Challenges - how are you doing?

[rach3975]

I just think there are a few kinks that maybe need to be worked out.
For example, the beginning of the month was filled with some "easy, quick" challenges that would have come in handy here at the end of the month rather than trying to cram LO challenges into the last few days of the month, ya know?

That's exactly what I was thinking. I have 18 pts now, and depending on what they give us the next few days I'm hoping for 22. I'm fine with the new format, but there were too many non-LO challenges early on and too many LO challenges within the last week and a half. There were also times when all the "current" challenges were lifts or cookies, and it would have been nice if some of the more open designs (slogan, one word, etc) were scattered throughout the month. I'll also never get the 40% with this system (not that I usually did before) because I scrap too slowly and refuse to do some of the more time-consuming non-scrapping busywork challenges. But I got some nice LOs done this month, so thanks to Robin, Meghan, and all the Babes for the month of inspiration!

Missing the double points also stops me from shopping at 20% off every week. Before I'd go grab a kit or at the very least an element pack to ensure I could have my extra point. It encouraged me to use a kit twice, for that reason. Now I'm waiting to buy everything I want at 40% off instead, because there is no incentive to pick it up every week.

Ditto to this, too. I think I bought less this month because there was no advantage to buying weekly.

 

[rachelv]

I haven't accumulated too many points this month. I had two vacations and a week of my lap top being worked on.

So, I'm hoping next month I can do the challenges more, even if I don't make it to the 40%, sometimes it seems I need the challenges to make scrap

 

[SamaraGugler]

First of all, I wanted to show you all how I track my challenges. I copy the list that Meg posts, add it to my PMs and then keep track of my layouts with links....

Here it is:
...*1*Jan 1st - Treat of the Month: Kenna Ewing- Cute
...*2*Jan 2nd-FOBTY- Here
...*3*Jan 3rd-Hybrid Challenge-On Plan
...*4*Jan 4th-Spin-A-Lift Gingerbread Joy
...*5*Jan 5th - Quick Hybrid Challenge Cupcake Cards
...*6*Jan 6th- Cookie Challenge California Poppies
... *7*Jan 7th-Yourself in Photos me
...*8*Jan 8th-FOBTY HERE
...*9*Jan 9th-Scrap Your Day Jan 9
...*10*Jan 10th - Gallery Scavenger Hunt HERE
...*11*Jan 11th - Spin-a-lift: Junebug First Lost Tooth
...*12*Jan 12th - Ad Challenge Ride Hard
...*13*Gallery Standout!!! HERE
...*14*Jan 13th - Journal Challenge These Boots
...*15*Jan 14th - Color Confectionary Challenge Cherish
...*16*Jan 15th - From Our Blog To Yours HERE
...*17* Jan 16th - Photo Challenge HERE
...*18*Jan 17 - Neapolitan Challenge Gifts
...*19*Jan 18th - Spin A Lift: Samara U Make my Heart
...*20*Gallery Standout!!! HERE
...*21* Jan 19th - Sweet "Window" Shopping DONE
...*22*Jan 20th-One Word Challenge New Love
...*23*Jan 21st - Slogan Challenge Value Every Moment
...*24*Jan 22nd - From Our Blog To Yours Cupcakes
...*25*Jan 23rd - SWTSB Scrap Jammies
...*26*Gallery Stand Out HERE
...*27*Jan 24th - Paper 2 Digi First Birthday
***Jan 25th - Spin-a-Lift Deadline Jan 31st
***Jan 26th - Recipe Challenge Deadline Jan 31st
***Jan 27th - Cookie Decorating 101 Deadline Jan 31st
...*28*Jan 28th-Random HERE
***January 29th - From Our Blog 2 Yours Deadline Jan 31st
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28 points

This makes it really easy for me to check and see which layouts/challenges that I need to complete.

Next thing. I for the most part like the new format, I just have issue with the due dates. I work full-time outside of the home. I scrap primarily on the weekend, and sometimes we go away for a few days without internet. WIth the old system. I'd bring the challenges with me, and just upload them when we got home. Now, this is very hard and I anticipate that some months like Nov, Dec, March, April, and June-July I may not be able to complete the challenges in time.

I also felt that some weeks of this month I had very little to do, as the challenges were very easy. Yet other weeks (like this one) are pretty difficult.

I have also found that I have spent a lot less since I don't have to worry about extra points. There have been some kits that I like, but I've put them on my wishlist. With the old challenge I always bought at least 2 kits on Saturdays and then a bunch more with my 40%.

I know this is NO easy task for the SSD and I applaud you for all your time and effort. I do think it's important to hear what your customers are thinking. I agree, you can't please 100%, 100% of the time.

I totally love you guys and have no intention of ever leaving (you're totally stuck with me.)

 

[lovely1m]

I have read this thread and I honestly saw nothing that was said disrespectfully or should make anyone feel sad or deflated. I mean, its your feelings to have, I am just surprised anyone felt that way. I thought it was a very respectful thread.

The only thing about the bonus point for new releases that surprised me was that I think its losing money for the store. I know I personally won't buy new release Saturdays when I can get it for 40% off later. Just surprised me.

 

[amystoffel]

I think I'm not doing well!!! I'll probably be at 20%

 

[rach3975]

((hugs)) to all--I love SSD and everyone here. Like so many people said, it's impossible to find a perfect system that works for everyone, and change can be hard. But I appreciate the hard work everyone puts into creating these challenges for us. Regardless of the specific format we go with, I find the SSD challenges more inspiring and numerous than any other site's. I push myself to get the 30%, but I do it because having a goal helps me get more pages scrapped. Some months I don't even use the discount.

First of all, I wanted to show you all how I track my challenges. I copy the list that Meg posts, add it to my PMs and then keep track of my layouts with links....

I'll show you how I track mine, too. I set up this Word Doc and I'll save a month-specific version every month and add to it as challenges come out. I put an x in each challenge as it expires (or if I have no intention of doing it) and then I can tell easily what's still available for me to do.

As far as the question of whether to post a schedule or not, maybe you could tell us at the start of the month that there will be 3 cookies, 2 hybrid challenges, 4 FOB2Ys, etc. That way we'll still have a daily element of surprise, but we'll have more confidence that choosing to skip a certain day won't come back to haunt us later.

 

[emilyscout]

I actually really like the new way the challenges are. I love waking up each day wondering what today's challenge is. The way I keep track is to respond to each of the challenge threads with a layout or a comment. Then when I go into the challenge folder I can see the little arrow on the ones I've responded to and know that I've completed them.

 

[AllieP]

We moved last month, so we're still getting the last boxes unpacked and organized, so I decided not to do the challenges for this month. I'm totally going to do them next month, though! I think it seems fun to be able to see a new challenge each day. Thanks to all the staff for their hard work with the challenges, it's what drew me to SSD!

 

[Paula]

I keep track of the challenges on my iCal. It's pretty easy for me to keep track that way.

 

[junebug]

lol, i'll be lucky if i get 20% this time. i had too much drama this month to really try hard enough. maybe next month!

 

[Dani Alencar]

Hi... I'm a newbie... I got excited about your challenges I love the cookies... but when it started to be daily I got out of track and couldn't follow. I'll try next month... :blink:

 

[littlekiwi]

I have 4 points so there is no way I am going to get even 20% off this month - mostly my lack of participation is because of the ADSR & CT duties

 

[wildblueeyez]

I like the new challenge a day format. don't like that there is a week deadline or you don't get points. I work full time and don't have the option of sitting here during the day scrapping.

 

[pbumbaca]

I am was not going to post my thoughts on this because I don't want to seem disrespectful to those that work so hard on these challenges but I feel that this is my home and I should be able to have an opinion. I spend a lot of money in this store (not as much as Paula )with or without a discount and will continue to do so but I do have to say that making the 40% goal is always a biggie to me.

I am in no way saying this to hurt anyone's feelings and I do appreciate any discount I get so please don't take it that way! I really do appreciate all that the babes and designers do to make this my favorite site.

As for the intended question as to how I'm doing on the challenges I'll be lucky to get 20%. I used to get 40% every month. I really relied on the extra point for using new product and also I just can't scrap all the time so the deadlines are killing me because I used to get them done when I could. That being said, I don't intend to not do challenges and I'm hoping that as I get used to the new structure I'll get better at completing as many as I can!

 

[DawnMarch]

I didn't do any of the challenges this month since I've just been kinda checking out the new system first. But, it seems like a lot of the concerns raised above could be solved by extending the deadlines some. That would help those people who don't have the luxury of being able to scrap every day and it would give people some more flexibility in the order in which they do the challenges. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Sharon Kay]

according to my records...I have to do 3 more...guess i better get busy! I'm hoping for an easy one on the 31st. Luckily I have a cookie one to do...one of my favorite challenges!