PTI stands for Papertrey Ink. This is a collective smack blog and Papertrey Ink review page. Papertrey Ink's continuously poor customer service has lead to a page dedicated to discussion of this stamp company and recommendations for alternative stamp companies. Minimal censorship here- I prefer to leave it up to posters' discretion.
The opinions posted on this blog belong to our visitors and we are not paid for our honest reviews ;)
This is a smack blog... Seriously, if you are going to get butthurt and have your fragile-as-glass egos broken by anonymous comments and then taking the time to write a whole blog post about it, please don't even visit here in the first place :|
Looks like Joan just defriended Cheryl too. In fact, her list of friends appears that she has defriended anyone who was ever connected to PTI in any way. I bet she deletes her blog next.
I for one and excited Gina K is coming out with clear stamps. I finally broke down and ordered some of her stamps with the strawberry release and definitely prefer clear!
Now if she only would come out with better cardstock colors.
Good gosh people - get a grip! I have been a little behind on my smack blog reading but came over after seeing Nichole and PTI once again fail to deliver on a promise but I can't believe people a re that concerned on what is posted on a two bit smack blog to write legitimate blog posts. Good grief.
But on to Nichole's announcement that the SAF plans are going to be delayed by a 8 days. I don't begrudge anyone a vacation but come on - even little ole me from hundreds of miles away could tell that a may 31 post date wouldn't work out while gallivanting around with your bestie. I will never understand why PTI will not stick with what they promise. This would have been no big deal if she had said June 8 from the get go. Why why why do they constantly make promises that they can't deliver.
I read enough to know that I don't need to read anymore. Thanks 8:13. :)
Also, Ted doesn't bother me either. He's only ever been nice to me.
And, I am excited that Gina K is releasing clear stamps. That will definitely make me order in the future. She's so classy, I don't know her, but I just like her for some reason.
I use clear, rubber and the red rubber that is sticky backed to use on a clear block. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but my clear stamps are such a hassle to use.
Do you guys have a ton of blocks or something? I always have to clean the stamp and put it back in order to use another stamp and I thought I had a decent supply of blocks. I have 1 in most sizes but my 3x3 gets the most use. I think I'll buy a few more of those.
Where's the best place to get good blocks? I realize the best won't be the cheapest, so give me both if you don't mind.
Yes,I do have a ton of clear blocks. I don't think it's necessary to spend a ton of money on them, though. I have cheap ones and expensive ones, ranging in size from itty bitty to 6x6. My favorites are the ones with lines or grids on them. I keep them in a wooden box on my stamping table. I just counted, and there are 32 blocks in the box. And another box across the room of blocks that don't fit in this one. No, I don't buy blocks anymore.
Someone GUESSED that because Gina alluded to a big change at her place around the time that Lisa left PTI that there was a connection.
Apparently that person figured that in the wide world of stamping businesses and people, that two items they happened to be familiar with were connected.
I have 35 blocks in a drawer. I paid less than a dollar for most of the smaller ones at Michaels from that basket by the checkout with the 2/$1 sign that is there all the time.
@9:49 I agree. It's amazing how people here assume so much, get rumors started and point fingers at others for doing exactly what they are doing. Guess they don't have anything better to do...busybodies.
In response to the question about clear blocks, I love the ones that I have from SU. They have an indentation on the sides similar to their wood blocks, and they are nice and thick. I can't stand to use thin ones... just my two cents.
I have 4 clear blocks and the compact Fiskars press. Three of my blocks are the Inkadinkado ones that you see everywhere and I have a long one from Hobby Lobby.
I saw some from Apple Pie at Archivers that I regret not picking up. I need some without the grid.
I use the Tim Holtz ones all the time. I like them. They are easy for me to hold on to. I've almost dropped some of the thicker ones on occasion. It seems like there is less distortion when trying to place the image. And they have grid lines.
got a set of the apple pie blocks from Scrapbookalley.com (the scrapbook part of Ritz camera) set of four "round" with the little indents for your fingers. I find them the easiest to use and really like them.
I like the grooved blocks exclusively. Being a dummy I ordered a set of blocks on Ebay, and they were about 3/4 in thick. I could barely get my hands around them! Now I shop carefully having learned not all blocks are created equal.
I LOVE the Fiskars compact stamp press! I have a gridded Martha Stewart block I like, and a really long one from who knows where. Mostly though I have a whole bunch of random empty clear plastic lidded boxes that some brands of punches (used to) come in that I have been using since before clear stamps were invented, when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was still a SU demo and they told me I wasn't allowed to demonstrate my stamps unmounted. I was YEARS ahead of my time on that one, ha!
I think Martha has a version of the Fiskars stamp press. I don't have a preference for blocks - I have cheap $1 ones, Inkadinkado, Fiskar stamp press - they all seem to work the same.
10:31-- "you are a racket"... give to your noisy neighbors, your teenage child who listens to their music too loud, the dog across the street, um, how else WOULD you use that sentiment???
I love my 4x6 Inkadinkado block. $6 with a coupon at M's. I only use that one and one other block that's about 2.5x2.5. I've never found that I've needed a different size.
I have a few different sized blocks and a couple of long blocks - need them for the lovely long borders from WMS - I put a couple of score lines on them just for easy of lining up borders. (Placed the block over some grid paper and just traced the lines with a pointed scoring tool. Worked really well).
I have the Tim Holtz thin blocks and like them. Less distortion, I think, and easier to line up.
However, sometimes my hands just seem to like the thicker blocks. I have about 12 of those in varying sizes. I always seem to grab for the ones with grid lines on them.
Admittedly I have sausage fingers (thanks dad!) so the thin blocks just don't do it for me unless I want ink all over my finger tips while I'm pressing the stamp to a large ink pad.
Speaking of. I had an issue with wrong product in my order and it was resolved in less than the 10 business days I was willing to give them. Everything from replacements sent to shipping refund given for my cost to return the incorrect items. I would rate it a "good" experience. "Perfect" would have been ideal but since we're talking about PTI and everyone knows their issues, "good" is better than where it has been for others. I think it was apparent in their communication with me that they have learned some things from the Karen fiasco. I think they've been "listening" to some things written here and other places about how communication could be improved. I wonder if "perfect" customer service is difficult/impossible for them because their pickers frequently make mistakes like this and they'd lose the farm. And I wonder if the frequency of the mistakes makes them think they'd lose the farm if they provided "great" customer service. For the record, "perfect" cs in my mind is "You keep the incorrect items and we'll put the correct items in the mail today" (and actually put the correct items in the mail that day - not just SAY you did and really do it 18 months later). "Great" CS would have been: "We will mail the correct items today and include a return UPS label for you to send us the incorrect items." Or maybe they have the ability to print a return USPS label with tracking, I don't know. Regardless, "great" cs won't make me front the money for return shipping even if it is only a couple of bucks.
So, I give them a Good. I'd also like to point out that what they sent me was in a padded envelope. I do wish for their sake that they would consider this for orders and implement that customer requested change soon.
Oh c'mon ... just joking around with you guys. Man, a wink and everything and you get all knotted up.
Just teasing. It IS a boring topic to me so I said so. Very SCS. Ask a general question and get every conceivable preference. Sometimes people just need to figure this kind of thing out for themselves.
Pretty much wish SCS had a forum called "Beginner Basics" or something.
And my opinion is just as valid as anyone else's. Telling me to lay off is no different! I'll ignore acrylic block talk and you can ignore the exasperated comments about it.
I ordered for the first time in 6 months on the May 15 release. Got my order in 3 days, no fake shipping notice either. I am having so much fun with the flip flop set. Way cuter than any other flip flop set I have seen and so many options with it. Also ordered the little phone and that is fun too. Those new $12 cardstock packs are well worth it and am loving those too. If I like what they release in June, I will give it a try again. Things do seem better to me. Now, if they just fix the store and keep their attitudes decent, I will probably be back to buying regularly.
I've noticed on her past 2 posts that Nina Brackett has used Rosie Posie stamps but has not mentioned PTI in the credits. I wonder if it's because she doesn't want to promote them because she doesn't agree with their customer service practices or that she just shouldn't be promoting another company besides the one she is designing for?
8:10, are you SURE those are PTIs Rosie Posie stamps Nina is using or something similar? I ask because that is kind of a popular flower image. I guarantee she is not linking or mentioning any other company besides her own designs for promotional reasons.
6:57, i suffered through the entire joan b drama without saying a peep (until now) about how I thought the convo should move on well before it had.
I don't see how others can't just ignore/endure what they don't like...KNOWING the convo will fizzle on its own in time...but instead get all bitchy and tell others to take their comments somewhere else.
What exactly is your problem with us discussing other things from time to time?
I was happy to hear how many blocks others had and which brands they use. I hadn't ever heard of the ones Trell mentioned but now I have a new resource. Thanks everyone who took the time to share.
I get that you were joking but really.
6:26, really? We can only discuss PTI CS? I'm glad you had an improvement in service from them but saying that's all we get to talk about here is kinda bull shit. If that were the case then 75% of these comments do not belong here.
I'd like to know why the head of the three stooges or one of her minions won't answer this:
After reading Nichole's blog this morning (Maybe you can address this Nichole?) about the delay in SAF event details, I am wondering if the tote collections that us/we early-birds ordered are still on schedule to ship starting tomorrow or if they are also going to be delayed?
11:09, I just got the super thin Tim Holtz blocks, and they are as thin as a ruler. I hate them, I am probably going to throw them away. Useless to me.
9:52. What a joke! I'm glad I didn't order that crappy tote. Oh I can just hear all the steeple say " that's ok Nichole we can wait". That company is just a big fat joke!
I have now ordered about half a dozen times from MFT and I get my packages in less than a week (they are in FL). They usually leave the warehouse in less than 2 business days. Never had any issues whatsoever!
"We had previously announced that complete scheduling information for Stamp-a-faire would be announced tomorrow, May 31st. We are still gathering a bit of information and details before we will be ready to post the final schedule. We are adjusting the posting date for this information to next Friday, June 8th. In conjunction with this, there will also be a delay in the sale of extra Stamp-a-faire Tote Collections that are leftover after shipping to pre-order customers. We are hoping to have these fully prepared and available in the store on June 8th as well. We will keep you posted with further details as they become available."
"bold" is mine.
Now this from L. Jones on the forum:
"A couple of the kit items are running behind by a few days. They should be back on schedule in no more than a week. Hope that helps!"
No. It doesn't help. No one can tell what the two of you are talking about, Lizzie.
It still seems like the people at PTI don't know what they're doing. Or at least don't know how to convey it to anyone.
The few times I've had problems with MFT, things have been resolved within a day of my contacting them. And with no attitude on MFT's part. My orders seem to ship very quickly. As 11:50 said, the orders don't sit around the warehouse forever & a day.
Thanks for your answers. My order definitely left the warehouse super quick but my order is coming to Canada so is probably held up at Canadian customs or something. Thanks again.
16:32-I don't really see why you think that is so conceited. I have seen many of the things on her blog pinned. She is just being straight forward and attempting to direct people to the original source of the collage photos. I think that is responsible of anyone using other people's work. It is very frustrating seeing a photo on pinterest and finding the link does not go to the original source. It is also very possible some of the owners of the original pictures saw that they were not linking to their blogs and called her on it, which would be a reason for the statement on her blog.
09:07 said "6:26, really? We can only discuss PTI CS? I'm glad you had an improvement in service from them but saying that's all we get to talk about here is kinda bull shit. If that were the case then 75% of these comments do not belong here. "
Sorry you missed the sarcasm font. I wasn't clear and should have been. I was yanking everyone's chain.
I hate when people post a comment without actually reading carefully! Michelle W. is not being conceited, she's trying to tell all you lazy ass Pinterest posters not to pin from her blog, but to go to each individual picture's blog, because they are NOT her pictures and credit needs to be given where credit is due! If you're going to have an opinion, make sure you know what you're talking about, FFS!
From the SAF thread: "Certain items to be included in the kits were delayed, so the kits will be delayed until all items are ready. I understand that it will be about a week and then shipping should begin."
Why pre-sell the kits so far in advance and hype it all up if they didn't even have the totes together? I'm wondering if they just didn't want to pay for too much extra so didn't order all the tote supplies until all the customer orders were in.
Isn't it kind of the point of a kit pre-sale to take orders to see how many kits will sell before you purchase everything for it? Sucks to order waaaaay too many supplies and then have the kits not sell. Pre-sales are the best way to gague interest while also actually converting the interest into a sale, and not losing the customer in the period between the kit's announcement and its availability date.
Of course it also sucks when the inevitable delay in the arrival of your kit's contents delays its shipment but that's a risk you take when ordering from multiple vendors on a time limit. They should have expected delays and ordered sooner. But really... this delay of PTI's does not surprise me at all, and that is not simply because it's par for the course with them lately.
I found it interesting how this preorder information was "worded:"
"Don't forget, the pre-order option for the Stamp-a-faire Tote Collection and the Add-on Kit will only be open from 9am EST May 1st through 11pm EST May 4th. This pre-order period will be your ONLY opportunity to guarantee yourself these kits. A limited supply of will also be made available for immediate sale on May 31st and will only be available while supplies last. "
The most interesting part is: '...a limited supply of will also be..."
She left out at least one word. A limited supply of what??? I suspected that some of the items needed to be ordered in a certain quantity - different than other items. So maybe the 'leftovers' won't even be a complete kit, kwim?
It makes me wonder what kind of suppliers they use to have delays like that. Ha - karma, right? They deal with other companies with less than stellar customer service?! (yes, speculating - I do not know any facts *eye roll in anticipation of getting smacked*)
Pre-order tote sales ended on May 4th giving their suppliers a full three weeks to get their ish together. What's the hold up? I wish they'd be specific but my guess it's something crappy like the PTI pencils or badges that aren't ready yet. I also think that those will be sold on SAF or given as a freebie. Most companies make you order huge quantities of small, cheap personalized items in order to make I worth their while.
Just when I thought things were getting better ... what's with SO many dies being restocked at the same time? Holy crap. They were OOS of a huge list of popular dies and IPs all at once. They really need to start ordering things that take 2-3 weeks in anticipation of selling out especially of popular items.
I've never bought from Simon Says, only because I've heard a lot of stories about people being burned. I know lots of folks are perfectly happy with them, but I'm not willing to take the chance.
Canadian shipping is not that expensive and pretty fast. They use padded envelopes which helps cut costs, avoid customs, and arrives faster than boxes.
Now Sweet Stamp Shop is another story. Ordered from both companies on the same day. By the time SSS shipped my package, my WP9 envelope was well on its way.
So, I'm sure I'm going to buy the berry set from WPlus9 and then maybe get the sentiments from PTI. I like that I can get a set and the dies for under $40. I have to admit that I still want Strawberry Patch though.
9:28, that's good to know. That's also a pretty specific amount of items at one time. Sounds like you (or someone you know) did some thorough testing on those bad boys! =)
I tried to cut a circle out of satin fabric with a spellbinders die and it just wouldn't do it. Is there something about satin that makes it especially non diecuttable?
Yes, they are open. They are much lighter and thinner, but stronger because they are a lightweight steel. They put about 3 times more dies in a set than Spellbinders.
Erin ADORES putting things away!! She ADORES it. That thread is making me choke with laughter. My favorite thing about getting a box in the mail is smelling the diesel fumes from the UPS truck on the cardboard!
They do seem expensive (and I have never bought them myself) but what I have noticed is that compared to spellbinders, they include many more dies in one set.
Example: 15 dies in this set by LS for $24.99 = $1.66 per die
http://lifestylecrafts.com/nesting-scallops.html
Versus 6 dies in this set by SB for $24.99 = $4.16 per die
The Lifestyle ones give such a clean and crisp cut and they have sizes so close together that you get a narrow mat. I love the look of what you can do with them.
Do you have any of the LS doily shapes? Do they cut easily?
I'm in love with them but I'm afraid all the detail will be difficult to cut, like PTI's moroccan frame die and many of my spellbinders lacey/doily motif dies.
As it is, I have to shim the crap out of any of my intricate SB dies and still there isn't a clean cut...and this is just using regular 80lb cardstock. And then, if it does finally cut, the paper is so melded into the die that most of the cut shapes rip when trying to remove them from the die.
So why do the customers STILL have to beg for communication from PTI? The pre-order totes are delayed and yet the customers have to drag the info out of them kicking and screaming! WTF is wrong with these morons?
I'm not the Lifestyle Crafts Die Gal mentioned above but I do own the doily dies. They have an eject foam on the cutting side so paper doesnt get stuck after you run it thru your machine. My cuttlebug plates are old and warped so I usually place a piece of post-it note to act as a shim before I cut the doilies. Perfect cut. Easy to poke the intricate designs out.
Gina K will be having 2 new illustrators join the stamp team over the next few months. I would actually love to see Mish do some collaborative sets with Gina K although Nichole is probably the reason that I bought Mish's sets to begin with. I love that Gina K is now offering clear.
I would be so excited for some designers we know (like Lisa!) to join Gina K's team. I so want to order from her but the stamps just aren't my style. I can't wait to see what her new illustrators come up with!
I'm just kidding. I know you said you would love it IF someone you knew (like Lisa) would join GinaK.
But I know some illiterate dolt is going to come along and take your comment to mean she IS joining Gina and just thought I'd go ahead and get that out of the way sooner rather than later.
Trell is still posting with his own name. I am also, though I haven't much to say lately. Everyone has to make his or her own choice whether to post openly here or not. I support either choice. I think it's mainly just a busy time of year for a lot of people.
3 out of 135 posts isn't much and it does not seem it is for lack of posting due to buys people since there have been 150-250 posts on each thread which fill up really fast these days. Those 3 are braver than I am. She is vindictive and manipulative and scary. I have watched a few things happen at her hands that are frightening. She works behind the scenes to keep control of people and situations. I won't risk it.
Gina's timing with coming out with clear while PTI is in crisis is genius.
1 June 2012 11:05"
I don't know if you could describe it as genius .... Since it's certainly coincidental, I'd say "fortuitous" or "serendipitous" would be more appropriate.
Whatever it is, I'm looking forward to seeing new designs from Gina K in clear and hope I like 'em! I hope the handful that I like from the past get switched over, too.
Give me a fucking break! Nutjob is not all powerful unless YOU give her that power. She's a fucking fruit loop disguised as "a good mormon" well really a "good moron"!
Gina not only talked about new illustrators, but also mentioned new products:
"We have more exciting developments coming in the next few months including two new illustrators that will be joining our company and some new products that you have been asking us to develop for a while now. "
I wonder what they will be? Please be more cardstock colors!!!
I still store my PTI stamps in the cd cases and it hasn't been an issue because I am not currently buying. However, I just purchased (used) one of the new strip background stamps and it is larger than the cd case. How annoying.
I really love to see stamps that I like as much as PTI. I also like the idea of reasonable shipping to Canada because it means that I don't have to place a $200 order to get shipping discounts.
Why can't companies get leaves right? The W+9 berry leaves aren't right for strawberries (shouldn't be pointed). PTI's Strawberry Patch leaves were right, but the hydrangea leaves were way too small, and don't even get me started on the ridiculously small leaves in Fruitful. Flourishes leaves are usually right, but I don't like that style as much as the PTI style.
1256 your post is quite laughable. Its amazing how y'all "know" things. Y'all should write for a soap opera. Y'all are nutjobs in my opinion. Must be wonderful to have a crystal ball and predict. Are y'all lottery winners too? thanks for the die info though..very helpful.
09:15 - Trell, the PTI embossing mats are very small and seem to slip and slide when using. Could depend on your machine tho. I have the Cuttlebug and find the spellbinders mats work better with PTI impression plates.
W+9 does have some beautiful stuff, and I may have to invest in that berry set too. Doesn't anyone else think it's creepy how much everything looks like PTI though? Look at that 'Ombre' Copic background on their blog from a few days ago, ummm...PTI just did that a few months ago. Copy much? Almost all their stamps are 'remakes' of PTI's. While this owner is talented, she is not innovative or a trendsetter. She copies and changes things just enough to not get into trouble. I can't believe I'm the only one who is bothered by this. A few years ago there was the biggest BREWHAHA over the nugget tins another clear stamp co. did that was almost identical to Nicole's, but nothing about w+9?
No one is very innovative anymore, including your beloved NH. Everybody is doing the same images in their own style. And who knows how long a set was in development and timed to be introduced in a particular season. It happens.
Personally,I'd rather support someone who values my business and provides excellent customer service. I'm buying from WPlus9.
I don't pay enough attention to Wplus9 to notice any copying. I tracked down the berry set because of the discussion here and decided that I like it. I also don't watch the MIM videos or follow any of the challenges on NH's blog so any card similarities would just go over my head.
I for one agree with you 2:48! I have felt W+9 was a carbon copy...and just like copies, not as good as the original (in design, not referring to customer service).
A few years ago there was a company, but I'm pretty sure based in Canada, that appeared to be copying PTI - it was pretty obvious and there was a big discussion on SCS about it. I always wondered if it caught on with the Canadian customers because the shipping there is such a problem.
I just looked through the Wplus9 stamps and I don't see anything there that looks original - if I took the time, I could match up most of them to stamps from a variety of other companies. Mostly PTI though.
Now - that said, there are similarities between lots of companies. But for me, the difference at WP9 is that they don't seem to have ANY that look like true originals.
Since their customer service is reportedly good, it'd be like shopping from a bunch of companies in one place -- a little PTI-ish, a little WMS-ish, a little Ginak-ish, a little vintage (frankly everyone's look the same in that category) ... and others. But I would not be following their releases to look for something with a special style all their own - it's a hodgepodge of everyone else.
I have a Big Shot and I love the shim. It really makes a difference with most of the intricate dies. There are a few PTI dies that are useless no matter what I do, like the flower die with the 5 pieces (no way am Iooking through 60 pages on their site to find the name) and the tiny mulitiple petals.
I have been thinking for a long time that Becky Oehlers will join the Gina team. They are good friends and Becky keeps hinting that she has really big news soon. I would love to see Becky join Gina. Didn't care for her whimsical houses set, but loved some of the other sets.
I have been thinking for a long time that Becky Oehlers will join the Gina team. They are good friends and Becky keeps hinting that she has really big news soon. I would love to see Becky join Gina. Didn't care for her whimsical houses set, but loved some of the other sets.
2 June 2012 08:49 ------------------- Where do you see Becky's hints at big news coming soon? I just went through 1 month on her blog and didn't see any hint of anything.
New topic to smack - comments on Nichole's blog. So, we can comment on the blog hop post but ... NOT on the one where she's admits that the SAF tote-o-crap is delayed. Why? Cause the sheeple who ordered a month ago MIGHT be upset that PTI is lettin them down again. Guess I wouldn't want to hear the whines of "How will I ever get my badges sewn on my vest in time for the big event" either.
She needs to either get a thicker skin and deal with the honest feedback from customers and supporters who want PTI to straighten up and fly right OR disable all comments. I can't stand the "I only want praise and adoration" type bloggers.
Thought I would do a catch-up on the PTI forum. Bit boring isn't it. But, there are quite a few comments about how the new inks don't match cardstoc colors, how the colors change, and some people are actually saying they don't like some of the colors. Interesting.
Loved the "my grey looks brownish, but I like it" sunshine posts. Seriously? That's okay with people? Mismatched ink & paper from the same company? Whatever.
I was surprised to read someone thought Becky would be a fit on Gina's dt. I don't see Becky's style at all compatible with Gina K. Maybe they are friends and Becky's excited about Gina's news.... and maybe Becky has news that's unrelated to stamping at all.
Or maybe she will be w/ Gk! Who knows.... I just wouldn't have put those two together. Of course, sometimes that's what you want - shake things up a bit.
You will find the most updated news being uploaded or published in blogs and celeb news sites. But unlike their blank counterparts, custom lanyards also can proclaim a marketing or motivational message to customers and employees. This is why the said Albanian gossip thashetheme celebrity news blog page is written in Albanian '.
198 comments:
first!!
Amaze balls. First!
Looks like Joan just defriended Cheryl too. In fact, her list of friends appears that she has defriended anyone who was ever connected to PTI in any way. I bet she deletes her blog next.
i'm second i'm second i can't believe im second!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
Second.
Some of you need some counting lessons lol!
6:58 - All I have for Joan and Cheryl is Boo Hoo!
I see Joan deleted her poor pitiful I'm so delicate blog post from Friday. That woman needs serious help!
I see Joan deleted her poor pitiful I'm so delicate blog post from Friday. That woman needs serious help!
I've been gone for a week and I'm too lazy/tired to go back and read. I take it that something occurred?
Do your own homework, Trell or else be out of the loop. Your choice.
All this Joan stuff aside...
I for one and excited Gina K is coming out with clear stamps. I finally broke down and ordered some of her stamps with the strawberry release and definitely prefer clear!
Now if she only would come out with better cardstock colors.
Good gosh people - get a grip! I have been a little behind on my smack blog reading but came over after seeing Nichole and PTI once again fail to deliver on a promise but I can't believe people a re that concerned on what is posted on a two bit smack blog to write legitimate blog posts. Good grief.
But on to Nichole's announcement that the SAF plans are going to be delayed by a 8 days. I don't begrudge anyone a vacation but come on - even little ole me from hundreds of miles away could tell that a may 31 post date wouldn't work out while gallivanting around with your bestie. I will never understand why PTI will not stick with what they promise. This would have been no big deal if she had said June 8 from the get go. Why why why do they constantly make promises that they can't deliver.
I read enough to know that I don't need to read anymore. Thanks 8:13. :)
Also, Ted doesn't bother me either. He's only ever been nice to me.
And, I am excited that Gina K is releasing clear stamps. That will definitely make me order in the future. She's so classy, I don't know her, but I just like her for some reason.
What's truly amazing is that Gina is offering rubber AND clear. Hope she's trendsetting in that regard!
I use clear, rubber and the red rubber that is sticky backed to use on a clear block. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but my clear stamps are such a hassle to use.
Do you guys have a ton of blocks or something? I always have to clean the stamp and put it back in order to use another stamp and I thought I had a decent supply of blocks. I have 1 in most sizes but my 3x3 gets the most use. I think I'll buy a few more of those.
Where's the best place to get good blocks? I realize the best won't be the cheapest, so give me both if you don't mind.
TIA
So GinaK selling clear stamps is the big exciting news? I thought someone here assumed it would be adding Lisa Johnson to her team.
She added Lisa?
Yes,I do have a ton of clear blocks. I don't think it's necessary to spend a ton of money on them, though. I have cheap ones and expensive ones, ranging in size from itty bitty to 6x6. My favorites are the ones with lines or grids on them. I keep them in a wooden box on my stamping table. I just counted, and there are 32 blocks in the box. And another box across the room of blocks that don't fit in this one. No, I don't buy blocks anymore.
Someone GUESSED that because Gina alluded to a big change at her place around the time that Lisa left PTI that there was a connection.
Apparently that person figured that in the wide world of stamping businesses and people, that two items they happened to be familiar with were connected.
SOme people just like to start rumors.
I have 35 blocks in a drawer. I paid less than a dollar for most of the smaller ones at Michaels from that basket by the checkout with the 2/$1 sign that is there all the time.
@9:49 I agree. It's amazing how people here assume so much, get rumors started and point fingers at others for doing exactly what they are doing. Guess they don't have anything better to do...busybodies.
MFT has a new sentiment with their tennis set that says "You are a racket". What does that mean and do you send it to a con artist?
In response to the question about clear blocks, I love the ones that I have from SU. They have an indentation on the sides similar to their wood blocks, and they are nice and thick. I can't stand to use thin ones... just my two cents.
I like thin ones. I got rid of my thick ones. I think it is an individual choice. I find thick ones too hard to see through.
I have 4 clear blocks and the compact Fiskars press. Three of my blocks are the Inkadinkado ones that you see everywhere and I have a long one from Hobby Lobby.
I saw some from Apple Pie at Archivers that I regret not picking up. I need some without the grid.
Do people use the ones that Tim Holtz came out with - the super thin ones? I haven't seen anyone talk about them or use them.
OMG 9:31, YOU are how rumors get started.
I said someone ASSUMED she was joining Gina's team. Holy crap - re-read the comment above yours. Slowly. So you don't miss the important parts.
Sheesh.
I use the Tim Holtz ones all the time. I like them. They are easy for me to hold on to. I've almost dropped some of the thicker ones on occasion. It seems like there is less distortion when trying to place the image. And they have grid lines.
got a set of the apple pie blocks from Scrapbookalley.com (the scrapbook part of Ritz camera) set of four "round" with the little indents for your fingers. I find them the easiest to use and really like them.
I like the grooved blocks exclusively. Being a dummy I ordered a set of blocks on Ebay, and they were about 3/4 in thick. I could barely get my hands around them! Now I shop carefully having learned not all blocks are created equal.
I like the thicker blocks better. The thin ones are too hard to handle for my hands, rheumatoid arthritis, and all.
I LOVE the Fiskars compact stamp press! I have a gridded Martha Stewart block I like, and a really long one from who knows where. Mostly though I have a whole bunch of random empty clear plastic lidded boxes that some brands of punches (used to) come in that I have been using since before clear stamps were invented, when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was still a SU demo and they told me I wasn't allowed to demonstrate my stamps unmounted. I was YEARS ahead of my time on that one, ha!
anybody cut and paste joans blog post?
I would rather just let joan's deleted blog post be done with but that's just me.
My goodness people just let Joan BE!!!
I think Martha has a version of the Fiskars stamp press. I don't have a preference for blocks - I have cheap $1 ones, Inkadinkado, Fiskar stamp press - they all seem to work the same.
10:31-- "you are a racket"... give to your noisy neighbors, your teenage child who listens to their music too loud, the dog across the street, um, how else WOULD you use that sentiment???
I love my 4x6 Inkadinkado block. $6 with a coupon at M's. I only use that one and one other block that's about 2.5x2.5. I've never found that I've needed a different size.
I have a few different sized blocks and a couple of long blocks - need them for the lovely long borders from WMS - I put a couple of score lines on them just for easy of lining up borders. (Placed the block over some grid paper and just traced the lines with a pointed scoring tool. Worked really well).
^^^genius!
I have the Tim Holtz thin blocks and like them. Less distortion, I think, and easier to line up.
However, sometimes my hands just seem to like the thicker blocks. I have about 12 of those in varying sizes. I always seem to grab for the ones with grid lines on them.
Sneak peak of WPlus9's new set Fresh Picked on their facebook page.
Admittedly I have sausage fingers (thanks dad!) so the thin blocks just don't do it for me unless I want ink all over my finger tips while I'm pressing the stamp to a large ink pad.
I'm laughing but jees guys - is there nothing more boring than talking about acrylic blocks?! LOL!
Maybe you should take that convo over to SCS - it's already boring there ;)
Wow, there are only 15 comments on blocks. So sorry to monopolize the thread and inconvenience YOU.
Do you have any other topic ideas or are you just feeling bitchy today?
This is why you can't please anyone. Talk about a certain blogger, you get slammed, you talk about stamping supplies you get slammed.
Someone just tell me what we should talk about!
05:52, PTI's customer service, I think.
Speaking of. I had an issue with wrong product in my order and it was resolved in less than the 10 business days I was willing to give them. Everything from replacements sent to shipping refund given for my cost to return the incorrect items. I would rate it a "good" experience. "Perfect" would have been ideal but since we're talking about PTI and everyone knows their issues, "good" is better than where it has been for others. I think it was apparent in their communication with me that they have learned some things from the Karen fiasco. I think they've been "listening" to some things written here and other places about how communication could be improved. I wonder if "perfect" customer service is difficult/impossible for them because their pickers frequently make mistakes like this and they'd lose the farm. And I wonder if the frequency of the mistakes makes them think they'd lose the farm if they provided "great" customer service. For the record, "perfect" cs in my mind is "You keep the incorrect items and we'll put the correct items in the mail today" (and actually put the correct items in the mail that day - not just SAY you did and really do it 18 months later). "Great" CS would have been: "We will mail the correct items today and include a return UPS label for you to send us the incorrect items." Or maybe they have the ability to print a return USPS label with tracking, I don't know. Regardless, "great" cs won't make me front the money for return shipping even if it is only a couple of bucks.
So, I give them a Good. I'd also like to point out that what they sent me was in a padded envelope. I do wish for their sake that they would consider this for orders and implement that customer requested change soon.
Oh c'mon ... just joking around with you guys. Man, a wink and everything and you get all knotted up.
Just teasing. It IS a boring topic to me so I said so. Very SCS. Ask a general question and get every conceivable preference. Sometimes people just need to figure this kind of thing out for themselves.
Pretty much wish SCS had a forum called "Beginner Basics" or something.
And my opinion is just as valid as anyone else's. Telling me to lay off is no different! I'll ignore acrylic block talk and you can ignore the exasperated comments about it.
Talk about bitchy.
06:26 - I'm glad you got good service and the envelope is a step in the right direction!
I also like your distinctions between the levels of service. Good explanation.
Hope things are on the upswing.
Of course, already a glitch in SAF but that's generally off my radar anyway.
Any guesses as to what they're going to present us with for June? I know most people here thought last month was a complete wash.
I ordered for the first time in 6 months on the May 15 release. Got my order in 3 days, no fake shipping notice either. I am having so much fun with the flip flop set. Way cuter than any other flip flop set I have seen and so many options with it. Also ordered the little phone and that is fun too. Those new $12 cardstock packs are well worth it and am loving those too. If I like what they release in June, I will give it a try again. Things do seem better to me. Now, if they just fix the store and keep their attitudes decent, I will probably be back to buying regularly.
I've noticed on her past 2 posts that Nina Brackett has used Rosie Posie stamps but has not mentioned PTI in the credits. I wonder if it's because she doesn't want to promote them because she doesn't agree with their customer service practices or that she just shouldn't be promoting another company besides the one she is designing for?
I have not paid attention. How many sheets of cardstock are in the $12 packs?
.....or are you talking about the patterned paper packs? I am not a fan of any of PTI's patterned paper.
8:10, are you SURE those are PTIs Rosie Posie stamps Nina is using or something similar? I ask because that is kind of a popular flower image.
I guarantee she is not linking or mentioning any other company besides her own designs for promotional reasons.
OK, I went and checked out Nina's blog (I haven't been there in awhile). She says that the cards are old, and those are PTI flowers you are right.
She didn't mention PTI because of promotional purposes. I am positive it has nothing to do with their customer service issues.
You be the judge - look at card # 2 in this post
http://ninabdesigns.blogspot.ca/2012/05/i-have-two-cards-for-you-today-that.html
and the card in this post -
http://ninabdesigns.blogspot.ca/2012/05/bee-utiful-bling-card.html
I'm with 5:52.
6:57, i suffered through the entire joan b drama without saying a peep (until now) about how I thought the convo should move on well before it had.
I don't see how others can't just ignore/endure what they don't like...KNOWING the convo will fizzle on its own in time...but instead get all bitchy and tell others to take their comments somewhere else.
What exactly is your problem with us discussing other things from time to time?
I was happy to hear how many blocks others had and which brands they use. I hadn't ever heard of the ones Trell mentioned but now I have a new resource. Thanks everyone who took the time to share.
I get that you were joking but really.
6:26, really? We can only discuss PTI CS? I'm glad you had an improvement in service from them but saying that's all we get to talk about here is kinda bull shit. If that were the case then 75% of these comments do not belong here.
Yes, including this one.
The PTI pattern packs have 36 sheets, I think. It is thicker than paper, but not quite cardstock thickness. Really nice stuff.
Boy. The double standard.
Everyone here knows by now that no one can tell anyone what they can or can't talk about.
And if someone thinks acrylic block talk is snoozeville, there's no reason they can't say so.
moving on.
I'd like to know why the head of the three stooges or one of her minions won't answer this:
After reading Nichole's blog this morning (Maybe you can address this Nichole?) about the delay in SAF event details, I am wondering if the tote collections that us/we early-birds ordered are still on schedule to ship starting tomorrow or if they are also going to be delayed?
11:09,
I just got the super thin Tim Holtz blocks, and they are as thin as a ruler. I hate them, I am probably going to throw them away. Useless to me.
RE: SAF totes shipping - did you ask on her blog or on the forum? Just wondering - it's a good question!
9:52. What a joke! I'm glad I didn't order that crappy tote. Oh I can just hear all the steeple say " that's ok Nichole we can wait". That company is just a big fat joke!
For those who have ordered from MFT in the past, what are their shipping times like? Thanks.
Cluster Fuck #623...
The pre-shipping on the totes is delayed but that was not and has not been confirmed by the head stooge!
Yeah, right, they've really gotten their shit together!
RE: MFT shipping
I have now ordered about half a dozen times from MFT and I get my packages in less than a week (they are in FL). They usually leave the warehouse in less than 2 business days. Never had any issues whatsoever!
They are now my go to place for dies. Love em!
I ordered from MFT for years and never any problems - and I'd order on release night after the release parties on SCS.
I've never heard any negatives about MFT.
From Nichole's blog:
"We had previously announced that complete scheduling information for Stamp-a-faire would be announced tomorrow, May 31st. We are still gathering a bit of information and details before we will be ready to post the final schedule. We are adjusting the posting date for this information to next Friday, June 8th. In conjunction with this, there will also be a delay in the sale of extra Stamp-a-faire Tote Collections that are leftover after shipping to pre-order customers. We are hoping to have these fully prepared and available in the store on June 8th as well. We will keep you posted with further details as they become available."
"bold" is mine.
Now this from L. Jones on the forum:
"A couple of the kit items are running behind by a few days. They should be back on schedule in no more than a week. Hope that helps!"
No. It doesn't help. No one can tell what the two of you are talking about, Lizzie.
It still seems like the people at PTI don't know what they're doing. Or at least don't know how to convey it to anyone.
Nichole's seems to be saying that "preorders" went out okay but there will be a delay in selling any orders after the preorders.
But whatever -- it could all be explained more clearly.
The few times I've had problems with MFT, things have been resolved within a day of my contacting them. And with no attitude on MFT's part.
My orders seem to ship very quickly. As 11:50 said, the orders don't sit around the warehouse forever & a day.
Rick, do you have an ETA on the hover feature on the forum?
I would love to be able to see what threads like "Have you ever" or "Just how many" are about without actually having to open the thread.
:-D thanks
Maybe the dt is supposed to be vague when posting their question quotas? I notice that Melissa and Ashley do it a lot.
RE: MFT Shipping
Thanks for your answers. My order definitely left the warehouse super quick but my order is coming to Canada so is probably held up at Canadian customs or something. Thanks again.
MFT for me is on the slow side compared to places like Gina K or Amuse or other places. Generally about 7 or 8 business days.
Seriously, "SAF" does any of us here really care it?
May 31 06:57 Maybe a forum called "Just bitchen" HA! smile wink
OMG, she is just so effin conceited! "PLEASE READ: I see that many of you are pinning my collages of photos."
http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/2012/05/summer-cottage-mini-journal-kits.html
Maybe she shouldn't be taking other people's pictures and making collages with them.
16:32-I don't really see why you think that is so conceited. I have seen many of the things on her blog pinned. She is just being straight forward and attempting to direct people to the original source of the collage photos. I think that is responsible of anyone using other people's work. It is very frustrating seeing a photo on pinterest and finding the link does not go to the original source. It is also very possible some of the owners of the original pictures saw that they were not linking to their blogs and called her on it, which would be a reason for the statement on her blog.
09:07 said "6:26, really? We can only discuss PTI CS? I'm glad you had an improvement in service from them but saying that's all we get to talk about here is kinda bull shit. If that were the case then 75% of these comments do not belong here. "
Sorry you missed the sarcasm font. I wasn't clear and should have been. I was yanking everyone's chain.
is anybody else's pinterest "stuck" ?? My page hasnt changed in 24 hours.
Same here with the Pinterest. It just started working again in the last few minutes though. It did not move for 24 hours for me though.
I hate when people post a comment without actually reading carefully! Michelle W. is not being conceited, she's trying to tell all you lazy ass Pinterest posters not to pin from her blog, but to go to each individual picture's blog, because they are NOT her pictures and credit needs to be given where credit is due!
If you're going to have an opinion, make sure you know what you're talking about, FFS!
"Anonymous said...
Maybe she shouldn't be taking other people's pictures and making collages with them.
31 May 2012 16:40"
EXACTLY!!! You hit that nail on the head.
From the SAF thread: "Certain items to be included in the kits were delayed, so the kits will be delayed until all items are ready. I understand that it will be about a week and then shipping should begin."
Why pre-sell the kits so far in advance and hype it all up if they didn't even have the totes together? I'm wondering if they just didn't want to pay for too much extra so didn't order all the tote supplies until all the customer orders were in.
I agree. You don't put things up for sale until you have them actually ready and in hand and sellable.
This has convinced me that they are in financial trouble.
Isn't it kind of the point of a kit pre-sale to take orders to see how many kits will sell before you purchase everything for it? Sucks to order waaaaay too many supplies and then have the kits not sell.
Pre-sales are the best way to gague interest while also actually converting the interest into a sale, and not losing the customer in the period between the kit's announcement and its availability date.
Of course it also sucks when the inevitable delay in the arrival of your kit's contents delays its shipment but that's a risk you take when ordering from multiple vendors on a time limit. They should have expected delays and ordered sooner. But really... this delay of PTI's does not surprise me at all, and that is not simply because it's par for the course with them lately.
I found it interesting how this preorder information was "worded:"
"Don't forget, the pre-order option for the Stamp-a-faire Tote Collection and the Add-on Kit will only be open from 9am EST May 1st through 11pm EST May 4th. This pre-order period will be your ONLY opportunity to guarantee yourself these kits. A limited supply of will also be made available for immediate sale on May 31st and will only be available while supplies last. "
The most interesting part is: '...a limited supply of will also be..."
She left out at least one word. A limited supply of what??? I suspected that some of the items needed to be ordered in a certain quantity - different than other items. So maybe the 'leftovers' won't even be a complete kit, kwim?
It makes me wonder what kind of suppliers they use to have delays like that. Ha - karma, right? They deal with other companies with less than stellar customer service?! (yes, speculating - I do not know any facts *eye roll in anticipation of getting smacked*)
Pre-order tote sales ended on May 4th giving their suppliers a full three weeks to get their ish together. What's the hold up? I wish they'd be specific but my guess it's something crappy like the PTI pencils or badges that aren't ready yet. I also think that those will be sold on SAF or given as a freebie. Most companies make you order huge quantities of small, cheap personalized items in order to make I worth their while.
Just when I thought things were getting better ... what's with SO many dies being restocked at the same time? Holy crap. They were OOS of a huge list of popular dies and IPs all at once. They really need to start ordering things that take 2-3 weeks in anticipation of selling out especially of popular items.
Simon Says Stamp are so cheap with their coupons!!! Anyone have one? I googled and zilch...
Can anyone else see the SAF storm on the horizon?
I'm imagining several pre-order people not getting their kits until after SAF even happens.
I'm imagining there will be some lame excuse from PTI about how someone else is to blame for their utter inability to get crap shipped out.
I'm imagining NuttiCheryl and Ted will continue to support PTI and chastise us all for being too hard on a company with growing pains.
I'm imagining some bitch here will complain that the SAF topic is too played out and that no one really cares.
Oh wait - all of those things have already happened.
Buy from Simon says at your own risk. Cheap is no good IMO when their service sucks. Got burned by them on an eBay auction once.
I've never bought from Simon Says, only because I've heard a lot of stories about people being burned. I know lots of folks are perfectly happy with them, but I'm not willing to take the chance.
I'm loving the new berries set from WPlus9. So happy I didn't buy PTI's.
I have ordered from Simon Says at least 20 times and have never had a problem. Fast shipping and great service.
What is Canadian shipping like from Wplus9? I'm liking the berry set so far.
Canadian shipping is not that expensive and pretty fast. They use padded envelopes which helps cut costs, avoid customs, and arrives faster than boxes.
Now Sweet Stamp Shop is another story. Ordered from both companies on the same day. By the time SSS shipped my package, my WP9 envelope was well on its way.
Sold. I will be buying the wplus9 berry set. Thanks!
Wplus9 berry set is very cute and is calling to my wallet.
Has anyone tried the Wplus9 Impression Plates? I like the chevron one but want to be sure they work better than the worthless PTI plates.
So, I'm sure I'm going to buy the berry set from WPlus9 and then maybe get the sentiments from PTI. I like that I can get a set and the dies for under $40. I have to admit that I still want Strawberry Patch though.
I really like the hexagon dies from MFT too.
The hexagon dies from Life Style are a huge set and on Amazon.
05:47 you crack me up! I didn't see that punchline coming LOL!
The one PTI plate that I have works fine. I need to order the PTI embossing mats though.
Thank you for the hexagon die info on Amazon. I like the strip in the MFT die set so will probably order those even though they aren't as versatile.
Just in case you were tempted by PTI's berry container die......
http://lifestylecrafts.com/products/dies/new-releases/berry-container.html
Another thing about Life Style dies is that they cut through 5 pieces of paper or 3 sheets of cardstock at a time in one pass.
I like that berry container die better than the PTI one! Thanks!
I like the lifestyle crafts dies but damn, they are expensive.
They are the best quality dies I have found by far.
9:28, that's good to know. That's also a pretty specific amount of items at one time. Sounds like you (or someone you know) did some thorough testing on those bad boys! =)
I tried to cut a circle out of satin fabric with a spellbinders die and it just wouldn't do it. Is there something about satin that makes it especially non diecuttable?
are lifestyle dies open like the spellbinders?
With my LS Hexagon dies I wanted to cut several at a time. Spellbinders won't do that many. I tried it and was pleasantly surprised.
Yes, they are open. They are much lighter and thinner, but stronger because they are a lightweight steel. They put about 3 times more dies in a set than Spellbinders.
Erin ADORES putting things away!! She ADORES it. That thread is making me choke with laughter. My favorite thing about getting a box in the mail is smelling the diesel fumes from the UPS truck on the cardboard!
They do seem expensive (and I have never bought them myself) but what I have noticed is that compared to spellbinders, they include many more dies in one set.
Example: 15 dies in this set by LS for $24.99 = $1.66 per die
http://lifestylecrafts.com/nesting-scallops.html
Versus 6 dies in this set by SB
for $24.99 = $4.16 per die
http://spellbinderspaperarts.com/products/p-186-classic-scalloped-circles-lg.aspx
and even if you bought them through ritzcamera.com for $16.94 a set, you are still paying $2.82 per die.
The Lifestyle ones give such a clean and crisp cut and they have sizes so close together that you get a narrow mat. I love the look of what you can do with them.
Hey Lifestyle Die Gal,
Do you have any of the LS doily shapes? Do they cut easily?
I'm in love with them but I'm afraid all the detail will be difficult to cut, like PTI's moroccan frame die and many of my spellbinders lacey/doily motif dies.
As it is, I have to shim the crap out of any of my intricate SB dies and still there isn't a clean cut...and this is just using regular 80lb cardstock. And then, if it does finally cut, the paper is so melded into the die that most of the cut shapes rip when trying to remove them from the die.
So why do the customers STILL have to beg for communication from PTI? The pre-order totes are delayed and yet the customers have to drag the info out of them kicking and screaming! WTF is wrong with these morons?
Try putting a layer of waxed paper between die and cardstock and I think you will find they release better.
I'm not the Lifestyle Crafts Die Gal mentioned above but I do own the doily dies. They have an eject foam on the cutting side so paper doesnt get stuck after you run it thru your machine. My cuttlebug plates are old and warped so I usually place a piece of post-it note to act as a shim before I cut the doilies. Perfect cut. Easy to poke the intricate designs out.
Thanks for the tips, 10:45 & 10:48.
I found this post using the doily die
http://sugar-buffet.blogspot.com/2012/02/mini-calendar-gift.html
Gina K will be having 2 new illustrators join the stamp team over the next few months. I would actually love to see Mish do some collaborative sets with Gina K although Nichole is probably the reason that I bought Mish's sets to begin with. I love that Gina K is now offering clear.
Gina's timing with coming out with clear while PTI is in crisis is genius.
I would be so excited for some designers we know (like Lisa!) to join Gina K's team. I so want to order from her but the stamps just aren't my style. I can't wait to see what her new illustrators come up with!
OMG OMG Lisa is joining Gina K's team?????
I'm just kidding. I know you said you would love it IF someone you knew (like Lisa) would join GinaK.
But I know some illiterate dolt is going to come along and take your comment to mean she IS joining Gina and just thought I'd go ahead and get that out of the way sooner rather than later.
10:58, thanks for the link. Using a doily in that manner is very clever.
Okay, since I'm now sold on trying an LS die, where is the cheapest place to buy them?
Amazon has really good deals on them especially if you have Prime (which I do).
Noticing that NO ONE posts here with a name anymore thanks to Cheryl Nutti-lady.
Trell is still posting with his own name. I am also, though I haven't much to say lately. Everyone has to make his or her own choice whether to post openly here or not. I support either choice. I think it's mainly just a busy time of year for a lot of people.
Trell, Christie & Chris Simon ain't skeered of NuttiBall.
Yes, I"m looking at amazon now. Some of the prices are GREAT!
3 out of 135 posts isn't much and it does not seem it is for lack of posting due to buys people since there have been 150-250 posts on each thread which fill up really fast these days. Those 3 are braver than I am. She is vindictive and manipulative and scary. I have watched a few things happen at her hands that are frightening. She works behind the scenes to keep control of people and situations. I won't risk it.
"Anonymous said...
Gina's timing with coming out with clear while PTI is in crisis is genius.
1 June 2012 11:05"
I don't know if you could describe it as genius .... Since it's certainly coincidental, I'd say "fortuitous" or "serendipitous" would be more appropriate.
Whatever it is, I'm looking forward to seeing new designs from Gina K in clear and hope I like 'em! I hope the handful that I like from the past get switched over, too.
12:33 - LOL! SO true! =)
:p Cheryl.
Cheryl is NOT "vindictive and manipulative and scary". She is a kind person and loyal friend who came here to stick up for Joan.
And that is why Joan unfriended her?
Joan and Cheryl are in-person friends, not just Facebook "friends" which is really meaningless.
13:53- I don't think Joan knows they are "real-life" friends.
You think Joan would defriend a REAL LIFE friend? I think not. She is defriended though.
Give me a fucking break! Nutjob is not all powerful unless YOU give her that power. She's a fucking fruit loop disguised as "a good mormon" well really a "good moron"!
Anyone who doesn't see this is stupid!
Gina not only talked about new illustrators, but also mentioned new products:
"We have more exciting developments coming in the next few months including two new illustrators that will be joining our company and some new products that you have been asking us to develop for a while now. "
I wonder what they will be? Please be more cardstock colors!!!
Dear Santaganstagod,
Please let GinaK start selling Silhouette shapes and/or metal dies to match her new clear stamps.
Please please please enable her kick Nichole in the twat while she's down!
Sincerely,
Not a PTI Unicorn
^^no! I don't have a Silhouette (or the $ to get one). I would settle for fresh cardstock colors!
Santaganstagod. That's a new one. Did you mean to say "gangsta" in the middle or am I missing something?
Did you mean to say "gangsta" in the middle
--------------
Yep
Oh day-um. How are those Lifestyle dies to work with? I think I need them.
I still store my PTI stamps in the cd cases and it hasn't been an issue because I am not currently buying. However, I just purchased (used) one of the new strip background stamps and it is larger than the cd case. How annoying.
I use DVD cases for my big stamps.
Holy Crap! That WPlus 9 berry stamp set is gorgeous! I've never had the urge for a berry set, but if I did, that would be the one.
http://stampawaywithme.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html
Prettiest berry set out there so far! Prices are good too for that company and shipping is very fast.
I really love to see stamps that I like as much as PTI. I also like the idea of reasonable shipping to Canada because it means that I don't have to place a $200 order to get shipping discounts.
I will be buying that berry set!
Why can't companies get leaves right? The W+9 berry leaves aren't right for strawberries (shouldn't be pointed). PTI's Strawberry Patch leaves were right, but the hydrangea leaves were way too small, and don't even get me started on the ridiculously small leaves in Fruitful. Flourishes leaves are usually right, but I don't like that style as much as the PTI style.
I would rather have them cute over correct.
hate to say it but I still like the pti strawberry set better. Except, I hate the way pti does their sentiments and I like Wplus9's sentiments better.
Okay I see begging Santa and/or God for your wish but gangsta? ...
17:03 just let it go man
You are analyzing this way too much!
12:33--thanks for understanding what my comment really meant! ;)
Who else would we like to see join forces with Gina K?
1256 your post is quite laughable. Its amazing how y'all "know" things. Y'all should write for a soap opera. Y'all are nutjobs in my opinion. Must be wonderful to have a crystal ball and predict. Are y'all lottery winners too?
thanks for the die info though..very helpful.
Nikki, I am 12:56 and I have lived it. Once she goes after you, no holds barred.
where is donna c been? trying to understand porn reading 50 shades?
LOL, maybe she could help you understand grammar!
Donna C is not the kind of person to be having anything to do with porn. She is not trailer trash in any sense of the words.
1946, hmmmm really? Find that very hard to believe. just sayin
so people who read 50 Shades of Grey are trailer trash? Wow.
It is about the poorest quality of writing out there except for the old Harlequin Romances.
That doesn't mean people who read them are trailer trash. narrow-minded much?
What kind of people read them and watch porn, etc? I don't know those kind of women.
09:15 - Trell, the PTI embossing mats are very small and seem to slip and slide when using. Could depend on your machine tho.
I have the Cuttlebug and find the spellbinders mats work better with PTI impression plates.
W+9 does have some beautiful stuff, and I may have to invest in that berry set too.
Doesn't anyone else think it's creepy how much everything looks like PTI though?
Look at that 'Ombre' Copic background on their blog from a few days ago, ummm...PTI just did that a few months ago. Copy much?
Almost all their stamps are 'remakes' of PTI's. While this owner is talented, she is not innovative or a trendsetter. She copies and changes things just enough to not get into trouble.
I can't believe I'm the only one who is bothered by this. A few years ago there was the biggest BREWHAHA over the nugget tins another clear stamp co. did that was almost identical to Nicole's, but nothing about w+9?
Sorry, can't jump on your bandwagon, 2:48.
No one is very innovative anymore, including your beloved NH. Everybody is doing the same images in their own style. And who knows how long a set was in development and timed to be introduced in a particular season. It happens.
Personally,I'd rather support someone who values my business and provides excellent customer service. I'm buying from WPlus9.
I don't pay enough attention to Wplus9 to notice any copying. I tracked down the berry set because of the discussion here and decided that I like it. I also don't watch the MIM videos or follow any of the challenges on NH's blog so any card similarities would just go over my head.
Oh please, PTI copied W+9's jean pocket concept.
Does anyone have the metal shim from PTI? Does it work well?
I for one agree with you 2:48! I have felt W+9 was a carbon copy...and just like copies, not as good as the original (in design, not referring to customer service).
How long has wP9 been around?
A few years ago there was a company, but I'm pretty sure based in Canada, that appeared to be copying PTI - it was pretty obvious and there was a big discussion on SCS about it. I always wondered if it caught on with the Canadian customers because the shipping there is such a problem.
I just looked through the Wplus9 stamps and I don't see anything there that looks original - if I took the time, I could match up most of them to stamps from a variety of other companies. Mostly PTI though.
Now - that said, there are similarities between lots of companies. But for me, the difference at WP9 is that they don't seem to have ANY that look like true originals.
Since their customer service is reportedly good, it'd be like shopping from a bunch of companies in one place -- a little PTI-ish, a little WMS-ish, a little Ginak-ish, a little vintage (frankly everyone's look the same in that category) ... and others. But I would not be following their releases to look for something with a special style all their own - it's a hodgepodge of everyone else.
I have a Big Shot and I love the shim. It really makes a difference with most of the intricate dies. There are a few PTI dies that are useless no matter what I do, like the flower die with the 5 pieces (no way am Iooking through 60 pages on their site to find the name) and the tiny mulitiple petals.
I have been thinking for a long time that Becky Oehlers will join the Gina team. They are good friends and Becky keeps hinting that she has really big news soon. I would love to see Becky join Gina. Didn't care for her whimsical houses set, but loved some of the other sets.
Which sets at PTI are Becky O sets?
Becky O's sets for PTI:
Framed
Merry Little Christmas
Fly Away
Wonderfully Whimsical
They're listed on the sidebar of her blog. Thank goodness, because I'd never have found them on PTI's site.
Love Merry Little Christmas and Fly Away.
I have been thinking for a long time that Becky Oehlers will join the Gina team. They are good friends and Becky keeps hinting that she has really big news soon. I would love to see Becky join Gina. Didn't care for her whimsical houses set, but loved some of the other sets.
2 June 2012 08:49
-------------------
Where do you see Becky's hints at big news coming soon? I just went through 1 month on her blog and didn't see any hint of anything.
Comments made by Becky in other places.
New topic to smack - comments on Nichole's blog. So, we can comment on the blog hop post but ... NOT on the one where she's admits that the SAF tote-o-crap is delayed. Why? Cause the sheeple who ordered a month ago MIGHT be upset that PTI is lettin them down again. Guess I wouldn't want to hear the whines of "How will I ever get my badges sewn on my vest in time for the big event" either.
She needs to either get a thicker skin and deal with the honest feedback from customers and supporters who want PTI to straighten up and fly right OR disable all comments. I can't stand the "I only want praise and adoration" type bloggers.
So who did wplus9 copy the fishing lure set from?
Wplus9's website is a thousand times better than PTI's. PTI should hire their IT guy.
I find wplus9's designs similar to PTIs too. PTI makes great designs so I am not surprised though.Yup, their website is way better.
20:22--you probably do know those type of women. They just don't tell everyone their private business ;)
18:51, the rest of us do not share your obsession with the subject.
I'm not obsessed I don't even read "50 Shades." I'm just telling 20:22 they can't always judge what's inside the cover.
Thought I would do a catch-up on the PTI forum. Bit boring isn't it.
But, there are quite a few comments about how the new inks don't match cardstoc colors, how the colors change, and some people are actually saying they don't like some of the colors.
Interesting.
Ink troubles in PTI-land? What a surprise. LOL
Loved the "my grey looks brownish, but I like it" sunshine posts. Seriously? That's okay with people? Mismatched ink & paper from the same company? Whatever.
I was surprised to read someone thought Becky would be a fit on Gina's dt. I don't see Becky's style at all compatible with Gina K. Maybe they are friends and Becky's excited about Gina's news.... and maybe Becky has news that's unrelated to stamping at all.
Or maybe she will be w/ Gk! Who knows.... I just wouldn't have put those two together. Of course, sometimes that's what you want - shake things up a bit.
You will find the most updated news being uploaded or published
in blogs and celeb news sites. But unlike their blank counterparts, custom lanyards also can proclaim a marketing or
motivational message to customers and employees.
This is why the said Albanian gossip thashetheme celebrity news blog page is written in Albanian
'.
Feel free to visit my homepage - mentefeliz.info
Post a Comment