I certainly don't want it to be 1200+ comments, but what do you guys feel is a good number? I don't want to be derailing important conversations about British English, after all.
So, it sounds like you feel the conversation on British English was de-railing the discussion? So why did you bring it up again? I, for one, am fed up of hearing about it and I have dual citizenship with Britain.
Back into the world of digiscrapping, however...what are your thoughts on The GingerScrapsStreet Digital Magazine? A couple of friends of mine recommended it to me, but I can't say I thought it was very useful. Can anyone recommend any good online digiscrapping mags? I've found some others in Google, but I'd like to know your thoughts.
"There is a couple reason’s I really like these two products for hybrid projects, they essentially look a digital stamp. Also you can change the color to match any paper line you are working with. I love that adding these products to my paper lines make it personal and unique."
from LilyPad http://www.the-lilypad.com/blog/2012/02/20/giving-hybrid-another-chance/?ref=nf
Someone needs to figure out grammar before they post to a blog for a store.
As far as the SO Vegas thing. It would have been smarter for SO to hook up with some other stores. It's not really a "scrapapalooza" with only one store. That's like a music festival with artists from only one recording company, except lamer.
Personally, I think they are charging WAY too much just to go. It would be one thing if my hotel stay was included. Especially since half of their classes have information you can get on the net for FREE. Or better yet, at another forum with designers I might actually like for FREE.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Yes, it's a lot of money and most of the info is available elsewhere. From looking at it, you pay a whole bunch of money for your ticket plus you have to pay for individual classes. Umm, no thanks.
Plus, didn't they have this event last year? Why not make it an every other year type thing?
I find it incredibly annoying that StefDesign won several of the Digital Scrapbooking Awards when she doesn't actually digitally scrapbook and detests digi scrap products.
I find it incredibly annoying that StefDesign won several of the Digital Scrapbooking Awards when she doesn't actually digitally scrapbook and detests digi scrap products.
-------- She has her own definition of digital scrapbooking, and it is obviously different than yours. Where in the name does it say it has to be a certain way or with certain products? I am not fan of her style but I don't dislike it. Just like I am not a fan of the minimalis style with a tiny photo you can barely see, but it obviously suits some people. Isn't digital scrapbooking supposed to mean "making scrap pages digitally"? Then she does.
Here's another idea for when to switch the blog over to a new comment area... what about on the first of every month? That way, it won't get confusing as to which thread you left off in, if you're like me and you don't check this every single week, let alone every day. You could just start a new area for each month, and title it with the month's name. Looking at the old smack blog, it seems it usually took 2-3 months to get up around 1500-2000 comments (when she'd switch it), so I think a month would end up averaging about 500 comments (sometimes more, and sometimes less).
One of the things the previous digismack blog owner did was turn off comment son old posts when she started a new one - that way you don't have to check both posts for new updates. I think that is a good idea, too.
I was so excited to hear about this call, but disappointed that you require designers to be exclusive Wouldn't be a good move for me to do that...good luck to all that apply!
Here's a link to her store: http://amandacreation.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1
Why would a high-profile store allow non-exclusive designers. They obviously have their pick, and if I were doing the picking I would want someone who is committed fully to one shop.
Here's a link to her store: http://amandacreation.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1
Yeah, not quite SSD calibre. SDD maybe, not SSD.
Once I looked past the really horrible (IMO) blog design, I don't think her kits are too bad. I don't think they are presented very well though. I must admit that, presentation aside, I have seen worse in SSD. Depends on your taste.
Agreed... those kits aren't bad, and they're pretty much SSD's style, they're just previewed very very badly.
I think she would do herself a lot of favours if she worked on her kit previews and toned that blog down to something a bit more professional looking. Style wise though, I agree with commenter 32, they do seem in-keeping with SSD's style.
Anyone who is selling a full kit for $3 regular price is not SSD material. I agree the girl needs preview help, but even then, I don't agree she's SSD material. It's all just Americo CU kit after kit.
Interesting that her post at DST mentioning her move states this : "I am SOOO excited that I am ahead to a NEW place, a STORE with warm and sweet environment" It just seems like SBG might not have had those attributes? I would not know for sure as I never sold there (and never applied either).
The flowers on her blog (left side) are badly recolored. Not a good sign of the quality of her kits :( ----------- depends what look she was trying to achieve I suppose.
The flowers on her blog (left side) are badly recolored. Not a good sign of the quality of her kits :( ^^ I've seen worse in kits from some "top" stores. They are not the kind of look I'd be going for, but seriously I have seen similar before from other "top notch" designers.
What the hell is going on with that convention in Vegas. Seems like they are literally begging people to buy tickets. 7:26 AM
I really have to agree with this. SO has always struck me as desperate anyway. It's like a little kid who is trying too hard to be accepted. Feb 21, 2012 7:50:00 AM ----------- This literally made me laugh out loud. So true!
Can someone tell me what is going on at Scrapbook Bytes? I have tried to contact the admin there for weeks now and there is no response. I'm sure at least one designer there reads this blog. What is the deal? Customer Service issues should not take this long to be handled.
^^^^ Posting in their forum or facebook fan page should result in fast response. You can say you have tried other ways for weeks and receiving no feedback. They probably won't like complaints out in the open. Someone should alert the admin for you real fast.
What the hell is going on with that convention in Vegas. Seems like they are literally begging people to buy tickets. 7:26 AM
I really have to agree with this. SO has always struck me as desperate anyway. It's like a little kid who is trying too hard to be accepted.
--------------------
Apparently last year's event was nothing but a bunch of drunken "let's all get a tattoo" girls trying to make a scrapbook event with a bunch of goodie-two-shoes girls. The classes were lame and it wasn't worth the money (so says a friend of mine who attended).
I know Happy Tits doesn't like Laura's "change of attitude" since she got "popular". She complained about it in the DCR awhile ago. Maybe she's visiting us??
All the Scrap Orchard and Vegas retreat haters are amusing. I went last year and had a lot of fun. Maybe the people talking down on it are upset that they haven't experienced something similar. If you're involved in the digiscrap community like most people that went last year, meeting up with those online friends is definitely something to look forward to. If you aren't into meetups and that sort of thing, there's no need to shit on everyone else for having fun. :)
Having organized some paper scrap retreats in my day I suspect that SO is on the hook for a minimum number of attendees - ie: they pay the hotel for them even if that minimum doesn't show up. So as they get closer and closer to the date, they are getting more and more desperate to reach that minimum or they will be out what could be several thousand dollars (depending on how many people short they are.)
I would have gone but it's too far away and expensive. Most retreats either charge a registration fee or for classes. I've been to one conference that charge for both registration and classes, but your hotel room came free. Charging for all three is a bit much and deems a bit greedy to me. Usually these kinds of things aren't intended to be profitable - they are intended to build community and create long-lasting customers. SO has tried to make it profitable and it certainly seems (from their constant bleating about it) like that could be biting them in the bum.
I would go to Vegas but the cost is incredible. I have gone to many retreats and stuff and agree with the poster above...something like room or classes are normally covered. It is about building loyalty not profit. If they make one great...but they could get mor people simply by just reducing the price!
#70 "Having organized some paper scrap retreats in my day I suspect that SO is on the hook for a minimum number of attendees -" __________________________________
Agreed. If they had partnered with other stores it would have lightened their own financial responsibility. They could have even had a "designers" special event just for the designers who participated. It would've taken some of the load off of their designers so they could have fun while in Vegas instead of just teaching class after class, and perhaps widened their potential market base.
Agreed. If they had partnered with other stores it would have lightened their own financial responsibility. They could have even had a "designers" special event just for the designers who participated. It would've taken some of the load off of their designers so they could have fun while in Vegas instead of just teaching class after class, and perhaps widened their potential market base.
^^^ Yep I agree with you there too. My supsocition on THAT point is that SO didn't want to share the customer base that they are hoping to build loyalty in with any other store. Again ... they got greedy.
They want to make profit, build community and customer loyalty all for them. Unrealistic.
Maybe someone from SO will actually read these comments and make changes for the future.
For those who just scrap and don't design, which site would you recommend as an all-around good site to settle in and hang out? And why?
^^^ I like to hang out at Gingerscraps and Scrapping Fairytales forums because the girls there are so welcoming and friendly. If I have any questions, they answer them without making me feel stupid. Also I've suggested things to designers at both places, like themes for kits etc and the designers at both places are able to have a discussion about it, even if one from GS did eventually decide the kit wouldn't sell. I tried DST but found the forum unwelcoming, elitist and intimidating. I know other people seem to love it there but it just wasn't a good fit for me.
I also enjoy challenges and the challenges at SFT and GS are the kind I like to do, although I often play along and forget to enter!
Did anyone even look at the pics from last years vegas retreat? There was a whole lot of people that went. While I am not going because I do believe the prices are too high, it was one of the smartest moves for SO. Can we say big money anyone?
I do believe (SO I know you all are reading) that come next year, if you dropped the price on the tickets and classes for people to attend so they had the extra 500 needed for hotel, food and shopping, you would have a crap load more attend (or pay the non-refundable ticket price) and in the end result make more money. Just a piece of something to throw out there.
And yes another in agreeance with the fact that if other designers came into the mix of the SO thing then it would be another smart move. Charge a sponsor space for other designers to come in and showcase stuff and do a percentage of the class amount just like commission through the store. It would be greedy going this way, because no matter who you showcase its SO that is hosting the event, SO is getting the exposure and the benefit of other designers bringing their followers in for ticket sales.
You really think that another store would be happy about their designer being part of an event hosted by a competing store? --------- I would think that if an owner thought that one of their designers would be exposed to a new customer base, and then potentially "bring" some of those customers back to her store to check things out, that the owner would be fine with it. I would. I wouldn't view it as my designers lacking loyalty at all.
God's honest truth? I wish Digiscrapapalooza had originally been formed as an industry-wide convention, of sorts, rather than as a one-store deal. Obviously it's Kami's perspective to do things the way she wants, and it was SO's idea. But I also think it would be good for the industry as a whole to have a centralized event/organization, and I also think that SO could/would make a lot more money if they had broadened the scope of the event. Charge for booth space, like any convention. Bring in other designers, other shops, other related businesses (printers, photo books) etc. I mean come on, does SO really think that if other shops aren't at the event, that loyal digiscrappers won't find those shops online on their own anyway? Puhleeze. The internet is small. Then also charge for attendance at the main event, but not for individual classes. There would be a lot of money to go around (registrations, advertising, booths, exhibitors), and more people overall would come.
Someone please explain to me why it's OK for SMJ to add a Coca Cola image in one of her kits? Does she have special privileges that the rest of us don't qualify for? Or is this just the second time in a year, at least, that she's decided she's above copyright law?
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
I'm not very familiar with Digiscrapapalooza, but I thought I remembered something about Tangie Baxter teaching a class there so I looked at the website. Not only is Tangie doing a class, but someone named Steph from The Daily Digi and there were some other presenters whose names I didn't recognize from SO (I don't hang out there much, but I've never seen a Debbie Hodge on their designer list). Seems like the event isn't just limited to SO designers, maybe others are welcome but didn't sign up? Also, there is a list of sponsors along the side of the website, including wacom and some printing companies. I'm not sure where some of the criticism is coming from.
Not the OP but if SMJ is in the right, she has nothing to worry about. No need to ask her that at all. If she did everything right, what's the difference between answering your inquiry or Coca Cola's?
It doesn't say Coca Cola, it says Cola Cola. Don't see the problem.
The "Cola Cola" uses the "cola" part of the Coca Cola logo...which is a registred trademark. The bottle shape is also a registered trademark of Coca Cola.
what's the difference between answering your inquiry or Coca Cola's?
^^^ seems less cowardly to raise it with the designer rather than go behind their back. Takes more courage to raise it with them in my opinion. Of course, you're entitled to NOT see the problem. That's your right.
Someone please explain to me why it's OK for SMJ to add a Coca Cola image in one of her kits? Does she have special privileges that the rest of us don't qualify for? Or is this just the second time in a year, at least, that she's decided she's above copyright law?
This is a vintage image. She might have thought that a vintage image would have been ok to use, only Coca Cola has kept their Trademark through the years, so in fact, this is not ok to use. She obviously didn't do her homework before she used this image.
I haven't been scrapping for awhile - I decided to go check out a few of my favorite stores to see what is new. My first stop was Scrap Matters. What happened there? It looks like everyone good is gone and everything there is...not worth stopping by for again. Story?
#93 -- you missed all the drama this past fall. Andilynn decided to close up shop. Told her whole design team and admins. Store was going to close at the end of November, if I remember correctly? (after DSD weekend, so everyone could get one last payday). Problem was that someone told someone who told someone else, and the word got out. People started asking in the SM forums if the store would be closing at the end of DSD. That's when it got interesting. The answer from the top was, "no we're not closing at the end of DSD." But it became almost embarrasingly obvious that nobody would come out and say, "no we're not closing at all." It was obvious they were closing but trying to cover it up until after DSD. Lots of designers started bailing out and jumping to other stores, and then right about when it was apparent that nothing good was left there at SM, Andilynn got the bright idea to stay open after all. And now her store is shit. Very weird turn of events, but probably served her right in the end. That's the quick version. I'm probably leaving out important details, but I can't remember all of it
Getting past the Coca Cola bottle, she also used an image of an iPhone, complete with the app buttons from Apple. I would think they would have a problem with that, too.
What's really strange regarding SM is that some designers have returned. I still can't believe they'd trust Andrea again and would even want to be there.
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
I think you'd find both to be true. Some people would be nicer than the impression you've gotten about them here. Some people would be about what you'd expect from reading things here. And some people, while loved and revered online, might not be all they've been cracked up to be, once met in person.
Sometimes differences in the way people write/present themselves online cause them to be "disliked." You can't hear tone or see facial expressions or body language in online communication. For many people, that makes it harder to judge others honestly.
Getting past the Coca Cola bottle, she also used an image of an iPhone, complete with the app buttons from Apple. I would think they would have a problem with that, too. --------- I think we can all agree that SMJ doesn't have the same regard for copyright law that she should, given her status in the industry. That said, why is it that she has such a high status? I just don't get it. Does that stem solely from her having been around so long? It's the only thing that makes sense to me. If not for that, nothing she does seems all that elevated to me. Her designs use tons of CU, and aren't all that original, and she has been blasted here numerous times for using items she shouldn't in kits. Why do so many people hold her in such high regard? Looking for an honest answer here, I am seriously curious.
Not the OP and I have never purchased from her, so I can't say. After browsing her site a bit, though, I have to say I am SO tired of the "too much CU" argument always made here. I could care less if she (or anyone else) uses CU or not. If a kit is nice and I have a use for it, I'll buy it.
What I won't do is buy from someone who thinks they are above copyright law. To me, that is the more serious offense.
----------------------- I don't even think she had anything to apologise for. Some people are just too over sensitive - makes me wonder how they cope with life.
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
#102 - Did you see the post she had up earlier in the morning? The post that had layouts she had found? The post that she called one of those layouts "pointless" because it had no journaling on it to reference what the photograph's were about? She took someone's layout off the net, posted it an open forum in her shop and verbally trashed it. You might not think that she did not have to apologize for anything, but her attitude was way off on that post - and obviously offended some that aren't all about her pet Project Life. There are all kinds of scrappers out there. To trash a layout publicly because its 'not in your style' is wrong. Especially when its in a public forum by the store OWNER.
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
________________________________________
How would you know who posts on here or even who reads it and who doesn't? Would we have to wear a little tag that said 'Hello my name is _______and I'm a regular on the smack blog'?
I saw that post at the Digichick. I hang there sometimes and like the challenges. The post Nicole made did bother me, because that is the way that I scrap. Visually. I might date a page, add where or who - but that's my style. Reading her post made me feel very - inadequate to say the least. And I don't like feeling like I'm not good enough to submit my pages in thier forum challenges.
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
________________________________________
How would you know who posts on here or even who reads it and who doesn't? Would we have to wear a little tag that said 'Hello my name is _______and I'm a regular on the smack blog'?
_________________________
lol so true! But I think it could also apply to those people who are typically sweet in the forums but are shits in person. I sure found that to be true. Amazing how people can be nice when they want something, then turn around and be an ass. That's one thing I found to be so much different from paper/hybrid scrapping. You show up in the digi community thinking it'll be an online version of the hybrid groups you are used to associating with, then find out what actual asses can really be because online you can say and do what you want without having to back your bullshit cuz you can just be anonymous and not have to own your own shit. Amazing how small people can actually be. On the flip side, there are some truly awesome people in the digi community. Of course, I say this knowing I too, can be one of those shits, otherwise, I wouldn't be on this blog reading everybody's smack. lol
And I don't like feeling like I'm not good enough to submit my pages in thier forum challenges.
Oh no! As a regular at TDC I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that your layouts will be more than welcome in the forum challenges. I think your reaction is the kind of responses she got back from her post, and hence the apology thread.
She seriously posted someone's layout and said it was pointless? Wow. Feb 24, 2012 5:46:00 PM
Something similar happened over at SBB a couple years ago, too. The backlash was pretty severe.
I wonder how Nicole would feel if the shoe was on the other foot. Apology or not, what she did was in bad taste.
Perhaps someone would like to go through HER gallery and talk about her kids, her photography, and her silly, "pointless" life. Thank goodness she's found journaling. Now her life has meaning.
Oh no! As a regular at TDC I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that your layouts will be more than welcome in the forum challenges. I think your reaction is the kind of responses she got back from her post, and hence the apology thread. Feb 24, 2012 5:53:00 PM
----- It's sad that it all sounds like lip service now.
How could a store owner ever think it's OK to openly trash someone's LO in their forum? Seriously. How? Imagine if that was your LO that she trashed.
How could a store owner ever think it's OK to openly trash someone's LO in their forum? Seriously. How? Imagine if that was your LO that she trashed.
Hmmm... I don't think the LO was from TDC. I think it was one she found inspiring on Pinterest and had pinned. Maybe not much of an improvement in your eyes, but at least it makes it less personal of a judgement call on her part, KWIM? She was just finding some general example of a point she was trying to figure out. Not even sure (I don't remember exactly) if the LO she was talking about was digital. I think it was a paper LO.
I find it incredibly annoying that StefDesign won several of the Digital Scrapbooking Awards when she doesn't actually digitally scrapbook and detests digi scrap products. -----
How does she not digi scrapbook? Because she doesn't use digi scrap products? That's the only reason I can see why you would say she doesn't digi scrap book. She makes her scrapbook pages digitally and her pages are a lot more like scrap pages than some I've seen. At least her's have journaling and tell a story.
Sometimes differences in the way people write/present themselves online cause them to be "disliked." You can't hear tone or see facial expressions or body language in online communication. For many people, that makes it harder to judge others honestly. -----
That's so true. That has happened to me. I can be a bit anal about the way I write and can come across as snobby and uppity. Many times when I've communicated with people via PM or a private forum, they've said to me - you are so different from what I thought you'd be.
Someone please explain to me why it's OK for SMJ to add a Coca Cola image in one of her kits? Does she have special privileges that the rest of us don't qualify for? Or is this just the second time in a year, at least, that she's decided she's above copyright law?
How could a store owner ever think it's OK to openly trash someone's LO in their forum? Seriously. How? Imagine if that was your LO that she trashed. -----
Meh, if it was mine and all she said was that it was pointless, I wouldn't call that a trash, but then again, I'm not super sensitive about what strangers say about me either.
Not any of the PP but if someone said in some forum that my LO is "pointless" and I get offended, I wouldn't call myself "super sensitive". I would think the other person is a super insensitive bitch.
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
________________________________________
How would you know who posts on here or even who reads it and who doesn't? Would we have to wear a little tag that said 'Hello my name is _______and I'm a regular on the smack blog'?
The way I took the Nicole "pointless layout" thing was that she was just saying that doing that sort of layout was pointless to her, now that she's finally found a way she likes to scrap. I didn't take it that she meant the layout itself was pointless, but I do see how others could take it that way. Then again I am not an overly-sensitive person, and can usually see both sides of an issue. I guess I would understand making such a big deal about it if she hadn't reconsidered her post, removed the layout, and issued a public apology. After reading the apology that you linked up above, I think she did a decent job of turning a bad situation into one where she showed a little bit of class and humility. Then again, like I said I don't get that worked up over much. Probably why I like to sit on the sidelines here at this blog and watch everyone else get worked up for sport.
Never saw the layout that was considered 'pointless' & didnt read the topic. The first thing that came to my mind when I read about it here was the fact that some people make a 'web' layout and then make changes to it when it goes in their personal scrapbook. Calling anyone's work 'pointless' is not something that I would say online though.
It's always easy to say how you're not "overly-sensitive" when it's not you being called out.
If you really didn't care what people thought or said online, then you wouldn't read this blog deluding yourself into thinking it's some sort of "sport."
Just goes to show you that people in charge should learn they can't just open their mouths without thinking. If I owned a store, I wouldn't be saying any kind of scrapping is "pointless", because some of my customers might actually do that kind of scrapping. And whether or not it's me as the owner being insensitive or the customer being too sensitive is irrelevant because ultimately I just lost sales by putting my foot in my mouth.
Interesting that her post at DST mentioning her move states this : "I am SOOO excited that I am ahead to a NEW place, a STORE with warm and sweet environment" It just seems like SBG might not have had those attributes? I would not know for sure as I never sold there (and never applied either).
********* Charlize (Creations) is saying that MAYA (SBG) is a bitch like everyone else say she is!LOL
If you really didn't care what people thought or said online, then you wouldn't read this blog -----
That doesn't follow actually. Feb 25, 2012 1:42:00 PM
How doesn't it, exactly? lol I'd say it's pretty much common sense if you didn't care what people were saying, you wouldn't read things people are saying...
Just goes to show you that people in charge should learn they can't just open their mouths without thinking. If I owned a store, I wouldn't be saying any kind of scrapping is "pointless", because some of my customers might actually do that kind of scrapping. And whether or not it's me as the owner being insensitive or the customer being too sensitive is irrelevant because ultimately I just lost sales by putting my foot in my mouth. ______________________________
How doesn't it, exactly? lol I'd say it's pretty much common sense if you didn't care what people were saying, you wouldn't read things people are saying... -----
Being mildly interested doesn't equate to caring. Not one iota. For instance, I may be interested in knowing that a designer is moving stores, but that doesn't I care about the designer moving stores.
So Julie Billingsley announced her new ct members yesterday and like KCB she had her CT doing the voting. From what I hear she took some people that DIDN'T get the most votes. Why have your CT take the time to vote when you are just gonna pick and choose who you want anyway? Which in my opinion really is how it should be done. Just seems a little weird? Am I crazy?
Why does it matter so much how a designer selects their CTMs?
To answer your question though, I would pick who I wanted also. As the designer, I know better what layout style is better suited for my products and the CT doesn't always take that into account, they just choose what they like and not what is best for the products.
Why does it matter so much how a designer selects their CTMs? -----
I think the OP was asking, why say you are doing it one way, only to do it another way in the end. I don't know how Julie presented the process to her CT, she may have said, I'd like your input with votes, but I have the ultimate say. In which case, it doesn't matter that someone got in who had less votes, if Julie thought that person would be a good fit.
Do any of you follow Nicole on Facebook? I did for a while, but it makes me wonder whether she has any business sense at all. She often complained about "customer stupidity" (with regard to CS emails to the store) and spoke about other store ownership annoyances with little regard for the fact that she has customers and scrapbookers all over her friends list. I know a lot of people vent about work on Facebook, but it's not as though she limits her friend list to family and friends only. I unfriended her after a while. For one, it seems like she whines too much about running a business she chose to run. Duh. It's hard work. You did realize you'd be dealing with customers, right? It wouldn't all just be raking in commission from designers. But also it seemed like it was only a matter of time before it all blew up and she said something about someone that one of her followers knows. Either way it was unprofessional as a businesswoman, IMO. I follow quite a few designers and store owners on Facebook and I never see them making rude remarks about their customers or business. So either they have the good sense to limit that to their family and friends, only, or they're just much less sanctimonious.
Charlize (Creations) is saying that MAYA (SBG) is a bitch like everyone else say she is!LOL ^^^^^^ Hum... where does she say that? Also, the only place I have seen anyone say Maya is such a bad person is on this blog (although I have read some of her posts in the DCR and I probably would think that from those too) but I have never heard or read anything directly stating that about her. Do you have direct info?
I've had friends privately communicate with me about her attitude and I've also had my own dealings. Just because some of it is on this blog, doesn't make it less valid.
Her attitude alone with a lot of posts in the DCR says it all.
So Julie Billingsley announced her new ct members yesterday and like KCB she had her CT doing the voting. From what I hear she took some people that DIDN'T get the most votes. Why have your CT take the time to vote when you are just gonna pick and choose who you want anyway? Which in my opinion really is how it should be done. Just seems a little weird? Am I crazy? Feb 25, 2012 6:33:00 PM
I think what's crazy is any CTM thinking they have ultimate say over the designer on ANYTHING. Obviously, she valued her CT's input, but regardless of whether she stated it or not, she gets the final say. It is HER business.
Has no one ever had a real job before where the boss asks for their input/opinions? It doesn't mean the boss is going to go running through cubicle hell waving your opinions wildly until someone makes them happen. The boss takes your opinions, along with the opinions of others, then takes his/her own opinions, mashes them all together, then makes a decision.
You're just voting your opinions.
As a fellow designer who tries to take new, not as slick, scrappers, I applaud Julie for taking a handful of "fresh faces" and a couple "lesser known" CTM's. I'm sure her CT didn't vote for them and it's good for her business to have normal, everyday, poor picture taking scrappers on her team. Not everyone scraps like a rockstar.
As a fellow designer who tries to take new, not as slick, scrappers, I applaud Julie for taking a handful of "fresh faces" and a couple "lesser known" CTM's. I'm sure her CT didn't vote for them and it's good for her business to have normal, everyday, poor picture taking scrappers on her team. Not everyone scraps like a rockstar.
I'd love to know what any of you designers who have used Atomic Cupcake's actions think of them. I normally make my own CU but time constraints recently have tempted me to buy a couple of CU things, one of them being AC's bulldog clip. I was really disappointed to see terrible jaggies on one of the layers. I was going to get another one or two things, but now I'm a bit concerned what the quality is like on her other stuff. I wouldn't mind but I'd just neen burned by another designer who sold me crap quality CU too. What's AC's other stuff like? I don't want to waste my money but I could really do with using some CU stuff in this one-off kit which I'm designing for a special gift for a friend having chemo.
Did you contact her in addition at bitching about it here?
^^^ I'm not the OP but actually you shouldn't have to; you should expect it to be right in the first place.
If I was a designer who had ripped off another designers stuff, I would expect you lot to go botching to the original designer, rather than come "bitching" to me, so quit the double standards.
The OP is entitled to feel put out if she had to chase a designer to put something right!
As a fellow designer who tries to take new, not as slick, scrappers, I applaud Julie for taking a handful of "fresh faces" and a couple "lesser known" CTM's. I'm sure her CT didn't vote for them and it's good for her business to have normal, everyday, poor picture taking scrappers on her team. Not everyone scraps like a rockstar.
----------- I do think it's important to give people a chance, but great CTM layouts can really help to sell a kit. If the layout is mediocre then it doesn't create a great impression of the kit. Not to say the CTMs chosen are mediocre - I'm just illustrating my point.
I know, right? "I have a life too and do not have time to be keep track of your requirements"....then why did she start her own store? ------------ Good question! Going by her previous lack of success, I'd be surprised if she was successful this time too. I'm honestly quite embarrassed for her.
From my experience, I would stay away from the AC actions that are items (like the bows, or clips). Some actions are ok, but you can usually get the same thing as a style elsewhere.
I will say that as a consumer, I've purchased download credits in the past (which I think have since been discontinued) and felt ripped off. The credits don't last forever (which is b.s. imo) but they don't put out enough product to even utilize them within the time limit, even if you DID like every action they put out.
From my experience, I would stay away from the AC actions that are items (like the bows, or clips). Some actions are ok, but you can usually get the same thing as a style elsewhere. --------------- I did find the clips took a bit of cleaning up in terms of jagged edges, which was bit of a pain but easy enough because I know what I'm doing. It sounds like you (the OP) know how to make your own things, so I can only think you bought the CU to save time? Therefore, it does defeat the purpose of using CU though if you then need to start cleaning things up.
About the Digichick from a former store CT member: #139 is dead-on correct about Nicole and her FB rants. I also think that as a store owner, Nicole's over enthusiastic approach to the entire PL thing is out of line. Her attitude, while perhaps well intentioned, comes off as being her way or the highway in terms of how one should scrap. Those who say there was 'nothing wrong' with her post are just as bad as Nicole if they can't see WHY an OWNER should not voice personal opinions within a public forum.
This attitude carries over into the designer area. There is definite favoritism which is readily seen while reading posts. There is an overabundance of the clean, simplistic style of design at TDC - Nicoles own style. Designers at TDC are required to post new releases in a thread in the CT forum weekly - the CT then free-for-all over them to scrap pages. Its more than evidant that the hand picked CT members also prefer the 'clean, simplistic' designs - as those kits (especially those by Nicole) are always taken first, while others can go for weeks, if not months without one layout from the store CT. Those designers who are overlooked (and you would be surprized at a couple of more well known ones) cannot complain, as there is a thread stating that its left up to the individual CT members as to what they work with. A new kit can be taken up to 5 times....then they have to take something else. and they do. another simplistic design. It's sad, really - to see such favoritism displayed week after week. During my stay there, which wasn't long (other opportunities came my way) - I felt very bad about the way things are handled there. Honestly? I don't know how I was even chosen for the store CT, as my scrap style in no way compliments the rest of the 'team'. And...Nicole does nothing to remedy the situation. There are the obvious favorites that get all the attention (and approval from Nicole) and those that have to rely on their own resources to get 'the job done'. I applaud those ladies.
Nicole needs to take a good look around her - realize that scrapping isn't limited to her own point of view, and rework the inner structure of her store to reflect a welcoming attitude with an embrace for every type of scrapper, not just her own style.
Personally, I think it's a horrible apology. It's mainly an excuse for her behavior with an "oh yeah, sorry" thrown in for good measure. A good apology would simply be admitting you did something wrong and may have offended someone and saying your sorry...without giving all the excuses why you said what you said as if that makes it all right.
In every single store CT I have ever been on, there are obvious favorites. Guess what? In every job I've ever had, there are obvious favorites too.
I completely agree that Nicole needs to be more professional in expressing her viewpoint, but the favorites things? Happens all the time, every where. I don' agree with that either, just pointing out that it's not unique to Nicole.
Examples? Is that the only place she posts? ------
I no longer have access to the DCR so can't look for you. Even if I did, I wouldn't go searching as I'm not that invested in the subject. It's not that hard to find Maya's post, just click on her profile and look for all posts.
I do remember a few years ago, there was the big debacle about a 'new and innovative designer' who was being copied and she turned out to have copied the idea from somewhere else. Those posts apparently were amended in the DCR, but they can be found on the old smack blog. If I'm feeling generous, I may even find them for you, roughly.
I no longer have access to the DCR so can't look for you. Even if I did, I wouldn't go searching as I'm not that invested in the subject. It's not that hard to find Maya's post, just click on her profile and look for all posts. ^^^^^^^ I posted the initial question: is she posting ELSEWHERE than in the DCR or is it only the designers who might be able to see her "attitude" that has been mentioned previously?
I posted the initial question: is she posting ELSEWHERE than in the DCR or is it only the designers who might be able to see her "attitude" that has been mentioned previously? -------
She has posted on the public boards. Her attitude has been noted.
There is an overabundance of the clean, simplistic style of design at TDC - Nicoles own style. Designers at TDC are required to post new releases in a thread in the CT forum weekly - the CT then free-for-all over them to scrap pages. Its more than evident that the hand picked CT members also prefer the 'clean, simplistic' designs - as those kits (especially those by Nicole) are always taken first, while others can go for weeks, if not months without one layout from the store CT.
This happens in my store - but with fantasy style kits. All the CT love them and ooh and ahh over them and they get loads of layouts, and the non-fantasy, cleaner, more simplistic kits get totally ignored.
I think it's a mistake to let the CT choose kits they like without having more checks and balances in place to be sure all designers get attention from the CT in a relatively balanced manner.
Those designers who are overlooked (and you would be surprized at a couple of more well known ones) cannot complain, as there is a thread stating that its left up to the individual CT members as to what they work with. ------
Of course they can complain. If they are that disappointed or upset with the status quo, they would move on if they wanted to. They fact that they don't, would seem to indicate that their sales are okay and they don't need the store CT to do anything for them.
I think it's a mistake to let the CT choose kits they like without having more checks and balances in place to be sure all designers get attention from the CT in a relatively balanced manner. -------
I absolutely agree with this. Having been in the situation of having the store CT mostly ignore my kits week after week, I ended up leaving the store, concluding that I was not a good fit for them. It was a good move on my part.
I bought something from Atomic Cupcake a while ago and the file was corrupt - wasn't impressed. _______________________________________________
I bought an action from her that didn't work. It ran through fine but there was some kind of glitch and the thing ended up with an empty layer - just a big nothing. So I emailed her through her store to let her know - I was very specific about where the action seemed to hang up. I never heard back from her - ever. I will never spend any money there again.
I think it's a mistake to let the CT choose kits they like without having more checks and balances in place to be sure all designers get attention from the CT in a relatively balanced manner. ***** I respectfully disagree.
It is the designer's responsibility to have their own CT if they want people working exclusively with their kits.
The problem is that most stores advertise that they have a store CT in their call as if it is a benefit to the designer. If this was advertised in a call and it was later found out that there was a CT but not all products were going to be picked for LOs, I can see how that could rub someone the wrong wat. Personally, I could care less if the store CT works with my products. I have an awesome CT who do beautiful LOs and promote my products in the ways that I have identified as the most beneficial to me. I don't feel like the store CT Los do anything for me at all.
If you own a store and take on a CT to promote the items sold in your store, and if you tell designers that they have access to that CT (especially if you list it as an incentive in a call) then you also have the obligation to make sure that the CT is covering ALL the work being put forth in your store.
No, not every item is going to be as "desired", but if it is obvious that certain designers are being "ignored" then you have an obligation to correct the situation (whether it's by letting designers go, or taking on ct that work in a different style).
175 - What works for me won't necessarily work for you. I am specific with my CT. The galleries to upload to are specified based on my target audience, where I advertise, etc. same for enabling. Certain products are optional or less LOs based on how I need it advertised.
Designers can't control where or how store CTs advertise their products and in that way I find it fairly unimportant whether the store CT does anything with my products since the requirements are usually to upload to the store gallery and a certain number of galleries of their choosing which may not be the best ones.
I have a personal CT. However, I believe that the store should be promoting all designers withing the store equally. As store CT does a great deal of that promotion, I believe the store needs to ensure that the store CT are working with every designer in a relatively equal manner.
If you have a variety of styles in your store, then the store CT shouldn't consist of only those who scrap in the same style in the first place. That reflects the store owner's lack of vision and planning ability, IMO. And to let this go on without doing anything to help the situation? ...
^^^ It's like some of the designers, they often have CTMs who only scrap in a a certain style. Which is ok, if you have five CTMs, bit when it gets to 8 or more, then, as a designer, you should have a little variety or you appear limited, KWIM? Same with store CTMs, it makes the store look limited and they could alienate potential new customers. JMHO
I bought something from Atomic Cupcake a while ago and the file was corrupt - wasn't impressed. _______________________________________________
I bought an action from her that didn't work. It ran through fine but there was some kind of glitch and the thing ended up with an empty layer - just a big nothing. So I emailed her through her store to let her know - I was very specific about where the action seemed to hang up. I never heard back from her - ever. I will never spend any money there again.
Sometimes catching her on FaceBook is the better alternative though I've never had a problem with her emailing me back when I've had a problem. I love her actions. They aren't like a lot where you hit play and you basically do a color change and that's it, so sometimes probems have occurred but she's always been quick to fix for me. Sorry you didn't have the same experience.
I think it's a mistake to let the CT choose kits they like without having more checks and balances in place to be sure all designers get attention from the CT in a relatively balanced manner. ***** I respectfully disagree.
It is the designer's responsibility to have their own CT if they want people working exclusively with their kits.
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I also disagree. I wouldn't want CT using my kit if they were being "forced" to use it, I only want them using it if they truly like it and want to create something with it. Otherwise, whatever they turn in will be sub-par and won't help me sell a kit anyway. Additionally, I agree that it's up to each designer to have her own CT - THAT is what provides checks and balances. The store CT should be viewed as a perk, not as a necessity. If you're a designer relying solely on the store CT, you're either lazy or you just don't understand this biz.
Karen Lewis just announced on Facebook that she's leaving TDC at the end of the month, to open up at a new digi store. Anyone care to speculate? My first thought was Simon's prediction that she'd be a good fit for SSD, but March 1 seems too early to be opening at SSD as their designer call ad said something about making all decisions by mid-March. So could it be somewhere else?
A response to #161 above, from another former TDC staff member who likely has a more complete view of the situation there than you do. You made a point of saying that you weren't at TDC long, so I think it's entertaining that you felt comfortable writing 3 paragraph's worth of opinion on the matter.
I was there over a year, so feel qualified saying that you don't paint a very accurate picture. The process you describe does exist: the CT can take each kit up to 5 times, and then must work with other kits that haven't reached 5 yet. However, I can only think of a handful of weeks during my time there in which items on the new release list each week didn't get taken at all. The CT actually does a very good job of spreading the love around, IMO. Furthermore, you make it sound as though Nicole's in there watching everything each week with a fine-tooth comb, which is not true. If anything, she's like most of the designers in that she's absent from that area/thread unless she's got a new product that week. Know what? That's just fine because she has at least 2 or 3 other admins that she's hired to be in charge of that stuff. So talking about how she's "aware" and yet "does nothing to remedy the situation" is ironic and funny because it just shows that you don't even know that it's not really her area. It's something that's up to the other admins.
There aren't very many designers whose products don't get used at least 2-3 times a week, but I would assume you're referring mainly to the products that are released by designers like ViVa and Joyful Heart, or Sherwood and Kimeric (I have a hard time telling them apart, in truth), or Sarah J, or maybe even Cluster Queen now that she's putting out more than templates. Those are the designers, looking at the current list on their site, whose products are more varied in style than the rest. But even their products got used an average of twice or more in any given week (can't speak to Kimeric, though, she wasn't there when I was there).
The funniest thing about your dissertation: the designers whose styles differ the most, and therefore wouldn't be getting as much love (in your scenario) have all been there for quite a long time. If they had a problem, I'm sure they'd leave. They're obviously staying at TDC for a reason, so I doubt your problems are really their problems. Oh and there's one other thing about your rant that I think is funny, come to think of it. You actually mentioned that your scrap style "in no way compliments the rest of the team", which just goes to show you that TDC does actually attempt to bring on store CT members whose styles are varied. Not just "simplistic design" scrappers like you say.
At the end of the day, I think TDC is one of the best-run sites around, and has some of the friendliest and most active designers and staff, when it comes to life in the forum. Sounds like you didn't stick around long enough to figure that out, so don't "feel bad about the way things are handled there" because I am certain that the rest of the staff there is just ducky.
After that tirade, I won't be hanging around there. I have no respect for shops with staff members that post on a smack blog. It's so pathetic and desperate that you feel you have to defend the shop.
187 I don't see where she's complaining at all about it being discussed here. I just read the thread you posted. She says she moved the thread, but brought it back when she heard it was being discussed here. Nowhere does she complain about it.
Not the OP of #190, but I tend to agree with her. I just read the posts you listed above in #191 and I don't see bitching either. What specific statements in those posts sound like bitching to you? Maybe we're misunderstanding your definition of bitching, and what you really meant to say was that she "mentions that it is being discussed on the smack blog". But bitching, I just don't see it. Besides the fact that she really was an idiot for having not thought through her original post, in the first place, and said/posted things she shouldn't have (store owner or not), I think the rest of her statements have been handled OK. Too bad she didn't think that clearly in the first place, but then again we'd have nothing to talk about here then would we?
^^^ Agreed. "Discussing" or talking about something isn't necessarily "bitching". You may be the same person who accused commenter 147 of bitching about something that she was talking about? No sign of bitching there either!
After that tirade, I won't be hanging around there. I have no respect for shops with staff members that post on a smack blog. It's so pathetic and desperate that you feel you have to defend the shop.
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First off, why should the actions of a former CT member reflect upon a shop they're no longer at? They could have been let go by the shop, you have no idea. It has nothing to do with the shop, and I think it's funny that you have "no respect for shops with staff members who post on smack blogs" but yet here you are, posting on a smack blog. I also laugh at the fact that you don't find it to be desperate and pathetic that the first "former CT" posted in a way that put down the shop owner, but once another "former CT" posted here in her defense, it's now desperate and pathetic. You hypocritical moron.
and I think it's funny that you have "no respect for shops with staff members who post on smack blogs" but yet here you are, posting on a smack blog. -----
While I agree with the rest of your post, this is just silly. The OP is not representing a store, so she can post all she wants on a smack blog, without damaging a reputation, except her anon one.
She brought the thread she'd hidden back and complains about it being discussed here. -----
I'm glad she brought it back, as I never saw the original. Now that I have, I stand by my original statement, some people are overly sensitive and see or read the negative into every single thing.
I also don't see her complaining about it being discussed her. I agree with #190, #192 and #193.
You really do things in a different light, don't you?
I'm glad she brought it back, as I never saw the original. Now that I have, I stand by my original statement, some people are overly sensitive and see or read the negative into every single thing.
I also don't see her complaining about it being discussed her. I agree with #190, #192 and #193.
You really do things in a different light, don't you? --------- Agreed
Those of you agreeing that you don't see what the problem is with Nicole's post did not see the orginal. She states in her edit note that it was too offense. If you didn't see the orignal post, you have no idea what you are talking about here.
285 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 1 – 200 of 285 Newer› Newest»So, it sounds like you feel the conversation on British English was de-railing the discussion? So why did you bring it up again? I, for one, am fed up of hearing about it and I have dual citizenship with Britain.
Back into the world of digiscrapping, however...what are your thoughts on The GingerScrapsStreet Digital Magazine? A couple of friends of mine recommended it to me, but I can't say I thought it was very useful. Can anyone recommend any good online digiscrapping mags? I've found some others in Google, but I'd like to know your thoughts.
"There is a couple reason’s I really like these two products for hybrid projects, they essentially look a digital stamp. Also you can change the color to match any paper line you are working with. I love that adding these products to my paper lines make it personal and unique."
from LilyPad http://www.the-lilypad.com/blog/2012/02/20/giving-hybrid-another-chance/?ref=nf
Someone needs to figure out grammar before they post to a blog for a store.
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But that album is adorable!
But that album is adorable!
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Agreed! I love the colors and the overall style. I keep saying I'll do a project like that but something always comes up. Maybe one day...
What the hell is going on with that convention in Vegas. Seems like they are literally begging people to buy tickets.
I think I've missed something
What the hell is going on with that convention in Vegas. Seems like they are literally begging people to buy tickets.
7:26 AM
I really have to agree with this. SO has always struck me as desperate anyway. It's like a little kid who is trying too hard to be accepted.
If I can get a weekend away from my family, I sure as hell am not going to fly to Vegas and spend it with a bunch of SO groupies and designers.
If I can get a weekend away from my family, I sure as hell am not going to fly to Vegas and spend it with a bunch of SO groupies and designers.
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I wouldn't either but don't forget that some people really dig that kind of thing...although I don't understand why myself.
I'd say 400 comments before creating a new thread feels about right.
I was going to say 500, but 400 is good too.
As far as the SO Vegas thing. It would have been smarter for SO to hook up with some other stores. It's not really a "scrapapalooza" with only one store. That's like a music festival with artists from only one recording company, except lamer.
Personally, I think they are charging WAY too much just to go. It would be one thing if my hotel stay was included. Especially since half of their classes have information you can get on the net for FREE. Or better yet, at another forum with designers I might actually like for FREE.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes, it's a lot of money and most of the info is available elsewhere. From looking at it, you pay a whole bunch of money for your ticket plus you have to pay for individual classes. Umm, no thanks.
Plus, didn't they have this event last year? Why not make it an every other year type thing?
I see we are monetized now are we? Interesting...
Yes, I monetized it. I just did the one on the side, so it's hopefully not irritating, but I figured it was stupid not to. Don't hate me.
4-500 comments sounds good.
Well I've got to admire your courage on that one
I find it incredibly annoying that StefDesign won several of the Digital Scrapbooking Awards when she doesn't actually digitally scrapbook and detests digi scrap products.
I find her layouts far less offensive than the ugly ones. *shudder*
Was there a prize? I wonder what she does with them?
Don't apologize for monetizing! Own it.
I vote for 600 comments.
You're never going to get people to agree on a number so just do what you think feels right. It's your blog.
I find it incredibly annoying that StefDesign won several of the Digital Scrapbooking Awards when she doesn't actually digitally scrapbook and detests digi scrap products.
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She has her own definition of digital scrapbooking, and it is obviously different than yours. Where in the name does it say it has to be a certain way or with certain products? I am not fan of her style but I don't dislike it. Just like I am not a fan of the minimalis style with a tiny photo you can barely see, but it obviously suits some people. Isn't digital scrapbooking supposed to mean "making scrap pages digitally"? Then she does.
Was there a prize? I wonder what she does with them?
^^^
bwahahahah ... I read that as 'pizza'....
Here's another idea for when to switch the blog over to a new comment area... what about on the first of every month? That way, it won't get confusing as to which thread you left off in, if you're like me and you don't check this every single week, let alone every day. You could just start a new area for each month, and title it with the month's name. Looking at the old smack blog, it seems it usually took 2-3 months to get up around 1500-2000 comments (when she'd switch it), so I think a month would end up averaging about 500 comments (sometimes more, and sometimes less).
Just IMO! :)
Oh, I like the monthly idea a lot!
One of the things the previous digismack blog owner did was turn off comment son old posts when she started a new one - that way you don't have to check both posts for new updates. I think that is a good idea, too.
Monthly is good, and comments on previous posts are disabled.
I have a question: Does anyone here design for paper companies? Would you like to? Anyone in particular?
I've done a couple of paper lines for one company, uncredited.
I'm negotiating another one right now, and hoping it has my name attached to it.
If I could design for any one paper company it would be BasicGrey. I think their designs are the most artistic.
Oh and I think weekly would be good - on Monday each week. I don't like it when the comments get beyond 2 pages.
From the DCR, posted on SSD's designer call.
I was so excited to hear about this call, but disappointed that you require designers to be exclusive Wouldn't be a good move for me to do that...good luck to all that apply!
Here's a link to her store:
http://amandacreation.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1
Yeah, not quite SSD calibre. SDD maybe, not SSD.
Why would a high-profile store allow non-exclusive designers. They obviously have their pick, and if I were doing the picking I would want someone who is committed fully to one shop.
Here's a link to her store:
http://amandacreation.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=1
Yeah, not quite SSD calibre. SDD maybe, not SSD.
Once I looked past the really horrible (IMO) blog design, I don't think her kits are too bad. I don't think they are presented very well though. I must admit that, presentation aside, I have seen worse in SSD. Depends on your taste.
^
Actually, I have seen a LOT worse at SSD!
Agreed... those kits aren't bad, and they're pretty much SSD's style, they're just previewed very very badly.
Agreed... those kits aren't bad, and they're pretty much SSD's style, they're just previewed very very badly.
I think she would do herself a lot of favours if she worked on her kit previews and toned that blog down to something a bit more professional looking. Style wise though, I agree with commenter 32, they do seem in-keeping with SSD's style.
Anyone who is selling a full kit for $3 regular price is not SSD material. I agree the girl needs preview help, but even then, I don't agree she's SSD material. It's all just Americo CU kit after kit.
Anyone who is selling a full kit for $3 regular price is not SSD material.
Some people just don't know how to price.
What's Americo?
She wouldn't be selling them for $3 at SSD. On that you can rely.
OMG that site design makes my eyes want to bleed.
I have to agree, her kits are cute but you can't see them for the clutter. The site is so busy it makes my eyes hurt.
I didn't say she was necessarily SSD material. I just said her stuff wasn't as bad as the OP tried to make it.
I see nothing in my comment that her stuff was HORRIBLE. Just that she's not SSD material. I was being serious when I said she'd fit in at SDD.
Lots of Americo and Tiina stuff.
The flowers on her blog (left side) are badly recolored. Not a good sign of the quality of her kits :(
So Charlize is closing her shop at SBG. strange. Thoughts on where she is going? I'm thinking PBP for some odd reason.
Interesting that her post at DST mentioning her move states this : "I am SOOO excited that I am ahead to a NEW place, a STORE with warm and sweet environment" It just seems like SBG might not have had those attributes? I would not know for sure as I never sold there (and never applied either).
perhaps Charlize got in at SSD.
"STORE" is an odd word to capitalize like that.
Blog owner - could you please add the date to the end of each comment (not just the time)? Thank you.
Also I think about 400 comments is a good time to add a new post. Or once a week is good (or twice if there are tons of comments). Thanks
The flowers on her blog (left side) are badly recolored. Not a good sign of the quality of her kits :(
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depends what look she was trying to achieve I suppose.
The flowers on her blog (left side) are badly recolored. Not a good sign of the quality of her kits :(
^^
I've seen worse in kits from some "top" stores. They are not the kind of look I'd be going for, but seriously I have seen similar before from other "top notch" designers.
"STORE" is an odd word to capitalize like that.
^^^
I wouldn't read so much into it
The flowers on her blog (left side) are badly recolored. Not a good sign of the quality of her kits :(
^^^
I'm a scrapper so I guess I have different expectations but they don't look badly recolored to me. I'm curious, what is bad about them?
[i]Blog owner - could you please add the date to the end of each comment (not just the time)? [/i]
Done.
And apparently I need lessons on how some of you are doing italics.
Italics are with < i > rather than the square brackets.
I wonder if Charlize applied to the One Story Down call.
thanks for adding the dates to the comments :)
to get italics, change the [] you used to <>
What the hell is going on with that convention in Vegas. Seems like they are literally begging people to buy tickets.
7:26 AM
I really have to agree with this. SO has always struck me as desperate anyway. It's like a little kid who is trying too hard to be accepted.
Feb 21, 2012 7:50:00 AM
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This literally made me laugh out loud. So true!
Can someone tell me what is going on at Scrapbook Bytes? I have tried to contact the admin there for weeks now and there is no response. I'm sure at least one designer there reads this blog. What is the deal? Customer Service issues should not take this long to be handled.
Is the final nail in the coffin there?
^^^^
Posting in their forum or facebook fan page should result in fast response. You can say you have tried other ways for weeks and receiving no feedback. They probably won't like complaints out in the open. Someone should alert the admin for you real fast.
What the hell is going on with that convention in Vegas. Seems like they are literally begging people to buy tickets.
7:26 AM
I really have to agree with this. SO has always struck me as desperate anyway. It's like a little kid who is trying too hard to be accepted.
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Apparently last year's event was nothing but a bunch of drunken "let's all get a tattoo" girls trying to make a scrapbook event with a bunch of goodie-two-shoes girls. The classes were lame and it wasn't worth the money (so says a friend of mine who attended).
What else would you expect with Laura Bitchianak attending? Vegas will just make it 10 times worse.
I'd be more likely to attend a 'drunken get a tattoo' party than a bunch of scrapbooking classes with fat uppity housewives.
one more vote for getting drunk
Somebody apparently has some personal problems with Laura. Care to share?
I know Happy Tits doesn't like Laura's "change of attitude" since she got "popular". She complained about it in the DCR awhile ago. Maybe she's visiting us??
HI, HAPPY TITS!
All the Scrap Orchard and Vegas retreat haters are amusing. I went last year and had a lot of fun. Maybe the people talking down on it are upset that they haven't experienced something similar. If you're involved in the digiscrap community like most people that went last year, meeting up with those online friends is definitely something to look forward to. If you aren't into meetups and that sort of thing, there's no need to shit on everyone else for having fun. :)
And not all of us are fat housewives!
I thought that was Shilo?
Having organized some paper scrap retreats in my day I suspect that SO is on the hook for a minimum number of attendees - ie: they pay the hotel for them even if that minimum doesn't show up. So as they get closer and closer to the date, they are getting more and more desperate to reach that minimum or they will be out what could be several thousand dollars (depending on how many people short they are.)
I would have gone but it's too far away and expensive. Most retreats either charge a registration fee or for classes. I've been to one conference that charge for both registration and classes, but your hotel room came free. Charging for all three is a bit much and deems a bit greedy to me. Usually these kinds of things aren't intended to be profitable - they are intended to build community and create long-lasting customers. SO has tried to make it profitable and it certainly seems (from their constant bleating about it) like that could be biting them in the bum.
I'd be more likely to attend a 'drunken get a tattoo' party than a bunch of scrapbooking classes with fat uppity housewives.
^^^
tart
I would go to Vegas but the cost is incredible. I have gone to many retreats and stuff and agree with the poster above...something like room or classes are normally covered. It is about building loyalty not profit. If they make one great...but they could get mor people simply by just reducing the price!
#70 "Having organized some paper scrap retreats in my day I suspect that SO is on the hook for a minimum number of attendees -"
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Agreed. If they had partnered with other stores it would have lightened their own financial responsibility. They could have even had a "designers" special event just for the designers who participated. It would've taken some of the load off of their designers so they could have fun while in Vegas instead of just teaching class after class, and perhaps widened their potential market base.
Agreed. If they had partnered with other stores it would have lightened their own financial responsibility. They could have even had a "designers" special event just for the designers who participated. It would've taken some of the load off of their designers so they could have fun while in Vegas instead of just teaching class after class, and perhaps widened their potential market base.
^^^
Yep I agree with you there too. My supsocition on THAT point is that SO didn't want to share the customer base that they are hoping to build loyalty in with any other store. Again ... they got greedy.
They want to make profit, build community and customer loyalty all for them. Unrealistic.
Maybe someone from SO will actually read these comments and make changes for the future.
wow did I ever mis-spell suspicion ... spell check fail ...
For those who just scrap and don't design, which site would you recommend as an all-around good site to settle in and hang out? And why?
I think they do have a designers special event, the day before it starts. I talked about going with someone for networking.
For those who just scrap and don't design, which site would you recommend as an all-around good site to settle in and hang out? And why?
^^^
I like to hang out at Gingerscraps and Scrapping Fairytales forums because the girls there are so welcoming and friendly. If I have any questions, they answer them without making me feel stupid. Also I've suggested things to designers at both places, like themes for kits etc and the designers at both places are able to have a discussion about it, even if one from GS did eventually decide the kit wouldn't sell. I tried DST but found the forum unwelcoming, elitist and intimidating. I know other people seem to love it there but it just wasn't a good fit for me.
I also enjoy challenges and the challenges at SFT and GS are the kind I like to do, although I often play along and forget to enter!
Did anyone even look at the pics from last years vegas retreat? There was a whole lot of people that went.
While I am not going because I do believe the prices are too high, it was one of the smartest moves for SO. Can we say big money anyone?
I do believe (SO I know you all are reading) that come next year, if you dropped the price on the tickets and classes for people to attend so they had the extra 500 needed for hotel, food and shopping, you would have a crap load more attend (or pay the non-refundable ticket price) and in the end result make more money.
Just a piece of something to throw out there.
And yes another in agreeance with the fact that if other designers came into the mix of the SO thing then it would be another smart move. Charge a sponsor space for other designers to come in and showcase stuff and do a percentage of the class amount just like commission through the store. It would be greedy going this way, because no matter who you showcase its SO that is hosting the event, SO is getting the exposure and the benefit of other designers bringing their followers in for ticket sales.
You really think that another store would be happy about their designer being part of an event hosted by a competing store?
You really think that another store would be happy about their designer being part of an event hosted by a competing store?
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I would think that if an owner thought that one of their designers would be exposed to a new customer base, and then potentially "bring" some of those customers back to her store to check things out, that the owner would be fine with it. I would. I wouldn't view it as my designers lacking loyalty at all.
God's honest truth? I wish Digiscrapapalooza had originally been formed as an industry-wide convention, of sorts, rather than as a one-store deal. Obviously it's Kami's perspective to do things the way she wants, and it was SO's idea. But I also think it would be good for the industry as a whole to have a centralized event/organization, and I also think that SO could/would make a lot more money if they had broadened the scope of the event. Charge for booth space, like any convention. Bring in other designers, other shops, other related businesses (printers, photo books) etc. I mean come on, does SO really think that if other shops aren't at the event, that loyal digiscrappers won't find those shops online on their own anyway? Puhleeze. The internet is small. Then also charge for attendance at the main event, but not for individual classes. There would be a lot of money to go around (registrations, advertising, booths, exhibitors), and more people overall would come.
Someone please explain to me why it's OK for SMJ to add a Coca Cola image in one of her kits? Does she have special privileges that the rest of us don't qualify for? Or is this just the second time in a year, at least, that she's decided she's above copyright law?
http://www.shabbymissjenndesigns.com/shoppe/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=1073&zenid=b7436af2423e9e7605da113d7538697b
I reported it. I hope hey sue the pants off her.
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
I'm not very familiar with Digiscrapapalooza, but I thought I remembered something about Tangie Baxter teaching a class there so I looked at the website. Not only is Tangie doing a class, but someone named Steph from The Daily Digi and there were some other presenters whose names I didn't recognize from SO (I don't hang out there much, but I've never seen a Debbie Hodge on their designer list). Seems like the event isn't just limited to SO designers, maybe others are welcome but didn't sign up? Also, there is a list of sponsors along the side of the website, including wacom and some printing companies. I'm not sure where some of the criticism is coming from.
I reported it. I hope hey sue the pants off her.
^^^
How about asking her before running to Coca Cola?
Not the OP but if SMJ is in the right, she has nothing to worry about. No need to ask her that at all. If she did everything right, what's the difference between answering your inquiry or Coca Cola's?
It doesn't say Coca Cola, it says Cola Cola. Don't see the problem.
It doesn't say Coca Cola, it says Cola Cola. Don't see the problem.
The "Cola Cola" uses the "cola" part of the Coca Cola logo...which is a registred trademark. The bottle shape is also a registered trademark of Coca Cola.
I like how it says "trade mark" right on the bottle label in her kit.
what's the difference between answering your inquiry or Coca Cola's?
^^^
seems less cowardly to raise it with the designer rather than go behind their back. Takes more courage to raise it with them in my opinion. Of course, you're entitled to NOT see the problem. That's your right.
Someone please explain to me why it's OK for SMJ to add a Coca Cola image in one of her kits? Does she have special privileges that the rest of us don't qualify for? Or is this just the second time in a year, at least, that she's decided she's above copyright law?
This is a vintage image. She might have thought that a vintage image would have been ok to use, only Coca Cola has kept their Trademark through the years, so in fact, this is not ok to use. She obviously didn't do her homework before she used this image.
I haven't been scrapping for awhile - I decided to go check out a few of my favorite stores to see what is new. My first stop was Scrap Matters. What happened there? It looks like everyone good is gone and everything there is...not worth stopping by for again. Story?
#93 -- you missed all the drama this past fall. Andilynn decided to close up shop. Told her whole design team and admins. Store was going to close at the end of November, if I remember correctly? (after DSD weekend, so everyone could get one last payday). Problem was that someone told someone who told someone else, and the word got out. People started asking in the SM forums if the store would be closing at the end of DSD. That's when it got interesting. The answer from the top was, "no we're not closing at the end of DSD." But it became almost embarrasingly obvious that nobody would come out and say, "no we're not closing at all." It was obvious they were closing but trying to cover it up until after DSD. Lots of designers started bailing out and jumping to other stores, and then right about when it was apparent that nothing good was left there at SM, Andilynn got the bright idea to stay open after all. And now her store is shit. Very weird turn of events, but probably served her right in the end. That's the quick version. I'm probably leaving out important details, but I can't remember all of it
Wow, so she just plowed a perfectly good store nose first to the ground? Weird.
Getting past the Coca Cola bottle, she also used an image of an iPhone, complete with the app buttons from Apple. I would think they would have a problem with that, too.
What's really strange regarding SM is that some designers have returned. I still can't believe they'd trust Andrea again and would even want to be there.
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
I think you'd find both to be true. Some people would be nicer than the impression you've gotten about them here. Some people would be about what you'd expect from reading things here. And some people, while loved and revered online, might not be all they've been cracked up to be, once met in person.
Sometimes differences in the way people write/present themselves online cause them to be "disliked." You can't hear tone or see facial expressions or body language in online communication. For many people, that makes it harder to judge others honestly.
Getting past the Coca Cola bottle, she also used an image of an iPhone, complete with the app buttons from Apple. I would think they would have a problem with that, too.
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I think we can all agree that SMJ doesn't have the same regard for copyright law that she should, given her status in the industry. That said, why is it that she has such a high status? I just don't get it. Does that stem solely from her having been around so long? It's the only thing that makes sense to me. If not for that, nothing she does seems all that elevated to me. Her designs use tons of CU, and aren't all that original, and she has been blasted here numerous times for using items she shouldn't in kits. Why do so many people hold her in such high regard? Looking for an honest answer here, I am seriously curious.
Not the OP and I have never purchased from her, so I can't say. After browsing her site a bit, though, I have to say I am SO tired of the "too much CU" argument always made here. I could care less if she (or anyone else) uses CU or not. If a kit is nice and I have a use for it, I'll buy it.
What I won't do is buy from someone who thinks they are above copyright law. To me, that is the more serious offense.
This is a good apology, IMO:
http://www.thedigichick.com/forums/showthread.php?37808-My-apologies
This is a good apology, IMO:
http://www.thedigichick.com/forums/showthread.php?37808-My-apologies
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I don't even think she had anything to apologise for. Some people are just too over sensitive - makes me wonder how they cope with life.
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
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Some of them are worse!
#102 - Did you see the post she had up earlier in the morning? The post that had layouts she had found? The post that she called one of those layouts "pointless" because it had no journaling on it to reference what the photograph's were about? She took someone's layout off the net, posted it an open forum in her shop and verbally trashed it. You might not think that she did not have to apologize for anything, but her attitude was way off on that post - and obviously offended some that aren't all about her pet Project Life. There are all kinds of scrappers out there. To trash a layout publicly because its 'not in your style' is wrong. Especially when its in a public forum by the store OWNER.
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
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How would you know who posts on here or even who reads it and who doesn't? Would we have to wear a little tag that said 'Hello my name is _______and I'm a regular on the smack blog'?
I saw that post at the Digichick. I hang there sometimes and like the challenges. The post Nicole made did bother me, because that is the way that I scrap. Visually. I might date a page, add where or who - but that's my style. Reading her post made me feel very - inadequate to say the least. And I don't like feeling like I'm not good enough to submit my pages in thier forum challenges.
She seriously posted someone's layout and said it was pointless? Wow.
Any guesses on who will be joining Sweet Shoppe?
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
________________________________________
How would you know who posts on here or even who reads it and who doesn't? Would we have to wear a little tag that said 'Hello my name is _______and I'm a regular on the smack blog'?
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lol so true! But I think it could also apply to those people who are typically sweet in the forums but are shits in person. I sure found that to be true. Amazing how people can be nice when they want something, then turn around and be an ass. That's one thing I found to be so much different from paper/hybrid scrapping. You show up in the digi community thinking it'll be an online version of the hybrid groups you are used to associating with, then find out what actual asses can really be because online you can say and do what you want without having to back your bullshit cuz you can just be anonymous and not have to own your own shit. Amazing how small people can actually be. On the flip side, there are some truly awesome people in the digi community. Of course, I say this knowing I too, can be one of those shits, otherwise, I wouldn't be on this blog reading everybody's smack. lol
And I don't like feeling like I'm not good enough to submit my pages in thier forum challenges.
Oh no! As a regular at TDC I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that your layouts will be more than welcome in the forum challenges. I think your reaction is the kind of responses she got back from her post, and hence the apology thread.
She seriously posted someone's layout and said it was pointless? Wow.
Feb 24, 2012 5:46:00 PM
Something similar happened over at SBB a couple years ago, too. The backlash was pretty severe.
I wonder how Nicole would feel if the shoe was on the other foot. Apology or not, what she did was in bad taste.
Perhaps someone would like to go through HER gallery and talk about her kids, her photography, and her silly, "pointless" life. Thank goodness she's found journaling. Now her life has meaning.
Sounds like Nicole forgot to take her meds.
Oh no! As a regular at TDC I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that your layouts will be more than welcome in the forum challenges. I think your reaction is the kind of responses she got back from her post, and hence the apology thread.
Feb 24, 2012 5:53:00 PM
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It's sad that it all sounds like lip service now.
How could a store owner ever think it's OK to openly trash someone's LO in their forum? Seriously. How? Imagine if that was your LO that she trashed.
How could a store owner ever think it's OK to openly trash someone's LO in their forum? Seriously. How? Imagine if that was your LO that she trashed.
Hmmm... I don't think the LO was from TDC. I think it was one she found inspiring on Pinterest and had pinned. Maybe not much of an improvement in your eyes, but at least it makes it less personal of a judgement call on her part, KWIM? She was just finding some general example of a point she was trying to figure out. Not even sure (I don't remember exactly) if the LO she was talking about was digital. I think it was a paper LO.
really? You think *if* it wasn't in the TDC gallery it makes it OK?
The OP didn't say anything about it being in the TDC gallery, but it's great you're trying to defend Nicole's stupidity. Enjoy your time up her ass.
Enjoy your time up her ass.
Okay. :)
I find it incredibly annoying that StefDesign won several of the Digital Scrapbooking Awards when she doesn't actually digitally scrapbook and detests digi scrap products.
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How does she not digi scrapbook? Because she doesn't use digi scrap products? That's the only reason I can see why you would say she doesn't digi scrap book. She makes her scrapbook pages digitally and her pages are a lot more like scrap pages than some I've seen. At least her's have journaling and tell a story.
I'd be more likely to attend a 'drunken get a tattoo' party than a bunch of scrapbooking classes with fat uppity housewives.
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But would you go if the drunken get a tattoo people were the fat uppity housewives? They are not mutually exclusive.
You really think that another store would be happy about their designer being part of an event hosted by a competing store?
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Tangie Baxter went last year and she's definitely not at SO.
Sometimes differences in the way people write/present themselves online cause them to be "disliked." You can't hear tone or see facial expressions or body language in online communication. For many people, that makes it harder to judge others honestly.
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That's so true. That has happened to me. I can be a bit anal about the way I write and can come across as snobby and uppity. Many times when I've communicated with people via PM or a private forum, they've said to me - you are so different from what I thought you'd be.
I don't even think she had anything to apologise for. Some people are just too over sensitive - makes me wonder how they cope with life.
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I agree with you 100%.
Someone please explain to me why it's OK for SMJ to add a Coca Cola image in one of her kits? Does she have special privileges that the rest of us don't qualify for? Or is this just the second time in a year, at least, that she's decided she's above copyright law?
http://www.shabbymissjenndesigns.com/shoppe/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=1073&zenid=b7436af2423e9e7605da113d7538697b
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And an iPhone, clearly she has no idea about Trademarks or copyright law. Sigh...
How could a store owner ever think it's OK to openly trash someone's LO in their forum? Seriously. How? Imagine if that was your LO that she trashed.
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Meh, if it was mine and all she said was that it was pointless, I wouldn't call that a trash, but then again, I'm not super sensitive about what strangers say about me either.
Not any of the PP but if someone said in some forum that my LO is "pointless" and I get offended, I wouldn't call myself "super sensitive". I would think the other person is a super insensitive bitch.
You know what would be great about an industry-wide event? We'd be able to find out if the people who are smacked about on this blog (and others) are really as awful in person as they've been reported to be here.
________________________________________
How would you know who posts on here or even who reads it and who doesn't? Would we have to wear a little tag that said 'Hello my name is _______and I'm a regular on the smack blog'?
^^
I think you need to re-read 105's comment
The way I took the Nicole "pointless layout" thing was that she was just saying that doing that sort of layout was pointless to her, now that she's finally found a way she likes to scrap. I didn't take it that she meant the layout itself was pointless, but I do see how others could take it that way. Then again I am not an overly-sensitive person, and can usually see both sides of an issue. I guess I would understand making such a big deal about it if she hadn't reconsidered her post, removed the layout, and issued a public apology. After reading the apology that you linked up above, I think she did a decent job of turning a bad situation into one where she showed a little bit of class and humility. Then again, like I said I don't get that worked up over much. Probably why I like to sit on the sidelines here at this blog and watch everyone else get worked up for sport.
Never saw the layout that was considered 'pointless' & didnt read the topic. The first thing that came to my mind when I read about it here was the fact that some people make a 'web' layout and then make changes to it when it goes in their personal scrapbook.
Calling anyone's work 'pointless' is not something that I would say online though.
It's always easy to say how you're not "overly-sensitive" when it's not you being called out.
If you really didn't care what people thought or said online, then you wouldn't read this blog deluding yourself into thinking it's some sort of "sport."
I think you need to re-read 105's comment
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Ooops, yah I re-read and my bad.
But regardless - I wouldn't go anyway.
Just goes to show you that people in charge should learn they can't just open their mouths without thinking. If I owned a store, I wouldn't be saying any kind of scrapping is "pointless", because some of my customers might actually do that kind of scrapping. And whether or not it's me as the owner being insensitive or the customer being too sensitive is irrelevant because ultimately I just lost sales by putting my foot in my mouth.
Interesting that her post at DST mentioning her move states this : "I am SOOO excited that I am ahead to a NEW place, a STORE with warm and sweet environment" It just seems like SBG might not have had those attributes? I would not know for sure as I never sold there (and never applied either).
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Charlize (Creations) is saying that MAYA (SBG) is a bitch like everyone else say she is!LOL
If you really didn't care what people thought or said online, then you wouldn't read this blog
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That doesn't follow actually.
If you really didn't care what people thought or said online, then you wouldn't read this blog
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That doesn't follow actually.
Feb 25, 2012 1:42:00 PM
How doesn't it, exactly? lol I'd say it's pretty much common sense if you didn't care what people were saying, you wouldn't read things people are saying...
Just goes to show you that people in charge should learn they can't just open their mouths without thinking. If I owned a store, I wouldn't be saying any kind of scrapping is "pointless", because some of my customers might actually do that kind of scrapping. And whether or not it's me as the owner being insensitive or the customer being too sensitive is irrelevant because ultimately I just lost sales by putting my foot in my mouth.
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Amen to that.
How doesn't it, exactly? lol I'd say it's pretty much common sense if you didn't care what people were saying, you wouldn't read things people are saying...
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Being mildly interested doesn't equate to caring. Not one iota. For instance, I may be interested in knowing that a designer is moving stores, but that doesn't I care about the designer moving stores.
So Julie Billingsley announced her new ct members yesterday and like KCB she had her CT doing the voting. From what I hear she took some people that DIDN'T get the most votes. Why have your CT take the time to vote when you are just gonna pick and choose who you want anyway? Which in my opinion really is how it should be done. Just seems a little weird? Am I crazy?
Why does it matter so much how a designer selects their CTMs?
To answer your question though, I would pick who I wanted also. As the designer, I know better what layout style is better suited for my products and the CT doesn't always take that into account, they just choose what they like and not what is best for the products.
Why does it matter so much how a designer selects their CTMs?
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I think the OP was asking, why say you are doing it one way, only to do it another way in the end. I don't know how Julie presented the process to her CT, she may have said, I'd like your input with votes, but I have the ultimate say. In which case, it doesn't matter that someone got in who had less votes, if Julie thought that person would be a good fit.
Do any of you follow Nicole on Facebook? I did for a while, but it makes me wonder whether she has any business sense at all. She often complained about "customer stupidity" (with regard to CS emails to the store) and spoke about other store ownership annoyances with little regard for the fact that she has customers and scrapbookers all over her friends list. I know a lot of people vent about work on Facebook, but it's not as though she limits her friend list to family and friends only. I unfriended her after a while. For one, it seems like she whines too much about running a business she chose to run. Duh. It's hard work. You did realize you'd be dealing with customers, right? It wouldn't all just be raking in commission from designers. But also it seemed like it was only a matter of time before it all blew up and she said something about someone that one of her followers knows. Either way it was unprofessional as a businesswoman, IMO. I follow quite a few designers and store owners on Facebook and I never see them making rude remarks about their customers or business. So either they have the good sense to limit that to their family and friends, only, or they're just much less sanctimonious.
Charlize (Creations) is saying that MAYA (SBG) is a bitch like everyone else say she is!LOL
^^^^^^
Hum... where does she say that? Also, the only place I have seen anyone say Maya is such a bad person is on this blog (although I have read some of her posts in the DCR and I probably would think that from those too) but I have never heard or read anything directly stating that about her. Do you have direct info?
^^^
I've had friends privately communicate with me about her attitude and I've also had my own dealings. Just because some of it is on this blog, doesn't make it less valid.
Her attitude alone with a lot of posts in the DCR says it all.
on the SMJ note
isn't she the one that also used Jolee stuff before? Or was that someone else?
I think at this point she thinks she is untouchable or something.
^^^
Yep, she was the one using the Jolee stickers.
Her attitude alone with a lot of posts in the DCR says it all.
^^^^^^
Examples? Is that the only place she posts?
So Julie Billingsley announced her new ct members yesterday and like KCB she had her CT doing the voting. From what I hear she took some people that DIDN'T get the most votes. Why have your CT take the time to vote when you are just gonna pick and choose who you want anyway? Which in my opinion really is how it should be done. Just seems a little weird? Am I crazy?
Feb 25, 2012 6:33:00 PM
I think what's crazy is any CTM thinking they have ultimate say over the designer on ANYTHING. Obviously, she valued her CT's input, but regardless of whether she stated it or not, she gets the final say. It is HER business.
Has no one ever had a real job before where the boss asks for their input/opinions? It doesn't mean the boss is going to go running through cubicle hell waving your opinions wildly until someone makes them happen. The boss takes your opinions, along with the opinions of others, then takes his/her own opinions, mashes them all together, then makes a decision.
You're just voting your opinions.
As a fellow designer who tries to take new, not as slick, scrappers, I applaud Julie for taking a handful of "fresh faces" and a couple "lesser known" CTM's. I'm sure her CT didn't vote for them and it's good for her business to have normal, everyday, poor picture taking scrappers on her team. Not everyone scraps like a rockstar.
As a fellow designer who tries to take new, not as slick, scrappers, I applaud Julie for taking a handful of "fresh faces" and a couple "lesser known" CTM's. I'm sure her CT didn't vote for them and it's good for her business to have normal, everyday, poor picture taking scrappers on her team. Not everyone scraps like a rockstar.
^^^
agreed
I'd love to know what any of you designers who have used Atomic Cupcake's actions think of them. I normally make my own CU but time constraints recently have tempted me to buy a couple of CU things, one of them being AC's bulldog clip. I was really disappointed to see terrible jaggies on one of the layers. I was going to get another one or two things, but now I'm a bit concerned what the quality is like on her other stuff. I wouldn't mind but I'd just neen burned by another designer who sold me crap quality CU too. What's AC's other stuff like? I don't want to waste my money but I could really do with using some CU stuff in this one-off kit which I'm designing for a special gift for a friend having chemo.
I bought something from Atomic Cupcake a while ago and the file was corrupt - wasn't impressed.
Did you contact her in addition at bitching about it here?
Hummie's having another designer call: http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=297576
Did you contact her in addition at bitching about it here?
^^^
I'm not the OP but actually you shouldn't have to; you should expect it to be right in the first place.
If I was a designer who had ripped off another designers stuff, I would expect you lot to go botching to the original designer, rather than come "bitching" to me, so quit the double standards.
The OP is entitled to feel put out if she had to chase a designer to put something right!
botching=bitching ;)
The OP is entitled to feel put out if she had to chase a designer to put something right!
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I agree...shouldn't have to go bitching (or botching, he, he)
Hummie's having another designer call: http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=297576
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OMG it's just getting embarrassing now!
Did you contact her in addition at bitching about it here?
I don't think 147 was bitching actually, I think she has a valid point - her tone certainly doean't appear bitchy. Not like your tone at least.
As a fellow designer who tries to take new, not as slick, scrappers, I applaud Julie for taking a handful of "fresh faces" and a couple "lesser known" CTM's. I'm sure her CT didn't vote for them and it's good for her business to have normal, everyday, poor picture taking scrappers on her team. Not everyone scraps like a rockstar.
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I do think it's important to give people a chance, but great CTM layouts can really help to sell a kit. If the layout is mediocre then it doesn't create a great impression of the kit. Not to say the CTMs chosen are mediocre - I'm just illustrating my point.
Hummie's having another designer call: http://www.digishoptalk.com/boards/showthread.php?t=297576
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OMG it's just getting embarrassing now!
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I know, right? "I have a life too and do not have time to be keep track of your requirements"....then why did she start her own store?
I know, right? "I have a life too and do not have time to be keep track of your requirements"....then why did she start her own store?
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Good question! Going by her previous lack of success, I'd be surprised if she was successful this time too. I'm honestly quite embarrassed for her.
From my experience, I would stay away from the AC actions that are items (like the bows, or clips). Some actions are ok, but you can usually get the same thing as a style elsewhere.
I will say that as a consumer, I've purchased download credits in the past (which I think have since been discontinued) and felt ripped off. The credits don't last forever (which is b.s. imo) but they don't put out enough product to even utilize them within the time limit, even if you DID like every action they put out.
From my experience, I would stay away from the AC actions that are items (like the bows, or clips). Some actions are ok, but you can usually get the same thing as a style elsewhere.
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I did find the clips took a bit of cleaning up in terms of jagged edges, which was bit of a pain but easy enough because I know what I'm doing. It sounds like you (the OP) know how to make your own things, so I can only think you bought the CU to save time? Therefore, it does defeat the purpose of using CU though if you then need to start cleaning things up.
About the Digichick from a former store CT member: #139 is dead-on correct about Nicole and her FB rants. I also think that as a store owner, Nicole's over enthusiastic approach to the entire PL thing is out of line. Her attitude, while perhaps well intentioned, comes off as being her way or the highway in terms of how one should scrap. Those who say there was 'nothing wrong' with her post are just as bad as Nicole if they can't see WHY an OWNER should not voice personal opinions within a public forum.
This attitude carries over into the designer area. There is definite favoritism which is readily seen while reading posts. There is an overabundance of the clean, simplistic style of design at TDC - Nicoles own style. Designers at TDC are required to post new releases in a thread in the CT forum weekly - the CT then free-for-all over them to scrap pages. Its more than evidant that the hand picked CT members also prefer the 'clean, simplistic' designs - as those kits (especially those by Nicole) are always taken first, while others can go for weeks, if not months without one layout from the store CT. Those designers who are overlooked (and you would be surprized at a couple of more well known ones) cannot complain, as there is a thread stating that its left up to the individual CT members as to what they work with. A new kit can be taken up to 5 times....then they have to take something else. and they do. another simplistic design. It's sad, really - to see such favoritism displayed week after week. During my stay there, which wasn't long (other opportunities came my way) - I felt very bad about the way things are handled there. Honestly? I don't know how I was even chosen for the store CT, as my scrap style in no way compliments the rest of the 'team'. And...Nicole does nothing to remedy the situation. There are the obvious favorites that get all the attention (and approval from Nicole) and those that have to rely on their own resources to get 'the job done'. I applaud those ladies.
Nicole needs to take a good look around her - realize that scrapping isn't limited to her own point of view, and rework the inner structure of her store to reflect a welcoming attitude with an embrace for every type of scrapper, not just her own style.
This is a good apology, IMO:
http://www.thedigichick.com/forums/showthread.php?37808-My-apologies
Personally, I think it's a horrible apology. It's mainly an excuse for her behavior with an "oh yeah, sorry" thrown in for good measure. A good apology would simply be admitting you did something wrong and may have offended someone and saying your sorry...without giving all the excuses why you said what you said as if that makes it all right.
In every single store CT I have ever been on, there are obvious favorites. Guess what? In every job I've ever had, there are obvious favorites too.
I completely agree that Nicole needs to be more professional in expressing her viewpoint, but the favorites things? Happens all the time, every where. I don' agree with that either, just pointing out that it's not unique to Nicole.
Examples? Is that the only place she posts?
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I no longer have access to the DCR so can't look for you. Even if I did, I wouldn't go searching as I'm not that invested in the subject. It's not that hard to find Maya's post, just click on her profile and look for all posts.
I do remember a few years ago, there was the big debacle about a 'new and innovative designer' who was being copied and she turned out to have copied the idea from somewhere else. Those posts apparently were amended in the DCR, but they can be found on the old smack blog. If I'm feeling generous, I may even find them for you, roughly.
If I'm feeling generous, I may even find them for you, roughly.
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Don't bother, your time is clearly too precious
I no longer have access to the DCR so can't look for you. Even if I did, I wouldn't go searching as I'm not that invested in the subject. It's not that hard to find Maya's post, just click on her profile and look for all posts.
^^^^^^^
I posted the initial question: is she posting ELSEWHERE than in the DCR or is it only the designers who might be able to see her "attitude" that has been mentioned previously?
Don't bother, your time is clearly too precious
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Thank you for your consideration.
I posted the initial question: is she posting ELSEWHERE than in the DCR or is it only the designers who might be able to see her "attitude" that has been mentioned previously?
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She has posted on the public boards. Her attitude has been noted.
There is an overabundance of the clean, simplistic style of design at TDC - Nicoles own style. Designers at TDC are required to post new releases in a thread in the CT forum weekly - the CT then free-for-all over them to scrap pages. Its more than evident that the hand picked CT members also prefer the 'clean, simplistic' designs - as those kits (especially those by Nicole) are always taken first, while others can go for weeks, if not months without one layout from the store CT.
This happens in my store - but with fantasy style kits. All the CT love them and ooh and ahh over them and they get loads of layouts, and the non-fantasy, cleaner, more simplistic kits get totally ignored.
I think it's a mistake to let the CT choose kits they like without having more checks and balances in place to be sure all designers get attention from the CT in a relatively balanced manner.
Those designers who are overlooked (and you would be surprized at a couple of more well known ones) cannot complain, as there is a thread stating that its left up to the individual CT members as to what they work with.
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Of course they can complain. If they are that disappointed or upset with the status quo, they would move on if they wanted to. They fact that they don't, would seem to indicate that their sales are okay and they don't need the store CT to do anything for them.
I think it's a mistake to let the CT choose kits they like without having more checks and balances in place to be sure all designers get attention from the CT in a relatively balanced manner.
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I absolutely agree with this. Having been in the situation of having the store CT mostly ignore my kits week after week, I ended up leaving the store, concluding that I was not a good fit for them. It was a good move on my part.
I bought something from Atomic Cupcake a while ago and the file was corrupt - wasn't impressed.
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I bought an action from her that didn't work. It ran through fine but there was some kind of glitch and the thing ended up with an empty layer - just a big nothing. So I emailed her through her store to let her know - I was very specific about where the action seemed to hang up. I never heard back from her - ever. I will never spend any money there again.
I think it's a mistake to let the CT choose kits they like without having more checks and balances in place to be sure all designers get attention from the CT in a relatively balanced manner.
*****
I respectfully disagree.
It is the designer's responsibility to have their own CT if they want people working exclusively with their kits.
The problem is that most stores advertise that they have a store CT in their call as if it is a benefit to the designer. If this was advertised in a call and it was later found out that there was a CT but not all products were going to be picked for LOs, I can see how that could rub someone the wrong wat. Personally, I could care less if the store CT works with my products. I have an awesome CT who do beautiful LOs and promote my products in the ways that I have identified as the most beneficial to me. I don't feel like the store CT Los do anything for me at all.
promote my products in the ways that I have identified as the most beneficial to me
I don't have my own CT. I'd like to build one. What are the ways that you've identified as the most beneficial for your CT to promote you?
If you own a store and take on a CT to promote the items sold in your store, and if you tell designers that they have access to that CT (especially if you list it as an incentive in a call) then you also have the obligation to make sure that the CT is covering ALL the work being put forth in your store.
No, not every item is going to be as "desired", but if it is obvious that certain designers are being "ignored" then you have an obligation to correct the situation (whether it's by letting designers go, or taking on ct that work in a different style).
^^^
Or at least not take on designers you know your ct won't work with.
175 - What works for me won't necessarily work for you. I am specific with my CT. The galleries to upload to are specified based on my target audience, where I advertise, etc. same for enabling. Certain products are optional or less LOs based on how I need it advertised.
Designers can't control where or how store CTs advertise their products and in that way I find it fairly unimportant whether the store CT does anything with my products since the requirements are usually to upload to the store gallery and a certain number of galleries of their choosing which may not be the best ones.
I have a personal CT. However, I believe that the store should be promoting all designers withing the store equally. As store CT does a great deal of that promotion, I believe the store needs to ensure that the store CT are working with every designer in a relatively equal manner.
If you have a variety of styles in your store, then the store CT shouldn't consist of only those who scrap in the same style in the first place. That reflects the store owner's lack of vision and planning ability, IMO. And to let this go on without doing anything to help the situation? ...
^^^
It's like some of the designers, they often have CTMs who only scrap in a a certain style. Which is ok, if you have five CTMs, bit when it gets to 8 or more, then, as a designer, you should have a little variety or you appear limited, KWIM? Same with store CTMs, it makes the store look limited and they could alienate potential new customers. JMHO
I bought something from Atomic Cupcake a while ago and the file was corrupt - wasn't impressed.
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I bought an action from her that didn't work. It ran through fine but there was some kind of glitch and the thing ended up with an empty layer - just a big nothing. So I emailed her through her store to let her know - I was very specific about where the action seemed to hang up. I never heard back from her - ever. I will never spend any money there again.
Sometimes catching her on FaceBook is the better alternative though I've never had a problem with her emailing me back when I've had a problem. I love her actions. They aren't like a lot where you hit play and you basically do a color change and that's it, so sometimes probems have occurred but she's always been quick to fix for me. Sorry you didn't have the same experience.
I think it's a mistake to let the CT choose kits they like without having more checks and balances in place to be sure all designers get attention from the CT in a relatively balanced manner.
*****
I respectfully disagree.
It is the designer's responsibility to have their own CT if they want people working exclusively with their kits.
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I also disagree. I wouldn't want CT using my kit if they were being "forced" to use it, I only want them using it if they truly like it and want to create something with it. Otherwise, whatever they turn in will be sub-par and won't help me sell a kit anyway. Additionally, I agree that it's up to each designer to have her own CT - THAT is what provides checks and balances. The store CT should be viewed as a perk, not as a necessity. If you're a designer relying solely on the store CT, you're either lazy or you just don't understand this biz.
Karen Lewis just announced on Facebook that she's leaving TDC at the end of the month, to open up at a new digi store. Anyone care to speculate? My first thought was Simon's prediction that she'd be a good fit for SSD, but March 1 seems too early to be opening at SSD as their designer call ad said something about making all decisions by mid-March. So could it be somewhere else?
A response to #161 above, from another former TDC staff member who likely has a more complete view of the situation there than you do. You made a point of saying that you weren't at TDC long, so I think it's entertaining that you felt comfortable writing 3 paragraph's worth of opinion on the matter.
I was there over a year, so feel qualified saying that you don't paint a very accurate picture. The process you describe does exist: the CT can take each kit up to 5 times, and then must work with other kits that haven't reached 5 yet. However, I can only think of a handful of weeks during my time there in which items on the new release list each week didn't get taken at all. The CT actually does a very good job of spreading the love around, IMO. Furthermore, you make it sound as though Nicole's in there watching everything each week with a fine-tooth comb, which is not true. If anything, she's like most of the designers in that she's absent from that area/thread unless she's got a new product that week. Know what? That's just fine because she has at least 2 or 3 other admins that she's hired to be in charge of that stuff. So talking about how she's "aware" and yet "does nothing to remedy the situation" is ironic and funny because it just shows that you don't even know that it's not really her area. It's something that's up to the other admins.
There aren't very many designers whose products don't get used at least 2-3 times a week, but I would assume you're referring mainly to the products that are released by designers like ViVa and Joyful Heart, or Sherwood and Kimeric (I have a hard time telling them apart, in truth), or Sarah J, or maybe even Cluster Queen now that she's putting out more than templates. Those are the designers, looking at the current list on their site, whose products are more varied in style than the rest. But even their products got used an average of twice or more in any given week (can't speak to Kimeric, though, she wasn't there when I was there).
The funniest thing about your dissertation: the designers whose styles differ the most, and therefore wouldn't be getting as much love (in your scenario) have all been there for quite a long time. If they had a problem, I'm sure they'd leave. They're obviously staying at TDC for a reason, so I doubt your problems are really their problems. Oh and there's one other thing about your rant that I think is funny, come to think of it. You actually mentioned that your scrap style "in no way compliments the rest of the team", which just goes to show you that TDC does actually attempt to bring on store CT members whose styles are varied. Not just "simplistic design" scrappers like you say.
At the end of the day, I think TDC is one of the best-run sites around, and has some of the friendliest and most active designers and staff, when it comes to life in the forum. Sounds like you didn't stick around long enough to figure that out, so don't "feel bad about the way things are handled there" because I am certain that the rest of the staff there is just ducky.
After that tirade, I won't be hanging around there. I have no respect for shops with staff members that post on a smack blog. It's so pathetic and desperate that you feel you have to defend the shop.
http://www.thedigichick.com/forums/showthread.php?37703-I-feel-like-my-scrap-done-broke!/page3
She brought the thread she'd hidden back and complains about it being discussed here.
186 you moron she said she was a former staff member. More than once. Idiot.
184 I would have thought Sweet Shoppe too for sure, but if she's opening her new shop 3/1 then I'm not so sure.
187 I don't see where she's complaining at all about it being discussed here. I just read the thread you posted. She says she moved the thread, but brought it back when she heard it was being discussed here. Nowhere does she complain about it.
Not the OP of #190, but I tend to agree with her. I just read the posts you listed above in #191 and I don't see bitching either. What specific statements in those posts sound like bitching to you? Maybe we're misunderstanding your definition of bitching, and what you really meant to say was that she "mentions that it is being discussed on the smack blog". But bitching, I just don't see it. Besides the fact that she really was an idiot for having not thought through her original post, in the first place, and said/posted things she shouldn't have (store owner or not), I think the rest of her statements have been handled OK. Too bad she didn't think that clearly in the first place, but then again we'd have nothing to talk about here then would we?
^^^
Agreed. "Discussing" or talking about something isn't necessarily "bitching". You may be the same person who accused commenter 147 of bitching about something that she was talking about? No sign of bitching there either!
Karen can't be going to SSD. Their call isn't even closed yet.
Because never in the history of the world has a store ever accepted a designer they loved ahead of the rest of their applicants. Never ever. *eyeroll*
After that tirade, I won't be hanging around there. I have no respect for shops with staff members that post on a smack blog. It's so pathetic and desperate that you feel you have to defend the shop.
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First off, why should the actions of a former CT member reflect upon a shop they're no longer at? They could have been let go by the shop, you have no idea. It has nothing to do with the shop, and I think it's funny that you have "no respect for shops with staff members who post on smack blogs" but yet here you are, posting on a smack blog. I also laugh at the fact that you don't find it to be desperate and pathetic that the first "former CT" posted in a way that put down the shop owner, but once another "former CT" posted here in her defense, it's now desperate and pathetic. You hypocritical moron.
L.M.A.O. Ditto #195
and I think it's funny that you have "no respect for shops with staff members who post on smack blogs" but yet here you are, posting on a smack blog.
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While I agree with the rest of your post, this is just silly. The OP is not representing a store, so she can post all she wants on a smack blog, without damaging a reputation, except her anon one.
http://www.thedigichick.com/forums/showthread.php?37703-I-feel-like-my-scrap-done-broke!/page3
She brought the thread she'd hidden back and complains about it being discussed here.
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I'm glad she brought it back, as I never saw the original. Now that I have, I stand by my original statement, some people are overly sensitive and see or read the negative into every single thing.
I also don't see her complaining about it being discussed her. I agree with #190, #192 and #193.
You really do things in a different light, don't you?
I'm glad she brought it back, as I never saw the original. Now that I have, I stand by my original statement, some people are overly sensitive and see or read the negative into every single thing.
I also don't see her complaining about it being discussed her. I agree with #190, #192 and #193.
You really do things in a different light, don't you?
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Agreed
Those of you agreeing that you don't see what the problem is with Nicole's post did not see the orginal. She states in her edit note that it was too offense. If you didn't see the orignal post, you have no idea what you are talking about here.
^^^^^
I think the only reason she said that was because some people got their knickers in a twist.
Some people are just offended by everything and think it's about them, when it isn't.
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