We lost one of our own this week. Normally I don't try and censor, and probably never will again. All I ask is that you be respectful when talking about Eva, and to each other when discussing her. We all deal with loss in our own way.
I will not delete or remove posts that don't follow what I've asked. I just hope that you can show her the respect that she deserves.
RIP Eva Kipler.
1033 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 601 – 800 of 1033 Newer› Newest»2. $1 candy fair
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YES!!!! Black Friday!
That would be awesome!
Unlikely, though.
Anybody know if the farmers market is coming to SO for Black Firday?
I have to agree on the Gotta Grab it or similar packs ... I think the whole concept encourages designers to price packs higher than they are worth so they can mark them down to $1 and look like they are offering a big sale.
Laitha's prices .. $3.49 for 4 papers? No thank you, not even in real paper would I pay that.
I wonder if these themed sales things (gotta grab it, whatever they are called, they are all over the place) are behind the recent trend among designers to sell their packs in all separate pieces, then bundle them, and put them on 'sale' for a price way higher than a full kit would be anyways.
#2 Yes it is. Saw something on Facebook from Ziggle Designs about that.
#2 I would wager a guess it is, think they do it twice a year.
No, #3. Because she never bundles them. I think she doesn't make much on the $1 sale so she trying to recoup her costs from the effort. But who would pay that much at full price? So it makes me wonder if she keeps it high for the 40-50% off sales.
I think both GP and SBB could do better with the color schemes.
I wonder if these themed sales things (gotta grab it, whatever they are called, they are all over the place) are behind the recent trend among designers to sell their packs in all separate pieces, then bundle them, and put them on 'sale' for a price way higher than a full kit would be anyways.
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Oh my goodness, that drives me absolutely nuts.
I'm relatively new to all this. Are the Black Friday sales at most places comparable to prices on DSD?
The old rumor is confirmed: NDISB is closing:
http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?p=3273650
Another one bites the dust.
#8 - Where I shop (SSD, TLP, SO) the sales are generally the same or better. I say better because SO does their $1 Farmer's Market during Black Friday.
I was disappointed in the 30% off sale at SSD for DSD. I spent significantly less than I had planned because of it, too. I was hoping for at least 40% with additional FWP items. I hope they do that for Black Friday, otherwise, I'll be spending less then as well. I know they gave away the free kit, but I don't like blog trains or FB hops. I'd rather get it during my purchase.
From what I heard from friends, the designers at SSD had lower sales than they expected. I guess I wasn't the only one disappointed in the 30% off sale...
#8, some stores have their biggest sale of the year on Black Friday. Others don't do anything because they went all out on DSD.
You might get an idea by looking on your favorite designer's blogs and see what type of sale they announced last year.
#10, last year they ran 40% off for Black Friday and 30% off for DSD.
But who knows what they'll do this year?
- I agree. I spent significantly less there than I planned (I do hope it is 40% off for Black Friday, and I think it was last year plus sometime in November or December don't they have GGG?). I also left with shopping cart of $75 (on sale price) at TLP because it was just 30% off.
I'm 13. I was agreeing with #10.
i haven't been to ndisb for ages and after that visit i wouldn't stay more than 10 seconds on the site. that bright green is horrible
I think its sad that NDISB is closing. That was one of the first Digi shops I found when I started scrapping and Theresa always took good care of me as a customer. I havent been there is a long time, mostly because I just dont shop much anymore.
I love the farmers market at SO and it would be great if SSD did a $1 candy sale.
I usually end up spending more on these deals Than just a 30% off.
10-There was no way I was going to buy things at 30% off when the other stores were having 50% off sales. I like their things, but not that much more. I guess designers will learn that we scrappers were ready for a good sale. Lots of stores have 20-30% off regularly.
I'm 18-I spent my money on good sales.
9-I don't think I've ever seen that site before, but sorry they are closing. I hate to see so many of the stores close.
I'm 21-I posted this message.
I also think it's sad that NDISB is closing. I used to sell there and Theresa was always on top of things, even during the So Cal fires and she had to evacuate her home. She still managed to pay her designers on time and be an active store owner.
I love the SO Farmers Market, too. I also love when SO (or any store) marks down their store megas by a lot--at least half off. SO did a "buy two get one free" sale last Christmas if I'm not mistaken. I bought 4 but that got me 6 megas.
I didn't buy anything at SSD for DSD, either. I'd love to buy there but I just can't get over the prices. I know designers can charge what they want--and they should. It's their brand and their product--but if what post 10 said (SSD designers aren't happy with their lack of DSD sales), then hopefully they'll lower prices but sell more. (Supply and demand, people. DS has a huge supply, so you've got to lower prices.)
I'm #8 and thanks for the info. Great idea to look on designers' blogs from last year on Black Friday to see what, if anything, they did.
I'm another shopper who didn't spend much money at SSD on DSD, other stores had much better sales. I'm hoping SSD does have 40% off for Black Friday...I think they did last year.
Supply and demand, people. DS has a huge supply, so you've got to lower prices.
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Umm, no. Supply and demand does not apply to pricing in this market. As you stated, there is an endless supply. Mostly customer demand will determine the price.
lol @ 26. Nothing like saying the same thing differently...
Really #26 provided a better explanation. Many people think that digi should be cheap because of unlimited supply.
wow! SSD has done a great job wiping away any trace of last year's BF sale announcement.
Yep, SSD did 40% off last year for Black Friday on Friday and Saturday and then 30% for Sunday and Monday. A simple search on FB and I found this - http://networkedblogs.com/qy8SJ
29 said "wow! SSD has done a great job wiping away any trace of last year's BF sale announcement."
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LOL, I agree. Did you see this blog post? http://www.sweetshoppedesigns.com/index.php/2011/11/365-days-of-bliss-black-friday-2011/
Doesn't it seem like an ad (or a paragraph of text) is missing?
Thanks for that smugly helpful reply, #30.
Meh, I was allowed to be smug - it wasn't that hard - I found it and I'm not even a fan of SSD.
I think maybe I'll wait for the GGG sale in December. I love their stuff but I don't really need the latest and greatest.
What is GGG?
Going Going Gone sale at SSD, retiring products.
22-Wow, that is quite a difference from Royanna. Seems like any little thing there. I even had bad customer service and I was a designer there.
#22. I sold there once upon a time also and Theresa was a great store owner. So sad that she's closing.
I keep track of sales on my order files so here's a list of last years Black Friday Sales:
The list is from stores I bought:
Scrap Orchard had $1 Farmers Market
Digital Design Essentials had $1 Deals
Sweet Shoppe had 40%
The Lilypad had 40%
This year I also wanted to shop from SSD and TLP but didn't because of their 30% sales. I prefered other stores with bigger sales like Scrap orchard 40%,Scrap Matters 40%,The Digi Chick 40%,
#40 - Black Friday sales haven't happened yet, did you mean DSD sales?
I'm also sad NDISB is closing. Theresa was a great store owner. They (She and Bernadette) were always wonderful to work with. Great customer service and great to their team also.
#41 - she clearly stated "last years Black Friday Sales". Read much?
43, the 2nd paragraph isn't very clear in the post. She probably isn't talking about last year's BF sales in the 2nd paragraph because that contradicts the information provided in the first paragraph. The poster probably was talking about this year's DSD sales in the second paragraph because SSD was at 30% off. So your snarky remark has backfired because you didn't "read much" either.
40, thank you for posting that information on last year's sales. I hope they are as good or better this year!
Whoa - MScraps has gone way way downhill if this is a recent offering: http://www.mscraps.com/shop/angelledesign-caskett/ (incorrectly spelled as well)
Whoa - MScraps has gone way way downhill if this is a recent offering: http://www.mscraps.com/shop/angelledesign-caskett/ (incorrectly spelled as well)
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$ 5 for that ? Even my 2 years old could do better.
#41 - she clearly stated "last years Black Friday Sales". Read much?
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She was talking about Black Friday and then said - THIS YEAR I didn't buy anything - do you read "much"? I shouldn't be surprised, anyone who ends a sentence with "much", clearly lacks any kind of formal education.
Anyone who uses that many commas (improperly) in a sentence shouldn't be putting down someone else for their grammar.
Anyone who uses that many commas (improperly) in a sentence shouldn't be putting down someone else for their grammar.
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Did, you, miss, the, point? Why, yes, you, did.
Whoa - MScraps has gone way way downhill if this is a recent offering: http://www.mscraps.com/shop/angelledesign-caskett/ (incorrectly spelled as well)
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Copyright violations much?
#49 = Dunning–Kruger effect
#45 The kit is named correctly. Read the description, or watch Castle.
#51 - it's nice that you are so self aware.
Copyright violations much?
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No. Fan art.
Anyone who uses that many commas (improperly) in a sentence shouldn't be putting down someone else for their grammar.
++++++++++++++++++
Neither should you.
yawwwwwwnnnnn
No. Fan art.
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Um, no. The sample layouts are using copyrighted photos of a copyrighted media. Each is an infringement on its own. You cannot use those photos to promote your product.
I'm #40.
Sorry for not being clear. I agrre it is kind of misleading.
I posted last years Black Friday sales (only from stores I shopped from because I include the sale on my order folder).
In the second paragraph I was referring to this years DSD sales. I was agreeing with a few commenters before me about not shopping that much because of low sales.
Looking at last years Black Friday sales I'm glad I didn't splurge. More money to spend on Black Friday and more goodies to buy with it.
yawwwwwwnnnnn
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What a sense of entitlement you have. Don't like the subject, change it or STFU.
I won some coupons during DSD which are good until the end of November. Hanging on until the Black Friday sales - it's really hard!
#60 Who are they from? All the coupons I won expired on the Monday or Tuesday after DSD.
good luck with that. I won money off coupons in a contest last year and I saved them until big sale and they didn't work! A lot of the stores have their carts set up to void the sale price if you use a coupon.
#59 - please come back when you're back on your meds.
#62 - nah, it's good, I was told by the designer I won them from that they would be good for Black Friday.
#63 - do you mean the ones I stole from you? Yeah, to took those, why do think I'm so crazy?
What a sense of entitlement you have. Don't like the subject, change it or STFU.
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A sense of entitlement? She yawns (in a way) and that's a sense of entitlement??? Sounds like you need to quit using buzz phrases you read on the internet and maybe read a book, take a class or just STFU.
#65 - yes, the yawn indicates boredom, she expresses that boredom; like a child does. When a child expresses boredom, it's because they expect you to entertain them. That's a sense of entitlement.
Perhaps you should take a class and learn a thing or two. Your response isn't exactly the most original thing ever said.
please come back when you're back on your meds.
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Did you come up with this all by yourself?
yawwwnnnnnn
LOL 68
Oh, can I play?
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
That was so funny!
Why don't more designers ask scrappers if they'd like to join their CT instead of holding calls, where tons of people you don't want on your team apply? I mean, it's like headhunting: you see what you want, so you take it. (Except that a headhunter steals from the competition; CTMs can "work" for more than one designer.) Designers, ask scrappers whose style you admire if they want to join your team. That's my thought for the day.
Many already do that, 71.
What I'd like to know when designers are having calls: why do they always pick the people that are already on a gazillion teams when they (the scrappers) also have work, small kids and what not to manage instead of picking people who are just as good and can actually commit to requirements?! Is it a matter of 'who kisses my ass the most/best gets in'???
I don't recall being asked to list all my personal life commitments when applying for a CT. How would a designer know all that information? And how do you know they don't have the time?
I've taken spots without any ass kissing. And the designer had no interaction with me before I joined the team. So I don't think that is what they are looking for.
#73 Maybe because people that are already on a gazillion teams are really that good? It would be quite difficult to kiss a gazillion asses at the same time, wouldn't it? And if they can make quality pages within deadlines of each team, why should it matter if they have to juggle kids/real life work/etc.? They themselves are the ones to decide whether they can commit to requirements or not. If they can and do - to the designers'satisfaction, it's really nobody else's business how many teams they're in.
#AnotherTopicThatPopsUpEveryOtherMonth
I'd like to know why designers have calls when they clearly don't have the time to make decisions. Melissa Bennett had a call that ended on 11/5 and still hasn't posted the results. I didn't apply, but saw a few people asking about it last week in the SSD forum. I think that sort of thing makes the designer look like a flake.
I know a lot of designers have open calls as a form of marketing - it gets their name back out there. Why would you do that only to look like a disorganized scatterbrain? I also don't know why you'd do a call during the busiest time of the year for most people.
It hasn't even been 2 weeks. That isn't unreasonable. And they asked last week? They are too impatient.
I know a lot of designers have open calls as a form of marketing - it gets their name back out there. Why would you do that only to look like a disorganized scatterbrain? I also don't know why you'd do a call during the busiest time of the year for most people.
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Calls only market to people who are actually interested in joining a CT. I would have no idea if a designer flaked on something like this or not since I don't care about CTs. I buy based on the products they offer and not on how they manage their CT or CT calls.
But, I agree, that this is by no means flaking. I had to reread it your post because I thought maybe you meant 10/5. That would be flaking and smack worthy.
2 weeks is a long time to wait after an interview to find out if you got the job in the real world. Most employers worth anything call someone within a few days after an interview if they got the job.
I don't think it's unheard of to expect results posted within a week (2 weeks is a bit much) for something as simple as a CT call with hardly any applicants.
How do you know for certain that there's hardly any applicants?
Probably because it was a public call.
http://www.sweetshoppecommunity.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67752
I would consider 24 applicants for a designer at a "top shop" as hardly any applicants, too. I was surprised at the number, but there were some good, quality scrappers in that mix, so I'm sure it's hard to narrow it down. The call didn't say how many spots she had available. The wording of the call makes it sound like ONE spot, but that seems unlikely for a public guest call like that. She could easily take all 24 and have 2 guests each month for a year making the decision extremely easy, but I have no idea how she runs her CT.
It does seem extreme to make people wait 2 weeks for a guest CT call, though. I can go through over 100 applicants in 2 days and make my decisions for 10 or fewer spots and I work full time outside of the home in addition to designing.
Getting paid in digital kits is just like getting hired in the real world.
2 weeks is a long time to wait after an interview to find out if you got the job in the real world. Most employers worth anything call someone within a few days after an interview if they got the job.
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Not in my experience. The employers were worth something, it's just if there are over 20 applicants it takes time.
If a company is interviewing 20 people for a job, they may want to reconsider how they narrow down the applicant field. Applying and interviewing aren't the same thing.
If a company is interviewing 20 people for a job, they may want to reconsider how they narrow down the applicant field.
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20 out of 300? I think that is narrowing it down.
What I'd like to know when designers are having calls: why do they always pick the people that are already on a gazillion teams when they (the scrappers) also have work, small kids and what not to manage instead of picking people who are just as good and can actually commit to requirements?!
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If the CTM is on a gazillion teams, then clearly she can commit to the requirements. Who are you to say that she can't?
I'd like to know why designers have calls when they clearly don't have the time to make decisions. Melissa Bennett had a call that ended on 11/5 and still hasn't posted the results. I didn't apply, but saw a few people asking about it last week in the SSD forum. I think that sort of thing makes the designer look like a flake.
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It's Melissa Bennett, enough said. She is a flake.
Stop comparing it to a job interview. It's nothing like that. It's barely even $50 per month.
#88 - it's not about the money, it's about the process.
The process doesn't have to be the same because it isn't a "job" interview.
#90 - are you trying to be obtuse?
I'm glad I'm not a designer. Too many nebulous rules... I wouldn't have thought anything if a designer took a couple weeks to decide on a call.
I'm glad I'm not a designer. Too many nebulous rules
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There are no rules. If you are a designer, you make your own rules that suit the way you work. Do you really think there's a list somewhere of Rules for Designers?
The posters on this blog like to make up rules and if the designer doesn't follow that rule she gets smacked.
Haven't you been reading?
It's not just the CT call stuff. I've seen it all over this blog.
93, you might want to look up the definition of nebulous.
There are no rules. If you are a designer, you make your own rules that suit the way you work.
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Tell that to Melissa Bennette who has waited too long to create her CT team.
Rule #8976, All CT calls must be wrapped up in 3 days or less. Any more than 7 days will result in a smack or two on the smack blog. 14+ days, we will dead horse the topic.
The posters on this blog like to make up rules and if the designer doesn't follow that rule she gets smacked.
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And? If she never reads here, it's immaterial.
It's Melissa Bennett, enough said. She is a flake.
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She may be a "flake" but she does beautiful work. I just bought a kit done by Bella Gypsy and Melissa and it's absolutely gorgeous. It's nice to buy a kit and not have to delete half or more of the elements because they're awful.
93, you might want to look up the definition of nebulous.
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Er, no. Doesn't negate saying - I don't want to be a designer. Next.
She may be a "flake" but she does beautiful work. I just bought a kit done by Bella Gypsy and Melissa and it's absolutely gorgeous. It's nice to buy a kit and not have to delete half or more of the elements because they're awful.
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Good for you. I have been very unimpressed with their work.
I'm glad I'm not a designer. Too many nebulous rules
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There are no rules. If you are a designer, you make your own rules that suit the way you work. Do you really think there's a list somewhere of Rules for Designers?
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Er, no. Doesn't negate saying - I don't want to be a designer. Next.
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That would mean that there isn't a list of rules because if there's a list, the rules would be clear. It has nothing to do with desire to design.
And? If she never reads here, it's immaterial.
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Not to the other designers reading this blog and now thinking they have to respond as quickly as possible. It's not just about MB.
I don't care what they post on this blog. I'll take my time if I need to.
Good for you. I have been very unimpressed with their work.
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Join the club..not with them but with SO many others. It was such a relief not to be pissed off because I didn't like what I bought!!!
I'm really, really tired of the preview of some of these kits looking NOTHING like what is really included. How do they do that? Make the preview look so good you want to reach through the screen and touch it and then upon opening the files up, the work looks like something I could do myself (and that's not a compliment to ANY designer!!).
Not to the other designers reading this blog and now thinking they have to respond as quickly as possible. It's not just about MB.
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Please...if a designer is that thin-skinned and sensitive to things said on an anonymous smack blog, maybe another line of work is in order since not reading here doesn't appear to be an option?
It has nothing to do with being thin skinned. But more about that they want to please their customers and not do anything to make waves. I think some read this blog so they have rules to follow. And many posters know that so they come here to bitch in hopes to change things.
It's dumb to disregard comments here completely just because they are posted on a smack blog. But it would be dumber to try to adapt your business to any and all suggestions here, let alone taking them as rules.
Melissa Bennett isn't awful, she's just a lazy designer. To see what I mean, look at her 2 freebies - on mini Blush, she didn't finish off the frames *or* the little word strips and they look ridiculous because she didn't trim after adding the white worn edges. There is technically nothing wrong with the squared off elements she's pawning off, but they lack any kind of advanced work (and need to be finished by the scrapper). Her other freebie is mini Summer Cottage and the yellow flower is terribly recolored, and there is something wrong with the string in both buttons, but the yellow button especially, so while it's true I didn't have to "delete half the elements" (poster 100), an argument could be made that half her elements were low enough quality and should be deleted. Let's just say after seeing a sample of her work she has put forth as being indicative of her style and quality, I have elected not to buy from her, and especially not at SSD prices!
May I also add that I am so sick of seeing the very badly made CU tag that is in Melissa Bennett's freebie, Summer Cottage. I don't know where it originated, but so many designers use this particular tag template and it's crooked as hell. The hole/tab are off center and the angled cuts are crooked. Who made this template? Royanna?
#110 - doesn't matter who made it, what matters is that you have seen a few designers using it and not noticing that it's crap.
Great job at basically saying nothing, 108.
It just cracks me up when people trash talk freebies. If you don't like them, just don't download them. Designers don't have to offer freebies, and people don't have to download them.
Great job at basically saying nothing, 108.
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There's an epidemic of this here. To attribute it all to 108 is selling the rest of us short...
113 - That's true, but many customers will judge a designer's entire body of work by the quality of their freebies. If a designer puts out garbage freebies, why in the world would I take the risk of actually buying a product for it to be the same?? A designer should always put their best foot forward, even with a freebie.
It's just like getting a sample at the bakery - if they give you a free sample that tastes horrible, are you then going to buy the cake? No sane person would.
No sane person would.
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I think right there is the operative phrase.
Back to MB's and BG's kit. I looked at the preview and at first glance, it did look like a great kit. I thought about buying it because I like the colors. However, I have changed my mind after looking closer. The present bow is terrible. It's blurry and recolored poorly and it's included in three colors, plus incorporated on some of the present elements in the kit. Ruined it for me. Also, this is just a personal preference gripe, but as I looked more critically at the rest of the kit, I don't understand why a tan chipboard edge was used on some of the elements, as that doesn't seem cohesive with the rest of the kit and palette. There are other elements that are either not recolored well or blurry, lacking their original detail, too. Look at the white crochet flowers with the colored centers. They don't look too great on the preview, so I don't expect them to be all that great in the download. Next to the bright white in the papers and some of the other elements in the kit, those crochet flowers just look muddy.
It's a cute kit, but definitely not perfect. There is a fair amount there I'd find myself deleting or fixing, so in my book, it's not worth the SSD/SO price tag.
The other kit MB did with Amy Stoffel looks better, in my opinion. I see a couple things that aren't the best quality, but the kit, overall, seems to be of higher quality, just looking at the preview alone.
It just cracks me up when people trash talk freebies. If you don't like them, just don't download them.
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How can we tell the freebies are bad until we download them? Derp!
The freebie is an example of the designer's work, if it's trash, I'm going to assume that the rest of her work is trash. It amazes me that some of you don't seem to understand this simple concept.
#117 - that present bow is heinous and the green paper rolled flower is pretty bad too. It looks like someone just used a color layer and blend mode to make the color changes.
118-Just don't download freebies at all, then you don't have to complain about them.
#120 - What a stupid attitude. How can I get to know new designers if I don't download their freebies? If it's crap, it's crap, my not downloading it isn't going to change that, is it?
Besides, I wasn't the one complaining in the first place so your point is moot anyway.
No one is complaining about a freebie, they're complaining about the quality of a product that happens to be free.
I agree. #120 is a complete moron.
#117, I think since I bought the kit and have already used it on a couple of layouts, I'm in a position to review same. Actually, after looking at everything again, the candy cane and lollipop elements are indeed blurry..I hope I don't "find" any more. Colors on everything else are clear (I think). How do you tell if something has a bad recolor job done to it?? Elements with the chipboard edges are Christmas trees, snowmen and stars; they're fun to use and look great on the page. I disagree with you that they don't match the rest of the kit.
The crochet flowers, I agree with you. I was wrong about not deleting anything..those are going (along with the candy!)..don't like the gray cast to them and really don't think THEY fit w/the kit.
I wish I had a better eye for a kit when looking at the previews...I'm not a designer and I'm afraid I'm blown away by the previews sometimes and have been disappointed! AND..the ct's frequently do fabulous layouts and I'm sidetracked by those too..
How do you tell if something has a bad recolor job done to it??
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In this kit, you can tell by the pressie bow because the color is uniform. The shadows and highlights all have the same color, whereas in real life, the shadows would be darker and the highlights lighter, not all the same, like in this kit.
Not a designer either, just have an eye and I'm never influenced by CT layouts, they are designed to entice and I refuse to be enticed!
Another thing I've noticed about some recolors (in addition to what #124 said) is that there is more grey in the shade than actual color itself. A nice recolor would have the varying shades of said color (in my experience from digital work, not designer work). I haven't seen the freebie in question so not sure if that applies to this one.
#123 - since you have the kit, are those bad elements from BG or MB?
123 said "I wish I had a better eye for a kit when looking at the previews...I'm not a designer and I'm afraid I'm blown away by the previews sometimes and have been disappointed! AND..the ct's frequently do fabulous layouts and I'm sidetracked by those too.."
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I like it when designers have "viewed at 100%" previews, not just the full-kit preview. That way you can get some idea of the quality of the elements and papers. And as far as CT LOs, I look at them with a critical (not a creative) eye: do all the CT LOs use the same 3 or 4 themed elements? If so, then maybe those are the only good elements in the kit. (Sometimes it's just that CTMs all LOVE those elements, but that's why the 100% previews are nice.) Same thing applies with the papers: do CT LOs only feature the same 1 or 2 papers? If so, what's wrong with the other papers? Would I like/use only the 2 papers and 4 elements that the CT used? Because I don't want to pay $6 for 2 papers and 4 elements. This is just my way of judging previews/CT LOs. Sometimes you just can't tell if an element is blurry/jaggy/badly recolored until you get it in PS.
I'm guilty of being tricked by amazing layouts many,many times and ending up buying the kit and being disappointed with the digi products. I don't have the magic wand to make my layouts that good.
I've also bought many kits just for one great layout. I'm that easy to sell to.
#127 - that's what I do too when I buy. However, as a CTM, I check to see what the other members have used and I try and use the elements and papers they haven't.
#123 - since you have the kit, are those bad elements from BG or MB?
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The blurry elements were MB and the ugly, gray crocheted flowers were BG.
"viewed at 100%" previews, not just the full-kit preview
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enlighten me..what does this mean?
127-As a CTM, I usually look at the photos I want to use with a kit, and then choose the papers and the elements that will go with those. I DO try to use other items than some of the other CTM's if I happen to look at their pages first.
122-Maybe 120 thinks you are a moron too.
133-There are a lot of morons here. Join the crowd.
The blurry elements were MB and the ugly, gray crocheted flowers were BG.
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Sure gives me confidence about her ability to design CU items for SHCO.
Sure gives me confidence about her ability to design CU items for SHCO
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Trust me NEVER purchase a CU from her EVER. I did that mistake and everything was of such bad quality.
131- It means that the designer offers a zoomed in (100%) preview. I do this with my products, but no way am I posting a link here. I will post a link to the action I use: http://www.scrappity-doo-dah.com/store/product.php?productid=9951&cat=83&page=1
But I thought that SHC was "quality checked".
I don't think designers realize that "quality checked" means that someone ELSE checks it. I bought something from Day a bit ago and the CU was so jagged, I couldn't fix it. So sad.
Day's stuff has always been horrible. Laughed when I saw her come back with CU only products - at least her kits you could maybe - - MAYBE work with. The CU stuff? Forget it.
and another one bites the dust - scrapflower is closing.
That's odd. No one is talking about it. Nothing in the forums, on the facebook page. Nothing on the blog. Just an announcement in the newsletter. What's up with that?
I'm cleaning out my shop to make room for a fresh, new perspective on all things creative for 2013. So, I'm retiring ALL the products in my shop, and that means BIG savings through Dec. 31st. :)
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Lisa Sisneros from Scrapflower posted the above today on Facebook, yet, the newsletter says they're closing...
Nooooooo not Scrapflower. I really loved their new design.
I've noticed a few designers are jinxes. When they move to a shop that shop closes after a while.
For example Creations by Rachel.
Sugary Fancy.
There's 1-2 more but I can't remember them now. I'll be back once they come to mind.
What does that have to do with Scrapflower?
nm. I had no idea CBR sold there.
Wow!! I just saw all the products at Scrap Orchard's Farmers Market!!
They'll be getting lots of my money.
Smart for them to start their sales on Wednesday.
It's too busy on Black Friday to do all your digi shopping.
147 - but the site is too slow. It took forever for my screen changes and I gave up.
144 - yes I've noticed the jinxes, and yes, scrapflower had more than their fair share of them!
147 & 148: agree with you both.
Do other shops have $1 sales or is SO the only one?
I found some great things at SO too.
But there are some designers who cheaped out - they only put addons, clusters, alphas and such into the $1 category. I think they hop we'll spend $1 on he addon and then want the $6.99 kit. Not going to happen.
I'll never buy from Kristin Aagard again. Her new kit is in the Farmer's Market, but the elements, the papers and the WA are sold separately for $1 each. That is $3 for the full kit; it's a normal discount, but not on Black Friday or FM. I would have expected something better.
Its not just Kristin. Chelle's Creations did that. Dream Big Designs only has addons in there. There's a couple others who really didn't play nice with the sale. I went through every single designer and searched by price.
don't you think that store has been on sale for quite a while now? no wonder why store are closing. with 40% off designer still get money ... but store doesn't, or at least not enough... just my 2 cents
Wow, some of you are never happy - you bitch that a kit is $7.99 and you bitch when a kit is $3 and you won't ever buy from them again. Because, you know, $3 is such an astronomical amount to pay for a kit the size of Kristin's.
I thought Bella Gypsy, SuzyQ, and Red Ivy had nice sized new "mini" kits in the spirit of the $1 farmer's market.
The alphas for $1 is very lame.
I don't mind the separate elements and the separate papers as long if I spend $2 they make a full kit. The whole point of the farmer's market is to get a steal of a deal. I consider that a steal of a deal for sure. I wouldn't buy the kit alpha for the extra $1, though. It's just not worth it to me.
Kristin's offering is MUCH smaller than her normal sized kits and having to buy the elements and papers separately makes it only $2 for sure, but I think the point is, it's about 1/3 of the size of her normal kits to begin with, so how is it really a deal?
I'm disappointed they didn't do a store free with purchase if I spend $10 or $15, too. I would think getting a customer to spend $10+ in one transaction during a dollar sale would be most beneficial to the site (which is super slow right now for me, too).
mleCard had great offerings, too. Fantastic steals for the kit size and the workmanship. Sorry I forgot her in my list above!
The alphas for $1 is very lame.
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Would you rather they be full price?
That's not really the point, 157, but you keep deluding yourself.
I'll never buy from Kristin Aagard again. Her new kit is in the Farmer's Market, but the elements, the papers and the WA are sold separately for $1 each. That is $3 for the full kit; it's a normal discount, but not on Black Friday or FM. I would have expected something better.
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I love Kristin and I'll keep buying from her, but I agree with what you said: It is ridiculous to break up a kit--a MINI KIT, at that--and call it a "great deal" to then have to buy 3 pieces to put it together. Chelle's has not 3 packs, but 4. She sold the damn elves separately...but they're what makes her "naughty or nice" kit themed as naughty or nice. That's annoying. I won't buy any of those packs. Could you imagine Amazon selling "1 Kindle Books!"...but each chapter was a buck? People would freak. (Sorry, IDK why my mind compared the farmers market to that. I think it's time for coffee)
Amanda Heimann and Ziggle Designs have some great mini collabs in the market. I'd pay $1 for each of them because you can use them on their own, but it looks like they coordinate too, which I love. And the alpha pack isn't just ONE alpha but 6, so it's a better deal at $1.
I haven't been through the whole sale yet, but I have found things I'll buy. But I've also found things (like Kristin and Chelle) that have annoyed me. Oh well, that's life.
It's lame to complain about sale prices that are $1.
I think I'll complain that their box of cereal isn't big enough next time I go to the Dollar Tree.
I think I'll complain that their box of cereal isn't big enough next time I go to the Dollar Tree.
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Size doesn't matter. It's not about the size but rather the content. You'd complain if your box of Lucky Charms was missing the marshmallows, right? You'd be annoyed if you had to pay a buck for the grain portion AND a buck for the marshmallows. A box of cereal is a box of cereal. A kit is a kit. Breaking it up into 3 or 4 pieces and pretending you're saving a ton of money buying each piece is BS.
Another designer not stating that her mini was once a freebie. Annoying. It's just shady to me. http://scraporchard.com/market/Little-Stinker-Mini-Kit-Digital-Scrapbook.html
Does a designer HAVE to say "check your stash--this was a facebook freebie!" No, they don't. But it'd be nice, and I'm more likely to buy from a designer who takes that extra step than a designer who doesn't.
Quit whining! There's plenty of other stuff to buy.
If you don't remember that you downloaded the freebie with a skunk in it last week, I think you have some huge mental problems.
Does a designer HAVE to say "check your stash--this was a facebook freebie!" No, they don't. But it'd be nice, and I'm more likely to buy from a designer who takes that extra step than a designer who doesn't.
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Maybe they should put that reminder in all kit descriptions to prevent customers from purchasing something twice? That means that the designer has really gone the extra mile. *roll eyes*
Or you could just check your stash before you spend money?
#160 - As a consumer, I can complain about anything I spend my hard earned money on! I think it's stupid to think your dollars mean so little, you can't say anything about them.
I think most of the offerings in the Farmer's Market are pretty nice, but I didn't spend much (way under $10). I would have bought more of the older products if I didn't already own them. I wasn't very impressed with the new offerings at all. Not even for $1. That had nothing to do with size. I just thought they were ugly.
161 - You buy cereal from the dollar tree. EW.
I actually didn't mind the add-ons or the broken up kit. The deals are a steal no matter how you look at it. You're still getting a discount. Truth be told, they don't have to discount anything at all. Let you pay full price all the time. I think some of you just bitch just to bitch.
That said, I did find it annoying that the AH/ZG "Favorite Things" add on didn't have a full kit to go with it. I searched the store and couldn't find it so no sale there. No point in buying an add on I can't find the full kit or collection for.
That said, I did find it annoying that the AH/ZG "Favorite Things" add on didn't have a full kit to go with it. I searched the store and couldn't find it so no sale there. No point in buying an add on I can't find the full kit or collection for.
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You buy it seperate and it is meant to coordinate. It's not an add-on to anything. It's a collection of mini-kits with a seperate alpha and papers.
I can complain about anything I spend my hard earned money on! I think it's stupid to think your dollars mean so little, you can't say anything about them.
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HUH? I though we were talking about the value of their $1 offerings by looking at the previews. You already bought the stuff and then decided that it wasn't a good value? And who's calling who stupid?
I'm smart enough to decide before I spend my money. (not counting the surprises in lack of quality within after purchasing that can't be seen in a preview.)
169- Really? Because the product title says "My Favorite Things {Bonus Papers}" and in the description it says "
When we started designing My Favorite Things we couldn't stop making papers! This bonus pack of papers coordinates with the My Favorite Things mini kits, date pack and alphabets"
So it is an ADD ON to the Mini. Plus it seems kind of dumb to sell only the add on papers, alpha & date pack with no elements don't you think?
Yes, really the are add-ons to the mini kits (note kits). It's a collection that coordinates by using the same color scheme.
Is it really that hard to undertand?
THERE ARE NO MINI KITS FOR SALE WITH THE TITLE "MY FAVORITE THINGS".
Is THAT so fucking hard to understand?
Have you heard the song, 171? The kits "Silver White Winters", "Brown Paper Packages", and "Warm Woolen Mittens" are apart of the Favorite Things collection.
She really doesn't know the song. Wow!
Even without knowing the song, the color scheme should be a huge clue. AND they are right next to each other in the store. The probably should have included the collection name somewhere though for the clueless.
*they
I figured out the 'favorite things' collection but I immediately thought it was a BIG miss that they didn't bother to explain in the description what the heck they were doing. They should have explained the song, cross linked all the products, and offered a mega bundle.
The color schemes are not similar enough that I would have otherwise made the association between the brown paper bags and the white silver one.
And I only barely know the song, I don't know the words, I only know the tune for the line 'these are a few of my favorite things' ... and I was raised in English. Assuming people will know what the fuck you are doing without explaining it is really short-sighted.
I'm not overly familiar with the song either and looking at the products would not have guessed they were related, despite being right next to each other in the store.
The only mini that looks even mildly related to the bonus papers & alpha is warm woolen mittens, and I still wouldn't have assumed they were meant to go together.
At the very least, having a list of the coordinating products in the description might have gone a long way to help a few customers not familiar with the song, or the intent of the coordinating mini kits.
Some people really have no culture. That's a classic musical.
I'm not familiar with the song and I grew-up in the US as well. I think it's silly to make a coordinating product line and assume customers will know what you were thinking when you made them. It's also a very big missed business opportunity to maximize your sales by stating how they all work together.
It seems pretty clear to me that there are a lot of SO designers here today responding to criticism because there is a lot of defensiveness going on. If that is true, what is sad is they're not listening to customers or would have been customers. As a designer, I'd rather hear the criticism than get the pats on my back. Only I know if the criticism is worth anything based upon my sales. If criticism for a kit or product line is reflected in poor sales, then it's extremely valuable to have that feedback.
Also, if SO feels that sales during Farmer's Market weren't what they hoped, they'll know at least a few customer's feedback on why they didn't buy. That is also invaluable.
No, you're not going to please everyone all the time, but if sales aren't what you hoped or expected, maybe it's time to listen to what people have to say.
#180 - I'm familiar with the tune, but I couldn't recite all the lyrics exactly if my life depended upon it. That doesn't make me uncultured because I didn't memorize a song... from a MOVIE no less.
#180 What if someone thinks musicals suck? As did that one, in particular and especially.
It seems pretty clear to me that there are a lot of SO designers here today responding to criticism because there is a lot of defensiveness going on. If that is true, what is sad is they're not listening to customers or would have been customers
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I've responded a couple times and I'm not in any way associated with SO. I really don't even like them that much but I like to debate and play devil's advocate. So it's possible that the designers aren't reading. I know a few designers think this blog is foolish and not really a true reflection of their customers' opinions.
If I was a designer from SO or SSD, I wouldn't bother to read this blog. Why torture myself trying to make idiots happy? It would never happen.
It seems pretty clear to me that there are a lot of SO designers here today
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That anonymous label always gives it away.
Many of the designers and Kami from SO read and post here. I'd say it's a no brainer they're at least reading here today. Anonymous label or not.
How do you know?
t seems pretty clear to me that there are a lot of SO designers here today responding to criticism because there is a lot of defensiveness going on.
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That doesn't seem pretty clear to me at all but then I don't assume things. And for the record, I don't like SO.
I'm guessing that the collection being designed the same two designers wasn't a big enough clue for some.
An anon poster claiming to know that SO designers read and post here anonymously regularly? That really makes it believable.
Since you know them so well, 187, how about you go tell them what's being said here?
People knew Gennifer ran this blog. I'm sure people know about Kami and SO, too. That's not really far fetched or even news.
I'm guessing that the collection being designed the same two designers wasn't a big enough clue for some.
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Because designers never do more than one collaboration with each other.
#163 Thank you for pointing that out. When I saw the preview I knew it was familiar.
I was disappointed with the Farmer's Market this year because I saw a few products from last years Farmer's Market which I already bought.Check your stash people before buying.
That doesn't mean I won't shop this year. From a quick look through the Farmer's Market I'd say I'll be spending $40-$50.
As for Kristin Aagard she seems like a designer who doesn't like sales. I can imagine it was hard for her to sell a full kit at $1 so she split it in 3 parts.
But to be fair I see a lot of designers have done this this year and the previous years too.
What a bummer! Buying a few things with a 40% sale and seeing them in the farmers market a few weeks later.
Because designers never do more than one collaboration with each other.
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Generally not at the same time, unless, and here's the kicker, the collabs belong together. Who would have thunk it? Obviously not some on here, even those raised in English.
I put some Farmer's market items on my wish list this morning and just logged in to actually make my purchase...and some Capture Life kits from Tracie Stroud are now back to regular price. WTF? So what, I should have purchased them this morning when they were on sale?
I figured out the 'favorite things' collection but I immediately thought it was a BIG miss that they didn't bother to explain in the description what the heck they were doing. They should have explained the song, cross linked all the products, and offered a mega bundle.
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I like that the color schemes aren't exactly the same. If they were exact, then people here would bitch and moan about how similar they are. They coordinate and can be mixed-and-matched, which to me means you're getting a good bang for your buck.
I do agree that they should have cross-linked the products, though. That would have been a good business move and it would have been good for us customers.
So, the fact that they kept repeating that it was one of their favorite things in the various kit descriptions wasn't a big enough clue?
Scrapflower closing has been officially announced. While I'm sad for the designers there, the news doesn't surprise me in the least.
Too bad. It should have gone out as Catscrap.
197 - If a product preview doesn't appeal to me I won't be opening it up to look at the description. Do you open up every product in a store to read the description? I didn't think so.
I like the Chick Blitz at The Digichick better than the Farmer's Market, but my kids are out of elementary school, so maybe that has something to do with it.
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