Based on the rant Amber Shaw posted on one of her personal FB pages, it's a no-brainer. She all but included the shop name. She may fit in well there (style-wise) but I'm sad to see her join that group of children. All she's done is trade one drama clique' for another junior-high clique. I would much rather have seen her stay at her guest spot, or even go back to PBP. At least those two shops aren't filled with immature drama queens, for the most part. I liked her too much to see her be influenced by the BS at SO or SSD. The SO stint didn't last too long (obviously because of Kami's immature BS), but maybe SSD will do better for her.
those 2 are not going ________________ How do you know? I hate it when people say things for fact just to act like big shots. You have no more clue than anyone else unless you're betraying confidences that you're not supposed to be.
I've seen no fact to back up the "immature drama queen" accusations at SSD with the exception of Lauren Grier's constant complaints about her life, health, weather, etc. Those even have toned down. Hopefully, someone told her to stifle it. I've seen no other crap at that site though. If it happens behind the scenes, who cares? I only care about their designs.
Wouldn't Kristin Aagard's style totally overlap that of Lliella Designs'? _ Probably but Lliella Designs doesn't produce as often as Kristin so I think it would be a great move anyway.
Hey 12 ... you are calling SO and SSD immature drama queens. Seriously??? You are frickin' posting on a SMACK BLOG! Geez. ______________ ^^AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY!!!^^
Hey 12 ... you are calling SO and SSD immature drama queens. Seriously??? You are frickin' posting on a SMACK BLOG! Geez. ---------------------- As are you. Hit a sore spot? Got your panties in a wad? You must be at one of those shops. I feel the same as 12 and I'm just a customer. No need to be behind the scenes to see it at either shop. Cruising the forums are evidence enough about how clique-ish they are.
Cruising the forums are evidence enough about how clique-ish they are. _ So don't cruise the forums if you don't like the cliques. I couldn't care less how cliquish they are. I want great designers. Sounds like it's YOUR panties in a wad, not 12's.
You must be at one of those shops. I feel the same as 12 and I'm just a customer. ---------------- The notion that anyone, who doesn't agree with the venom spat at SSD and/or SO, is a "part" of one of those shops is absolutely preposterous. Not only is it possible that several disagree for whatever reasons, it is probable that most of us simply DON'T CARE about the cliques, the backstabbing amongst designers, etc. We just want great designs (at decent prices) for our scrapbook pages. Is that really difficult to comprehend? Some of you people take all this WAY TOO seriously. This is a HOBBY for most of us.
July 11th is too long to wait for a reveal. By then I probably won't even care.
Anything happening with Scrap Nerds? I have not seen a thing from them lately. It feels like they came on like gang busters with what they were planning and now they have lost momentum.
Is the change at SSD going to set off a shuffling of designers in digiland? If anyone leaves TLP for SSD, who would be a good replacement there?
Finally TLP is having a Polly call and not one word has been said here. If it were another Babe call, this blog would be on fire! Are the Pollys better than the Babes?
....basically the same style as all of their current designers. It wouldn't be a surprise to see any of those names, to be honest. Just can't figure out who #5 would be
It's all just a shuffle of names. What I wish to see is some new or relatively unknown designers, kind of like how Scrapyrus Designs came onto the scene all of a sudden last year. Maybe someone from a mid-tier store like the O or Memory Scraps.
Back to the Scrap Nerds ... they have been introducing a new designer every day and there's been a little freebie. Nothing huge being given away, but just a quick intro. The store opens 7/1. I'm sure there will be some sort of event with that.
Studio Basic was from Memory Scraps so it's not like they pick people from "top tier" stores, I think they go with taste and what uniqueness each designer brings to the table
SMJ still has a lot of what I consider questionable kits up -- the minion, the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Alice in Wonderland, Lalaloopsy -- but there's also quite a few gone -- Snow White and Lego are two that I know are gone.
I actually thought if she quit doing this questionable copyright stuff, she'd fit in at SSD. Her style would work nicely with what's there already.
I did look through her shop. They are still there. She just has so much in her shop it's hard to find things. She needs more images per page or something because it's annoying to keep having to page forward.
Question: Do you like things like TLP's BYOC? I know SSD used to do the QA's in a theme, right now they have the 'Summer Sixlets' and I am curious as to what most scrappers think about these things
I love The Lilypad BYOC. I find that for a lot of designers, I will like their papers a lot, but their elements not so much, and vice versa. So with the BYOC I can buy the paper and elements that I love from different designers. I used to have a hard time finding elements I liked in the BYOC, but with all the designers that have joined TLP in the last couple years, I'm finding lots of element sets that I love. I only wish they would discount the BYOC a little more.
That is one thing that can turn me off from BYOC-type events - when the prices seem a little too high. I've seen byoc-style promotions at other stores, but I don't think they pull it off as well as TLP, mostly because the selection is too small.
I have grown to like BYO sales. In the past I prefer to stick with one designer and I'll get the whole kit, but with better organization I now mix and match a lot more. TLP's is a little pricey, but I love their color schemes. I'd like it more if they have a theme, though. I shop P&Co's BYO too. For a lot of other stores the colors are often hit and miss for me. I like MScrap's Memory Mix and sometimes Gotta Pixel's Gotta Grab It sale, too.
Stolen Moments and Just Jaimee are definitely not going to SSD. Why in the world would they leave TLP for a place like SSD? I am told that they both got invites and turned SSD down.
Mari Koegelenberg posted a sneak peek on instagram with a link to PCO. So that's settled, it's her and Jen Allyson who are the new designers opening tomorrow.
46-I usually hit the Gotta Grab It sale too. I also like some of the Buffet items at GS when the color palette is nice. Unfortunately, they aren't consistent with good color palettes.
The Lilypad doesn't do it for me. ---------------- Ditto this. Once in a while I'll shop there but usually they don't have what I'm needing or wanting at the time. I like a lot of their designers; I just can not usually find anything when I'm looking.
I'm pretty sure that TLP and SSD aren't sharing monthly sales reports! Designers don't even like to share what they earn monthly! You can not base what one person makes as the measure of total earnings. All shops have high earners and low earners. Not everyone at SSD is making 2k a month and neither are all designers at TLP.
I would be concerned if I was a shop owner and found that someone with access to monthly numbers was sharing those numbers with another store WITHOUT permission. Beyond all the silly gossip and what not that happens THAT is a more serious issue.
Beyond all the silly gossip and what not that happens THAT is a more serious issue. _______________ Why is that such a serious issue? Been a drama queen long?
I don't shop at The Lily pad. I do CT for one designer there. I don't really like anything else there. I don't shop at SSD either though. I do shop at other stores.
#57 - it's called Proprietary information, google it. __ I didn't have to google it. I'm aware what it means and it does not apply here. If you're going to throw terms around at least learn what they mean and where they are relevant in a situation.
Forever Joy just released a new kit this week @ SO if she was leaving do you really think she would do that? I didn't think so. SuzyQ blah and boring same'o crap week after week I hope it's Jofia Devoe or Irene Alexeeva or Faith True or Tracie S.
I really can't see Irene Alexeeva fitting with SSD, even as one of the 'outlier' types. Maybe Faith True or Tracie S...I don't know though, I'm curious to see, though wondering why they announced the number so far in advance of the designer announcements.
Anonymous said... 83 The ex-retired designer is Robin. _________________________________
I hope not. I used to love her designs, but her new stuff in the collabs looks exactly like her old stuff and that would get boring very, very quickly.
She's already been designing there for several weeks. How is that a "new" designer? That would be truly annoying if she's one of them since she's already there.
Anyone else see Clever Monkey Graphics FB post about Allison Pennington and TLP? Can't figure out if she's calling Allison out for copying or just trying to piggy back sales #shameless
Anyone else see Clever Monkey Graphics FB post about Allison Pennington and TLP? Can't figure out if she's calling Allison out for copying or just trying to piggy back sales #shameless ------------------------------ I think she's trying to piggy back on Allison Pennington's kit. She did the same thing a few weeks back on another designer's page on which they advertised their Dr. Who kit.
She's already been designing there for several weeks. How is that a "new" designer? That would be truly annoying if she's one of them since she's already there. Jun 27, 2014, 7:36:00 AM
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No, she is not on the designer list and hasn't been for years. She has been collaborating with other designers. She really is still retired from designing. But her recent participation in collabs is what leads me to believe it will be her.
I don't see Robin opening shop, but I'd love to have her do so. Even if she didn't do kits and just did alphas, paper packs, etc. in small scale, it would be nice. I still use several things from her back when she designed years ago.
Sounds like she wants to be part of TLP. I was at a TLP chat once where she said "I've always known my style fits here (TLP) perfectly." #shameless to the max.
No, she is not on the designer list and hasn't been for years. She has been collaborating with other designers. __ I realize all that because I, like you, can read. I'm just saying that she's hardly "new" since she's been designing with the other designers there for several weeks.
I still think Forever Joy is one of the new ones and I really hope she is. I LOVE her stuff and forget to look at her designs because I seldom go to Scrap Orchard unless it's for a big sale or K. Aagard's stuff.
I realize all that because I, like you, can read. I'm just saying that she's hardly "new" since she's been designing with the other designers there for several weeks. Jun 27, 2014, 11:23:00 AM
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A retired designer would not be a new designer. She hasn't officially come out of retirement.
Amy Stoffel is "retiring forever." Didn't she just come out of retirement. Anyone else surprised to see LDrag move to the Digichick? The five new ones at SSD look like they will fit in well. Now that SO has some openings who would fit in there?
I used to enjoy shopping at SO but not any longer, there just isn't anybody whose kits jump out and say 'buy me' . I know my taste has changed so that may be why. As for SSD yes I think those people will fit well, I have a few things by some of the designers from SSD but not much and it is all older stuff.
Says anyone with half a brain. SSD nets more than all the "top tier" stores combined.
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Maybe 3 years ago. Not anymore, SSD. Sorry. Why do you think all of the good designers are leaving your shop and you have to settle for the 5 you just picked after begging other designers who turned you down repeatedly to leave shops like TLP and PCO?
More layouts from DeepGirl this week with her nipple just laying out there... She attempted blurring it for web but it's still blatantly obvious.
I'm not anti breastfeeding or anything, just don't think it's really necessary to post pics of your nips just laying out there, without your kid even attached.
Maybe 3 years ago. Not anymore, SSD. Sorry. Why do you think all of the good designers are leaving your shop and you have to settle for the 5 you just picked after begging other designers who turned you down repeatedly to leave shops like TLP and PCO? ___ What a crock of shit.
122, ITA. I used to just love SO but not anymore. It's not a horrible store IMO, but it no longer fits who I am as a scrapper and most of their stuff just blends together. Nothing memorable or spend-my-money worthy. I won't mention names since I don't want to be smacked as a CTM (which I'm not) but there is one designer there I still like. I actually wish she'd leave SO so I wouldn't have to shop at SO at all.
I just checked out SO since they are having the Iron Scrapper- I thought I would do one or two layouts this month to participate. I had a heck of a time finding 4 of the minis that I liked, and their fresh fruit was just bare this week. I like a few designers there, but some blend together after a while. I think that is why I am disappointed with the new designers at SSD- I had a hard time finding stuff to buy from most of them when they were somewhere else. I like Amber Shaw and I like some of Digilicious's stuff.
I don't understand why so many people here keep talking about what a great store PCo is. I think their kits are sparse and look alike. I am having a hard time finding stuff at their dollar sale to buy. I just don't see the store bringing in a big enough customer base to be one of the biggest stores.
I understand why TLP would be one of the store's with the biggest profits- they have such a diverse group of designers, all of whom are pretty good. There is something for everyone there, and I probably spend the most money there.
131--You sound like you are just hard to please. I'm glad you found a niche with TLP. Totally not my style. But I like SO and PCo and even SSD at times.
My point is, we all have our own styles and that's why people like stores you don't like.
TLP is my least favorite of the major stores and that's because when I'm looking for something specific I NEVER find it there. I like several of their designers, however, I just find their overall product not useable for my purposes.
I love these "which shop is the worst" discussions. So hilarious. I shop designers, not stores. I'm not a store owner, or a CTM, just a normal scrapper. I don't post in forums nor in their galleries. I suspect most "just scrappers" are a lot like me.
I think TLP is expensive and they really only put junk in on their Wednesday sale. I know that it has to do with my scrapping style as well. I love SSD and SO. I'm glad we many quality store choices.
PCo's dollar sale drives me crazy. I wish they would just release the entire kit at once. I don't want papers without the elements so I wait to see if the elements are release. If I wait to buy it all at once, stuff disappears from other designers. I don't understand how a bunch of individual $1 checkouts benefits anyone. Let me fill my cart all at once! Or consider new $1 releases weekly while running the sale and release the entire kit!!!
132- The funny thing is that I am really not that picky. I buy from tons of designers- I am making general observations about the overall feel of the stores. When I look at the new releases, etc., as a group, I like the "vibe" of some better than others; and at other stores, there are very few designers I like. I love SSD, and I am also a fan of SBG and like some designers at PBP and GingerScraps
133- I like the fact that TLP has a variety of designing styles, but, like you, when I am scrapping something specifically themed, etc., I often end up buying elsewhere.
134- I so follow designers from store to store, but I prefer if they "land" at a store where I like to shop already or where I can find new designers that I love.
135- I hate the fact that TLP only has 30% off sales, but during those sales, a lot of the designers have their stuff for less.
138--The stores are not the designers. The umbrella store is Gingerscraps. The designer store would be B2N2 or any of the other designers that are there. I understand that that is considered their store--(B2N2) but Gingerscraps is the big umbrella store. I shop the designer store--not the umbrella store. I hope I explained that clearly enough for your little pea brain.
I totally agree that I shop designers, but wish they would land in a store I already shop and have promotions I enjoy. SSD has a FWP kit that changes out every 2 weeks, for example, and I always try to get it. So who sells there does matter to me because I want to buy something I love, not something I just like because I want to get the FWP kit.
Each shop has good and not-so-good designers. I think it'll be interesting to talk about who those are instead of the stores as a whole. For instance, I shop at TLP sometimes, but I've never gotten anything from Gina Miller. My eyes just automatically jump over her stuff. I don't think she really belongs in a top-tier store.
The stores are not the designers. The umbrella store is Gingerscraps. __ Well, Duh..thanks for the info. None of us knew that. What I was saying was that people normally shop at a store BECAUSE of the designers not because of a store NAME. I did not mean it literally as you obviously took it. What was that you said about a pea brain? I think most of us are intelligent enough to shop for great designs by the designer who makes them. I would think that so obvious that no one would have to say it even though you have...twice.
I'm with #144 re: Michelle Godin, Jenn Barrette, LBW and Studio Basic. I also like Forever Joy, Ju Kneipp, KCB, Mommyish, AKDesigns for templates, Rosey Posey, Wendy Page and Kristin Aagard.
Said just like a SSD designer who is afraid to leave because she doesn't believe that anyone else at a top-tier store makes as much money as the designers at her sinking ship of a store. Newsflash: you could do better. That's why people are leaving.
My favorite designers now are KCB, Flergs, and Forever Joy. I also like Stolen Moments, Just Jaimee, Mommyish, Juno Designs, Deena Rutter, Hat of Bunny, Chelle's Creations (for CU), and Jimbo Jambo Designs (for templates).
Said just like a SSD designer who is afraid to leave because she doesn't believe that anyone else at a top-tier store makes as much money as the designers at her sinking ship of a store. Newsflash: you could do better. That's why people are leaving. ___ Said just like someone who knows absolutely nothing. You sound kinda bitter to me. What's wrong? Put your app in and get rejected AGAIN?! Or are you a frustrated Sugar Babe wanna be? Newsflash: You're REALLY transparent with your agenda.
Each shop has good and not-so-good designers. ______ Agreed. Although, I must say that SSD and P&CO have the best ones by far. I can't think of anyone at either store who doesn't design well. They all aren't necessarily my style but they still do a good job. Mari K. was one of my faves at SSD and I'm so glad she went over to P@CO and not the Lily Pad or SO.
If I wait to buy it all at once, stuff disappears from other designers.
----------------- What are you talking about? Everything in their sale is $1 all July. You could wait until July 31, 5 minutes before the sale ended, to buy everything. It's all there all month. Why are you complaining if a designer releases elements one day and papers 3 days later? My gawd, people will bitch about anything they can if it makes one store look worse than another on this blog.
It's not just this blog, some people are not happy unless they're bitching about something. If the daily dollar deals are annoying, STAY OFF THE SITE!!! It's that simple.
Is anyone playing along with the SO Iron Scrapper? I thought I might, so I purchased the required kits enough to get the "secret ingredient". It is so ugly? Who would want to put it on a page? It's a jukebox, and a hideous one at that. It doesn't go with ANY of the required kits to scrap for the challenge this week. They lost me.
Iron Scrapper has always been about putting weird things, or an insane number of things, in layouts. But they don't require your layout to be good or pleasing - just to follow the rules.
Same question at SSD and The Lilypad. I noticed it at both places and then I noticed 18 replies at TLP and 5 at SSD. The Lilypad has a vibrant, growing message board while SSD's board is dying. SSD needs to put their babes to work growing the boards and community or they need to get some new babes committed to doing that. People will be more loyal to a place where they feel a sense of community.
P.S. Wonder how many Polly applications TLP got? I'm betting it's over 100 easy.
SO's message board was so slow before Iron Scrapper. Now, just a whole bunch of nothing threads from staff. I think that is how they participate. Why don't they do it year round?
SSD needs to put their babes to work growing the boards and community or they need to get some new babes committed to doing that. ------ This is an understatement. They have so many on that ct who do absolutely nothing. Once in a blue moon they may scrap but that's it. I wonder how much better of an environment it would be on the forum if they had a ct that was actually dedicated. Right now, their team is a detriment, not a help. There's a handful who do EVERYTHING and the others don't do squat.
I could never ct for TLP because they don't release stuff often enough that I could/would use in my normal scrapping. I just find their stuff, for the most part, not useable for my purposes. On a separate note, I find lots of their stuff overpriced compared to other stores.
SO's message board was so slow before Iron Scrapper. Now, just a whole bunch of nothing threads from staff. I think that is how they participate. Why don't they do it year round? ___ Why would you want to read those nonsensical posts ALL year round? It's bad enough they're there a few weeks every year.
P.S. Wonder how many Polly applications TLP got? I'm betting it's over 100 easy __ TLP, SSD and SO always have bunches of ct apps. A good reason for that is people want stuff for free. Even the smaller stores get lots of applications for ct's.
It's also the same group of people, more power to them for keeping up with all of it. I don't apply because I don't want to be tied to my computer. I did the store CTM for a few sites as well as some individual designers but found I was feeling bogged down so walked away. Am back scrapping but now it is for me and I like my pages a lot better.
Do people find it hard to scrap genuinely for themselves when their pages are for CT requirements? I know there are people on both camps - that CT pages should just be attractive advertising vs. CT pages can be your own authentic pages. I like to think that my CT pages are all keepers, but I do find that more than a couple of teams is too much for me. And I also have to say that the most satisfying pages (and ones that I think of as my best) are ones that were not made under any kind of deadline. I also see people who stay on teams even when it seems like they aren't loving it anymore ... I wonder why people tend to be so hesitant to leave a team. Are they afraid they won't get that opportunity again?
The whole ct thing has always been a mystery to me. I guess I'd just rather pay for stuff that I love and scrap pages that I can and do always use. However, to those who do ct, the effort is appreciated. I love looking at great layouts to help me determine if I want a certain kit. While they aren't a necessity in making a decision to buy, they certainly help.
I know I had a hard time quitting a team just recently, that I've been on for 4 years. It's coveted by so many, and that's because it really was a dream CT. I loved 95% of her releases, and I don't know many designers I can say that about. I wanted to stay also because it was familiar and fun. You become friends with the designer and don't want to hurt them by quitting. Or worse -- end up like the yo-yo designers that retire and come back multiple times: I didn't want to quit and regret it down the road. Took me a long time, but I finally realized that I wasn't making pages for me anymore, so I needed to step down. I haven't regretted it (yet lol).
I imagine each person has their own reasons for staying or going. For what type of pages they make (as well as what pages they make privately that we never see).
Even on CT's, I make pages for me and if I don't like them, usually they don't get finished. So, when working, I make sure that the kit in a way that will make it into my albums and be a good representation of the kit for advertising. Sometimes, I do have random creative pages, and may not be a part of a specific album, but those pages could be printed together for a creative outlet album.
I actually don't mind buying kits that I like (when on sale lol), but I prefer CT work because it makes me scrap with kits I like and gives me deadlines. I wouldn't get half as much done as I do now if I wasn't on CT's.
164, I'm with 166: I was on almost all of my dream CTs, but then I realized that I was grumbling about making pages instead of happily sitting down to scrap. That's when I quit them all. (I was on about 5--one team had such low reqs that I probably could have stayed on but I felt like I needed to quit ALL of them.) I had worked hard to get on some of those teams--I'd been turned down by one designer over a year before I got up the nerve to apply again--and then I got on the team. Like 166, I'd become friends with some of the designers and with some of the other CTMs--I'd even met a few IRL. It felt like betrayal to leave those teams. But I needed to focus on me/my family/cleaning my house lol, and I wanted to keep scrapping fun and interesting. I didn't want it to be a chore, even if I ended up loving my pages (I always make pages I love, whether for CT work or for personal pages. If I applied for a CT, the designer would know what my pages would look like since they're all the "same" in terms of being unique to me, and they can gauge if I'm a good fit for them). Even though I loved everything my designers came up with, I just felt burned out. Most of my designers said "Come back whenever you want" (and I'm pretty sure they meant it rotfl), but I haven't really regretted it. I buy what I want, when I want; more importantly, I scrap when I want. Sorry, this turned into a novel. To me, unless you're getting paid cash-money to be on a CT, then you should only stay on a team if you truly feel HAPPY to be there. If you feel stuck or bored or whatever, then it's time to leave. Let the designer find someone new who'll better promote her products.
I too was a ct crazed woman. I loved the "in the know" of what was coming out. I also learned a lot from the designers and other CT members. They really can be fun teams and some incredible friendships are developed. The deadline, it helps me scrap. I print books most of the pages I do. About 4-5 books a year. Honestly, I probably do about 3-400 pages a year, and 50 are not printed due to making just for CT requirement, but I enjoyed making the page. A few years back I stopped being a CT, and shopped. After a while I realized I was buying everything from one or two shops and loving it the designs. I got on a few teams there and eventually got a shop gig. It is easier for me. Upload at the store, a few others and enjoy free product too. I was a CT collector, back in the blinkie insanity! Stacks of blinkies and tormenting the mods at DST!
Another that just took up any CT possible when I first started, and now I'm down to just a few. 3-4 teams is my personal max, and only for designers I love. I'm now on my two dream CT's and I don't see quitting any time soon, as they are still inspiring me to keep scrapping and creating kits that I love.
I am not a ct crazed person, although I'm currently on several cts. I love the teams I'm on, I love making pages, and most of them would be considered personal pages. I don't just scrap to use the kit. Having new kits to work with and deadlines inspires me to scrap. I'm not sure I'd scrap nearly as much as I do if it not for the deadlines. I've made some great friendships, and I'm having a good time. When it becomes a chore, I'll reassess and move on. Until then, happy scrapping.
Ego facultate mihi ab Apostolic Sede tributa, indulgentiam plenariam et remissionem omnium peccatorum tibi concedo et benedico te. In nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spirtus Sancti. Amen.
Indeed, the last rites are appropriate. This blog is very close to dying. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Wish we could get new posts more frequently.
I'm guessing it's dying for much the same reason many of the store forums are dying. I don't really think most customers are looking to be part of a community. They just want to buy their supplies and get down to scrapping. Like all industries, this one is going through growing pains, and it needs to adapt if it's going to survive.
If people want to buy their supplies and scrap, the industry is going to survive. We are seeing a trend where smaller stores are having difficulty surviving but that's a reflection of defined developed talent within the industry resulting from a demand for better products.
The digi world is always quieter in the summer as well, when kids are out of school and people have more of a life offline. It'll rebound again as usual come september.
176--That's funny. You do realize that a lot of websites sell stuff and don't have forums and they survive? It doesn't mean the industry is drying up. I personally don't need community to scrap a page. If I want praise, I just need to post it on FB and then people who care can see it. I get tired of trying to remember all the gallery guidelines. I'm still purchasing and that's really what matters to a business. I think people have just gotten tired of the forum and gallery games and want to do their own thing.
It is somewhat odd to see some BIG names leave SBG. Not necessarily that they are better designers than most (maybe or maybe not) but that some long time designers are leaving. I was surprised when I saw Flergs leave. Now Tangie? Maybe it is only 2, but those have been there since I started years ago!
I didn't think flergs ever was at SO. She worked freebies from her blog, then went to a small store, I don't recall the name, and from that store to SBG. She's been there for a while, 5 years or more.
Flergs was never at Scraporchard, unless maybe as a guest. She was at SBG for years and years, she was there when I started digi scrapping in 2008 and she just moved late last year. SBG was always my favourite store, sad to see some of my fav designers leaving.
They just lost Digilicious too. Granted she wasn't there long, but she left and Suzie Q retired. They are losing designers bit by bit. I wonder if Maya will be forced to have another call soon.
Because I figured once she opened her own physical studio, she'd rather be in control of her digi shop too, especially since she was selling stuff on Etsy. I just thought she would prefer to have all of her stuff in 'one place', so to speak.
Yes, very odd thing to me. It's not like she's leaving to go to a better store since they must be non-exclusive stores. Guess we'll see where she's going.
Agreed 01, it turns me off to the designer if they move from store to store often.
What are your thoughts on people that scrap the same photo over and over again for CT requirements? Or similar ones? Or they're constantly using pictures of themselves. If I were a designer, that would really bug me that they use the same freakin' picture 1000 times.
4015 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 2001 – 2200 of 4015 Newer› Newest»Just Jaime is going to SSD.
Amber Shaw is going to SSD.
I feel like Amber would fit OK at SSD, but Jaimee should've just stayed at TLP.
I think Kristin Aagard would be the perfect fit for SSD. Maybe she wouldn't want to leave SO though, since she's been there a while.
Does anyone know when the new designers for SSD is supposed to be announced?
Did SSD make their announcement yet? How do you know who made it? Are you just guessing?
Yes, it's just a guess.
they are guessing, there hasn't been any announcement and those 2 are not going
I'd love for Kristin Aagard to go to SSD
they are guessing, there hasn't been any announcement and those 2 are not going
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what part of "yes, it's a guess" did you not see?
_
You have no idea who is going yourself, so stfu
Based on the rant Amber Shaw posted on one of her personal FB pages, it's a no-brainer. She all but included the shop name. She may fit in well there (style-wise) but I'm sad to see her join that group of children. All she's done is trade one drama clique' for another junior-high clique. I would much rather have seen her stay at her guest spot, or even go back to PBP. At least those two shops aren't filled with immature drama queens, for the most part. I liked her too much to see her be influenced by the BS at SO or SSD. The SO stint didn't last too long (obviously because of Kami's immature BS), but maybe SSD will do better for her.
those 2 are not going
________________
How do you know? I hate it when people say things for fact just to act like big shots. You have no more clue than anyone else unless you're betraying confidences that you're not supposed to be.
I've seen no fact to back up the "immature drama queen" accusations at SSD with the exception of Lauren Grier's constant complaints about her life, health, weather, etc. Those even have toned down. Hopefully, someone told her to stifle it. I've seen no other crap at that site though. If it happens behind the scenes, who cares? I only care about their designs.
You have no idea who is going yourself, so stfu
_
^^this^^
Hey 12 ... you are calling SO and SSD immature drama queens. Seriously??? You are frickin' posting on a SMACK BLOG! Geez.
ugh, I hope Jaimee isn't moving shops. I think Kristen A would be a perfect fit though, and also Stolen Moments.
Wouldn't Kristin Aagard's style totally overlap that of Lliella Designs'? And Stolen Moments feel like a better fit at TLP or P&Co, but not at SSD.
Wouldn't Kristin Aagard's style totally overlap that of Lliella Designs'?
_
Probably but Lliella Designs doesn't produce as often as Kristin so I think it would be a great move anyway.
Hey 12 ... you are calling SO and SSD immature drama queens. Seriously??? You are frickin' posting on a SMACK BLOG! Geez.
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^^AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY!!!^^
and also Stolen Moments
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I think it's a good bet that she's going to SSD.
Hey 12 ... you are calling SO and SSD immature drama queens. Seriously??? You are frickin' posting on a SMACK BLOG! Geez.
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As are you. Hit a sore spot? Got your panties in a wad? You must be at one of those shops. I feel the same as 12 and I'm just a customer. No need to be behind the scenes to see it at either shop. Cruising the forums are evidence enough about how clique-ish they are.
Cruising the forums are evidence enough about how clique-ish they are.
_
So don't cruise the forums if you don't like the cliques. I couldn't care less how cliquish they are. I want great designers. Sounds like it's YOUR panties in a wad, not 12's.
You must be at one of those shops. I feel the same as 12 and I'm just a customer.
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The notion that anyone, who doesn't agree with the venom spat at SSD and/or SO, is a "part" of one of those shops is absolutely preposterous. Not only is it possible that several disagree for whatever reasons, it is probable that most of us simply DON'T CARE about the cliques, the backstabbing amongst designers, etc. We just want great designs (at decent prices) for our scrapbook pages. Is that really difficult to comprehend? Some of you people take all this WAY TOO seriously. This is a HOBBY for most of us.
Based on the rant Amber Shaw posted on one of her personal FB pages, it's a no-brainer.
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I love Amber Shaw's designs wherever she may go!
SSD blog says that they're adding 5 designers.
July 11th is too long to wait for a reveal. By then I probably won't even care.
Anything happening with Scrap Nerds? I have not seen a thing from them lately. It feels like they came on like gang busters with what they were planning and now they have lost momentum.
Is the change at SSD going to set off a shuffling of designers in digiland? If anyone leaves TLP for SSD, who would be a good replacement there?
Finally TLP is having a Polly call and not one word has been said here. If it were another Babe call, this blog would be on fire! Are the Pollys better than the Babes?
Megan Turnidge and Tickled Pink are going to SSD.
Is that a guess or insider knowledge? LOL I can see them both being a good fit. Wonder if Megan would have to give up her CU business as a result?
Do you think SSD will step outside their box a little and pick designers with a different style, maybe more artsy or on the other end, very clean?
So...
Megan Turnidge
Tickled Pink
Amber Shaw
Stolen Moments
....basically the same style as all of their current designers. It wouldn't be a surprise to see any of those names, to be honest. Just can't figure out who #5 would be
It's all just a shuffle of names. What I wish to see is some new or relatively unknown designers, kind of like how Scrapyrus Designs came onto the scene all of a sudden last year. Maybe someone from a mid-tier store like the O or Memory Scraps.
Back to the Scrap Nerds ... they have been introducing a new designer every day and there's been a little freebie. Nothing huge being given away, but just a quick intro. The store opens 7/1. I'm sure there will be some sort of event with that.
Studio Basic was from Memory Scraps so it's not like they pick people from "top tier" stores, I think they go with taste and what uniqueness each designer brings to the table
Did you guys notice that Shabby Miss Jenn no longer has a good chunk of her copyright kits up?
That's too bad. Whatever will some you bitch about now?
Totally missed the Scrap Nerds stuff. Will have to check it out. Thanks.
SMJ still has a lot of what I consider questionable kits up -- the minion, the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Alice in Wonderland, Lalaloopsy -- but there's also quite a few gone -- Snow White and Lego are two that I know are gone.
I actually thought if she quit doing this questionable copyright stuff, she'd fit in at SSD. Her style would work nicely with what's there already.
Look through her shop, Minions and Lalaloopsy are gone too.
I did look through her shop. They are still there. She just has so much in her shop it's hard to find things. She needs more images per page or something because it's annoying to keep having to page forward.
Who I could see at SSD:
Two Tiny Turtles (currently SO)
Megan Turnidge (currently SO)
Scrapyrus (currently SBG)
Forever Joy (currently SO)
Juno designs (currently TDC)
This isn't insider info... Just a guess.
Tickled Pink
Amber Shaw
Forever Joy
Megan Turnidge
Two Tiny Turtles
My guesses.
Question:
Do you like things like TLP's BYOC? I know SSD used to do the QA's in a theme, right now they have the 'Summer Sixlets' and I am curious as to what most scrappers think about these things
I love The Lilypad BYOC. I find that for a lot of designers, I will like their papers a lot, but their elements not so much, and vice versa. So with the BYOC I can buy the paper and elements that I love from different designers. I used to have a hard time finding elements I liked in the BYOC, but with all the designers that have joined TLP in the last couple years, I'm finding lots of element sets that I love. I only wish they would discount the BYOC a little more.
That is one thing that can turn me off from BYOC-type events - when the prices seem a little too high. I've seen byoc-style promotions at other stores, but I don't think they pull it off as well as TLP, mostly because the selection is too small.
I have grown to like BYO sales. In the past I prefer to stick with one designer and I'll get the whole kit, but with better organization I now mix and match a lot more. TLP's is a little pricey, but I love their color schemes. I'd like it more if they have a theme, though. I shop P&Co's BYO too. For a lot of other stores the colors are often hit and miss for me. I like MScrap's Memory Mix and sometimes Gotta Pixel's Gotta Grab It sale, too.
Stolen Moments and Just Jaimee are definitely not going to SSD. Why in the world would they leave TLP for a place like SSD? I am told that they both got invites and turned SSD down.
Mari Koegelenberg posted a sneak peek on instagram with a link to PCO. So that's settled, it's her and Jen Allyson who are the new designers opening tomorrow.
46-I usually hit the Gotta Grab It sale too. I also like some of the Buffet items at GS when the color palette is nice. Unfortunately, they aren't consistent with good color palettes.
Stolen Moments just seems like a much better fit at SSD. I can't see leaving TLP for SSD either, but Lauren Grier did it.
The Lilypad doesn't do it for me. Every once in a blue moon I'll buy something from them, but never a kit. It's usually an element of some sort.
The Lilypad doesn't do it for me.
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Ditto this. Once in a while I'll shop there but usually they don't have what I'm needing or wanting at the time. I like a lot of their designers; I just can not usually find anything when I'm looking.
Why in the world would they leave TLP for a place like SSD?
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Because SSD nets about double what they do?
Says who?
I'm pretty sure that TLP and SSD aren't sharing monthly sales reports! Designers don't even like to share what they earn monthly! You can not base what one person makes as the measure of total earnings. All shops have high earners and low earners. Not everyone at SSD is making 2k a month and neither are all designers at TLP.
I would be concerned if I was a shop owner and found that someone with access to monthly numbers was sharing those numbers with another store WITHOUT permission. Beyond all the silly gossip and what not that happens THAT is a more serious issue.
Beyond all the silly gossip and what not that happens THAT is a more serious issue.
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Why is that such a serious issue? Been a drama queen long?
Says who?
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Says anyone with half a brain. SSD nets more than all the "top tier" stores combined.
whoops there goes another half brained person mouth flapping again
#58 I'm sure there is just no possible way for you to know that and I agree with #59, if that statement was about you!!
I don't shop at The Lily pad. I do CT for one designer there. I don't really like anything else there. I don't shop at SSD either though. I do shop at other stores.
#57 - it's called Proprietary information, google it.
#57 - it's called Proprietary information, google it.
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I didn't have to google it. I'm aware what it means and it does not apply here. If you're going to throw terms around at least learn what they mean and where they are relevant in a situation.
Just can't figure out who #5 would be
________________________
Forever Joy
No, it's absolutely not Forever Joy.
It's a designer who retired a while ago and is now coming back!
It's a designer who retired a while ago and is now coming back!
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SuzyQ?
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com
Two peas closing.... WOW!!!!
It's a designer who retired a while ago and is now coming back!
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Fee Jardine?
I used to love Fee Jardine!!
>>It's a designer who retired a while ago and is now coming back!
Tracie Stroud?
Sugary Fancy?
Two Peas In A Bucket is closing
My first thought went to SuzyQ as well.
My first thought went to SuzyQ as well.
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I hope it's someone else. I'm not crazy about her designs at all.
No, it's absolutely not Forever Joy.
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I think this is wrong. I believe Forever Joy is one of the five.
I found SuzyQ really same-y in her designs.
I found SuzyQ really same-y in her designs.
--
ditto this
SuzyQ's kits didn't appeal to me personally, but I loved some of her alphas and element sets - like the doodles and acrylics.
Forever Joy just released a new kit this week @ SO
if she was leaving do you really think she would do that?
I didn't think so.
SuzyQ blah and boring same'o crap week after week
I hope it's Jofia Devoe or Irene Alexeeva or Faith True or Tracie S.
I really can't see Irene Alexeeva fitting with SSD, even as one of the 'outlier' types. Maybe Faith True or Tracie S...I don't know though, I'm curious to see, though wondering why they announced the number so far in advance of the designer announcements.
So that we could all speculate in the interim, and to keep us interested.
The ex-retired designer is Robin.
Anonymous said... 83
The ex-retired designer is Robin.
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I hope not. I used to love her designs, but her new stuff in the collabs looks exactly like her old stuff and that would get boring very, very quickly.
She's already been designing there for several weeks. How is that a "new" designer? That would be truly annoying if she's one of them since she's already there.
Several posts have been deleted in the New Designer guess thread @SSD. The posters signatures (morons) told you all you need to know for 3 of the 5:
Amber Shaw
Tickled Pink
Megan Turnidge
Forever Joy's kit was a re-release from previous store, there goes your theory
Anyone else see Clever Monkey Graphics FB post about Allison Pennington and TLP?
Can't figure out if she's calling Allison out for copying or just trying to piggy back sales
#shameless
Anyone else see Clever Monkey Graphics FB post about Allison Pennington and TLP?
Can't figure out if she's calling Allison out for copying or just trying to piggy back sales
#shameless
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I think she's trying to piggy back on Allison Pennington's kit. She did the same thing a few weeks back on another designer's page on which they advertised their Dr. Who kit.
It reeks of desperation. Definitely #shameless
She's already been designing there for several weeks. How is that a "new" designer? That would be truly annoying if she's one of them since she's already there.
Jun 27, 2014, 7:36:00 AM
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No, she is not on the designer list and hasn't been for years. She has been collaborating with other designers. She really is still retired from designing. But her recent participation in collabs is what leads me to believe it will be her.
Eh. I'd love for it to be Robin. I used to love her kits back in the day.
I don't see Robin opening shop, but I'd love to have her do so. Even if she didn't do kits and just did alphas, paper packs, etc. in small scale, it would be nice. I still use several things from her back when she designed years ago.
Sounds like she wants to be part of TLP. I was at a TLP chat once where she said "I've always known my style fits here (TLP) perfectly." #shameless to the max.
No, she is not on the designer list and hasn't been for years. She has been collaborating with other designers.
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I realize all that because I, like you, can read. I'm just saying that she's hardly "new" since she's been designing with the other designers there for several weeks.
I still think Forever Joy is one of the new ones and I really hope she is. I LOVE her stuff and forget to look at her designs because I seldom go to Scrap Orchard unless it's for a big sale or K. Aagard's stuff.
Amber Shaw
Tickled Pink
Forever Joy
Megan T. and
someone who is coming out of retirement.
Wow, so a whole bunch of designers leaving SO?
It is definitely not Forever Joy. Sorry.
97, exactly what I was telling myself too! Looks like SO is not THE place to be anymore...
I realize all that because I, like you, can read. I'm just saying that she's hardly "new" since she's been designing with the other designers there for several weeks.
Jun 27, 2014, 11:23:00 AM
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A retired designer would not be a new designer. She hasn't officially come out of retirement.
We'll see soon enough.
Saxton is coming out of retirement.
Digilicious is leaving Scrapbookgraphics. Maybe going to SSD??
There's your five:
Amber Shaw
Tickled Pink
Megan Turnidge
Digilicious
Sugary Fancy
We can all say WTF now.
why would we say WTF now?
104-I love her things!
Digilicious' stuff would definitely fit in with SSD and the timing of the end of her sale fits.
Wild West Designs is going to SSD!
Who is Wild West and where is she now
Never heard of that one.
There is no such designer. Someone is bored.
I feel like I'm watching "Oprah." You're going to SSD! And you're going to SSD! And you're going to SSD!
I'm going to SSD!! Don't tell anybody!
Scrap Nerds was supposed to open today. Still not open.
They've pushed their open date to July 15. It's on their FB page.
Anyone know if DST is just down or gone forever?
It seems to be up just slow
So happy for those that have escaped SO. Good luck girls.
Amy Stoffel is "retiring forever." Didn't she just come out of retirement. Anyone else surprised to see LDrag move to the Digichick? The five new ones at SSD look like they will fit in well. Now that SO has some openings who would fit in there?
Amy is such a drama queen!
I used to enjoy shopping at SO but not any longer, there just isn't anybody whose kits jump out and say 'buy me' . I know my taste has changed so that may be why. As for SSD yes I think those people will fit well, I have a few things by some of the designers from SSD but not much and it is all older stuff.
Says anyone with half a brain. SSD nets more than all the "top tier" stores combined.
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Maybe 3 years ago. Not anymore, SSD. Sorry. Why do you think all of the good designers are leaving your shop and you have to settle for the 5 you just picked after begging other designers who turned you down repeatedly to leave shops like TLP and PCO?
113 - LMAO
More layouts from DeepGirl this week with her nipple just laying out there... She attempted blurring it for web but it's still blatantly obvious.
I'm not anti breastfeeding or anything, just don't think it's really necessary to post pics of your nips just laying out there, without your kid even attached.
Maybe 3 years ago. Not anymore, SSD. Sorry. Why do you think all of the good designers are leaving your shop and you have to settle for the 5 you just picked after begging other designers who turned you down repeatedly to leave shops like TLP and PCO?
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What a crock of shit.
122, ITA. I used to just love SO but not anymore. It's not a horrible store IMO, but it no longer fits who I am as a scrapper and most of their stuff just blends together. Nothing memorable or spend-my-money worthy. I won't mention names since I don't want to be smacked as a CTM (which I'm not) but there is one designer there I still like. I actually wish she'd leave SO so I wouldn't have to shop at SO at all.
Forever Joy is the best designer there.
Little Green Frog's Templates are great there too. That's the only thing I buy from there.
125, really, I see you post about DeepGirl and no one responds to you. Just ignore it or report it. Then let the gallery moderators decide.
I just checked out SO since they are having the Iron Scrapper- I thought I would do one or two layouts this month to participate. I had a heck of a time finding 4 of the minis that I liked, and their fresh fruit was just bare this week. I like a few designers there, but some blend together after a while. I think that is why I am disappointed with the new designers at SSD- I had a hard time finding stuff to buy from most of them when they were somewhere else. I like Amber Shaw and I like some of Digilicious's stuff.
I don't understand why so many people here keep talking about what a great store PCo is. I think their kits are sparse and look alike. I am having a hard time finding stuff at their dollar sale to buy. I just don't see the store bringing in a big enough customer base to be one of the biggest stores.
I understand why TLP would be one of the store's with the biggest profits- they have such a diverse group of designers, all of whom are pretty good. There is something for everyone there, and I probably spend the most money there.
131--You sound like you are just hard to please. I'm glad you found a niche with TLP. Totally not my style. But I like SO and PCo and even SSD at times.
My point is, we all have our own styles and that's why people like stores you don't like.
TLP is my least favorite of the major stores and that's because when I'm looking for something specific I NEVER find it there. I like several of their designers, however, I just find their overall product not useable for my purposes.
I love these "which shop is the worst" discussions. So hilarious. I shop designers, not stores. I'm not a store owner, or a CTM, just a normal scrapper. I don't post in forums nor in their galleries. I suspect most "just scrappers" are a lot like me.
I think TLP is expensive and they really only put junk in on their Wednesday sale. I know that it has to do with my scrapping style as well. I love SSD and SO. I'm glad we many quality store choices.
PCo's dollar sale drives me crazy. I wish they would just release the entire kit at once. I don't want papers without the elements so I wait to see if the elements are release. If I wait to buy it all at once, stuff disappears from other designers. I don't understand how a bunch of individual $1 checkouts benefits anyone. Let me fill my cart all at once! Or consider new $1 releases weekly while running the sale and release the entire kit!!!
132- The funny thing is that I am really not that picky. I buy from tons of designers- I am making general observations about the overall feel of the stores. When I look at the new releases, etc., as a group, I like the "vibe" of some better than others; and at other stores, there are very few designers I like. I love SSD, and I am also a fan of SBG and like some designers at PBP and GingerScraps
133- I like the fact that TLP has a variety of designing styles, but, like you, when I am scrapping something specifically themed, etc., I often end up buying elsewhere.
134- I so follow designers from store to store, but I prefer if they "land" at a store where I like to shop already or where I can find new designers that I love.
135- I hate the fact that TLP only has 30% off sales, but during those sales, a lot of the designers have their stuff for less.
I shop designers, not stores
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The designers ARE the store to most people, I would say. Your entire post is hilarious.
stuff disappears from other designers
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huh?
138--The stores are not the designers. The umbrella store is Gingerscraps. The designer store would be B2N2 or any of the other designers that are there. I understand that that is considered their store--(B2N2) but Gingerscraps is the big umbrella store. I shop the designer store--not the umbrella store. I hope I explained that clearly enough for your little pea brain.
I totally agree that I shop designers, but wish they would land in a store I already shop and have promotions I enjoy. SSD has a FWP kit that changes out every 2 weeks, for example, and I always try to get it. So who sells there does matter to me because I want to buy something I love, not something I just like because I want to get the FWP kit.
Each shop has good and not-so-good designers. I think it'll be interesting to talk about who those are instead of the stores as a whole. For instance, I shop at TLP sometimes, but I've never gotten anything from Gina Miller. My eyes just automatically jump over her stuff. I don't think she really belongs in a top-tier store.
The stores are not the designers. The umbrella store is Gingerscraps.
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Well, Duh..thanks for the info. None of us knew that. What I was saying was that people normally shop at a store BECAUSE of the designers not because of a store NAME. I did not mean it literally as you obviously took it. What was that you said about a pea brain? I think most of us are intelligent enough to shop for great designs by the designer who makes them. I would think that so obvious that no one would have to say it even though you have...twice.
If you could open a shop with your pick of current designers, who would you choose ?
I would choose Michelle Godin, Jenn Barrette, Little Butterfly Wings, Re Kneipp, Sissy Sparrows, Amanda Yi, Karla Dudley and Studio Basic.
I'm with #144 re: Michelle Godin, Jenn Barrette, LBW and Studio Basic. I also like Forever Joy, Ju Kneipp, KCB, Mommyish, AKDesigns for templates, Rosey Posey, Wendy Page and Kristin Aagard.
Wendy Page doesn't even design personal use kits anymore??????
126 - What a crock of shit.
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Said just like a SSD designer who is afraid to leave because she doesn't believe that anyone else at a top-tier store makes as much money as the designers at her sinking ship of a store. Newsflash: you could do better. That's why people are leaving.
Maybe she means Wendy P?
My favorite designers now are KCB, Flergs, and Forever Joy. I also like Stolen Moments, Just Jaimee, Mommyish, Juno Designs, Deena Rutter, Hat of Bunny, Chelle's Creations (for CU), and Jimbo Jambo Designs (for templates).
Said just like a SSD designer who is afraid to leave because she doesn't believe that anyone else at a top-tier store makes as much money as the designers at her sinking ship of a store. Newsflash: you could do better. That's why people are leaving.
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Said just like someone who knows absolutely nothing. You sound kinda bitter to me. What's wrong? Put your app in and get rejected AGAIN?! Or are you a frustrated Sugar Babe wanna be? Newsflash: You're REALLY transparent with your agenda.
Chelle's Creations (for CU)
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I cannot stand her stuff, CU or PU - it all sucks imo.
Each shop has good and not-so-good designers.
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Agreed. Although, I must say that SSD and P&CO have the best ones by far. I can't think of anyone at either store who doesn't design well. They all aren't necessarily my style but they still do a good job. Mari K. was one of my faves at SSD and I'm so glad she went over to P@CO and not the Lily Pad or SO.
If I wait to buy it all at once, stuff disappears from other designers.
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What are you talking about? Everything in their sale is $1 all July. You could wait until July 31, 5 minutes before the sale ended, to buy everything. It's all there all month. Why are you complaining if a designer releases elements one day and papers 3 days later? My gawd, people will bitch about anything they can if it makes one store look worse than another on this blog.
It's not just this blog, some people are not happy unless they're bitching about something. If the daily dollar deals are annoying, STAY OFF THE SITE!!! It's that simple.
Is anyone playing along with the SO Iron Scrapper? I thought I might, so I purchased the required kits enough to get the "secret ingredient". It is so ugly? Who would want to put it on a page? It's a jukebox, and a hideous one at that. It doesn't go with ANY of the required kits to scrap for the challenge this week. They lost me.
Iron Scrapper has always been about putting weird things, or an insane number of things, in layouts. But they don't require your layout to be good or pleasing - just to follow the rules.
Just an observation...
Same question at SSD and The Lilypad. I noticed it at both places and then I noticed 18 replies at TLP and 5 at SSD. The Lilypad has a vibrant, growing message board while SSD's board is dying. SSD needs to put their babes to work growing the boards and community or they need to get some new babes committed to doing that. People will be more loyal to a place where they feel a sense of community.
P.S. Wonder how many Polly applications TLP got? I'm betting it's over 100 easy.
I have noticed that SAD message board seems to be much less active than before.
SO's message board was so slow before Iron Scrapper. Now, just a whole bunch of nothing threads from staff. I think that is how they participate. Why don't they do it year round?
SSD needs to put their babes to work growing the boards and community or they need to get some new babes committed to doing that.
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This is an understatement. They have so many on that ct who do absolutely nothing. Once in a blue moon they may scrap but that's it. I wonder how much better of an environment it would be on the forum if they had a ct that was actually dedicated. Right now, their team is a detriment, not a help. There's a handful who do EVERYTHING and the others don't do squat.
I could never ct for TLP because they don't release stuff often enough that I could/would use in my normal scrapping. I just find their stuff, for the most part, not useable for my purposes. On a separate note, I find lots of their stuff overpriced compared to other stores.
SO's message board was so slow before Iron Scrapper. Now, just a whole bunch of nothing threads from staff. I think that is how they participate. Why don't they do it year round?
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Why would you want to read those nonsensical posts ALL year round? It's bad enough they're there a few weeks every year.
P.S. Wonder how many Polly applications TLP got? I'm betting it's over 100 easy
__
TLP, SSD and SO always have bunches of ct apps. A good reason for that is people want stuff for free. Even the smaller stores get lots of applications for ct's.
So with all the new designers coming to SSD, who would you like to see collab together? Existing designers, new designers, etc
It's also the same group of people, more power to them for keeping up with all of it. I don't apply because I don't want to be tied to my computer. I did the store CTM for a few sites as well as some individual designers but found I was feeling bogged down so walked away. Am back scrapping but now it is for me and I like my pages a lot better.
Do people find it hard to scrap genuinely for themselves when their pages are for CT requirements? I know there are people on both camps - that CT pages should just be attractive advertising vs. CT pages can be your own authentic pages. I like to think that my CT pages are all keepers, but I do find that more than a couple of teams is too much for me. And I also have to say that the most satisfying pages (and ones that I think of as my best) are ones that were not made under any kind of deadline. I also see people who stay on teams even when it seems like they aren't loving it anymore ... I wonder why people tend to be so hesitant to leave a team. Are they afraid they won't get that opportunity again?
The whole ct thing has always been a mystery to me. I guess I'd just rather pay for stuff that I love and scrap pages that I can and do always use. However, to those who do ct, the effort is appreciated. I love looking at great layouts to help me determine if I want a certain kit. While they aren't a necessity in making a decision to buy, they certainly help.
I know I had a hard time quitting a team just recently, that I've been on for 4 years. It's coveted by so many, and that's because it really was a dream CT. I loved 95% of her releases, and I don't know many designers I can say that about. I wanted to stay also because it was familiar and fun. You become friends with the designer and don't want to hurt them by quitting. Or worse -- end up like the yo-yo designers that retire and come back multiple times: I didn't want to quit and regret it down the road. Took me a long time, but I finally realized that I wasn't making pages for me anymore, so I needed to step down. I haven't regretted it (yet lol).
I imagine each person has their own reasons for staying or going. For what type of pages they make (as well as what pages they make privately that we never see).
Even on CT's, I make pages for me and if I don't like them, usually they don't get finished. So, when working, I make sure that the kit in a way that will make it into my albums and be a good representation of the kit for advertising. Sometimes, I do have random creative pages, and may not be a part of a specific album, but those pages could be printed together for a creative outlet album.
I actually don't mind buying kits that I like (when on sale lol), but I prefer CT work because it makes me scrap with kits I like and gives me deadlines. I wouldn't get half as much done as I do now if I wasn't on CT's.
164, I'm with 166: I was on almost all of my dream CTs, but then I realized that I was grumbling about making pages instead of happily sitting down to scrap. That's when I quit them all. (I was on about 5--one team had such low reqs that I probably could have stayed on but I felt like I needed to quit ALL of them.) I had worked hard to get on some of those teams--I'd been turned down by one designer over a year before I got up the nerve to apply again--and then I got on the team. Like 166, I'd become friends with some of the designers and with some of the other CTMs--I'd even met a few IRL. It felt like betrayal to leave those teams. But I needed to focus on me/my family/cleaning my house lol, and I wanted to keep scrapping fun and interesting. I didn't want it to be a chore, even if I ended up loving my pages (I always make pages I love, whether for CT work or for personal pages. If I applied for a CT, the designer would know what my pages would look like since they're all the "same" in terms of being unique to me, and they can gauge if I'm a good fit for them). Even though I loved everything my designers came up with, I just felt burned out. Most of my designers said "Come back whenever you want" (and I'm pretty sure they meant it rotfl), but I haven't really regretted it. I buy what I want, when I want; more importantly, I scrap when I want.
Sorry, this turned into a novel. To me, unless you're getting paid cash-money to be on a CT, then you should only stay on a team if you truly feel HAPPY to be there. If you feel stuck or bored or whatever, then it's time to leave. Let the designer find someone new who'll better promote her products.
I too was a ct crazed woman. I loved the "in the know" of what was coming out. I also learned a lot from the designers and other CT members. They really can be fun teams and some incredible friendships are developed. The deadline, it helps me scrap. I print books most of the pages I do. About 4-5 books a year. Honestly, I probably do about 3-400 pages a year, and 50 are not printed due to making just for CT requirement, but I enjoyed making the page. A few years back I stopped being a CT, and shopped. After a while I realized I was buying everything from one or two shops and loving it the designs. I got on a few teams there and eventually got a shop gig. It is easier for me. Upload at the store, a few others and enjoy free product too. I was a CT collector, back in the blinkie insanity! Stacks of blinkies and tormenting the mods at DST!
Another that just took up any CT possible when I first started, and now I'm down to just a few. 3-4 teams is my personal max, and only for designers I love. I'm now on my two dream CT's and I don't see quitting any time soon, as they are still inspiring me to keep scrapping and creating kits that I love.
I am not a ct crazed person, although I'm currently on several cts. I love the teams I'm on, I love making pages, and most of them would be considered personal pages. I don't just scrap to use the kit. Having new kits to work with and deadlines inspires me to scrap. I'm not sure I'd scrap nearly as much as I do if it not for the deadlines. I've made some great friendships, and I'm having a good time. When it becomes a chore, I'll reassess and move on. Until then, happy scrapping.
P&Co is having a CT call
Ego facultate mihi ab Apostolic Sede tributa, indulgentiam plenariam et remissionem omnium peccatorum tibi concedo et benedico te. In nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spirtus Sancti. Amen.
Thought perhaps this blog needed the last rites.
Indeed!
Indeed, the last rites are appropriate. This blog is very close to dying. Not sure if that is a good or bad thing. Wish we could get new posts more frequently.
I'm guessing it's dying for much the same reason many of the store forums are dying. I don't really think most customers are looking to be part of a community. They just want to buy their supplies and get down to scrapping. Like all industries, this one is going through growing pains, and it needs to adapt if it's going to survive.
Not looking good for Scrap Nerds. The store still isn't up and running.
176 - How do you suggest the industry should adapt?
If people want to buy their supplies and scrap, the industry is going to survive. We are seeing a trend where smaller stores are having difficulty surviving but that's a reflection of defined developed talent within the industry resulting from a demand for better products.
The digi world is always quieter in the summer as well, when kids are out of school and people have more of a life offline. It'll rebound again as usual come september.
176--That's funny. You do realize that a lot of websites sell stuff and don't have forums and they survive? It doesn't mean the industry is drying up. I personally don't need community to scrap a page. If I want praise, I just need to post it on FB and then people who care can see it. I get tired of trying to remember all the gallery guidelines. I'm still purchasing and that's really what matters to a business. I think people have just gotten tired of the forum and gallery games and want to do their own thing.
it would not be a bad thing if this hellhole dried up!
181 - That was my point. People are focused more on the products and the scrapping, not the forums and the chatting.
I'd miss it, not the drama, but the actual updates of stuff. People are overally secret in this industry IMHO.
Tangie leaving SBG. Wonder where she's headed?
#185 I saw where she was going to open her own store.
She will make it on her own, has a huge following.
It is somewhat odd to see some BIG names leave SBG. Not necessarily that they are better designers than most (maybe or maybe not) but that some long time designers are leaving. I was surprised when I saw Flergs leave. Now Tangie? Maybe it is only 2, but those have been there since I started years ago!
Flergs only left Scrap Orchard a few years ago. You must be pretty new.
I didn't think flergs ever was at SO. She worked freebies from her blog, then went to a small store, I don't recall the name, and from that store to SBG. She's been there for a while, 5 years or more.
I should say, was there for a while.
Flergs was never at Scraporchard, unless maybe as a guest. She was at SBG for years and years, she was there when I started digi scrapping in 2008 and she just moved late last year. SBG was always my favourite store, sad to see some of my fav designers leaving.
it's jus strange Tangie will leave SBG. and I assume from her post that they're in good terms
They just lost Digilicious too. Granted she wasn't there long, but she left and Suzie Q retired. They are losing designers bit by bit. I wonder if Maya will be forced to have another call soon.
Digilicious was just parked there until she could join Flergs at SSD. She applied there a couple years back and was not accepted.
I'm surprised it took Tangie this long to leave SBG.
I'm surprised it took Tangie this long to leave SBG.
------------
why?
^^^^
Because I figured once she opened her own physical studio, she'd rather be in control of her digi shop too, especially since she was selling stuff on Etsy. I just thought she would prefer to have all of her stuff in 'one place', so to speak.
Amanda Yi and Juno are leaving TDC for other stores.
Amber Morrison is leaving P&Co for two stores?
Yes, very odd thing to me. It's not like she's leaving to go to a better store since they must be non-exclusive stores. Guess we'll see where she's going.
All the store-hopping and its associated drama gets really old.
Find a place and settle the hell down.
Agreed 01, it turns me off to the designer if they move from store to store often.
What are your thoughts on people that scrap the same photo over and over again for CT requirements? Or similar ones? Or they're constantly using pictures of themselves. If I were a designer, that would really bug me that they use the same freakin' picture 1000 times.
Someone at the sweet shoppe? :)
Why would it bother you if people scrap only pictures of themselves? Not everyone is lucky enough to have/be able to have kids!
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