All I was saying is that Simon isn't giving constructive criticism. People were saying it was constructive. I don't feel that this entire blog was drivel, I read it frequently and get a lot of good info from here...mixed with a lot of BS. I don't feel that anyone needs sugar coated criticism. My example wasn't sugar coated. It was just an example of actual constructive criticism.
Some of those kits are beyond constructive criticism. They are just bad. It's like the person auditioning for AI and doesn't even know they can't sing. There's no way to be constructive about that. There's nothing to improve on! And it isn't a matter of taste either...
Criticism from their peers and customers. Learn from it. Become better from it. If you are using that as an excuse to quit, then you didn't want to do it to start with!
Now that is funny!! If I had believed the hype about what a few people said about me and my designs on this blog I'd never have continued to design! It was what my customers felt about my designs that mattered and still do today. If they like what I do and they keep buying then obviously someone has made a mistake and I don't think it was my customers!!! So to those getting the "constructive critisim" take it all with a grain of salt because it's obvious the people on this blog won't be the customers you desire. I think half the time they don't bother to buy much at all. They just like to tear down what others do. Constructive criticism yeah right give me another good laugh!!
Challenge 2 has some entries now. So far, they aren't too bad except for NanaScraps-I would scrap memories of someone who dies, but I would never scrap their actual death or funeral, not to mention that kit is just horrible anyway. No shadows on the preview, horrible flat color palate and badly drawn elements. Simon, what do you think?
OK, it's time to ask/say this... who died and made Simon king?
I know everyone is enjoying the novelty of this whole "Simon" thing (myself included, initially) because it's new here and we were all bored senseless with nothing else good to talk about for a while... but let's get real for a minute. Whoever's acting as Simon on this blog definitely has some good insights/knowledge of this industry, but she's not a be-all end-all for digital scrapbooking knowledge/expertise. Not in the slightest. It's just ONE PERSON with all of the biases and personal preferences/tastes of ONE PERSON.
So why ask what Simon thinks? Why not just ask "what does everyone else think"? Let's not turn this Simon character into a frikkin god when really she's just ONE DESIGNER who thinks she knows more than the masses.
Know why we're all loving the Simon thing? Because it was (potentially) getting ready to lead to having "Simon" critique the designers of the big shops, and we were all chomping at the bit to see that happen. Well, let's just remember that just because Simon Says... doesn't make it so.
Let's critique the big name shops anyway, but why let Simon have all the fun? I want to hear what a lot of you think. Not just one designer.
Why do you care what Simon thinks? It's time for someone to say this: who died and made Simon the be-all end-all god of digital scrapbooking? Let's not lose sight of the fact that this is just ONE PERSON, with all of the biases and preferences/personal tastes of ONE PERSON. This is not an expert in the industry, necessarily.
Don't get me wrong, I've been loving the whole Simon thing here for a while (and she DOES have some great insights/opinions... but not all of it is really that accurate/helpful). But the reason we're all loving the Simon thing so much lately isn't because she's the most knowledgable person in digi-land. Nope, we're eating it up because it's something new and there's novelty, and we were all getting really bored with nothing else good to talk about. Oh, that and because it was starting to look as though there was going to be a dissection of the big-name stores/designers, and we were all frothing at the mouth over the prospect of that.
So, why let Simon have all of the fun? She's no digi-god. I'd actually like to hear what all of you think, not just one person. Why keep deferring to Simon? Time for us to start hearing the opinions of more than just one. THAT WOULD BE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. DOn't you think?
...and yes, I am aware that by posting that, I just opened myself up to a hundred+ "well get off your ass and offer something, then!" comments... I'll get on it. But I would like some of you to do the same... that's all I am saying...
Oh goodness. Sorry for the multiple posts. The first time I posted, it never showed up and so I retyped it, and now it's there twice with no way to erase. My apologies, ladies (and gents?).
I agree about Simon. I only agree with about half of what Simon says and the rest I also think is bias/personal preference. I think it would be great if everyone could start giving their constructive thoughts on different designers. What do your favorite designers do right? What do you love about their kits? Go through your favorite store and look honestly at each designer. Post your own critiques. I'll do this later also.
I was the one who posted what does Simon think and I have posted my opinion. I earlier listed the ones I liked and they weren't all the same as Simon's. I just think it's fun to ask. It has livened up this blog a bit. The bad kits are really bad and then there are a few that fall into preference area, but not that many, so she seems to be spot on. I think the papers are much better than the elements here which goes to show that CU is not all that bad.
It has livened up this blog a bit. ^^^^^^^^^^ Couldn't agree more! (and for the record, I was actually curious about why you cared what Simon thinks... but when I re-read my first response the "why do you care what Simon thinks?" question definitely came off as bitchy instead of as a true question, so I apologize for that. I actually wanted to know why you cared. So thanks for responding! ---------------- The bad kits are really bad and then there are a few that fall into preference area, but not that many, so she seems to be spot on. I think the papers are much better than the elements here which goes to show that CU is not all that bad. ^^^^^^^^^^ Also agreed (about the merits of CU), although I do wish that more designers used it with some imagination. I use some CU, but I try to use it in a way that incorporates it into whatever I am creating instead of using it AS what I am making. Wish more designers did this, too. It would go a long way to ensuring that all of our kits weren't carbon copies. ("our" used collectively, for this industry... not meaning mine/yours in particular)
Another interesting point I thought I would bring up, about use of CU... I sell a decent about of CU, and it is always VERY interesting to see who buys it. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a designer post at DST that they don't use really use CU items, and then an invoice from them shows up in my e-mail account. I think I have a (semi-)unique perspective on the whole CU debate, because of this, and I am just about positive that many of the people on this blog who knock CU use are actually using it, too. The difference being that they use it creatively and with imagination, instead of making it the backbone of their works.
Why are we "frothing at the mouth" to hear Simon review the designers at the "big" stores? Are we all supposed to hate those designers for some reason?
Plus really, how much time could she have to sit and write reviews on every designer at every store? I assume she's a designer with much better things to do with her time than to daily describe to us the precise level of grossness and cheapness of every designer's products in digiland.
Cindy - Great layered templates, releases consistently, nice girl.
Dani - Very creative, cute themed kits, not as consistent but the quality is there.
Darcy - Cute fonts but I never purchase, as I'd rather download free ones
Eva - Hit or miss, very basic stuff, IMO. Colors are iffy sometimes, other times they are just fine.
Fee - Unique, quality work, great colors.
Heather - Her hybrid templates are what I like best...her kits are average. Nothing super attention grabbing to me.
Janet - No idea why she's in this store. Her templates are very basic, I can't imagine many people actually purchase them. I don't think I've ever seen her post in the forum, either.
Jenn - Unique, great colors, touch of vintage feel in some of the kits. Lots of fun ideas, never boring.
Julie - Very basic paper scrapping style, but very well done.
Kristin - Same as Julie. Love her colors most of the time.
Krystal - Small kits and not very consistent. Not sure she belongs in this store either.
Lauren - I wish she would have stuck to her eclectic doodled style rather than add more realistic elements. Her and Shawna are essentially the same designer now.
Libby - Not my style, very basic elements. Not a fan of the heavy bevel on a lot of the themed elements but alright for some themes that are harder to find from other designers. Her kits are also small and a bit overpriced, IMO.
Lliella - I wish she released more often, her characters are very cute.
Meg Mullens - Basic, nothing special that grabs my attention. Her and Traci Reed seem to have a very similar style of below average recoloring abilities and mish mash of elements. Very basic paper patterns, but she does seem to be getting better since joining SSD.
Melissa - Seems like a mix between Kristin CB and Traci Reed. Nothing I haven't seen before, but not badly done either.
Misty - Don't purchase much from her but she seems to have good knowledge of her program and what scrappers like/want or need.
Penny - Hit or miss on her, as well. Some kits are great, IMO and others seem like an odd mix of colors.
Shawna - Quality kits, love her alphas. Cute doodled elements sometimes.
Susan - Another Kristin CB lookalike, but richly textured. Nice kits, but not my style.
Traci - see Meg Mullens review above. Good interpretation of themes, most of the time. I do like her most recent inflatable play house kit.
Zoe - Great patterns, well textured. Consistently does quality work.
And that would be why I wanted to see Simon review SSD. Because it proves her BIAS. What a lightweight review.
I wish you SSD girls would get off your high horse and leave all the little guys alone. That review isn't even close to accurate. It's just more of the same can't-question-the-self-imposed-SSD-digiscrap-goddesses CRAP.
Give me a break. You just proved to me your opinion ain't worth shit. Jenn Barrette is never boring? Uh-huh, sure Jenn. Tell it to someone who believes you.
OP here, I'm not Jenn or anyone at SSD. Someone asked that we pick a store we like and say what we do or don't like about the designers there. Pull the stick out of your ass.
And that would be why I wanted to see Simon review SSD. Because it proves her BIAS. What a lightweight review. ----------------- I actually didn't post that review of SSD. I haven't had the time so far this week to review anything. I also work outside of the home. Any reviews made by me I post logged into this handy account.
I rarely shop at SSD but here is my review looking through their designer list:
Cindy Schneider - I don't use templates, but these seem nice. A lot of places for photos which I do like.
Dani Mogstad - Nice color palettes. Here kits look nice overall. She could work on staying true to the color palette when recoloring elements so that they match better.
Darcy Baldwin - I like her fonts and buy them when on sale. I have never found a quality problem with them.
Eva Kipler - Color palettes are hit or miss for me. Everything seems recolored well. Very few theme elements in the kits. Most of them appear to be basic elements which turns me off some.
Fee Jardine - I like her color choices and the mixture in her kits appeals to me. I have not purchased from her in the past, but would consider doing so in the future.
Heather Roselli - Color palettes do not appeal to me. Kits include a good mix of themed and basic elements, but something strikes me as off. I can't figure out what it is.
Janet Phillips - Templates are very basic. I agree with the PP about her.
Jenn Barrette - The color palettes are okay but do not wow me specifically. She could use the same help recoloring items to stay true to the palette. Some of the extractions look slightly blurry in the previews.
Julie Billingsley - Hit or miss for me on colors. I did find the kits themselves appealing. She has minor issues with staying true to the palette, but it only seems to happen periodically.
Kristin Cronin-Barrow - Appealing colors and variety of themes used in kits. I have not purchased from her before but again would consider it in the future.
Krystal Hartley - Nothing pops for me for her. She seems to be still determining her style. There are some fun elements in her kits but things do not seem cohesive.
Lauren Grier - I like her mixture of doodles and realistic elements. However, her colors are not that appealing for me so I would be unlikely to purchase from her.
Libby Pritchett - Themed elements done well and appear to be unique. It's hard to see her papers and the elements seem to be too large for me on the preview. The colors just seem a bit off for me.
Another interesting point I thought I would bring up, about use of CU... I sell a decent about of CU, and it is always VERY interesting to see who buys it. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a designer post at DST that they don't use really use CU items, and then an invoice from them shows up in my e-mail account. I think I have a (semi-)unique perspective on the whole CU debate, because of this, and I am just about positive that many of the people on this blog who knock CU use are actually using it, too. The difference being that they use it creatively and with imagination, instead of making it the backbone of their works.
---------------
Ditto, couldn't of said it better myself. I really like seeing how some people use my CU, some to the point where I don't even recognize it at first. I don't like seeing others use my CU to the point where they're violating my TOU and using almost nothing but my products. Those are always the people who toot their own horn saying they hardly touch CU.
I don't like how cheap CU has become, I think thanks mostly to Miss Tiina and her army. It's undercut the rest of us, and has opened the door to more people thinking they can become designers.... and they do become designers thanks to stores that don't care and obviously don't have very good standards.
Lliella Designs - I love her colors and kits. I have purchased from her in the past and have no complaints.
Meghan Mullens - She needs quite a bit of work on proper recoloring. Color palettes re not appealing to me. I would not buy from her as she currently designs.
Melissa Bennett - Previews look a little flat. She would benefit from increasing the shadows. Kits filled with basic elements. This may be appealing for some, but is not for me. Colors are ok.
Misty Cato - Kits have a good mixture of elements and recoloring is done well. I like the looks of them overall, but do not love the color palettes. I can see myself purchasing from her in the future.
Penny Springmann - Kits seem hit or miss and quality is as well based upon a few past purchases from her. Minor issues with recoloring and keeping shades correct. This seems most common with greens and darker elements.
Shawna Clingerman - Lots of basics. Color schemes are unappealing to me. Not really my style but the quality seems fine.
Susan Bartolini - Some elements appear blurry or slightly off. Possibly badly scanned. Too many flowers and not enough other elements for my tastes. Colors do not hold true throughout a kit.
Traci Reed - Seems hit or miss. Some color schemes I like some I would change slightly. Fun themes.
Zoe Pearn - Appealing color schemes that stay true through the kit. A good amount of elements to match the themes mixed with basics. I would consider purchasing from her in the future.
I don't like how cheap CU has become, I think thanks mostly to Miss Tiina and her army. It's undercut the rest of us, and has opened the door to more people thinking they can become designers.... and they do become designers thanks to stores that don't care and obviously don't have very good standards.
Actually CU became so cheap because of all the designers who were selling their stuff for $1.00. Miss Tina wasn't selling CU until she realized that she could sell her stuff CU better then not. That kind of pricing has brought everything done and those selling for $1.00 just never got the concept that if you sell for that you'll never sell for more. Of course if you keep your prices stable and your customers like your designs, they will purchase whether a $1.00 or $3.00 or $5.00 whatever the case may be.
And that would be why I wanted to see Simon review SSD. Because it proves her BIAS. What a lightweight review.
I wish you SSD girls would get off your high horse and leave all the little guys alone. That review isn't even close to accurate. It's just more of the same can't-question-the-self-imposed-SSD-digiscrap-goddesses CRAP.
Give me a break. You just proved to me your opinion ain't worth shit. Jenn Barrette is never boring? Uh-huh, sure Jenn. Tell it to someone who believes you.
June 28, 2011 12:05 PM ----
This made me laugh. You only want to hear a review that bashes SSD designers. If anyone posts a good review then they are obviously an SSD designer.
What happened that made you so anti-SSD? And what exactly are SSD designers doing to the "little guys" on their high horses?
What would make someone think that? Were there clues that I missed? Granted I don't hang out at SSD. But I've never seen them out and about on their high horses looking down at the little guy either. They just seem like regular designers to me. Do they act snooty? If so, where?
I also think it would be great if people disagree with anything said in the reviews, that they speak up with WHY they don't. I call things gross if I think they're gross. If I think they're gross, I'm not going to waste my time offering something just as biased as "too much beveling."
Sweet Shoppe Designs (part 1)
Cindy Schneider- Nice templates for paper-style scrappers. I have several of her freebies and find myself spending too much time deleting layers of useless elements. She does have some great multi-photo templates, though.
Dani Mogstad- Mostly nice color schemes. I agree with the other posters. Not all, but most. Most of her brights are vibrant without being oversaturated. I have 1 of her kits - Softly Falling. Some elements are shadowed (which I delete). I wish she had put them in their own folder. Papers and elements are nice without any quality issues.
Darcy Baldwin- I have a couple of her fonts that came in collabs and they are nice. No quality issues. I also have a few of her templates - which are hit and miss for me - and they're usable without a lot of deleting of layers.
Eva Kipler- Hit or miss color palettes. I have a few of her kits and wish more of her patterned papers were patterned. Several are what I would use as a solid. Her previews always seem flat. She is good if you don't want overly themed kits (which I often don't).
Fee Jardine- I've never looked too closely at her store, but her previews are nice. Some of her kits are a little mish-mash with overly realistic elements, but not so much so I'd consider not buying. Has nice patterned papers which is a huge plus for me. I wont buy kits with plain papers I can quickly and easily make myself. I will pay closer attention to her products in the future.
Heather Roselli - Mostly miss for me on the color palettes. Some are over saturated and others aren't saturated enough. Very flat, ugly previews. Offers a lot of hybrid products, but I don't do hyrbid, so I don't buy that stuff. Her products seem a little fuzzy and not as sharp looking as others at SSD.
Janet Phillips- I don't think I've ever looked in her store, and I can see why. Boring templates I've seen in every Scrapbooking magazine on the planet. I have never understood how people sell plain old squares as templates. But, she clearly must.
Jenn Barrette- Mostly off color palettes for me. Quite a bit of mish-mash and weird doodles. Based upon some of the CT pages, I see many may also agree. Her patterned papers are mostly boring. I find this a lot with doodlers. I do own her collab with Captivated Visions (Online). Quality is good, but I'm not a fan.
Julie Billingsley- I have Bumble Blooms from when it was at TDD and was disappointed in most of the patterned papers. The elements are basic, but nice. I wanted to give a full kit a try and bought Kona Coast when it came out. Patterns were better, but some are basically solid. Lots of nice elements, but a few odd realistic ones. Some realistic ones are great - a mix is nice - but again, they must flow. Overall, not disappointed with the money spent (it was on sale). Her other stuff is hit or miss for me in theme and color palette. I had considered buying A Frosty Christmas based upon the preview, but her CT pages actually prompted me not to.
Re: Miss Tiina and her army, I don't really think that is the problem. She may put her prod's on sale too low too often, but I actually shop there a lot and there are a lot of other designers there at Sugarhill who don't have sales very much, and so I end up buying their prod's at full price b/c I can't rely on there being a sale anytime soon. So yes I do wait for Tiina's items to be 50%+ off B4 buying anything, but some other designers there I know I have to pay what they charge at full price. I actually find cheaper (priced) CU elsewhere on a regular basis, but it's not as good of quality in general.
Kristin Cronin-Barrow- In the interest of full disclosure (lol), I am a loyal customer. Here is why: great patterned papers, kit elements that make sense, consistently good quality, and mostly pleasing color palettes. That said, she has some real misses in color palette for me. The most notable being "Glow" which made me cry. Most of her reds are over saturated and some of her realistic elements are off. She puts together a complete and comprehensive kit.
Krystal Hartley- Some nice palettes, some not so nice. Some fuzzy textures, but some nice ones, too. Mostly basic and ugly patterns. Flat, ugly previews. Little in her store I would download for free. Her style is all over the place, which doesn't bother me. It's just sad most of it isn't good.
Lauren Grier- Mostly ugly color palettes. Has some nice patterned papers, but some kits have plain, boring ones. She does a nice mix of doodle and realistic elements that make sense. Most of her CT pages are boring and uninspiring. I don't have any of her kits and don't see that changing any time soon. Which is sad, because I like a good doodled kit.
Libby Pritchett- The Queen of over saturation! Lots of themed kits and some very gross color palettes. Her previews do mostly hide the papers, but she does seem to put a paper preview in her listing. So that is helpful. I think every designer should do that. Some nice patterns, but the colors are so hideous most of the time, I'd never buy them.
Lliella Designs- Her kits are mostly too juvenile for me (my kids are older), but her characters are very cute. I have "Falltastic" and was disappointed with the papers (only 12 and only a handful of patterns). The elements are great, though, and the quality is good. Some over saturation in her kits especially with reds.
Meghan Mullens- Mostly gross color palettes and mostly over saturated. Some kits are mish-mashy. Has some nice patterned papers, but the colors are too gross to purchase. I don't own any of her kits and likely never will. I didn't like her crap at SO and I was shocked she went to SSD.
Melissa Bennett- Another hit or miss color palette designer. Lots of oversaturation and she rarely includes extra images in her listings - which means I will not buy from her. Some kits are mish-mashy. Has a couple nice patterns, but her papers are mostly basic. Not a fan.
I can't get over this "gross" thing. It really makes your reviews seem more like a junior high gossip fest even though I actually agree with most of what you say. I'm in my 20s and probably haven't used the word gross as a descriptor since I was 12 (other than when discussing food).
You may want to get over the "gross" thing. But, if focusing on one word instead of the entire content works for you, so be it. I only use it when no other word nicely descibes it. I could call it many other things, but "gross" seems most polite... and I'm no where near 20. lol
Sweet Shoppe Designs (part 3)
Misty Cato- Mostly nice color palettes, some really off (like "Charming"). Offers a variety of products other than kits. Some nice patterns in her kits, but wish there were a few more non-basic ones. Not much in her store I would buy, but the kits seem well put together.
Penny Springmann- Hit or miss with the color palettes, mostly miss. A lot of her kits look mish-mashy. Some of her better color palettes I've seen elsewhere before she decided to use them. Plain and simple templates. One wonders why they need her and Janet. Her previews are horrible. They look like she threw everything on her canvas and called it a day. Mostly boring patterns.
Shawna Clingerman- Hit or miss with color palettes. Makes nice alphas. Has some nice patterns, but a lot of basics. Not too many themed kits, which I prefer these days, but still has little in her shop I would buy. Some of her previews need help and her CT pages are mostly uninspiring and showcase very little in the kit.
Susan Bartolini (ScrapKitchen)- Mostly good color palettes (some off). Makes beautiful patterned papers. A couple kits are mish-mashy. She doesn't release often at all. I own Sunshine of My Life and love the papers. Some of the elements are oddly recolored - especially the pale ones. I don't mind a couple different shades of the same hue in a kit as long as they're cohesive. This one isn't bad. Some of her other kits look a little off, though. I would buy her kit papers if she sold them separately.
Traci Reed- Hit or miss color palettes. She likes to over saturate, too. Some elements are really off in color for the kit. Some nice patterns, but mostly basic. She has nice CT pages that make me like a kit I was on the fence about. I own a couple of her stitch packs (bought at the same time) and the shadows on them are horrible. Some of her kits are mish-mashy. Her templates look like expensive copies of ones I've seen elsewhere.
Zoe Pearn- I've never paid much attention to her store because her kits are often too kiddish. They've always looked nice, though, and I wish I had a use for them. I'm glad I looked more in-depth, though. She has some nice basic kits I hadn't noticed before. Almost all the color palettes are nice, even in kits that aren't what I buy. She makes beautiful patterned papers and includes many in her kits. Some of the scanned elements look a little blurry/off in a few of her kits. If she sold her papers separately, I'd buy almost every pack.
I can't get over this "gross" thing. It really makes your reviews seem more like a junior high gossip fest even though I actually agree with most of what you say. I'm in my 20s and probably haven't used the word gross as a descriptor since I was 12 (other than when discussing food). June 28, 2011 2:51 PM -------------------- What word would you rather she use? Because when she says, "Gross", I'm saying, "A bunch of grotesque, hideously colored shit."
Why are we "frothing at the mouth" to hear Simon review the designers at the "big" stores? Are we all supposed to hate those designers for some reason? --------------
No one is frothing at the mouth and I'm not sure where you got the hate perspective from? Just because I don't like something, doesn't mean I hate it or the person who created it. I'm a little older than that now.
Darcy - Cute fonts but I never purchase, as I'd rather download free ones
Heather - Her hybrid templates are what I like best...her kits are average. Nothing super attention grabbing to me.
---------------
If you don't purchase fonts because you'd rather download them for free, why purchase Heather's templates? There's noting special about any of them. I have a whole folder of similar templates that I downloaded for free.
OK, it's time to ask/say this... who died and made Simon king? ---------
The anti Simon people did, who are being overly dramatic in their antipathy. People are asking for Simon's opinion because there's a name attached. It makes life that much easier in anon land.
If you don't purchase fonts because you'd rather download them for free, why purchase Heather's templates? There's noting special about any of them. I have a whole folder of similar templates that I downloaded for free.
June 28, 2011 6:01 PM
__
Because free font sites are easy to find. If you have a free hybrid template site you'd like to point me to, I'd much appreciate it.
I see that GDS is advertising their newsletter at DST in the designer's area. Since when is this allowed?
June 28, 2011 6:50 PM
Report it if you think it's against the rules - the red triangle with the ! in the center. The new owner still hasn't added to the mod staff, so those who are still active spend all their time fighting spam instead of enforcing the other rules. Maybe if someone openly made a list of demands to the new owner we'd see advertising rules enforced, among other annoyances.
I stand corrected and I apologize to you, Simon. I thought for SURE that you were Jenn Barrette because of some of the comments you were making. Not to offend, but sometimes you sound like her. Which is unfortunate, considering what I think of her.
Your review of Sweet Shoppe is appreciated. I'm glad I asked you to do it. It was refreshing to see someone who could be HONEST about those designers and is not just drinking the kool aid, which is what most of the people here do.
For the record, I don't hate all the girls at SSD. I'm actually fond of KCB and purchase nearly everything she puts out. I also own a fair number of Zoe's kits. But, there are girls there who definitely have an air of superiority and it is largely a mystery to me because I really don't think any of them are better than a lot of other designers I could buy from in digiland.
If you're a designer, just try to email one of them to ask them to collab. See if you even get a reply. You probably won't. It's just rude.
And, as with everything, its just my opinion. Feel free to differ, if you'd like.
It was refreshing to see someone who could be HONEST about those designers and is not just drinking the kool aid, which is what most of the people here do. ------------
The kool aid drinking goes both ways. People are either bashing SSD or loving it. Or is that what you meant?
If you're a designer, just try to email one of them to ask them to collab. See if you even get a reply. You probably won't. It's just rude. --
Why are you just emailing designers that you have no history with to collab with them in the first place? How are they expected to trust you when you don't have any past relationship with them?
I agree that it's rude for someone not to respond to your email. But you put the designer in the incredibly awkward position to decline and provide an explanation as to why they don't want to collab with you personally.
Besides they probably get tired of designers asking them to collab with them, just for the free ride on their coat tails and an introduction to their personal customer base.
Why are you just emailing designers that you have no history with to collab with them in the first place? How are they expected to trust you when you don't have any past relationship with them? --------------
Especially if you take into consideration that they did just that with Lily-Anne Taylor.
The catch - The 6 patterned papers must be 100% drawn by YOU!
Whether it be doodles drawn in Photoshop or vector images drawn in Illustrator or a combination of both!
Simple shapes (from your program) can be used in combination to create a UNIQUE pattern but NOT be the main design, we want to see creativity! (ie: a simple polka dot or stripe pattern will not be considered unique, we want to see what you can draw). Feel free to use your doodles or vectors as elements in your mini too!
----------------
What did some of the racers not understand by these rules?
Not Simon.. but here's my thoughts on the second challenge entires so far. I couldn't resist.
2 Am Designs - The papers really aren't too bad, but they're definitely on the amateur side. The elements are bad, I can't really tell where she's going with them.
Ronda's Scrap Bits - that pink hairy thing... what the heck is it?!?! Is that a drawing of the anatomy of our skin or something?? The whole think looks like something a kid could draw.
Rumki Designs - her patterns are all of the same turtle, at different angles. Not unique to me. Everything is very flat, even though she tried to use layer styles to give some depth.
Kuper Digitals - her elements look like Mary Engelbreit designs. This isn't my style, but I do see potential in this designer, I just question where she gets her inspiration.
Designs by Angel - sigh. I can't believe this designer has been around as long as she has, and she still isn't any good. The elements lack consistency... the metal layer style doesn't go with anything. I wouldn't of used brown in that color pallet. Ribbon is badly recolored.
Little Birdie - again, small preview. I'm unmoved... it's basic, I can't stand how she colored the clouds... can't see much more.
Keep In Touch Designs - That beach ball is definitely a Miss Tiina product, just flipped horizontally with a larger oval added around the center point. She also has no experience in making repeatable patterns, these are all very basic repeats. Other than that, it isn't too bad compared to everyone before her. I still wouldn't download it.
Ruby Lane - definitely the best so far. However the elements lack consistency... like some of the flowers are stroked with white, yet the leaf doodle isn't. The paper patterns are also very basic.
--- Sidebar: Are all of these people incapable of making their own patterns?!?! All of these are very basic repeats... considering the number of tutorials out there, they all could of done much better. ---
Designer Girl Scraps - It's the same flower doodle over and over again. Also, that plaid paper was most definitely made with that website that generates them. I don't know, I personally don't care for any of it, but I think she has potential... a few months from now.
Nanascraps - Gross and morbid.
Just Jaimee - If she had more variety, I'd be so happy with this entry! It's just different colors of the same elements, like she was going for the quantity award. Nothing too special. Patterns are the best so far, so are the elements.
Kuper Digitals - her elements look like Mary Engelbreit designs. This isn't my style, but I do see potential in this designer, I just question where she gets her inspiration.
Keep In Touch Designs - That beach ball is definitely a Miss Tiina product, just flipped horizontally with a larger oval added around the center point. She also has no experience in making repeatable patterns, these are all very basic repeats. Other than that, it isn't too bad compared to everyone before her. I still wouldn't download it. -------
Not one of her papers has a hand drawn pattern on it, as was required. She should be eliminated for that. The beach ball is pretty generic, how can you tell for sure that it's a Miss Tiina product? Not being snarky, just curious
2 Am Designs - The papers really aren't too bad, but they're definitely on the amateur side. The elements are bad, I can't really tell where she's going with them. --------
Hand drawn was not the requirement, but unique patterns were.
That beachball does look like the MT one from her summer set, but it's missing two stripes. Looking at that designer's shop, it is very believable that she could of been using someone else's CU for those elements.
no matter how they are making these papers, there isn't much originality. Digital Ink just put up another entry - - wow. such originality on those papers! and to top it off, she was too lazy to make new ones...those are for sale in her shop at PDW.
Not trying to be smartass but "100% drawn by you", does that mean HAND drawn or can it be "made by yourself in your program"? I admit I didn't check the kits as I probably have enough without grabbing "contest entries", but from reading in here, I wonder.
Not trying to be smartass but "100% drawn by you", does that mean HAND drawn or can it be "made by yourself in your program"? I admit I didn't check the kits as I probably have enough without grabbing "contest entries", but from reading in here, I wonder. --------------------- As posted above, already, here is a ciut-and-paste of a portion of the original directions for challenge #2:
"The catch - The 6 patterned papers must be 100% drawn by YOU!
Whether it be doodles drawn in Photoshop or vector images drawn in Illustrator or a combination of both!
Simple shapes (from your program) can be used in combination to create a UNIQUE pattern but NOT be the main design, we want to see creativity! (ie: a simple polka dot or stripe pattern will not be considered unique, we want to see what you can draw). Feel free to use your doodles or vectors as elements in your mini too!"
...um, it seems pretty clear to me. They want to see what people can draw. Otherwise the rules would have just stated, "don't use CU." But the rules said, "don't use CU AND also make sure that drawings/doodles are the main part of your design, not simple shapes". Jeez.
I stand corrected and I apologize to you, Simon. I thought for SURE that you were Jenn Barrette because of some of the comments you were making. Not to offend, but sometimes you sound like her. Which is unfortunate, considering what I think of her.
Your review of Sweet Shoppe is appreciated. I'm glad I asked you to do it. It was refreshing to see someone who could be HONEST about those designers and is not just drinking the kool aid, which is what most of the people here do.
For the record, I don't hate all the girls at SSD. I'm actually fond of KCB and purchase nearly everything she puts out. I also own a fair number of Zoe's kits. But, there are girls there who definitely have an air of superiority and it is largely a mystery to me because I really don't think any of them are better than a lot of other designers I could buy from in digiland.
If you're a designer, just try to email one of them to ask them to collab. See if you even get a reply. You probably won't. It's just rude.
And, as with everything, its just my opinion. Feel free to differ, if you'd like. June 28, 2011 9:39 PM ------------------------ Thank you for the apology.
There are very few mainstream stores out there I flat out dislike. I can usually find 1 or 2 designers most places that I like - in a variety of styles. [I say "mainstream" because I'm sure there are 100 stores I'm not even aware of.] I don't love SSD and I don't hate SSD - or anyone else. There is crap everywhere.
I would love to review SO and will once I have a bit to browse around. I know they are adding 2 new designers this week, so after that happens, it will be fun to review.
I actually love doing these reviews and hope the rest of you do them, even if you don't post them (but it would be cool if you did!). I've added more things to my wish lists and found designers I've either written off or just haven't bothered to look at - even at a big store like SSD.
I also plan to look at round 2 of the design contest. There were several entries in round 1 that I didn't hate, and would like to see what they did for round 2. There are 5 or 6 rounds right?
But, there are girls there who definitely have an air of superiority and it is largely a mystery to me because I really don't think any of them are better than a lot of other designers I could buy from in digiland.
If you're a designer, just try to email one of them to ask them to collab. See if you even get a reply. You probably won't. It's just rude. ------------------ I forgot to comment on this.
There is an air over there in some people, but that exists everywhere. The people you dislike will have other people who adore them. It's just life. I wouldn't take it so personally.
I also wouldn't email anyone I don't have SOME connection with to collab. I consider that a little... odd. I've had designers ask me out of the blue to collab and I always wonder why.
Simon says, just take a step back and let them be rude if they're rude. Don't put them on a pedestal yourself and don't take it to heart.
I also wouldn't email anyone I don't have SOME connection with to collab. I consider that a little... odd. I've had designers ask me out of the blue to collab and I always wonder why.
Simon says, just take a step back and let them be rude if they're rude. Don't put them on a pedestal yourself and don't take it to heart.
June 29, 2011 9:31 AM
--------------------------- Well, is it out of the blue if you've been a customer for a while, like their style, and think you could produce a nice kit together? If you get asked out of the blue, you should take it as a compliment, not be suspicious of it. I've been asked a handful of times now, and I'm always flattered someone else would seek me out to work with me. I don't understand why it rouses such feelings of "wonder what she wants, I bet she just wants to ride my coat-tails." Maybe she just genuinely likes your work and/or her impression of you? (I mean a collective you, here, not Simon personally).
I'm not Simon, but I don't personally think that being someone's customer means you have a relationship with them. Buying another designer's product is probably a good way to initiate contact if you want to collaborate with them. You can then send them a message telling them how much you enjoy their designs. That gives them an opening to invite you to collab with them if they want to. And it is an opening to establish a relationship with that designer.
I have in the past, asked one of my customer's a designer to collab with me. She bought my product several times, so I assumed she liked it enough that she might want to collab with me.
But I wouldn't assume that just because I buy and like someone else's product, that it means they also like my designs enough that they would want to collab with me.
It's very uncomfortable to tell someone that you don't want to collab with them. But I think Simon is right in telling you not to take it personally. From the many reviews here, you can see that not everyone has the same taste in designs. One designer not responding to you, doesn't mean that another one wouldn't jump at the opportunity to collab with you. But I don't think it means that the designer is snooty. Rude? Somewhat yes. But maybe they just don't know how to respond.
Darcy's fonts are now CU, and for $1.99 I think they are a bargain.
I'm scared to buy there anymore, though, because I was told by a designer there that SSD store policy was to list the contents of the kits this way:
One flower, recolored in one of 4 different colors, is listed as 4 flowers. I just don't have time to cross reference the preview with the kit contents.
I'm scared to buy there anymore, though, because I was told by a designer there that SSD store policy was to list the contents of the kits this way:
One flower, recolored in one of 4 different colors, is listed as 4 flowers. I just don't have time to cross reference the preview with the kit contents.
June 29, 2011 2:27 PM
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What difference does it make? Look at the preview, if you like what you see, buy it. If the flowers being 4 of the same, just recolored is such a huge deal, I don't know what to tell you. Also, if you can't tell that they're the same flower, wow.
Did you notice that SM will be requiring you to have at least 50% of SM products when posting in their gallery as of July 8?
^^^^^
That's not what it says. It says 1/2 the layouts in your gallery should have SM product. -------------------------------------- This is how bad information gets circulated. Thank you for pointing this out.
I have actually downloaded four kits from round 2. I didn't find any from round 1 I liked. so far I have-Inspired by Dominic, Chris Matthis, Rebecca Myers and Kuper Doodles.
Did you notice that SM will be requiring you to have at least 50% of SM products when posting in their gallery as of July 8?
^^^^^
That's not what it says. It says 1/2 the layouts in your gallery should have SM product. -------------------------------------- This is how bad information gets circulated. Thank you for pointing this out. ----------
No, bad information gets circulated because people are often too lazy to check for themselves.
^^^^^ I guess everyone has different tastes. I too liked Chris Matthis and Rebecca Myers ... I liked Tiffanys papers but not her plasticy elements. I don't care for that style .. reminds me of the girl at SO that has cute doodles but turns them all plastic. I prefer paper or just doodles with no texture. I liked Ruby Lane too.
I do not look at these entries in judgement as to whether I would purchase them or not. There are clearly some beginner "designers" in this contest. Personally I am surprised at some. I would not even begin to consider myself a designer but I think I could produce a better kit (and follow the instructions) better than some of these entries. But they are doing something they most likely enjoy and getting experience in the meantime. So more power to them.
There are many new scrappers that will download the mini kits because they are free. This is what most of us did when we first started. More seasoned scrappers will be more discriminating and probably won't be downloading many if any of these kits.
Some more hot messes up! Ramona Memories, NanaSraps,Yvonne Michelle, and A-M Designs. Those are the worst ones in there, I think we can all agree on at least those.
Here is what I've downloaded from Challenge 2 at The Design Factor. I figured this would be a far shorter list. lol
Just Jaimee - nicely drawn based upon the preview. Proof that even drawing things yourself doesn't make it original, though. I question something being "serene" in bright orange... very overdone color scheme. After unzipping, the papers are nice with good texture. No overly ornate patterns, but they work. Elements are basic and most are nice. She had some trouble with the frames, though.
Chris Matthis - The paper patterns are great and made up for the more simplistic elements. The entire thing is nicely previewed, too. Very crisp. After unzipping, the entire thing just dumps onto my desktop in generic folders named "elements". PLEASE name your folders appropriately and have them unzip into ONE folder. Elements are simple, but usable and are good quality. I would like to follow her, but there is no blog, facebook, or twitter listed in her TOU. Doing a Google for her comes up with Pixel Perfect Designs. Is this the same person? Very confusing. I would think obtaining followers would be the main point of this contest...
Inspired by Dominic Designs- Not a huge fan of most of this kit, but I had to have that hangman paper. The acrylic doesn't bother me, but too much of it isn't my style, either. Her style isn't often appealing to me, but her quality is always top notch. After unzipping, I find little touches like the cityscape reflection in the car window just really cute. I will likely use most of the elements in some fashion. I greatly prefer her patterned papers over the texture she used in her solids.
I just have to say, most of the Digilicious Designs looks like something I'd clean-up after a pet...
Amanda Carlson- Nice, bright colors without being over saturated. Patterned papers are plain, though, and the patterns are too large. I did like the circle pattern, though. It wouldn't have been much work to actually cut the buttons into their own individual PNGs. Not everyone can do this on their own and it takes just a few mins. Nice doodles. I could have done without the chrome gear. Would have been nicer and more consistent as a doodle. Nice paper textures.
(note to self, Mandy King last entry posted at the time of this review)
It seems that Chris Matthis is Pixel Perfect Designs and she sells at Polka Dot Plum. Her Facebook hasn't had any posts since April and her blog at her website hasn't been updated since last October. Not sure why she isn't using her design name for this contest. Maybe she is trying to reinvent herself.
Yes Chris Matthis is Pixel Perfect Designs that is at PDP. I think she said she was changing her design name really soon and getting a new blog maybe? I am friends with a girl who CT's for her and she took a long break from designing due to personal things going on.
It is Chelle's Creations + Fiddle Dee Dee Designs moving to SO June 30, 2011 9:54 AM ------------------ Good move for both, probably, as far as sales are concerned. Still surprised to see Chelle leave SM. I don't like Fiddle Dee Dee's templates, so I couldn't care less where she sells.
I can't stand when people leave the comment 'amazing page' on my LOs at DST. Amazing? Really? It may be cute or fun or pretty, but amazing? Isn't that a bit much? Could they make it any more obvious that they're just C&P'ing that comment on multiple layouts and not even taking the time to look at the actual page?
Maybe you should send them a PM and tell them that their comment on your page isn't up to standard. And then let them know your guidelines for praising your pages for future reference.
Or you could just scrap for yourself and your family and not care what the lazy CTM drive by commenters leave on your pages to increase thier post counts.
And I'm sure you could find all the threads on DST where people complain about how the quality of comments isn't up to their standards. Really, can't you just be happy someone even bothered to look and leave it at that?
>>What difference does it make? Look at the preview, if you like what you see, buy it. If the flowers being 4 of the same, just recolored is such a huge deal, I don't know what to tell you. Also, if you can't tell that they're the same flower, wow.
It matters because it's my money and there are a lot of kit previews I like. A LOT. I can't afford 3 and 4 thousand dollars a month for scrap kits whose previews I like...I guess you can just buy everything you like? Must be nice!
I want to know what is in it beyond what I think I see. And no, I don't know if those 2 purple flowers are the same or not. One looks just a little lighter, and I think SSD's policy puts enough doubt in me to question every thing I see there.
Based on the description, that kit has 3 flowers. I'm looking at the preview and see the big orange one, the purple/tan layered one, and the yellow layered one. If you're talking about the small purple flowers on the bottom of the preview, they appear to be part of the "floral border."
It took me all of 1 min. to figure that out.
Lots of stores list items that way, not just SSD. But I didn't see any confusion in this case at all.
It matters because it's my money and there are a lot of kit previews I like. A LOT. I can't afford 3 and 4 thousand dollars a month for scrap kits whose previews I like...I guess you can just buy everything you like? Must be nice!
I want to know what is in it beyond what I think I see. And no, I don't know if those 2 purple flowers are the same or not. One looks just a little lighter, and I think SSD's policy puts enough doubt in me to question every thing I see there. _______________
OH. MY. GOD. This is really your biggest problem right now??? I wish I were you. Quit being ridiculous. If you like a kit, and want to scrap with it, and can afford it, then shut up and buy it. Don't come whining here because you might end up with 2 flowers that are the same, but different colors. NONE OF US CARE. You said previously (in your OP?) that you don't have time to compare/contrast the kit previews to the list of elements. Well, you just wasted 4x that much time coming here to leave these posts. GET A CLUE!!!
Based on the description, that kit has 3 flowers. I'm looking at the preview and see the big orange one, the purple/tan layered one, and the yellow layered one. If you're talking about the small purple flowers on the bottom of the preview, they appear to be part of the "floral border."
It took me all of 1 min. to figure that out. --------------
Yep, just had a look and agree with this completely.
I can't stand when people leave the comment 'amazing page' on my LOs at DST. Amazing? Really? It may be cute or fun or pretty, but amazing? Isn't that a bit much? Could they make it any more obvious that they're just C&P'ing that comment on multiple layouts and not even taking the time to look at the actual page?
---------------
I can't believe you posted this here. Got to DST and post, they love this kind of BS. Seriously, how shallow are you?
Looks like K Studio left Catscrap to go back to A5D.
Wonder why ---------------
Sales? I'm not really sure why she went to CatScrap in the first place. Both stores have similar styles and are probably at the same 'tier'. Upper middle? Lower upper?
I'm scared to buy there anymore, though, because I was told by a designer there that SSD store policy was to list the contents of the kits this way:
One flower, recolored in one of 4 different colors, is listed as 4 flowers. I just don't have time to cross reference the preview with the kit contents. ----------
Er, if you've bought from them in the past, why not check? Geez, it's not that hard.
Some more hot messes up! Ramona Memories, NanaSraps,Yvonne Michelle, and A-M Designs. Those are the worst ones in there, I think we can all agree on at least those.
----------
No, we can't. At least Ramona Memories really tried to draw the elements and papers and didn't produce a generic kit, like practically everyone else.
Seriously, how shallow are you? _____________________________________
LMAO! Apparently I'm not as shallow as you are dramatic. I wasn't being shallow or saying that certain comments aren't up to my standards. I was shaking my head at the word amazing in the comments. Sure, I like my pages, but the word amazing is a huge overstatement for any layout. I mean really, when was the last time you were amazed by a scrapbook layout? It wasn't a serious complaint, I was poking fun at people who use such a demonstrative word for a scrapbook page.
You must have me confused with someone else, I wasn't being dramatic. Several people pointed out how ridiculous you were being, clearly your message was not as obvious as you thought it was.
It wasn't a serious complaint, I was poking fun at people who use such a demonstrative word for a scrapbook page.
****************
really? I don't see you poking fun at anyone in this statement:
I can't stand when people leave the comment 'amazing page' on my LOs at DST. Amazing? Really? It may be cute or fun or pretty, but amazing? Isn't that a bit much? Could they make it any more obvious that they're just C&P'ing that comment on multiple layouts and not even taking the time to look at the actual page?
Hmm, not seeing the fun here. It looks like a complaint to me. Your backpedaling is just making you look even more lame.
LMAO! Apparently I'm not as shallow as you are dramatic. I wasn't being shallow or saying that certain comments aren't up to my standards. I was shaking my head at the word amazing in the comments. Sure, I like my pages, but the word amazing is a huge overstatement for any layout. I mean really, when was the last time you were amazed by a scrapbook layout? It wasn't a serious complaint, I was poking fun at people who use such a demonstrative word for a scrapbook page.
-------
If you create layouts that you personally don't think are amazing, why bother posting them? The last time I saw a scrapbook page that was amazing was probably yesterday or maybe today. So were the flowers I saw on my way to work and the lunch/conversation I had with a co-worker. The thunderstorm and rain I walked through on my way home from work was pretty amazing too, as was the double rainbow after it was all over. Guess it's all perspective. I LOVE life and see amazing things all around me on a daily basis. Sad that you didn't value the person's comment (could have been mine) but that's okay, my life is still amazingly wonderful!
COLS is going to Digiscrap Cafe, GoDigitalScrapbooking and that Sunshine Scraps place...not to be confused with SUN. Crossing them off my list. oh wait - - they were never on it. altho, i did think GDS was a little bit better than to admit COLS, excuse me, OTBDS (lololol).
COLS is going to Digiscrap Cafe, GoDigitalScrapbooking and that Sunshine Scraps place...not to be confused with SUN. Crossing them off my list. oh wait - - they were never on it. altho, i did think GDS was a little bit better than to admit COLS, excuse me, OTBDS (lololol).
June 30, 2011 8:51 PM
Again, I think you've mixed up that crap store, Sunflower Scraps, with another one, Sunshine Studio Scraps.
^^^ I liked her kit just because of that clouds & thinking it was different. Not so much now. I saw that cloud alot today on Pinterest so I'm sure that's where she got it.
Rachael's Scraps is now selling her CU at SHCO. I'm a little disappointed. Her quality is way better than anyone there.
COLS is going to Digiscrap Cafe, GoDigitalScrapbooking and that Sunshine Scraps place...not to be confused with SUN. Crossing them off my list. oh wait - - they were never on it. altho, i did think GDS was a little bit better than to admit COLS, excuse me, OTBDS (lololol).
June 30, 2011 8:51 PM
Again, I think you've mixed up that crap store, Sunflower Scraps, with another one, Sunshine Studio Scraps.
http://www.sunflowerscrapsboutique.com/boutique/
^^^^^^^^^^ the poster said - if you could read: and that Sunshine Scraps place...not to be confused with SUN
On Pinterest you can make different boards. For instance, I can make a color inspiration board for future color palettes I want to use. I can just pin it to the color inpirations board. And instead of having to dig through bookmarks looking for what I want, I know exactly where it is and it has a picture right there when you look at your board. You can also browse Pinterest to get craft ideas, home decor ideas, recipe ideas, etc. And follow your friends boards.
Cross Cuts took over Wyld Web Design's apprentice since she has stepped down from the team.
CCD's products are very for lack of better words, gross. Her textures on her papers are way overdone. Color swatches look like my two-year old picked them out of her coloring box! I dont care for her designs and hope she wont be sticking around SM very long; either that or she grows in her designing while using SM as her stepping stone in to the digi world.
Steph.designs sells here as well http://www.e-scapeandscrap.net/boutique/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=42&zenid=40b4704d1fd709ef895f06ccfb788ee2
CrossBone Cuts must not know her math or thinks she can rip her new customers off at SM after the weekend sale is over. Her Former Freebies Add-On Bundle is priced more than the individual products are actually worth http://shop.scrapmatters.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=156
If you bought the three add-ons individually it would cost you $8.27, not the market price of $9.47. Now I am doing the math BEFORE the sale price is applied.
I can see with her store being on sale through the weekend that the bundle price is better than buying them individually. But then that leads you to ask yourself if she is going to change the price of the products after the sale is over to accomodate the sale deduction taken off this weekend?
anyone here know anything about The Daily Digi? I know you used to be able to buy the digifiles monthly without subscribing - I want to purchase this month's, but whenever I click "store" it brings me to the stupid subscription page. GRRRRRR
hmm ... I looked at the site and it appears you now can do it by membership only. I haven't bought an edition of the digi files in quite a few months and the last time I bought, you could still buy monthly. That sucks, I wouldn't want to be tied to a subscription.
An idea though, could you sign up for the membership and then cancel so that you're not billed for any following months? I just quickly checked the site and it doesn't say anything about the cancellation policy.
Rachael's Scraps is now selling her CU at SHCO. I'm a little disappointed. Her quality is way better than anyone there.
____________
Hmm I don't agree, I've bought from Rachael and yes her quality is good but there are a few people at Sugarhill that I also buy from and their quality is outstanding, too. It probably depends on what you're looking to buy. I don't like everyone at that store, but I don't think she's any better than some of the other designers there.
Anonymous said... anyone here know anything about The Daily Digi? I know you used to be able to buy the digifiles monthly without subscribing - I want to purchase this month's, but whenever I click "store" it brings me to the stupid subscription page. GRRRRRR
anyone?
July 1, 2011 8:31 AM
---------------------------
I too am interested, a couple of my favorite designers this month. I've sent an email asking them how on earth to purchase, lol!
If you bought the three add-ons individually it would cost you $8.27, not the market price of $9.47. Now I am doing the math BEFORE the sale price is applied.
Rachael's Scraps is now selling her CU at SHCO. I'm a little disappointed. Her quality is way better than anyone there.
^^^^^^^^ when I saw this today I thought that it was probably a good move for her, b/c from what I hear the sales on CU at SHCO are great and she's not the first person selling out of only a personal shop to end up selling CU there in recent months, so that says a lot to me. I am more surprised that it took her this long to end up there, seems like a no brainer now that they went CU only.
thinking that she's probably trying to find a store to sell her PU items now that SHCO went CU only. GP is probably a good fit for her, though I think she will hate the people. She's a sweetie
I too am interested, a couple of my favorite designers this month. I've sent an email asking them how on earth to purchase, lol!
July 1, 2011 10:46 AM
================
no more option to buy one at a time, subscription only. found out about this last month. Never see another purchase from me. I can't spend my hard earned dollars on shit I can't see before deciding to buy
scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and you'll see the "digi files only" option for just $5/month. If all you want is just this months' kits, cancel your subscription before the beginning of next month and you won't be charged (I'm not affiliated with TDD, just have done this a few times since they went to the subscription service. I found myself buying it so many times though, so last month I ended up signing up for the next year.
It does mean there's a market for her designs there. She's different than the other gals and I guess you do need variety. I don't shop with most of the designers at SSD, but I can tell you they have a huge following. They just aren't my style.
after looking thru the entries at DSC - i find I'm losing my eyesight. I have a head ache. I'm mad at myself for even bothering to look. SIMON - you didn't warn me that it got WORSE.
I couldn't warn anyone. I was temporarily blinded by Gizmo's Scraps entry. Only now able to see... ;)
I haven't downloaded a thing since the handful I reviewed last time. Last entry at the time of this post is Kim Hackworth. They have until tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath.
I was tempted to download Viva Artistry's entry because I liked most of the elements, but the papers were kinda blah looking, so I didn't bother.
I thought Brine Design's entry was cute, but I have no need for such a kit, so I didn't download.
thinking that she's probably trying to find a store to sell her PU items now that SHCO went CU only. GP is probably a good fit for her, though I think she will hate the people. She's a sweetie
-----------
Why? I know Stacy sucks but aren't the other designers there any good?
Why? I know Stacy sucks but aren't the other designers there any good? ------ not the OP and don't have my own exp. @ GP to speak of, but all I ever hear around here is people bitching about how awful stacy, connie, trixie, etc. are around that place. don't know how true it is, but maybe that's what she was referring to.
That, and I guess if you're not one of the golden girls the owner doesn't always care to uphold her end of the contract. I've heard of her not paying people and just going psycho on designers over nothing.
That, and I guess if you're not one of the golden girls the owner doesn't always care to uphold her end of the contract. I've heard of her not paying people and just going psycho on designers over nothing.
July 3, 2011 12:16 AM -----------------
I know Stacy, and I'd quickly admit that she can be very difficult to get along with if she doesn't get her way. Also agree with her going psycho on her team at times. But I don't for a second believe that she wouldn't pay a designer. All of my dealings with her showed her to be an honest person.
I know Stacy, and I'd quickly admit that she can be very difficult to get along with if she doesn't get her way. Also agree with her going psycho on her team at times. But I don't for a second believe that she wouldn't pay a designer. All of my dealings with her showed her to be an honest person. __________
Would love for someone to post some examples of her "going psycho on her team"... what does that entail, exactly? I don't AT ALL question that it happens... I'm just looking for the entertainment value of reading what she's done. TIA... :)
so Trish posted a "want your input" thread at DST in the designer area for color/theme of the next blog train. it will be interesting to see if things get better this time around.
I'd love to hear people's opinions on TLP. Also, do people really like Paislee Press, Kitty Designs, etc? I find their previews appealing but then open them up and they are so boring! IMHO of course.
I had a look at TLP today after not looking for a long time. Out of 146 new products, I didn't see one thing that grabbed me. There was nothing unique, nothing outstanding. I'm not saying it's bad, just that nothing appealed to me.
I had a look at TLP today after not looking for a long time. Out of 146 new products, I didn't see one thing that grabbed me. There was nothing unique, nothing outstanding. I'm not saying it's bad, just that nothing appealed to me.
July 4, 2011 3:21 AM
-------- Could you please define "unique" and "outstanding"? Name a kit that is unique. Name a designer that is outstanding. I am not associated with TLP, but I like their stuff (even though I don't shop there much, because they don't match my actual scrapping style and needs)
Now that's creative, don't you think? http://www.nuthouse-scraps.com/Gallery/week-4/p4676-amands-preview.html http://amandacreation.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_30&products_id=100
I'm curious where most people here shop and who their favorite designers are. Don't just pimp the designers you ct for, but who do you really love, and the designers that fit your scrapping style.
The things is, we are all different and have different scrapping styles. It would be boring if we all liked the same things.
I personally love most of the designers at TLP and buy quite a bit from them. I also love Jenn Barrette, One Little Bird, Creashens, Lauren Grier, Captivated Visions, and for templates I love Sara Gleason and Fizzy Pop Designs. There are a few designers I purchase from at Designer Digitals too.
These designers create things that fit my scrapping style, and I'm usually very happy with everything I buy from them. It really doesn't matter to me what anyone else thinks about them.
I think I would have to add Micheline Martin to the list of who I buy a lot from. I haven't scrapped with a lot of her things, but she creates things that make me buy buy buy!
Micheline Martin's stuff always always always looks precious in the previews, and makes me want to buy. I've learned my lesson, though, after being burned too many times to want to admit. Once I unzip her stuff and see it up close, the quality is aways so horrendous I realize I can't possibly make anything with it that will be printed at 12x12.
She's an amazing designer of previews, and not much more. Sad.
Amber Clegg- Doesn't seem very talented in the recoloring department. Her kits appear to have a lot of recolored doubles of elements. Some of her stamps and alphas are cute, but I don't see any kits I would buy.
Amy Martin: Creative element packs but very simple looking templates. I like her stitching.
Amy Wolff: I didn't see anything that appealed to me, but nothing looked 'bad' either. Just not my style.
CD: Very artistic stuff, but some of the previews confuse me, I am never really sure what is the packaging and what is product.
Lili: Cute alphas. The kits and element packs aren't anything special, though.
Emily Merritt: Loving the theme specific items but the kits are much too small to warrant the price. Does she not make the paper packs into kits out of laziness? I found myself wishing some of the paper packs had elements to match.
Gina Miller: Very weird pairing of realistic and digital elements. How is this person at TLP? I see a lot of CU element templates used.
Heather Hess: Stick to fonts. The doodles are not very well done.
Jacque: Love the themed paper stuff, but again- wish some of them were included with a kit.
Jenna Desai: I haven't bought from this designer before, but will in the future. I like a lot of the doodled elements I see. I didn't like much of her older stuff, though.
Karah Fredricks: Some of the element packs are cute but others are oddly recolored or strange pairings of realistic and digital elements. Her paint clusters look fantastic. I prefer larger kits most of the time, and she seems to make mostly mini kits. I would consider purchasing element packs though.
Kate Hadfield: New favorite of mine, her stuff is super cute and always well drawn. The prices are great for the amount of time I'm assuming it takes her to create them.
Kaye W: Basically the felt version of Jacque. Wish there were more full kits. The felt pieces are very cute, though.
Lauren Reid: Cute alphas. Ugly kit colors. All of her solo kits are too small and don't look very user friendly. Okay to look at but not much to scrap with.
Rachel Young: Weird patterns and ugly colors (mostly BYOC, so not entirely her fault).
Sahlin Studio: Not my style but she is good at what she does. When I think of her, though, I always think of the paper company rip offs that were posted on this blog a few months ago.
Sara Gleason: I'm not sure why, but it always irritates me when template designers don't stick to the same colors for their templates and previews. Makes their shop look sloppy, IMO. The clipped shape templates look cool, the rest isn't really my style.
The Tattered Pear: See Emily and Reid reviews above. :P
Valorie Wibbens: I like her stuff because she's pretty close to Emily's style, but actually makes the full kits. Some of her color choices are a tad gross, and some of the doodles are not as great as the others. Also small kits for the price.
Quotes: I know Stacy, and I'd quickly admit that she can be very difficult to get along with if she doesn't get her way. Also agree with her going psycho on her team at times. But I don't for a second believe that she wouldn't pay a designer. All of my dealings with her showed her to be an honest person. __________
Would love for someone to post some examples of her "going psycho on her team"... what does that entail, exactly? I don't AT ALL question that it happens... I'm just looking for the entertainment value of reading what she's done. TIA... :)
___________________________________ I think the talk about Stacy is pretty blown out of portion. I have worked with Stacy and she has a good business mind. I don't think she bullies anyone and I know for a fact that she always paid on time. So I just think there are a few people on here that have it in for her and like to let loose her. Sad as I will Call BULLSHIT on the some of the statements being made.
If you're going to bring up the whole FB numbers nonsense again, at least get the numbers right.
TLP = 1,957
How about talking about something more relevant to actual store success, instead of numbers that are inflated by freebie hunters? How about forum numbers... like number of active users or something?
^^^^^^^^^ I did. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lily-Pad/107752735925849 Can't even verify yours. If that isn't the correct one, they ought to make sure th right one actually shows up in a search FOR The Lily Pad.
Under what search parameters? Mine comes up first under The Lily Pad: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lily-Pad/107752735925849 And it is the right company. This is second: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lily-Pad/126760327410360 Yours doesn't even come up that search on the first page.
I'm the one who brought up TLP in the first place, so thanks for your thoughts. Personally, I love CD but I think I love her because her layouts were so outstanding a few years ago if that makes any sense. I can't scrap with a lot of the things she produces.
I love Heather's fonts, I like Valorie's style but when I open it, the quality is not there (too many scanned edges). I like Kate's stuff but don't really scrap that way. I love Kara's Splatteriffic's. And Lilli, I like her kits.
Too much BYOC (in other words, random crap) at TLP and not enough actual kits and stuff. I think maybe the designers are throwing in BYOC stuff to fulfill their design obligations, and not really spending any time putting out new, quality products.
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 1401 – 1600 of 2452 Newer› Newest»All I was saying is that Simon isn't giving constructive criticism. People were saying it was constructive. I don't feel that this entire blog was drivel, I read it frequently and get a lot of good info from here...mixed with a lot of BS. I don't feel that anyone needs sugar coated criticism. My example wasn't sugar coated. It was just an example of actual constructive criticism.
How can somebody critique those cute polka dots, curley qs and scallops at SSD? Isn't that like attacking mom and apple pie?
Some of those kits are beyond constructive criticism. They are just bad. It's like the person auditioning for AI and doesn't even know they can't sing. There's no way to be constructive about that. There's nothing to improve on! And it isn't a matter of taste either...
How can somebody critique those cute polka dots, curley qs and scallops at SSD? Isn't that like attacking mom and apple pie?
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Only if you are part of the Brady Bunch.
All I was saying is that Simon isn't giving constructive criticism. People were saying it was constructive.
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On all fairness, some of it was constructive, and some of it was not.
Criticism from their peers and customers. Learn from it. Become better from it. If you are using that as an excuse to quit, then you didn't want to do it to start with!
Now that is funny!! If I had believed the hype about what a few people said about me and my designs on this blog I'd never have continued to design! It was what my customers felt about my designs that mattered and still do today. If they like what I do and they keep buying then obviously someone has made a mistake and I don't think it was my customers!!! So to those getting the "constructive critisim" take it all with a grain of salt because it's obvious the people on this blog won't be the customers you desire. I think half the time they don't bother to buy much at all. They just like to tear down what others do. Constructive criticism yeah right give me another good laugh!!
Challenge 2 has some entries now. So far, they aren't too bad except for NanaScraps-I would scrap memories of someone who dies, but I would never scrap their actual death or funeral, not to mention that kit is just horrible anyway. No shadows on the preview, horrible flat color palate and badly drawn elements. Simon, what do you think?
Simon, what do you think?
______________
OK, it's time to ask/say this... who died and made Simon king?
I know everyone is enjoying the novelty of this whole "Simon" thing (myself included, initially) because it's new here and we were all bored senseless with nothing else good to talk about for a while... but let's get real for a minute. Whoever's acting as Simon on this blog definitely has some good insights/knowledge of this industry, but she's not a be-all end-all for digital scrapbooking knowledge/expertise. Not in the slightest. It's just ONE PERSON with all of the biases and personal preferences/tastes of ONE PERSON.
So why ask what Simon thinks? Why not just ask "what does everyone else think"? Let's not turn this Simon character into a frikkin god when really she's just ONE DESIGNER who thinks she knows more than the masses.
Know why we're all loving the Simon thing? Because it was (potentially) getting ready to lead to having "Simon" critique the designers of the big shops, and we were all chomping at the bit to see that happen. Well, let's just remember that just because Simon Says... doesn't make it so.
Let's critique the big name shops anyway, but why let Simon have all the fun? I want to hear what a lot of you think. Not just one designer.
Simon, what do you think?
_________________
Why do you care what Simon thinks? It's time for someone to say this: who died and made Simon the be-all end-all god of digital scrapbooking? Let's not lose sight of the fact that this is just ONE PERSON, with all of the biases and preferences/personal tastes of ONE PERSON. This is not an expert in the industry, necessarily.
Don't get me wrong, I've been loving the whole Simon thing here for a while (and she DOES have some great insights/opinions... but not all of it is really that accurate/helpful). But the reason we're all loving the Simon thing so much lately isn't because she's the most knowledgable person in digi-land. Nope, we're eating it up because it's something new and there's novelty, and we were all getting really bored with nothing else good to talk about. Oh, that and because it was starting to look as though there was going to be a dissection of the big-name stores/designers, and we were all frothing at the mouth over the prospect of that.
So, why let Simon have all of the fun? She's no digi-god. I'd actually like to hear what all of you think, not just one person. Why keep deferring to Simon? Time for us to start hearing the opinions of more than just one. THAT WOULD BE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM. DOn't you think?
...and yes, I am aware that by posting that, I just opened myself up to a hundred+ "well get off your ass and offer something, then!" comments... I'll get on it. But I would like some of you to do the same... that's all I am saying...
Oh goodness. Sorry for the multiple posts. The first time I posted, it never showed up and so I retyped it, and now it's there twice with no way to erase. My apologies, ladies (and gents?).
I agree about Simon. I only agree with about half of what Simon says and the rest I also think is bias/personal preference. I think it would be great if everyone could start giving their constructive thoughts on different designers. What do your favorite designers do right? What do you love about their kits? Go through your favorite store and look honestly at each designer. Post your own critiques. I'll do this later also.
I was the one who posted what does Simon think and I have posted my opinion. I earlier listed the ones I liked and they weren't all the same as Simon's. I just think it's fun to ask. It has livened up this blog a bit. The bad kits are really bad and then there are a few that fall into preference area, but not that many, so she seems to be spot on. I think the papers are much better than the elements here which goes to show that CU is not all that bad.
It has livened up this blog a bit.
^^^^^^^^^^
Couldn't agree more! (and for the record, I was actually curious about why you cared what Simon thinks... but when I re-read my first response the "why do you care what Simon thinks?" question definitely came off as bitchy instead of as a true question, so I apologize for that. I actually wanted to know why you cared. So thanks for responding!
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The bad kits are really bad and then there are a few that fall into preference area, but not that many, so she seems to be spot on. I think the papers are much better than the elements here which goes to show that CU is not all that bad.
^^^^^^^^^^
Also agreed (about the merits of CU), although I do wish that more designers used it with some imagination. I use some CU, but I try to use it in a way that incorporates it into whatever I am creating instead of using it AS what I am making. Wish more designers did this, too. It would go a long way to ensuring that all of our kits weren't carbon copies. ("our" used collectively, for this industry... not meaning mine/yours in particular)
Another interesting point I thought I would bring up, about use of CU... I sell a decent about of CU, and it is always VERY interesting to see who buys it. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a designer post at DST that they don't use really use CU items, and then an invoice from them shows up in my e-mail account. I think I have a (semi-)unique perspective on the whole CU debate, because of this, and I am just about positive that many of the people on this blog who knock CU use are actually using it, too. The difference being that they use it creatively and with imagination, instead of making it the backbone of their works.
Why are we "frothing at the mouth" to hear Simon review the designers at the "big" stores? Are we all supposed to hate those designers for some reason?
Plus really, how much time could she have to sit and write reviews on every designer at every store? I assume she's a designer with much better things to do with her time than to daily describe to us the precise level of grossness and cheapness of every designer's products in digiland.
****SSD****
Cindy - Great layered templates, releases consistently, nice girl.
Dani - Very creative, cute themed kits, not as consistent but the quality is there.
Darcy - Cute fonts but I never purchase, as I'd rather download free ones
Eva - Hit or miss, very basic stuff, IMO. Colors are iffy sometimes, other times they are just fine.
Fee - Unique, quality work, great colors.
Heather - Her hybrid templates are what I like best...her kits are average. Nothing super attention grabbing to me.
Janet - No idea why she's in this store. Her templates are very basic, I can't imagine many people actually purchase them. I don't think I've ever seen her post in the forum, either.
Jenn - Unique, great colors, touch of vintage feel in some of the kits. Lots of fun ideas, never boring.
Julie - Very basic paper scrapping style, but very well done.
Kristin - Same as Julie. Love her colors most of the time.
Krystal - Small kits and not very consistent. Not sure she belongs in this store either.
Lauren - I wish she would have stuck to her eclectic doodled style rather than add more realistic elements. Her and Shawna are essentially the same designer now.
Libby - Not my style, very basic elements. Not a fan of the heavy bevel on a lot of the themed elements but alright for some themes that are harder to find from other designers. Her kits are also small and a bit overpriced, IMO.
Lliella - I wish she released more often, her characters are very cute.
Meg Mullens - Basic, nothing special that grabs my attention. Her and Traci Reed seem to have a very similar style of below average recoloring abilities and mish mash of elements. Very basic paper patterns, but she does seem to be getting better since joining SSD.
Melissa - Seems like a mix between Kristin CB and Traci Reed. Nothing I haven't seen before, but not badly done either.
Misty - Don't purchase much from her but she seems to have good knowledge of her program and what scrappers like/want or need.
Penny - Hit or miss on her, as well. Some kits are great, IMO and others seem like an odd mix of colors.
Shawna - Quality kits, love her alphas. Cute doodled elements sometimes.
Susan - Another Kristin CB lookalike, but richly textured. Nice kits, but not my style.
Traci - see Meg Mullens review above. Good interpretation of themes, most of the time. I do like her most recent inflatable play house kit.
Zoe - Great patterns, well textured. Consistently does quality work.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
And that would be why I wanted to see Simon review SSD. Because it proves her BIAS. What a lightweight review.
I wish you SSD girls would get off your high horse and leave all the little guys alone. That review isn't even close to accurate. It's just more of the same can't-question-the-self-imposed-SSD-digiscrap-goddesses CRAP.
Give me a break. You just proved to me your opinion ain't worth shit. Jenn Barrette is never boring? Uh-huh, sure Jenn. Tell it to someone who believes you.
OP here, I'm not Jenn or anyone at SSD. Someone asked that we pick a store we like and say what we do or don't like about the designers there. Pull the stick out of your ass.
I happen to agree with the reviews of SSD - and I'm not affiliated at all. Although I don't believe that Jenn B even belongs there.
Where do you think Jenn B would be a better fit at? Maybe TLP.
And that would be why I wanted to see Simon review SSD. Because it proves her BIAS. What a lightweight review.
-----------------
I actually didn't post that review of SSD. I haven't had the time so far this week to review anything. I also work outside of the home. Any reviews made by me I post logged into this handy account.
So, all that proved is you're an idiot.
I rarely shop at SSD but here is my review looking through their designer list:
Cindy Schneider - I don't use templates, but these seem nice. A lot of places for photos which I do like.
Dani Mogstad - Nice color palettes. Here kits look nice overall. She could work on staying true to the color palette when recoloring elements so that they match better.
Darcy Baldwin - I like her fonts and buy them when on sale. I have never found a quality problem with them.
Eva Kipler - Color palettes are hit or miss for me. Everything seems recolored well. Very few theme elements in the kits. Most of them appear to be basic elements which turns me off some.
Fee Jardine - I like her color choices and the mixture in her kits appeals to me. I have not purchased from her in the past, but would consider doing so in the future.
Heather Roselli - Color palettes do not appeal to me. Kits include a good mix of themed and basic elements, but something strikes me as off. I can't figure out what it is.
Janet Phillips - Templates are very basic. I agree with the PP about her.
Jenn Barrette - The color palettes are okay but do not wow me specifically. She could use the same help recoloring items to stay true to the palette. Some of the extractions look slightly blurry in the previews.
Julie Billingsley - Hit or miss for me on colors. I did find the kits themselves appealing. She has minor issues with staying true to the palette, but it only seems to happen periodically.
Kristin Cronin-Barrow - Appealing colors and variety of themes used in kits. I have not purchased from her before but again would consider it in the future.
Krystal Hartley - Nothing pops for me for her. She seems to be still determining her style. There are some fun elements in her kits but things do not seem cohesive.
Lauren Grier - I like her mixture of doodles and realistic elements. However, her colors are not that appealing for me so I would be unlikely to purchase from her.
Libby Pritchett - Themed elements done well and appear to be unique. It's hard to see her papers and the elements seem to be too large for me on the preview. The colors just seem a bit off for me.
To be continued...
Another interesting point I thought I would bring up, about use of CU... I sell a decent about of CU, and it is always VERY interesting to see who buys it. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a designer post at DST that they don't use really use CU items, and then an invoice from them shows up in my e-mail account. I think I have a (semi-)unique perspective on the whole CU debate, because of this, and I am just about positive that many of the people on this blog who knock CU use are actually using it, too. The difference being that they use it creatively and with imagination, instead of making it the backbone of their works.
---------------
Ditto, couldn't of said it better myself. I really like seeing how some people use my CU, some to the point where I don't even recognize it at first. I don't like seeing others use my CU to the point where they're violating my TOU and using almost nothing but my products. Those are always the people who toot their own horn saying they hardly touch CU.
I don't like how cheap CU has become, I think thanks mostly to Miss Tiina and her army. It's undercut the rest of us, and has opened the door to more people thinking they can become designers.... and they do become designers thanks to stores that don't care and obviously don't have very good standards.
Lliella Designs - I love her colors and kits. I have purchased from her in the past and have no complaints.
Meghan Mullens - She needs quite a bit of work on proper recoloring. Color palettes re not appealing to me. I would not buy from her as she currently designs.
Melissa Bennett - Previews look a little flat. She would benefit from increasing the shadows. Kits filled with basic elements. This may be appealing for some, but is not for me. Colors are ok.
Misty Cato - Kits have a good mixture of elements and recoloring is done well. I like the looks of them overall, but do not love the color palettes. I can see myself purchasing from her in the future.
Penny Springmann - Kits seem hit or miss and quality is as well based upon a few past purchases from her. Minor issues with recoloring and keeping shades correct. This seems most common with greens and darker elements.
Shawna Clingerman - Lots of basics. Color schemes are unappealing to me. Not really my style but the quality seems fine.
Susan Bartolini - Some elements appear blurry or slightly off. Possibly badly scanned. Too many flowers and not enough other elements for my tastes. Colors do not hold true throughout a kit.
Traci Reed - Seems hit or miss. Some color schemes I like some I would change slightly. Fun themes.
Zoe Pearn - Appealing color schemes that stay true through the kit. A good amount of elements to match the themes mixed with basics. I would consider purchasing from her in the future.
I don't like how cheap CU has become, I think thanks mostly to Miss Tiina and her army. It's undercut the rest of us, and has opened the door to more people thinking they can become designers.... and they do become designers thanks to stores that don't care and obviously don't have very good standards.
Actually CU became so cheap because of all the designers who were selling their stuff for $1.00. Miss Tina wasn't selling CU until she realized that she could sell her stuff CU better then not. That kind of pricing has brought everything done and those selling for $1.00 just never got the concept that if you sell for that you'll never sell for more. Of course if you keep your prices stable and your customers like your designs, they will purchase whether a $1.00 or $3.00 or $5.00 whatever the case may be.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
And that would be why I wanted to see Simon review SSD. Because it proves her BIAS. What a lightweight review.
I wish you SSD girls would get off your high horse and leave all the little guys alone. That review isn't even close to accurate. It's just more of the same can't-question-the-self-imposed-SSD-digiscrap-goddesses CRAP.
Give me a break. You just proved to me your opinion ain't worth shit. Jenn Barrette is never boring? Uh-huh, sure Jenn. Tell it to someone who believes you.
June 28, 2011 12:05 PM
----
This made me laugh. You only want to hear a review that bashes SSD designers. If anyone posts a good review then they are obviously an SSD designer.
What happened that made you so anti-SSD? And what exactly are SSD designers doing to the "little guys" on their high horses?
She thinks Simon is from SSD.
What would make someone think that? Were there clues that I missed? Granted I don't hang out at SSD. But I've never seen them out and about on their high horses looking down at the little guy either. They just seem like regular designers to me. Do they act snooty? If so, where?
I have no idea. I also don't hang out at SDD and don't know much about the designers there.
It's nice to see others reviewing stores, too.
I also think it would be great if people disagree with anything said in the reviews, that they speak up with WHY they don't. I call things gross if I think they're gross. If I think they're gross, I'm not going to waste my time offering something just as biased as "too much beveling."
Sweet Shoppe Designs (part 1)
Cindy Schneider- Nice templates for paper-style scrappers. I have several of her freebies and find myself spending too much time deleting layers of useless elements. She does have some great multi-photo templates, though.
Dani Mogstad- Mostly nice color schemes. I agree with the other posters. Not all, but most. Most of her brights are vibrant without being oversaturated. I have 1 of her kits - Softly Falling. Some elements are shadowed (which I delete). I wish she had put them in their own folder. Papers and elements are nice without any quality issues.
Darcy Baldwin- I have a couple of her fonts that came in collabs and they are nice. No quality issues. I also have a few of her templates - which are hit and miss for me - and they're usable without a lot of deleting of layers.
Eva Kipler- Hit or miss color palettes. I have a few of her kits and wish more of her patterned papers were patterned. Several are what I would use as a solid. Her previews always seem flat. She is good if you don't want overly themed kits (which I often don't).
Fee Jardine- I've never looked too closely at her store, but her previews are nice. Some of her kits are a little mish-mash with overly realistic elements, but not so much so I'd consider not buying. Has nice patterned papers which is a huge plus for me. I wont buy kits with plain papers I can quickly and easily make myself. I will pay closer attention to her products in the future.
Heather Roselli - Mostly miss for me on the color palettes. Some are over saturated and others aren't saturated enough. Very flat, ugly previews. Offers a lot of hybrid products, but I don't do hyrbid, so I don't buy that stuff. Her products seem a little fuzzy and not as sharp looking as others at SSD.
Janet Phillips- I don't think I've ever looked in her store, and I can see why. Boring templates I've seen in every Scrapbooking magazine on the planet. I have never understood how people sell plain old squares as templates. But, she clearly must.
Jenn Barrette- Mostly off color palettes for me. Quite a bit of mish-mash and weird doodles. Based upon some of the CT pages, I see many may also agree. Her patterned papers are mostly boring. I find this a lot with doodlers. I do own her collab with Captivated Visions (Online). Quality is good, but I'm not a fan.
Julie Billingsley- I have Bumble Blooms from when it was at TDD and was disappointed in most of the patterned papers. The elements are basic, but nice. I wanted to give a full kit a try and bought Kona Coast when it came out. Patterns were better, but some are basically solid. Lots of nice elements, but a few odd realistic ones. Some realistic ones are great - a mix is nice - but again, they must flow. Overall, not disappointed with the money spent (it was on sale). Her other stuff is hit or miss for me in theme and color palette. I had considered buying A Frosty Christmas based upon the preview, but her CT pages actually prompted me not to.
Re: Miss Tiina and her army, I don't really think that is the problem. She may put her prod's on sale too low too often, but I actually shop there a lot and there are a lot of other designers there at Sugarhill who don't have sales very much, and so I end up buying their prod's at full price b/c I can't rely on there being a sale anytime soon. So yes I do wait for Tiina's items to be 50%+ off B4 buying anything, but some other designers there I know I have to pay what they charge at full price. I actually find cheaper (priced) CU elsewhere on a regular basis, but it's not as good of quality in general.
Sweet Shoppe Designs (part 2)
Kristin Cronin-Barrow- In the interest of full disclosure (lol), I am a loyal customer. Here is why: great patterned papers, kit elements that make sense, consistently good quality, and mostly pleasing color palettes. That said, she has some real misses in color palette for me. The most notable being "Glow" which made me cry. Most of her reds are over saturated and some of her realistic elements are off. She puts together a complete and comprehensive kit.
Krystal Hartley- Some nice palettes, some not so nice. Some fuzzy textures, but some nice ones, too. Mostly basic and ugly patterns. Flat, ugly previews. Little in her store I would download for free. Her style is all over the place, which doesn't bother me. It's just sad most of it isn't good.
Lauren Grier- Mostly ugly color palettes. Has some nice patterned papers, but some kits have plain, boring ones. She does a nice mix of doodle and realistic elements that make sense. Most of her CT pages are boring and uninspiring. I don't have any of her kits and don't see that changing any time soon. Which is sad, because I like a good doodled kit.
Libby Pritchett- The Queen of over saturation! Lots of themed kits and some very gross color palettes. Her previews do mostly hide the papers, but she does seem to put a paper preview in her listing. So that is helpful. I think every designer should do that. Some nice patterns, but the colors are so hideous most of the time, I'd never buy them.
Lliella Designs- Her kits are mostly too juvenile for me (my kids are older), but her characters are very cute. I have "Falltastic" and was disappointed with the papers (only 12 and only a handful of patterns). The elements are great, though, and the quality is good. Some over saturation in her kits especially with reds.
Meghan Mullens- Mostly gross color palettes and mostly over saturated. Some kits are mish-mashy. Has some nice patterned papers, but the colors are too gross to purchase. I don't own any of her kits and likely never will. I didn't like her crap at SO and I was shocked she went to SSD.
Melissa Bennett- Another hit or miss color palette designer. Lots of oversaturation and she rarely includes extra images in her listings - which means I will not buy from her. Some kits are mish-mashy. Has a couple nice patterns, but her papers are mostly basic. Not a fan.
I can't get over this "gross" thing. It really makes your reviews seem more like a junior high gossip fest even though I actually agree with most of what you say. I'm in my 20s and probably haven't used the word gross as a descriptor since I was 12 (other than when discussing food).
Lol, not Simon here, I use "gross" all the time and I am 30! Maybe is just depends on where you are from. Kind of like the word "wicked."
You may want to get over the "gross" thing. But, if focusing on one word instead of the entire content works for you, so be it. I only use it when no other word nicely descibes it. I could call it many other things, but "gross" seems most polite... and I'm no where near 20. lol
Sweet Shoppe Designs (part 3)
Misty Cato- Mostly nice color palettes, some really off (like "Charming"). Offers a variety of products other than kits. Some nice patterns in her kits, but wish there were a few more non-basic ones. Not much in her store I would buy, but the kits seem well put together.
Penny Springmann- Hit or miss with the color palettes, mostly miss. A lot of her kits look mish-mashy. Some of her better color palettes I've seen elsewhere before she decided to use them. Plain and simple templates. One wonders why they need her and Janet. Her previews are horrible. They look like she threw everything on her canvas and called it a day. Mostly boring patterns.
Shawna Clingerman- Hit or miss with color palettes. Makes nice alphas. Has some nice patterns, but a lot of basics. Not too many themed kits, which I prefer these days, but still has little in her shop I would buy. Some of her previews need help and her CT pages are mostly uninspiring and showcase very little in the kit.
Susan Bartolini (ScrapKitchen)- Mostly good color palettes (some off). Makes beautiful patterned papers. A couple kits are mish-mashy. She doesn't release often at all. I own Sunshine of My Life and love the papers. Some of the elements are oddly recolored - especially the pale ones. I don't mind a couple different shades of the same hue in a kit as long as they're cohesive. This one isn't bad. Some of her other kits look a little off, though. I would buy her kit papers if she sold them separately.
Traci Reed- Hit or miss color palettes. She likes to over saturate, too. Some elements are really off in color for the kit. Some nice patterns, but mostly basic. She has nice CT pages that make me like a kit I was on the fence about. I own a couple of her stitch packs (bought at the same time) and the shadows on them are horrible. Some of her kits are mish-mashy. Her templates look like expensive copies of ones I've seen elsewhere.
Zoe Pearn- I've never paid much attention to her store because her kits are often too kiddish. They've always looked nice, though, and I wish I had a use for them. I'm glad I looked more in-depth, though. She has some nice basic kits I hadn't noticed before. Almost all the color palettes are nice, even in kits that aren't what I buy. She makes beautiful patterned papers and includes many in her kits. Some of the scanned elements look a little blurry/off in a few of her kits. If she sold her papers separately, I'd buy almost every pack.
I think you should do reviews of Scrap Orchard.
I can't get over this "gross" thing. It really makes your reviews seem more like a junior high gossip fest even though I actually agree with most of what you say. I'm in my 20s and probably haven't used the word gross as a descriptor since I was 12 (other than when discussing food).
June 28, 2011 2:51 PM
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What word would you rather she use? Because when she says, "Gross", I'm saying, "A bunch of grotesque, hideously colored shit."
I think she's being kind saying, "Gross."
Why are we "frothing at the mouth" to hear Simon review the designers at the "big" stores? Are we all supposed to hate those designers for some reason?
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No one is frothing at the mouth and I'm not sure where you got the hate perspective from? Just because I don't like something, doesn't mean I hate it or the person who created it. I'm a little older than that now.
If they like what I do and they keep buying then obviously someone has made a mistake and I don't think it was my customers!!!
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A mistake? Because they don't like your designs? Hmm, I don't think so. A matter of taste, yes, a mistake, no.
Darcy - Cute fonts but I never purchase, as I'd rather download free ones
Heather - Her hybrid templates are what I like best...her kits are average. Nothing super attention grabbing to me.
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If you don't purchase fonts because you'd rather download them for free, why purchase Heather's templates? There's noting special about any of them. I have a whole folder of similar templates that I downloaded for free.
I think you should do reviews of Scrap Orchard.
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Why don't you if you are so eager?
OK, it's time to ask/say this... who died and made Simon king?
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The anti Simon people did, who are being overly dramatic in their antipathy. People are asking for Simon's opinion because there's a name attached. It makes life that much easier in anon land.
If you don't purchase fonts because you'd rather download them for free, why purchase Heather's templates? There's noting special about any of them. I have a whole folder of similar templates that I downloaded for free.
June 28, 2011 6:01 PM
__
Because free font sites are easy to find. If you have a free hybrid template site you'd like to point me to, I'd much appreciate it.
A blog with templates (mixed in with personal entries)
http://melstampz.blogspot.com/search/label/*TEMPLATEs
Quite a few here, but I don't she updates anymore
http://www.ruthannzaroff.com/mirkwooddesigns/templates.htm
Canon Printers creative center (cards and other stuff, including boxes)
http://cp.c-ij.com/en/contents/1003/
HP Printers creative center:
http://www.hp.com/hho/hp_create/
Want more?
I see that GDS is advertising their newsletter at DST in the designer's area. Since when is this allowed?
What is GDS and do you mean the designer forum?
One more:
http://www.packagetech.com/printable-boxes-and-seals.html
And because I love advent calendars, here's a small sampling of free printable ones:
http://www.allcrafts.net/f.php?url=thesmallobject.com/stenopad/wordpress/?p=868
http://www.allcrafts.net/f.php?url=tgiif.1000words.kodak.com/default.asp?item=700214
http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/avent-calendar-tuesday.html
http://mayamade.blogspot.com/2010/11/count-down-calendar-2010.html
http://makedoandsend.squarespace.com/blog/2010/11/1/free-printable-minimega-advent-calendar.html
http://www.livinglocurto.com/2010/12/free-printable-christmas-advent-calendar/
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/a-door-able-advent-calendar-795675/
I see that GDS is advertising their newsletter at DST in the designer's area. Since when is this allowed?
June 28, 2011 6:50 PM
Report it if you think it's against the rules - the red triangle with the ! in the center. The new owner still hasn't added to the mod staff, so those who are still active spend all their time fighting spam instead of enforcing the other rules. Maybe if someone openly made a list of demands to the new owner we'd see advertising rules enforced, among other annoyances.
I stand corrected and I apologize to you, Simon. I thought for SURE that you were Jenn Barrette because of some of the comments you were making. Not to offend, but sometimes you sound like her. Which is unfortunate, considering what I think of her.
Your review of Sweet Shoppe is appreciated. I'm glad I asked you to do it. It was refreshing to see someone who could be HONEST about those designers and is not just drinking the kool aid, which is what most of the people here do.
For the record, I don't hate all the girls at SSD. I'm actually fond of KCB and purchase nearly everything she puts out. I also own a fair number of Zoe's kits. But, there are girls there who definitely have an air of superiority and it is largely a mystery to me because I really don't think any of them are better than a lot of other designers I could buy from in digiland.
If you're a designer, just try to email one of them to ask them to collab. See if you even get a reply. You probably won't. It's just rude.
And, as with everything, its just my opinion. Feel free to differ, if you'd like.
It was refreshing to see someone who could be HONEST about those designers and is not just drinking the kool aid, which is what most of the people here do.
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The kool aid drinking goes both ways. People are either bashing SSD or loving it. Or is that what you meant?
If you're a designer, just try to email one of them to ask them to collab. See if you even get a reply. You probably won't. It's just rude.
And, as with everything, its just my opinion. Feel free to differ, if you'd like.
June 28, 2011 9:39 PM
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Why? With only a few exceptions there's none I'd care to collab with. And I haven't had the time to accept their offers either.
I'm actually fond of KCB and purchase nearly everything she puts out.
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I loved the stuff she put out before she joined SSD.
Maybe they didn't know how to deny your collab request nicely.
If you're a designer, just try to email one of them to ask them to collab. See if you even get a reply. You probably won't. It's just rude.
--
Why are you just emailing designers that you have no history with to collab with them in the first place? How are they expected to trust you when you don't have any past relationship with them?
I agree that it's rude for someone not to respond to your email. But you put the designer in the incredibly awkward position to decline and provide an explanation as to why they don't want to collab with you personally.
Besides they probably get tired of designers asking them to collab with them, just for the free ride on their coat tails and an introduction to their personal customer base.
Why are you just emailing designers that you have no history with to collab with them in the first place? How are they expected to trust you when you don't have any past relationship with them?
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Especially if you take into consideration that they did just that with Lily-Anne Taylor.
I really enjoyed that review Simon. Keep them coming ......
Especially if you take into consideration that they did just that with Lily-Anne Taylor.
June 28, 2011 10:49 PM
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Exactly. I'm guessing that they are a lot more picky about collabing with designers they don't know now.
Especially if you take into consideration that they did just that with Lily-Anne Taylor.
June 28, 2011 10:49 PM
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Exactly. I'm guessing that they are a lot more picky about collabing with designers they don't know now.
The catch - The 6 patterned papers must be 100% drawn by YOU!
Whether it be doodles drawn in Photoshop or vector images drawn in Illustrator or a combination of both!
Simple shapes (from your program) can be used in combination to create a UNIQUE pattern but NOT be the main design, we want to see creativity! (ie: a simple polka dot or stripe pattern will not be considered unique, we want to see what you can draw). Feel free to use your doodles or vectors as elements in your mini too!
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What did some of the racers not understand by these rules?
Not Simon.. but here's my thoughts on the second challenge entires so far. I couldn't resist.
2 Am Designs - The papers really aren't too bad, but they're definitely on the amateur side. The elements are bad, I can't really tell where she's going with them.
Ronda's Scrap Bits - that pink hairy thing... what the heck is it?!?! Is that a drawing of the anatomy of our skin or something?? The whole think looks like something a kid could draw.
Rumki Designs - her patterns are all of the same turtle, at different angles. Not unique to me. Everything is very flat, even though she tried to use layer styles to give some depth.
Kuper Digitals - her elements look like Mary Engelbreit designs. This isn't my style, but I do see potential in this designer, I just question where she gets her inspiration.
Designs by Angel - sigh. I can't believe this designer has been around as long as she has, and she still isn't any good. The elements lack consistency... the metal layer style doesn't go with anything. I wouldn't of used brown in that color pallet. Ribbon is badly recolored.
Little Birdie - again, small preview. I'm unmoved... it's basic, I can't stand how she colored the clouds... can't see much more.
Keep In Touch Designs - That beach ball is definitely a Miss Tiina product, just flipped horizontally with a larger oval added around the center point. She also has no experience in making repeatable patterns, these are all very basic repeats. Other than that, it isn't too bad compared to everyone before her. I still wouldn't download it.
Ruby Lane - definitely the best so far. However the elements lack consistency... like some of the flowers are stroked with white, yet the leaf doodle isn't. The paper patterns are also very basic.
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Sidebar: Are all of these people incapable of making their own patterns?!?! All of these are very basic repeats... considering the number of tutorials out there, they all could of done much better.
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Designer Girl Scraps - It's the same flower doodle over and over again. Also, that plaid paper was most definitely made with that website that generates them. I don't know, I personally don't care for any of it, but I think she has potential... a few months from now.
Nanascraps - Gross and morbid.
Just Jaimee - If she had more variety, I'd be so happy with this entry! It's just different colors of the same elements, like she was going for the quantity award. Nothing too special. Patterns are the best so far, so are the elements.
That's it!
Kuper Digitals - her elements look like Mary Engelbreit designs. This isn't my style, but I do see potential in this designer, I just question where she gets her inspiration.
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I had the exact same thought when I saw her kit!
Keep In Touch Designs - That beach ball is definitely a Miss Tiina product, just flipped horizontally with a larger oval added around the center point. She also has no experience in making repeatable patterns, these are all very basic repeats. Other than that, it isn't too bad compared to everyone before her. I still wouldn't download it.
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Not one of her papers has a hand drawn pattern on it, as was required. She should be eliminated for that. The beach ball is pretty generic, how can you tell for sure that it's a Miss Tiina product? Not being snarky, just curious
2 Am Designs - The papers really aren't too bad, but they're definitely on the amateur side. The elements are bad, I can't really tell where she's going with them.
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Again, nothing is hand drawn.
Hand drawn was not the requirement, but unique patterns were.
That beachball does look like the MT one from her summer set, but it's missing two stripes. Looking at that designer's shop, it is very believable that she could of been using someone else's CU for those elements.
Hand drawn was not the requirement, but unique patterns were.
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I beg to differ:
The catch - The 6 patterned papers must be 100% drawn by YOU!
Hand drawn either on paper or using a program, but they had to be drawn by the person.
no matter how they are making these papers, there isn't much originality. Digital Ink just put up another entry - - wow. such originality on those papers! and to top it off, she was too lazy to make new ones...those are for sale in her shop at PDW.
^^^^
Absolutely agreed on the lack of originality.
Another entry without hand drawn papers. Are these designers stupid or what?
Not trying to be smartass but "100% drawn by you", does that mean HAND drawn or can it be "made by yourself in your program"? I admit I didn't check the kits as I probably have enough without grabbing "contest entries", but from reading in here, I wonder.
Not trying to be smartass but "100% drawn by you", does that mean HAND drawn or can it be "made by yourself in your program"? I admit I didn't check the kits as I probably have enough without grabbing "contest entries", but from reading in here, I wonder.
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As posted above, already, here is a ciut-and-paste of a portion of the original directions for challenge #2:
"The catch - The 6 patterned papers must be 100% drawn by YOU!
Whether it be doodles drawn in Photoshop or vector images drawn in Illustrator or a combination of both!
Simple shapes (from your program) can be used in combination to create a UNIQUE pattern but NOT be the main design, we want to see creativity! (ie: a simple polka dot or stripe pattern will not be considered unique, we want to see what you can draw). Feel free to use your doodles or vectors as elements in your mini too!"
...um, it seems pretty clear to me. They want to see what people can draw. Otherwise the rules would have just stated, "don't use CU." But the rules said, "don't use CU AND also make sure that drawings/doodles are the main part of your design, not simple shapes". Jeez.
I stand corrected and I apologize to you, Simon. I thought for SURE that you were Jenn Barrette because of some of the comments you were making. Not to offend, but sometimes you sound like her. Which is unfortunate, considering what I think of her.
Your review of Sweet Shoppe is appreciated. I'm glad I asked you to do it. It was refreshing to see someone who could be HONEST about those designers and is not just drinking the kool aid, which is what most of the people here do.
For the record, I don't hate all the girls at SSD. I'm actually fond of KCB and purchase nearly everything she puts out. I also own a fair number of Zoe's kits. But, there are girls there who definitely have an air of superiority and it is largely a mystery to me because I really don't think any of them are better than a lot of other designers I could buy from in digiland.
If you're a designer, just try to email one of them to ask them to collab. See if you even get a reply. You probably won't. It's just rude.
And, as with everything, its just my opinion. Feel free to differ, if you'd like.
June 28, 2011 9:39 PM
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Thank you for the apology.
There are very few mainstream stores out there I flat out dislike. I can usually find 1 or 2 designers most places that I like - in a variety of styles.
[I say "mainstream" because I'm sure there are 100 stores I'm not even aware of.] I don't love SSD and I don't hate SSD - or anyone else. There is crap everywhere.
I would love to review SO and will once I have a bit to browse around. I know they are adding 2 new designers this week, so after that happens, it will be fun to review.
I actually love doing these reviews and hope the rest of you do them, even if you don't post them (but it would be cool if you did!). I've added more things to my wish lists and found designers I've either written off or just haven't bothered to look at - even at a big store like SSD.
I also plan to look at round 2 of the design contest. There were several entries in round 1 that I didn't hate, and would like to see what they did for round 2. There are 5 or 6 rounds right?
But, there are girls there who definitely have an air of superiority and it is largely a mystery to me because I really don't think any of them are better than a lot of other designers I could buy from in digiland.
If you're a designer, just try to email one of them to ask them to collab. See if you even get a reply. You probably won't. It's just rude.
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I forgot to comment on this.
There is an air over there in some people, but that exists everywhere. The people you dislike will have other people who adore them. It's just life. I wouldn't take it so personally.
I also wouldn't email anyone I don't have SOME connection with to collab. I consider that a little... odd. I've had designers ask me out of the blue to collab and I always wonder why.
Simon says, just take a step back and let them be rude if they're rude. Don't put them on a pedestal yourself and don't take it to heart.
I also wouldn't email anyone I don't have SOME connection with to collab. I consider that a little... odd. I've had designers ask me out of the blue to collab and I always wonder why.
Simon says, just take a step back and let them be rude if they're rude. Don't put them on a pedestal yourself and don't take it to heart.
June 29, 2011 9:31 AM
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Well, is it out of the blue if you've been a customer for a while, like their style, and think you could produce a nice kit together? If you get asked out of the blue, you should take it as a compliment, not be suspicious of it. I've been asked a handful of times now, and I'm always flattered someone else would seek me out to work with me. I don't understand why it rouses such feelings of "wonder what she wants, I bet she just wants to ride my coat-tails." Maybe she just genuinely likes your work and/or her impression of you? (I mean a collective you, here, not Simon personally).
That last bit... good advice.
I'm not Simon, but I don't personally think that being someone's customer means you have a relationship with them. Buying another designer's product is probably a good way to initiate contact if you want to collaborate with them. You can then send them a message telling them how much you enjoy their designs. That gives them an opening to invite you to collab with them if they want to. And it is an opening to establish a relationship with that designer.
I have in the past, asked one of my customer's a designer to collab with me. She bought my product several times, so I assumed she liked it enough that she might want to collab with me.
But I wouldn't assume that just because I buy and like someone else's product, that it means they also like my designs enough that they would want to collab with me.
It's very uncomfortable to tell someone that you don't want to collab with them. But I think Simon is right in telling you not to take it personally. From the many reviews here, you can see that not everyone has the same taste in designs. One designer not responding to you, doesn't mean that another one wouldn't jump at the opportunity to collab with you. But I don't think it means that the designer is snooty. Rude? Somewhat yes. But maybe they just don't know how to respond.
Darcy's fonts are now CU, and for $1.99 I think they are a bargain.
I'm scared to buy there anymore, though, because I was told by a designer there that SSD store policy was to list the contents of the kits this way:
One flower, recolored in one of 4 different colors, is listed as 4 flowers. I just don't have time to cross reference the preview with the kit contents.
I'm scared to buy there anymore, though, because I was told by a designer there that SSD store policy was to list the contents of the kits this way:
One flower, recolored in one of 4 different colors, is listed as 4 flowers. I just don't have time to cross reference the preview with the kit contents.
June 29, 2011 2:27 PM
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What difference does it make? Look at the preview, if you like what you see, buy it. If the flowers being 4 of the same, just recolored is such a huge deal, I don't know what to tell you. Also, if you can't tell that they're the same flower, wow.
Did you notice that SM will be requiring you to have at least 50% of SM products when posting in their gallery as of July 8?
^^^^^
That's not what it says. It says 1/2 the layouts in your gallery should have SM product.
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This is how bad information gets circulated. Thank you for pointing this out.
I have actually downloaded four kits from round 2. I didn't find any from round 1 I liked. so far I have-Inspired by Dominic, Chris Matthis, Rebecca Myers and Kuper Doodles.
^^^^^^^
My eyes just glanced right off those kits as they are so generic. Although, I did like the hangman papers in Tiffany's kit.
Did you notice that SM will be requiring you to have at least 50% of SM products when posting in their gallery as of July 8?
^^^^^
That's not what it says. It says 1/2 the layouts in your gallery should have SM product.
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This is how bad information gets circulated. Thank you for pointing this out.
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No, bad information gets circulated because people are often too lazy to check for themselves.
^^^^^
I guess everyone has different tastes. I too liked Chris Matthis and Rebecca Myers ... I liked Tiffanys papers but not her plasticy elements. I don't care for that style .. reminds me of the girl at SO that has cute doodles but turns them all plastic. I prefer paper or just doodles with no texture. I liked Ruby Lane too.
I do not look at these entries in judgement as to whether I would purchase them or not. There are clearly some beginner "designers" in this contest. Personally I am surprised at some. I would not even begin to consider myself a designer but I think I could produce a better kit (and follow the instructions) better than some of these entries. But they are doing something they most likely enjoy and getting experience in the meantime. So more power to them.
There are many new scrappers that will download the mini kits because they are free. This is what most of us did when we first started. More seasoned scrappers will be more discriminating and probably won't be downloading many if any of these kits.
COLS update... there's a Digital Scrap Cafe button on the sidebar of her new blog... one of the three new shops?
Some more hot messes up! Ramona Memories, NanaSraps,Yvonne Michelle, and A-M Designs. Those are the worst ones in there, I think we can all agree on at least those.
Here is what I've downloaded from Challenge 2 at The Design Factor. I figured this would be a far shorter list. lol
Just Jaimee - nicely drawn based upon the preview. Proof that even drawing things yourself doesn't make it original, though. I question something being "serene" in bright orange... very overdone color scheme. After unzipping, the papers are nice with good texture. No overly ornate patterns, but they work. Elements are basic and most are nice. She had some trouble with the frames, though.
Chris Matthis - The paper patterns are great and made up for the more simplistic elements. The entire thing is nicely previewed, too. Very crisp. After unzipping, the entire thing just dumps onto my desktop in generic folders named "elements". PLEASE name your folders appropriately and have them unzip into ONE folder. Elements are simple, but usable and are good quality. I would like to follow her, but there is no blog, facebook, or twitter listed in her TOU. Doing a Google for her comes up with Pixel Perfect Designs. Is this the same person? Very confusing. I would think obtaining followers would be the main point of this contest...
Inspired by Dominic Designs- Not a huge fan of most of this kit, but I had to have that hangman paper. The acrylic doesn't bother me, but too much of it isn't my style, either. Her style isn't often appealing to me, but her quality is always top notch. After unzipping, I find little touches like the cityscape reflection in the car window just really cute. I will likely use most of the elements in some fashion. I greatly prefer her patterned papers over the texture she used in her solids.
I just have to say, most of the Digilicious Designs looks like something I'd clean-up after a pet...
Amanda Carlson- Nice, bright colors without being over saturated. Patterned papers are plain, though, and the patterns are too large. I did like the circle pattern, though. It wouldn't have been much work to actually cut the buttons into their own individual PNGs. Not everyone can do this on their own and it takes just a few mins. Nice doodles. I could have done without the chrome gear. Would have been nicer and more consistent as a doodle. Nice paper textures.
(note to self, Mandy King last entry posted at the time of this review)
I thought I would go back and look at a couple entries based upon people liking them here.
Ruby Lane- Fuzzy, weird paper textures. Mish mash of elements. Did not download.
Rebecca Myers- Looks like everything was colored with very cheap, waxy crayons. Horrible preview. Did not download.
It is Chelle's Creations + Fiddle Dee Dee Designs moving to SO
It seems that Chris Matthis is Pixel Perfect Designs and she sells at Polka Dot Plum. Her Facebook hasn't had any posts since April and her blog at her website hasn't been updated since last October. Not sure why she isn't using her design name for this contest. Maybe she is trying to reinvent herself.
^^^^^^
we know that already. catch up :)
^^^^^
Yes Chris Matthis is Pixel Perfect Designs that is at PDP. I think she said she was changing her design name really soon and getting a new blog maybe? I am friends with a girl who CT's for her and she took a long break from designing due to personal things going on.
It is Chelle's Creations + Fiddle Dee Dee Designs moving to SO
June 30, 2011 9:54 AM
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Good move for both, probably, as far as sales are concerned. Still surprised to see Chelle leave SM. I don't like Fiddle Dee Dee's templates, so I couldn't care less where she sells.
I can't stand when people leave the comment 'amazing page' on my LOs at DST. Amazing? Really? It may be cute or fun or pretty, but amazing? Isn't that a bit much? Could they make it any more obvious that they're just C&P'ing that comment on multiple layouts and not even taking the time to look at the actual page?
Maybe you should send them a PM and tell them that their comment on your page isn't up to standard. And then let them know your guidelines for praising your pages for future reference.
Or you could just scrap for yourself and your family and not care what the lazy CTM drive by commenters leave on your pages to increase thier post counts.
And I'm sure you could find all the threads on DST where people complain about how the quality of comments isn't up to their standards. Really, can't you just be happy someone even bothered to look and leave it at that?
>>What difference does it make? Look at the preview, if you like what you see, buy it. If the flowers being 4 of the same, just recolored is such a huge deal, I don't know what to tell you. Also, if you can't tell that they're the same flower, wow.
It matters because it's my money and there are a lot of kit previews I like. A LOT. I can't afford 3 and 4 thousand dollars a month for scrap kits whose previews I like...I guess you can just buy everything you like? Must be nice!
If I see something like this:
http://sweetshoppedesigns.com/sweetshoppe/product.php?productid=20201&cat=0&page=1
I want to know what is in it beyond what I think I see. And no, I don't know if those 2 purple flowers are the same or not. One looks just a little lighter, and I think SSD's policy puts enough doubt in me to question every thing I see there.
Based on the description, that kit has 3 flowers. I'm looking at the preview and see the big orange one, the purple/tan layered one, and the yellow layered one. If you're talking about the small purple flowers on the bottom of the preview, they appear to be part of the "floral border."
It took me all of 1 min. to figure that out.
Lots of stores list items that way, not just SSD. But I didn't see any confusion in this case at all.
It matters because it's my money and there are a lot of kit previews I like. A LOT. I can't afford 3 and 4 thousand dollars a month for scrap kits whose previews I like...I guess you can just buy everything you like? Must be nice!
If I see something like this:
http://sweetshoppedesigns.com/sweetshoppe/product.php?productid=20201&cat=0&page=1
I want to know what is in it beyond what I think I see. And no, I don't know if those 2 purple flowers are the same or not. One looks just a little lighter, and I think SSD's policy puts enough doubt in me to question every thing I see there.
_______________
OH. MY. GOD. This is really your biggest problem right now??? I wish I were you. Quit being ridiculous. If you like a kit, and want to scrap with it, and can afford it, then shut up and buy it. Don't come whining here because you might end up with 2 flowers that are the same, but different colors. NONE OF US CARE. You said previously (in your OP?) that you don't have time to compare/contrast the kit previews to the list of elements. Well, you just wasted 4x that much time coming here to leave these posts. GET A CLUE!!!
I guess you can just buy everything you like? Must be nice!
___
Uh no. I don't shop a ton, actually. But I also don't get all hung up on fucking recolors.
Looks like K Studio left Catscrap to go back to A5D.
Wonder why
I can't afford 3 and 4 thousand dollars a month for scrap kits whose previews I like
--------------
I'm impressed that you can find that much to actually like.
Based on the description, that kit has 3 flowers. I'm looking at the preview and see the big orange one, the purple/tan layered one, and the yellow layered one. If you're talking about the small purple flowers on the bottom of the preview, they appear to be part of the "floral border."
It took me all of 1 min. to figure that out.
--------------
Yep, just had a look and agree with this completely.
I can't stand when people leave the comment 'amazing page' on my LOs at DST. Amazing? Really? It may be cute or fun or pretty, but amazing? Isn't that a bit much? Could they make it any more obvious that they're just C&P'ing that comment on multiple layouts and not even taking the time to look at the actual page?
---------------
I can't believe you posted this here. Got to DST and post, they love this kind of BS. Seriously, how shallow are you?
Looks like K Studio left Catscrap to go back to A5D.
Wonder why
---------------
Sales? I'm not really sure why she went to CatScrap in the first place. Both stores have similar styles and are probably at the same 'tier'. Upper middle? Lower upper?
I'm scared to buy there anymore, though, because I was told by a designer there that SSD store policy was to list the contents of the kits this way:
One flower, recolored in one of 4 different colors, is listed as 4 flowers. I just don't have time to cross reference the preview with the kit contents.
----------
Er, if you've bought from them in the past, why not check? Geez, it's not that hard.
Some more hot messes up! Ramona Memories, NanaSraps,Yvonne Michelle, and A-M Designs. Those are the worst ones in there, I think we can all agree on at least those.
----------
No, we can't. At least Ramona Memories really tried to draw the elements and papers and didn't produce a generic kit, like practically everyone else.
Looks like K Studio left Catscrap to go back to A5D.
Wonder why
---------------
The A5 newsletter said she was doing a 3 month guest spot.
No, we can't. At least Ramona Memories really tried to draw the elements and papers and didn't produce a generic kit, like practically everyone else.
---------------------------
Um sorry, I don't care how artistic it is, it looks like COLS crap.
Seriously, how shallow are you?
_____________________________________
LMAO! Apparently I'm not as shallow as you are dramatic. I wasn't being shallow or saying that certain comments aren't up to my standards. I was shaking my head at the word amazing in the comments. Sure, I like my pages, but the word amazing is a huge overstatement for any layout. I mean really, when was the last time you were amazed by a scrapbook layout? It wasn't a serious complaint, I was poking fun at people who use such a demonstrative word for a scrapbook page.
^^^^^
You must have me confused with someone else, I wasn't being dramatic. Several people pointed out how ridiculous you were being, clearly your message was not as obvious as you thought it was.
It wasn't a serious complaint, I was poking fun at people who use such a demonstrative word for a scrapbook page.
****************
really? I don't see you poking fun at anyone in this statement:
I can't stand when people leave the comment 'amazing page' on my LOs at DST. Amazing? Really? It may be cute or fun or pretty, but amazing? Isn't that a bit much? Could they make it any more obvious that they're just C&P'ing that comment on multiple layouts and not even taking the time to look at the actual page?
Hmm, not seeing the fun here. It looks like a complaint to me. Your backpedaling is just making you look even more lame.
No, we can't. At least Ramona Memories really tried to draw the elements and papers and didn't produce a generic kit, like practically everyone else.
---------------------------
Um sorry, I don't care how artistic it is, it looks like COLS crap.
----------
Why are you sorry?
LMAO! Apparently I'm not as shallow as you are dramatic. I wasn't being shallow or saying that certain comments aren't up to my standards. I was shaking my head at the word amazing in the comments. Sure, I like my pages, but the word amazing is a huge overstatement for any layout. I mean really, when was the last time you were amazed by a scrapbook layout? It wasn't a serious complaint, I was poking fun at people who use such a demonstrative word for a scrapbook page.
-------
If you create layouts that you personally don't think are amazing, why bother posting them? The last time I saw a scrapbook page that was amazing was probably yesterday or maybe today. So were the flowers I saw on my way to work and the lunch/conversation I had with a co-worker. The thunderstorm and rain I walked through on my way home from work was pretty amazing too, as was the double rainbow after it was all over. Guess it's all perspective. I LOVE life and see amazing things all around me on a daily basis. Sad that you didn't value the person's comment (could have been mine) but that's okay, my life is still amazingly wonderful!
Maybe they were being kind with the amazing comment...maybe they thought it was amazingly bad.
COLS is going to Digiscrap Cafe, GoDigitalScrapbooking and that Sunshine Scraps place...not to be confused with SUN. Crossing them off my list. oh wait - - they were never on it. altho, i did think GDS was a little bit better than to admit COLS, excuse me, OTBDS (lololol).
Chelle's Creations went to SO:
http://scraporchard.com/market/Chelle-s-Creations/
As did Fiddle-Dee-Dee:
http://scraporchard.com/market/Fiddle-Dee-Dee-Designs/
What are your thoughts?
COLS is going to Digiscrap Cafe, GoDigitalScrapbooking and that Sunshine Scraps place...not to be confused with SUN. Crossing them off my list. oh wait - - they were never on it. altho, i did think GDS was a little bit better than to admit COLS, excuse me, OTBDS (lololol).
June 30, 2011 8:51 PM
Again, I think you've mixed up that crap store, Sunflower Scraps, with another one, Sunshine Studio Scraps.
http://www.sunflowerscrapsboutique.com/boutique/
Chelle's Creations went to SO:
http://scraporchard.com/market/Chelle-s-Creations/
As did Fiddle-Dee-Dee:
http://scraporchard.com/market/Fiddle-Dee-Dee-Designs/
What are your thoughts?
-------------------------
My thoughts are that you're an idiot since plenty of people have already posted this and talked about Chelle leaving SM
Chelle's Creations went to SO:
http://scraporchard.com/market/Chelle-s-Creations/
As did Fiddle-Dee-Dee:
http://scraporchard.com/market/Fiddle-Dee-Dee-Designs/
What are your thoughts?
------
My thoughts are that I've never heard of these people before this blog.
Blatant copying in the design contest...
http://www.digiscrapconnect.com/forums/index.php?/gallery/image/1040-2-am-designs-racer-104-its-eclectic-actually/
Original
http://createfindadmire.tumblr.com/post/904306467
^^^ I liked her kit just because of that clouds & thinking it was different. Not so much now. I saw that cloud alot today on Pinterest so I'm sure that's where she got it.
Rachael's Scraps is now selling her CU at SHCO. I'm a little disappointed. Her quality is way better than anyone there.
*cloud
Blatant copying in the design contest...
http://www.digiscrapconnect.com/forums/index.php?/gallery/image/1040-2-am-designs-racer-104-its-eclectic-actually/
Original
http://createfindadmire.tumblr.com/post/904306467
----
Oh please, there are only so many ways you can shape a cloud. I've seen the cloud of bubbles idea way before your so called 'original' source. Sheesh.
Sorry, but that does appear to be almost identical... yeah, there have been bubble clouds before... but the resemblance is too close with those two.
And she made it while that cloud was popular and going around Pinterest. I doubt it's a coincidence.
What is the point to Pinterest?
And she made it while that cloud was popular and going around Pinterest. I doubt it's a coincidence.
-----
And yet, nobody picked it up until now. And I note it was on Tumblr first.
COLS is going to Digiscrap Cafe, GoDigitalScrapbooking and that Sunshine Scraps place...not to be confused with SUN. Crossing them off my list. oh wait - - they were never on it. altho, i did think GDS was a little bit better than to admit COLS, excuse me, OTBDS (lololol).
June 30, 2011 8:51 PM
Again, I think you've mixed up that crap store, Sunflower Scraps, with another one, Sunshine Studio Scraps.
http://www.sunflowerscrapsboutique.com/boutique/
^^^^^^^^^^
the poster said - if you could read: and that Sunshine Scraps place...not to be confused with SUN
What is the point to Pinterest?
----------------------
To pin things so that you can find them later or ideas you want to remember... without having to bookmark them all and all that jazz.
^^^
How is it different?
On Pinterest you can make different boards. For instance, I can make a color inspiration board for future color palettes I want to use. I can just pin it to the color inpirations board. And instead of having to dig through bookmarks looking for what I want, I know exactly where it is and it has a picture right there when you look at your board. You can also browse Pinterest to get craft ideas, home decor ideas, recipe ideas, etc. And follow your friends boards.
^^^^^^^
Mmm, okay, thanks.
Ooh! I see that there are 2 new designers at SM. Steph.designs and Crossbone Cuts? Anyone heard of them?
The second one you mentioned was in like the top 7 or 8 in SM's design contest
Cross Cuts took over Wyld Web Design's apprentice since she has stepped down from the team.
CCD's products are very for lack of better words, gross. Her textures on her papers are way overdone. Color swatches look like my two-year old picked them out of her coloring box! I dont care for her designs and hope she wont be sticking around SM very long; either that or she grows in her designing while using SM as her stepping stone in to the digi world.
Steph.designs sells here as well
http://www.e-scapeandscrap.net/boutique/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=42&zenid=40b4704d1fd709ef895f06ccfb788ee2
CrossBone Cuts must not know her math or thinks she can rip her new customers off at SM after the weekend sale is over. Her Former Freebies Add-On Bundle is priced more than the individual products are actually worth
http://shop.scrapmatters.com/manufacturers.php?manufacturerid=156
If you bought the three add-ons individually it would cost you $8.27, not the market price of $9.47. Now I am doing the math BEFORE the sale price is applied.
I can see with her store being on sale through the weekend that the bundle price is better than buying them individually. But then that leads you to ask yourself if she is going to change the price of the products after the sale is over to accomodate the sale deduction taken off this weekend?
anyone here know anything about The Daily Digi? I know you used to be able to buy the digifiles monthly without subscribing - I want to purchase this month's, but whenever I click "store" it brings me to the stupid subscription page. GRRRRRR
anyone?
hmm ... I looked at the site and it appears you now can do it by membership only. I haven't bought an edition of the digi files in quite a few months and the last time I bought, you could still buy monthly. That sucks, I wouldn't want to be tied to a subscription.
An idea though, could you sign up for the membership and then cancel so that you're not billed for any following months? I just quickly checked the site and it doesn't say anything about the cancellation policy.
just a suggestion for you that might work
crap, maybe I'll give that a try, thx for the suggestion.
Rachael's Scraps is now selling her CU at SHCO. I'm a little disappointed. Her quality is way better than anyone there.
____________
Hmm I don't agree, I've bought from Rachael and yes her quality is good but there are a few people at Sugarhill that I also buy from and their quality is outstanding, too. It probably depends on what you're looking to buy. I don't like everyone at that store, but I don't think she's any better than some of the other designers there.
Anonymous said...
anyone here know anything about The Daily Digi? I know you used to be able to buy the digifiles monthly without subscribing - I want to purchase this month's, but whenever I click "store" it brings me to the stupid subscription page. GRRRRRR
anyone?
July 1, 2011 8:31 AM
---------------------------
I too am interested, a couple of my favorite designers this month. I've sent an email asking them how on earth to purchase, lol!
If you bought the three add-ons individually it would cost you $8.27, not the market price of $9.47. Now I am doing the math BEFORE the sale price is applied.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hmm, I must not know math either then because those 3 add-ons are adding up to 9.47 for me!
ya.... 2.99 + 2.99 + 3.49 = 9.47
That's how my math works anyway, not sure about yours?
Rachael's Scraps is now selling her CU at SHCO. I'm a little disappointed. Her quality is way better than anyone there.
^^^^^^^^
when I saw this today I thought that it was probably a good move for her, b/c from what I hear the sales on CU at SHCO are great and she's not the first person selling out of only a personal shop to end up selling CU there in recent months, so that says a lot to me. I am more surprised that it took her this long to end up there, seems like a no brainer now that they went CU only.
Just Jaimee is a guest designer at Gotta Pixel this month
Thoughts .... ??
^^^
thinking that she's probably trying to find a store to sell her PU items now that SHCO went CU only. GP is probably a good fit for her, though I think she will hate the people. She's a sweetie
I too am interested, a couple of my favorite designers this month. I've sent an email asking them how on earth to purchase, lol!
July 1, 2011 10:46 AM
================
no more option to buy one at a time, subscription only. found out about this last month. Never see another purchase from me. I can't spend my hard earned dollars on shit I can't see before deciding to buy
Where do you think Jenn B would be a better fit at? Maybe TLP.
-----------------------------
Personally, I think she would fit better there, but why would she move when her sales are so good at SSD?
^^^^
which means she fits where she's at, doesn't it?
Anyone want to see the patterned paper my 9 year old came up with?
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/32/flowerst.jpg/
She used a flower I had in my stash. Maybe she should have entered?
http://digigame.thedailydigi.com/signup.php
scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and you'll see the "digi files only" option for just $5/month. If all you want is just this months' kits, cancel your subscription before the beginning of next month and you won't be charged (I'm not affiliated with TDD, just have done this a few times since they went to the subscription service. I found myself buying it so many times though, so last month I ended up signing up for the next year.
^^^^^
THX
Thanks to whoever posted all those hybrid templates!
which means she fits where she's at, doesn't it?
------------------------------
It does mean there's a market for her designs there. She's different than the other gals and I guess you do need variety. I don't shop with most of the designers at SSD, but I can tell you they have a huge following. They just aren't my style.
after looking thru the entries at DSC - i find I'm losing my eyesight. I have a head ache. I'm mad at myself for even bothering to look. SIMON - you didn't warn me that it got WORSE.
I couldn't warn anyone. I was temporarily blinded by Gizmo's Scraps entry. Only now able to see... ;)
I haven't downloaded a thing since the handful I reviewed last time. Last entry at the time of this post is Kim Hackworth. They have until tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath.
I was tempted to download Viva Artistry's entry because I liked most of the elements, but the papers were kinda blah looking, so I didn't bother.
I thought Brine Design's entry was cute, but I have no need for such a kit, so I didn't download.
yep, Simon - thats the one that got me! I can finally see again :)
thinking that she's probably trying to find a store to sell her PU items now that SHCO went CU only. GP is probably a good fit for her, though I think she will hate the people. She's a sweetie
-----------
Why? I know Stacy sucks but aren't the other designers there any good?
Why? I know Stacy sucks but aren't the other designers there any good?
------
not the OP and don't have my own exp. @ GP to speak of, but all I ever hear around here is people bitching about how awful stacy, connie, trixie, etc. are around that place. don't know how true it is, but maybe that's what she was referring to.
That, and I guess if you're not one of the golden girls the owner doesn't always care to uphold her end of the contract. I've heard of her not paying people and just going psycho on designers over nothing.
^^^^^^
Stacy went psycho on me once as a customer, I dared to question one of the products. I can't even imagine working with her!
The golden girls at GP get away with things that other designers get dragged over hot coals for.
That, and I guess if you're not one of the golden girls the owner doesn't always care to uphold her end of the contract. I've heard of her not paying people and just going psycho on designers over nothing.
July 3, 2011 12:16 AM
-----------------
I know Stacy, and I'd quickly admit that she can be very difficult to get along with if she doesn't get her way. Also agree with her going psycho on her team at times. But I don't for a second believe that she wouldn't pay a designer. All of my dealings with her showed her to be an honest person.
I know Stacy, and I'd quickly admit that she can be very difficult to get along with if she doesn't get her way. Also agree with her going psycho on her team at times. But I don't for a second believe that she wouldn't pay a designer. All of my dealings with her showed her to be an honest person.
__________
Would love for someone to post some examples of her "going psycho on her team"... what does that entail, exactly? I don't AT ALL question that it happens... I'm just looking for the entertainment value of reading what she's done. TIA... :)
so Trish posted a "want your input" thread at DST in the designer area for color/theme of the next blog train. it will be interesting to see if things get better this time around.
^^^^
And if things are NOT better, then Trish could not be blamed!
The golden girls at GP get away with things that other designers get dragged over hot coals for.
------
Who are the golden girls?
Are we talking about GP again?
Are we going to review any other stores? So far, we've got SSD.
^^^
Why don't you?
Any suggestions?
I'd love to hear people's opinions on TLP. Also, do people really like Paislee Press, Kitty Designs, etc? I find their previews appealing but then open them up and they are so boring! IMHO of course.
^^^^
I do. More Paislee Press though than Kitty, but only because some of Kitty's stuff is way too cutesy for me.
I'd love to hear people's opinions on TLP.
-------
Nothing appeals to me there, so I don't shop there. That's my opinion.
I'd love to hear people's opinions on TLP.
-------
Nothing appeals to me there, so I don't shop there. That's my opinion.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^
DITTO.
There is a lot of talent at The Lily Pad, but not necessarily all to my scrapping needs. Amy Wolff and Jenna Desai are my favorites.
There is a 30% off store-wide sale going on for the 4th of July in case anybody needs anything.
^^^^^
I had a look at TLP today after not looking for a long time. Out of 146 new products, I didn't see one thing that grabbed me. There was nothing unique, nothing outstanding. I'm not saying it's bad, just that nothing appealed to me.
Anonymous said...
^^^^^
I had a look at TLP today after not looking for a long time. Out of 146 new products, I didn't see one thing that grabbed me. There was nothing unique, nothing outstanding. I'm not saying it's bad, just that nothing appealed to me.
July 4, 2011 3:21 AM
--------
Could you please define "unique" and "outstanding"? Name a kit that is unique. Name a designer that is outstanding. I am not associated with TLP, but I like their stuff (even though I don't shop there much, because they don't match my actual scrapping style and needs)
Now that's creative, don't you think?
http://www.nuthouse-scraps.com/Gallery/week-4/p4676-amands-preview.html
http://amandacreation.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=6_30&products_id=100
Why would someone design the same kit twice?
Current FB Fans:
2Peas 31821
ACOT 7090
SSD 2067
AFD 2065
9th&B 1997
SBG 1825
SO 1822
GP 1799
TDC 1328
SM 1265
SBB 1040
SDD 850
OScraps 729
SBE 574
TLP 80
Could not locate FPD or MScraps. Feel free to addd.
I'm curious where most people here shop and who their favorite designers are. Don't just pimp the designers you ct for, but who do you really love, and the designers that fit your scrapping style.
The things is, we are all different and have different scrapping styles. It would be boring if we all liked the same things.
I personally love most of the designers at TLP and buy quite a bit from them. I also love Jenn Barrette, One Little Bird, Creashens, Lauren Grier, Captivated Visions, and for templates I love Sara Gleason and Fizzy Pop Designs. There are a few designers I purchase from at Designer Digitals too.
These designers create things that fit my scrapping style, and I'm usually very happy with everything I buy from them. It really doesn't matter to me what anyone else thinks about them.
Who are your favorites?
I think I would have to add Micheline Martin to the list of who I buy a lot from. I haven't scrapped with a lot of her things, but she creates things that make me buy buy buy!
why are we back on the FB fan numbers thing again? ack.
Micheline Martin's stuff always always always looks precious in the previews, and makes me want to buy. I've learned my lesson, though, after being burned too many times to want to admit. Once I unzip her stuff and see it up close, the quality is aways so horrendous I realize I can't possibly make anything with it that will be printed at 12x12.
She's an amazing designer of previews, and not much more. Sad.
why are we back on the FB fan numbers thing again? ack.
July 4, 2011 2:52 PM
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Cause we can?
Better cough that thing loose.
TLP:
Amber Clegg- Doesn't seem very talented in the recoloring department. Her kits appear to have a lot of recolored doubles of elements. Some of her stamps and alphas are cute, but I don't see any kits I would buy.
Amy Martin: Creative element packs but very simple looking templates. I like her stitching.
Amy Wolff: I didn't see anything that appealed to me, but nothing looked 'bad' either. Just not my style.
CD: Very artistic stuff, but some of the previews confuse me, I am never really sure what is the packaging and what is product.
Lili: Cute alphas. The kits and element packs aren't anything special, though.
Emily Merritt: Loving the theme specific items but the kits are much too small to warrant the price. Does she not make the paper packs into kits out of laziness? I found myself wishing some of the paper packs had elements to match.
Gina Miller: Very weird pairing of realistic and digital elements. How is this person at TLP? I see a lot of CU element templates used.
Heather Hess: Stick to fonts. The doodles are not very well done.
Jacque: Love the themed paper stuff, but again- wish some of them were included with a kit.
Jenna Desai: I haven't bought from this designer before, but will in the future. I like a lot of the doodled elements I see. I didn't like much of her older stuff, though.
Karah Fredricks: Some of the element packs are cute but others are oddly recolored or strange pairings of realistic and digital elements. Her paint clusters look fantastic. I prefer larger kits most of the time, and she seems to make mostly mini kits. I would consider purchasing element packs though.
Kate Hadfield: New favorite of mine, her stuff is super cute and always well drawn. The prices are great for the amount of time I'm assuming it takes her to create them.
Kaye W: Basically the felt version of Jacque. Wish there were more full kits. The felt pieces are very cute, though.
Lauren Reid: Cute alphas. Ugly kit colors. All of her solo kits are too small and don't look very user friendly. Okay to look at but not much to scrap with.
Rachel Young: Weird patterns and ugly colors (mostly BYOC, so not entirely her fault).
Sahlin Studio: Not my style but she is good at what she does. When I think of her, though, I always think of the paper company rip offs that were posted on this blog a few months ago.
Sara Gleason: I'm not sure why, but it always irritates me when template designers don't stick to the same colors for their templates and previews. Makes their shop look sloppy, IMO. The clipped shape templates look cool, the rest isn't really my style.
The Tattered Pear: See Emily and Reid reviews above. :P
Valorie Wibbens: I like her stuff because she's pretty close to Emily's style, but actually makes the full kits. Some of her color choices are a tad gross, and some of the doodles are not as great as the others. Also small kits for the price.
Quotes: I know Stacy, and I'd quickly admit that she can be very difficult to get along with if she doesn't get her way. Also agree with her going psycho on her team at times. But I don't for a second believe that she wouldn't pay a designer. All of my dealings with her showed her to be an honest person.
__________
Would love for someone to post some examples of her "going psycho on her team"... what does that entail, exactly? I don't AT ALL question that it happens... I'm just looking for the entertainment value of reading what she's done. TIA... :)
___________________________________
I think the talk about Stacy is pretty blown out of portion. I have worked with Stacy and she has a good business mind. I don't think she bullies anyone and I know for a fact that she always paid on time. So I just think there are a few people on here that have it in for her and like to let loose her. Sad as I will Call BULLSHIT on the some of the statements being made.
@ July 4, 2011 2:09 PM
If you're going to bring up the whole FB numbers nonsense again, at least get the numbers right.
TLP = 1,957
How about talking about something more relevant to actual store success, instead of numbers that are inflated by freebie hunters? How about forum numbers... like number of active users or something?
^^^^^^^^^
I did. https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lily-Pad/107752735925849
Can't even verify yours.
If that isn't the correct one, they ought to make sure th right one actually shows up in a search FOR The Lily Pad.
http://www.facebook.com/TheLilypadDigitalScrap
It is the first thing to show up in the search...
Under what search parameters? Mine comes up first under The Lily Pad: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lily-Pad/107752735925849
And it is the right company. This is second: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lily-Pad/126760327410360
Yours doesn't even come up that search on the first page.
The Tattered Pear: See Emily and Reid reviews above. :P
------------------------
You do know The Tattered Pear is Lauren & Valorie and not Emily?
The Tattered Pear: See Emily and Reid reviews above. :P
------------------------
You do know The Tattered Pear is Lauren & Valorie and not Emily?
July 4, 2011 4:37 PM
___
Valorie, Emily. Tomato, tomato.
I'm the one who brought up TLP in the first place, so thanks for your thoughts. Personally, I love CD but I think I love her because her layouts were so outstanding a few years ago if that makes any sense. I can't scrap with a lot of the things she produces.
I love Heather's fonts, I like Valorie's style but when I open it, the quality is not there (too many scanned edges). I like Kate's stuff but don't really scrap that way. I love Kara's Splatteriffic's. And Lilli, I like her kits.
You can tell I'm not Simon, LMAO.
Too much BYOC (in other words, random crap) at TLP and not enough actual kits and stuff. I think maybe the designers are throwing in BYOC stuff to fulfill their design obligations, and not really spending any time putting out new, quality products.
What is "BYOC" ??
^^^^^
Build
Your
Own
Collab
Gina Miller: Very weird pairing of realistic and digital elements. How is this person at TLP?
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new to digi or are you being sarcastic? There's a lot of history there.
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