Like with ECPG's blog, I reserve the right to remove comments that do not contribute anything to the conversation. I'm here to provide you with a space to discuss stamping-related matters. I'm committed to making sure that new posts are put up in a timely manner. But it only takes a few people (or perhaps just one) to ruin this place.
I cannot promise that I will have the time (or energy) to prune on a daily basis. If you cannot be an adult while using this space, it will cease to exist. I know that everyone appreciates being able to post anonymously and immediately, so I'd rather close shop than have to resort to approving comments. So whoever is posting nonsense, I think you've had your fun. Please stop trying to gain satisfaction by driving people away. I appreciate all constructive criticism and requests.
Thanks for the changes for us with poor eyesight. If the font were a little bigger it would be even better. Please.
ReplyDeleteI wonder - did she increase the font? I need magnifying eyeglasses for the computer these days with some eye trouble but it still seems big to me without them. You can also + to zoom in on your monitor if that helps.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new space and the well-worded post SSA owner.
LOL - I guess Blogger doesn't like me using the greater and less than signs around the letters CTRL .... Blogger must see it code and just left it out when I tried to say use the CTRL key and + sign to zoom in.
ReplyDelete12:25, I did indeed change the font size after 10:25's request.
ReplyDelete:) Great! Thanks - bigger than this would be humongous!
ReplyDeleteSo, PTI sneak peeks are about to begin again.
ReplyDeleteAnyone completely give up on them? Still hopeful? Predictions?
Any other significant releases on the way?
Thanks so much. Now I don't need to run for reader glasses for this site!
ReplyDeleteI seriously don't need any more Christmas stamps, but are there some NON PTI or SSS stamps out there that you love??
ReplyDeleteso glad that I can read these anonymous comments. fascinating!!!
ReplyDeleteExcited about the sneak peeks tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteThis page looks just like the old HTH smack site.
ReplyDeleteAnyone looking for the wink of stella pens I just ordered them from this site http://www.paperinkarts.com they are 4.99 each which is the cheapest I've found online. And their shipping is cheap! I ordered 4 colors.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this *black on white* format !!!
ReplyDeleteI think it is only one disturbed person who posts garbage for a few hours after midnight.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you will still keep this forum open even if s/he continues to post. We can scroll by the nonsense if needed.
You are going to love Wink of Stella. Best product of that sort out there and it won't dry up!
ReplyDeleteSneaks aren't even worth the energy to type anything about.
ReplyDeleteLooks like another boring release at PTI.
ReplyDeleteLooking at the SSS blog today.
ReplyDeleteIs anyone else tired of the Tim Holtz steampunk style? I love the Distress product line (inks, stains, etc.) and all the great techniques that can be used on cards. But I really don't care for his stamps and the mixed media tags & projects.
What do people do with these projects? Do they really display them? Where? Only in their craftrooms? Then what's the point? I work in my dining room and would never display them there even if I did make them. Life is not one big halloween party. SMH
^^^
ReplyDeleteSorry! I just had to get that off my chest in a safe place. ;-)
Re: Wink Of Stella - did you know that once they dry up you can rinse them out with water and then use them as a water pen? (Or fill them up with Dylusions and paint with them etc....)
ReplyDeleteNot a fan of steampunk either. What a GREAT tip on the Wink of Stella!
ReplyDeleteThanks for that wink of stella tip! It will be the first time I use them :) I'll make sure to save them once they are dry.
ReplyDeleteSteampunk is getting old (ha ha) real quick.
ReplyDeleteDoes that PTI house look like it is about to explode or is it just me?
ReplyDeleteGood grief, PTI is focusing on sentiments this month?
ReplyDeleteBut it was worth the energy to post here, right?
ReplyDelete12:56 I like steampunk but your joke still made me laugh. I think TH does steampunk sometimes but I wouldn't define him by it.
ReplyDeleteWe've all been wondering where are the great design ideas and here pti goes with a sentiment focus haha.
Couldn't believe there's another house.
With lovely fonts, I cannot figure why we need sentiments. I looked through my old stamp collection and have 27 stamps that say Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteHope they grammar checked the whole release before sending in the designs. Or it's going to be quite entertaining for us.
ReplyDeleteI suspect it will be a laugh a minute.
ReplyDeletei love sentiment sets. i don't like to print them out. i am a stamper not a typist. emboss, different colors, etc. so I'm curious. unlikely to buy but curious
ReplyDeleteWho wants to bet that the atrocious ikat font rears its ugly head once more?!
ReplyDeleteThere ARE so many beautiful fonts - but pti likes to make crummy combos lately. And if dawn has her hand in it, they'll be a cluttered mess.
I'd also bet on convoluted schmaltzy sentiments that I can't imagine ever using.
Hope none of those predictions come true!
SU new mini link: http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/catalogs/NA/20140103_Occasions_NA/20140103_Occasions_en-US.pdf
ReplyDelete2:01 - Thank you for that link! I hadn't even started to think about looking for it yet. It's like you read my mind before it had a thought in it :)
ReplyDeleteMe too - thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteSo I've been thinking about all of those cute kid images out there. I like a lot of them esp Mo Manning. A couple of others.
They are obviously hugely popular because a lot of companies have cute kid stamps. But who the heck do people send these cards to? Is the largest card-receiving demographic little girls and old ladies (70 and up)???
No matter how much I like some if them, there is no one I would send them to.
8:07 pm,
ReplyDeleteTim Holtz does nothing but steampunk - his stsamps, his tags, his mixed media, his videos, his classes. Look at any technique video or blog post - the projects are all steampunk-related.
12:56 I like steampunk but your joke still made me laugh. I think TH does steampunk sometimes but I wouldn't define him by it.
We've all been wondering where are the great design ideas and here pti goes with a sentiment focus haha.
Couldn't believe there's another house.
8:07 pm,
ReplyDeleteTim Holtz does nothing but steampunk - his stsamps, his tags, his mixed media, his videos, his classes. Look at any technique video or blog post - the projects are all steampunk-related.
Hmmm, just wondering how PTI can screw up 'congratulations' sentiments. LOL
ReplyDeleteHe absolutely does not "just" do Steampunk. I'm not saying that to defend Tim Holtz, but actually to defend Steampunk. Really, you think old cards, men with umbrellas, butterflies, reindeer... is Steampunk? He has a distressed, old-time, vintage style that is a hallmark of many Steampunk designs, and sometimes he actually does create a Steampunk design, but often his work has nothing to do with Steampunk.
ReplyDeleteMaybe this will help you understand better:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steampunk
LOL! That was supposed to be "old CARS," oops
ReplyDeleteSo maybe this "sentiment-themed" release is going to be filled with old standards. Happy birthday, congratulations, with sympathy, thinking of you....
ReplyDeleteAt least they'll probably be safe from schmaltz and misspellings.
I think the real strategy here is to push older sets.
I would love to know if Nichole has actually sent her DT a list of stamp sets to use that are in greatest supply, or that never sold well. The fun in this release will see which older sets are featured.
Scrolling through this visual page fairly quickly, I think I spotted maybe one or two sets that could be called Steampunk:
ReplyDeletehttp://timholtz.com/prod_cat/cling-mount-sets/
His style of stamping suits Steampunk, but saying he does "nothing but Steampunk" is way off.
"I'd also bet on convoluted schmaltzy sentiments that I can't imagine ever using."
ReplyDeleteLOVE your description! Thanks for a good chuckle!
Cougrats---lol!
ReplyDeleteI don't get the whole ampersand thing. If I got a card with a big ampersand on the front I would have no idea what it meant.
ReplyDelete9:16 am,
ReplyDeleteOK, my point was that Tim Holtz does the same thing ALL the time, call it steampunk-style, partial steampunk style, vintage, whatever. It is always the same.
And, for most people, what he does is steampunk.
When I was 9, I made a banner for my father's promotion which said "Congradulation".
ReplyDeletePTI, feel free to use my sentiment. ;-)
^^LOL^^^
ReplyDelete10:11 - I don't know how to write out that annoying buzzer sound you give someone when they are wrong.
ReplyDeleteI will agree that his style is very consistent - yes, his stuff all looks alike. That can be an advantage to be recognizable.
But if "most people" think what he does is Steampunk, then "most people" don't know what it is. And if that's the case, then Mr. Holtz really needs to do some PR because the Steampunk demographic is too small to support his line.
.... but wait... maybe that's why he's at least somewhat successful! Because he's NOT "all" Steampunk! lol :p
Moving on...steampunk or not steampunk blah blah blah...
ReplyDeleteI've been shopping like crazy so I found that Joanns is now carrying some Hero arts ink ( I think this a new thing) And they have them on sale right now for $3.59 or something like that.
They are also now carrying a bunch of studio calico stuff. Pretty awesome deals if you ask me. I have a free shipping code after $50 if anyone wants it let me know. I'm just an enabler that's all...lol
Happy to change the topic myself!
ReplyDeleteJust Joann's online, right?
I tried some little Hero Arts cubes - didn't love 'em.
I saw that Archiver's says they added a lot to their Annex store too.
This is the time of year that we should start seeing a lot of new stuff, right?
Ok, who else thinks that Lisa Johnson's new Vintage Frames die for My Favorite Things looks almost exactly like PTI's Mat Stack 2?
ReplyDeleteI went to look at it and it is similar.
ReplyDeleteBut thanks for mentioning it because I saw some new stamps there that I really like! I also think that's a really nice stamp set to go with that shape. Although the middle two sentiments are in the line of PTI's sickly sweetness.
I am thrilled with the new reward program at Waltzingmouse!!
ReplyDeleteThey have a new reward's program? I am off to check it out.
ReplyDelete1:03 yes only online.
ReplyDeleteI don't have many stamp sets from waltzingmouse, but the ones I do have I really love. I did hear about their rewards program a little whole ago, it was on their blog or something like that. That's cool.
As Far as that MFT shape, that's the first thing that came to my mind as soon as I saw it...PTI!!!! Lol
On a different subject...Has anyone tried the 110lb paper from recollections they sell at Michaels?
There are some reviews about that cardstock on an SCS thread with discussions about different kinds. I think it was in general stamping and someone who used to use pti was asking about it. I think the reviews were positive - just glanced thru it.
ReplyDeleteHas anyone purchased from Jaded Blossom? What was your experience?
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone use Gina K. dye inks? The colors look interesting, and I am looking for some new dye ink pads. Any input is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI have used Gina K. inks and have been very pleased.
ReplyDeleteGuess no one thinks too much about stitching.
ReplyDeletelol
Did anyone even bother to look at today's "sneak peeks?"
Thanks to whoever brought up MFT -- I've been checking them out here and there and all of a sudden it looks like some pretty cool stuff. I think I'm going shopping!
Also it sounds like WMS is offering up some new stuff in a few days, too.
Did someone here suggest that PTI's customer service had improved??
ReplyDeleteThink again.
Check out a thread in GS on SCS.
Sometimes I think PTI should just give up. They should not be in this kind of business.
PTI seems to have a learning disability. Several years now of stories like this, and apparently nothing has really changed.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/general-stamping-talk-f17/sharing-experience%3B-crafters-must-aware-t580561.html
Let's place our bets! How many more posts on that thread before the Unicorns come and poke their big fat horns in to defend PTI?!
ReplyDeleteLet's see.... what excuses will they give this time?
"Well I (bold) have never had any trouble with them at all!"
"I'll take my chances - you just can't get such high quality products anywhere else!"
"I don't care - I love their designs."
"You know, they just grew too fast."
"It's growing pains - people should be patient with them."
"I've had the nicest emails from Julie. It's just terrible for you to speak ill of her in a public forum."
Gag me.
Sorry, but SCS is dead or dying. Stampers are now starting to get their ideas and inspiration directly from blogs.
ReplyDeleteWow. Did you go to Rachel's blog (linked in one of her posts) and read the email from Julie?
ReplyDeleteThe most telling part of the whole thing is where Julie says she doesn't care if Rachel wants to tell the whole world how terrible their customer service is. That's it in a nutshell. They couldn't care less how bad the PR is from crap like this. . . it's her rule and she'll be damned if someone is going to tell her they didn't use the product before sending it back.
I honestly cannot believe that this person, Rachel, would make up that she didn't use the plate. I mean, maybe she replaced her old one with it and tried to send the old one back -- but c'mon.... who in their right mind would do that and then make a big public stink about it?!
Nope.
And really, Julie, you'd rather save $16 than get this kind of negative attention?
You should quit, Julie. This isn't your bag.
Wow, so I purchased the wink of stella pens on Wednesday nov 5 from www.paperinkarts.com, and I received them today....holy cow now that IS customer service! I will be buying from them again!
ReplyDeleteThat's great! Question on Wink of Stella because I can't figure out from the links I found online. There is a brush tip pen. But is there also another pen with a different kind of tip? Sometimes I just see "pen" and sometimes I see "brush" pen. I think the brush pen is more interesting to me but I'm curious if there's a different option, or if when I see "pen" I'm still getting a brush pen.
ReplyDeleteAnd WOOHOO Waltzingmouse!!! She's just flying by the prerelease stuff and putting new items in the store. Loving Alpine Christmas!!!
Link:
ReplyDeletehttp://rachelpcrafts.blogspot.ca/2013/11/papertrey-ink-company-with-wonderful.html
I wonder if the plate was damaged in the mail when she returned it to PTI.
ReplyDeleteWell duh. The store you mention clearly shows a regular tip marker and a brush tip.
ReplyDeleteOops!
The other stores I had looked at did not show the difference very clearly. Thanks for the positive review of the CS at the paper ink arts store.
8:21, could have been. She should have given the customer the benefit of the doubt.
ReplyDeleteOf course, according to Julie - she has expert knowledge of how to tell if a plate has been run through a diecutting machine, so even if it was somehow damaged in transit, that wouldn't explain those "diecut machine marks" or whatever the heck she called it. Ridiculous.
What if it did get damaged in transport? In any case, you do not call a loyal customer like that a liar. Julie doesn't care if she shouts it to the world? I suggest we link it everywhere possible so as many people as possible can see how PTI is only concerned about profit (stupidly so, since loyal customers ARE profit when they are kept happy). Julie again shows her true colors. The company is money grubbing and nothing more.
ReplyDeleteIn the past I would have tried to put a positive spin on this, but I can't. I am tired of the disrespect from those women. They need to respect the people that made them who they are. I have been thinking of giving up card making or should I say supply buying up for a while. This story has helped me decide its time for a break.
ReplyDeletei own a small stamp company. the reality is that some customers lie and try and cheat companies. they order products, use them, and then try and return them. it happens. I"m not saying Rachel is lying. I'm saying that some customers lie. However, most don't. And I just factor in the liars as the cost of doing business. I think that in the long run it is better to err on the side that my customers are honest. I'd rather treat a liar like an honest person that mistakenly treat an honest customer like a liar.
ReplyDeleteWhat PTI cannot fathom and never will is that it is better to treat these liars as honest people as the cost of doing business.
It is clear from Julie's response that there had been a lot of back and forth between the two and she wanted to bring it to an end. It also sounded like Rachel had stated that she would go public with her complaint. In Julie's mind Rachel is lying and she isn't going to be blackmailed.
It is really hard owning a company. There are really difficult people out there who buy a lot of product but will drive you crazy. If I told some stories here folks might recognize themselves and I'd be outed. So I wont'. But I just wanted to put it out there that there are two sides to running a company.
If Rachel is reading this, please remember that I am NOT saying that you are lying. In fact, I don't think you are....please come and buy my stuff. :)
Rachel is in fact lying. She received the new plate, tried to sell her old one on the forum, and when she couldn't, she sent the used, damaged plate back to PTI for a refund. She feels she can get away with being dishonest because she is a "loyal customer". What kind of bullshit is that? I don't blame Julie for standing her ground and holding Rachel accountable. And it is NOT better to treat liars like honest people. Even if it means they will lose her as a customer. I especially like that Julie stood on principle even after she was threatened. I would not want to spend my hard-earned money at a company that changed their policy any time they were threatened by so-called "loyal" customers.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 5:49am:
ReplyDeleteHow do you know she sent back her old plate?
That email was wrong. Regardless of how the conversation started or what was said by the customer...YOU as an owner should not go there...she should Have just said "I'm sorry you don't agree with our policies or that we were unable to find a solution to your problem, thanks you for shoping at papertrey ink, have a nice day" why does she have to always be condescending and out right rude. I cringe my teeth every time I see a story like that. Why is is so hard to be a professional business woman???!!
ReplyDeleteI was so happy to find the. Recollections 110 lb cardstock at michaels, I love it! And that means I won't be shopping at PTI again! I will not support a company that treats their customers like dirt.
Oh and I get that customers lie, people lie! BUT seriously...there is no need to act like a BIOTCH! You run a business for PETE's SAKE!!!! I had 1 problem with them, and it left a bad taste in my mouth, it was a bad one and ever since then I have been on the hunt to replace my favorite products from them with other companies.
ReplyDelete5:49, I'm guessing you are sure of this "fact" because you saw this woman trying to sell an impression plate on a forum (PTI, I am guessing). I suppose you also must "know" that it was the used one, to bring this up. So it seems you saw her selling an impression plate online, it must have been for a certain period of time and then she removed the sale, and then she sent a used plate back to PTI. Wow. You must be following this timeline pretty studiously to put this "mystery" together.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I have to agree with the two posters after you who just feel that no matter what that was a really stupid email for Julie to send. She doesn't understand anything about dealing with customers.
I've been putting things in and out of my cart for months now - I was pretty much over the bad CS stories, feeling that all has been quiet and they are probably doing better by now. It's been several months because every time I decide I want something, after a couple of weeks it just doesn't seem as interesting to me anymore. I haven't found any must-haves that I'd be excited about ordering.
But I'm not going to bother anymore. I won't be purchasing from PTI - even if I LOVE something, I know there will be things I LOVE from other GREAT companies. PTI is not one of them. Never will be now.
Years ago I spent hundreds every year - I sometimes "earned" three anniversary sets. Those big spending days at PTI are long gone.
OK, girls... I do NOT want to spend $20 for this die. Anyone know of a good alternative from Silhouette? http://reverseconfetti.com/shop/sweet-treat-tent/
ReplyDeleteWhy are the Clear and Simple Stamps so expensive?
ReplyDeleteSome of the ones flogged by Amber Kemp-Gerstel/Damask Love are $80-$120 !!!!
10:06, I still have credits to use for the anniv. set this year and I can't get the ambition up to put together an order. I just can't get excited about it anymore. PTI just isn't a company I want to do business with anymore even if I have "free" stuff waiting for me.
ReplyDeleteSeriously? A "card creation station"??? Who does this shit???
ReplyDeletehttp://www.damasklove.com/style-watch-easy-card-creation-station/
This woman is clearly even more besotted with herself than ACN!
Rachel has spent thousands with PTI and has never returned a product before. Why would anyone think she is pulling a scam now? I would trust a customer the first few times they returned unless they started returning every darn time. Geez, if I bother to package, mail, and follow a die back to the company it is not because I am so poor that I need those few dollars to live on. Think about it people. A customer who buys thousands of dollars worth over the years and then she is called a liar for ONE return! You can darn well bet that if Rachel had a return history, Julie would have mentioned that at least 3 times per email.
ReplyDelete10:20 is that just supposed to go over/around a treat and not actually contain it?
ReplyDeleteI'd rather do something like this: http://www.silhouetteonlinestore.com/?page=view-shape&id=47537
Either that or just cut the cardstock to length, round the corners, score the base, and use an oval to cut the handle area. I can't imagine paying $20 for that either!
Today's peek is further evidence that PTI is simply all out of creativity and ideas and struggling to even do a release.
ReplyDelete5:49 sure has the same writing style as Julie. Everything is spelled correctly so it can't be Nichole.
ReplyDelete10:54, that's just weird.
ReplyDeleteThis is what bored people do instead of being creative and for people who have to be surrounded by cutesy stuff.
And what's the point? Doesn't she already have a place to store cardstock and envelopes? Who wants to display envelopes anyway? Weird.
10:45, that stinks. I'd make sure to use those credits and then bail. There are a few things I do like, and I'd sure get them if I had basically already paid for them. But maybe you're like me and don't want to order without free shipping. I don't know if I could ever get an order up to $70 again, so I'd just take the credit stuff, pay shipping, and then dump them.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, 11:14, I didn't even notice that! LOL
ReplyDeleteThe first 11:14!
ReplyDeleteI don't find the station odd. I have a huge stamping room. Nothing but stamping. But, on my desk I have a file with precut cardstock, pre-scored cardstock, envelopes to decorate, etc. much like she has. Right there ready to go, even though my main supplies are stored in drawers, I like some immediately available on the desk.
ReplyDeleteI only just now looked at the peeks for today. How incredibly lame.
ReplyDeleteWho sends cards for Cinco de Mayo, Boss's Day, etc.? And you really need to have one specific stamp for that one occasion? And you're going to use that same stamp year after year after year? When you probably already have a gazillion of the usual greetings and could always use With Appreciation, or something more generic?
And another thing while I'm on the topic -- do you really need a stamp to say EVERYTHING you want to say on a card? I think of Dawn's front-of-card sentiments that are overblown and wordy. Do you not want to leave something to actually WRITE (you know, with a pen) on the inside and make it truly personal?
Think about it, people.
11:24, maybe if I had a h u g e crafting space, I would understand the "station" concept.
ReplyDelete$80 for that mini magazine file box used in that 'card station' post. Yikes!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.clearandsimplestamps.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1272&idcategory=0
http://www.damasklove.com/style-watch-easy-card-creation-station/
I'm sorry. Who pays that??? (Amber is on the DT for Clear & Simple Stamps.)
^^^ Just another reason to own a Cameo!
ReplyDelete