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I'm glad they moved the Holiday Mini up a month. Thought it was odd there were no holiday stamp sets in the new catty. No Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas.
I am really looking forward to getting the Holiday Catalog and since demos get to see it early that makes it even sweeter. I like to think about my purchases a bit and getting an early peek really helps me out with that. Of course it doesn't stop me from falling in love with a set and buying it without any thought!
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Procrastinators of the world unite... tomorrow!
I'm really sad that there are no holiday stamps in the catty. I buy holiday stamps all year. That's the only way I can afford to get all that I want. I know a lot of people who do the same thing. It seems like a very risky marketing strategy but they have experts to figure this type of thing out.
I'm disappointed there were no Christmas stamps in this year's cattie. I agree, I buy all year long. I have an order on-line with Impression Obsession so I can start my Christmas cards now.
My demo got hers and I have it at the moment. SU remains my favorite place to shop but I must say, this is the most disappointing catalog ever, in my opinion. The only thing on my list is designer paper. Not only are the products nothing of interest to me, but the catalog is the hardest I have ever had trying to distinguish between samples and products for sale...if that makes any sense.
My demo got hers and I have it at the moment. SU remains my favorite place to shop but I must say, this is the most disappointing catalog ever, in my opinion. The only thing on my list is designer paper. Not only are the products nothing of interest to me, but the catalog is the hardest I have ever had trying to distinguish between samples and products for sale...if that makes any sense.
Is the layout of the mini similar to the most recent Sell-a-Bration pamphlet? I thought that layout was confusing.
If you can be more specific, is it the style of the stamp art that wasn't to your taste, or something else?
Is the layout of the mini similar to the most recent Sell-a-Bration pamphlet? I thought that layout was confusing.
If you can be more specific, is it the style of the stamp art that wasn't to your taste, or something else?
Others may like the layout. I just don't. I will try to explain, but it's difficult if you haven't seen it. Inside first two pages are table layouts. Place setting etc. Yes, you can make some of that stuff, but it really doesn't single out the product and you have to follow the page links at the bottom to find the products. Page 4 & 5 has halloween samples but again, you follow the page numbers at the bottom to find the products. I just think it was so much easier and appealing to have the actual products on the same pages as the samples. Page 6 & 7 all samples of This and That Journals....Nothing "normal" until you get to page 18. Then they have stamps and products. The Christmas stamps are not my style, but then again, others may love them. They have a new ornament punch and stamp set, similar to the previous ornament punch they just retired. The shape is a little bit different, but not much. As I said, I LOVE SU products, but will stick to the new big catalog. I am glad I have Christmas stamp sets from previous years that I can use again. Hope this helps.
I think, in a nutshell, the samples and the product pictures are separate from each other. So to me, it's too much trouble going to all the pages indicated on the samples. It's like the first half of the book is all samples (with page references for the product used) and the second half is all pictures of the product.
Hmmm... I wonder why they are trying to reinvent the wheel, as it were. I like straightforward cataogues, just let me look at the stamps. Samples on the same page as the stamp is helpful.
Kind of how I feel about the website now. I don't like it, it makes very little sense and is random in what blogs and pinterest spots there are.. Not user friendly to me at all.
Hmmm... I wonder why they are trying to reinvent the wheel, as it were. I like straightforward cataogues, just let me look at the stamps. Samples on the same page as the stamp is helpful.
Kind of how I feel about the website now. I don't like it, it makes very little sense and is random in what blogs and pinterest spots there are.. Not user friendly to me at all.
There! Thank you for my little rant opportunity
Yes, I am not a fan of the website either. Like I said, I buy a LOT of SU and love it, just disappointed in the mini since I thought the regular catalog was so much better than last year's!
I liked last year's catalog layout. It was clean and straight forward. It even had a few perks such as color combos that we hadn't seen before. If the Holiday catty is anything like the SAB layout, please replace those hormone crazed teenagers with the attention span of a gnat that must be designing the catty layout. I'm all for making change and being hip or trendy, but if a catalog is hard to follow, it doesn't sell product.
I think, in a nutshell, the samples and the product pictures are separate from each other. So to me, it's too much trouble going to all the pages indicated on the samples. It's like the first half of the book is all samples (with page references for the product used) and the second half is all pictures of the product.
The way you are describing the layout of the catalog reminds me of the 31 catalog--I like looking at the ideas for using their bags in the front, but to actually order, it's too overwhelming, so I look at the pages of just products in the back for that.
Incidentally, I really didn't like the layout of the new regular SU catalog when I looked at it online, but then when I had a print copy in hand, it made a lot more sense to me. I especially like the way they organized and showed the accessories this time around.
I hope I'll like the stuff in the new mini, but if not, that will give me more time to focus on getting things from the regular catty. A few of the sets that have come out recently are a little too hip and trendy for me--makes me feel old! But when I look at the regular catalog overall, I still think there is a nice variety.
I love many items in the new seasonal catalog and don't forget there are carry over sets you can still purchase. There are plenty of new, fun things to create with, just wait and see the creativity and posts of items made start flowing before you discount all of it!
Got mine yesterday and it has a TON of stuff I want. I've never wanted to buy so much from one holiday in my life! Since there's none in the regular catalog, I'm suspecting that's why I love it so much.
Oh! And I 100% agree with the catalog layout complaints. I find it horribly annoying. On top of the samples/pictures not being on pages with the product, sometimes they ARE and in a way that makes it look like they're not so you start looking for something and realize in the dark print next to it on a darkish background... "Oh, there it is after all."
It's just not consistent, not reader friendly, and in my opinion, an epic fail on layout and design.
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Isn't it funny how some people LOVE them and some people HATE them...the catalogs I mean :-) Different strokes! I love it too....sadly for my stamping account!!!!!
The layout is different....they are trying lots of new things so I guess this is one of them. Personally, the more I look at it the more I don't mind it. Just takes some getting used to. I was in a focus group last year about the big catalog layout and I think that some of the re-design is what was taken from there. I know there was a lot of concern last year in the big catalog about how things were laid out.....
For those that don't like the layout, flip directly to page 18 and look at the products- those that peak your interest, flip to the front of the catty to the page it says the sample is on. I don't think it flowes the best but the sample are wonderful IMO!
I didn't think I liked that much, until I started adding it all up.....over $600 on my wishlist!!!! The kits need a second look- after I looked the first time I didn't care about them, the second time I looked I realized there are some amazing things in the kits!!! I am loving the banner kit!!!!!!
I got my Holiday mini the other day as well. So far I am not very impressed, but it may take some time to grow on me when I have time to really take a look at it. I think it may be the muted colors used since I'm more drawn to the traditional Christmas colors of brighter reds, blues and greens of when I was growing up. Also, it's not unusual for me to be ho hum about the samples from the catalog, but then see the same stamps used on a blog, or here on splitcoast and then I get all excited about it.
One thing I do love about the Holiday Mini is how the samples are placed in the front of the catalog and the products are in the back. I like looking at the sample and then having each product page listing with them. I wish they would have done the same with the main catalogue. Even if all the samples were not at the front, they could have placed the samples at the head of each section. It feels chaotic with everything mixed in the way it is. This could just be my OCD organizing nature. I hate a messy desk and everything has its special place in its special container.
Good suggestion about which pages to go to...Like I said, I am in no way putting SU down. I have spent thousands, yes thousands of dollars since I started buying in 2009/10. I am not a demo but I've helped my demo stay active! I think it is the first time I've been really disappointed in a catalog layout and the products. Just not my style, but I apppreciate that they may be someone else's style, so I hope SU does well with them. I am still very disappointed that they didn't do a hexagon punch that would coordinate with the embossing folder, but maybe next year. I've been looking in the stores but nothing so far. I borrowed a friends creative memories hexagon punch, but it's a double punch with a larger hexagon on the same punch so it's a little painful for my hands to punch with it.
I am on the fence about the flipping....at first I didn't like the products in the back but once I flipped through all the samples and looked at each product THEN I flipped to the page to see a sample. Now it is flowing more smoothly for me. No one likes change....we are creatures of habit....so once I got used to it...it is better for me now.
Ugh, all this talk is driving me crazy!!!! So can't wait to see the mini, this mini is my favorite! Hoping a link is posted soon so I know how much over-time I need to work lol
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boydsluver21
Ugh, all this talk is driving me crazy!!!! So can't wait to see the mini, this mini is my favorite! Hoping a link is posted soon so I know how much over-time I need to work lol
How much can you get??? ;-)
I WISH I got overtime since I usually work more than 40.....my stamp budget would be so happy, lol! I have GOT to sell off some of my retired stuff! Why can't money grow on trees???? Or why can't we stamp it?????? :-)
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Saw it and have it on loan from my good friend and demo. LOVED the Sweater Weather dsp! I have only liked a handful of dsp over the years.
Also, I will get the Winter frost speciality dsp. I had gotten dsp from last years holiday mini....it has cherry cobbler, a pink, etc. somewhat non-traditional colors to use for this year (wanted to use up some other dsp for last years cards). Now I don't know which to use! I love thar Winter Frost paper! I tend to like the speciality dsp that SU puts out.
I will get the silver ribbon, the Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas stamp, possibly the envelope liners-love that look and a great way to use up some dsp, label bracket punch-that's about it.
Just realized the foil winter frost dsp only has 2 sheets with foil-;-(
Also, the layout is a bit irritating.....all that flipping. What's the marketing strategy related to that?
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
Last edited by Allistamps123; 06-14-2013 at 05:58 AM..
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Minders
How much can you get??? ;-)
I WISH I got overtime since I usually work more than 40.....my stamp budget would be so happy, lol! I have GOT to sell off some of my retired stuff! Why can't money grow on trees???? Or why can't we stamp it?????? :-)
Yes, let's start stamping money! Hahahahahaha!
__________________ All I want is the chance to prove money won't make me happy!
Saw it and have it on loan from my good friend and demo. LOVED the Sweater Weather dsp! I have only liked a handful of dsp over the years.
Also, I will get the Winter frost speciality dsp. I had gotten dsp from last years holiday mini....it has cherry cobbler, a pink, etc. somewhat non-traditional colors to use for this year (wanted to use up some other dsp for last years cards). Now I don't know which to use! I love thar Winter Frost paper! I tend to like the speciality dsp that SU puts out.
I will get the silver ribbon, the Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas stamp, possibly the envelope liners-love that look and a great way to use up some dsp, label bracket punch-that's about it.
Just realized the foil winter frost dsp only has 2 sheets with foil-;-(
Also, the layout is a bit irritating.....all that flipping. What's the marketing strategy related to that?
I agree about the papers.I also question the marketing strategy. Demo friend says su is excited about it. Wish I were
Ugh, all this talk is driving me crazy!!!! So can't wait to see the mini, this mini is my favorite! Hoping a link is posted soon so I know how much over-time I need to work lol
Amen!! Maybe the stampin fairies will send a PM soon....