I like Gotta Pixel personally because it's friendly. I don't frequent multiple forums/stores so in the end it really doesn't matter where else they sell to me (or how many stores for that matter).
I'm not a fan of the "higher" stores, nor a fan of the overly cluttered templates/LO's that seem quite popular at the high end stores. I found a niche I'm comfortable at and that's really all that matters to me. ;)
I like GingerScraps' forums and the stores. I know some of their designers sell at other places (like GP, actually), but I just like the vibe at GS. And they have good prices. I also like TLP, but I hate their prices. Thankfully some of the designers give out coupons in their newsletters, and I just started doing their challenges--looking forward to the discount I earned.
199: I used to love TDC but most of my favorite designers left in the past year and I don't go there as much anymore. They still have 2 designers that I love to death but I don't frequent the forums anymore and I keep thinking that it's only a matter of time before both of them go somewhere else. They're both so much better than the rest of the store now. It seems like that place started falling apart a little after its owner went to SSD.
200 I know what you mean about the templates. Since when did scrapbooking become less about the pictures and more about how many elements you can fit on a page?
200 I know what you mean about the templates. Since when did scrapbooking become less about the pictures and more about how many elements you can fit on a page? --- Since CT numbers grew. Designers don't want CTMs to show off pics...Designers want CTMs to show off their designs, so you need lots of elements and papers and shit on your page. But having said that, I do like to have a full page BUT my focus is still my pic(s). I like templates to help me figure out where I want my clusters, but I don't like templates that have a 1-inch square pic space with elements crowded over top.
Asking about customer service - I don't get this question. You see something, you buy something, you download it, and you scrap (or fix some problems and then scrap). What kinds of customer service are we supposed to be commenting on? I have never contacted a store, although I have occasionally contected a designer if there is something wrong I cannot fix on my own.
I've contacted customer service twice when I purchased & downloaded something I already had by mistake. Both times I got a coupon for the same amount to spend on something else.
9 - your right, unless you have a problem, there is no customer service to comment on. At the same time, I would like to know if there are sites that do not fix problems quickly. I sure there are some sites that are quick to respond, others that go above and beyone, and others probably ignore the complaint all together.
I'm not #2 but I just looked at TDC for the first time in ages and the only 2 designers I'd ever buy from are etc. by Danyale and Wishing Well. I think I had forgotten that either of them existed because I never shop there anymore but if those are the 2 the OP was referring to then I agree that they could both be somewhere better. I haven't even heard of most of their designer list and they have about a hundred guests right now. How times have changed.
I'm not really a fan of TLP or SO, so TDC seems fine to me. I think it's a matter of what style you like. And I like GP better than GS which always looks sort of hokey to me.
Oh dear. Seems another long time designer passed away - taken from Miss Shabby Jen's facebook post:
From Katie Pertiet I am beyond heartbroken. A couple of weeks ago my dear friend, and designer at DesignerDigitals, Pattie Knox went into the hospital with a bad sinus infection and pneumonia. It was later diagnosed to be late stage long cancer and she passed away today. She was a wonderful friend to me and I will miss her terribly. My heart goes out to her family. ------------------------------- Dear digi scrapping friends, please say a prayer for Pattie's family and loved ones. Our digi scrapping world has lost a sweet lady!!! It was a joy to know and work with her.
I am astounded by this part: Do not pester the RLS staff for confirmation or status of your application, that behavior will not be tolerated. ------------------------ Uh yeah - that definitely could have been worded better. I get what she is (they are?) saying, but she comes off as a snarky bitch saying it that way.
So does anyone know what's happening with DD? None of the promised pieces were posted by Royanna since she announced she was closing the store. Tomorrow is the 28th and there's no mention of it being the last day open.
#34 I just checked DD forum on the post about the store closing. A bunch of people are complaining about having trouble getting downloads. The ones mentioned are Royanna's kits. I'm amazed that anyone kept buying there this month. Did they not see people complaining about still waiting for downloads to be fixed from DSD and before Christmas?! Crazy.
#34/35, you're starting to irritate me by continuing to post here about how surprising it is that Royanna isn't giving away freebies on time. Old news! Get over it and move on, the rest of us have. Good god. Who the fuck gives two shits about Divine Digital anyway??
#33, Meg owns Real Life Scrapped and also Oceanwide Designs. I have no idea if she still designs or not because I never followed her, as she was a whiny know-it-all cow who stormed into DST a few years ago and acted like she knew everything in the world about digi in her first month. Very off-putting to those of us who had been in the industry for years before her. The joke was on her though because even if she acted like a digi god, her designs were sub-par at best. Boring, useless drivel without an ounce of real creativity and my god she was bossy.
to #34 This was posted on Royanna's FB a few minutes ago. Physically and emotionally spent! Tomorrow is the close of Divine Digital - 8 years of exhausting work coming to an end of an era! Then a response to someone - it's just time consuming - people don't realize I worked 7 days a week 20 hour days until I got sick - my health and my family suffered because of it. It takes a lot to run a site for a .20 cents an hour return...it's tough. And being sick I just want relax... She also told someone else that the 40day challenge is being moved to her personal blog
I'm not 36 and I agree, whooooooo caaaaaaares about Royana and her awful freebies? Give it a rest. I can't wait for her to close so the rest of us don't have to listen to anything about her on this blog again.
#37 - thanks. It was the Oceanwide Designs connection I was looking for.
#36 & #40 - who gave you the authority to decide what can and can't be discussed on this blog? Don't like it, skip the post. Goodness knows, all the yammering about SSD and SO that goes on around here sometimes gets on my wick but I just skip it.
#22 "I am astounded by this part: Do not pester the RLS staff for confirmation or status of your application, that behavior will not be tolerated."
Nice to be invited, but she says they book a few months in advance and Applications are kept indefinitely. So that means she expects designers to sit around and wait to hear from her for several months, possibly more? For the privledge of giving her customers freebies? I dont think so! RUDE!!!
I know a few: Sugary Fancy has a 50% coupon on her facebook page good till 2/28 Studio Flergs Birthday Sale Feb 28-March 2 Divine Digital closing sale last day 2/28
Real Life Crapped is behaving as if they are doing designers a favor by featuring them ... when really, the designers are doing RLC a favor by helping them build their traffic with a freebie.
Since when is expecting to be RESPONDED TO and TREATED AS A PROFESSIONAL an intolerable behavior?
Yes but at least the Digi Files bunch doesn't actually articulate the sentiment of "we won't be contacting you unless we like you" and instead they just ignore e-mails. Who actually writes "don't pester us" on their site?? FFS.
They are in charge of whether or not they feature you - Not affiliated with RLS in any way. I'm sure it's there because people have nagged and hounded them. Some designers are desperate like that.
I much rather someone tell me up front not to hound them and that I might wait indefinitely then to sit twiddling my thumbs not knowing like TDF. But ya, def should have been worded differently.
I like hearing about the Royanna fiasco because hearing about what has NOT been posted is vindication for all the people that called her out on things and were crucified for being "mean" by her weird fan(atic)s. All those people defending her and saying at the beginning of the month, "Don't worry- she'll get to it and she has said she will get it all to us and you just need to have faith!" blah blah blah blah blah. I want to know how many more people will see the light when March 1st arrives and nothing is there and nothing further gets posted and/or the site goes *poof* and is gone.
This is one of the latest I saw: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- My problem dating back to Nov. 30th invoice was during some of Divine's server issues supposedly. The invoice was supposed to be reset, but never was. When I tried to download Trunk Junk, I got a message that the product could not be found, although I could see it sitting in the store. Later on when I checked again to see if my invoice had been reset, the product was actually not in the store anymore. I tried different contact methods to address the problem, but as yet it's not resolved.
We also never received Round #1 gifts upon completion of round #1 of 40 Days of Purposeful Scrapping. Royanna had since mentioned, too, that she would be getting us the prompts and kits to the rest of that series available for download before the store closed. I can understand with the health issues and surgery, all of these scrapping issues have become very secondary in her life.
I'm hoping that maybe later when she is better and has some quiet time, maybe she will remember these things for us and perhaps make things available on a personal blog, etc. I never lose hope in one's goodness or good intentions. I hope she has a way to keep all our emails. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Same song and dance. But it's like a train wreck I can't turn away from!
I know we've talked about this, but I just can't get over the new SO ScrapPin gallery. It's messy-looking. I like the streamlined look of a regular gallery: all you see is the LO, its title and the creator--and the LOs are all in nice rows. This pinning gallery is just a hot mess. LOs are shown multiple times cuz they've been repinned, the images are all different lengths due to the description's length, and instead of actual words in the description, you now get a bunch of hashtags so that designers get credit (and the scrappers get credit for challenges). Go ahead and smack me for bringing this back up, but I just hope no other gallery goes to this style. It's a fad and SO's ScrapPin gallery will be out of style in less time than it took to write the code for it.
57 I agree I hate it! I used to go to the gallery for inspiration before purchasing now it is just too much work having to figure out hash tags or trying to wade through 200 posts of products and repins just to see a single layout and who knows what that layout is created from the descriptions are just a mess of hash tags and jumbled words I am way to lazy to spend my time trying to figure it out I am ready to move on!
I really like SO and I'm so sad about the pinned gallery. I hate the multiple posts of the same LOs, I don't like seeing products in the gallery, and the fact that I only see pages from people I'm following adds to the extra clique-y vibe I get from them anyway. My pages rarely got comments there before, but now no one sees them at all. It's so disappointing. I already use Pinterest for my inspiration layouts and wishlist, since I can wishlist all the stores in the same place, I can't imagine why I'd need those features just for one store. If they wanted to save money, I think just deleting inactive galleries or pages prior to a certain date would've gone over better than this pin gallery.
Or if the sales are really that bad, a designer call or contest, or even just having active posts in the forum and more new releases would have been a better choice. Aside from the challenges, their forums are dead.
It think it would be nice if stores had FB groups...maybe that would encourage the community feel that seems missing everywhere lately.
From Katie Pertiet I am beyond heartbroken. A couple of weeks ago my dear friend, and designer at DesignerDigitals, Pattie Knox went into the hospital with a bad sinus infection and pneumonia. It was later diagnosed to be late stage long cancer and she passed away today. She was a wonderful friend to me and I will miss her terribly. My heart goes out to her family.
Then Shabby Miss Jenn wrote this: Dear digi scrapping friends, please say a prayer for Pattie's family and loved ones. Our digi scrapping world has lost a sweet lady!!! It was a joy to know and work with her.
Are there any digi forums out there that aren't associated with a store that are really active anymore? It looks like most everywhere is dead, or mostly dead. At least the ones I'm aware of.
I think a lot of people on this blog are from SSD and SO...I've been digi scrapping for 5 years and I've never come across Pattie Knox. So it's sad for sure, but it's not someone I'm super familiar with to talk about on here.
I'd never heard of Pattie Knox, either. I'm of course sorry that she's passed, but I don't feel comfortable talking about it because I don't know her. That makes her passing no less unfortunate; I just have nothing to say about it.
A lot of the chatter when Eva passed was people wondering what happened. Since they came right out with the details for Pattie, there's not much else to say, except condolences, which are better expressed in the forum.
Has anyone checked out the DSF blog train? I don't know why but I cringe every time I see Chinese/Asian themed kits... maybe because I'm Chinese? It annoys me when designers don't do their research and lump anything slightly "oriental" into these kits. I find it very ethnocentric. Some of the dolls in these kits are more Japanese than Chinese, and fortune cookies are an American invention. And what's up with the word-art? I don't see people using Google Translate and making random word-art in French or Spanish (or maybe they do?), but somehow it's OK to do it in Chinese. Some of these just don't make sense.
Pattie Know was a kind, friendly digital scrapper from way back when digi was just becoming what it is today. I first "met" her in 2004 when I started digi-scrapping and I'm so saddened to hear of her passing. She was a designer at Designer Digitals and mostly stuck to their forum and galleries once she landed there and that's probably why many are not familiar with her. I hadn't spoken to her in years, but I was facebook friends with her and knew she was so proud of her new twin grandbabies. She was a bright light for those who knew her. Such a loss.
It annoys me when designers don't do their research and lump anything slightly "oriental" into these kits. I find it very ethnocentric. Some of the dolls in these kits are more Japanese than Chinese, and fortune cookies are an American invention. And what's up with the word-art? I don't see people using Google Translate and making random word-art in French or Spanish (or maybe they do?), but somehow it's OK to do it in Chinese. Some of these just don't make sense. ______________________________
Totally agree! I haven't checked out the blog train, but this is true of kits in general. Things that most designers include are so stereotypical. I don't buy them and don't scrap with them if they do this. I have a handful of nice Chinese kits but most that are available are not good.
I would like a March blog post cuz we need to easily find info, like this: What do y'all think of this month's TDF? I've never heard of half these designers--I'm not commenting on the quality, just on who I know and what I like. I'm saying this so you can get an idea of why I like (or don't like) certain things; if you like similar stuff then maybe this'll help you. Based solely on the previews (cuz I'm DLing right now): Forever Joy: I like the kit theme and colors. I can see myself scrapping with it. (Never scrapped with FJ before--IDK about her/them/him at all.) Splendid Fiins: Not impressed. Never heard of her/them/him/whatever, but I won't be buying based off of frames and a few papers. That's not a kit and I'm a kit-scrapper. I see she sells at Jessica Sprague; I'm not a fan of that store. Most of the stuff there looks digitally made and very behind in terms of the times. Kind of like those moms who are STILL wearing pegged jeans. (Hell, nowadays those "moms" are mostly grandmas. But I digress.) But if this if for a PL-type of thing, then that's probably why I don't like them. I don't do PL. Jumpstart: Never heard of her, like the colors but I don't think I'll like the kit. It seems very digital-y (like it was made using scripts instead of actual items or doodles or whatever). But some of it looks OK so I'll try it and see. Cluster Queen Creations: I really like her stuff normally. But what I love about her TDF portion is that she included a kit AND templates. That seems like a great deal for TDF. Heather Joyce: I've picked up a few of Heather's fonts (I love TLP, where she sells), and I've always really liked them. I like these cuz I can use them for journaling in my kids' "handwriting" and just regular journaling. So, they seem like a versatile pack. EH Studio: Never heard of, and this does not impress me. BUT, a few days ago people here were talking about "simple" and minimalist templates. These IMO would fit the bill, so maybe y'all would like them. But compared to the templates and kit CQ Creations provided, EH's seem boring and unimpressive. (Again, I'll stress that this is based on my scrapping style. IDK if EH's templates are easy to scrap with or if they're good quality. I'm sure someone else can comment or smack about that.) Wild Blueberry: Well, I can't tell if I like the elements cuz they're too small on the preview to tell. But I do like the colors. But it seems like there aren't a lot of elements, if they're all on that little preview. I've heard of WB but I don't think I've scrapped any of her stuff before. Overall impression: Definitely not the best month IMO. But like I said, I don't scrap in the style of some of the designers. The nice thing about TDF though is that you get a range of styles so at least I like some of the stuff. CQC's and FJ's stuff plus Heather's fonts make it worth the $5 for me.
84, that's true, but do they usually have stuff for art journaling? (Not asking to be snarky; I really want to know if they do.) They featured Michelle Godin a few months ago, but that's the only AJ style that I can remember off the top of my head.
Here is a new smack blog if people don't want to have to search through five million comments. If no one wants to use it, it will be deleted at the end of March:
I know I only paid $5, but the feature presentation pass from MSA is disappointing. It was advertised as full kits and it's not really. And they don't feel like the designers put anywork into them. 3 months, 3 new to me designers, and 3 designers I most likely wouldn't purchase from again.
I like this month's from Juliana, but ITA that it would be nice if the designers made fuller sized kits. Juliana's has lots of great WA, but not a ton of actual elements.
I don't know why but I cringe every time I see Chinese/Asian themed kits... maybe because I'm Chinese? It annoys me when designers don't do their research and lump anything slightly "oriental" into these kits. I find it very ethnocentric. ----
The same is true for a lot of European and Australian themed kits. The Australian ones are usually the worst. Throw in a few kangaroos, koalas, the flag and the Opera House or the Bridge and it's considered done.
Anonymous said... 85 84, that's true, but do they usually have stuff for art journaling? (Not asking to be snarky; I really want to know if they do.) They featured Michelle Godin a few months ago, but that's the only AJ style that I can remember off the top of my head. _______
98: I'm post 80. I'm sooooo sorry that I tried to conserve space by not double spacing. I mean, not everyone gets TDF and I was already writing such a long post. Please, disregard the post and you have my sincerest, deepest apologies for writing something that was too difficult for your delicate senses to handle. From now on I'll try very hard to make my posts easy to read.
105: your "thanks" in 98 was completely negated by the whole "I can't read this" line. That kind of thank you is passive-aggressive bullshit. It's like the saying "Anything said before 'but' isn't true." (You used the word "though" instead of "but" of course, just so people don't smack me for not reading your post.) You know when someone breaks up with you and they say "I like you, but...we have to break up" what they really mean is "I DON'T like you and get out of my life"? Same thing here: when you said "Thank you [but] I can't read it," you were really saying "Fuck you and your inability to write something on an anonymous smack blog in the way that *I* want it written." It's like a Southern lady saying "Bless your heart." What she really means is pretty much the opposite of that. Your post came across the same way. Good job getting all crazy about it. I bet people really loved reading it on their phones/little tablets. So instead of talking about how the post was written, how about someone else talk about this month's Digi Files? Or some could talk about this month's Scrap Pack? I like the look of Lyndsay Rich's but I don't like Jenn's, which is disappointing cuz I usually love her stuff. (I hate that wood texture. It looks fake and the color palette is not my fave.) And TDC's is a hot mess. Never heard of Seatrout--any good? I like what I see in the preview.
#07 - if I had wanted to say 'fuck you and your inability to write', I would have said it but I didn't, so that's not what I meant. I thought I was pretty clear about what I wanted.
#107 shut up. Do you ramble on like an idiot when your talking? If you are like irl, I understand why you've resorted to pontificating on a blog. ----------
I'm not sure, do you? You sound like a complete pompous ass, no wonder you've resorted to telling people off on a blog.
The palette for the DSF blog train is the exact same one used a couple of years ago for the bi-monthly mega blog trains that Trish H. used to coordinate. Same theme and everything. Wasn't good then and it still isn't.
Does Charly own Stuff To Scrap? It is odd that the blog train features the same colors and theme that had been planned for a collab at Berry Sweet but was never released because the store closed suddenly. - Screwed By Charly -
I'm not sure, do you? You sound like a complete pompous ass, no wonder you've resorted to telling people off on a blog. _____
I might be a pompous ass but I don't take four or five paragraphs (grossly incorrectly punctuated and unbroken up making it even MORE difficult to read)to express it. Oh, by the way, shut up.
to the OP that got TDF- do you think its worth it? I clicked on some of the designers and found a few I actually liked but never really heard of- even tho it looks like they've been around- what do u think of the kits?
133: I'm the OP about TDF. I haven't unzipped them yet, so I can't tell you about the quality of the kits. But based on the previews, I'd say it's worth it. HOWEVER, this is not the best month IMO. If I have a chance to actually unzip everything and really look at each kit, then I'll come back here and post what I think (if someone hasn't already). And 115, thanks for saying what you thought of the Scrap Pack and specifically your take on Seatrout Scraps. I've never purchased her templates, but they look nice. I've been fooled by previews before, so it's good to hear, I mean *read*, what you think.
Here is a new smack blog if people don't want to have to search through five million comments. If no one wants to use it, it will be deleted at the end of March:
http://digiscrapsmak.blogspot.com -----
Thanks, but without allowing anon posts no one is going to post.
Hey 126 I agree with you. Awfully funny the blog train has the exact color palette and monster theme Berry Sweet had before she flipped shit, and after looking at her blog under her new design name, Crescent Moon Designs, I see she is also in the Stuff To Scrap contest, round four. Anyone bother to spread the word to STS owner that Charly is a certifiable nut job? Maybe enlighten them about previous "stuff" here on the blog...that is if STS isn't Charly...it does have her design style! If it isn't her and she ends up there as a designer, I can mark that shop off my list along with PDW since they obviously don't care who they have in store.
Nicole from Stuff Thats Crap won't care that Charly is a nutjob. She is a pirate and she encourages breaking copyright. She doesn't give a shit about anything other than money.
Also Nicole from Stuff That's Crap ranted at the designers there when Miss Tiina was called out on the old smack blog - Nicole said it was just 'highschool gossip' so I wouldn't out it past her if she actually brought Charly on just because she is smacked here.
Nicole also banned designers from discussing Miss Tiina and the piracy issue in the designer forums there.
The blog train theme and colors at STS are chosen by asking the forum members to submit ideas. Then the different palettes and theme are voted on by the forum members. The swatch that was chosen was from one of those sites that posts a color palette along with a picture. The picture was of monster cupcakes. I doubt that Charly had anything to do with the blog train at STS. It's just a coincidence.
All of the designers submitted color pallates and themes for the collabs at BSS. The monster cupcake picture was one of those submitted, by whom I can't remember. Maybe they (or another former BSS designer) just submitted it again for the blog hoping it would get picked and they could just use what they had already done.
not 148, but probably because it's super annoying to have someone bring up a topic that's already been done to death and try to revive it once the rest of us have successfully passed it by after it lingered here for much too long in the first place.
LOL @ noodle brain, though! let's talk about that instead.
#150 - I wasn't trying to revive it, just pointing out that Nicole is not the only one guilty and this incident was recent, so everyone would remember it. That is all.
People need to stop reading between the lines because there's nothing there in the first place.
Thanks to this blog I am much more aware of recoloring elements and doing it poorly, hence, I really, really don't like Shabby Miss Jenn's stuff as much.
155 I thought the same thing after I unzipped her newest Little Fairy kit! I was really disappointed in the recolors. Is this a recent thing, or has this always been an issue with her (SMJ)?
So this blog is now on it's own....that's hilarious!! There's no one to supervise us!
-----
I recall a few months back when the new owner scolded people for what they were posting, and it elicited lots of anger from the masses who said that we can talk about whatever the F we want to here b/c it's a smack blog. Maybe she got her feelings hurt that day, and went away to sulk and never return.
Does anyone know how much digi designers earn? I suppose there is a big range depending on quality, popularity, etc, but what do some of the top designers earn each month?
I have a design background and I am thinking of trying my hand at designing scrap kits, but I need to do a little research on income potential first!
166: the earning potential can be big according to people on here, but I would take that info with a big grain of salt. I CT for a few "big name" designers and they don't make a ton of money, and I know they have pretty good sales. For most designers, they do it for the loves of designing and of scrapping, not for the income. If you want to try it, go for it. It might take a long time to make money, or it happen soon (within a few months). There are stores that take on apprentices, as well as designers that will help you along. But you might want to figure out what style scrapping you like and would feel comfortable designing in that style. And know that there is a huge number of "designers" out there. And just like other industries (music comes to mind), the best don't always become the most popular. This industry is about popularity as much as it is actual quality.
Without giving too much away, I think we should give the blog owner a couple more weeks. In the meantime, maybe the person who created a new one can enable anonymous comments, or we'll just have to muddle through here. :)
166: I've noticed that many of the big designers from a few years ago have now moved into photography. Maybe this is an indication that it does not pay too well?
166-- if you're looking for full time income, you probably won't make much. You're more likely to make enough to support your scrap shopping habit, or enough to have a little fun money.
Most designers I know (mid to upper tier) are able to make a little money, but it's definitely not full time, or even traditional part time pay, for the number of hours you work.
Even when I whip out a kit in a few hours, it's not exactly great money when you break it down into hourly pay (considering time spent marketing, uploading, creating previews, doing freebies/blog hops/what have you, plus staying involved in your store's forum, which is likely to get more people looking at your store). There's more to it than designing.
Is it a lot of fun? Yes, for me it is. And the fact that it provides supplemental income is nice. From a strictly personal standpoint, I work from home so I can stay home with my kids. I have one work from home job that I use to pay the bills, actual money, but it doesn't pay enough to have leftover money for going out to eat sometimes, spending on "extras," etc. Designing fills that gap, but it is by no means a replacement for my current job.
I am in an upper mid-tier store, have one new product per week and make between $1500 - $1800 per month. I spend more time advertisizing than I do designing just to keep my name out there. It took me almost three years to get to this point, and I've learned alot. Knowing people in top shops CAN help you get into a decent place - but for the most part? You are on your own to develop your style and tweak things until they are squeaky clean QC wise. There aren't many who 'hit the bigtime' right outta the box. Takes time and alot of practice.
I wonder if there would be less stupid anger and more discussion of digi scrap/designers if we could get a freaking new month already. Wtf --
If this is a big, big deal for you and causes you such angst then you must have an uneventful life OR you are, in fact, a drama llama!!!!!!!!!!! I love those pics of the lama being dramatic..go look at 'em and C.H.I.L.L.!
If you're viewing this in the mobile version (on a phone or tablet) you don't have the option to skip to the newest comments. You have to scroll to the bottom to load more comments, then scroll to the bottom of those to load more, and so on. It can be a real pain when there are a ton of comments.
Not trying to smack her, just wanting an honest opinion:
So Harper Finch (newish designer that's going to have a guest spot at TDC this Friday) has been giving out free mega kits to people who donate $10 or more to her. I just saw this on her FB:
"Asking people to "donate" $10 to get your kits for "free" does not in reality make them free. The definition of "free" in the dictionary is: without cost or payment : ladies were admitted free. Free means without attachments. <<< Comment just left on my blog. LoL. Seriously?"
I'm posting this here because I've been thinking about the same thing, that it's not really free if you can only get it by donating $10. Or maybe I'm wrong. I'm not sure. What do you think?
If she's only giving the kit to the people who donate, then it's not free.
I have fonts on Dafont, people can donate if they wish, even if they don't donate a thing, they still get the fonts. I've had some pretty awesome people donate though.
#166 - honestly, now would be the wrong time to enter the design market, unless you have something fairly unique and sellable or you are going to go down the CU route.
I've noticed that many of the big designers from a few years ago have now moved into photography. Maybe this is an indication that it does not pay too well? -------
Not necessarily. I think it's more an indication that they've discovered they really like photography and are over the designing and scrapping.
I've noticed that many of the big designers from a few years ago have now moved into photography. Maybe this is an indication that it does not pay too well? ---------------
Adding to what #181 said, photography also has a wider market. Just about everyone wants pictures, not everyone wants scrapbooking kits.
Gennifer - without giving anything away? the person has been busy? and give her till the end of the month? Don't tell me you gave this blog over to Mye.
#184, she has been making certain kits exclusive to donors, like the XOXO kit and the Gamer Night kit.
I've been downloading some of her freebies as well, but judging from their quality (horrible jaggies on many elements) I won't be paying for them any time soon. I sure hope what she's selling at her Etsy store and the TDC are of better quality.
I thought Mye too. in which case someone shoudl email Mye and ask her to give the blog to someone who can maintain it - her life is going to be hectic enough.
Lots of people have 'perks' for donating - Mye had them on her fundraising page and I've seen them all over the place. It's not really that out of the ordinary.
185 - I agree about Harper Finch. I downloaded a few as well, and just deleted them after seeing the horrible quality. I stopped following her blog, too, so I was unaware she would be opening shop at TDC.
I only buy from a couple designers myself at TDC and I wish they would move on to better stores (etc by Danyale and occasionally Sweet Digi Scraps).
Yeah, and to post that comment in a derisive tone on Facebook... I just think it's poor form.
re 188: I was surprised to see her open store at TDC, too; I thought they were better at QC than that. I like Sherwood Studio and Sweet Digi Scraps. Harper Finch's stuff looks OK on preview (she does use a lot of recognizable CU though) but is horrible close up.
You know, I recall just a few months ago reading on her blog that she is doing this designing thing for fun, she won't consider selling her stuff because there are so many talented designers out there, blah blah blah. Now all of a sudden she's super serious about this business of hers LOL
Why on earth would anyone think that Mye took over this blog? For a start, the whole post in November about Eva isn't written in the same way that Mye writes, for a second, the idea is, well, just plain ridiculous.
You know, I recall just a few months ago reading on her blog that she is doing this designing thing for fun, she won't consider selling her stuff because there are so many talented designers out there, blah blah blah. Now all of a sudden she's super serious about this business of hers LOL ------
Okay, I'm the first person who brought up Harper Finch on this blog, and now I feel bad because she's gotten really upset on both her blog and her FB. I think she has a good eye for design and colors, just hasn't learned about jaggies yet. I certainly didn't mean to make someone "throw in the towel"! I didn't want to come across as having my panties in a twist or super negative, but maybe I did.
Not Mye. Not anyone that I "know" in the digital world, honestly, which is why it is really hard for me to say anything that might potentially give away the identity to people that do know them.
#194 - don't feel bad, if she was upset by a couple of none flaming comments on a smack bog, she's not cut out for business. She needs to grow up a little. Even my emotional 12 year old girl wouldn't have been upset by the comments on this blog if they had been about her, know what I'm saying?
Yeah - she'll get over it. Or not - there's nothing you can do about it. And don't feel bad. All you wanted to know was people's opinions about a "free" kit costing $10. No matter how you spin it - the kit isn't free. It's $10. If I could go there right now and download it without paying a penny, then (and only then) it would be free. She sounds like a moron to me.
2881 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 2401 – 2600 of 2881 Newer› Newest»Is STO even on any blips on a radar?
The better question would be is TDC a blip on a radar these days?
I like Gotta Pixel personally because it's friendly. I don't frequent multiple forums/stores so in the end it really doesn't matter where else they sell to me (or how many stores for that matter).
I'm not a fan of the "higher" stores, nor a fan of the overly cluttered templates/LO's that seem quite popular at the high end stores. I found a niche I'm comfortable at and that's really all that matters to me. ;)
@198
They're still open? Goody for them!
I like GingerScraps' forums and the stores. I know some of their designers sell at other places (like GP, actually), but I just like the vibe at GS. And they have good prices.
I also like TLP, but I hate their prices. Thankfully some of the designers give out coupons in their newsletters, and I just started doing their challenges--looking forward to the discount I earned.
199: I used to love TDC but most of my favorite designers left in the past year and I don't go there as much anymore. They still have 2 designers that I love to death but I don't frequent the forums anymore and I keep thinking that it's only a matter of time before both of them go somewhere else. They're both so much better than the rest of the store now. It seems like that place started falling apart a little after its owner went to SSD.
@ #2 who are the two?
I used to buy lots of stuff from SO, but what is going on there? There hasn't been anything new in their store for what seems like ages!!
#1 TLP has much more minimum sales requirement than GP
200 I know what you mean about the templates. Since when did scrapbooking become less about the pictures and more about how many elements you can fit on a page?
#200 I am not a fan of the overly clusterd templates either. Seems we have the same scrap style, what template designers do you like?
200 I know what you mean about the templates. Since when did scrapbooking become less about the pictures and more about how many elements you can fit on a page?
---
Since CT numbers grew. Designers don't want CTMs to show off pics...Designers want CTMs to show off their designs, so you need lots of elements and papers and shit on your page.
But having said that, I do like to have a full page BUT my focus is still my pic(s). I like templates to help me figure out where I want my clusters, but I don't like templates that have a 1-inch square pic space with elements crowded over top.
Asking about customer service - I don't get this question. You see something, you buy something, you download it, and you scrap (or fix some problems and then scrap). What kinds of customer service are we supposed to be commenting on? I have never contacted a store, although I have occasionally contected a designer if there is something wrong I cannot fix on my own.
I've contacted customer service twice when I purchased & downloaded something I already had by mistake. Both times I got a coupon for the same amount to spend on something else.
9 - your right, unless you have a problem, there is no customer service to comment on. At the same time, I would like to know if there are sites that do not fix problems quickly. I sure there are some sites that are quick to respond, others that go above and beyone, and others probably ignore the complaint all together.
10 - I would call that great customer service! They easily, could have said it was your fault and not done anything. Like has happened to me.
Since when did scrapbooking become less about the pictures and more about how many elements you can fit on a page?
-----------
Um, this has been going on for about five years now with a lot of templates.
Since when did scrapbooking become less about the pictures and more about how many elements you can fit on a page?
-----------
The past year to two
@ #2 who are the two?
-----
I'm not #2 but I just looked at TDC for the first time in ages and the only 2 designers I'd ever buy from are etc. by Danyale and Wishing Well. I think I had forgotten that either of them existed because I never shop there anymore but if those are the 2 the OP was referring to then I agree that they could both be somewhere better. I haven't even heard of most of their designer list and they have about a hundred guests right now. How times have changed.
Wow is that place ever a hot mess right now. Ditto 15 "how times have changed".
I'm not really a fan of TLP or SO, so TDC seems fine to me. I think it's a matter of what style you like. And I like GP better than GS which always looks sort of hokey to me.
Wow, TDC is scraping the bottom of the barrel here
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/cupids-arrow.html
Wow. That's something I never thought I would see at TDC. Somewhere, Nicole Sietler is turning over in her future grave.
Oh dear. Seems another long time designer passed away - taken from Miss Shabby Jen's facebook post:
From Katie Pertiet
I am beyond heartbroken.
A couple of weeks ago my dear friend, and designer at DesignerDigitals, Pattie Knox went into the hospital with a bad sinus infection and pneumonia. It was later diagnosed to be late stage long cancer and she passed away today.
She was a wonderful friend to me and I will miss her terribly. My heart goes out to her family.
-------------------------------
Dear digi scrapping friends, please say a prayer for Pattie's family and loved ones. Our digi scrapping world has lost a sweet lady!!! It was a joy to know and work with her.
xoxoxox
Shabby Miss Jenn
Horrible timing for #20 to post that just after #19's joke.
Designers: who else has gotten an invite to this recently? http://reallifescrapped.com/opportunities/designer-focus/
I am astounded by this part: Do not pester the RLS staff for confirmation or status of your application, that behavior will not be tolerated.
WTF?
I'm #20 and #19's post wasn't there when I hit publish....
Wow, TDC is scraping the bottom of the barrel here
http://www.thedigichick.com/shop/cupids-arrow.html =-------
Meh, I can go to any store, including the so called top tier, and pick a similar product and then claim they are scrapping the bottom of the barrel.
I haven't been to TDC in about two years and recognize about half the names on their designer list from that long ago.
Horrible timing for #20 to post that just after #19's joke.
---------
I didn't even associate the two things.
Meh, I can go to any store, including the so called top tier, and pick a similar product and then claim they are scrapping the bottom of the barrel.
I haven't been to TDC in about two years and recognize about half the names on their designer list from that long ago.
---
Exactly this.
#22 - barf! Three different fonts in three different colors doesn't exactly give me confidence.
Please do no pester the RLS staff with an application, they don't want real designers.
I am astounded by this part: Do not pester the RLS staff for confirmation or status of your application, that behavior will not be tolerated.
------------------------
Uh yeah - that definitely could have been worded better. I get what she is (they are?) saying, but she comes off as a snarky bitch saying it that way.
#22
It's Meg, that's her know it all, my way or no way style.
#28
She is a snarky bitch.
Who's Meg?
The owner of Real Life Scrapped
#32 - yeah, I got that but it seems there's other history there.
So does anyone know what's happening with DD? None of the promised pieces were posted by Royanna since she announced she was closing the store. Tomorrow is the 28th and there's no mention of it being the last day open.
#34 I just checked DD forum on the post about the store closing. A bunch of people are complaining about having trouble getting downloads. The ones mentioned are Royanna's kits. I'm amazed that anyone kept buying there this month. Did they not see people complaining about still waiting for downloads to be fixed from DSD and before Christmas?! Crazy.
#34/35, you're starting to irritate me by continuing to post here about how surprising it is that Royanna isn't giving away freebies on time. Old news! Get over it and move on, the rest of us have. Good god. Who the fuck gives two shits about Divine Digital anyway??
#33, Meg owns Real Life Scrapped and also Oceanwide Designs. I have no idea if she still designs or not because I never followed her, as she was a whiny know-it-all cow who stormed into DST a few years ago and acted like she knew everything in the world about digi in her first month. Very off-putting to those of us who had been in the industry for years before her. The joke was on her though because even if she acted like a digi god, her designs were sub-par at best. Boring, useless drivel without an ounce of real creativity and my god she was bossy.
to #34
This was posted on Royanna's FB a few minutes ago. Physically and emotionally spent! Tomorrow is the close of Divine Digital - 8 years of exhausting work coming to an end of an era!
Then a response to someone - it's just time consuming - people don't realize I worked 7 days a week 20 hour days until I got sick - my health and my family suffered because of it. It takes a lot to run a site for a .20 cents an hour return...it's tough. And being sick I just want relax...
She also told someone else that the 40day challenge is being moved to her personal blog
#36
a bit uptight tonight? Go back to your bottle of whine.
I'm not 36 and I agree, whooooooo caaaaaaares about Royana and her awful freebies? Give it a rest. I can't wait for her to close so the rest of us don't have to listen to anything about her on this blog again.
#37 - thanks. It was the Oceanwide Designs connection I was looking for.
#36 & #40 - who gave you the authority to decide what can and can't be discussed on this blog? Don't like it, skip the post. Goodness knows, all the yammering about SSD and SO that goes on around here sometimes gets on my wick but I just skip it.
honestly, Royanna's stuff is garbage. She's doing you a favor by not giving it to you.
#22 "I am astounded by this part: Do not pester the RLS staff for confirmation or status of your application, that behavior will not be tolerated."
Nice to be invited, but she says they book a few months in advance and Applications are kept indefinitely. So that means she expects designers to sit around and wait to hear from her for several months, possibly more? For the privledge of giving her customers freebies? I dont think so! RUDE!!!
Royanna's blog hasn't been updated since November! So ladies, don't turn blue holding your breath waiting for the 40 days thing!
Any good sales going on ill tomorrow?
I know a few:
Sugary Fancy has a 50% coupon on her facebook page good till 2/28
Studio Flergs Birthday Sale Feb 28-March 2
Divine Digital closing sale last day 2/28
Real Life Crapped is behaving as if they are doing designers a favor by featuring them ... when really, the designers are doing RLC a favor by helping them build their traffic with a freebie.
Since when is expecting to be RESPONDED TO and TREATED AS A PROFESSIONAL an intolerable behavior?
LOL, they probably figured if it's good enough for the Digi Files bunch, then it's ok for them to be rude, too.
Yes but at least the Digi Files bunch doesn't actually articulate the sentiment of "we won't be contacting you unless we like you" and instead they just ignore e-mails. Who actually writes "don't pester us" on their site?? FFS.
My favorite part of the line is how that behavior "won't be tolerated" as if they're in charge of something.
They are in charge of whether or not they feature you - Not affiliated with RLS in any way. I'm sure it's there because people have nagged and hounded them. Some designers are desperate like that.
I much rather someone tell me up front not to hound them and that I might wait indefinitely then to sit twiddling my thumbs not knowing like TDF. But ya, def should have been worded differently.
Shabby Miss Jen has passed away from late stage lung cancer. Katie Pertiet posted on FB
Not Jenn, Pattie Knox
I like hearing about the Royanna fiasco because hearing about what has NOT been posted is vindication for all the people that called her out on things and were crucified for being "mean" by her weird fan(atic)s. All those people defending her and saying at the beginning of the month, "Don't worry- she'll get to it and she has said she will get it all to us and you just need to have faith!" blah blah blah blah blah. I want to know how many more people will see the light when March 1st arrives and nothing is there and nothing further gets posted and/or the site goes *poof* and is gone.
This is one of the latest I saw:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My problem dating back to Nov. 30th invoice was during some of Divine's server issues supposedly. The invoice was supposed to be reset, but never was. When I tried to download Trunk Junk, I got a message that the product could not be found, although I could see it sitting in the store. Later on when I checked again to see if my invoice had been reset, the product was actually not in the store anymore. I tried different contact methods to address the problem, but as yet it's not resolved.
We also never received Round #1 gifts upon completion of round #1 of 40 Days of Purposeful Scrapping. Royanna had since mentioned, too, that she would be getting us the prompts and kits to the rest of that series available for download before the store closed. I can understand with the health issues and surgery, all of these scrapping issues have become very secondary in her life.
I'm hoping that maybe later when she is better and has some quiet time, maybe she will remember these things for us and perhaps make things available on a personal blog, etc. I never lose hope in one's goodness or good intentions. I hope she has a way to keep all our emails.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Same song and dance. But it's like a train wreck I can't turn away from!
Anyone else try to get into Digishoptalk? Is their server down, or is it just me?
Everything looks fine to me at DST.
Yeah, nevermind I'm in now.
I know we've talked about this, but I just can't get over the new SO ScrapPin gallery. It's messy-looking. I like the streamlined look of a regular gallery: all you see is the LO, its title and the creator--and the LOs are all in nice rows. This pinning gallery is just a hot mess. LOs are shown multiple times cuz they've been repinned, the images are all different lengths due to the description's length, and instead of actual words in the description, you now get a bunch of hashtags so that designers get credit (and the scrappers get credit for challenges).
Go ahead and smack me for bringing this back up, but I just hope no other gallery goes to this style. It's a fad and SO's ScrapPin gallery will be out of style in less time than it took to write the code for it.
57 I agree I hate it! I used to go to the gallery for inspiration before purchasing now it is just too much work having to figure out hash tags or trying to wade through 200 posts of products and repins just to see a single layout and who knows what that layout is created from the descriptions are just a mess of hash tags and jumbled words I am way to lazy to spend my time trying to figure it out I am ready to move on!
I'm glad I never got addicted to Scrap Orchard. HATE the pinned gallery! I just looked at it for the first time--ugh! What a disaster.
I really like SO and I'm so sad about the pinned gallery. I hate the multiple posts of the same LOs, I don't like seeing products in the gallery, and the fact that I only see pages from people I'm following adds to the extra clique-y vibe I get from them anyway. My pages rarely got comments there before, but now no one sees them at all. It's so disappointing. I already use Pinterest for my inspiration layouts and wishlist, since I can wishlist all the stores in the same place, I can't imagine why I'd need those features just for one store. If they wanted to save money, I think just deleting inactive galleries or pages prior to a certain date would've gone over better than this pin gallery.
Or if the sales are really that bad, a designer call or contest, or even just having active posts in the forum and more new releases would have been a better choice. Aside from the challenges, their forums are dead.
It think it would be nice if stores had FB groups...maybe that would encourage the community feel that seems missing everywhere lately.
Shabby Miss Jen has passed away from late stage lung cancer. Katie Pertiet posted on FB
------
Um, no. See post #20 on this page.
I'm so sad about the pinned gallery. I hate the multiple posts of the same LOs,
--------------
This is why ScrapStacks never appealed to me. The first time I went to visit I saw the same LO about six times. No thanks.
Shabby Miss Jen has passed away from late stage lung cancer. Katie Pertiet posted on FB
------
Um, no. See post #20 on this page.
------
Um really?? I didn't see post #20 I read it on FB sheesh!
From Katie Pertiet
I am beyond heartbroken.
A couple of weeks ago my dear friend, and designer at DesignerDigitals, Pattie Knox went into the hospital with a bad sinus infection and pneumonia. It was later diagnosed to be late stage long cancer and she passed away today.
She was a wonderful friend to me and I will miss her terribly. My heart goes out to her family.
Then Shabby Miss Jenn wrote this:
Dear digi scrapping friends, please say a prayer for Pattie's family and loved ones. Our digi scrapping world has lost a sweet lady!!! It was a joy to know and work with her.
xoxoxox
Shabby Miss Jenn
Um really?? I didn't see post #20 I read it on FB sheesh!
-----
You read it wrong, sheesh.
Are there any digi forums out there that aren't associated with a store that are really active anymore? It looks like most everywhere is dead, or mostly dead. At least the ones I'm aware of.
Interesting that everyone was all over Eva's passing but Pattie's is just ignored.
#67 I was thinking the same thing.
I think a lot of people on this blog are from SSD and SO...I've been digi scrapping for 5 years and I've never come across Pattie Knox. So it's sad for sure, but it's not someone I'm super familiar with to talk about on here.
I'd never heard of Pattie Knox, either. I'm of course sorry that she's passed, but I don't feel comfortable talking about it because I don't know her. That makes her passing no less unfortunate; I just have nothing to say about it.
A lot of the chatter when Eva passed was people wondering what happened. Since they came right out with the details for Pattie, there's not much else to say, except condolences, which are better expressed in the forum.
Patti Knox was a nice lady. Some of my first digi classes were taken from her several years ago.
I'm just curious..does anyone else have the same pet peeve as me? I don't know why, but I always shop at sales the last hour, literally. Crazy huh?
Has anyone checked out the DSF blog train? I don't know why but I cringe every time I see Chinese/Asian themed kits... maybe because I'm Chinese? It annoys me when designers don't do their research and lump anything slightly "oriental" into these kits. I find it very ethnocentric. Some of the dolls in these kits are more Japanese than Chinese, and fortune cookies are an American invention. And what's up with the word-art? I don't see people using Google Translate and making random word-art in French or Spanish (or maybe they do?), but somehow it's OK to do it in Chinese. Some of these just don't make sense.
That's not what a pet peeve is.
Pattie Know was a kind, friendly digital scrapper from way back when digi was just becoming what it is today. I first "met" her in 2004 when I started digi-scrapping and I'm so saddened to hear of her passing. She was a designer at Designer Digitals and mostly stuck to their forum and galleries once she landed there and that's probably why many are not familiar with her. I hadn't spoken to her in years, but I was facebook friends with her and knew she was so proud of her new twin grandbabies. She was a bright light for those who knew her. Such a loss.
I'd never heard of her, either. Sad story for sure.
And now we're in March. With no new post. Gennifer, can you ask your replacement what's going on??
It annoys me when designers don't do their research and lump anything slightly "oriental" into these kits. I find it very ethnocentric. Some of the dolls in these kits are more Japanese than Chinese, and fortune cookies are an American invention. And what's up with the word-art? I don't see people using Google Translate and making random word-art in French or Spanish (or maybe they do?), but somehow it's OK to do it in Chinese. Some of these just don't make sense.
______________________________
Totally agree! I haven't checked out the blog train, but this is true of kits in general. Things that most designers include are so stereotypical. I don't buy them and don't scrap with them if they do this. I have a handful of nice Chinese kits but most that are available are not good.
I would like a March blog post cuz we need to easily find info, like this: What do y'all think of this month's TDF? I've never heard of half these designers--I'm not commenting on the quality, just on who I know and what I like. I'm saying this so you can get an idea of why I like (or don't like) certain things; if you like similar stuff then maybe this'll help you.
Based solely on the previews (cuz I'm DLing right now):
Forever Joy: I like the kit theme and colors. I can see myself scrapping with it. (Never scrapped with FJ before--IDK about her/them/him at all.)
Splendid Fiins: Not impressed. Never heard of her/them/him/whatever, but I won't be buying based off of frames and a few papers. That's not a kit and I'm a kit-scrapper. I see she sells at Jessica Sprague; I'm not a fan of that store. Most of the stuff there looks digitally made and very behind in terms of the times. Kind of like those moms who are STILL wearing pegged jeans. (Hell, nowadays those "moms" are mostly grandmas. But I digress.) But if this if for a PL-type of thing, then that's probably why I don't like them. I don't do PL.
Jumpstart: Never heard of her, like the colors but I don't think I'll like the kit. It seems very digital-y (like it was made using scripts instead of actual items or doodles or whatever). But some of it looks OK so I'll try it and see.
Cluster Queen Creations: I really like her stuff normally. But what I love about her TDF portion is that she included a kit AND templates. That seems like a great deal for TDF.
Heather Joyce: I've picked up a few of Heather's fonts (I love TLP, where she sells), and I've always really liked them. I like these cuz I can use them for journaling in my kids' "handwriting" and just regular journaling. So, they seem like a versatile pack.
EH Studio: Never heard of, and this does not impress me. BUT, a few days ago people here were talking about "simple" and minimalist templates. These IMO would fit the bill, so maybe y'all would like them. But compared to the templates and kit CQ Creations provided, EH's seem boring and unimpressive. (Again, I'll stress that this is based on my scrapping style. IDK if EH's templates are easy to scrap with or if they're good quality. I'm sure someone else can comment or smack about that.)
Wild Blueberry: Well, I can't tell if I like the elements cuz they're too small on the preview to tell. But I do like the colors. But it seems like there aren't a lot of elements, if they're all on that little preview. I've heard of WB but I don't think I've scrapped any of her stuff before.
Overall impression: Definitely not the best month IMO. But like I said, I don't scrap in the style of some of the designers. The nice thing about TDF though is that you get a range of styles so at least I like some of the stuff. CQC's and FJ's stuff plus Heather's fonts make it worth the $5 for me.
TDF?
The Digi Files @ The Daily Digi
TDF - The Digi Files
Absolutely nothing for art journalers.
84, that's true, but do they usually have stuff for art journaling? (Not asking to be snarky; I really want to know if they do.) They featured Michelle Godin a few months ago, but that's the only AJ style that I can remember off the top of my head.
hey, gallerystandouts.com--go renew your domain name or I'm gonna snatch it up.
78: I'm checking on it. :)
WE NEED NEW SPACE. It's easy enough to navigate to the last post on my laptop or tablet, but, try doing it on your phone. HA!
Oops sorry Gennifer, we were posting at the same time. I really am not THAT much of a bitch. Honest.
Here is a new smack blog if people don't want to have to search through five million comments. If no one wants to use it, it will be deleted at the end of March:
http://digiscrapsmak.blogspot.com
I know I only paid $5, but the feature presentation pass from MSA is disappointing. It was advertised as full kits and it's not really. And they don't feel like the designers put anywork into them. 3 months, 3 new to me designers, and 3 designers I most likely wouldn't purchase from again.
No worries, 88! I've started viewing it as a webpage on my phone, because the mobile version is definitely a pain with this many comments.
I like this month's from Juliana, but ITA that it would be nice if the designers made fuller sized kits. Juliana's has lots of great WA, but not a ton of actual elements.
#60: I like SO too and I really dislike the new gallery too, for the exact same reasons you mentioned. Really wish they'd change it back!
Does anyone know if there is a program to let you know if someone has received your email?
I remember people talking about one years ago.
I don't know why but I cringe every time I see Chinese/Asian themed kits... maybe because I'm Chinese? It annoys me when designers don't do their research and lump anything slightly "oriental" into these kits. I find it very ethnocentric.
----
The same is true for a lot of European and Australian themed kits. The Australian ones are usually the worst. Throw in a few kangaroos, koalas, the flag and the Opera House or the Bridge and it's considered done.
fortune cookies are an American invention
--------
No, they are a Japanese creation.
#80 - your post was hard to read, sorry. Double space between paragraphs would have made it easier. Thanks for the post though.
90 - I went to comment that your blog is not needed, but you forgot to allow anonymous postings.
Anonymous said... 85
84, that's true, but do they usually have stuff for art journaling? (Not asking to be snarky; I really want to know if they do.) They featured Michelle Godin a few months ago, but that's the only AJ style that I can remember off the top of my head.
_______
I keep hoping . . .
OMG 98, picky much???
98: I'm post 80. I'm sooooo sorry that I tried to conserve space by not double spacing. I mean, not everyone gets TDF and I was already writing such a long post. Please, disregard the post and you have my sincerest, deepest apologies for writing something that was too difficult for your delicate senses to handle. From now on I'll try very hard to make my posts easy to read.
Just
for
you.
^^^
LMAO!
DST has another blog train. Their trains are not as big as they used to be. Ok smack on it because you know you wanna!
#102 -
gee
thanks
a
lot
for
taking
something
so
well
i'm
proud
of
you
next
time
i
won't
bother
apologizing
or
saying
thank
you
as
that
seems
to
annoy
some
of
you
OMG 98, picky much???
---
OMG, moron much??????
105: your "thanks" in 98 was completely negated by the whole "I can't read this" line. That kind of thank you is passive-aggressive bullshit. It's like the saying "Anything said before 'but' isn't true." (You used the word "though" instead of "but" of course, just so people don't smack me for not reading your post.) You know when someone breaks up with you and they say "I like you, but...we have to break up" what they really mean is "I DON'T like you and get out of my life"? Same thing here: when you said "Thank you [but] I can't read it," you were really saying "Fuck you and your inability to write something on an anonymous smack blog in the way that *I* want it written." It's like a Southern lady saying "Bless your heart." What she really means is pretty much the opposite of that. Your post came across the same way.
Good job getting all crazy about it. I bet people really loved reading it on their phones/little tablets.
So instead of talking about how the post was written, how about someone else talk about this month's Digi Files? Or some could talk about this month's Scrap Pack? I like the look of Lyndsay Rich's but I don't like Jenn's, which is disappointing cuz I usually love her stuff. (I hate that wood texture. It looks fake and the color palette is not my fave.) And TDC's is a hot mess. Never heard of Seatrout--any good? I like what I see in the preview.
#07 - if I had wanted to say 'fuck you and your inability to write', I would have said it but I didn't, so that's not what I meant. I thought I was pretty clear about what I wanted.
107, even the TDC designers think theirs is a hot mess believe you me. Sad that they didn't have any say in what got made.
I dont see any previews yet for the digi files
109 what do you mean?
Digi files are revealed on the site one at a time throughout the month. You can only see the previews at the beginning of the month if you pay for it.
111 I read it as 109 is one of the designers or some other site staff and saying that they didn't like the kit?
#107 shut up. Do you ramble on like an idiot when your talking? If you are like irl, I understand why you've resorted to pontificating on a blog.
I got the Scrap Pack and like it all very much. Sea Trout Scraps has been around for awhile and her templates are great.
The Digi Chick's kit isn't a "hot mess" (way, way, Way overused term!!!!) at all. Why do you say that? Did you buy it and see it?
111 I read it as 109 is one of the designers or some other site staff and saying that they didn't like the kit?
-----
This doesn't even begin to make sense. Are you saying they were forced to design a kit by somebody? My, who in the digi world yields such power?
#107 shut up. Do you ramble on like an idiot when your talking? If you are like irl, I understand why you've resorted to pontificating on a blog.
----------
I'm not sure, do you? You sound like a complete pompous ass, no wonder you've resorted to telling people off on a blog.
109- I call troll
The kit is a morocco themed collab. I like it- and call BS since its a collab. How and when is someone told what they must make for a collab wo say?
This month, 2 designers retire from Gingerscraps...
120- Which two?
Wyld Web Designs & Keep In Touch
The palette for the DSF blog train is the exact same one used a couple of years ago for the bi-monthly mega blog trains that Trish H. used to coordinate. Same theme and everything. Wasn't good then and it still isn't.
DSF?
Digiscrap Forum
Does Charly own Stuff To Scrap? It is odd that the blog train features the same colors and theme that had been planned for a collab at Berry Sweet but was never released because the store closed suddenly.
- Screwed By Charly -
I've only been there once or twice but I'm going to guess no.
For their blog train, it looks like anyone is able to submit a palette and theme.
The DST blog train is small and horrible.
I hate when butt juice leaks through to the chair I am sitting in.
The owner of Stuff To Scrap is named Nicole designing as Digi-Designs by Nicole
I'm not sure, do you? You sound like a complete pompous ass, no wonder you've resorted to telling people off on a blog.
_____
I might be a pompous ass but I don't take four or five paragraphs (grossly incorrectly punctuated and unbroken up making it even MORE difficult to read)to express it. Oh, by the way, shut up.
Ass/butt
................
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
..........
.....................
..............................
................................
......................................
..........................................
.................................
.ljlasdfjoawij
slkdfnawoi2u5r
f oaidfupawoeurt
osidfu9w7452
lsdiuraoiwe
mfoaeupaw8e'
avnoaidfoaihfa'
vohpawe
avlm osa
wnv
aituawoanv'ldgoirhga
andfksithaiowh
alyssa
alyssa
charly
royanna
stupid fucking blog
lskdfajpwoef
avmaoweiurt;aoiwnv'advm
asiueoa
vmalskmvoawieur
renay
m vlaiertoaiwenfl'adjgfoawe
mfoaiwefr
crystalbella
zlsiduraownva;lisweurta
mvoaweuanvladifjoawjf
avfjaj
charly
renay
twinlets
aliwaea
vmlasdiuaowejv
asvmalsdjaowejf'av
svmsoidfjaoiur0ur
vdifuoasueru
ajvaweura9wue4r9t
vsdjgfoaisdfuo[aweufa
jklajdrj
awerjaoweijfa
werjaew
grammar
cannot type
;zlsdura[wem
vcasdofmaoweu9ar9wehv;
svmaowieruaoweijvamvaoweufrwe
to the OP that got TDF- do you think its worth it? I clicked on some of the designers and found a few I actually liked but never really heard of- even tho it looks like they've been around- what do u think of the kits?
133: I'm the OP about TDF. I haven't unzipped them yet, so I can't tell you about the quality of the kits. But based on the previews, I'd say it's worth it. HOWEVER, this is not the best month IMO. If I have a chance to actually unzip everything and really look at each kit, then I'll come back here and post what I think (if someone hasn't already).
And 115, thanks for saying what you thought of the Scrap Pack and specifically your take on Seatrout Scraps. I've never purchased her templates, but they look nice. I've been fooled by previews before, so it's good to hear, I mean *read*, what you think.
Here is a new smack blog if people don't want to have to search through five million comments. If no one wants to use it, it will be deleted at the end of March:
http://digiscrapsmak.blogspot.com
-----
Thanks, but without allowing anon posts no one is going to post.
Where is everyone?
Hey 126 I agree with you. Awfully funny the blog train has the exact color palette and monster theme Berry Sweet had before she flipped shit, and after looking at her blog under her new design name, Crescent Moon Designs, I see she is also in the Stuff To Scrap contest, round four. Anyone bother to spread the word to STS owner that Charly is a certifiable nut job? Maybe enlighten them about previous "stuff" here on the blog...that is if STS isn't Charly...it does have her design style! If it isn't her and she ends up there as a designer, I can mark that shop off my list along with PDW since they obviously don't care who they have in store.
typical Royana style , send an email on the 2nd march stating that all resets etc to be finalized on you guessed it the 2nd march.
#137 - monster theme kit? Let me guess the colors, blue, purple, green and yellow.
Nicole from Stuff Thats Crap won't care that Charly is a nutjob. She is a pirate and she encourages breaking copyright. She doesn't give a shit about anything other than money.
Also Nicole from Stuff That's Crap ranted at the designers there when Miss Tiina was called out on the old smack blog - Nicole said it was just 'highschool gossip' so I wouldn't out it past her if she actually brought Charly on just because she is smacked here.
Nicole also banned designers from discussing Miss Tiina and the piracy issue in the designer forums there.
^^^ What "highschool gossip" was had about Miss Tiina? I wasn't at the old smack blog and wouldn't mind knowing.
And I didn't know Crescent Moon was Charly. She wasn't acting weird over at STS (yet) and I didn't put the two together.
#140 - breaking copyright isn't exclusive to Nicole from STS. Project Mouse at TLP anyone?
The blog train theme and colors at STS are chosen by asking the forum members to submit ideas. Then the different palettes and theme are voted on by the forum members. The swatch that was chosen was from one of those sites that posts a color palette along with a picture. The picture was of monster cupcakes. I doubt that Charly had anything to do with the blog train at STS. It's just a coincidence.
If Charly were the owner of STS it wouldn't have made it this long anyway - there's a reason BSS didn't make it a whole year.
141 - Charly is just competing in the designer contest at STS - she hasn't been "brought on".
All of the designers submitted color pallates and themes for the collabs at BSS. The monster cupcake picture was one of those submitted, by whom I can't remember. Maybe they (or another former BSS designer) just submitted it again for the blog hoping it would get picked and they could just use what they had already done.
143 - where the fuck have you been? we've gone over that one ad nauseam.
#148 - right here, noodle brain, that's why I mentioned it. Why so belligerent?
not 148, but probably because it's super annoying to have someone bring up a topic that's already been done to death and try to revive it once the rest of us have successfully passed it by after it lingered here for much too long in the first place.
LOL @ noodle brain, though! let's talk about that instead.
#150 - I wasn't trying to revive it, just pointing out that Nicole is not the only one guilty and this incident was recent, so everyone would remember it. That is all.
People need to stop reading between the lines because there's nothing there in the first place.
Oh so that must make it ok then, if other people do it.
#152 - nobody said that, did they? No, they didn't. Where did you get that from?
where the fuck have you been? we've gone over that one ad nauseam.
-----
We've gone over a lot of things ad nauseum, get a grip
Thanks to this blog I am much more aware of recoloring elements and doing it poorly, hence, I really, really don't like Shabby Miss Jenn's stuff as much.
I wonder if there would be less stupid anger and more discussion of digi scrap/designers if we could get a freaking new month already. Wtf
Thanks to the lack of activity on this blog, I'm on the weird side of YouTube.
I wonder if there would be less stupid anger and more discussion of digi scrap/designers if we could get a freaking new month already. Wtf
------
It doesn't make a difference. I'm not sure why you think it would.
Breath deeply 156, b/c I have a feeling you are going to be reading in January 2013 until at least January 2014.
So this blog is now on it's own....that's hilarious!!
There's no one to supervise us!
Thanks to the $1-$2 Scrapmatters sale I'll be spending $25-$30 at the shop after a very long time.
This sale is appreciated and I couldn't resist.
155 I thought the same thing after I unzipped her newest Little Fairy kit! I was really disappointed in the recolors. Is this a recent thing, or has this always been an issue with her (SMJ)?
#162 - it's always been like that which is why I've never bought from her.
saw the first look at TDF this morning- never heard of Forever Joy- but the kit looks good- did anyone download it yet? too many times Previews fool-
So this blog is now on it's own....that's hilarious!!
There's no one to supervise us!
-----
I recall a few months back when the new owner scolded people for what they were posting, and it elicited lots of anger from the masses who said that we can talk about whatever the F we want to here b/c it's a smack blog. Maybe she got her feelings hurt that day, and went away to sulk and never return.
Does anyone know how much digi designers earn? I suppose there is a big range depending on quality, popularity, etc, but what do some of the top designers earn each month?
I have a design background and I am thinking of trying my hand at designing scrap kits, but I need to do a little research on income potential first!
166: the earning potential can be big according to people on here, but I would take that info with a big grain of salt. I CT for a few "big name" designers and they don't make a ton of money, and I know they have pretty good sales.
For most designers, they do it for the loves of designing and of scrapping, not for the income. If you want to try it, go for it. It might take a long time to make money, or it happen soon (within a few months). There are stores that take on apprentices, as well as designers that will help you along. But you might want to figure out what style scrapping you like and would feel comfortable designing in that style. And know that there is a huge number of "designers" out there. And just like other industries (music comes to mind), the best don't always become the most popular. This industry is about popularity as much as it is actual quality.
Hey, all!
Without giving too much away, I think we should give the blog owner a couple more weeks. In the meantime, maybe the person who created a new one can enable anonymous comments, or we'll just have to muddle through here. :)
166: I've noticed that many of the big designers from a few years ago have now moved into photography. Maybe this is an indication that it does not pay too well?
166-- if you're looking for full time income, you probably won't make much. You're more likely to make enough to support your scrap shopping habit, or enough to have a little fun money.
Most designers I know (mid to upper tier) are able to make a little money, but it's definitely not full time, or even traditional part time pay, for the number of hours you work.
Even when I whip out a kit in a few hours, it's not exactly great money when you break it down into hourly pay (considering time spent marketing, uploading, creating previews, doing freebies/blog hops/what have you, plus staying involved in your store's forum, which is likely to get more people looking at your store). There's more to it than designing.
Is it a lot of fun? Yes, for me it is. And the fact that it provides supplemental income is nice. From a strictly personal standpoint, I work from home so I can stay home with my kids. I have one work from home job that I use to pay the bills, actual money, but it doesn't pay enough to have leftover money for going out to eat sometimes, spending on "extras," etc. Designing fills that gap, but it is by no means a replacement for my current job.
I am in an upper mid-tier store, have one new product per week and make between $1500 - $1800 per month. I spend more time advertisizing than I do designing just to keep my name out there. It took me almost three years to get to this point, and I've learned alot. Knowing people in top shops CAN help you get into a decent place - but for the most part? You are on your own to develop your style and tweak things until they are squeaky clean QC wise. There aren't many who 'hit the bigtime' right outta the box. Takes time and alot of practice.
I wonder if there would be less stupid anger and more discussion of digi scrap/designers if we could get a freaking new month already. Wtf
--
If this is a big, big deal for you and causes you such angst then you must have an uneventful life OR you are, in fact, a drama llama!!!!!!!!!!! I love those pics of the lama being dramatic..go look at 'em and C.H.I.L.L.!
Seriously. Who the hell cares how many replies are in the post? Makes no difference to me.
If you're viewing this in the mobile version (on a phone or tablet) you don't have the option to skip to the newest comments. You have to scroll to the bottom to load more comments, then scroll to the bottom of those to load more, and so on. It can be a real pain when there are a ton of comments.
My phone app has an option to switch to web view and it's just normal then.
That's what I do, too.
167, 170, 171: Thanks for the feedback!
Not trying to smack her, just wanting an honest opinion:
So Harper Finch (newish designer that's going to have a guest spot at TDC this Friday) has been giving out free mega kits to people who donate $10 or more to her. I just saw this on her FB:
"Asking people to "donate" $10 to get your kits for "free" does not in reality make them free. The definition of "free" in the dictionary is: without cost or payment : ladies were admitted free. Free means without attachments. <<< Comment just left on my blog. LoL. Seriously?"
I'm posting this here because I've been thinking about the same thing, that it's not really free if you can only get it by donating $10. Or maybe I'm wrong. I'm not sure. What do you think?
If she's only giving the kit to the people who donate, then it's not free.
I have fonts on Dafont, people can donate if they wish, even if they don't donate a thing, they still get the fonts. I've had some pretty awesome people donate though.
#166 - honestly, now would be the wrong time to enter the design market, unless you have something fairly unique and sellable or you are going to go down the CU route.
I've noticed that many of the big designers from a few years ago have now moved into photography. Maybe this is an indication that it does not pay too well?
-------
Not necessarily. I think it's more an indication that they've discovered they really like photography and are over the designing and scrapping.
I've noticed that many of the big designers from a few years ago have now moved into photography. Maybe this is an indication that it does not pay too well?
---------------
Adding to what #181 said, photography also has a wider market. Just about everyone wants pictures, not everyone wants scrapbooking kits.
Gennifer - without giving anything away? the person has been busy? and give her till the end of the month? Don't tell me you gave this blog over to Mye.
#178: I've been downloading some of those freebies, and never saw the donation requirement. So ... ?
#184, she has been making certain kits exclusive to donors, like the XOXO kit and the Gamer Night kit.
I've been downloading some of her freebies as well, but judging from their quality (horrible jaggies on many elements) I won't be paying for them any time soon. I sure hope what she's selling at her Etsy store and the TDC are of better quality.
I thought Mye too. in which case someone shoudl email Mye and ask her to give the blog to someone who can maintain it - her life is going to be hectic enough.
Lots of people have 'perks' for donating - Mye had them on her fundraising page and I've seen them all over the place. It's not really that out of the ordinary.
185 - I agree about Harper Finch. I downloaded a few as well, and just deleted them after seeing the horrible quality. I stopped following her blog, too, so I was unaware she would be opening shop at TDC.
I only buy from a couple designers myself at TDC and I wish they would move on to better stores (etc by Danyale and occasionally Sweet Digi Scraps).
It's one thing to have a 'gift' for donations. It's another thing to call it "free". Semantics, maybe, but still a poor choice of words.
Yeah, and to post that comment in a derisive tone on Facebook... I just think it's poor form.
re 188: I was surprised to see her open store at TDC, too; I thought they were better at QC than that. I like Sherwood Studio and Sweet Digi Scraps. Harper Finch's stuff looks OK on preview (she does use a lot of recognizable CU though) but is horrible close up.
You know, I recall just a few months ago reading on her blog that she is doing this designing thing for fun, she won't consider selling her stuff because there are so many talented designers out there, blah blah blah. Now all of a sudden she's super serious about this business of hers LOL
Why on earth would anyone think that Mye took over this blog? For a start, the whole post in November about Eva isn't written in the same way that Mye writes, for a second, the idea is, well, just plain ridiculous.
You know, I recall just a few months ago reading on her blog that she is doing this designing thing for fun, she won't consider selling her stuff because there are so many talented designers out there, blah blah blah. Now all of a sudden she's super serious about this business of hers LOL
------
She's not the first and she won't be the last
It's one thing to have a 'gift' for donations. It's another thing to call it "free". Semantics, maybe, but still a poor choice of words.
-----
It's more than just semantics.
Okay, I'm the first person who brought up Harper Finch on this blog, and now I feel bad because she's gotten really upset on both her blog and her FB. I think she has a good eye for design and colors, just hasn't learned about jaggies yet. I certainly didn't mean to make someone "throw in the towel"! I didn't want to come across as having my panties in a twist or super negative, but maybe I did.
Not Mye. Not anyone that I "know" in the digital world, honestly, which is why it is really hard for me to say anything that might potentially give away the identity to people that do know them.
#194 - don't feel bad, if she was upset by a couple of none flaming comments on a smack bog, she's not cut out for business. She needs to grow up a little. Even my emotional 12 year old girl wouldn't have been upset by the comments on this blog if they had been about her, know what I'm saying?
Yeah - she'll get over it. Or not - there's nothing you can do about it. And don't feel bad. All you wanted to know was people's opinions about a "free" kit costing $10. No matter how you spin it - the kit isn't free. It's $10. If I could go there right now and download it without paying a penny, then (and only then) it would be free. She sounds like a moron to me.
New comments are not allowed.