What have been your Best & Worst stamp related purchase

[inkyonne]

Just want to see if others have buyers remorse ...

[camsmom]

I bought some non-SU stamps and never pull them out, I shoudl have saved my $ and stuck with SU instead of trying to piece-meal things :?
Even now when I use an SU set or tool, I know it will hold its value really well and I have been able to trade or sell anything I haven't really loved and gotten money back on my investment.

I truly feel that I have invested in my business b/c of that, and not only my hobby.

I also regret all the crappy paper I bought that now sits all together waiting for me to let my son use b/c it is so yucky. :(

[leslierich]

I think the best stamping purchase I ever made was the Stamp-a-Ma-Jig. Even though I may not have to use it on every card, it's a miracle when I need it, and so quick and easy! Stampin' Up! in general has been the BEST stamping experience for me.

The worst? Those few acrylic stamps I bought before I realized the inferior quality of the image they produce. That was the last of my relationship with CTMH!
-- Leslie

[maryp]

I'd have to agree with Britta regarding purchases of non-SU cardstock be-
fore I "met" SU! Some pretty yucky stuff. :shock:
Secondly, a few foam stamp purchases made randomly when I was most
likely not in my right mind. (Whatever that is)

Mary

[dinagriff]

Best - Watercolor Garden stamps, all of them.
Worst - 12x12 SU paper - it is not really 12x12 so it doesn't fit right in my albums.

[Joan B]

WHAT do you mean 12 x 12 isn't really 12 x 12????? I just ordered a bunch. I will be furious. Please explain!!!

[dinagriff]

It is 12 by 11 5/8 (or something like that). My SU demo said it is not true 12x12 because it wouldn't fit in the SU albums. I am a real perfectionist when it comes to scrapbooking, so when I can see true 12x12 peeking out from behind the non-true 12x12 in my albums, it drives me crazy. I will use SU paper to make cards with and to layer in my albums. I just won't use it as the primary album page.

[Joan B]

And, my best stamping purchase was probably my Black Memories Ink pad and my Soft Swirls SU background stamp. Stamps the clearest and the best. The worst are some large Magenta and other non SU stamps that I can't get a clean image from even when I lay the paper on top of the stamp.

[Joan B]

Thanks for explaining about the paper size. SU really really shouldn't do that!! I guess I'll either have to buy the SU album (which is why the paper is sized that way) or cut the paper down for other uses. Thanks for the warning and the explanation! I guess there are worse problems in life.....

[neighbor_nancy]

Before you get frustrated with what you think is a rip off, check all your 12x12. Very little of it is exactly 12x12!

Why would any company adjust to just a smidgeon smaller? Your page protectors are 12x12. You add even one layer of extra cardstock and that adds bulk. Photos and embellishments? More bulk. Pretty soon you cannot fit in your page protector!

This adjustment is not new to SU! The key is to measure and get to know your paper.

Enjoy!

Nancy

[Shelli]

My worst puchase was cardstock from Michaels. I really liked it until I got my first order from SU. I didn't want to waste it, so I cut it up into half sheets and quarter sheets along with some Wal-mart white card stock and made each of my nieces their own stamping tote. Complete with a basic black stamp pad, markers, watercolored pencils, a blender pen, some envelopes and tons of stamps. They love them and use them all the time. Now I can justify buying more paper to replace it.

My best purchase was probably my stamp-a-ma-jig. I am a little anal about my centering and lining everything up, so my SAMJ has been well used and is well loved.

[DebbiS]

Best Purchase: Stamp-A-Majig

Worst Purchase: Paper and Ink that was non SU. The colors just don't match or coordinate well if they were not designed to do so.

[smiles2ualways]

My best purchase is the SU ultra smooth white card stock. I had no idea how much better SU ink looks on it. And the stamped image is so much brighter, I guess it doesn't soak in as much.

My worst purchase no is all the Michael's and Jo Ann's paper I have stocked up on before I found SU.

[stamping_jen]

I am glad to know this Stamp-A-Majig is so great. I saw it in the catty but I didn't really "get it". I didn't understand what the clear refills are for. I still don't get it but maybe I need it. If someone could explain how it works it would be helpful.

And as far as the worst - I am going to have to agree and disagree with the card stock. True, it sucks compared to SU! but I am brand new and it is great to practice on. I am saving my highly superior SU! cs for the people I love when I get a little better because they deserve the likes of SU! quality.

[wendita]

Hmmm. Great question. I love my Stampamajig too. And the SU ink pads.

I'm kind of nervous about having bought Flower Factory because I don't know what to do with it and it looks so-I don't know what the right word is-unnatural? Factoryish? I bought it because I loved a card in the gallery but now when I play with it I am uninspired. I haven't given up though.

I agree; the AC Moore/Michaels paper is el-crappo, and the ink pads stink too, but at least they are cheap. I let my son play with it. I love Shelli's idea of putting together kits for kids. I'm actually giving a birthday gift of nonSU stampin stamps/inks to a friend of my son's. Start 'em young I say!

[Sereikastamper]

Best Purchase, SU STARTER KIT!!!!!
Worst? Hmmmm well let me think....hmmmm Decorative scissors, I never use them!!! I need to but I just don't think to!!! I promise today I will try to use them...if anything turns out ok I will post...

[qcbetty]

Best - SU paper and inks
Worst - Fiskars shape cutter. They should have called it the Fiskars Paper Destroyer. Luckily someone on this board is a lot more coordinated than I am :oops: and got it and the templates!

[neighbor_nancy]

I have to agree with the shape cutters and decorative scissors being some of the worst purchases I made! ICK. I also invested a huge amount of $ in scrapbooking stuff before I realized I just like making cards and gifts better than I like scrapbooking. All those cute stickers remain unused in their tidy photo box marked STICKERS.

My heavy duty Carl Cutter for large swaps/workshops and my 50+ matching photo boxes for storage on matching bookshelves was the best investment in my business! I save time with the cutter and I am able to show my husband and customers that it is possible to have a tidy craft room (shoving it in neatly labeled attractive photos boxes WORKS for me!).

The SU color families of coordinating paper, inks, markers and the craft scissors are some of the best purchases. I love all my stuff to coordinate!

Nancy

[justampin]

Worst, paper other than SU, and ink pads at AC that cost a dollar and stamp like it to.

Best, SU Paper, carl cutter and I have to agree with the Stamp-a-majig

[sanb36]

Best purchase: New Fiskars paper cutter from StampinUp. Cuts so much better than the old Fiskars personal trimmer. I just have to get used to it. No more putting tons of muscle into trying to cut StampinUp cardstock.

Worst purchase: El Cheapo Michaels decorative edge scissors. My upline has the StampinUp scissors and after using those, I just wanted to toss my other ones in the garbage.

Second worst purchase: Brushstoke alphabet. It was my first stamp purchase and I thought I would use them alot.

[karenhollister]

My Best...also Stampin Up CS...it's thicker, the colors match...I won't use anything else.

What about all this talk of a Carl Cutter? My upline group is in the process of ordering a large number of them. What's is so great? I really am curious...

Thanks.

Oh and worse...Stickers from when I first started scrapbooking. They just look cheap to me. Coordination of colors are important to me and when can you find a sticker that matches perfectly?

[scrappiemommie]

Best: all of my SU goodies...I haven't purchased one thing I don't like...I may not get to use all of them as often as I would like, but that is a different topic ;)

Worst: decorative scissors, cheap Michael's/ACMoore CS-I need white CS and it is on sale at ACM for 7 cents/sheet but I felt it and decided I could wait for my order ;)

[msamethyst1]

Best purchase - My jet black stazon - use it whenever I am going to color in and image especially twinkling H2Os, water color or blender pens.

Worst purchase - the Fiskars 12" Ultimate Craft Rotary Paper Trimmer. Though they advertise it as rotary the blade really doesn't rotate. Also can't get it to cut straight to save my life. Definitely my worst purchase.

[Sereikastamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by msamethyst1

Best purchase - My jet black stazon - use it whenever I am going to color in and image especially twinkling H2Os, water color or blender pens.

Now I had never thought to use if for that!!!! Learn something new everyday!!!!

[rebuh]

Wow!! hard question..............I really can't think of a best purchase, I love all stamps, even my non SU ones. And I can only think of one purchase that I was truly disappointed in...the tearing edge from SU. I really found it hard to use and I eventually got rid of it.

[msamethyst1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sereikastamper

Now I had never thought to use if for that!!!!

Learned that at my lss. I have had one too many images ruined by the supposedly permanent SU Basic Black. I am impatient and like to start coloring right away and have had the black bleed into my colors.

[Sereikastamper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by msamethyst1

Quote:

Learned that at my lss. I have had one too many images ruined by the supposedly permanent SU Basic Black. I am impatient and like to start coloring right away and have had the black bleed into my colors.

MEE TOOOO!!! And all this time I thought I was the only one!!! LOL
now bak to your scheduled programming, sorry for the sidetrack!

[cyn _stamper]

After much contemplation, I will have to say my best purchase were those wonderful rubber cutting scissors! I had purchased a pair of cheapo Fiskar's scissors, until I knew how addicting SU could become. Then I moved up to the SU scissors and have been the best PR for them ever since!

Worst, must be the horrid paper and foam stamps that I thought I could get by using. Ha, what a joke that has become! I actually have to look for reasons to use the yucky paper, just to get rid of it!

Cindy

[afancycat]

Best: Provo Craft Silent Setter and SU eyelets!

Worst: Coluzzle templates : (


Julie C.

[Noddy]

Best purchase-the SU rubber cutter scissors! It is so satisfying to cut and mount my stamps now, I even cut out a friend's purchases!

Worst purchase Galaxy markers! They are supposed to write on dark paper which I use alot in my scrapbooks, well they dried out way to soon and when they did write they left little dots on the letters where you lifted the pen (does that make sense?)

Noddy

[spicychickie]

Best Purchase: "SU Stamps". The prices are "great" and I love the fact that they come in sets. I think the "Watercolor pencils" are going to be my next purchase too. I love the effect that it gives to projects.

Worst Purchase: Mini Tape Runner from CM. I'm sorry I've exchange that sucker twice, and still have trouble with it to this day. I have regreted getting that item.

Ana Malick ')

[craftymel]

Debbi I agree with you. The Fiskars shape cutter is awful- after trying to use it (unsuccessfully) I returned it to the store-good riddens!!
The best purchases I have made -aside from the SU Kit, as mentioned above, are the SU inkpads and cardstock -cannot compare to anything else out there... Oh and of course the stamps...

[Wenfaye]

My best purchase was the black ink and colored cardstock from Michaels. Yes, I said from Michaels. Because it made me realize how fantastic SU products are !!

hee hee.... had you worried didn't I ?

My worst purchase was black ink and colored carstock from Michaels...

Wendy

[Doodah]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbiS

Best Purchase: Stamp-A-Majig

Worst Purchase: Paper and Ink that was non SU. The colors just don't match or coordinate well if they were not designed to do so.

DITTO!!! I love my Stamp-A-Majig too!!! I'm anal that way and things have to look centered and perfect!!!

[mnjjacobs]

Worst purchase (besides the obvious cheapo paper and stamps from other companies!) was Stella Stamper and Lovely as a Tree. Just don't use them!

Best: The entire marker set! How did I get along for five years without them?

mj

[lesliemommy]

best purchase has been all my SU stuff. NOthing beats it.

I do say I love my cirlce and oval cutters (with blades and mat) I have from CM (before I found SU!) They are so nice and smooth.

Worst has been the nasty white paper form Michaels. I got it in a pinch to get some baby shower invites out, cause the shower date changed.
I hated the quality. Luckily no one else noticed.

I let my 5 yr old stamp his little heart out on it. He loves my pattern *edging* scissors that I never use, and he just cuts up like 15 pages at a time. With such crappy paper I dont even try to stop him. :lol:

[esah23]

Best will probably be my first order from SU! Newbie to stamping and from all the input, I am sold. Never been to a party either, and my consultant is far away... Hopefully, it will all work out fine!

Worst- F. dull decorative scissors, some awful cardstock from...won't say, acrylic stamps from qvc...

[TJStamper]

Hands down ... my best purchase were the Craft & Rubber scissors. I tried several others and could have kicked myself for not getting them right from the start. There's nothing else like 'em!!

[KayFulton]

Really work on stocking your supplies (as hard as that is with so many wonderful stamp choices). A five-year veteran suggests:

Rubber craft scissors (nothing trims new stamps as well as SUs!
Work on amassing each color of cardstock and stamp pads (buy them in group colors to get a bit of a discount).
The eyelet tools
Each order get at least one set each of brads, eyelets, buttons, SU! ribbons.
Paper crimper

Worst purchase: Color Chart Wheel....I've seen some wonderful color combinations in SUs! catalog, but when comparing it to the Color Wheel there is no rhyme or reason. It absolutely does not help in creating wonderful color combinations for those of us who are creativity-impaired.

[AKSTAMPER]

Actually read through all 3 pages of posts just because it is so interesting to see what you all like and don't like. Guess I'll count myself fortunate that I don't have a craft store within a hundred miles.

Okay Best purchases are the obvious SU best sellers: rubber scissors, SMJ, and no one mentioned the mist and scrub.
Sorry to hear someone didn't like the tearing edge I thought it hard at first until I paired it with the aqua painters to prep the tear line and since then it's been smooth selling because it is so easy and looks so nice
.
Worst: circle scissor that SU had back in 01, total yuck! Also could have saved my dimes for stamps instead of all the markers. They are nice, but don't use them much. Agree with Kay too that color chart is zany,