December Daily 2022 MEGAAA thread

I can’t get over the prices and the price of shipping. So, if I want the main kit, it would be $72+tax? I will really have to think about my purchases. I think $60 is too much for a main kit and I think $12 is too much for shipping, especially for high volume orders. Just wow! I am disappointed!

Try $28 shipping before you even buy a thing 😅

On the bright side, I found the ribbon I was bemoaning was missing from the kits in the add ons this year… a start, but I don’t feel the colours match the kit (I’m not fan girling the red or peach ones at all). But hey, it’s a step in the right direction!

Going to print the shipping list and figure out if I want enough to justify the shopping price or if I just wait and hope for a sale later on. Still salty I missed out on the 2020 transparencies…
And the advent calendar may be calling my name again this year, I even love the envelope!

I just can’t get over the shipping. I know why they do it, but I just could never justify playing that game. So many places offer free shipping if you spend a certain amount, I can’t believe they have the gall to flat shipping charge everyone 12, which is outrageous for any company to charge.

That being said there are some cute components this year, way better then last year, I think. But even if they offered free shipping I think it is too expensive.
I don’t really love the colors though.   It reads a bit drab for my personal taste and photos.  And those Santas freak me right the heck out.  

The paislee kit is by far the best of the bunch,  although I hate the split up words thing they do.  

The wood stamps are super baffling.  I like the double alphabet set just because I love that curly font, but I t I have something similar already.

The type set sayings ones is the oddest offering of the season for me.  “Little full”
And “ believing is seeing” are super nonsensical to me.  And a whole bunch of them just don’t see that useable to me.  

That is a lot of stuff.

Ridiculous shipping costs aside, I can’t quit Ali when it comes to DD. I’ve tried Felicity Jane, Paper Person and Elle’s. They just do not work for me.

Initial thoughts.

Main kit - Zero interest. I like the building paper and vellum strips, that’s it. The font used for the puffy numbers makes me rashy. Can one be allergic to a font?

Paislee Press Kit - coming home to me. Along with the floral album.

Christmas Past kit - that is a whole lot of blah and what the heck. Nope for me.

Considering Blocked Holiday Phrases, Holiday Favorites, and the Paislee Press set. Will compare against current stamps. The critters on the messy circle set are adorable but that damn handwriting. Just can’t.

Embellishments that are an absolute yes:
2x2 diecut bundle
Plastic Stars
Chipboard numbers
Die cut paper inserts
Envelopes
6x8 Transparency set

Maybes:
Stitched pocket hearts
Window cards
Trim pack
Die cut pack
Plastic trees

Sizes on some of this stuff would be super nice.

Ali ALWAYS kills it with the 3x8 sets. I know I have a ton from previous years but I really love this year’s. Probably will get it. Considering a mini album to tuck in the envelope.

Will get the Advent kit again. Love the idea of the puzzle. Not getting that one, it’s a bit dark and gloomy.

Prices as per usual are ridiculous.


ETA-
I now see the holes punched in the 3x8 cards. Do not like. May reconsider.

Her stamp samples are always so messy. Is it her technique? The inks?

Hi! I’ve followed along to this thread for years but made an account because I need ideas.

I want to use a 4x6 albums or a 6x8 notebook (a la the creative bubble option from last year). I’m not terribly excited about spending $35 for the creative bubble notebook + stamp in the AE shop. (I won’t use the stamp). And I don’t think there’s a 4x6 with 2in spine available for purchase anywhere. 🤪 I’m also not super interested in altering an album to make it work.

I love DD and want to make a smaller and less intensive album!! Any ideas of other companies with options for me?

Thanks so much!!

Looking through things.. I'm shocking myself so much I really love that main kit 🙈 Especially the "twinkle" and "falala" things.

The stamping examples leave a lot to be desired.. you can't even read what some of them say. Whether that's the AE ink or the stamp itself idk but it doesn't make me want to buy them when the lines are so blown out.

TWENTY DOLLARS FOR STENCILS

These prices have increased..right? $20 for a 3x8 pack of stuff?! shit I really do love those transparencies though. I just keep scrolling and scrolling and scrolling.. dare I say there's too many things? Ah, clock those window cards again! Just spend $20 on the window card die from Elle's Studio and have windows foreverrrrrrr.

ooof. $40 for a STICKER advent.

Woof. I’m interested in the block sentiments stamp but I want to know if Ali was just doing a half ass stamp job or if they are hard to use/won’t stamp nicely. Also, the stencils are my favorite thing this year - is it bad that I thought they were a good price (compared to what they could have been) lol?!

I recall Ali being very WSYWIG when it comes to stamping. She doesn't really care too much if it's messy. I don't think it's the quality of the stamps.

I know that freaking advent calendar is expensive, but I got it last year and loved it SO much! After 20+ years of doing all the planning, shopping, wrapping, cooking etc for the holidays, it was really nice to have something special just for me. I will get it again this year.

LOL I saw this after I posted...

Despite freaking out over prices a bit, I do really, really enjoy sitting down with a drink and going through Ali's blog post and watching all the product videos. It's part of the DD project as much as sitting down and creating the actual album.

Also part of the tradition - scrolling though Creative Market trying to find the graphics used for some of the papers. If any of you find the woodland creatures patterns/elements I will love you forever.

I thought this last year too and never did anything with the envelopes.

I do plan on using the 9. I have 9 nieces and nephews and there is no word for the nonbinary one.

I'm going to make 9 tags. I'm going to cut off the top of the envelope and use an attacher for the side.
I'll make 9 tags that will fit inside and have all the fun fibers sticking out of the top of the envelope.
On side side I'll have their photo and on the back we'll write their gift.

I always do something fun and interactive for this page every year. I can spend time on it since I do it in advance and it's always day 9.


OMG someone please tell me the advent calendar is not that bad.
I had so much fun with it last year. I mean sure, a couple of the days were not so great (full sheet of tiny postage stamp-like labels I'm looking at you) but I really liked the others.

Did we get free shipping last year if we spent a certain amount?

It's $1.66 per day + whatever fraction of the shipping it will be.
I can also use the cute box to wrap a gift.

I'm already over $200 & that's not even everything. I'm going to have to pare this down. I'm not spending that much $ on making an album.