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Post by linhaz on Sept 5, 2018 1:48:50 GMT
Jess Forster has a Podcast focused specifically on the DD Prep party: pockettalk.libsyn.com/episode-35-december-daily-prep-party14 mins Curious about the December Daily Prep Party? Check out this podcast I recorded with Ali and Katie today, answering all your questions about the DDPP! If this in person crop is not in the budget this year, don't fret! During the end of our conversation, Ali and I chat about our initial thoughts for our December Daily projects. Check it out: |
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,483 
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Post by cbscrapper on Sept 5, 2018 2:21:34 GMT
So tomorrow I plan on staying home all day tomorrow and evaluating my December Daily collection of products I have accumulated. I know I will need an album & a set of numbers this year - but I want to take a good look and see what all is in my cabinet. I am debating the simple Story gold numbers from sb.com - I just wish I knew how large they actually are in real life and can't find that info anywhere. Do you have a link to these? I have some SS gold numbers I could measure, but I’m not sure they are what you’re talking about. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Sept 5, 2018 2:22:33 GMT
I like the gold album a lot and the red BH. Do they both have the 1" rings? I feel like the AE and SC ones have bigger spines. A word of warning: BH's faux leather albums are risky investments. I had grey and rain green ones (multiple of each) in 6x8. Both colourways had faux leather problems after a few years (started crumbling at the inside articulation seams). Quality is nowhere that of WRMK.
I can just imagine the frustration that's going to be caused by trying to flick backwards and forward between different pages with everything loading slowly. Open ALL the tabs like a freakin' ninja! 
I'm not even planning on ordering anything and the blog post stressed me out too. lol . Sounds like she's anticipating some stuff will sell out in minutes again. Argh. I'm dealing with a family member who's had an accident last week and I can't nor do I want to handle extra stress or information overload, especially just so I can spend my money. I just looked at the email and blog post and closed it all down prematurely. Not interested. I shouldn't have to deal with so many explanations to be a customer.
I find it *obnoxious* to include some dismissive hand-slapping about not focusing on products in an absurdly long blog post detailing the navigational/retail strategy that will yield the greatest likelihood of you having the opportunity to purchase most of the products on your list. Yikes, I could feel the wrath of that hand slap all the way over here in Europe. *backs away*
I received my simple stories kit that I ordered from scrapbook. Com. The album is lovely! It's got the 2 inch spine. May I ask whether the rings are truly snag-free? I seem to remember some people complaining a little when the first large spine Simple Stories' December album was released a few years back.
Ali talks a good game, but I do think she kind of enjoys turning this into a clusterf*** every year.. We all have that friend who's like "I haaaaaaate drama, ohmygoooosh!" but who not-so-secretly absolutely loves and lives for it, especially if they're at the centre of it.
It's specifically stated to get your favorites first and do multiple check outs because nothing "in your cart" is guaranteed until you pay for it. So, don't be materialistic jerks but HURRY UP AND BUY ALL THE STUFF IN AS MANY CHECKOUTS AS POSSIBLE AND DON'T WHINE LATER! "As long as most of my stuff sells out, don't you dare complain." 
I think I just need to push the button on the SS album and page protectors at Scrapbook.com. I have a cold and feel terrible so am not getting up in the middle of the night to put an order in with Ali. Hope you feel better soon, anniefb ! *sends over hot tea and honey*
But if instead they have truly ordered all of the product in advance - hence the "limited quantity/ estimates may be off" sell-out drama then it should not take 2 months to ship the orders. They should be able to ship right away because they should already have all of the product. It's Inked, we can't expect logics or even the laws of nature to apply... They can't be bothered to strike deals with reliable enough manufacturers to make sure they get all their products in the warehouse on time so they play the one-month-to-select-your-DD-items game to hide behind when all the good stuff will have sold out in the first couple days. Sigh.
So tomorrow I plan on staying home all day tomorrow and evaluating my December Daily collection of products I have accumulated. I know I will need an album & a set of numbers this year - but I want to take a good look and see what all is in my cabinet. I am debating the simple Story gold numbers from sb.com - I just wish I knew how large they actually are in real life and can't find that info anywhere. If you mean the Echo Park gold numbers, you can get a better idea of their size in the collection presentation video  (time stamp 1:14 if it doesn't work):
Jess Forster has a Podcast focused specifically on the DD Prep party: I hope she got paid for that podcast-long ad. *shakes head*
Sorry to everyone for being so out of the DD loop at the moment. Life's been unexpectedly busy and stressful. Wishing everyone who's planning to buy from AE best of luck trying to purchase everything they want! May the odds be ever in your favour... Let the DD Selection Period Games begin!
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Post by impearia on Sept 5, 2018 3:00:50 GMT
I think I just need to push the button on the SS album and page protectors at Scrapbook.com. I have a cold and feel terrible so am not getting up in the middle of the night to put an order in with Ali. did they get more mixed packages of PPs in anniefb? I am sorely tempted...but I will wait a few more hours to see if I like Ali's main kit. I am actually short on supplies so I need to buy a few things this year. Luckily, my favourite online Australian scrappy shop is getting Crate Paper Merry Days...so I will be getting some of that! |
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Post by marie on Sept 5, 2018 3:34:19 GMT
sleepingbooty the SS album has the 8 pages and 12 page protectors it came with and I have flipped through the album several times. Everything seems to turn smoothly. No snagging so far but I will have to check it when I put more page protectors and heavier paper in it.
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Post by joblackford on Sept 5, 2018 4:10:19 GMT
Honestly I think this whole "selection period" thing is just dumb. Why can't they order enough product that things won't sell out in 2 minutes, just put the stuff up for sale, and start shipping orders right away. Like every other company in the world. Or do a true pre-order, as customers have been suggesting to AE for years. Ordering scrapbook supplies shoudn't require a huge blog post detailing exactly how we should go about it  Ali talks a good game, but I do think she kind of enjoys turning this into a clusterf*** every year.. I'm not sure if they want a "cluster***" every year, but I do agree that a "selection period" with a long lead time until shipping, and limited quantities doesn't make sense once you think about it. Really it should be one or the other. The only reason for a selection period with a long shipping time would seem to be to get orders and money in first and then manufacture the kits. If that's the case there should be no "sell out" since as long as an order is paid for they should be able to get the product (and of course they are not allowing orders to be cancelled this year). But if instead they have truly ordered all of the product in advance - hence the "limited quantity/ estimates may be off" sell-out drama then it should not take 2 months to ship the orders. They should be able to ship right away because they should already have all of the product. This disconnect is the main reason people are dissatisfied every year. If orders sold out and product shipped right away as happens on QVC or HSN - people would understand. What is harder to understand is all of the build up and then a quick sell out and then the product still does not ship for 2 months. There's a disconnect there that is never really explained in any of the blog posts or the Facebook Live.  I have no idea why they do it this way. I'd forgotten that there was a 2 month delay because seriously - why is there a 2 month delay?! I'm enjoying reading this thread but I have no intention of buying. Especially not after reading that hand slap. But I agree with her - the project and the memories are what's important to me, so she can f-off with her products and all the nonsense surrounding them. I don't need the drama. (except for what I read here  ) |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Sept 5, 2018 4:21:01 GMT
Thank you so much, marie!
Here's what my self-curated DD/JYC kit looks like so far (I have a tiny stash so very little Christmas stuff in stock) (still adjusting my cart):
1. Red Plaid album from Echo Park's 2018 Christmas release ( x) 2. Gold foil number set from Echo Park ( x) 3. Chipboard stickers from Crate Paper's Merry Days ( x) 4. Ephemera pack with glitter accents from Crate Paper's Merry Days ( x) 5. Phrase and accent puffy Thickers from Crate Paper's Merry Days ( x) 6. Believe paper from Crate Paper's Merry Days for B-side with ( x) 7. Mistletoe paper from Crate Paper's Merry Days for both sides ( x) 8. Frosty Days paper from Crate Paper's Merry Days for A-side ( x) 9. Sugar Plums paper from Crate Paper's Merry Days for A-side ( x) 10. Christ Is Born paper from Echo Park's Oh Holy Night for B-side ( x) 11. Dark Teal cardstock from Echo Park's Coffee for both sides ( x) 12. Light Blue cardstock from Echo Park's Coffee for both sides ( x) 13. Coffee Cups paper from Echo Park's Coffee for A-side ( x) 14. 4x6 Cards paper from Echo Park's Oh Holy Night for B-side - for the early December olive harvest ( x) 15. Deck The Halls paper from Simple Stories' Simple Vintage Christmas for B-side ( x) 16. 'Tis The Season paper from Simple Stories' Simple Vintage Christmas for A-side ( x) 17. Jolly Holidays paper from Simple Stories' Simple Vintage Christmas for B-side ( x) 18. Ho Ho Ho paper from Simple Stories' Simple Vintage Christmas for B-side ( x)
I chose Merry Days as the core collection and worked my way around it. It has both soft muted tones and primary contrasting colours like red and black which opens perspectives in terms of colourways and other collections to choose from. It's been fun butterflying around and picking everything myself for my December album this year!
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Post by impearia on Sept 5, 2018 4:42:19 GMT
sleepingbooty I love Crate's Merry Days! I am getting some of that one too! Nice choices.
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Post by anniefb on Sept 5, 2018 5:03:09 GMT
I think I just need to push the button on the SS album and page protectors at Scrapbook.com. I have a cold and feel terrible so am not getting up in the middle of the night to put an order in with Ali. did they get more mixed packages of PPs in anniefb ? I am sorely tempted...but I will wait a few more hours to see if I like Ali's main kit. I am actually short on supplies so I need to buy a few things this year. Luckily, my favourite online Australian scrappy shop is getting Crate Paper Merry Days...so I will be getting some of that! They didn't get any in as far as I know but I got one of 4x6 and one 3x4 instead. |
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Ren
Full Member
Posts: 317
Feb 11, 2017 23:49:08 GMT
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Post by Ren on Sept 5, 2018 6:34:47 GMT
So tomorrow I plan on staying home all day tomorrow and evaluating my December Daily collection of products I have accumulated. I know I will need an album & a set of numbers this year - but I want to take a good look and see what all is in my cabinet. I am debating the simple Story gold numbers from sb.com - I just wish I knew how large they actually are in real life and can't find that info anywhere. Are they the ones that look multi sized in the photo? If so they are huge, the biggest are around 3x4 then the others are maybe half that. They’re also a brassy gold. I was a bit disappointed with them last year. |
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Post by elegantsufficiency on Sept 5, 2018 8:04:31 GMT
That, and she trademarked it! 😂 On the DD Instagram page, they've been showing highlights from past albums, and I really like the unique nature of those early albums more than the cookie cutter versions. 😢 If I'd had more time and energy I might have signed in to say that "these are the albums you made when you followed Shimelle's Journal your Christmas" !! I agree, mich5481 those early albums are lovely (just like mine  ) |
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Post by elegantsufficiency on Sept 5, 2018 8:11:54 GMT
I'm late to this party having had a couple of crazy busy days (I know...so crazy busy I didn't drop by here to catch up?! That crazy!) I can't believe what I'm reading about the project being more important than the product....*sigh*
We discovered that for ourselves a long time ago, dear....
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Ren
Full Member
Posts: 317
Feb 11, 2017 23:49:08 GMT
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Post by Ren on Sept 5, 2018 10:30:36 GMT
Yay! I bit the bullet and went with the new Simple Stories. In the end it was too good to pass up as it only worked out to be $32 AU from scrapbook. com instead of the $55 AU AE would cost 😳 Also being simple stories I already have some extra pockets, although I’m aiming to do less in pockets this year. So hooray! Oh, I also found this code online which took 10% off my album which was already on sale 😄 SBCWELCOME10
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dawnnikol
Prolific Pea
'A life without books is a life not lived.' Jay Kristoff
Posts: 8,566
Sept 21, 2015 18:39:25 GMT
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Post by dawnnikol on Sept 5, 2018 11:12:46 GMT
I just found a huge stash of Handbook page protectors... now to find a Handbook. :X
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Post by lasteve1 on Sept 5, 2018 11:28:38 GMT
So Ali revealed the full kits on her blog, there are kit photos and videos. I'm at work so I can't watch the videos and the kit images are pretty low quality/small so I can't really see everything well, but what I can see I'm not a huge fan.
The main kit looks like a good size, but it seems to have a cream/off-white color rather than bright white and I hate that. The color scheme is also super dark, not sure I'm a fan in general. The assortment of embellishments seems nice from the itty bitty photo, but nothing jumps out as something I have to have and many things look similar (if not identical) to previous releases.
Liz's mini kit looks very similar to last year's with more red mixed in. I like what I see so far of it, but again it looks like its just more of last year's kit... but maybe the idea is so people can mix them together?
Brandi's kid's kit is cute, but not what I'm in the market for.
No prices are listed.
And on Ali's post yesterday--while her handslapping is uncalled for and kinda shocked me a little because she usually is much more controlled than that, what really bothered me was this:
Um... how am I supposed to identify the items I'm most interested in ahead of time if you won't post photos of the items!?!? I'm so frustrated with the secrecy around this year's release. Why is there not a blog post with photos of every item!? Or even if she wants to split it up between shop items/kits, why are these not clearly pictured on her blog!? And why wait until 24 hours before the sale to post anything of the kits at all!?
I have a work party tomorrow at 9:30 AM and it likely won't be done by 10 (when shopping goes live) so I can't hit up the rush anyways... in years past I have fought with the crashing computer for items, but this year there isn't anything I LOVE and I can't be there at the release time anyways, so I will likely try when I can and take my time pondering items... and if they sell out, I'll skip it. Which is crazy to me... I never skip Ali's DD release! But I'm actually not that bummed about missing it.
I'm still undecided on the album... if I want all of mine to match with Ali's 6x8 albums or if I want to mix it up this year and commit to mixing it up in the future (I don't want just one random one that doesn't match!)
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 28, 2024 16:31:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 5, 2018 11:29:09 GMT
Ali's main kit is very retro-looking, I think. Most of this year's Christmas supplies are. The pic didn't sell it to me at all, but the video shows the items in details. I'm still not buying the kit, though. I might buy it on sale if the price is right.
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Post by joteves on Sept 5, 2018 11:35:34 GMT
I just watched the video presentations of the AE kits and this has solidified my decision not to order any physical products this year. I really don't like the main kit; hate the colours, and the mini-kit is okay but it's too similar to last year's kit. I might get the digital version, but only if I don't find something else I like better. Feeling a bit disappointed but at the same time I'm glad I don't have to worry about any of the DD madness this year. And I'll be saving some money so it's all good!
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cbscrapper
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,483
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Post by cbscrapper on Sept 5, 2018 11:37:12 GMT
That, and she trademarked it! 😂 On the DD Instagram page, they've been showing highlights from past albums, and I really like the unique nature of those early albums more than the cookie cutter versions. 😢 If I'd had more time and energy I might have signed in to say that "these are the albums you made when you followed Shimelle's Journal your Christmas" !! I agree, mich5481 those early albums are lovely (just like mine ) Exactly what I was thinking! |
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Post by mrsshampoo on Sept 5, 2018 11:45:08 GMT
It would have been helpful to list out the contents of the kits, so people who can’t watch the video know what they are looking at in the lone kit photos. I guess she couldn’t be bothered after yesterday’s unnecessarily long blog post how to shop and give her all the $$$.
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Post by impearia on Sept 5, 2018 11:56:12 GMT
So Ali revealed the full kits on her blog, there are kit photos and videos. I'm at work so I can't watch the videos and the kit images are pretty low quality/small so I can't really see everything well, but what I can see I'm not a huge fan. The main kit looks like a good size, but it seems to have a cream/off-white color rather than bright white and I hate that. The color scheme is also super dark, not sure I'm a fan in general. The assortment of embellishments seems nice from the itty bitty photo, but nothing jumps out as something I have to have and many things look similar (if not identical) to previous releases. If you click the small picture it becomes a much bigger picture. I know I was squinting to see what the heck was in the photo too until I clicked and it enlarged. Also the white in the kit is white, but there are some beige cards/papers too/ I don't think I saw cream based papers/cards if that helps you or anyone else.
I know I am in the minority but I LOVE Ali's main kit. I LOVE that it has yellow and some brighter tones which will be good for my Australian summery Christmas. Yellow is one of my favourite colours to scrap with. I also felt there were LOADS of embellishments for the price. I am going to try to order an album, the main kit, some transparencies and maybe one or two more things. Then, I will supplement and mix it up with some Crate Paper Merry Days which, if you look has a lot of the same colours: mustardy yellow, white, black, beige, red, green etc. I will be picking up the Chipboard sheet and 6x8 paper pad for sure and a few other goodies and that will do it for me.
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Ren
Full Member
Posts: 317
Feb 11, 2017 23:49:08 GMT
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Post by Ren on Sept 5, 2018 12:01:21 GMT
Reposting my comment as my typo made it make no sense!
I like Ali’s kit far more than I thought I would. A bit dark for my Aussie Xmas, and I won’t be getting it, but I do really like it. The chipboard is lovely. I love Liz’s but I feel like it’s a bit like last year..
Brandi’s kids kit.. Christmas KOALA! I might have to get the digital kit just for it 😄
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Post by loveslabradors on Sept 5, 2018 12:04:18 GMT
Um... how am I supposed to identify the items I'm most interested in ahead of time if you won't post photos of the items!?!? I'm so frustrated with the secrecy around this year's release. Why is there not a blog post with photos of every item!? Or even if she wants to split it up between shop items/kits, why are these not clearly pictured on her blog!? And why wait until 24 hours before the sale to post anything of the kits at all!? Exactly. As far as I know, the only way to see the add-on items is to watch the long, rambling facebook video. I got so bored in the middle of it that I headed down to my craft room, got out all of the holiday supplies I already have, and realized I don't need to buy a single thing this year.  Probably not the effect she was hoping for when she was filming that one.
Glad I'm using my stash this year because the colors in the main kit are not doing it for me, at all.
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Post by loveslabradors on Sept 5, 2018 12:14:30 GMT
It's kind of cracking me up that the video on her home page is last year's kit  |
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Post by ihaveonly1l on Sept 5, 2018 12:25:19 GMT
I listened to the podcast while getting ready this morning. I’m not sure if I just have a sour taste in my mouth because of that “it’s not about the product” sentence from yesterday or what but All said that they’re having it in a bigger space than story camp so they can “invite” more people. I know we don’t always use the right words and things aren’t scripted but since getting product seems to becoming a secret group the word invite just rubbed me the wrong way. Invites don’t usually have such a large price tag.
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Post by BSideCrafter on Sept 5, 2018 12:42:40 GMT
I like the overall colors of the kit Things that I'm having issues with for the $50 price tag
The random wood veneer & and wreath-like shapes what are those? Not enough to build cohesion in an album and a waste
3 little white stars. I love the look, but I'll end up using all 3 on one spread and again cohesion with the texture
acrylic starbursts those are just ugly
The quote on the plastic circle is unreadable (no idea if she reads the quote on the video)
Why are there so few cards in the kit?
6 4x6 cards with 1 specifically for Christmas day.
24 3x4 cards. There are a lot of pages that hold 3x4 cards are we only supposed to use 1 maybe 2 on each page?
I'm still undecided on 3x8 or 6x8 at this point. The kit photo didn't sway me one way or the other yet.
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,621
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Post by julie5 on Sept 5, 2018 12:45:25 GMT
Ali’s kit is $50 and no stamp? Or did I miss that she’s lowering the price? I hope so cause I don’t see $50 there.
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nicolep
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,209
Member is Online
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Post by nicolep on Sept 5, 2018 13:30:17 GMT
I like Liz's kit and may pick it up. I always like how clean her designs are and her color palette is simple. The red/black/gray/white would be easy to mix in whatever other colors I'd like. Ali's main kit has too much going on for me and I have never been a fan of that olive/puke green color...especially for Christmas.
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Post by BSideCrafter on Sept 5, 2018 13:30:25 GMT
Ali’s kit is $50 and no stamp? Or did I miss that she’s lowering the price? I hope so cause I don’t see $50 there. $50 is what she's been posting on Facebook. I think this is my problem the value just isn't there. |
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Post by amidwestkingdom on Sept 5, 2018 13:33:23 GMT
So happy to have seen the DD kits as I was very disappointed seeing Paislee Press's kit this year in comparison to her 2016 kit. If she does another digital one for her line I may grab that or grab the one from last year in her shop. I'm generally over handwriting on my cards and much rather have type fonts. I tend to steer away from handwriting as it's just too personal the thought of handwriting and I much rather use my own now as I find my way into memory keeping. I am a HUGE Paislee Press lover otherwise. I loved the font in Ali's main kit, but I only loved the black star with gold foil chipboard as far as the embellishments. So, I may pick up her digital kit which actually surprised me as I could change the colors if need be too. I'm hoping In a Creative Bubble's kit with FYC WOWS me or anything with KP's release. If not I will pick up Crate Paper's Merry Days as I love their Christmas collections and just hoard them as you just never know when a new release will underwhelm you. I can just go back to a collection that I loved.
p.s. Ali's font/style reminded me so much of KP's aesthetics. I'm a sucker for a nice lowercase font.
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Post by amidwestkingdom on Sept 5, 2018 13:40:35 GMT
I like Liz's kit and may pick it up. I always like how clean her designs are and her color palette is simple. The red/black/gray/white would be easy to mix in whatever other colors I'd like. Ali's main kit has too much going on for me and I have never been a fan of that olive/puke green color...especially for Christmas. I actually love the color scheme too. I'm on the fence as the handwriting is too much in her kit this year. I also fee, this may not be true, that the kit looks a bit sparse in comparison to the 2016 one. I did not get the 2017 physical mini kit as it sold out. |
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(time stamp 1:14 if it doesn't work):
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Probably not the effect she was hoping for when she was filming that one.
