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didn't see anything to make me say wow. I like some of the new stamp sets and I love the new in colors, but I was told the catty would be more for scrapping this time. I didn't really sense that. Unless I missed something...
I love it. The only thing I found lacking was samples. It seems like there are fewer samples in this one for some reason. I didn't count them or anything, it just seemed like fewer to me.
This is my first time as a demonstrator that I have gotten a new catalog. I have my complimentary copy, but not my 2 box order.
I was disappointed in the Christmas selection. As a committed Christian who makes her own Christmas cards, there was nothing there that I felt I simply had to have. I don't like the cartoon effect.I have two card groups that meet at church, and I am having a hard time trying to come up with cards for this year. Maybe the Christmas mini will have a better selection.
I did think the new papers are great. I really like the ones that coordinate with their inks. I also like the Baroque sets, lots of possibilities here.
I agree that once we begin to see some of the beautiful cards from many of you very talented artists, we will begin to see the possiblilties.
Alway look for the sunshine behind the cloud.
locoop
I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. I've found that I still have a lengthy wish list mostly made up of stamps that carried over from the last book. I've seen several new stamp sets (maybe 5 or 6) that interested me, but I'm on the fence about weather I'll order or not. Also, what happened to all the different colored embossing powders? Are we really limited to the 4 or 5 colors shown in the new book? I feel luke-warm about the new book, but not excited......which is disappointing in its own way. I so wanted to be excited..............
I received my complimentary catalog yesterday. I have a list of 25 stamp sets at least that I want, and started an order that is already around 300 without the stamp sets. I really like the new papers, and like the pretties kit, but am hoping they will offer more flowers to go with them in the mini-catalogs, as I'm sure they will be gone long before the other things. I'm sorry I missed that they weren't having Pearl-ex and the colored embossing, I thought they were changing the sizes on them. Guess I mis-read that part. I liked the new format. I wished the textured papers could be bought in single colors. I also wish they had more scenic stamps.
I'm still out on this one. I am a little miffed that the catty cost the same and now there are 2 in a year. I will not be purchasing a box of them then purchasing another in 6 months. I am a hobby demo and my friends are the ones who help me every quarter. They can look at my catalog and then either order their own or continue to use mine.
__________________ Is that too many exclamation points? That's what I am though - a walking exclamation point!
My avatar is Casey Jay in the snow!
I got mine on wednesday so have had a few days to look it over. I have to say I didn't do the pee pee dance of joy over the sets either. Love the color combinations but ditto on the to much repetition with the dots and flowers. Such a big anticipation and then. . . . . . blah!!!
I've looked at the catalog on line and not of the new sets have caused me to do the "pee pee dance" either, but I do like the paper on pages 172 and 173 and I am all about the "build a brad" kit!...candis
I reviewed the catti online. It's nothing to sneeze at, there's a couple of new sets I like and still some old ones I may be interested in. Maybe if when I get the book in my hand, I'll be able to take a closer look at it.
Location: rockin' the pink mojo wig in Ottawa, Canada
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It is SO-SO. No *WOWIE-KAZOWIE* for me
__________________ Some call me Pinky, some call me Lori - I answer to both Pinky's Pictorial DREAM as if you could live forever, LIVE as if you only have today.
In previous years, I've found over 10 sets per section that I've wanted on my mega, dream wish list. I'd end up getting one or two. This year I'm lucky if I can find 3/section. But that's good.... it saves me $$, and I was getting too many stamps. I think everybody reaches a point of overload, where you have so much stuff that anything new has to be really 'Wow' to warrant making space for it in your collection. At least that's how I see it - I refuse to add storage; if it doesn't fit within my storage, I can't have it until I get rid of something else. Knowing there's another one coming also makes me less anxious to rush and buy.
Question: if they retire any of the stamps from this catalogue, will it still be June, or will it be just before January? I think they'll find some stuff doesn't sell and they'll get rid of it.
I wish now I'd not bought All God's Children for our church, because the new child themed Christian set is really cute. But maybe they'll let me get it at some point anyway, or someone who has kids in our Stampers group will get it and let us use it (it's not something I'd have use for myself, so I won't buy it... that's the deal I have with the church, as our cardmaker... if it's something Christian I can use for myself, I pay, if it isn't, they pay, and I have a $50 yearly budget. I donate paper and adhesive).
I do like that they have stamps for specific sports. I don't know that they're worth the cost, but I will probably splurge on the soccer and hockey - I coach hockey and my niece plays soccer.
I wanted more Christmas.
I love the accessories, although I won't buy 12x12 paper (I'm a Bazzill snob for my scrapping) or the patterned paper (because there's so much out there that I like from other companies). I don't think SU can really compete in the patterned paper dept. But the brads, the punches, ribbons, etc., I love. I'll pay more for an SU punch, because I find them so much easier to use.
Love, love, love the ribbon. Love that it's in smaller amounts - it's an amount reasonable enough that I'll actually use it all.
I think there should've been more card/sb page samples and fewer clipboards. In general, I wasn't wowed by the samples.
Add me to the list of people who would like journalling stamps and acrylic alphas. Oh well, I'll just have to buy them from other sources.
I think SU could have explained to their customers via this catty just how the new processes will work. Perhaps they are relying on the demos to give us information. Are they retiring stamps twice a year now? Sell-a-bration still the same? There's all kinds of information out there, I know.
Positive: The accessories pages are laid out fabulously! The little pictures above the ink colors rock! New designer papers are yummy.
Negative: Miss the vintage/collage style stamp selection. Are there less samples/projects, or is it just me?
I like a few sets, but I am not excited about the catty as a whole. Unless the stamp sets grow on me, I am going to have to find a new source of stamps. What were they thinking when they changed most the 12 X 12 paper where you can't get single packages of all of it? This is the worst catty since I have been stamping, IMO.
I am a Canadian who just went to check out the new catty online. I am also a CTMH demo but buy SU frequently as I so love the "style". All I can say is am I ever glad that I only have 2 more club dates as there is NO WAY I can afford this stuff!!! Interestingly enough, CTMH adjusts the catty prices once a year to reflect the rising Canadian dollar and I expected the same would happen with the new SU catty! Sadly, the Simply Scrappin kits have gone up $10.00 with no additional product in them - just what is the company thinking? You want me to pay over $30.00 for 12 pieces of paper and 6 sheets of stickers????? Sorry, I can spend my hard earned money elsewhere. Now I'm afraid to even go and check how much the stamp prices have changed.
I hate it, the samples this time around just don't do anything for me. I was in shock at some of the prices on the stamp sets, I can't afford that. Also for the past couple of years the hostess sets don't do anything for me to make me even want to host a party. What the heck are they thinking at SU anyhow?
I'm just a hobby dem so it's really going to be hard for me to make my quotas with this new catalog. I'm not all that thrilled with anything. it seems like alot of the sos to me. however, I am going to order the western bustin bronco set, the alphabet, and the dd paper... just cause....it was different
I did not like the fact that the simply scrappin kits went up $7!!!! thats crazy! and though they containg double sided paper, I am not impressed...
Also, I am a little confused as to how the new catty will work. Will I only have 6 months to buy all I want????? OUCH! I am sure the whole catalog isnt retiring, but it never fails that they retire lots of stuff I have been "meaning" to get and I have to scramble at the last minute to get it all...UGH!!
But one thing I love is the demos. I love most of the color combinations....it's really inspired me!
I am happy with most of the catalog. I love the samples in this one. I didn't like how many circle flower sets there are and I didn't care for the cat and dog sets. They went crazy on the double line doodle things. Surprised to see the crop a dile - can't imagine that is a huge seller just because you can go buy it local and forego the shipping charge (at least for those of us with stores around I guess). The boost in accessories was great to see.
In my book the Winners are:
1. Organization and presentation of the items in the Color Families and Tools sections - my customers can much more easily see the product offerings in all 48 + colors. The tools and accessories are lined up and ordered and much easier to "see" than when scattered all over the page.
2. The presentation of the matching accessories at the bottom of the pages - helps customers a lot
3. The presentation of the samples - can now tell relative size and dimension of each sample
4. The textured papers - can't wait to try them
5. New 'exclusive' punches - can't get them anywhere else! and they are so easy to use.
6. All of the Level 1 Hostess sets are wonderful and I will be getting all of them this time.
7. Pretties set - getting them all in one place. I am also anxious to find out what Build a Brad is all about
8. Jumbo Wheels - very good offerings for people who want to do things fast.
The Bombs are:
1. 12 x12 multipacks ONLY - how can we demonstrate the 6x6 pages to a Scrabpook group (the only economical size to use) with only 2 sheets of each color!!!!! Multipacks are a GREAT idea for customers who aren't going to need so many pages of each color, but Demos are out in the cold when our current paper stash is used up
2. Scrappin' Kits -- 20 Bucks?!? I expected they would go to $15.95!! So What a shock!!!!!!! I have to order a few because my customers like my stamp camps where we make 20 cards or 10 scrapbook pages, but I hope the stickers will be bigger or some redeeming qualities will surface when I actually tear open the packages. Because the cost of the Stamp Camp just doubled!
3. Organdy ribbon and the metallic cords disappeared. I am still unhappy about the elimination of the wide organdy ribbon in the SU colors last year. SU kept the basic colors in wide widths that were available anywhere so I am not surprised about eliminating this width. Now the narrow ribbon colors are gone too...Navy, Celery, Olive, etc....all those colors that were impossible to obtain anywhere else and the delicate cord - just right for cards - such an SU exclusive ---vanished. SU organdy line was just right for our colors, not garish like is available from stores.
4. Too many childish drawings, not enough representational, or sketch type designs that can be filled in with markers or watercolors. Way too many circles and chunky flowers.
My overall opinion is that for a transition catalog, it was acceptable.
I am thrilled at having a cornucopia set that is beautiful. I like the new
'whimsey' sets and the Tapestry line is great. I am hoping the Holiday Mini will have a beautiful religious Christmas set. I think there are still too many sets that look alike in the Christmas section. I didn't think I would like the Boho line as I am definitely not of a western penchant, but I love the Outlaw papers--they are rich rusts that just look wonderful for the Fall. So it has me rethinking getting the matching western sets. I like the increased offerings of papers for scrappin. I really like the Uptown (butterfly) paper and Le Jardin, Creepy Crawly, Dashing and Cerise. I think the Ronald McDonald set will be a hit (I certainly plan to demonstrate it quite a bit) and I feel it will raise more money for the RM Charities.
My challenges as a Demo
1. My long-time customers who have many stamp sets complain about the price increase, so keeping them separated from my customers new to stamping who don't object yet.
2. Learning what in the world to do with all this chipboard stuff. I don't like lumpy scrapbooks.
3. What in the world am I going to do with the So Much set that I will get at Regional??? Almost makes me not want to go except for the fact that my inventory of current swaps is down to a handful and I can't get to Convention (Shelli, try the middle of the US, please!) I guess that I am just not imaginative enough.
My overall opinion is that for a transition catalog, it was acceptable.
I've been reading posts from everyone -- from the SU! newbies (like me) to the long-time veterans & demos. Until Donna called this catty a "transition catalog", it finally hit me that this catty is precisely that -- a transition catalog. I started buying SU! only last year, and the only catty I had was the online catty. So really, I only had last year's selection to compare to this year's. I have no idea how much change there usually is from year to year, but from the posts I've read, it seems like there have been more changes than just dropping retired items and adding in new items.
So there it is -- a transition. That gives hope for future catalogs right there.
I find what AuntPammy said to be true, some of the sets seem to be drawn by children below the age of 10. I would like to see a few more detailed stamps thrown in. I have no children at home now so like some more fun yet grown up looking details.
It seems like half the catalog is like Big Pieces, Seeing Spots, etc. and the other half is double-line, sketchy drawings. I was first attracted to SU years ago because of the variety of their artwork and many of the realistic stamps and stamps to color. They appealed to me so much that I no longer bought any from the other company that got me started buying stamps. Theirs wer so much alike that you could tell right away which company made them (so cutesy).
I was disappointed in this catalog's stamp offeringsd but have managed to find a few I will buy. I do like the layout and the product listings across the bottom of the pages.I also liked the product diagrams at the column headings on the color families pages-makes it so much easier to spot the item and order number.
Maybe the next catalog will be better--I hope. By the way, will someone tell me why double -sided paper is good? To me, it just seems like a way to use up two sheets of paper at the same time. I feel like I am getting less for my money and I find myself in a dilema if I like both sides equally.
I really like the new catty and voted for the second choice but really I don't miss the old sets! I just wish they would offer a bigger variety of two-step sets and sets without dots, spots, simple flowers and swirls. They got a little lopsided in this one. Still love it though!
I am so disappointed in the new Christmas sets! Almost all of them scream 'Happy Holidays'! SU! not only took Christ out of Christmas, they took Christmas out of Christmas. Well, I guess I'm not going to be hand-making my Christmas cards this year. I will shop for a very beautiful, inspirational card at the store. Also, I'm a demo and I was very much looking forward to planning for my annual Christmas Stamp Camp. But I am unispired and I've decided not to do it this year. I don't have anything new or of variety to offer in sets. Just snowmen and snowflakes. Even the 'Say it with Stamps' are all Happy Holidays. I wouldn't think of re-using just non-retired sets for my camp. I can't wait & see for the Mini becuase that doesn't leave me or my customers enough time. I run my camp in a series starting in August. They choose and order, then we have crops to complete our cards before Thanksgiving. And I so thought there would be lots to choose from since so much was retired.
BTW, I ditto all of the other brilliant observations re: the catalog. It seems so obvious, why didn't SU! see these redundancies and over-emphasis' and shortcomings? Did their designer(s) all work in isolated rooms? The doodlers and circlers and flourishers and the cartoonists, not know there was noone working on any artsy, grown-up, beautiful designs? Oh, well, I'm off to figure out how to deal with my Club members and helping them fulfill their purchase agreements with this catalog. And to figure out how I'm going to meet my minimums this year.
...and I forgot to say, they didn't even do one page, or sample, or paper with traditional Christmas colors! I thought I just had to wait out the last catalog, and this one would have some Christmasy colors available.
...and I forgot to say, they didn't even do one page, or sample, or paper with traditional Christmas colors! I thought I just had to wait out the last catalog, and this one would have some Christmasy colors available.
Don't forget we're getting a mini catalog at the beginning of September!!! I'll bet they saved their best Christmas goodies for then!!!
Well, I was disappointed 2 years in a row.......i like the new paper, but for stamp sets....maybe two i will order and those aren't "wow i have to have them".....I guess I did the right thing and stopped being a demonstrator!!!
Just couldn't see myself being able to sell a product if i couldn't get excited about it!! Oh well.....................
Wonder what kind of feedback SU! is getting about this catalog, for I, too, am pretty disappointed. The new stamp sets do not measure up in artistry and variety to the just retired sets. While I have found a few things I want, most of them were in the previous catalog. I like the In Colors, but not sure I would purchase them. Also, as mentioned previously, just what is the big deal about the two sided paper? One side gets wasted when you use the other side. And I still can't figure out if the Simply Sent packages are a good deal or not. Same with the three punch box. Guess we will hang in there til January, huh?
Finally received a hard copy from my demo yesterday (we get our mail via turtles here at the APO address!!). I had looked online because I could not help myself and was not overly impressed.
Then...I saw it in person. OMG...while I agree there is a lot of redundancy (lots of circles and florals), I fell in love with $350 worth of stamp sets. LOVED the new sayings they came up with...like the Everything baby set...LOVED the Western Theme (good for boys of all sizes and girls that like horses).
Then, the paper. LOVED the designer series paper!!! Had sticker shock on the SS sets, but expected that because my demo warned me previously!!
Overall, I ended up with a $900 dream list...that inlcudes some paper/ink/markers I have yet to buy off the "new" color families from 2 years ago!!
I think if I pace myself someday I just might have it all! Ha Ha
Thoughts on new catalog
And there are three or four sets I would like... but in past catties, I wanted it ALL!! 
