I just read the thread posted in DST about closing the blog down. Here's my official statement.
I'm not going anywhere.
I have been talked about here, people I know have been talked about here, and people I don't know have been talked about here.
Unfortunately, we are in a business prevalent with people who should not be doing it. If your quality is bad, it will be talked about. If your manner is unprofessional, you will be talked about. And, sometimes, if you're just plain awesome, you will be talked about. (That's my category, for the record.)
Keep on keepin' on.
935 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 400 of 935 Newer› Newest»No one said you have to use the product to "play". But if you want the reward, sorry but yeah you have to use store product. There are stores that offer plenty of freebies for you to use so you don't have to "buy" to try.
I think it's snobbish to say "I want the reward but I don't want to actually have to shop at your store to get it".
46 Why would you even bother about what others think if you can be better off after changing your job, your house, your car for that matter? 154 SURE!
199 No store needs people looking for free rides just killing their bandwidth. In fact, no one does: No store, no family, no society. If you want free rides, design your own stuff and you'll see that you're probably much better off working those hours and getting paid and then buy the 5, 8 or 10 dollar kit for heaven's sake. Nobody is forcing you against your will to participate in any challenges. It's whining slackers like you that really make me smile. Grow up, girl. The world doesn't owe you anything.
Some random observations on the recent blog train freebies, no particular order...
snackpackgu.blogspot.com
- had some nice patterned papers.
- suggestion - please consider including a preview in your folder
girlboheme.com - aimeeh_piecesofme_template
- cute template
pixelscrapper.com
- suggestion - please consider labeling all your digi elements with your name, not just "bow"
craftingatyourspecialdelivery.blogspot.com - millydee
- had some softly textured & worn patterned papers keeping with the garden theme, nice if you like the shabby chic look
digideborah.com
- had some nice striped paper that I will definitely use, thanks
digilicious.typepad.com - digilicious_piecesofme
- had some slightly worn papers in soft colors that were nice
julieenriquezdesigns.blogspot.ca - JED_IntheGarden_Papers
- I really liked the dark chocolate brown paper. It's very simple with a subtle design, & would be great as a background if you like more subtle & classic designs. I'll definitely use this, thanks.
justjaimee_inthegarden
- had paper with clouds that were filled with grid notebook paper pattern, a fun & unexpected twist
EllieLash
- one thing I have to compliment Ellie on is that she always has her kits labelled clearly with her name, thanks
Gennifer Bursett
- I liked her kit the best overall. Everything was well done & I can see myself using it, thanks. Her kit would appeal to those who like the look of traditional paper scrapbooking.
#200 Really? So digi sites never use the term "play" when referring to events and challenges? No one was referring to a damn playground.
Anyone want to take a stab at which SSD members will be the new babes?
184-I'm just a customer and I like Just Jaimee.
199-exactly.
I am 166 and I was being sincere and I am NOT Jaime either. It is so irritating when people start calling out numbers pointing fingers saying who they "know" who number so and so is! Get over yourself!!!!
^^^^^
Because sincere appreciation happens so often on this blog.
I went to the Blog train blog website to find this months blog train and didn't see it. Can someone link me up to where it starts now? Thx
I know when I started out and didn't have the money, I did challenges with freebies from the designers that I found to earn $ towards their stores product just so I can get my hands on a full kit! After getting a full kit, I either liked the designer that I purchased from or didn't. It was a great way to see what the designer has, that aren't free, as well as earn a good little scrapbooking stash. There is no harm in participating in challenges for that reason. Sometimes earning free product, spending a coupon in their store, would often result in my dipping in to the Paypal account to pick up a little extra; of course I'd have to rework the bills, but the point is, free product results in more money being spent. At least on my end.
wow Jen C designs is doing a Guest CT call. For every $ 5 spent in her stores you get a chance. How sad that people need to spend money to get in your team.
Speaking of challenges, what happened to ScrapMatters Challenge System? They used to have the best challenges with the best rewards. Now it’s some sort of Bingo challenge or something like that. I tried doing it, but woah, it was too confusing. I haven't been back to the site since they changed their system because it drove me away. I'd rather do an easier challenge system with less tracking on my part. You have to start your own thread, track each challenge and layout with credits within the thread. Hell no I am not going to be bothered with all that especially when the rewards dropped from $$, enough to buy a full sized kit, to just a small % off, which is not valid on bundles, and other certain products! Yeah I’m going to do all that work for a coupon that I am not going to use. No way. I’ll find a new store and new challenges to instead!
wow thats really terrible #12. Didn't she just have a CT call before leaving FPD? What happened to those ct members? Does that mean she's a hard designer to ct?
#13, I am not a fan of SM new challenges either, but I've also not been a fan of them since they drove all their good designers away the end of last year. There is more drama than we were ever let on and that dishonesty makes me not want to spend my money or time there. I've moved on to a different store.
I was on Jen C's CT for awhile and she was great to work with. I'm not sure if her current "contest" is a great idea, though.
#185 said: Speaking of challenges I'm on the hunt, who has the best challenges that are rewarded w/ store credit that are not exclusive product?
-----
Scrappity Doo Dah has a pretty large challenge forum and doesn't require exclusive product. I think it's one of the more fun places to do challenges.
10, there's not a Blog Train this month.
Also, I just went and looked at July's colors, because I was considering trying this for the first time, and I cannot bring myself to sign up. Ugliest colors ever.
17-Gingerscraps has some good challenges, and there is a welcome wagon thread where some of the designers offer a bunch of freebies to use. Here is the thread if you are interested. http://forums.gingerscraps.net/forumdisplay.php?499-The-GingerScraps-Welcome-Wagon
#18 I thought the same when I saw them. The theme "Camp" seemed more like army colors or something. No offense intended towards any army families, just not my style.
There are two blog trains this month.
Digiscrap Connect
http://www.digiscrapconnect.com/
Digi Scrap Forum
http://www.digiscrapforum.com/showthread.php?t=1677
Thanks, 21.
The colors really aren't too bad for the theme actually, you would just need to an a few neutrals otherwise you'd get a bloody mess.
ITA with #23
A color palette often is deceiving in that format. It might look good in the palette itself, but be really hard to work with, or to scrap with, while a palette that might seem "ugly" could be worked very well by a skilled designer. Of course, bad designers will never make anything good from any palette!
I think many scrappers have zero idea how much money and time goes into hosting a site. Having a gallery costs a LOT of money, both in storage and in bandwidth. It's quite ridiculous to expect a site to host that for you, offer challenges, and give you prizes for the challenges just to 'support the digiscrap community.' Someone has to pay for that, and that's why most sites find a way to tie actually spending money at the store into getting rewarded for the challenges there.
If you are just looking to scrap for the sole purpose of scrapping, why are you expecting any kind of rewards for doing challenges? Wouldn't you be happy to participate whether you get the rewards or not?
Oh right - the whole 'support the digiscrao community' is only for the stores. You as a scrapper are fully entitled to want free stuff for your layouts.
I really liked the color palette for the Digiscrap Forum train, but almost all of the contributions were just horrible. The template is nice and the alpha from Fran B is nice, but I don't have any use for another pink alpha.
I didn't care as much for the colors for the other blog train, and based upon the large preview, there isn't anything I want, either.
Sad.
#200 Really? So digi sites never use the term "play" when referring to events and challenges? No one was referring to a damn playground.
------
You sounded like you were in one, that's why I used that term. Capiche?
26-Unfortunatly, there is no way the average consumer can know how much it costs to keep an online store opened. I think besides the money, it also costs time and energy and a lot of support from the designers that sell at those stores. I would think that it would be beneficial to the designers (and the sites) for the designers to participate more in the chatter in the forums and in forum challenges to bring in customers that might end up buying product. Their blog freebies are nice for the customers to get to know the quality of their product. I've found some awesome designers via their blog and facebook freebies. Thank you to the designers that acquaint us with their products with fun freebies. When I have money, I buy products from designers I like.
Do the Farmers Market sales at SO happen every month? If so, what week of the month?
I think her products are so ugly. I think Lauren was really grasping when adding her to the OSD team.
http://www.snipsandsnailsscraps.blogspot.com/
#30- I think it's only during iNSD and NSD.
#26 I'm just a customer and I think you are right on! Well said.
32-Thank you.
Anyone heard of TinEye? It's a reverse image search engine. So if you see something that you think has been stolen, you can upload it from your computer or enter the page url.
store owners if you are paying more than $20 a month in server fees you really should look at Go Daddy.
#26 I have knowledge and the gallery isnt the biggest cost factor for the site. If it is for you, you should look into a new server package or reduce the file size you allow for each layout.
If I'm going to spend my time in a site and do the challenges then yes I expect something in return. You want members spending time in the forum doing challenges and keeping your forums busy. If you expect them to do the challenges then yes I think its smart to give a reward. I also agree that you want to encourage sales but I think demanding exclusiveness isn't the way to do it.
Curious if there are any sites who have challenges but no rewards and if they thrive that way?
#36 are you a store owner or do you just play one on TV?
No even moderately-thriving digital scrapbooking store can operate on a $20 per month plan.
Even hosting companies that offer so-called 'unlimited' plans will cap your storage and bandwidth and push you to a shared or dedicated server plan.
If I'm going to spend my time in a site and do the challenges then yes I expect something in return. You want members spending time in the forum doing challenges and keeping your forums busy. If you expect them to do the challenges then yes I think its smart to give a reward. I also agree that you want to encourage sales but I think demanding exclusiveness isn't the way to do it.
^^
No one expects people to do challenges - people ask for challenges to be hosted, and then they expect rewards for them. A casual read of DST and this blog shows people are always looking for places that host challenges and offer rewards.
It's not demanding exclusiveness to ask that some of your store's product be used on layouts that your store is offering rewards for. I would be upset if the store was saying it had to be exclusively product from that store, but I've never seen that. Perhaps the new Scrap Takeout would be like that, since I heard they only allow exclusive products to be uploaded in their gallery, but I haven't gone to their site to check.
So Dani is at Jessica Sprague now. Her kits are now $8.99. Seems a little high priced for what's in them. Is everything priced high at that shop?
WTH Is up with PDP? No response to designers questions, no forum activity worth mentioning, designers are releasing their products by themselves, if there is anything new to release. Pamela won't answer emails, what happened to the store?
Do you mean PBP?
PDP = Polka Dot Plum
#39 A quick look through the store would tell you since you were already there. I don't find their forum very helpful. Post a question and your answer will inevitably be "there's a class for that". I understand wanting to pimp your products or in this case classes but it would be nice to get a real answer every once in a while.
#39 - good luck to her. I'm not paying $9 for kits that look like every other kit.
Can some of you maybe tell me somthing about ZigZagScrap? I am not sure what to make of it...
#40 From what I hear, they're looking for a new co-owner and not finding one. Sad really, I was looking forward to selling there. I think if you're going to change ownership like that but keep the same theme going, you should be established and more ready to commit your time than grasping for straws.
#12 - It's not just spend money to get a spot on the team - there's a free kit to create a layout with as well. Plenty of designers have done that before. As someone who was on her team in the past (I quit for personal reasons), I'd be more than happy to create a layout to be on her team again.
@ #45
What do you want to know about ZZS?
#43 That's one thing that turned me off at Scrap Girls, they answered a lot of questions with links to their products but no real answer a lot of the times. It was frustrating for a newer scrapper without a lot of money to spend in a new forum and just starting out.
@48: General things, how are the designers, quality there?
I am looking for a store and found the site but I don't know it.
Has MScraps closed? Not sure if it's a server issue or if I missed the bulletin about them closing :p
I haven't been to PDP in forever, didn't realize Amy and Lauren were no longer owners. I am assuming they have stopped designing as well.
#51 Received that yesterday
Hello Everyone,
We just want to send you all this message to let you know that we - quite unexpectedly - had to move to another faster server.
For the moment our website is down, but we should be back up within the next 24-48 hours.
Our new products sale will be extended for a few days.
We're sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience!!
The Mscraps Team :)
I loved Amy and Lauren. When I first started digi I found PDP to be a very warm community. I heard from designers it wasn't a big money maker but people were friendly and the forum was busy. Stopped over and it was sad to see where it is now :(
I just looked at PDP and didn't even see any sort of announcement that Amy and Lauren were selling the site...
47-If you were on her team before, I'm sure she'd take you back in a minute. That is the way she is.
I didn't even know PDP was still around which was why I thought #40 meant PBP.
Back to Dani, $8.99 IS alot to pay for a kit that size. You can buy the same size kit for $6.99 at another store. I don't understand why designers up the prices on kits like that. It's not worth $8.99 maybe $6.99 at most.
Can anyone else not log into MSS?
Dani just lost my business.
I had to delete my cookies to log out of MSS since there is no login/off button. I wont be back.
Pam took over as co-owner with Amy for awhile, with the intention of taking over completely. By the looks of it, she hasn't found an adequate co-owner yet or PDP is just going to die because no one seems to be trying anymore.
#49 I would rather give SO the money for classes than JS.
62-I took several classes from JS and learned a lot from them. I thought they were really good. I haven't taken any from SO.
I know they are decent classes but the consistent pointing to a product/class in the forum even on basic questions instead of answering them turns me off.
I too started digi with Amy and Lauren over at Sunshine Studio, back in the day of the Sunshine Girls. We had a lot of fun there when that site was going strong.
#53 - Thanks for the info, appreciated :)
64-Although I've taken several classes there, I haven't spent any time in the forums.
Pam isn't doing a thing on PDP. She did take over and ran it into the ground, period. Several designers are upset with the fact nothing is working, Pam isn't out there filling her end of the bargain and PDP is sinking into the muck and disappearing. It used to be a good place, but now it isn't. If you are going to take over a store, at least try and find the time to devote to keep it running or give it back to the person who had it before.
68-If the person that had it before wanted it, she wouldn't have left. It is a shame.
Pam fucking sucks period!She is a lazy!
I am very confused by a product (CU4CU Shabby Starters) I just came across at SBG. It is a set of overlays for $15. The label on the front of the package states clearly: CU4CU overlays. The name of the products is CU4CU Shabby Overlays. Then you read the TOU and it states: Examples of things you may NOT do with these licensed overlays-
"You may not sell them as CU4CU, only regular CU items can be made with these. You may not re-sell these overlays as is. That means do not give them away or re-package them without making changes to the original file. They are to be used as a building tool for you to make other CU items."
WTF? We wonder why customers are so freaking confused about TOUs and the meaning of all these terms. Where I grew up, CU4CU meant that you could take that product and simply repackage it as your own. CU meant that you had to alter the product in some way in order to sell it under your name, i.e. incorporating an overlay into a paper, flattening a frame into a quick page, etc.
So Amanda Rockwell packages up CU overlays into a CU4CU label, charges $15 and yet they are really only CU. Is anyone else confused by this? Have I misunderstood the actual meaning of CU4CU for the last 4 years or so?
Yes, it means you can use them as tools to make your own CU items. You cannot repackage as is. Most CU items you buy can only be used to create PU items.
If you don't make changes to a CU4CU item, you're not a designer, you're just a repackager.
Makes perfect sense. CU4CU means I can buy it, and use it to create products I sell. I cannot buy it, create products, and then sell it to someone else to use to create products they sell.
(That would be CU4CU4CU, and yeah, at that point someone should just give up.)
Why would you even want to sell CU that someone else made. Why not make your own?
I guess you grew up in a den of uncreative thieves. Why would you just repackage something and sell it? Unless you're a shitty designer. In which case, stop designing now.
Where I grew up, CU4CU meant that you could take that product and simply repackage it as your own. CU meant that you had to alter the product in some way in order to sell it under your name, i.e. incorporating an overlay into a paper, flattening a frame into a quick page, etc.
Have I misunderstood the actual meaning of CU4CU for the last 4 years or so?
--------
Yeah, you have, big time.
CU4CU does not mean and never has meant that you can take it and resell it. It means you can use it to make other CU products.
We wonder why customers are so freaking confused about TOUs and the meaning of all these terms.
----------
Those terms are pretty clear. If you are confused by them, I'm sorry for you.
CU has always meant that you can make PU kits to sell using those products, but you can not make any CU products.
Even I get that and I'm not a designer.
Thank you 72. I get it now. I didn't think of it as a tool you would purchase to make CU products to sell. Makes sense now.
74 - No. She sells CU overlays as well. I own a great deal of hers. This was different. It makes sense that you would use them to make papers that you will then sell for CU use, not PU.
75 - I don't wish to spend hours and hours creating my own overlays. I am a respectfully talented designer who uses overlays, layering them until you would not recognize any of the originals. They are a tool.
73 - These CU4CU are overlays - so you have no choice but to either layer them in order to be able resell them. And, using overlays to create papers does not a re-packager make. There would be no papers for sale if designers didn't use overlays and my guess is more buy CU overlays to use than not.
Wow 79, good on you for being so brilliant.
80: I'm 74, and you still don't have it right.
If she sells CU overlays, you can buy them and create PU kits. If she's sells CU4CU, you can buy them and create CU kits.
If you are buying CU overlays (not CU4CU), you CANNOT use them to create papers and sell other people CU rights. ONLY PU.
And those who WILL allow you to resell as is (some cliparts for example), they are labeled "for resale". At least, I have seen that a few times.
8.99 IS alot to pay for a kit that size. You can buy the same size kit for $6.99 at another store. I don't understand why designers up the prices on kits like that. It's not worth $8.99 maybe $6.99 at most.
I to thought she had left SSD to focus on her own store. I guess she left to try and get more money for her work not that it's a bad thing at all but don't bullshit the last place you were at. Just do it and own it! Never spending my money at JS ;)
80- I meant why would you want to sell someone elses CU as your own CU. It was a general question I asked to anyone reading here.
71- Your best option is to email Amanda directly if you have any questions.
I would rarely pay that much for a collab so I doubt I'd ever spend that much on a kit but I can understand why designers raise their prices. It costs more for software, time, supplies. Like everything else in this world, inflations a bitch.
84- It's not a bad thing she wants to make more money but $9 is way to much.
Wow 79, good on you for being so brilliant.
----
Thanks, it pays not to have grown up where you grew up.
I to thought she had left SSD to focus on her own store. I guess she left to try and get more money for her work not that it's a bad thing at all but don't bullshit the last place you were at. Just do it and own it! Never spending my money at JS ;)
-------
Yep, I said it too, glad I'm not the only one that sees it like that. I've never spent money at JS, but I'm certainly not buying from Dani again.
I am a respectfully talented designer
----------
Wow, good for you for being so talented.
I wonder why she really left then. I couldn't see her making more money at her own store than at SSD.
90- Should we ask her to show us proof she is a respectfully talented designer?
#91 - since she's had her own store the whole time she was at SSD, I would think she knows how much money that makes for her. The only conclusion I can came up with is that she knew she was going to JS and just lied about it. At least La Grier said she was moving to another store.
As for New SSD prospects...I think these peeps have a chance.. Since they have to be nominated. shruggss
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=7794
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5191
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=7734
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=6060
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=152
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=32806&cat=500&page=2
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5347
Those are my picks. Which one's are yours?
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=5191
--------
She throws everything in the kit onto the page - there are some that do this well - she's not one of them - I don't like her style at all.
80: I'm 74, and you still don't have it right.
If she sells CU overlays, you can buy them and create PU kits. If she's sells CU4CU, you can buy them and create CU kits.
---------
I think she did get it, she just worded it badly.
Curious girl here:
I was a store CTM for MSS but as we all know: that store and the whole thing, besides the gallery is closed.
Does anyone know what exactly has happened?? As said, I was a store CTM but even towards us there has not been any honesty/clearing up on things. Asking is no use cause you don't get answers.
97- Charly (aka Sunny Day Scraps) bought it, then backed out after being smacked here. If you want answers I would ask Charly.
Jac didnt want to have to put the time into running a store so she gave up on MSS and Charly bought it. But she had no idea what she was doing and smacked hard here in last month's post. Her feelings got hurt and instead of stepping up as a business owner she gave up too.
I agree with #95 and am surprised that #94 selected Yepbrooke. She seems so new to me.
Otherwise good selections- Paula should be a shoo in.
Jac posted on FB that she's "trying to find a legitimate way to work from home."
Paula has been sucking up trying to get onto that CT since the dawn of time. I wonder why she's still not.
It's better her than the other more obvious suckups who ruined that community for me. I've stopped participating there because I can't take the the brown nosers.
Ok I just don't get it. I thought this was about scrapping memories not using so much on a page that the photo is that last thing a person might see if they can find it in all the garbage that is thrown on a page. I was happy to see less fantasy/artsy type LOs but these are just as bad IMO. Sometimes less is more and in the case of these LOs a lot less is more!!
I agree, 104. I've never been a fan of the through everything onto a page look. There are quite a few scrappers who do that over at Sweet Shoppe Designs and they're all thought to be the best scrappers.
#93 I thought SSD was an exclusive shop? How can she have also a personal store at the same time?
Who are some of your favorite scrappers that are not "known?" Sure, your opinion, but curious of people I haven't heard of.
Anyone scrap differently but not recognized, and should be?
102- So has Nikki.
107- Maybe SSD will finally reconize them. I doubt it though because the "call" isn't about talent. It's about who you know. If you go look in the forum you can pretty much see who will make it.
Although it is "interesting" to hear about shops and sites that have terrible gallery requirements, bad reward system of challenges in their forum, ugly site designs, unresponsive owners, overpriced products and more, I am kind of curious of which shop/site seems to have everything most designers/customers want. I can surely go by elimination, but I am sure that some places are not mentioned here and it is more because they are not worth talking about, and not because they are good places to sell/shop/hang around.
What are your favorite places and why?
104 - Some people scrap memories differently than you do. I know, shocking, but true! Not everyone is the same. *gasp* Some people enjoy putting a lot of items on a page, and some people don't. Does this make one scrapper "better" than the other? Or does it make one person's memory keeping more acceptable than the other? no.
I, personally, prefer CT pages to have lots of items on the example pages. That way I can see MORE of what is in the kit - that's what CT pages are FOR!
I think the list posted has a couple kiss asses (Nikki and Paula), but the others seem to have genuine interest in the community. There are a lot more scrappers who are newer to SSD that I'd like to see, but I doubt it will happen.
I am also glad not to see the truly annoying kiss asses listed. They, too, have ruined that community for me and I barely ever participate because they drive me nuts. I'm glad I'm not alone in that thinking.
What I don't understand is most of those listed and inferred are already on a bunch of designer CTs. How is that bringing anything new to SSD?
110 and 103- who are the kiss asses that you mention? I've seen a few pretty good scrappers leave that community because of the kiss asses being the only ones to get on CTs but I wonder who people think the kiss asses are.
#111- What irriates me most are the girls who start posting just because they have a call. Then they actually make the team and those of us who post everyday and have for months, are pretty much left out in the cold. We are just as good as they are. So, I'm thinking that in some cases that would be adding new "blood" to the team but I highly doubt that. It is really all about who you know to get on a CT team like SSD.
#110- Quite a few babes who made the babe team last year were also on a ton of SSD CT teams. This just cements the "who you know" aspect of the SSD babe call. Why bother to even have a call then, if your going to vote for your own CT to make the team.
112- I agree with you so much. I am a very active SSD member and I am just as good as some of the kiss asses but I wouldn't make the team because I don't spend all of my time kissing Traci's ass.
SSD is all about who you know and not about your ability. And it's funny how upset they get when you mention that. But it's true. And it is not a flattering part of their community.
100-I agree with #95 and am surprised that #94 selected Yepbrooke. She seems so new to me.
Otherwise good selections- Paula should be a shoo in.
If you take a look at her gallery you can see as soon as she came to SSD some of the designers started adding her to their personal ct's so since the designers are the one's who pick at SSD she was thrown in... plus she was spotlighted on the blog. She's most def a shoo in with all of the spotlighting..
110 What I don't understand is most of those listed and inferred are already on a bunch of designer CTs. How is that bringing anything new to SSD?
They like to pick people from the SSD community and who are on CT's. Just look at the siggies and you'll see what I mean. They have had a couple of new picks flake out so now sure how well that will work this time around.
"I think" SeattleSheri, mrshobbes & marnel, might be the only one's who weren't on any maybe 1 of the Designer ct's b4 becoming a SugarBabe.
I'm curious who are the asskissers over @ SSD?
Well from what I understand about SSD they do not like people who use templates. I find the interesting since they all say in the forum that using a template isn't a cop out and they happen to have three really good template designers.
So a lot of the people I like won't be picked because the use templates
What about these scrappers:
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=8832
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=5707
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=4652
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=8431
#115- Are you serious? Alot of the designers there use templates themselves. If you really feel that way, then why even have template designers sell there. Seems hypocritical to me. What makes sense to me now is why alot of the girls who post there are using less and less templates when they scrap, since the call posted.
#116- Tara's pages are so-so. She is also one of the girls that is really good friends with Traci Reed, so chances are she will get a spot. I like Gemma's pages but she really needs to venture into not just scrapping in the middle.
#116 - No, because taracotta and natalie are two of the biggest ass kissers around. taracotta especially. I think when Traci shits, she has to move Tara out of the way first.
Thats why I assume that Tara and Natalie will make it. Especially Tara who is so far up their asses it's not even funny.
Gemma is great. I agree she needs to stop just doing the massive layering in the center but she really does that style well. I'd like to see her make it.
115- I think they want to make sure that they can show off the designers work without always using a template as a starting point, show some creativity on your own. I think they have 5 Fantastic template designers and so deserve a spotlight. I'll have to go poke around the forum about the template cop-out want to read that...
116- those are some great picks.
115- yes, very hypocritical if they do think this way.
98- asking them is no use because they don't give (honest) answers. That's why I thought I'd ask here if people knew more.
If it's purely because feelings got hurt because they got smacked here, it's for the best the store is closed. Even though without getting answers.
About CT's (in general, not SSD cause I'm not active there) what pisses me off, whenever there is a call, it's always the same people getting the nod. Sure they are talented but they are also already on TONS of CT's already.
I wonder why some designers have a CT call at all. Half the time they pick their friends or girls who CT for the store they sell at. Why have people waste their time applying?
122- You said it "they are talented" and can make that knock out page that's why they are on all the teams.
The designers want that, not a so so page that's nice but knock out!
109-I know some of you have blasted Scrappity Doo Dah in the past, but personally, I find the forum welcoming and friendly. I always get nice comments in the gallery, and I enjoy their challenges. Besides that, the prices on the kits are reasonable, and they have several nice designers there also. I've found the kits I've bought there to be nice quality, and they have a lot of embellishments. I compare the number of papers in a normal kit there, and number of embellishments in that kit to a kit say at DHD, and for the price, you'd probably get 2-3 times more in the kit from SDD. Just yesterday there was a comment about Dani that was selling a kit at JS for over 8.00. The kits at SDD aren't that espensive.
I've also found the forum at Gingerscraps friendly. They may be getting a little bigger than is good for them, but I like a lot of the designers there. Like SDD kits, they are full and have a lot of variety, and they are reasonably priced. I don't get as many comments at Gingerscraps. I don't participate in the forum as much there, but like I said, when I do, the people are always friendly.
I think CT teams are overrated. I had one and then I didn't have one. I usually make my own LO or two and don't see a difference in sales. That's why I got rid of mine.
97-In my opinion, when Jac's family experienced the tragedy, it threw Jac for a loop. (understandably). Things were never the same after that. She withdrew from the operations of the store, and let things slide. People can't foresee such a thing happening, but there were people (designers) that were counting on her to keep things going. She didn't. Charly stepped in to help, and tried to buy the site, but nobody gave her a chance to make it work. Those people that say that it was her choice to back out are the same ones that blasted her for even trying. Charly is kind hearted, and a very nice person. Sure she has faults, but we all do. At least she was willing to try. I place the stores failure clearly on the back of Jac. (brought on by a tragic situation). It failed before Charly was even a designer there. God Bless both of them.
#127 - I would agree with you if not for the fact that Jac pursued other new ventures while she was owner of MSS before Charly stepped in. I think Jac just expected the store to run itself and for the designers to do all the work for her. I don't think it had anything to do with the family tragedy.
128- She still kept up her CT's but I think she gave up trying with MSS after her family tragedy. It was a really great site before it became a forum and store. I don't think she should have ever opened up a store to begin with. She doesn't have the skills to run a shop and have it be successful. At least Charly was willing to try to do what she could to keep MSS open. She didn't even get the chance because of people here on this blog. I think Jac tried to a point but I don't think she tried hard enough.
125 - The only reason I "blast" SDD is because I used to design there and the owners were never around.
The CT members are great with the gallery.
I love the fact that TLP prides themselves on their "little or no use of CU" from it's designers. Have they ever looked in Gina Miller's shop? Full of CU.
Changing the subject, what do y'all think of blinkies? Do they affect your impression of a designer if he or she has a great/lousy one? Does it affect your impression of a store? Are they an effective marketing tool?
If a designer has an ugly blinkie, it reflects poorly on their designs. I'd rather they didn't have one at all. I don't see it as a great marketing tool, but they're fun and cheap, so having one doesn't hurt.
Do people even use blinkies anymore? I see alot of siggies used instead.
Going off #132/133..what about banners? What do you think is useful info in banners, what isn't? Should the blog address be on it, or should it just be linked.
I've seen so many that look good (banners & blinkies), then they have a blogspot/blogger address on them which makes them look unprofessional. I'm aware a lot of designers use those platforms for their blogs but does anyone think they should shoot for say, trying wordpress out? Is blogger/blogspot really a better resource for hit?
She didn't even get the chance because of people here on this blog.
----------------------------------
"People here on this blog" do not have the power to stop someone from doing something they want to do. If it was a project she was passionate about, she would have done it. Many are fueled even further to succeed when others tell them they aren't capable of doing it.
Grow up and take responsibility for your own actions. Others saying someone is no good at something doesn't take away their chance to try.
^last word should have read "hits".
Blinkies do what they are meant to do - get your attention. Of course, many people are annoyed by them and turn them off in their browser. If it's ugly, I won't pursue it. If it's really pretty or cute, I may click on it. The thing that annoys me is when the blinkie or banner is not linked. I want to click on it and go to the designers blog or store. This goes for when it's in a CT's siggie or the designer's. Link it up or it's a waste of time.
I think blinkies are the herpes of the digital scrapbook world.
139- LOL
#135 "I've seen so many that look good (banners & blinkies), then they have a blogspot/blogger address on them which makes them look unprofessional. I'm aware a lot of designers use those platforms for their blogs but does anyone think they should shoot for say, trying wordpress out? Is blogger/blogspot really a better resource for hit?"
Why does it make them look unprofessional because they use blogger/blogspot? Just because someone invested the time and money into using Wordpress doesn't make them professional.
LOL at #139.
I hate blinkies and banners. I hate all that blinking sh*t on a page. The move toward a slideshow showing a preview of an entire blog train bugs me, too.
^That's like that old pedophile/mustache joke.
"Not everyone who has a mustache is a pedophile, but every pedophile has a mustache."
Not everyone who has Wordpress is professional, but everyone who's professional has Wordpress.
143 - EXACTLY! I am the owner of a 'mid-sized' store (that gets mentioned here occasionally). If I receive a few designer inquiries, they are about equally talented, if one blogs with blogger and one with WordPress, I'll take the WP one first. Blogger just looks unprofessional to me.
I think Blogger is much easier to personalize with your own products, hence that is why most people use it. I don't think it makes anyone any less professional either.
Wordpress is a pain in the ass to customize, especially if it has a ton of mods on it. I don't think using it makes you look more professional.
Just a suggestion, always hit "Preview" before "Publish". lol
Suggestion #2 Log out of your Google account first.
So a designer can only be professional if they're having their own domain? BS!
People already know you post here,so why delete?
104-Some artists are really good at minimalist layouts, some aren't. Some people are good at clustering, some aren't. Some people just want to scrap for scraps sake. I love to see the same kit used by people with different styles. That is one reason I love CT work. We all start out with the same kit, and none of the layouts are alike at all.
#149 You do not need to own your own domain to use Wordpress.
so...who exactly is goodtexan (a designer? if so, designer name?) I'm all about seeing who shot themselves in the foot, lol
Hey, it sucks, and it's pure dumb luck that I've never posted under my name. Can't we just leave it?
I miss Aly.
154- No. Everyone else who posted here under their own name by mistake got smacked.
Looks to me goodtexan is a CT
http://www.digishoptalk.com/gallery/showgallery.php?ppuser=1807
Looks like she also "designs". Her blog is ascrappingoodtexan.blogspot.com, but you can view it by invite only. Guess posting as herself scared her.
ugh! no 155!
I grabbed the info lol Amanda Thorderson Designs http://flamingo-amanda.blogspot.de/
I didn't know she was a designer.
well before she deleted her profile - it said she administered that blog
I'm all for blinkies so long as they're not shitty. Same as kit designing, not everyone should be making blinkies. JMO.
#162- So she went and deleted her blog because she posted here or just made it private? I wonder what it was that she said.
162 - That doesn't necessarily mean anything. My profile has me as administrator of 2 blogs for people I used to CT for more than 3 years ago. They never took me off and I can't get it to stop showing in my dashboard.
155-How do you know Aly isn't here? You may be Aly yourself in fact. I think she was posting part of her posts as anonymous.
#166- Aly posted under her own name as far as I know. If you say she posted "anon" how do we know your not Aly either.
#167 We could all be Aly!
I love the fact that TLP prides themselves on their "little or no use of CU" from it's designers. Have they ever looked in Gina Miller's shop? Full of CU.
----
That's the little use. It's only one designer, out of how many?
For the store you all love to smack, why are there 30 posts, more or less, about the SugarBabes?
CTMs, I also used to have one, got rid of them and my sales weren't affected in the least.
I'm not really getting the whole Wordpress vs. Blogger. Both of them have their pluses and minuses and I don't judge a designer or CTM on which they use.
Blinkies and banners, they should be linked and they should have all the relevant information on them. Relevant being the key word here. Some blinkies are information vomit.
I thought this was about scrapping memories not using so much on a page that the photo is that last thing a person might see if they can find it in all the garbage that is thrown on a page.
----
Each to their own as to how to scrap their memories. Who are you to decide it's not a memory?
I don't like the style, but I'm not going to bash it.
About CT's (in general, not SSD cause I'm not active there) what pisses me off, whenever there is a call, it's always the same people getting the nod.
----
You are assuming that others applied. I'm guessing that being on a CT is not quite the kudos it used to be.
SSD is all about who you know and not about your ability.
-----
This pretty much describes 90% of the stores and the real world. SSD aren't unique in that aspect.
I was on 7 CTs and with 3 stores in different positions a couple years ago and got burned out.
I found my pages weren't making me happy and if I wasn't happy then I didn't feel I was giving the designer what she deserved. I felt chained to my computer, come home from work and make sure I checked email/PMs/forums/site/gallery etc. It seemed all I did was be on the computer.
I left all my CTs but two and one retired, so just have 1 now and there is no pressure at all. Best thing I did, don't know how the others do it but more power to them. I can say I am scrapping for me, really enjoying the pages I create and look forward to each batch I get printed.
167-It wasn't 166 that posted that Aly was posting anom- Someone else posted that because I'm 166 and it wasn't me. It was speculation that she was also posting anom.
167-Exactly.
174: I felt chained to my computer, come home from work and make sure I checked email/PMs/forums/site/gallery etc. It seemed all I did was be on the computer.
____________________________________________
That's the same way I felt when I was designing....chained to my computer. I wasn't happy and the money sure wasn't worth it when you broke it down by the hour.
176- Did you enjoy designing in the beginning?
wanna hear something funny? FPD is having a designer call!
I'm hoping it won't be changed by the time some of you see it, but this is very funny. Three of our non favorite threads, like CTM enabling, the Praise Game and Gallery Standouts have been accidentally archived into Hot Topics!
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/forumdisplay.php?f=64
WOW FPD is having a call,don't all stores have them?FPD doesn't have a right to have a call,just becouse you don't like the owner?
^^^^
She just said it was funny. Get a grip.
I don't see anything funny about.
funny because who would want to sell there? I give that store 6 months before it closes.
I want to be on the Scrap Orchard CT, what does it take to get on there? I have been active there forever, and on a couple designers CT's.
#182 - I don't see anything funny about Adam Sandler, but others do.
#184 - designers at SO? If yes, why not ask them to put a word in?
I was just coming to laugh about the FPD call, too.
My suggestion, stay away. Both the store and the owner are a joke.
I looked through SSD to try and find some not so much ass kissing scrappers that are just as good as the ass-kissing ones. Here is what I came up with.
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showmembers.php?sl=t
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=7786
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=6204
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=10244
These two kiss a LOT of ass and I am sure have been nominated but i don't think they were mentioned yet.
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=7865
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=8532
Sorry! That first one is supposed to be this gallery:
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=7866
Enough of the damn Sugar Babes!
It's obsessive. You all smack SSD and yet follow their every move, that's like being a stalker.
Can we talk about something else? Like LooseyCaboosey or Ecological Malibu?
Thanks.
^ No thanks. Much more fun to gossip about the potential SSD babes.
#177 - yes I did.
155 I get back from vacay today!!!! :D
#190- You must be a Sugarbabe!
We can smack everyday scrappers, designers, stores, products and other CT's but we can't smack the Babes? They are fair game to smack. If you don't like it don't be a Babe. So far the Babes aren't being smacked half as bad as everyone else.
#188 - the middle 2 are designers, so, I doubt they would even be considered. The first gallery is eh. Judy is a great scrapper, but doesn't kiss enough ass.
I agree about those 2 ass kissers, too. I'm sure Kendall will make the Babe team. Her poor lips must be tired by now.
#195- That's why I wasn't surprised when she made KCB's team. I didn't nominate her for the Babe call. What irritates me about this call is that the Babes get to nominate. So if the Babes nominate do the designers focus more on their nominations and who they want on the team?
#188- http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=8532
Kendall is such an ass kisser that I'm shocked she hasn't suffocated yet. She acts all surprised each time she makes yet another team. She's actually one of the scrappers on almost every team who I think isn't really that good. her pages don't stand out.
But she'll make it.
I think it's kinda silly to only be picking from the SSD gallery, if they are. Those people already buy all your stuff, why start giving it to them for free? They'd be smarter to add actually talented scrappers to the team, which they might find if they looked outside their 4 walls.
#193 - Do please go back and read post #153 from May. Then do yourself a favor and log off.
#199 - you might want to specify post #153 on which page since every page starts back at post #1 in a way.
New comments are not allowed.