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I have to admit. I am 99% a Stampin Up snob. LOL I have been their demo before, years ago. And actually just resigned with them as a hobby demo this time just because I loved most of the Holiday Catalog. Anyhow, I was on Youtube this morning and came upon some very cute Christmas cards using Gina K stamps. So I went over to the website and found quite a few sets that I put in a wish list. Most of the Christmas ones were just so darn cute. Just curious about the quality of the stamps?
And what other companies do you like when it comes to Christmas/Winter themed stamps. That's all I do (with the exception of an occasional birthday or sympathy card). So I'd like to broaden my horizons when it comes to stamps, I'd like to try out some other companies.
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Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely BUT...to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand and screamingWOOHOO-WHAT A RIDE!
I can't say enough good things about Gina K! The stamps are superb quality and the customer service is fabulous! I love her videos, read her blog and she just seems like a lovely woman. I have purchased a few of her sets and card stock and LOVE it all. I also started out in stamping through Stampin' Up as a demo and know you will be very pleased if you decide to purchase from Gina K.
I also like PapertreyInk, Hero Arts, Penny Black....Oh so many companies...so little budget!
I second Mary's vote of confidence in Gina K! Her products and customer service are top notch. I have both rubber and clear stamps and they all print beautifully. And the white cardstock is the smoothest around. I also love Papertrey's products (tho' their customer service is questionable at times), Hero Arts, and have recently purchased from Simon Says Stamp. There are a lot of good options outside of SU, but I like their products, too.
I agree with the comments so far! I had the honor of designing for Gina for several years and her stamps are top quality and she is an amazing person with truly talented stamp illustrators! You can't go wrong with ordering any of her stamps :-)
For sweet children images-I like Lili of the Valley (UK but not hard to hit free ship plus they now have a lot of digi), Dreamerland (out of Pointer stamps, Canada-available at Oozak US) Scenic could be Impression Obsession, Northwoods, Penny Black....cover a card you could look at Peddlers Pack...cute animals could be House Mouse Originals, huge fan of the Bebunni line (Crafters Companion carries)....
gosh there are just tons of choices! Perfect timing-Christmas releases have begun.
You picked a good place to ask though...for many of us the winter holidays are one of our biggest weaknesses/loves/vices lol. I bet you get lots of answers!
Upon looking through her store, I found some Christmas/Winter paper packs that are really cute. Only thing is, I only have SU ink and cardstock. Do you think any of her colors match somewhat with SU colors? Like, if I put a panel of her patterned on a card base of SU cardstock, do you think the colors would be too "off"
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Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely BUT...to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand and screamingWOOHOO-WHAT A RIDE!
Upon looking through her store, I found some Christmas/Winter paper packs that are really cute. Only thing is, I only have SU ink and cardstock. Do you think any of her colors match somewhat with SU colors? Like, if I put a panel of her patterned on a card base of SU cardstock, do you think the colors would be too "off"
I don't think you'll have a problem at all. Most of Gina's colors are easy to match, and if not, you can always mat with kraft or black. I love her patterned paper!!
Besides the companies already mentioned, you might like powerpoppy.com and heroarts.com to check out. Both of them have nice Christmas/holiday stamps. Good luck in your search.
I couldn't take it any longer. I bit the bullet and bought two stamp sets about an hour ago and just received notification that it's already shipped. Good grief, don't think Ive ever had anything ship that fast before in my life. Can't wait to play with my new goodies.
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Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely BUT...to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand and screamingWOOHOO-WHAT A RIDE!
I think Gina K. products and customer service are excellent. Owning stamps and dies from many companies, I think quality is so similar as to not be noticeable, whether SU, Gina K., Hero Arts, Altenew, Frans Frantic Stamper, and others. Customer service and shipping speed are what differentiates them for me.
(Frans is another extremely customer friendly shop; I've emailed to tell her she's like a LSS, just far away.)
Gina's stamp sets are awesome - I have several sets of both the rubber and clear sets, both work equally well with multiple brands of ink.
As a Canadian, the current exchange rate on our dollar compared to the US dollar is fairly prohibitive to shopping online with US retailers right now, but if it ever improves, I would certainly be open to getting more stamps.
__________________ Elizabeth
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Hand over the chocolate, and no one will get hurt!
Well, I just received my very first stamp sets from Gina K today. I haven't stamped with them yet but just looking at them and holding them I have fallen completely in love with them. They seem to be really good quality. Might have to rush through grocery shopping tomorrow so I can come home and play with my new goodies.
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Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely BUT...to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand and screamingWOOHOO-WHAT A RIDE!
Well, I just received my very first stamp sets from Gina K today. I haven't stamped with them yet but just looking at them and holding them I have fallen completely in love with them. They seem to be really good quality. Might have to rush through grocery shopping tomorrow so I can come home and play with my new goodies.
Which sets did you get? I do love her heavy paper!
Love Gina k products, especially her paper and ink. I actually Wish I had found her first because I think her products and videos are great for the beginning stamper. Instead the first videos I watched were people who create beautuful cards, but tended to use a lot of techniques I wasn't ready for. Once I found Gina K I realized I really like her style of card making and it more aligns with what I'm capable of doing. I like her stamps, but do find them pretty basic images. For instance her last kit had layered flowers which were pretty,but compared to my flower sets from Altenew or The Ton, they are kind I'd simplistic. Her shipping time is awesome since she opened her new store. I also think her prices are very reasonable.
I don't think you'll have a problem at all. Most of Gina's colors are easy to match, and if not, you can always mat with kraft or black. I love her patterned paper!!
I just bought several of the 6x6 DSP packs from Gina K based on rave reviews. I will be honest. The DSP packs are what I would call high gloss, thin paper. One step up in paper weight from magazine paper - that kind of gloss. The solid color card stock feels around 65lbs. The DSP is vibrant (aided by the gloss), pretty prints but it reminds me of photo paper.
I much more prefer 6x6 pads from Bobunny, Carta Bella, Authentique, Echo Park, even American Crafts 6x6 pads for paper quality.
I do watch her videos and enjoy her style of card making. I did buy a stamp set from watching a video recently. Nice stamps.
I think a lot depends on the style of card that you make. I love Gina's glossy patterned paper for brightly colored, fun, crisp styles and images, while the other papers you mentioned might be my choice for softer looks. I have some of both!
I'm pretty sure the solid colored cardstock is all 100 lb, except for the layering weight white and ivory, and maybe my package of Sandy Beach. Those are a little lighter weight; and the Heavy Base Weight white is heavier. The colored cardstock is very comparable in weight to other companies on the internet, and I think it is a little heavier than SU, but I haven't had any of theirs for a long time, so I can't be sure on that. I love living fairly close to her retail shop. She sells paper by the sheet in the shop and I can go get just a few sheets when I run out.
Not only are Gina K's stamps and products amazing, but Gina is also one of the nicest people in this industry! You are a sweetheart, Gina, and I hope to make it up to visit your new store one day!