Just got my Sale-a-bration catalog.
 

I'm really not impressed at all.

I was a demo a few years ago and haven't really seen a sale-a-bratin catalog in quite a while. I was excited for it to come in but I can be for certain, that I probably like 1 stamp set. That's it.

What about you? How did you like it?

I've been shopping from SU for over 10 years, but I've never been a demo. I would wait until SAB to place orders, and then be disappointed when I didn't like any of the 4 sets they were offering.

I did a little jump for joy a few years back when they expanded the offerings to lots of lower-priced regular catalog sets.

I did a little happy dance when I got this year's catalog and saw that I can get combo packs of the in color cardstock, because I haven't yet ordered full packs of any of those colors. I can get fully stocked on this year's colors without spending additional money on them. That makes me happy.

It will be cardstock for me, too. I used to place a $300 order every SAB so I could get all the sets. This year, my only "big" order will be the month that my BFF is hostess for our stamp club. I'll bump up her total, but my pick for SAB will be cardstock. So very, very bored with SU's offerings right now. Sorry SU fans, but it's just not my style. I love the club I go to, it's my girls night out and I love that part, but even my demo is disappointed with the trends.

I love that there is a variety of ribbon, brads, designer paper (which I love the one in the SAB) and not just stamps.
I personally get bored with just getting stamp sets and love that I finally have choices.
So, I think this is the best SAB catalog ever and I have been buying from SU close to 10 years.

Be careful about voicing negative thoughts on this Sale-A-Bration catalog. Some people seem to take it personally when we are less than thrilled with the Stampin Up offerings.

There's a whole other thread on this topic ( starts about page 3 of this thread: http:////www.splitcoaststampers.com/...a-t542182.html ) and it seems there are two camps, those who love everything and those who aren't thrilled.

As I mentioned in a post on that thread, I don't hate the offerings. There's just nothing special that screams at me to spend more than I normally would just to get a freebie.

I understand what you said, but it is really sad that you have to be careful of SU folks about voicing your opinion.

I love the paper, brads and ribbbon, but then again I always love those things!

I do like that we can get non-stamp stuff! I'm not in LOVE with any of the stamp sets this year BUT I don't think I ever love them like I do ones from the minis or big catty. I still seem to need to earn them though, lol! I don't like the one with the stiches but that's the only one I absolutely don't like. Hey, for free, I'll take the rest I'm sort of neutral about:-) The paper is reeealy pretty in real life. I wasn't in love with it until I got it and the brads are fun too. The ribbon is just meh, I'm not an organdy fan.

I really like the decor element and will get one for me and probably one for my momma!

I like the desgin of the catalog this year too. I like that it's very different from the mini! And great use of white space! I'm trying to make projects with more white space so it's good inspiration!

I'm always curious when people say they don't like a catalog or whatever...what you (for those of you who weren't thrilled that is) you LIKE to see???

I like the SAB selections this year. The ribbon and brads pack is pretty cool. The fabric option is nice too. I don't tend to worry too much about what others think of my opinions.

I think every year we aren't all thrilled with it, but then we start watching what people are doing with their stuff and our minds change pretty quickly! At least that has been my experience...;)

Story of my stamping life....;-)

Mine too...(sigh....giggle)

I, too, was thrilled with the non-stamp options! I am excited to spend my money during SAB this year!!

Me, too. I see things in the gallery and think, "Oh, I want to do that!"
Here is one example of why I need 7 Stampin Up punches that I don't own: Stamp-Patty's: Even the Naughty Deserve Something Nice.........

The ribbon is beautiful! That Lucky Limeaide is almost sparkly....the brads are great too. I wasn't in love with the stitches set but there are some really cute cards made with that set in the gallery already.

i made those for a craft show and they sold like hot cakes! I, too, didnt' have all the punches, but improvised with what i did have and they were adorable!!!

I don't think anyone has to be careful of voicing their opinions at all and this goes for SU and their products, or anything else. I also don't think those who were speaking positively about the SAB were taking it personally. Infact, it seemed quite the opposite.

The postive posters are just trying to let the general public of readers know that the SAB IS making a lot of people happy.;)

It is like anything, when someone doesn't like something and they put it out on a forum, those who do like it want to defend and try to help see the positive side...this is normal and it will always be that way.

The thing is, with SU, there are some that seem to wait for just the right opportunity to get negative and vent because SU did something they did not like. I see it all the time....the very same posters saying the same negative things over and over like they cannot let it go and move on it life. (to the point where they get actually very rude and it gets so obviously that they a personally grudge against SU.

SU must be extremely popular because there is not other company out there that can create a stirring discussion such as happens with SU discussions.

When anyone participates in a forum discussion, they must be prepared for the fact that not everyone is going to agree and there will always be different views to something.
There is nothing wrong with not liking something....we all have things we dislike or are not pleased with. The thing is to not let it turn into a personal vendetta.

Amen.

You haven't visited the Papertrey Ink forum lately, have you? WOW! Now there's some heated discussion!

I love the Everyday Enchantment designer paper and the matching ribbon and brads. I'm pleased to be able to order paper and cardstock instead of a stamp set that may have limited use for me.

I'm still waiting for my SAB catalog to arrive! Whatssup with that?

I haven't gotten mine either. Anyone have a link?

if you google it a pdf link will come up.

looks like alot of the sets are already in the main catty!

unless, someone very creative posted a fake link, LOL.......................

There are unique SAB selections ... and there are also things you can select that are in the main catalogue. Think of it as more options ...

The unique part of SAB is about the same size as always ... stamps, paper, ribbon and brads, Digital Designing, Decor Elements ...

Love it! I can't wait!

the set on page 15 has my eye! as do the buttons!

i just kinda tought there would be more sets that were new, KWIM???

The max number for new SAB sets has been 6, there has never been more than that and there used to be only FOUR when I started buying SU! I'll take 6 over 4 any day!!!

LOL..i agree, 6 is way better than 4!

but, remember when the sets were new and exclusive, never before seen sets, only available during SAB, not from the current catty? oh, how special they seemed, even if we didnt want them bwa ha ha.......

There are still 4 stamp sets + a paper pack + brad/ribbon bundle + Decor Element + Digital CD that ARE exclusive

you just have other choices too

very true!
i guess i was just focused only on stamps!!

i have those holly-moments, ya know! ;)

That is so funny. I often feel positive comments about SU are assailed.

I think the "two camps" are actually three: Those who love, those who hate, and people who don't feel strongly (or don't want the derision) so don't comment.

I have found that now that I have so many sets there are few new sets from ANY MANUFACTURER "excite" me. What does excite me are tools and accessories, especially when they are free. SU used to only offer 4 SAB sets. All the ribbon, paper brads and especially the 2 CD collections are a great compliment! It is nice to have a selection similar to what most companies offer in their complete lines.

I got my Occasions (not SAB) catalog in the mail today.

The Tea Shoppe set is really cute, but I already have a Stampin Up tea cup--also with pansies on it! (from the mid-1990s) I saw SCS examples of Apothocary Art and thought that it would be a must-have. But after I saw it in the catalog, I realized it was the die not the stamp that got me excited. I also like the BigZ die bird, but not sure how much use I'd get out of it. I'll probably end up getting the bird punch instead. Speaking of punches, I'll be looking to see what SCS members will be making with the new blossom punch. That's likely one I'd get a lot of use from.

I really like a lot of Stampin Up products, but I have to really LOVE it or know that I'd use it a lot before I buy. It's so hard to buy a Sizzix die or EK Success punch from Stampin Up when I can get a Sizzix die or EK Success punch for half that price at JoAnn's or Michael's.

I've learned to wait for what I want. If I really want something now and I really want it in three or four months, I'll eventually get it. Sometimes, though, I'll see something, think I want it and then a few months later I'll realize that I didn't want it as badly as I thought, or I'd find more affordable ways to make do.