Well the "Best Day in my Life" kit is done and dusted I would say. I got 11 layouts total and I actually have one more in the works. I started a layout of my kitty about two weeks ago and it is just not working for me - I scrapped a piece of cardstock trying to make my own background paper and then hating it. I did get the photo mounted on a bunch of layers but stalled again. So I put that one to the side for the time being. When it decides to cooperate with me, I will finish it :). I really do not have much left - actually very few scraps of paper:
Although I feel I used the stickers quite a bit, I do still have a lot left over. As for the die cut packages, I used a ton, and still have a ton :
I struggled a bit with the vellum and acetate die cuts - but that is part of the fun of a kit - it pushes us to think out of our box; it pushes us out of our comfort zone. And, although it looks like there is a lot left (and there is), I really did use them quite a bit but those packages were so darned packed - such value !!!
I ran out of the kit flair and wood veneer early on, but I did have quite a bit in my own add-on so it was all good LOL.
In summary, after two months of working with the kit, having the third all ready to go (my own add-on is pulled) and the fourth on deck, I have a few thoughts to share :
- Scraptastic is definitely the way to go for me. I love getting a kit and this one is so well put together. I enjoy getting new goodies without breaking the bank. Also, I used to spend a lot of time pulling product for each page and having the kit with my own little add-on has made that process so much easier. I have never scrapped as much as I did in the last two months. And I have never loved my pages more. I spent a year, or so, researching kits before making my final decision. I may buy the odd Hip Kit here and there because they were a close second in my final analysis LOL. But I cannot foresee ever stopping Scraptastic heehee :
- The best value for me is getting the main kit plus the add-on. The first month, I got only the main kit and made my own add-on. I got about 6 layouts but did not find that my add-on was enough (I don't have a large stash of die cuts, stickers and chipboard). So in the second month, I did get the add-on but still made another add-on from my stash. This time my add-on was mainly wood veneer, flair, enamel dots (I have a serious addiction) and washi, a couple of sticker sheets and some twine. It worked a lot better.
- I pulled some of my own patterned paper and cardstock. I did not wind up using the patterned paper (in the end, it just didn't go LOL) but did use all the extra cardstock I pulled.
- I felt I needed more of the kit wood veneer and flair
In July, I got the Either Way kit, add-on, and extra flair. In August, I did the same thing, but added the extra wood veneer package. I have a feeling I will be settling down to that.
In conclusion : I have not shopped at all, other than glue and consumables. I get new goodies and am using my own stash way more. I scrap more and spend less time pulling product and overthinking. Win, win, win !!!
Thanks so much for reading my ramblings all the way to the end. I hope my thoughts may help if you are still in the evaluating process for a kit. I will be back on Thursday with my July kit set-up and the first layout done with it.
Hugs xoxo
I agree with you, you made some pretty things with these kits. I can see you are enjoying it. & Maybe I have to spend my money on kits in staid of buying new things. I got way overboard with shopping the last 3 months lol... I'm always so scared of thing I wouldn't love. What do you do with the things you don't love?
ReplyDeletePs. My boyfriend thinks it's super interesting your grandpa fighter in de war. He looks for objects from WOII (that's his hobby). I began talking about you, and he told me that you always can ask some queqtions about your grandpa or about that time (of course if you are looking for that). He just knows a lot people from America that ask such things... But please don't feel obligated for it. It just his hobby and he is a little bit curious that's all :)
Thanks for your comment my sweet friend. You know, I actually spend less money with the kits because I get a new little stash every month with all the latest and it is already coordinated. I didn't often buy full collection packs anyway because the shipping to Canada was too high. With Scraptastic, there are two kits to choose from every month so that already cuts down on getting stuff you might not like. If it is something I really don't think I will use, I put it in my giveaway/swap basket but so far there is only one thing that I put there. The vellum and acetate die cuts were not my favourite but I enjoyed trying them out LOL. I will write separately re WWII. Hugs xoxo
DeleteI can only agree with you more!
DeleteI had once belonged to SC kit club and enjoyed it for a couple months until I found I had more paper left after everything else was used. I tried Gossamer Blue and Cocoa Daisy and Hip Kit as well. There was always something wrong with all of them. The paper/embellishment ratio, the paper/cardstock ratio, cost or shipping. I have joined Scraptastic now and it seems to meet my needs in all those mentioned aboved. I tend to have left over embllies in fact but they can be used with my 4 life time supplies of paper sitting waiting to be wanted again. I still shop but not as often with kits. I just had to get the new Shimelle collection for instance. So I am with you. It is nice to not waste time trying to figure out what to use but instead enjoy creating from a great kit.
ReplyDeletethanks so much for taking the time to comment Mellinda :). I see we have a similar paper stash LOL ....I spent a year checking out the various kit options before making up my mind to go Scraptastic. The lack of embellis in SC was probably the comment I most heard.
Delete*Melinda* .... so sorry, finger trouble :)
DeleteI like your idea of adding your own add on. I love love love Scraptastic, but always seem to use the paper faster than the embellies. I have enough of a paper stash to last me forever, and since I've started getting these kits, I hardly ever touch it. If I added just a few sheets each month, it would at least be something.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for taking the time to comment Nynaboo :). Yup, my paper stash could last a couple of lifetimes as well. I have been adding about 3-4 sheets of cardstock to each kit as well as a couple of patterned papers. I have not used the patterned paper adds yet but that is probably because I chose wrong. I am getting better and making my own add-on and happy that it makes me use my stash
DeleteI agree with your thoughts exactly Moira! And I feel the same way about my Hip Kits (Scraptastic was my close second choice)!
ReplyDeleteHeehee, great minds think alike Melissa :) Thanks for "the visit" :)
DeleteI totally agree! I have been with Scraptastic for a while and every time I look at other kit clubs, they just don't compare, the Scraptastic kits seem to be the best value, and are also the most affordable for shipping where I live. I get the main and add on, then pull from my own stash too. I am just starting to focus on 'killing' a kit - I have just been doing a layout at a time, with whichever kit I felt like, but now I am pulling photos, keeping them with the kit, and aiming to kill a kit each month.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Juliet :). I have just ordered my sixth kit and they just keep getting better!!! My birthday month is October so I treated myself to the TLN kit as well as the main and add-on. I want to start slowly integrating some pocketed pages into my 12 X 12 albums.
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