
Alissa Jones - Very mish-mashy styled kits. Some nice color palettes with some really washed out ones. Majority of the CT pages I viewed were uninspiring and didn't showcase the kit at all (and I viewed quite a few). Makes some nice patterned papers and has some quirky kit ideas. I don't feel they are well executed and based on the LOs made with her kits, I'd say others agree.
By Becca - Again with the wonky paper previews. This is very distracting and takes away from the soft feel to many of her kits. I think her papers can be very weak, but her elements look well thought-out in her newer kits. Some of her older kits are gross collections of garage sale looking items. She should just retire those. Her CT pages aren't as diverse as Agnesingap's.
Christy Lyle Designs - Makes nice patterned papers, but doesn't make things frequently enough at all. Her kits are small for the price point ($6). I can get twice as many papers and 2-3 times as many elements over at KCB's store. CT pages make me yawn.
Creations by Rachael B - Generally nice color palettes and much fuller kits for the same price point of $6. CT pages do not showcase the kits well at all. I don't like that she makes her CT make QP pages for free then sells them in her store. I think that is crap. I have a few of her kits and the quality has always been good. Makes nice solid papers, but needs more patterns and better patterns at that. Her kits could reach a very diverse market (both realistic and paper style scrappers) with better CT pages (and more styles of scrapping) and a larger variety of papers.
Damayanti Studio - Sells a lot of CU. I don't have any so I can't speak to the quality. Has some really wacky color schemes and some nice ones. Produces a variety of kit styles. Her papers are lacking in most of her kits. I, personally, wouldn't buy a kit that has 4-5 solids of the same color, just different textures. What's the point? All of her products are reasonably priced (even the CU). Many of the CT pages are plain and don't showcase the kit at all.
Fizzy Pop Designs - Very overpriced, simplistic templates. You can get better, cheaper elsewhere. Her CU prices are completely ridiculous. $6.50 for a bunch of squares? https://ninthandbloom.com/shop/product.php?productid=522 Shame on anyone who pays for that. On sale 50% off, her fuller templates are nice for that style. Does not include PNGs. She has nice CT pages and they showcase the template's diversity.
Flutter Expressions - Mish-mashy kits, mostly boring papers. Some of her kits are also very small for $5. Has some nice CT pages, but most do not showcase the kit at all. Has a ton of useless alphas. Has mostly nice color palettes.
FruitLoOp Sally - I have a little of her CU and it has always been good quality. Her kits are small and some are mish-mashy. I prefer her kits that are more doodled - they're more cohesive. Has hit or miss color palettes. Does not show enough CT pages. Mostly boring papers and she doesn't include many. I wish she just sold her doodles as doodle packs and concentrated on that. I would actually buy PU packs from her then.
Holly Designs - I don't have any of her CU, so I can't speak to the quality. Her CT sells her kits, because her previews suck. And I mean suck. Some kits are mish-mashy and her color palettes are also very hit or miss (more on the miss side for me). Mostly boring papers. I have one of her kits and the quality has been fine for what I used.
Jazzmin Designs - Has some nice color palettes and some are gross. Some kits have extremely boring papers and others she did a nice job with. Most kits are mish-mashy. Doesn't consistently show CT pages, but most of the ones shown showcase the kit nicely. Some of her previews are a mess.
Megan Fisher Designs - Style varies from kit to kit. A few kits are a little mish-mashy. Simple papers, but some kits have nice elements. Simple color palettes, but some are done well. Almost everything in her store is over priced. Has mostly nice CT LOs.
Makita Studio - Some nice color palettes and makes nice patterened papers. Elements are sparse in most of her kits and the pricing on those seems high for what you get. Some of her kits seem more reasonably priced and you get more. This seems inconsistent to me. Alphas are overpriced. Templates are very simplistic and nothing I haven't seen done elsewhere better.
Meredith Cardall Designs - Pricing seems consistent and fair. Some kits are large while others small and her pricing reflects that. Makes nice patterned papers. Has some nice color palettes and some are just gross. A few kits are mish-mashy, but most are cohesive. I hate seeing the paint strip effect of the solid papers on the bottom of her previews. It's very distracting and looks hideous.
Sabrina Dupre Designs - I thought I clicked Meredith's store again. Some similar color palettes here and style is the same. Kits are not as well put together as Meredith's and are more expensive for less product. Patterned papers are simple and some are barely patterns. Her products are consistently overpriced. If you like this stuff, check out Meredith and get more (and better) for less.
Saxon Holt Designs - Gross. If she added some felt, I would confuse her with Chelle at SO. Boring papers that are usually over saturated. Patterns that are barely patterns. Dark elements on dark papers? Sheesh. Most kits are a borign mish-mash of garbage looking elements. She has a cool name, though.
Secret Stash - Cute elements and some nice papers, but her patterns need a lot of work. Some kits seem fuller than others, but they're the same price. Has some nice color palettes. Some of her alphas are over priced for what they are. Some kits are mish mashy. Has some nice CT LOs, but most do not feature the kits.
Tracey Monette - Most kits are very mish mashy and dark. Papers are boring, boring, boring. Patterns are almost non-existent and kits have way too many solids of the same colors. Color palettes are mostly gross. Also sells CU, but I don't have any so I can't speak to the quality. Style varies from kit to kit and sometimes within the same kit. She almost makes Saxon look good.
House Blends - These are the store collabs. For $5 these are barely worth the price. For $10, I just sit here and laugh. Most have 25-30 papers and 80% of those are solids in the same colors. Really? Elements are, of course, mish mashy. Mostly boring color palettes.
All in all, I would not rate this store in any "top tier." I think they succeed in offering a few different styles of products, but overall, most of them just aren't great. They certainly aren't any better than what I've seen elsewhere. No one here is really doing anything different or fresh or new. That isn't a problem for me (I'm not obsessed with doing something different), but they sell themselves as being fresh and different. They're not. Like most "boutiques," they offer the same things you can get elsewhere, just with a nicer bag and a higher price tag.
That isn't a problem for me (I'm not obsessed with doing something different), but they sell themselves as being fresh and different. They're not. Like most "boutiques," they offer the same things you can get elsewhere, just with a nicer bag and a higher price tag.
I thought that was probably what you meant but even though I do like most of the designers there and I shop there, I really don't find their site all that attractive.
Nice job, Simon! If the designers mentioned read this blog, they have a little laundry list of ways they can improve.
It's funny because I absolutely gravitate to the mish mashy kits. I prefer them in fact. And I adore the 9th & Bloom store collabs more than any other store's.
How do you know that Rachel B doesn't pay her Ct for the QPs, or maybe gives them the revenue? I have no idea myself, but I wondered if there was some insider knowledge and good gossip here.
I would have to say that reading what "Simon" and other judges have said in this blog related to various stores and designers, even though it is entertaining, I like the fact that facts are stated, opinions are stated as such, and suggestions are offered instead of a bare "bad stuff", "horrible kit", etc. I agree with the PP that those designers, if they read this blog (although it might be hard to read), might give some specific hints as to what they can look into. I am not saying I agree with everything, but I think that makes an assessment somewhat more "fair" and "constructive" than just bitching (as constructive as a smack blog can be).
I have to say... even if Rachael's CT members are not paid/compensated for the QPs they make, I really don't see why that should be of concern to anyone else. They agreed to do whatever they agreed to do, in exchange for product/etc. whether you/I think it's "crap" or not. It's not like they're slave laborers. If they didn't like it, they wouldn't do it, and it's her/their decision. That would be one point about which I don't agree w/ you, Simon. Most of everything else you said is spot-on. But in reviewing a designer, her arrangement w/ her CT should have NO BEARING on your review of her DESIGNS. Poor form. Makes it seem like there's a back-story here...
I have to say... even if Rachael's CT members are not paid/compensated for the QPs they make, I really don't see why that should be of concern to anyone else. They agreed to do whatever they agreed to do, in exchange for product/etc. whether you/I think it's "crap" or not. It's not like they're slave laborers. If they didn't like it, they wouldn't do it, and it's her/their decision. That would be one point about which I don't agree w/ you, Simon. Most of everything else you said is spot-on. But in reviewing a designer, her arrangement w/ her CT should have NO BEARING on your review of her DESIGNS. Poor form. Makes it seem like there's a back-story here... July 25, 2011 2:15 PM
Her arrangement with her CT had no bearing on my review of her store. I thought my review was pretty favorable of her and I even stated I've purchased from her myself.
There is no back story whatsoever. She stated her QP requirements during her last CT call. I don't know Rachael personally and I don't know any of her CT members.
While I meant nothing personal by it, I can see where some would take it that way. But then, I can see where some could and would take everything said personally.
Her arrangement with her CT had no bearing on my review of her store. I thought my review was pretty favorable of her and I even stated I've purchased from her myself.
There is no back story whatsoever. She stated her QP requirements during her last CT call. I don't know Rachael personally and I don't know any of her CT members.
While I meant nothing personal by it, I can see where some would take it that way. But then, I can see where some could and would take everything said personally. ------------------------ Then why include the following statement in your review? ...and I quote...
"I don't like that she makes her CT make QP pages for free then sells them in her store. I think that is crap."
Seems very unnecessary to include that in a review of her designs, KWIM? Has nothing at all to do w/ her designs. And yes, it makes the rest of us wonder why it was included. You didn't review the CT arrangements of any other 9&B designer...
Seems very unnecessary to include that in a review of her designs, KWIM? Has nothing at all to do w/ her designs. And yes, it makes the rest of us wonder why it was included. You didn't review the CT arrangements of any other 9&B designer... July 25, 2011 3:37 PM
This makes no sense. It's a "review of her designs" and the QPs are in the designer's STORE. Hence, her designs and the review. If it's in the store, it's up for grabs.
I didn't see any other QPs made by CTs in other designer's stores. If I missed those, please bring them to my attention and I will likely call them "gross" or "crap" as well.
Simon, wish I knew who you were so I could get some honest feedback on my designs - of course I'd probably be too chicken to out myself anyway! LOL July 25, 2011 3:43 PM
The email I set-up is simonsaysdigi at gmail dot com
You could always nominate your store for review. I do try to get them all when I can! It was also nice to see a few others jump in.
Two comments - I like plain textured papers better than most all patterned papers I've seen except those cool damasks.
Christa Sahlin at Salin Studio has her CT make QPs for pay - $25.00 each, I think, but they are lame in both design and execution. I've bought some and gotten coupons for some, and most are not usable. (I don't know if it's the CTs fault for all of it, though, and suspect the kits have some serious problems, but I never bought the kits to prove or disprove that theory.)
I agree. But I would add, after I downloaded the free CU pack that the conestants were required to use. I will admit up front that I haven't ever purchased or used extracted CU elements in my own designs, so I hardly have an expert opinion on purchased CU quality. Maybe those elements are what would be considered normal CU quality in the industry? But IMO, most of those extracted elements are really really badly done and unusuable. I'm mainly talking about the elements created by "ALD" that were included in grey scale. I played with a couple of them and was able to color them well enough that I wasn't disgusted with the results, but there is no way I would ever include one of them as an element in a kit.
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I said this earlier too and actually uploaded the rose using one of the color palettes to this blog. I also recolored the rose using darker colors, and it looked so much better. Andilynn's CU items were muted and muddy and really hard to work with.
This makes no sense. It's a "review of her designs" and the QPs are in the designer's STORE. Hence, her designs and the review. If it's in the store, it's up for grabs.
I didn't see any other QPs made by CTs in other designer's stores. If I missed those, please bring them to my attention and I will likely call them "gross" or "crap" as well.
They're QPs, people. They're ALL CRAP! ---------------------- OMG, Simon, for real? Let me first say that most of the time, I agree almost 100% w/ what you have to say. Rough around the edges, yes. But that's why we call you Simon.
This time, though, it's necessary for someone to call you out on some BS. You say that the QP's were in her store, so you included them in your review. That is your justification for the "I don't like that the CT's make QPs, I think it is crap" line of thought.
LESSON TIME: If you had said something/ANYTHING along the lines of, "the QPs for sale in her store look like crap; I wouldn't pay a penny for them; the quality is poor; the designs are awful; they don't showcase the kits", well... THEN you could justify including them in your review.
But no. What you did was pass judgment on her business practices. It didn't belong in the review, because it was a review of her ACTIONS and not of her DESIGNS. See the difference? Everyone else here does.
You're not wrong very often (IMO, anyway)... but this time you're dead wrong. Just admit it, so we can all maintain respect for your opinions.
We all know that Andilynn isn't 'The Next Top Designer' and her CU is questionable and her store ownership decisions are faulty, lately, at best. Now we're just beating a dead horse by continuing to post "her CU is awful" in 20 different variations of the words used to say that. Yawn.
5:53 PM You seem to be taking Simon's review of Rachel a little personally. I haven't lost or gained any respect for Simon's reviews based on her including a blurb about CTs completing QPs for a designer. There are no set guidelines in place for discussion of designers here. Designs, business practices, general bitchiness, pot stirring...it's all fuel for the fire here. Simon is not a professional journalist publishing a review in your favorite subscription magazine. She's an anon poster on a smack blog just like the rest of us.
Why don't you go ahead and do your own reviews, and feel free to limit them however you like.
Christa Sahlin at Salin Studio has her CT make QPs for pay - $25.00 each, I think, but they are lame in both design and execution. I've bought some and gotten coupons for some, and most are not usable. (I don't know if it's the CTs fault for all of it, though, and suspect the kits have some serious problems, but I never bought the kits to prove or disprove that theory.)
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Krista doesn't pay her CT for QP's so whoever told you that was lying.
We all know that Andilynn isn't 'The Next Top Designer' and her CU is questionable and her store ownership decisions are faulty, lately, at best. Now we're just beating a dead horse by continuing to post "her CU is awful" in 20 different variations of the words used to say that. Yawn. *************
That didn't happen. No one is continuing to post about her CU. I counted maybe 5 whole posts about her CU. Talking about her store and ownership, yep, that did and does get mentioned a lot. But not her CU.
Me thinks that post may have been made by someone either on Andilynn's CT or at Scrap Matters. It may have been Andilynn herself. She reads and posts here.
I have to say... even if Rachael's CT members are not paid/compensated for the QPs they make, I really don't see why that should be of concern to anyone else. They agreed to do whatever they agreed to do, in exchange for product/etc. whether you/I think it's "crap" or not. It's not like they're slave laborers. If they didn't like it, they wouldn't do it, and it's her/their decision. -----------
Speaking of crappy QPs, will somebody PLEASE tell Catscrap that Qps are not a prize worth blog hopping for, and maybe next quarter they could do something -- ANYTHING - different?
Well, I'm on Andilynn's CT and I've kept quiet. But I agree, her CU is crap. She gave us the opportunity to buy her new stuff (and use with credit in download) or PU (no credit). I downloaded that and it was average, at best.
Then why include the following statement in your review? ...and I quote...
"I don't like that she makes her CT make QP pages for free then sells them in her store. I think that is crap." -------------------- Have to agree on this one, Simon. If by chance the point you were actually trying to make was that you don't like the QPs themselves, and the QPs are crap, you should have said that. But you didn't. I don't think that is what you were saying, either. I think you were actually knocking her CT arrangement, which is strange/pointless to include in a review of a designer's designs. So I have to agree w/ OP that your strange digression off onto your opinions about a designer's CT arrangements was odd, and not typical for you. Especially when you could NEVER have known her arrangement from just looking in the shop, like you did for all of the other designer's products/etc. You had to know about her CT arrangement in advance, from another source (you said from her recent CT call, which, actually wasn't that recent, since she's been hiding in a hole for a while now). Why include that statement? Odd.
I think it's really odd that almost no one will go to the trouble to do in depth reviews as Simon has taken the time and effort to do, but you critique Simon's reviews ad nauseum. As the saying goes around here, sheesh.
Yes, I've noticed this and also the same thing (maybe not as extreme, but still) at The Digichick lately. Lots of departures. Although maybe the Digichick thing is a blessing in disguise, because it will make their stupid designer menu more navigable.
I think it's really odd that almost no one will go to the trouble to do in depth reviews as Simon has taken the time and effort to do, but you critique Simon's reviews ad nauseum. As the saying goes around here, sheesh.
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Personally, I like reading Simon's reviews of the designs. She can leave the opinions about how they run their CT out of it. Nobody else cares about that. We all just want to read what she thinks of the designs. (why? who knows... but we've made her into some sort of God around here lately, and we all enjoy it. that's how guilty pleasures work)
Agnesingap Designs - Her CT pages are beautiful and showcase a variety of scrapping styles.
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I randomly clicked some of her kits and I do not see a variety of scrapping styles from her CT at all. It's either extractions or a cluster fest. I found them uninspiring.
Well, I'm on Andilynn's CT and I've kept quiet. But I agree, her CU is crap. She gave us the opportunity to buy her new stuff (and use with credit in download) or PU (no credit). I downloaded that and it was average, at best.
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Bullshit. If you were really on her team you wouldn't be saying that. And if you are actually on her team and feel that way, than why are you on her team? The only payment CTs get are in product so if the product is "average, at best" you would have to be a complete dumbass to work for it. So which is it, are you a dumbass or a liar?
I seem to remember seeing that Andilynn just had a CT call and added a lot of new members. Maybe that is one of the new members and she's just finding out the quality is so-so?
The only payment CTs get are in product so if the product is "average, at best" you would have to be a complete dumbass to work for it. So which is it, are you a dumbass or a liar? ------
The OP was talking about her CU being average at best, not all of her products. So, it looks like you are the dumbass, doesn't it?
The OP was talking about her CU being average at best, not all of her products. So, it looks like you are the dumbass, doesn't it?
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Well she has a point, if you think so little of a designer that you would call anything she does "crap" (be it CU or otherwise)on a smack blog, you would have to be a "dumbass" to be on her team. Seriously, don't you have better use for your time?
However I think it's more likely that the OP is the other option provided. That being a liar.
Well she has a point, if you think so little of a designer that you would call anything she does "crap" (be it CU or otherwise)on a smack blog, you would have to be a "dumbass" to be on her team. Seriously, don't you have better use for your time? ----------
Don't you? Seriously, asking anyone on a smack blog if they have a better use for their time is ridiculous and, dare I say it, redundant.
I've called stuff some of my designers do crap, they aren't perfect and sometimes they do produce stuff I don't care for and would call crap. So, the OP called it out on a smack blog, that makes her either a dumbass or a liar? What a limited view of the world you must have.
Bullshit. If you were really on her team you wouldn't be saying that. And if you are actually on her team and feel that way, than why are you on her team? The only payment CTs get are in product so if the product is "average, at best" you would have to be a complete dumbass to work for it. So which is it, are you a dumbass or a liar?
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Neither, but thanks for playing. You're obviously blind because I *DID* say CU. This was the first CU I have received from her and it was not high quality like I'd expect a store owner to be.
Neither, but thanks for playing. You're obviously blind because I *DID* say CU. This was the first CU I have received from her and it was not high quality like I'd expect a store owner to be.
July 26, 2011 8:31 AM ------------
I'm not the person to whom you were responding. But I do agree with her somewhat. As a CTM you are supposed to be representing and promoting her designs not smacking them on a blog. Even if it is just her CU you are trashing, they are still her designs.
I just don't understand staying on a team where you don't completely love the designer's product or at the very least, respect her enough as a designer not to trash her publicly.
Love that SM has posted the 7-26 Tuesday Template Challenge on their blog and has given you a bunch of examples of pages using the template but the link to the forum reveals that the template isn't available yet. (It's 9:57 am ET.) Wish they'd get their act together.
I'm not the person to whom you were responding. But I do agree with her somewhat. As a CTM you are supposed to be representing and promoting her designs not smacking them on a blog. Even if it is just her CU you are trashing, they are still her designs.
I just don't understand staying on a team where you don't completely love the designer's product or at the very least, respect her enough as a designer not to trash her publicly. --------------- AMEN!
Sorry to mention this again. But I don't see why there's such a fuss over Simon's observation:
"I don't like that she makes her CT make QP pages for free then sells them in her store. I think that is crap."
If she has logged out of "Simon" and come back to post the above message as "Anon", there would hardly be any ripples. Some might even come out to say they agree with it. (I for one.)
Sorry to mention this again. But I don't see why there's such a fuss over Simon's observation:
"I don't like that she makes her CT make QP pages for free then sells them in her store. I think that is crap."
If she has logged out of "Simon" and come back to post the above message as "Anon", there would hardly be any ripples. Some might even come out to say they agree with it. (I for one.)
------------------
CLARIFICATION: I don't have a problem w/ Simon having that opinion, or stating it here on the blog. She could come here and write that any old time she pleases.
I DO have a problem w/ it being included in a review of someone's designs. The issue has nothing to do w/ that person's design ability, which is what Simon WAS originally reviewing.
I need to get some lunch but I am willing to do a store review when I get back. First response with a choice "wins". I used to design but am out of the rat race now and just a customer.
Ok SBG it is. Hopefully I can get through all this in one day. This store isn't exactly my scrapping "style" so take everything I say with a grain of salt.
Maya - I admit going in that her foul personality might taint any opinion I might have on her products. The very first product in her store seems "newbie"ish to me, which is telling since to hear her tell it, she invented digital scrapbooking. I see nothing in her store I'd consider overly useable, but I scrap more the 'paper' style, so take that for what it's worth.
Berna - I'm trying to like some of these brighter colors, but these kits seem very random to me. The lack of CT layouts isn't making any of this seem more cohesive to me. I don't need a kit with 30 birds and 20 crocheted flowers. It might help if some of this was previewed better. The Beach Comber kit almost made me cry a little. I can't even tell what half of that stuff IS.
Baersgarten - I have a sour taste in my mouth still over the Scrapkitchen fiasco from a few years ago (and that applies to BOTH parties). I like her soft papers, but I don't like the 60s/70s characters that are in so many of her kits. Her papers are cute.
Lorie - Can I just decline reviewing the fantasy genre since it's way out of my area of expertise? It wouldn't really be fair for me to say one way or the other since I don't scrap this way.
Wendyzine - I bought a couple of her actions when I was new and clueless and was not impressed. Even then. Most of her "designer tools" are so simplistic. Any designer should be able to write their own actions to do this stuff.
Flergs - Oh boy. I don't want to start another Flerg-war. I actually like her stuff for the most part. Her colors appeal to me and her kits are my style. I can't speak for the quality as I haven't purchased any in some time. Mostly because of her attention whoring on DST. Woe is me, someone copied my stuff! She always comes across as having posted the thread NOT to out the pirate, but to conjur up the sympathy. I'll give her an A+ for self-promotion, I suppose.
Manu - For the most part her kits seem well put together, although there are a couple random elements that make me go "huh?". A little too "vintagey" for me, but they didn't offend me. Her CT layouts did, though.
Natali - I think her kits are gorgeous, and they are previewed and showcased well. I'd never heard of her before just now (I don't shop at SBG) but I'm considering buying a couple things now. The colors all work together well and she has just the right amount of neutrals to make it soft and pretty.
sussieM - again with the fantasty stuff that I can't really objectively judge. The Cookies for Santa preview is fun, even without me being into fantasy stuff.
Tangie - I have never understood her popularity. This stuff makes no sense to me at all. These dolls are borderline creepy. I do like those graffiti borders, though. They almost seem like they came from a different store, though. All that art journal stuff and then some funky colored graffiti borders. Like I said, I don't get it.
To Be Continued...(later this afternoon, as I have a few errands and this is taking longer than I hoped)
Did anyone else see Paula of Sugar Shack Designs come on here and bitch everyone out for "talking shit" about her SSD? and accusing them of piracy and whatever?
Did you see the products at that store? I checked the software specific sections, and they have one for Photoshop (which is not even PS specific) and a few for Paintshop but look at these: http://www.sugarshackdesignsinc.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=99 Do you think some scrappers or designers would need that? (maybe add that store for review sometimes?)
so back to the Baersgarden/Scrapkitchen fiasco? I'm admitting to being clueless here on that one....will someone please let loose of the skinny on that one?
atleast i dont have a language problem like some of the stuff i read on this forum and i will always stand up for what is right...and when it comes to that oh well if i am alittle cranky get over it...
I just don't understand staying on a team where you don't completely love the designer's product or at the very least, respect her enough as a designer not to trash her publicly. ----------
Meh, I hardly call saying that her CU is crap 'trashing'. If she had said that the designer was an absolute bitch etc, yes, that would be trashing. The other, not so much.
I am just an average scrapper, not a designer. I am not active on any CT's, although I have been in the past. I am not active in any "scrapbook community", I don't post on the message boards, and I don't post my layouts online anymore. I read the Digi boards for entertainment, and am constantly amazed at what people share on the internet. I freely admit to reading the scrapbook smack blogs, it is a guilty pleasure.
You can email me at: DSTHallofFame@gmail.com
2,452 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 2001 – 2200 of 2452 Newer› Newest»Why should they be thankful they are getting anything?
Other stores had much better participation prizes FOR FREE.
Like she said, dont like it? Dont participate, you're not being forced, you're nothing short of a bunch of whining self absorbed assholes.
^^^^
I'm not even playing, bitch, so take your attitude and shove it up your ass.
As for all this other whining about shutterstock and OMG they are pirating, where do you morons think all designers get their shit? Not all stock companies have TOU like Shutterstock, where do you think Lorie Davison gets her stuff, or Lily Designs, or SussieM or Natali Designs, Emka or Emeto, and so on ETC. I struggle to believe people are as stupid as you bunch LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
ooooHHHH now you have something new to whine and bitch about, bring it on morons, start accusing all the designers LMFAO, and while you're at it, perhaps I made some typos or god forbid some spelling mistakes, so you can all rip me an asshole about that too, deride my schooling, or maybe I'm Carley or Simon, or perhaps I'm the boogieman - BOOOO
Sorry darlin I don't shove anything up my ass, but obviously the thought crosses your mind. Hehehehehehehe
you're nothing short of a bunch of whining self absorbed assholes.
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You'd know all about that, wouldn't you? You see one in the mirror every day.
where do you think Lorie Davison gets her stuff,
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She paints it, duh!
I'm sorry, there is no prize for seconds, you lose, you're dismissed, off you go little one.
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You'd know all about that, wouldn't you? You see one in the mirror every day.
As for all this other whining about shutterstock and OMG they are pirating, where do you morons think all designers get their shit? Not all stock companies have TOU like Shutterstock,
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Dear Moron
But we are talking specifically about Shutterstock and even provided the links. Did you miss that part? We aren't even talking about all designers, but very specific designers and links were provided then too. Did you miss that as well?
Have a nice day.
Sorry darlin I don't shove anything up my ass, but obviously the thought crosses your mind. Hehehehehehehe
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Right, like assholes crossed yours.
Ohh no, she doesn't paint all of it, not by a long way, and besides Lorie is just one of hundreds of designers, where do you think they all get their 'elements' from, the magic fairy maybe? She comes to their computers late at night and leaves them in a folder?
Grow the f**k up
Dear Pathetic
I read the blog, unlike you, I'm not stupid, I can see what was said and I can comprehend it to, How you whiners decided the few designers you chose to target recently actually purchased those pics from shutterstock is beyond me, perhaps you are psychic LOL. But you ARE stupid if you think a photographer or artworker supplies to JUST shutterstock, Oh my, you are so ridiculously stupid its making me LMFAO
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Dear Moron
But we are talking specifically about Shutterstock and even provided the links. Did you miss that part? We aren't even talking about all designers, but very specific designers and links were provided then too. Did you miss that as well?
As for all this other whining about shutterstock and OMG they are pirating, where do you morons think all designers get their shit? Not all stock companies have TOU like Shutterstock, where do you think Lorie Davison gets her stuff, or Lily Designs, or SussieM or Natali Designs, Emka or Emeto, and so on ETC. I struggle to believe people are as stupid as you bunch LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
ooooHHHH now you have something new to whine and bitch about, bring it on morons, start accusing all the designers LMFAO, and while you're at it, perhaps I made some typos or god forbid some spelling mistakes, so you can all rip me an asshole about that too, deride my schooling, or maybe I'm Carley or Simon, or perhaps I'm the boogieman - BOOOO
^^^^^ Or maybe you could be Shilo or Alyssa Happy Tits! You could also be a man! We just don't know LOL!
I read the blog, unlike you, I'm not stupid, I can see what was said and I can comprehend it to, How you whiners decided the few designers you chose to target recently actually purchased those pics from shutterstock is beyond me, perhaps you are psychic LOL. But you ARE stupid if you think a photographer or artworker supplies to JUST shutterstock, Oh my, you are so ridiculously stupid its making me LMFAO
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Dear Alyssa
You don't read the blog because if you did, you would know that it was pointed out any reputable photo site has the same or very similar TOUs in place. You would also know that it was pointed out that no artist would have two opposite TOUs in place either. Please note that I said REPUTABLE. I do hope you know what that means.
So nice to see you again Alyssa.
Ohh no, she doesn't paint all of it, not by a long way, and besides Lorie is just one of hundreds of designers, where do you think they all get their 'elements' from, the magic fairy maybe? She comes to their computers late at night and leaves them in a folder?
Grow the f**k up
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Why don't you? Your feeble attempts at sarcasm are annoying and childish.
No one mentioned ALL DESIGNERS until you come along. The conversation was about very specific items and designers, with links provided. I'm not sure what you are talking about.
And not ALL DESIGNERS purchase their elements, some of them actually photograph their own stuff and do their own extractions. I know, shocking, isn't it?
I'm Carley or Simon, or perhaps I'm the boogieman -
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No, you are just a tool.
Original:
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-25525135/stock-vector-funny-mermaids-cartoon-and-vector-isolated-characters.html
Stolen:
http://www.deviantscrap.com/shop/product.php?productid=18953&cat=&page=
Original:
http://tpettit.best.vwh.net/dolls/pd_scans/candy/index.html
Stolen:
http://www.deviantscrap.com/shop/product.php?productid=18752&cat=0&page=1
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If it's all fine and dandy to extract and sell images from Shutterstock as digi scrap elements, why were these two products at deviantscrap disabled shortly after this was posted here?
^^^^
Excellent point!
Pisses me off SO MUCH when stores are late with their payment. I've been waiting to be paid since the 17th. Nothing. The owner seems to be MIA around our forum, but is happily posting on Facebook.
July 21, 2011 8:03 PM
Have you gotten paid yet? Maybe send her a paypal invoice for what you're owed to see if she gets the hint.
Simon I would love to see your reviews on this stores; 9th & Bloom, Gotta Pixel and SBG
Have you gotten paid yet? Maybe send her a paypal invoice for what you're owed to see if she gets the hint.
^^^^^^^^^^^
I have not, maybe I'll do just that. Thanks for the idea.
I'd post right on her facebook. "Hey, not sure if you were busy.. but I'm waiting to get paid as per my contract. Thank you!" :D
^^^^^
ROTFLMAO
I would send an email first...Even though you are in the right you dont want it to reflect on you in a negative light. Posting on her FB will just make you look like a bitch. That being said it is really crappy she hasnt said anything to you already about why she hasnt paid you yet.
I'd like to see a review of A5D, too.
Regarding not getting paid on time - sounds like a crappy store owner. Make sure you do contact her, and keep everything well documented. Start with the innocent approach of "just wanted to check in and let you know I hadn't received my payment to date, just in case you've already sent them". If/when you finally do get paid, I'd ditch that store. There's plenty other ones out there that do pay consistently on time.
I vote for a Gotta Pixel review.
I would like to see a 'review' of one of the stores not on your good/better/best lists. BUT, with actual reasons why you think everything is crap. I'm knew to the digi scrap world and I want to see what (in your opinion) makes top tier stores better than stores that didn't make your list. I noticed that Stuff to Scrap (or crap as it's been refered to) has been mentioned so of course that one peaks my curiosity...but I'm sure there are others on you bottom of the barrel list. Why, other than personal style preference, is ScrapOrchard better than Stuff to Scrap.
Stuff To Scrap will accept just about any designer, regardless of experience or quality.
Scrap Orchard is very selective regarding experience. Quality however, is iffy IMO.
^^^
personally, I think SO is more selective about who they think will bring in the $$, than anything else, because the PP is right - the quality is iffy at times.
I know that Stuff to Scrap makes all of their new designers go through quality check before they are allowed to put anything in the store (for every single kit or product) for a minimum of 3 months. Also, most of the designers go through the QC process even if they don't have to anymore just to make sure. I agree that they have a lot of new designers, but that doesn't make them bad just because they are newer. And I've definetly noticed some designers there that I don't care for or their stuff looks kind of 'blah', but I've seen some really nice stuff too - just depends on the designer.
I vote for a GingerScraps review.
hey to everyone who keeps "voting" for reviews of certain stores... what's stopping you from posting a review to get the ball rolling? there are more good minds on this blog than just that of "Simon"... and for fun, I will throw in a "sheesh!"
personally, I think SO is more selective about who they think will bring in the $$, than anything else, because the PP is right - the quality is iffy at times.
-------------
So what do you do when the quality is crap? Do you email the designer?
"I know that Stuff to Scrap makes all of their new designers go through quality check before they are allowed to put anything in the store (for every single kit or product) for a minimum of 3 months. Also, most of the designers go through the QC process even if they don't have to anymore just to make sure."
^^^^
Quality doesn't only mean no jagged edge, blurriness, poor recoloring, or stray pixels. Scrapability is important. Sometimes it does come to taste, but I think everybody can recognize a good mix of real creativity and skills when they see one. From what I see in the store, I think STS misses that point more often than hits it.
Stuff That's Crap pumps our kit after kit that is practically indistinguishable fro the next kit. It doesn't matter which designer, either - they are all indistinguishable from the next. It's the same CU, recolored, it's the same Atomic Cupcake actions, it's the same patterns on the papers. It's also a whole lot of 'cutesy' stuff and that's about it.
It doesn't really matter where you get your kits from you are always taking a risk. I have many kits from SSD and they have with issues being out of gamut. That has to be my biggest pet peeve is the colors! Another thing is the repeat of elements just recolored. But that doesn't stop me from buying from there. I know designers that have perfect quality but their designs do not inspire me. I go for what I like and that really is the bottom line for me. Even if its Stuff That's Crap or Brownie SH**s and if I have seen it done over and over again....if I like it I will get it. That's how I buy/scrap.
I think that the kits at some of the 'best' scrap stores are boring. Just because it doesn't have a theme doesn't mean it's 'artistic'. And I've seen so many kits where the elements are just doodles that are filled in and have no texture to them at all, except maybe a little burn or dodge tool on the edge.
^^^^^^
Agree 100%!!!!!
^^^^
I agree that all "big" stores have boring kits from time to time. However, doodles and drawn elements are just parts of a style. It's called "digital scrapbooking" for a reason. Not everything has to be made to look like paper scrapbooking. I actually would be agitated if a kit has doodles with texture but doesn't include ones without texture so I can blend them myself to papers of my choice.
I was looking at the design contest coming up at DSA and I found it a little wierd that the combination team of Americo and his wife get to be in the NEW designer category. Does that mean that any designer that has been around a while can just find a partner to start a 'new design name' and enter into the new category to get a better shot at all the prizes. I thought the point of the new vs. established designers was to make it fair for each category and also to give new designers an actual chance to win.
Yep - another contest that is already going sideways. I have to ask - why are the new designers getting such better prizes anyway? The new designers get guest spots and possible a Wacom, and the established designers get a bunch of CU (when they are probably using less CU and have bigger stashes of CU than the new designers anyway)
I thought the same thing when reading about the prizes!!
But if you're established you get blinkies from Laura Bitchianac!
Who the hell wants blinkies as a prize?
Especially from her?? I'd rather have Lindsay as a higher ranking prize!
^^^What's your beef w/Laura?
hey to everyone who keeps "voting" for reviews of certain stores... what's stopping you from posting a review to get the ball rolling? there are more good minds on this blog than just that of "Simon"... and for fun, I will throw in a "sheesh!"
--------
Exactly what I was thinking.
I agree that all "big" stores have boring kits from time to time. However, doodles and drawn elements are just parts of a style. It's called "digital scrapbooking" for a reason. Not everything has to be made to look like paper scrapbooking. I actually would be agitated if a kit has doodles with texture but doesn't include ones without texture so I can blend them myself to papers of my choice.
---------------
Exactly!
I know designers that have perfect quality but their designs do not inspire me. I go for what I like and that really is the bottom line for me
---------
Me too.
the established designers get a bunch of CU (when they are probably using less CU and have bigger stashes of CU than the new designers anyway)
------
Most of the established designers that I'm aware of use a ton of CU. I'm not sure why think they would be using less.
So who do you have to sleep with over at Me So Scrappy to get featured in the "We Love" post each week? Anyone know? It's really starting to become obvious (and annoying) that the same exact designers, some of them w/ very little experience and/or questionable products, are featured every couple of weeks. Who's got inside info? I'm ever curious.
^^
They used to pick at least one item from all of the better known stores, now it's all about the same few stores that everyone else posts about.
Anyone know how the Daily Digi selects theirs for weekly posts?
^^^What's your beef w/Laura?
---------
She's a bitch. (And no, Shilo or whoever started that ridiculous thread about her at DST)
So who do you have to sleep with over at Me So Scrappy to get featured in the "We Love" post each week?
----------
I noticed that this morning - again - same people, same stores. YAWN.
It's all about who you are friends with at MSS! If you notice something from SSD is usually featured every week on there. I think everyone who is on staff at MSS is on half the CT teams at SSD.
What the heck is Me So Scrappy? Never heard of it. I'm so out of the loop, although, from the sounds of it, it doesn't look a loop I need to be in.
Yep - another contest that is already going sideways. I have to ask - why are the new designers getting such better prizes anyway? The new designers get guest spots and possible a Wacom, and the established designers get a bunch of CU
-------
I had to check it out, since you were making such a big deal. I don't see the new designers getting 'such better prizes' at all.
The Wacom is just a Bamboo Craft and the guest spot is at one store. The rest of the prizes are also CU. An established designer is not going to need as many design resources as a beginner, that's a given. I would also think that any established designer worth their salt would have a graphics tablet already.
So who do you have to sleep with over at Me So Scrappy to get featured in the "We Love" post each week? Anyone know? It's really starting to become obvious (and annoying) that the same exact designers, some of them w/ very little experience and/or questionable products, are featured every couple of weeks. Who's got inside info? I'm ever curious.
---------
The inside info is that they probably applied. Go and check out the top of the page right here:
http://www.mesoscrappy.com/designers-we-love/
Maybe the designers you love just didn't apply. Maybe they don't think it's worth it.
It's not always a conspiracy.
That's a different feature, the one up for discussion is the products they love.
I don't have a clue, but one of the designers I CT for was surprised back in June with one of her products being featured there. I know she didn't apply or know anyone there.
They used to pick at least one item from all of the better known stores, now it's all about the same few stores that everyone else posts about.
----
I just checked and no, they aren't always the same stores that everyone posts about.
No one constantly posts about 7th Heaven, Digital Crea, Digiscrap Brasil or Deviant Scrap, just to name a few.
Do you some of you walk around with blinkers on and only see what you want to see?
^^^^^^^
I think you mean blinders.
LMFAO @ blinkers
Let me guess your driving as you type right?
I meant blinkers, it's a language thing. Horses wear them. We don't all live in the good ole U S of A. So quit your laughing, you just make yourselves look xenophobic.
Funny you should bring up the MSS thing, because I've noticed (and if you go back and look at the past month or two, you'll see) that it's not just SSD designers. One that's jumped out at me, in particular, is Litabells. Every. Damn. Week. Why? It's basically the same kit over and over, in slightly different colors. No imagination at all. That's the one that tips me off that they're just highlighting people they know/like IRL.
^^^
ETA: the exception being her collab this week, which is actually markedly different from her normal/regular kits. But I give credit for that change to Sugarplum.
People aren't horses. People wear blinders not blinkers.
I can understand the language thing. Really I do.
^^^
Not where I come from, the expression is wearing blinkers.
Blinders, also known as blinkers or winkers, are a piece of horse tack that prevent the horse seeing to the rear and, in some cases, to the side.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinders
One that's jumped out at me, in particular, is Litabells. Every. Damn. Week. Why?
----------
Really? If so, how come she's missing from these weeks:
7/16
7/2
6/25
6/18
6/11
And that's as far as I cared to go. Hmm, every damn week hey? I don't see it.
http://blogs.courier-journal.com/racing/2010/08/14/first-dude-could-wear-blinkers-in-travers/
Never heard this expression, but hey I learned something tonight!
One that's jumped out at me, in particular, is Litabells. Every. Damn. Week. Why?
----------
Really? If so, how come she's missing from these weeks:
7/16
7/2
6/25
6/18
6/11
And that's as far as I cared to go. Hmm, every damn week hey? I don't see it.
^^^^
Maybe your wearing blinkers!
I was looking at the design contest coming up at DSA and I found it a little wierd that the combination team of Americo and his wife get to be in the NEW designer category. Does that mean that any designer that has been around a while can just find a partner to start a 'new design name' and enter into the new category to get a better shot at all the prizes. I thought the point of the new vs. established designers was to make it fair for each category and also to give new designers an actual chance to win.
-----------------------------
Ha! Maybe I'll get my husband to join a design team with me and I can go in the "new" category too. (He'll just give me the OK on all my entries, but hey, he's contributing and now we're new designers. Woohoo!)
^^^^
Maybe your wearing blinkers!
----
Did you mean you're? And no, I'm not, if I'm wrong, please point it out to me. I backed mine up, how about you do the same?
I was looking at the design contest coming up at DSA and I found it a little wierd that the combination team of Americo and his wife get to be in the NEW designer category. Does that mean that any designer that has been around a while can just find a partner to start a 'new design name' and enter into the new category to get a better shot at all the prizes. I thought the point of the new vs. established designers was to make it fair for each category and also to give new designers an actual chance to win.
------
Did you see they made the exception because Americo only ever sold CU? There's a big difference between selling CU items and selling PU kits. Yes, there really is.
Maybe your wearing blinkers!
^^^
Or you're even.
----
Did you mean you're? And no, I'm not, if I'm wrong, please point it out to me. I backed mine up, how about you do the same?
^^^
No I meant your. You know the language thing. LOL.
I really don't care how many times Litabells has been featured! I was trying to be funny (you know with the blinker comment above). I can tell you that mostly every week SO is featured. I mean the owner is a Honeybee after all. So is the girl who usually does the picks. SO being on there weekly is a must. Half the time I don't like what they pick.
SO being featured:
7/23
7/9
7/2
6/25
6/18
6/11
No I meant your. You know the language thing. LOL.
I really don't care how many times Litabells has been featured! I was trying to be funny (you know with the blinker comment above).
--------
You didn't succeed at being funny, not even a little bit.
I was directly replying to the person who was concerned about how often Litabells was featured, if it wasn't you, why comment at all?
You failed on all levels.
I can tell you that mostly every week SO is featured.
------
So what? So is The Digi Chick and 9th & Bloom and The Lily Pad and Cat Scrap and MS Scraps and etc, etc, etc. I guess Honeybee is with them too, is she?
HoneyBee is a SO CT member. It's not her name.
Yes, I agree that the same stores are featured every week. I rarely see little known stores picked. SO was an example! It was nice to see a few stores that aren't up there very often up there this week.
Well, realistically, people have their own taste, so they are drawn to... what they are drawn to. I have only had a kit chosen by one of these designs of the week sort of things a couple of times, and ironically they were not well-selling kits.
Why do some people seem to think there is an secret inner circle that you have to belong to to get to the "top" in the digi scrap industry? There really isn't. Or if there is, I have never run into it. I've been designing for over 4 years, and I have never talked to a single designer at any store that felt like they were part of an "in crowd" of designers, or that they knew anyone who could or would give them a step up. Maybe I just haven't been lucky enough to have that happen but I personally have had to bust my butt to get my designs noticed.
What I have generally noticed about the MSS posts, is that they feature pretty much the same kits that I also noticed and liked in the store news letters to which I sub. They are pretty much the same kits I'd be promoting if I were running that same kind of feature.
Maybe you should send MSS a polite email and ask them if they'd mind adding your store to the list of those that they review for weekly products. After all, there are a lot of stores out there. Maybe they just need to be pointed your way?
To the poster who asked about TDD, they pick their features from designers who have contributed to their site in the past. (Meaning they have provided free product to TDD for them to sell in exchange for featuring the designer on their site.)
How does someone get picked to be in the TDD? Is there an application? Does being in the TDD really help you get noticed or get better sales?
Well, realistically, people have their own taste, so they are drawn to... what they are drawn to. I have only had a kit chosen by one of these designs of the week sort of things a couple of times, and ironically they were not well-selling kits.
^^^^^
Did being picked help those kits sell better?
Why do some people seem to think there is an secret inner circle that you have to belong to to get to the "top" in the digi scrap industry? There really isn't. Or if there is, I have never run into it. I've been designing for over 4 years, and I have never talked to a single designer at any store that felt like they were part of an "in crowd" of designers, or that they knew anyone who could or would give them a step up. Maybe I just haven't been lucky enough to have that happen but I personally have had to bust my butt to get my designs noticed.
---------------
Couldn't agree more.
I'm not the OP, but I've had kits featured on MSS a few times. And I don't know anyone there at all. I can't say that being featured there increased my sales. At least not noticeably. But I did appreciate having the product featured by them.
I have been a featured designer for TDD. They emailed me and asked me to do it. I think it probably did help a little. I don't know how to know for sure how many people actually visit the site. And of those, how many only bought the TDD product because it was several kits for very little money, and will never pay full price for a kit.
Personally, I think they ask for too much for what you get in return. But if you are trying to get noticed, it might help.
I just looked on their site. It looks like you can request to be featured.
http://thedailydigi.com/lookingfor/
Personally, I don't visit any of those places. No matter how hard they may try, it's still going to be subjective.
I pick my supplies and favorites by cruising the stores and galleries.
Up until today, I didn't even know that MSS existed. I bet I'm not the only one either.
Well, realistically, people have their own taste, so they are drawn to... what they are drawn to. I have only had a kit chosen by one of these designs of the week sort of things a couple of times, and ironically they were not well-selling kits.
^^^^^
Did being picked help those kits sell better?
July 23, 2011 10:47 PM
Lol, no. My theory is that my good customers have different taste from the "experts" - not tnat one is right and the other is wrong... It is just different. When push comes to shove, I would rather my customers love it.
LMFAO @ blinkers
Let me guess your driving as you type right?
July 23, 2011 9:10 PM
Maybe your wearing blinkers!
July 23, 2011 9:52 PM
-----------------
Could you please learn how to conjugate "to be" before posting again?
What is MSS?
MSS = Me So Scrappy
http://www.mesoscrappy.com/
Question::
What first got you into digital scrapbooking?
Anonymous said...
Question::
What first got you into digital scrapbooking?
July 24, 2011 2:27 PM
-------------
Ctrl-Z!!!!
What first got you into digital scrapbooking?
----------
The computer.
I started digiscrapping for real for a few reasons - I had a small baby, I liked to edit my photos and play in Photoshop anyway, and the big one, I seemed to have a problem with buying, sorting, putting things into pretty containers, reorganising, and then thinking some things were "too good" to scrap with.
I realised this was not at all healthy. I sometimes go through stages now where I sort and tag things too much, but it's not as bad as before.
Thus ends the scary look into my psyche!
^^^^^^^^^
I can totally relate w/ the 'things are too good to use' thing. I still have an entire office of craft/scrap supplies that I use for hybrid and school projects, but I was a much better collector of paper scrapping supplies than I was at actually scrapping with them...thus digital scrapbooking - I can use something I love over and over w/out worry.
Weird
I took a look over at the Design Factor. Gross, gross, gross. To me, this little challenge should show that "simply recoloring" isn't an easy thing to do for most people. It may not be the most creative thing, but good recoloring skills are just that - skills.
I didn't download a thing, but I will say that 2am Designs did manage to put together something that stood out from the crowd of garbage. I also liked Chunlin's entry, but not enough to download it.
I'm going to take a look at the review requests and I'll be back!
Wow 'Simon' you must be feeling a little more bitchy than usual tonight. I think there were a few different designers who did a decent job with the challenge they were given...
Midnight Owl - good theme for colors and a few cute elements
Chris Matthis - again - a some cute elements and the theme fits with the colors
Designs by Angel - good Alpha
Digital Harmony - good themed elements and a couple good basic elements
Chunlin - some cute elements and nice alpha
Those are the ones I thought were ok to download (but I don't really collect freebies anyway so I didn't).
As for the rest, some were really, really horrible so they stood out too but the majority were just boring and poorly colored.
Wow. Simon liked 2 and you liked 5. Yeah, Simon is a real bitch. (sarcasm) I think we can all agree this round is "gross."
I do think it separated out those who can from those who can't.
Interesting that Viva Artistry didn't participate in this challenge.
Umm.... yes she did.
Challenge 6 is up. I wonder how many chocolate kits we are going to get? Followed by barbeque kits, coffee or tea, picnics and baking. I hope someone has an original idea.
Umm.... yes she did.
-------
They did? I didn't see it. I'll go and check again. Thanks.
Two Little Pixels is closing down. There's a surprise.
Challenge 6 is up. I wonder how many chocolate kits we are going to get? Followed by barbeque kits, coffee or tea, picnics and baking. I hope someone has an original idea.
-----------------------------
You forgot ice cream and cupcakes. But seriously, it's not like there are too many ways to get creative with a food kit.
^^^^
I meant that I'm surprised. They seemed a nice, steady, drama free store.
You forgot ice cream and cupcakes. But seriously, it's not like there are too many ways to get creative with a food kit.
-----------
I did but there are a ton of ways to get creative with food.
Two little pixels is shutting down? I think it is a shame because I really did find some jewels in that shop! I wonder where the designers will be going?
Two Little Pixels is closing down. There's a surprise.
July 24, 2011 11:03 PM
I meant that I'm surprised. They seemed a nice, steady, drama free store.
July 24, 2011 11:32 PM
It's been dying for awhile, absent owner. I figured it was next when a handful of their designers posted in the DCR looking for new shops, then the number of designers retiring at the same time, and the other designers simply not loading their new products in that shop but still at their other shops.
Where's the owner? She seemed the reliable type.
I wasn't aware that a bunch of designers were retiring until I checked their forum. I just haven't been hanging around anywhere, except the forums where I'm CTing.
When I was last looking around for another shop I asked two of the 2lp designers I knew if they liked it and what the shop family was like. Both said the same thing, the owner was hardly ever around and the only time anyone communicated was the FWP every few months. One said she was thinking of leaving for a more active shop, now she'll have to.
The only designer retiring that I would ever purchase from would be Rainy Dayz. The others that I buy from there have other shops, and I'm sure they've at least gotten offers by now.
Where's the owner? She seemed the reliable type.
-------
She's not very reliable. Their last designer call was a disaster, didn't reply to anyone for awhile and it was sporadic at best.
Good riddance! (And no, I'm not bitter - she accepted me but based on lack of communication I declined).
Oh, that's sad. She used to be much better. I guess things got on top of her. No that that's an excuse if you're a business owner.
Sucks for the designers though.
^^^
I have the impression that she thought the shop would just run itself after putting some time and money into it. Take a look at her blog, only 24 posts are under the scrapbooking category. Everything else is like she spends her days browsing pinterest.
http://www.ksharonk.com/
Anyone know when they are actually closing? I'm too tired to shop right now, but I did see a few things I would like to get and would look a little more if I know I have time.
August 5
It's very strange that there is no announcement by the owner in the TLP forum. She has an announcement about closing her store on her blog, but nothing about the whole store closing. Who does that?
It's very strange that there is no announcement by the owner in the TLP forum. She has an announcement about closing her store on her blog, but nothing about the whole store closing. Who does that?
^^^^^^^^
An uninvolved store owner. I design there and Sharon very rarely posts. I was about to give my notice when I read that it was closing.
^^^^^
That sucks. Did you even know it was closing? She made the announcement about her store on 1st July.
She jerked everyone around.
Well, she at least has the time to lurk around here!
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=283087
^^^^
Well, how about that? It's in the TLP forum now too.
Simon said...
I took a look over at the Design Factor. Gross, gross, gross. To me, this little challenge should show that "simply recoloring" isn't an easy thing to do for most people. It may not be the most creative thing, but good recoloring skills are just that - skills.
__________________
I agree. But I would add, after seeing so many bad entries, I downloaded the free CU pack that the conestants were required to use. I will admit up front that I haven't ever purchased or used extracted CU elements in my own designs, so I hardly have an expert opinion on purchased CU quality. Maybe those elements are what would be considered normal CU quality in the industry? But IMO, most of those extracted elements are really really badly done and unusuable. I'm mainly talking about the elements created by "ALD" that were included in grey scale. I played with a couple of them and was able to color them well enough that I wasn't disgusted with the results, but there is no way I would ever include one of them as an element in a kit.
Frankly, I was suprised that those are the elements that SM chose to give out for the contest. It did not represent SM well as a source of CU IMO. Which is really dumb, because this seems like an excellent opportunity for the hosting stores to show what they have to offer, as well as the contestants.
too bad rainy dayz is retiring. i like her stuff.
WV: palin (who is a much better choice than bachmann)
Frankly, I was suprised that those are the elements that SM chose to give out for the contest. It did not represent SM well as a source of CU IMO. Which is really dumb, because this seems like an excellent opportunity for the hosting stores to show what they have to offer, as well as the contestants.
July 25, 2011 8:18 AM
---
I agree and basically said this earlier. The quality of Andilynn's CU is horrible. As the owner of SM, she sets an example for her designers. To me, that said nothing other than, "I sell crap and allow my designers sell crap, too."
I will start with Ninth and Bloom since it was listed first in the request.
Ninth and Bloom (Part 1)
Agnesingap Designs - Sells a lot of CU. I don't have any of it, so I can't speak to the quality. Bunch of extracted stuff. Some of her kit previews are strangely cluttered (with the wonky, distracting papers). I also can't stand elements on the paper preview. I want to see the papers. She uses nice color palettes and makes nice realistic style kits. Her CT pages are beautiful and showcase a variety of scrapping styles.
Alissa Jones - Very mish-mashy styled kits. Some nice color palettes with some really washed out ones. Majority of the CT pages I viewed were uninspiring and didn't showcase the kit at all (and I viewed quite a few). Makes some nice patterned papers and has some quirky kit ideas. I don't feel they are well executed and based on the LOs made with her kits, I'd say others agree.
By Becca - Again with the wonky paper previews. This is very distracting and takes away from the soft feel to many of her kits. I think her papers can be very weak, but her elements look well thought-out in her newer kits. Some of her older kits are gross collections of garage sale looking items. She should just retire those. Her CT pages aren't as diverse as Agnesingap's.
Christy Lyle Designs - Makes nice patterned papers, but doesn't make things frequently enough at all. Her kits are small for the price point ($6). I can get twice as many papers and 2-3 times as many elements over at KCB's store. CT pages make me yawn.
Creations by Rachael B - Generally nice color palettes and much fuller kits for the same price point of $6. CT pages do not showcase the kits well at all. I don't like that she makes her CT make QP pages for free then sells them in her store. I think that is crap. I have a few of her kits and the quality has always been good. Makes nice solid papers, but needs more patterns and better patterns at that. Her kits could reach a very diverse market (both realistic and paper style scrappers) with better CT pages (and more styles of scrapping) and a larger variety of papers.
Damayanti Studio - Sells a lot of CU. I don't have any so I can't speak to the quality. Has some really wacky color schemes and some nice ones. Produces a variety of kit styles. Her papers are lacking in most of her kits. I, personally, wouldn't buy a kit that has 4-5 solids of the same color, just different textures. What's the point? All of her products are reasonably priced (even the CU). Many of the CT pages are plain and don't showcase the kit at all.
Fizzy Pop Designs - Very overpriced, simplistic templates. You can get better, cheaper elsewhere. Her CU prices are completely ridiculous. $6.50 for a bunch of squares? https://ninthandbloom.com/shop/product.php?productid=522 Shame on anyone who pays for that. On sale 50% off, her fuller templates are nice for that style. Does not include PNGs. She has nice CT pages and they showcase the template's diversity.
Flutter Expressions - Mish-mashy kits, mostly boring papers. Some of her kits are also very small for $5. Has some nice CT pages, but most do not showcase the kit at all. Has a ton of useless alphas. Has mostly nice color palettes.
FruitLoOp Sally - I have a little of her CU and it has always been good quality. Her kits are small and some are mish-mashy. I prefer her kits that are more doodled - they're more cohesive. Has hit or miss color palettes. Does not show enough CT pages. Mostly boring papers and she doesn't include many. I wish she just sold her doodles as doodle packs and concentrated on that. I would actually buy PU packs from her then.
Ninth and Bloom (Part 2)
Holly Designs - I don't have any of her CU, so I can't speak to the quality. Her CT sells her kits, because her previews suck. And I mean suck. Some kits are mish-mashy and her color palettes are also very hit or miss (more on the miss side for me). Mostly boring papers. I have one of her kits and the quality has been fine for what I used.
Jazzmin Designs - Has some nice color palettes and some are gross. Some kits have extremely boring papers and others she did a nice job with. Most kits are mish-mashy. Doesn't consistently show CT pages, but most of the ones shown showcase the kit nicely. Some of her previews are a mess.
Megan Fisher Designs - Style varies from kit to kit. A few kits are a little mish-mashy. Simple papers, but some kits have nice elements. Simple color palettes, but some are done well. Almost everything in her store is over priced. Has mostly nice CT LOs.
Makita Studio - Some nice color palettes and makes nice patterened papers. Elements are sparse in most of her kits and the pricing on those seems high for what you get. Some of her kits seem more reasonably priced and you get more. This seems inconsistent to me. Alphas are overpriced. Templates are very simplistic and nothing I haven't seen done elsewhere better.
Meredith Cardall Designs - Pricing seems consistent and fair. Some kits are large while others small and her pricing reflects that. Makes nice patterned papers. Has some nice color palettes and some are just gross. A few kits are mish-mashy, but most are cohesive. I hate seeing the paint strip effect of the solid papers on the bottom of her previews. It's very distracting and looks hideous.
Sabrina Dupre Designs - I thought I clicked Meredith's store again. Some similar color palettes here and style is the same. Kits are not as well put together as Meredith's and are more expensive for less product. Patterned papers are simple and some are barely patterns. Her products are consistently overpriced. If you like this stuff, check out Meredith and get more (and better) for less.
Saxon Holt Designs - Gross. If she added some felt, I would confuse her with Chelle at SO. Boring papers that are usually over saturated. Patterns that are barely patterns. Dark elements on dark papers? Sheesh. Most kits are a borign mish-mash of garbage looking elements. She has a cool name, though.
Secret Stash - Cute elements and some nice papers, but her patterns need a lot of work. Some kits seem fuller than others, but they're the same price. Has some nice color palettes. Some of her alphas are over priced for what they are. Some kits are mish mashy. Has some nice CT LOs, but most do not feature the kits.
Tracey Monette - Most kits are very mish mashy and dark. Papers are boring, boring, boring. Patterns are almost non-existent and kits have way too many solids of the same colors. Color palettes are mostly gross. Also sells CU, but I don't have any so I can't speak to the quality. Style varies from kit to kit and sometimes within the same kit. She almost makes Saxon look good.
House Blends - These are the store collabs. For $5 these are barely worth the price. For $10, I just sit here and laugh. Most have 25-30 papers and 80% of those are solids in the same colors. Really? Elements are, of course, mish mashy. Mostly boring color palettes.
All in all, I would not rate this store in any "top tier." I think they succeed in offering a few different styles of products, but overall, most of them just aren't great. They certainly aren't any better than what I've seen elsewhere. No one here is really doing anything different or fresh or new. That isn't a problem for me (I'm not obsessed with doing something different), but they sell themselves as being fresh and different. They're not. Like most "boutiques," they offer the same things you can get elsewhere, just with a nicer bag and a higher price tag.
That isn't a problem for me (I'm not obsessed with doing something different), but they sell themselves as being fresh and different. They're not. Like most "boutiques," they offer the same things you can get elsewhere, just with a nicer bag and a higher price tag.
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PERFECT!
A nicer bag?
A nicer bag?
July 25, 2011 12:08 PM
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The way the site and products are "packaged." And I couldn't agree more.
I thought that was probably what you meant but even though I do like most of the designers there and I shop there, I really don't find their site all that attractive.
Nice job, Simon! If the designers mentioned read this blog, they have a little laundry list of ways they can improve.
It's funny because I absolutely gravitate to the mish mashy kits. I prefer them in fact. And I adore the 9th & Bloom store collabs more than any other store's.
How do you know that Rachel B doesn't pay her Ct for the QPs, or maybe gives them the revenue? I have no idea myself, but I wondered if there was some insider knowledge and good gossip here.
^^^^^
One designer I ct'd for gave us 1/2 when qp's were sold. She always gave us credit too.
I would have to say that reading what "Simon" and other judges have said in this blog related to various stores and designers, even though it is entertaining, I like the fact that facts are stated, opinions are stated as such, and suggestions are offered instead of a bare "bad stuff", "horrible kit", etc. I agree with the PP that those designers, if they read this blog (although it might be hard to read), might give some specific hints as to what they can look into. I am not saying I agree with everything, but I think that makes an assessment somewhat more "fair" and "constructive" than just bitching (as constructive as a smack blog can be).
I have to say... even if Rachael's CT members are not paid/compensated for the QPs they make, I really don't see why that should be of concern to anyone else. They agreed to do whatever they agreed to do, in exchange for product/etc. whether you/I think it's "crap" or not. It's not like they're slave laborers. If they didn't like it, they wouldn't do it, and it's her/their decision. That would be one point about which I don't agree w/ you, Simon. Most of everything else you said is spot-on. But in reviewing a designer, her arrangement w/ her CT should have NO BEARING on your review of her DESIGNS. Poor form. Makes it seem like there's a back-story here...
I have to say... even if Rachael's CT members are not paid/compensated for the QPs they make, I really don't see why that should be of concern to anyone else. They agreed to do whatever they agreed to do, in exchange for product/etc. whether you/I think it's "crap" or not. It's not like they're slave laborers. If they didn't like it, they wouldn't do it, and it's her/their decision. That would be one point about which I don't agree w/ you, Simon. Most of everything else you said is spot-on. But in reviewing a designer, her arrangement w/ her CT should have NO BEARING on your review of her DESIGNS. Poor form. Makes it seem like there's a back-story here...
July 25, 2011 2:15 PM
Her arrangement with her CT had no bearing on my review of her store. I thought my review was pretty favorable of her and I even stated I've purchased from her myself.
There is no back story whatsoever. She stated her QP requirements during her last CT call. I don't know Rachael personally and I don't know any of her CT members.
While I meant nothing personal by it, I can see where some would take it that way. But then, I can see where some could and would take everything said personally.
Her arrangement with her CT had no bearing on my review of her store. I thought my review was pretty favorable of her and I even stated I've purchased from her myself.
There is no back story whatsoever. She stated her QP requirements during her last CT call. I don't know Rachael personally and I don't know any of her CT members.
While I meant nothing personal by it, I can see where some would take it that way. But then, I can see where some could and would take everything said personally.
------------------------
Then why include the following statement in your review? ...and I quote...
"I don't like that she makes her CT make QP pages for free then sells them in her store. I think that is crap."
Seems very unnecessary to include that in a review of her designs, KWIM? Has nothing at all to do w/ her designs. And yes, it makes the rest of us wonder why it was included. You didn't review the CT arrangements of any other 9&B designer...
Simon, wish I knew who you were so I could get some honest feedback on my designs - of course I'd probably be too chicken to out myself anyway! LOL
I believe "Simon" gave an email address where you could send designs for review. Sorry, no desire to search for it.
You could always remove your name from them before sending.
Seems very unnecessary to include that in a review of her designs, KWIM? Has nothing at all to do w/ her designs. And yes, it makes the rest of us wonder why it was included. You didn't review the CT arrangements of any other 9&B designer...
July 25, 2011 3:37 PM
This makes no sense. It's a "review of her designs" and the QPs are in the designer's STORE. Hence, her designs and the review. If it's in the store, it's up for grabs.
I didn't see any other QPs made by CTs in other designer's stores. If I missed those, please bring them to my attention and I will likely call them "gross" or "crap" as well.
They're QPs, people. They're ALL CRAP!
Simon, wish I knew who you were so I could get some honest feedback on my designs - of course I'd probably be too chicken to out myself anyway! LOL
July 25, 2011 3:43 PM
The email I set-up is simonsaysdigi at gmail dot com
You could always nominate your store for review. I do try to get them all when I can! It was also nice to see a few others jump in.
Store was mentioned at one time, so I'll just wait and see. ;)
SBG, Simon. Should be fun.
Two comments - I like plain textured papers better than most all patterned papers I've seen except those cool damasks.
Christa Sahlin at Salin Studio has her CT make QPs for pay - $25.00 each, I think, but they are lame in both design and execution. I've bought some and gotten coupons for some, and most are not usable. (I don't know if it's the CTs fault for all of it, though, and suspect the kits have some serious problems, but I never bought the kits to prove or disprove that theory.)
I agree. But I would add, after I downloaded the free CU pack that the conestants were required to use. I will admit up front that I haven't ever purchased or used extracted CU elements in my own designs, so I hardly have an expert opinion on purchased CU quality. Maybe those elements are what would be considered normal CU quality in the industry? But IMO, most of those extracted elements are really really badly done and unusuable. I'm mainly talking about the elements created by "ALD" that were included in grey scale. I played with a couple of them and was able to color them well enough that I wasn't disgusted with the results, but there is no way I would ever include one of them as an element in a kit.
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I said this earlier too and actually uploaded the rose using one of the color palettes to this blog. I also recolored the rose using darker colors, and it looked so much better. Andilynn's CU items were muted and muddy and really hard to work with.
This makes no sense. It's a "review of her designs" and the QPs are in the designer's STORE. Hence, her designs and the review. If it's in the store, it's up for grabs.
I didn't see any other QPs made by CTs in other designer's stores. If I missed those, please bring them to my attention and I will likely call them "gross" or "crap" as well.
They're QPs, people. They're ALL CRAP!
----------------------
OMG, Simon, for real? Let me first say that most of the time, I agree almost 100% w/ what you have to say. Rough around the edges, yes. But that's why we call you Simon.
This time, though, it's necessary for someone to call you out on some BS. You say that the QP's were in her store, so you included them in your review. That is your justification for the "I don't like that the CT's make QPs, I think it is crap" line of thought.
LESSON TIME: If you had said something/ANYTHING along the lines of, "the QPs for sale in her store look like crap; I wouldn't pay a penny for them; the quality is poor; the designs are awful; they don't showcase the kits", well... THEN you could justify including them in your review.
But no. What you did was pass judgment on her business practices. It didn't belong in the review, because it was a review of her ACTIONS and not of her DESIGNS. See the difference? Everyone else here does.
You're not wrong very often (IMO, anyway)... but this time you're dead wrong. Just admit it, so we can all maintain respect for your opinions.
We all know that Andilynn isn't 'The Next Top Designer' and her CU is questionable and her store ownership decisions are faulty, lately, at best. Now we're just beating a dead horse by continuing to post "her CU is awful" in 20 different variations of the words used to say that. Yawn.
^^^^^^^^
Why pick this out, over all the topics that get repeated ad nauseum when something is under discussion. Seems strange.
Saxon Holt Designs - Gross. If she added some felt, I would confuse her with Chelle at SO.
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Except that Saxon was doing this way before Chelle was even designing.
5:53 PM You seem to be taking Simon's review of Rachel a little personally. I haven't lost or gained any respect for Simon's reviews based on her including a blurb about CTs completing QPs for a designer. There are no set guidelines in place for discussion of designers here. Designs, business practices, general bitchiness, pot stirring...it's all fuel for the fire here. Simon is not a professional journalist publishing a review in your favorite subscription magazine. She's an anon poster on a smack blog just like the rest of us.
Why don't you go ahead and do your own reviews, and feel free to limit them however you like.
Christa Sahlin at Salin Studio has her CT make QPs for pay - $25.00 each, I think, but they are lame in both design and execution. I've bought some and gotten coupons for some, and most are not usable. (I don't know if it's the CTs fault for all of it, though, and suspect the kits have some serious problems, but I never bought the kits to prove or disprove that theory.)
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Krista doesn't pay her CT for QP's so whoever told you that was lying.
We all know that Andilynn isn't 'The Next Top Designer' and her CU is questionable and her store ownership decisions are faulty, lately, at best. Now we're just beating a dead horse by continuing to post "her CU is awful" in 20 different variations of the words used to say that. Yawn.
*************
That didn't happen. No one is continuing to post about her CU. I counted maybe 5 whole posts about her CU. Talking about her store and ownership, yep, that did and does get mentioned a lot. But not her CU.
Me thinks that post may have been made by someone either on Andilynn's CT or at Scrap Matters. It may have been Andilynn herself. She reads and posts here.
^^^^^
Not sure about that, but it was definitely strange.
I have to say... even if Rachael's CT members are not paid/compensated for the QPs they make, I really don't see why that should be of concern to anyone else. They agreed to do whatever they agreed to do, in exchange for product/etc. whether you/I think it's "crap" or not. It's not like they're slave laborers. If they didn't like it, they wouldn't do it, and it's her/their decision.
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Ditto.
Speaking of crappy QPs, will somebody PLEASE tell Catscrap that Qps are not a prize worth blog hopping for, and maybe next quarter they could do something -- ANYTHING - different?
Well, I'm on Andilynn's CT and I've kept quiet. But I agree, her CU is crap. She gave us the opportunity to buy her new stuff (and use with credit in download) or PU (no credit). I downloaded that and it was average, at best.
Then why include the following statement in your review? ...and I quote...
"I don't like that she makes her CT make QP pages for free then sells them in her store. I think that is crap."
--------------------
Have to agree on this one, Simon. If by chance the point you were actually trying to make was that you don't like the QPs themselves, and the QPs are crap, you should have said that. But you didn't. I don't think that is what you were saying, either. I think you were actually knocking her CT arrangement, which is strange/pointless to include in a review of a designer's designs. So I have to agree w/ OP that your strange digression off onto your opinions about a designer's CT arrangements was odd, and not typical for you. Especially when you could NEVER have known her arrangement from just looking in the shop, like you did for all of the other designer's products/etc. You had to know about her CT arrangement in advance, from another source (you said from her recent CT call, which, actually wasn't that recent, since she's been hiding in a hole for a while now). Why include that statement? Odd.
I think it's really odd that almost no one will go to the trouble to do in depth reviews as Simon has taken the time and effort to do, but you critique Simon's reviews ad nauseum. As the saying goes around here, sheesh.
What the heck is going on at 9th & Bloom? In February they welcomed four new designers, only one of which is still selling there.
It's hard to know who was guesting and who was not, but I think another five have left since then too.
^^^
Yes, I've noticed this and also the same thing (maybe not as extreme, but still) at The Digichick lately. Lots of departures. Although maybe the Digichick thing is a blessing in disguise, because it will make their stupid designer menu more navigable.
I think it's really odd that almost no one will go to the trouble to do in depth reviews as Simon has taken the time and effort to do, but you critique Simon's reviews ad nauseum. As the saying goes around here, sheesh.
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Personally, I like reading Simon's reviews of the designs. She can leave the opinions about how they run their CT out of it. Nobody else cares about that. We all just want to read what she thinks of the designs. (why? who knows... but we've made her into some sort of God around here lately, and we all enjoy it. that's how guilty pleasures work)
What are you talking about? I've seen others make store reviews at least 2 or 3 times now.
Agnesingap Designs - Her CT pages are beautiful and showcase a variety of scrapping styles.
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I randomly clicked some of her kits and I do not see a variety of scrapping styles from her CT at all. It's either extractions or a cluster fest. I found them uninspiring.
What are you talking about? I've seen others make store reviews at least 2 or 3 times now.
----
Please note that she said 'almost no one'.
We all just want to read what she thinks of the designs.
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Speak for yourself. I can take or leave Simon's reviews and often don't read them at all.
Well, I'm on Andilynn's CT and I've kept quiet. But I agree, her CU is crap. She gave us the opportunity to buy her new stuff (and use with credit in download) or PU (no credit). I downloaded that and it was average, at best.
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Bullshit. If you were really on her team you wouldn't be saying that. And if you are actually on her team and feel that way, than why are you on her team? The only payment CTs get are in product so if the product is "average, at best" you would have to be a complete dumbass to work for it. So which is it, are you a dumbass or a liar?
I seem to remember seeing that Andilynn just had a CT call and added a lot of new members. Maybe that is one of the new members and she's just finding out the quality is so-so?
The only payment CTs get are in product so if the product is "average, at best" you would have to be a complete dumbass to work for it. So which is it, are you a dumbass or a liar?
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The OP was talking about her CU being average at best, not all of her products. So, it looks like you are the dumbass, doesn't it?
The OP was talking about her CU being average at best, not all of her products. So, it looks like you are the dumbass, doesn't it?
-------
Well she has a point, if you think so little of a designer that you would call anything she does "crap" (be it CU or otherwise)on a smack blog, you would have to be a "dumbass" to be on her team. Seriously, don't you have better use for your time?
However I think it's more likely that the OP is the other option provided. That being a liar.
Well she has a point, if you think so little of a designer that you would call anything she does "crap" (be it CU or otherwise)on a smack blog, you would have to be a "dumbass" to be on her team. Seriously, don't you have better use for your time?
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Don't you? Seriously, asking anyone on a smack blog if they have a better use for their time is ridiculous and, dare I say it, redundant.
I've called stuff some of my designers do crap, they aren't perfect and sometimes they do produce stuff I don't care for and would call crap. So, the OP called it out on a smack blog, that makes her either a dumbass or a liar? What a limited view of the world you must have.
Don't you? Seriously, asking anyone on a smack blog if they have a better use for their time is ridiculous and, dare I say it, redundant.
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Nicely done. And kudos for using it in a more appropriate manner. Five stars for you.
Bullshit. If you were really on her team you wouldn't be saying that. And if you are actually on her team and feel that way, than why are you on her team? The only payment CTs get are in product so if the product is "average, at best" you would have to be a complete dumbass to work for it. So which is it, are you a dumbass or a liar?
--------
Neither, but thanks for playing. You're obviously blind because I *DID* say CU. This was the first CU I have received from her and it was not high quality like I'd expect a store owner to be.
On that note, who do you find is best for good quality CU?
Neither, but thanks for playing. You're obviously blind because I *DID* say CU. This was the first CU I have received from her and it was not high quality like I'd expect a store owner to be.
July 26, 2011 8:31 AM
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I'm not the person to whom you were responding. But I do agree with her somewhat. As a CTM you are supposed to be representing and promoting her designs not smacking them on a blog. Even if it is just her CU you are trashing, they are still her designs.
I just don't understand staying on a team where you don't completely love the designer's product or at the very least, respect her enough as a designer not to trash her publicly.
Love that SM has posted the 7-26 Tuesday Template Challenge on their blog and has given you a bunch of examples of pages using the template but the link to the forum reveals that the template isn't available yet. (It's 9:57 am ET.) Wish they'd get their act together.
My opinion of them keeps slipping.
I'm not the person to whom you were responding. But I do agree with her somewhat. As a CTM you are supposed to be representing and promoting her designs not smacking them on a blog. Even if it is just her CU you are trashing, they are still her designs.
I just don't understand staying on a team where you don't completely love the designer's product or at the very least, respect her enough as a designer not to trash her publicly.
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AMEN!
Sorry to mention this again. But I don't see why there's such a fuss over Simon's observation:
"I don't like that she makes her CT make QP pages for free then sells them in her store. I think that is crap."
If she has logged out of "Simon" and come back to post the above message as "Anon", there would hardly be any ripples. Some might even come out to say they agree with it. (I for one.)
Sorry to mention this again. But I don't see why there's such a fuss over Simon's observation:
"I don't like that she makes her CT make QP pages for free then sells them in her store. I think that is crap."
If she has logged out of "Simon" and come back to post the above message as "Anon", there would hardly be any ripples. Some might even come out to say they agree with it. (I for one.)
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CLARIFICATION: I don't have a problem w/ Simon having that opinion, or stating it here on the blog. She could come here and write that any old time she pleases.
I DO have a problem w/ it being included in a review of someone's designs. The issue has nothing to do w/ that person's design ability, which is what Simon WAS originally reviewing.
See the difference?
I need to get some lunch but I am willing to do a store review when I get back. First response with a choice "wins". I used to design but am out of the rat race now and just a customer.
--NotSimon
SBG
scrapable.co
scrapable.co
Already done
I vote FPD
Ok SBG it is. Hopefully I can get through all this in one day. This store isn't exactly my scrapping "style" so take everything I say with a grain of salt.
Maya - I admit going in that her foul personality might taint any opinion I might have on her products. The very first product in her store seems "newbie"ish to me, which is telling since to hear her tell it, she invented digital scrapbooking. I see nothing in her store I'd consider overly useable, but I scrap more the 'paper' style, so take that for what it's worth.
Berna - I'm trying to like some of these brighter colors, but these kits seem very random to me. The lack of CT layouts isn't making any of this seem more cohesive to me. I don't need a kit with 30 birds and 20 crocheted flowers. It might help if some of this was previewed better. The Beach Comber kit almost made me cry a little. I can't even tell what half of that stuff IS.
Baersgarten - I have a sour taste in my mouth still over the Scrapkitchen fiasco from a few years ago (and that applies to BOTH parties). I like her soft papers, but I don't like the 60s/70s characters that are in so many of her kits. Her papers are cute.
Lorie - Can I just decline reviewing the fantasy genre since it's way out of my area of expertise? It wouldn't really be fair for me to say one way or the other since I don't scrap this way.
Wendyzine - I bought a couple of her actions when I was new and clueless and was not impressed. Even then. Most of her "designer tools" are so simplistic. Any designer should be able to write their own actions to do this stuff.
To Be Continued...
--NotSimon
Flergs - Oh boy. I don't want to start another Flerg-war. I actually like her stuff for the most part. Her colors appeal to me and her kits are my style. I can't speak for the quality as I haven't purchased any in some time. Mostly because of her attention whoring on DST. Woe is me, someone copied my stuff! She always comes across as having posted the thread NOT to out the pirate, but to conjur up the sympathy. I'll give her an A+ for self-promotion, I suppose.
Manu - For the most part her kits seem well put together, although there are a couple random elements that make me go "huh?". A little too "vintagey" for me, but they didn't offend me. Her CT layouts did, though.
Natali - I think her kits are gorgeous, and they are previewed and showcased well. I'd never heard of her before just now (I don't shop at SBG) but I'm considering buying a couple things now. The colors all work together well and she has just the right amount of neutrals to make it soft and pretty.
sussieM - again with the fantasty stuff that I can't really objectively judge. The Cookies for Santa preview is fun, even without me being into fantasy stuff.
Tangie - I have never understood her popularity. This stuff makes no sense to me at all. These dolls are borderline creepy. I do like those graffiti borders, though. They almost seem like they came from a different store, though. All that art journal stuff and then some funky colored graffiti borders. Like I said, I don't get it.
To Be Continued...(later this afternoon, as I have a few errands and this is taking longer than I hoped)
--NotSimon
What was the Scrapkitchen/BaersGarten fiasco?
Paula, SSD = Sweet Shoppe Designs 99% of the time on this blog.
Did anyone else see Paula of Sugar Shack Designs come on here and bitch everyone out for "talking shit" about her SSD? and accusing them of piracy and whatever?
I saw it. WTF?! I posted about how 99% of the time it's Sweet Shoppe. When I went to c/p what she wrote to quote her, her post was gone. LOL
I missed it. What did she say?
I wish I had copied what she said, it was out there! She seriously thought SSD was her site Sugar Shack Designs!
I've never even heard of Sugar Shack Designs...
^^^^^^^^
http://www.sugarshackdesignsinc.com/shop/
Looks like it's a lot of tagger kits.
Did you see the products at that store? I checked the software specific sections, and they have one for Photoshop (which is not even PS specific) and a few for Paintshop but look at these:
http://www.sugarshackdesignsinc.com/shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=99
Do you think some scrappers or designers would need that?
(maybe add that store for review sometimes?)
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
A high-heel shoe chair script. Really?
Wow. (*rolls eyes*)
hahahahaha ROFLMAO if this lady thought that ANYONE, ANYWHERE was referring to her "shop" when posting about SSD!
so back to the Baersgarden/Scrapkitchen fiasco? I'm admitting to being clueless here on that one....will someone please let loose of the skinny on that one?
atleast i dont have a language problem like some of the stuff i read on this forum and i will always stand up for what is right...and when it comes to that oh well if i am alittle cranky get over it...
I just don't understand staying on a team where you don't completely love the designer's product or at the very least, respect her enough as a designer not to trash her publicly.
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Meh, I hardly call saying that her CU is crap 'trashing'. If she had said that the designer was an absolute bitch etc, yes, that would be trashing. The other, not so much.
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