Which Kit Club(s) Do You Belong To?

You all know I'm a Not Just For Boys kit fanatic. It isn't a subscription service but I'm up early on the first of each month buying my kits so it functions as one for me.

Back in the day I was a subscriber to Citrus Twist, Cocoa Daisy, and Hip Kit. Then everyone changed what was in their kits and how they did them.

I loved, loved, loved Cocoa Daisy back in the day but they got rid of their 12x12 kits and then they brought them back but I think their months are too themed. For example, the one this month is centering on books and I just don't have much to scrap with that. I still like some of it but it is sold out before I can buy any of it.

I like lots of different kinds of embellishments in my kits because I love doodads. Not Just For Boys is fun because sometimes you get charms, or embroidery floss, or ribbon, or wood pieces, acrylic, or enamel dots, or photo strips, etc. I like die cuts (and lately NJFB has been using 49 & Market a lot and there are so many die cuts in their packs!) but a lot of kit clubs seem to just offer just die cuts and stickers and I love dimension on my pages. I also like the way they put together paper that I'd never put together, because I'm usually really matchy-matchy, so the kits are always a challenge for me.

I wish I could find another kit club to add but nothing else seems to fit me. I do like Hip Kit Club, and like that they have mixed media kits, embellishment kits, etc., but every month pretty much looks the same to me. I buy one occasionally but I wouldn't like it every month.

I'm going to check out some of the other kit clubs mentioned- maybe I can find something else I like. Some of the Club Scrap kits look intriguing but it seems that the paper is kind of shiny and that isn't usually my jam.

Did I mention how much I like Not Just For Boys?

I subscribe to Club Scrap's card kits, but skip quite frequently. Some of their paper is shiny, but not all of it. Some months, I believe, there no shiny at all, but maybe some linen texture and some plain. The paper is always high quality (they're based in Neenah, WI, which I think has something to do with that) and they always include ribbons and other fun embellishments. I blame them directly for my utter adoration of both ribbon and enamel dots! Both card and page kits come with "assembly line" style instructions for cutting and putting together, but their blog has many alternate projects and ideas for both. A stamp set and "pack of panels" (4x6 matching papers) are available as add-ons and matching hybrid inks and extra sheets of paper can be ordered. Although they are often very "theme-y" their blog will also have examples of using the page kits to scrap events that you wouldn't think of "going" with the theme with great results.

I also currently subscribe to SU's Paper Pumpkin and also skip that one at least as often as not. Those are much less elaborate, mostly stamp some sentiments, punch out some pre-perforated die cuts, and glue, but you can also find lots of alternate projects for them. These kits travel well and are great to bring on vacation or the like. I may end up donating a bunch of my PP cards.

I regularly buy the Hero Arts/Joann Make Yourself at Home card kits as well. I love the variety of materials and tools that are in these. I got my first blending brush in one and just got my first stencil paste. I think there was shimmer spray in one, a liquid watercolor in another -- things to try new techniques in a very low-cost, low-commitment way.

I bought one of Simon Says Stamps card kits, but it seemed like there was a bunch of tossed-in kind of stuff, if that makes sense. Like they solicited contributions from their suppliers who said, sure, we'll give you some tags or some twine or whatever at a steep discount, but it didn't seem to hang together for me. I thought about getting thier Festive Feathered Friends card kit, but decided too much of what was in it wasn't of value to me at all. i spent about the same amount for just the large stamp and coordinating die set (that die set wasn't in the kit at all).

I recently purchased one of Spellbinder's old card kits on sale. I know the new card kits no longer come with stamps and dies, but I figured I could get a feel for the types of papers, cardstock, and embellishments were likely to be in them this year. Not a fan, I think.

SC documenter and a new one from Stickii, a sticker kit geared toward junk journaling.

I have subbed to Elle’s, Paper Person, Heidi Swapp, Cocoa Daisy and Feed My Craft in the past. I keep returning to SC.

I selected Other for Elle’s Studio. It’s my only current kit sub. Everything else either isn’t my style, has too many WA/QC or CS problems, or has gotten stale for me. I’m over AE and KP/PP.

I just canceled Everyday Explorers Co Mini Book Makers Club kit. I like her stuff, but that’s a kit that I don’t use quickly, and I don’t like paying the lump cost up front for the commitment period.

I’ve previously subbed to SC, AE, KP/PP, FF, and Feed Your Craft. I’ve gotten one-offs from Felicity Jane and Gossamer Blue (man, I miss GB).

My other is Paper Wizard’s PKC kits.

I also still have lots of paper from when I subscribed to Club Scrap. I still think their paper is great quality, especially for stitching on paper but the designs are so hard to use and the colours are so muted.