dailydwellin
New member
The Portfolio got to be too overwhelming to me, so I'm looking forward to seeing the new system. Hopefully I can play along more.
Anyone else waiting impatiently for the new challenge system to be revealed?
- Thread starter rach3975
- Start date
Neverland Scraps
Active member
yeah! I was just browsing the site today looking for the January challenges! I can't wait to see them!
Jengerbread88
New member
IT'S HERE!!!
sigmakap95
New member
While having to do fewer challenges may be nice, having to do more gave me the motivation to get my 40% coupon every month. I usually spent a good chunk of $ when I got my coupon, but having to wait 3 months to get 40% will either break my bank on that third month, not permit me to get as many kits as I'd like, or cut down on a lot of my page production with the reduced quota....feeling unsure as of yet
rach3975
New member
feeling unsure as of yet
I'm with you. I don't mind waiting to earn a bigger coupon, but I don't like that there's no choice of challenges. It will be a rare month when I find myself inspired by all 4 challenges, and I'm not going to scrap pages I don't care about just to earn a point. For now I'm waiting to see what the challenges are like, but if they're all as specific as scrapping resolutions I won't be participating much.
suladesign
New member
While having to do fewer challenges may be nice, having to do more gave me the motivation to get my 40% coupon every month. I usually spent a good chunk of $ when I got my coupon, but having to wait 3 months to get 40% will either break my bank on that third month, not permit me to get as many kits as I'd like, or cut down on a lot of my page production with the reduced quota....feeling unsure as of yet
Exactly this! I have a monthly budget that I use for scrapping, and I always used it for the coupon to make the most of it, which sadly means that now I can only go shopping here at SSD once in three months, because my salary is too small to buy without the coupon
. For me, this is a huge bummer (esp. because in all those years I only missed maybe 2 months of earning 40%). I wish there was a way that we could still earn the 40% coupon on a monthly basis (like completing each challenge 3x for 3 monthly points, or bonus challenges for those who'd like to work for more sweet rewards, or something of the likes).At any rate, I like this week's challenge.
Jengerbread88
New member
I'm going to throw it out there: I generally LOVE the new challenge system.
There is only one thing I would change if I had the choice-- while I really like this week's prompt, I know that there will likely be some that I don't like. I'm not sure I like that if I do decide to not do one challenge because it doesn't resonate with me, that I'll be missing out on that month's SR point. One way I could see SSD being able to provide a workaround would be to give a choice of 2 or 3 challenges each week, but making it so only one per week needs to be done for SRs. Basically, you'd have 3 challenges (maybe one be a photo challenge, one a journaling challenge, one a layout inspiration or color inspiration, or whatever... or maybe just 3 whatever random challenges). You'd get to pick ONE to do for the SR point that week, and then (depending on what the team prefers), 1-3 of the layouts could be entered for the random draw. Even if only 1 layout can be used for the random draw and the SR, you'd still be getting 3 times the inspiration-- and hopefully, in a variety of areas (some of us are more photo-centric, some more journaling-centric, some like a challenge that stretches their limits and some like one that they can fit into their own style).
I really do love the challenge system. I'd just also love to see a couple more options per week. It doesn't have to be like the portfolio system where there were an abundance of challenges, but having 2 or 3 to pick from (and using the additional ones just as fun inspiration!) would help us all feel less like we have to do a challenge that doesn't resonate with us in order to get a prize, but at the same time, stick to not a ton of pressure on the SSD team to do an abundance of challenge ideas. Happy medium.
There is only one thing I would change if I had the choice-- while I really like this week's prompt, I know that there will likely be some that I don't like. I'm not sure I like that if I do decide to not do one challenge because it doesn't resonate with me, that I'll be missing out on that month's SR point. One way I could see SSD being able to provide a workaround would be to give a choice of 2 or 3 challenges each week, but making it so only one per week needs to be done for SRs. Basically, you'd have 3 challenges (maybe one be a photo challenge, one a journaling challenge, one a layout inspiration or color inspiration, or whatever... or maybe just 3 whatever random challenges). You'd get to pick ONE to do for the SR point that week, and then (depending on what the team prefers), 1-3 of the layouts could be entered for the random draw. Even if only 1 layout can be used for the random draw and the SR, you'd still be getting 3 times the inspiration-- and hopefully, in a variety of areas (some of us are more photo-centric, some more journaling-centric, some like a challenge that stretches their limits and some like one that they can fit into their own style).
I really do love the challenge system. I'd just also love to see a couple more options per week. It doesn't have to be like the portfolio system where there were an abundance of challenges, but having 2 or 3 to pick from (and using the additional ones just as fun inspiration!) would help us all feel less like we have to do a challenge that doesn't resonate with us in order to get a prize, but at the same time, stick to not a ton of pressure on the SSD team to do an abundance of challenge ideas. Happy medium.
mariewilcox
New member
I'm liking the new system so far, but I do hope that the challenges won't be mostly "About Me" style pages because while I do the occasional page about me, I have way too many photos to catch up on of my family to be wasting time doing a layout I wouldn't do otherwise.
As far as waiting 3 months to get 40% that's not a biggie to me because my shopping has gone way down anyway - I don't see as much that I want anymore (probably because I have such a huge stash that things are starting to look the same to me now!
) So shopping every 3 months is good for my pocketbook and I only have to scrap 12 layouts to do it. :thumbup: I'll just put things on my wish list and wait until I have 40% to use.
As far as waiting 3 months to get 40% that's not a biggie to me because my shopping has gone way down anyway - I don't see as much that I want anymore (probably because I have such a huge stash that things are starting to look the same to me now!
) So shopping every 3 months is good for my pocketbook and I only have to scrap 12 layouts to do it. :thumbup: I'll just put things on my wish list and wait until I have 40% to use.
tanyiadeskins
Active member
I'm with you. I don't mind waiting to earn a bigger coupon, but I don't like that there's no choice of challenges. It will be a rare month when I find myself inspired by all 4 challenges, and I'm not going to scrap pages I don't care about just to earn a point. For now I'm waiting to see what the challenges are like, but if they're all as specific as scrapping resolutions I won't be participating much.
this. Going from 30+ choices to motivate me to 4 is kinda lame... not sure I will be doing any now and feel kinda lost as this was the only place I participated. And 3 months for 40% off is just ....wow :thumbdown: It was not as if before you HAD to do all the challenges... if you wanted to do one a week so be it, but all those prompts had me scrapping things I never even would have thought of myself before.
Yes...I know you cant please everyone but it is SO different, just wow at this point.
ChristyHC
Member
I totally understand where you guys are coming from, but for me I think I have a better chance of getting a 40% coupon with this new system. I just didn't have the time to scrap that many layouts for SSD challenges in a month. I love that I can spread out the layouts over a couple of months with only 4 each month and still get an amazing coupon a couple of times a year.
taracotta7
New member
Girls, I think you will be happy with it when you see each week's challenge. I have seen all of January and it is totally different each week. Not all are as specific or pages about yourself. Sometimes, it is just be inspired by this image or website type stuff. Others may be following a trend like a shape, pattern, ect. PLUS.....you have a chance to get FREE stuff each week just for doing it on top of the coupon code.
I think it will take you a month to see it all roll out to get use to the change. I am horrible with new or changes. I am impressed with how much easier this system is than in the years past though. Before I was a Babe, I would find myself being overwhelmed with HOW many challenges there were that I would not do much with it. I am hoping this brings a lot more of our community members into the challenge system due to it not being as time consuming and very simple w/ visual prompts.
I hope that helps with some reservations with some of this.
I think it will take you a month to see it all roll out to get use to the change. I am horrible with new or changes. I am impressed with how much easier this system is than in the years past though. Before I was a Babe, I would find myself being overwhelmed with HOW many challenges there were that I would not do much with it. I am hoping this brings a lot more of our community members into the challenge system due to it not being as time consuming and very simple w/ visual prompts.
I hope that helps with some reservations with some of this.
Remember too - these challenges are to help you guys think outside of the box!
I don't scrap about myself much either - my first thought when I looked at this weeks challenge was that I would find a picture of my youngest doing something silly... which I have a LOT of a make a cute page and say something like.. resolution: don't ever do this again..
kwim? these challenges are up to you guys to interpret into what works for YOU and your scrapping!
another idea.. do you have a favourite moment from last year? a picture of your kids laughing doing something fun? resolution: laugh more
I don't scrap about myself much either - my first thought when I looked at this weeks challenge was that I would find a picture of my youngest doing something silly... which I have a LOT of a make a cute page and say something like.. resolution: don't ever do this again..
kwim? these challenges are up to you guys to interpret into what works for YOU and your scrapping!
another idea.. do you have a favourite moment from last year? a picture of your kids laughing doing something fun? resolution: laugh more
mariewilcox
New member
Remember too - these challenges are to help you guys think outside of the box!
I don't scrap about myself much either - my first thought when I looked at this weeks challenge was that I would find a picture of my youngest doing something silly... which I have a LOT of a make a cute page and say something like.. resolution: don't ever do this again..
kwim? these challenges are up to you guys to interpret into what works for YOU and your scrapping!
another idea.. do you have a favourite moment from last year? a picture of your kids laughing doing something fun? resolution: laugh more
Those are great ideas Kristin - I already did one for today's but I do need to remember not to take the challenges too "literally"
rach3975
New member
another idea.. do you have a favourite moment from last year? a picture of your kids laughing doing something fun? resolution: laugh more
Great idea, thanks!
jumbbumble
New member
i loved to use the challanges for inspiration now i have only 4 that is not much to choose from
and i much say i am sad about that . i know whe can think outside the box with the challange but there are not many choises any more only 4
and i much say i am sad about that . i know whe can think outside the box with the challange but there are not many choises any more only 4
Darcy Baldwin
Just a Scrapper
I do need to remember not to take the challenges too "literally"
EXACTLY!!!!!:thumbup:
calvinawalsh
New member
I'm happy that there are those who really like the new challenge format and can benefit from the new approach. As for me, I don't think I'll be participating. My goal whenever I did the previous challenges was to work for the 40% discount for that month. For me, I could hardly wait till the next month to redeem my Sweet rewards and now I would have to wait 3 months before I could use them! In that amount of time I would probably add a dozen new releases to my wish list, but then would not be able to afford what I want when I finally had enough points. Also having a choice of only 4 challenges a month doesn't really inspire me. I liked the numerous choices of the previous challenge system. Oh well, these are just my thoughts and opinions on the new system.
taracotta7
New member
I would love for everyone to try it before you make up your mind of participating or not. I don't think the 4 prompts limit you because like Kristin said, you get to think outside the box. When it was first brought to the babes to see, we were ALL blown away by it but we got to see a whole month at a time. Plus, you have the opportunity of winning something each week for free! So let's say that you are one of the lucky four during the month......you would get a product for free PLUS you get your discount of 20% - 40% depending on how often you shop. Not to mention all the shoppe special sales you get through out the year. Plus the new release discounts of 20% every Saturday. It just seems to me that there is a lot of free and discounted items that are available to everyone here all the time.
All I am asking is that you try it for one month and then make a decision from there. I know everyone isn't going to be happy. I would just like to see people try it before forming an opinion. And please don't misunderstand, I am horrible about change. I get it. I would just hate for some of you to miss out on an additional discount just because you think the new system is limiting you. I hope you will see that is not the case at all.
All I am asking is that you try it for one month and then make a decision from there. I know everyone isn't going to be happy. I would just like to see people try it before forming an opinion. And please don't misunderstand, I am horrible about change. I get it. I would just hate for some of you to miss out on an additional discount just because you think the new system is limiting you. I hope you will see that is not the case at all.
Hey chickies!
I'm sorry some of you are feeling disappointed in what you've seen so far. When we set out to revamp our challenges for the new year, we wanted to make them easier and more approachable than ever so that a larger number of people in our community could participate. Having to collect 30 points every month and choose from so many prompts was not only a lot of work for our entire team but it was overwhelming for the community at large and resulted in challenge participation being the lowest it's ever been.
Changing anything that people have gotten used to is always a challenge and a risk to be honest, but we really try our best to keep the reason you're all here in mind and that's to scrap the memories you've created with the people you love. With fewer prompts you HAVE to sift through to create a full portfolio each month, the more layouts you can create scrapping whatever you want!
So many people are already done with this week's challenge, and it's only Sunday! So I am excited to see more people earn discounts in the shoppe on a regular basis under the new system. Remember, our anniversary sale is in February, we have DSD in May, we have a Summer sale and 3 big sales in the Fall too, so saving your points for months we don't have promotions is a great way to make the most of everything going on at SSD.
Like Tara has said, I really hope you'll give it a try and get involved. I am already loving seeing the layouts posted for our first Think Outside the Box challenge and it's MY least favorite challenge we have coming your way this month!
In any case, I appreciate your thoughts and feedback and hope you can roll with the changes and give it a try as we'd hate to miss out on seeing layouts from some of you talented ladies!
Happy 2014!
R
I'm sorry some of you are feeling disappointed in what you've seen so far. When we set out to revamp our challenges for the new year, we wanted to make them easier and more approachable than ever so that a larger number of people in our community could participate. Having to collect 30 points every month and choose from so many prompts was not only a lot of work for our entire team but it was overwhelming for the community at large and resulted in challenge participation being the lowest it's ever been.
Changing anything that people have gotten used to is always a challenge and a risk to be honest, but we really try our best to keep the reason you're all here in mind and that's to scrap the memories you've created with the people you love. With fewer prompts you HAVE to sift through to create a full portfolio each month, the more layouts you can create scrapping whatever you want!
So many people are already done with this week's challenge, and it's only Sunday! So I am excited to see more people earn discounts in the shoppe on a regular basis under the new system. Remember, our anniversary sale is in February, we have DSD in May, we have a Summer sale and 3 big sales in the Fall too, so saving your points for months we don't have promotions is a great way to make the most of everything going on at SSD.
Like Tara has said, I really hope you'll give it a try and get involved. I am already loving seeing the layouts posted for our first Think Outside the Box challenge and it's MY least favorite challenge we have coming your way this month!
In any case, I appreciate your thoughts and feedback and hope you can roll with the changes and give it a try as we'd hate to miss out on seeing layouts from some of you talented ladies!
Happy 2014!
R
scrapapictur
New member
I foresee myself doing the challenge Sunday morning and then not thinking of doing anything else here until the following week. Last edited by gwany1999; I AGREE
Hi Gang,
I have been doing these challenges steadily since I came here 6 months ago I figured I would put in my two cents. I have to say I like the old way much better because of the increased challenge choices. I found all the challenges inspiring not overwhelming. I was always amazed at the great sites people found and the different ideas I would have never thought of!!
That being said, I have to admit the challenges I had set out do didn't always wind up to be the challenges I wound up doing sometimes because of pics, content or color necessary to complete. Some challenges I just couldn't do because of their content " be inspired by this GIRLS RULE blog" (I only have boys and don't like to scrap about myself) or " use this product" (which i didn't have). Which is why it was nice to have a lot to choose from.
I will miss being able to do more than one lo per sitting. I like to do more than one page at a time. Now I will have produced less lo's in a month.
That random winner is not an incentive. I have never won anything that way on this site. Not lucky. I would rather earn it than wait for fate...no, I don't play lotto. Just not lucky.
Also missing the hybrid project. They were fun too. They also gave you a way to stay in the game if you were running out of time.
All that being said I will still give it the old college try and see how it goes. I really love seeing what other talented scrappers have made so I hope more people do join because that does make it more fun. Either way Happy Scrapping!!
Hi Gang,
I have been doing these challenges steadily since I came here 6 months ago I figured I would put in my two cents. I have to say I like the old way much better because of the increased challenge choices. I found all the challenges inspiring not overwhelming. I was always amazed at the great sites people found and the different ideas I would have never thought of!!
That being said, I have to admit the challenges I had set out do didn't always wind up to be the challenges I wound up doing sometimes because of pics, content or color necessary to complete. Some challenges I just couldn't do because of their content " be inspired by this GIRLS RULE blog" (I only have boys and don't like to scrap about myself) or " use this product" (which i didn't have). Which is why it was nice to have a lot to choose from.
I will miss being able to do more than one lo per sitting. I like to do more than one page at a time. Now I will have produced less lo's in a month.
That random winner is not an incentive. I have never won anything that way on this site. Not lucky. I would rather earn it than wait for fate...no, I don't play lotto. Just not lucky.
Also missing the hybrid project. They were fun too. They also gave you a way to stay in the game if you were running out of time.
All that being said I will still give it the old college try and see how it goes. I really love seeing what other talented scrappers have made so I hope more people do join because that does make it more fun. Either way Happy Scrapping!!
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Just wanted to mention just b/c something was an inspiration for a GIRLS RULE blog or something doesn't mean you can't adapt it to scrap your boys
Our challenges have always been made to be interpreted how you see fit to fit YOUR scrapping needs Also just b/c there's only 1 challenge doesn't mean you only have to scrap 1 layout per sitting..yes it's only 1 layout for a challenge but you don't have to be limited to only scrapping for challenges right?
YepBrook
Sweet Shoppe Designer
See... this makes me feel sad.
After finishing your challenge layout for the week, you are FREE to create layouts about anything you want! :thumbup: Be inspired by your own personal to-do list of scrapbook pages you want to finish. The wonderful freedom of this system is that it doesn't 'force' you to weed through 30 prompts to find the ones that you can apply to pages you already want to make... then churn out dozens of layouts just to get a discount. There is now ONE challenge per week. Which some might say is too restrictive... but I find it freeing. It's only ONE hurdle. And if it's not the type of page or theme you like to scrap... well, that's the part that will be a challenge for you.
And when you're done and you want more ideas to keep you scrapping, the old pinterest portfolio boards haven't vanished... there are still plenty of prompts to be found in there for you to sift through if you want to. Also, our galleries are full of inspiration and ideas. I understand that for the handful of you who actually made the 40% on a monthly basis, this feels like a step down.
But the reality is that very few were even able to get to that discount. With this new system, it is more attainable for even people who lead very busy lives or are slower scrappers. It's a more 'fair' system in general, I think. Anyways, I hope you all will give this a fair chance and see how you feel about it after a few weeks.
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Jengerbread88
New member
I don't feel limited as though I can ONLY scrap for challenges... but I do wish that I could have more than one inspiration piece each week. As I mentioned before, I'd LOVE to see 2-3 choices of challenges each week.
I have TONS of pics to scrap, sure. But the challenges helped me when my motivation and mojo was nothing. It frustrates me that, now that I'm done with this week's challenge (finished it within hours of it being posted), I have no challenge inspiration for the rest of the week without going to another site. Yes, I know, there's inspiration all over the web and all over pinterest and even in the SSD gallery. And yes, I LOVE the way the new challenge system is set up as being low-key and allowing you to stay inside OR outside of the box.
I will say that people may have taken the resolution challenge less literally if more examples of a less-literal approach (like Kristin's) were shown. Not that the layouts we were shown weren't fabulous-- they were! Total stunners! But I feel like, since this is SUCH a new system, it would have been cool to see a more outside-the-box approach in addition to the literal ones (to appeal to ALL kinds of scrappers).
I think that over time, the kinks will be worked out, the opposition will die down a bit. I remember the uproar when the Pinterest challenges were introduced. I remember customers learning to love it, AND I remember SSD compromising with a PDF list. I think if both sides find a way to work together, this will be a great system. As it stands, I think the challenge system is being met with opposition for a reason-- that there simply aren't enough choices or discount incentives.
There are TONS of great freebies and sales on the site. But for a lot of people, that extra 40% off that they counted on every month was an incentive not only to scrap more, but to buy more. I don't think anyone here is trying to be a greedy grub or anything by wanting that discount back. It isn't always feasible for me to shop during the 20% off on Sweet Shoppe Saturday-- sometimes I'm away from the computer ALL day and don't get back until the sale ends for the day. So, I either wait for a sale, a coupon, or just skip altogether. As a single mom, it just isn't feasible for me to pay full price all the time. Are the prices fair here? Totally. Are we totally lucky to have the great sales, freebies, free with purchase items, and more? Abso-freakin-lutely. That's why I spend ALL of my scrapping budget at SSD and don't even shop elsewhere.
I just think that compromise will help. From a customer standpoint, as someone who isn't on any CTs, and has zero affiliation with Sweet Shoppe other than I love the store, I think that the SSD team is doing a GREAT job of trying to make fun, exciting challenges that are open-ended enough to inspire everyone.
BUT, I also feel there are a lot of legitimate customer concerns. Obviously,going from the ability to earn 40% off every month to 40% off every 3 months is not fun. If I were designing here, and I were hearing customers say they'd stop shopping as much if they aren't getting coupons, I'd be concerned... simple marketing seems to dictate that you'll earn more by selling items at a slight discount by creating a "sale" mentality than you will charging full price for items more of the time. In the current economy, I think if it means having to wait every 3 months for that coupon, people are going to spend less money here, EVEN IF there are big sales here regularly.
I also think that, if there are fewer challenges to participate in, people will be spending less time here. As great as the conversation is, not everyone wants to participate in the conversations or chatter. There are people who come to stores for inspiration and challenges, and only offering one a week may throw people off.
I think the system concept is great. I just think that, with a few tweaks, it'll be something customers AND the SSD team can be proud of and excited about. In the meantime, I'll keep giving it a try, participating in the challenges, and possibly eating my words later.
Sorry for the novel. I just wanted to really flesh out how I was feeling about this.
I have TONS of pics to scrap, sure. But the challenges helped me when my motivation and mojo was nothing. It frustrates me that, now that I'm done with this week's challenge (finished it within hours of it being posted), I have no challenge inspiration for the rest of the week without going to another site. Yes, I know, there's inspiration all over the web and all over pinterest and even in the SSD gallery. And yes, I LOVE the way the new challenge system is set up as being low-key and allowing you to stay inside OR outside of the box.
I will say that people may have taken the resolution challenge less literally if more examples of a less-literal approach (like Kristin's) were shown. Not that the layouts we were shown weren't fabulous-- they were! Total stunners! But I feel like, since this is SUCH a new system, it would have been cool to see a more outside-the-box approach in addition to the literal ones (to appeal to ALL kinds of scrappers).
I think that over time, the kinks will be worked out, the opposition will die down a bit. I remember the uproar when the Pinterest challenges were introduced. I remember customers learning to love it, AND I remember SSD compromising with a PDF list. I think if both sides find a way to work together, this will be a great system. As it stands, I think the challenge system is being met with opposition for a reason-- that there simply aren't enough choices or discount incentives.
There are TONS of great freebies and sales on the site. But for a lot of people, that extra 40% off that they counted on every month was an incentive not only to scrap more, but to buy more. I don't think anyone here is trying to be a greedy grub or anything by wanting that discount back. It isn't always feasible for me to shop during the 20% off on Sweet Shoppe Saturday-- sometimes I'm away from the computer ALL day and don't get back until the sale ends for the day. So, I either wait for a sale, a coupon, or just skip altogether. As a single mom, it just isn't feasible for me to pay full price all the time. Are the prices fair here? Totally. Are we totally lucky to have the great sales, freebies, free with purchase items, and more? Abso-freakin-lutely. That's why I spend ALL of my scrapping budget at SSD and don't even shop elsewhere.
I just think that compromise will help. From a customer standpoint, as someone who isn't on any CTs, and has zero affiliation with Sweet Shoppe other than I love the store, I think that the SSD team is doing a GREAT job of trying to make fun, exciting challenges that are open-ended enough to inspire everyone.
BUT, I also feel there are a lot of legitimate customer concerns. Obviously,going from the ability to earn 40% off every month to 40% off every 3 months is not fun. If I were designing here, and I were hearing customers say they'd stop shopping as much if they aren't getting coupons, I'd be concerned... simple marketing seems to dictate that you'll earn more by selling items at a slight discount by creating a "sale" mentality than you will charging full price for items more of the time. In the current economy, I think if it means having to wait every 3 months for that coupon, people are going to spend less money here, EVEN IF there are big sales here regularly.
I also think that, if there are fewer challenges to participate in, people will be spending less time here. As great as the conversation is, not everyone wants to participate in the conversations or chatter. There are people who come to stores for inspiration and challenges, and only offering one a week may throw people off.
I think the system concept is great. I just think that, with a few tweaks, it'll be something customers AND the SSD team can be proud of and excited about. In the meantime, I'll keep giving it a try, participating in the challenges, and possibly eating my words later.
Sorry for the novel. I just wanted to really flesh out how I was feeling about this.
Jengerbread88
New member
I understand that for the handful of you who actually made the 40% on a monthly basis, this feels like a step down.
I'll agree with this to an extent. As someone who rarely made it over 20% discounts, I found my coupons went to waste (I mean, Saturday is the same discount). Now, the ability to save points to get to 40% off is GREAT! ...for me. And a few others who were smaller-scale scrappers who didn't earn the 40% off every time. That said, I feel bad for the fact that some people will have to shop less because they're still here to scrap... but earning less of a discount.
carriesmom
New member
I just finished up my first week challenge. I am liking the new system. I loved the portfolio challenge and I love this system as well. I really liked that the portfolio gave options but as my job grew more demanding and my children get older, I am finding less and less time to sit and do enough layouts to qualify. And I love scrapping. I like this current challenge because 4 layouts a month is very doable for me. And even though there is just one required layout per week. It helps spark my creativity juices to scrap more throughout the week. For which I am grateful because I have a hard time getting started and getting that first layout out the way is a big help for me. The rewards are a sweet incentive but honestly they are not why I do challenges. I want to thank everyone for their hard work on the new system and I can't wait to see what new inspirations await!
rach3975
New member
I think the new challenges are a very different mentality. Not bad, just different. The new system will undoubtedly get more people involved, because it encourages participation by people who scrap less and people who want to be active at many different sites. And that's a good thing, of course, for both SSD's business and for increasing traffic in the forums and gallery outside of the challenges.
But the flip side (and please understand that this isn't meant as criticism or decrying the new approach) is that it also has the reverse effect of encouraging some people who made this their only digital home to look for additional sites to participate at.
It isn't all about the coupon for me. I have no problem with the new system of coupons and discounts, and I feel lucky that we have the opportunity to earn discounts at all. This is a business, and too many deep monthly discounts on top of sales probably make it hard for Robin and the designers to earn a living. But for me, having to complete a larger number of challenges and choice of challenges pushes me to overcome distractions (hello, internet!) and spend more time scrapping. It's also what keeps me sharing my pages in the gallery.
I'm planning to give the new system a shot, and I'll see how it goes. Maybe between my Project Life pages, my CT pages, and the 4 challenges a month I'll stay motivated. Maybe I won't and I'll need to find a 2nd source of challenges elsewhere. Either way, I'll still love SSD. This is a great community and shop, and I know that any changes to the challenges were made with the best intentions to get more scrappers active here.
But the flip side (and please understand that this isn't meant as criticism or decrying the new approach) is that it also has the reverse effect of encouraging some people who made this their only digital home to look for additional sites to participate at.
It isn't all about the coupon for me. I have no problem with the new system of coupons and discounts, and I feel lucky that we have the opportunity to earn discounts at all. This is a business, and too many deep monthly discounts on top of sales probably make it hard for Robin and the designers to earn a living. But for me, having to complete a larger number of challenges and choice of challenges pushes me to overcome distractions (hello, internet!) and spend more time scrapping. It's also what keeps me sharing my pages in the gallery.
I'm planning to give the new system a shot, and I'll see how it goes. Maybe between my Project Life pages, my CT pages, and the 4 challenges a month I'll stay motivated. Maybe I won't and I'll need to find a 2nd source of challenges elsewhere. Either way, I'll still love SSD. This is a great community and shop, and I know that any changes to the challenges were made with the best intentions to get more scrappers active here.
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coopert
New member
I have gone back and forth with how I feel about the change, but the more I think about it the happier I am. For me it will be great. I always have big plans of doing the challenges and earning 40% coupons, but it NEVER happens. I end up doing one or two layouts and feel totally overwhelmed. I waste way too much time on pinterest trying to decide which to do. With the new system, I can make 4 layouts a month totally happen. And I don't think that has happened for over two years, since the older challenge system.
There are quite a few sales, and that's when I buy most of my kits. After, usually spending too much at the Black Friday sale, waiting until February for the anniversary sale is perfect. A summer sale might be great idea :thumbup:
Anyway, my two cents is that I like what I see and think I will get more done each month. Thank you Robin for trying new things. Now going to work on this weeks challenge.
There are quite a few sales, and that's when I buy most of my kits. After, usually spending too much at the Black Friday sale, waiting until February for the anniversary sale is perfect. A summer sale might be great idea :thumbup:
Anyway, my two cents is that I like what I see and think I will get more done each month. Thank you Robin for trying new things. Now going to work on this weeks challenge.
Jengerbread88
New member
Like Rachel said, I'm afraid it's going to make people scrap and shop elsewhere. Any time I've decided to participate at other stores, I've bought a couple of products, but then always left and came back here.
Unfortunately, if there aren't as many challenges, and if I'm done with my 4 pages a month and the PL I'm trying to do.... I may find another place to go. The unfortunate thing is I'll be splitting my scrapping budget between two stores-- meaning SSD will be getting less. While I highly doubt my budget is going to break SSD (trust me, I know it won't), I don't think I'm alone, and seeing Rachel mention the same feeling makes me SURE I'm not alone in that.
While I think it may bring some lurkers out of the woodwork, and I think it will bring new scrappers and new customers, I also think that it'll possibly harm some of the current customer's willingness to continue scrapping/spending here as much as they might have previously.
I'm still holding out hope for middle ground. I think it's doable... I think there's a way to make BOTH perspectives happy.
I wouldn't stay at SSD so much if I didn't love the store, love the community, love the challenges, and love the inspiration. I wouldn't be here as opposed to other stores if I felt like I could get from other stores what I get here. But I have to say that inspiration is a HUGE part of why I'm around here-- I leave, and I come back for the inspiration. And yes, I know the gallery is crazy inspiring. I just... want more.
Unfortunately, if there aren't as many challenges, and if I'm done with my 4 pages a month and the PL I'm trying to do.... I may find another place to go. The unfortunate thing is I'll be splitting my scrapping budget between two stores-- meaning SSD will be getting less. While I highly doubt my budget is going to break SSD (trust me, I know it won't), I don't think I'm alone, and seeing Rachel mention the same feeling makes me SURE I'm not alone in that.
While I think it may bring some lurkers out of the woodwork, and I think it will bring new scrappers and new customers, I also think that it'll possibly harm some of the current customer's willingness to continue scrapping/spending here as much as they might have previously.
I'm still holding out hope for middle ground. I think it's doable... I think there's a way to make BOTH perspectives happy.
I wouldn't stay at SSD so much if I didn't love the store, love the community, love the challenges, and love the inspiration. I wouldn't be here as opposed to other stores if I felt like I could get from other stores what I get here. But I have to say that inspiration is a HUGE part of why I'm around here-- I leave, and I come back for the inspiration. And yes, I know the gallery is crazy inspiring. I just... want more.