Month

September 2007

Showing: 1 - 11 of 11 Articles

Stacy Julian: In The News

I don’t know if you read the message boards like I do, but there has sure been a lot of talk about Stacy Julian lately.

stacy julian

To synopsize if I may, it sounds like there were a lot of dissatisfied customers who paid for her Big Picture Scrapbooking/A Year to Remember online class. Heidi Swapp’s name was mentioned a lot too, not necessarily in a positive way. Here is just ONE THREAD from 2peas; there were several. Apparently (and, remember, I’m just getting this from reading what people post; I can’t verify the truthfulness), after some of these unhappy customers sent e-mails of complaint which weren’t responded to to their satisfaction, Stacy sent an e-mail MEANT for people within her company (?) which also went to the disgruntled customers. She gave some defense for her class, stated that some people were bent on being unhappy at any cost, and ended the e-mail with “So There”.

Well, then it was ON!

It was like a snowball rolling downhill, gathering more and more momentum. You can go to 2peas, search on Stacy Julian or BPS and find lots of threads about this. Not being a BPS customer and a mere lurker at 2peas, I just stood back and watched (read) the drama unfold. It seems to have calmed down for the moment. I noticed recently that someone on CKMB asked an innocent question for thoughts on BPS and, at least when I last saw the thread, it seemed no one on CKMB had negative comments. May be a case of “if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all,” or maybe no one over there is aware of all the goings-on.

As for Heidi Swapp, I’ve been hearing on several boards lots of negative comments about her products failing – rub ons that don’t rub on, etc. – and not great customer service in dealing with the flaws. Related to BPS, she was criticized for how she conducted her voice instruction for her classes from her home phone – interruptions from kids, background noise, rambling, etc. Again, I can’t say because I didn’t hear them myself.

I think it’s interesting how the world of online everything has made classes like BPS possible, but it has also offered up the instructors for instant critiques that are highly public. I think most of the comments and critiques have seemed fair-minded and objective. Which is good, because I don’t think there is anything to be gained from ‘rude’ types of criticisms. That said, I can sure understand scrappers’ extreme frustration when they pay hundreds of dollars for something that isn’t delivered as promised.

I feel badly for Stacy, Heidi, et al., who I’m sure went into this project with good intentions but perhaps got overwhelmed with other commitments, maybe didn’t listen to/address early complaints, and now have to read hurtful things about themselves and try to fix it all. Again, because I wasn’t involved and don’t know the whole story, I’m not choosing sides, just sharing what I’ve gathered. My heart goes out to everyone involved and I will say a little prayer that peace is restored for all of them. Remember MY POST, Scrapbookers Are The Nicest People? They truly are, so I know this will all work out (yeah, call me Pollyanna…).

In other Stacy news, she gave a keynote speech last week at Memory Trends. Prior to writing the speech, in this BLOG ENTRY, she asked for scrappers to answer the question: If you could change one thing about the scrapbooking (and/or our industry in general) that would allow more people to embrace and enjoy this amazing hobby, what would it be? She received 257 comments which are truly worth a read when you get the chance. I’m going to do just that, and hopefully do an entry here with my thoughts. I’m also going to search for an audio of her Memory Trends speech, as I’m really interested and heard it was good. But I also heard she ended it….”So There.”

Now on 2peas, someone said that Stacy and Heidi are not allowing comments on their blogs. I just left a comment on Stacy’s. It was accepted but did not appear right away, which probably means she moderates her comments prior to posting them.

Perfect Quote for a Scrapbooker

“Some folks say I have a short attention span, but they just….Ohhh look, sparklies!”
~taken from siggie line of CKMB’s Brightsy

I just love this quote. I smile every time I see it. It reminds me of my fascination for all those pretty, sparkly scrapbook products. I’ll be walking through the store, thinking my interior thoughts about “Oh, we need milk” and “Did I pay the electric bill?”, then…wham!…sparklies! Tunnel vision….so cute…must have….how much?…who cares….SPARKLIES! Can you relate?

An Amazing Disney Album with Cricut

Am I right when I say that pretty much every scrapbooker has gone to Disneyland or Disney World, taken loads of cool pictures, and needs to make a Disney album? Well, if you would like some awesome inspiration or just want to drool, go check out this DISNEY ALBUM that was posted on the Cricut message board. Her post says that she worked on it for 3 1/2 months and completed 182 layouts! Her layouts are pretty detailed and she includes lots of photos per page. I, for one, am truly impressed. I love all the bright colors and fun fonts which really go along with Disney.

Are You Making Christmas Cards This Year?

From the 2peas MESSAGE BOARD: Thursday Blogger…
With the Holidays around the corner. Are you planning on making your Holiday Cards? If so when do you plan to start so you can get them all done?

Usually I buy pre-made cards because I write the oh-so-dreaded Christmas letter. But I decided to make cards this year too. I’m not much of a card maker but figured I’d give it a whirl because I so love to receive handmade cards from others. At Tuesday Morning a couple weeks ago, I found the perfect thing. It was one of the 400 bazillion piece kits that CK had on QVC. It’s the red one with all holiday goodies inside including gift bags and tags. And tons of stuff to make holiday cards.

ck xmas kit

Oh, and did I mention that the original cost was over $50 and I paid $20??? {Merry Christmas to me, Merry Christmas to me….}. If I’m really going to do this, I need to start making my cards soon. First I need to find some card sketches online. I’m going to a crop next Saturday but don’t know if I want to “waste” my crop time making cards….hmmmmm. How about you – making your cards this year? Do you usually make them? When do you start?

Scrapbookers Are The Nicest People :)

I’m such a bad, bad blogger….
I received 2, count ’em, 2! RAK’s awhile back and I never posted them or properly thanked the lovely scrappers who sent them. So…finally….

First, thank you to Tya aka CKMB JandBsmom (meet her at Ramblings of a Hockey Mom BLOG). When I put together the list of blogs by CKMB’ers and shared it over there, she offered to send me a RAK to say thank you. I told her I would accept only if she would let me brag about her publicly. So, look at these gorgeous cards she sent!! I just love them. They are so pretty/cute and I will love giving them out. So, thank you Tya, and my apologies for not thanking you sooner.

cards RAK from Tya

Then there is Janine, over at HER BLOG, “i am me”. She is also known as CKMB hulagirl. I enjoy her blog and, after reading THIS POST, I left a comment admiring the KI ribbon she got at Big Lots. Well, she promptly contacted me to say she was going to send me some! I mean, how nice is THAT? So here is the ribbon she sent me, which I have already begun using in my Snapshot of Me album. Thank you Janine!!! And, again, I’m so sorry for my tardiness.

KI ribbon RAK

And, finally, since I was over at Photobucket anyway…here is a picture of the RAK I am sending to Liz aka hickschick. This is my drawer…yes, drawer…of Mike’s stamps, with the set I’m sending to Liz lying on top. You can see that, indeed, I do have (prior to the RAK) 127 of them babies! So, enjoy Liz. They will be in the mail this week :)

Mikes stamps RAK

Memory Trends 2007 – New Releases

The Memory Trends show going on in Las Vegas is one of the wonderful scrapbooking trade shows held every year. Most companies show off their new product releases. Memory Trends is similar to CHA, the big show by the Craft and Hobby Association. This week at Memory Trends they are also announcing the winner of the Creating Keepsakes Scrapbooker of the Year (aka SOY). There are a few of the Top 10 Finalists who frequent the CK Message Board, so if you want to chat with them or view their galleries, come on over to the CK WEBSITE! We’d love to have ya’.

I found this great site called REMEMBER THE MOMENTS where all the new product releases for Memory Trends are shown – wha hoo! And there is some gorgeous stuff as usual. Every time I think the designers couldn’t possibly top themselves, they do. I picked one favorite from each line shown:

3 Bugs in a Rug, from Playful

3 bugs playful

7 Gypsies, from Pretoria

7 gypsies pretoria

Basic Grey, acrylic stamps!

bg stamps

Cosmo Cricket, love the whole Hey Sugar line…

cc hey sugar

Flair Designs, from Rejoice (the true meaning of Christmas…)

flair designs rejoice

Hambly Screen Prints, a sampling

hambly sampling

Karen Foster

KF ballerina

Luxe Designs

luxe designs hearts

Making Memories, 5th Avenue, Elizabeth
There was some talk lately that MM had kinda’ lost their edge, but I must now eat my words! They are definitely back with some rockin’ stuff. If you look at nothing else, check out the MM stuff. They have 3 new lines!

mm 5th ave

My Minds Eye, from Frost.
They also have 3 new lines; love them all, very Basic Grey-ish..

mme frost

Paper Salon, clear stamps

paper salon stamps

Rouge de Garance, a cutting edge company, very cool stuff – check it!

rdg pinwheel

Rusty Pickle, feeding the acrylic album craze…
RP acrylic albums

Scribble Scrabble, Spencer’s Collection
I’ve never heard of this company. Could you have fun with this paper, or what?

SS Spencer

Studio 8, Falling Leaves (NEW COMPANY)

studio 8 falling lvs

Technique Tuesday, acrylic stamps

TT stamps

So head on over to RTM and check it all out, then come back and Comment with your thoughts, your likes, your dislikes.

Milestone RAK: Liz, You Lucky Girl!

WE HAVE A WINNER….Elizabeth aka Liz aka hickschick !!!!!!
Yay for you! Liz guessed 128 and the correct answer was 127. Wow, that was close ‘cuz Betsy guessed 129, and Jess guessed 130. Phew! Hey Liz, will you please post a comment here again so I can get your e-mail address. My e-mail was bouncing recently and I couldn’t leave a comment on your blog either. Congrats again & enjoy the stamps.

THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR PLAYING AND HELPING ME CELEBRATE MY MILESTONES WITH A RAK!!!

Milestone RAK: Michaels Acrylic Stamps, Set #3

Okay, finally! As I talked about in THIS POST, I recently reached some milestones and had decided to RAK a set of Michael’s acrylic stamps (set #3). So, here is how you win them: Guess how many packets of the Mike’s acrylic stamps (by that I mean little packages, not individual stamps, from all available sets) I currently own. Now, keep in mind how many are in each set and that, as a consultant who holds crops and gives free gifts to her customers, I have more than just for personal use. Plus I’m counting the set I’m giving away. Post your guesses in the Comments section of this post. The first person to guess the correct number, OR whoever comes closest by the deadline of Sunday, 9/16/07 (midnight PST)…WINS!!!
DISCLAIMER: Open to US/Canada residents only. No more than 5 guesses per person.

Mikes stamps #3 for RAK

Try the Ribbon Ring for Free?

In THIS POST about a ribbon storage idea, Miss Melissa just posted a comment that goes a little something like this:

“Hi ladies. I was just searching the net for high-volume ribbon users and saw your blog. I am looking for a few people to test a new ribbon storage product. I will send it out free to you and you test it and email me back with your feedback. Easy as pie. If you are interested, send me an email!” Her e-mail is: melissa@ribbonring.com. If you want to check out the product first, go to the RIBBON RING WEBSITE. Here’s a peek:

ribbon ring peek

I have e-mailed her and hope to check out this product. If you are interested in trying it too, e-mail her quick! She did say “a few” people…

Michaels: Ban Lifted on Coupons for Martha Stewart

Remember when Martha Stewart papercrafting products came out at Michael’s craft store, and you could NOT use the newspaper insert coupons on her items? Well, it seems that rule has changed. As of the Labor Day Weekend ad, Michaels coupons no longer show the “Martha Stewart products” exclusion in the teeny tiny print at the bottom. However, savvy shoppers who had been patiently waiting to use their 40% and 50% off coupons for Martha’s shizzle had varying levels of success. Apparently, many Mike’s employees were not notified of the switchover and refused to honor the coupons on Martha items. (I can picture various throw-downs at Mike’s around the US: Soccer/scrap-mom shouting: “Yes, you WILL give me that Martha paper punch for 1/2 price or I WILL be speaking to your manager!”). One customer was told that the new policy was not in effect until 9/23/07. I don’t get it…I’m showing you the coupon, the exclusion is gone, give me the dang discount! To test the corporate-education levels myself, I headed to Michaels on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend with my 50% off coupon good for Sun./Mon. I planned to find a higher priced Martha item (wait, was that saying the same thing twice?) and get that baby at a big discount. However, after a full 10 minutes perusing all of Martha’s shizzle, I could not find one measley item I wanted. (I did, however, find another item worthy of my coupon in the ‘regular’ scrapbooking stuff). So I can’t report to you whether or not my Mike’s honored the coupon, sorry. And I just headed over to the MICHAELS WEBSITE and here is their COUPON POLICY that is still posted as of today (9/11/07). It states “Michaels coupons may not be used to purchase … all Martha Stewart products.” Many confused scrappers have e-mailed them for some coupon clarification and, to my knowledge, have not received a response. As much as I love Michaels {and I show my love by the amount of money I’ve spent there over the years}, they are not exactly known for their stellar customer service. I know, I know, it’s like being told your cute little puppy just piddled on your best friend’s bare foot….you don’t want to hear it, but you know it’s true.

Scrapbook Blog Milestones

It seems like just yesterday that I started this blog to write about my Scrapbook Obsession…
Well, actually, it was back in January 2007. I’m happy to say that I just wrote my 100th post, and received my 20,000th hit! And I just rolled over 1,000 posts on the CKMB. So…..I feel a RAK coming on! Stay tuned, I have to decide how to do the RAK. I have an entire set of the Mike’s stamps #3 that I bought just for the occasion. Is that a good prize or do most of you already have them??? Please give me input – I want to give a good RAK.

Here is a pic of the Mikes #3 stamps, and see THIS POST for some more info on the stamps:

Mike's stamps #3

Anyway, this blog has been just amazing and so fun. I love writing this and mostly hearing your comments and input, so keep ’em coming!

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