Friday, April 8, 2011

Important Announcement!

Good Morning Friends!

We, your stamping 411 Operators, are excited to announce that THIS COMING FRIDAY, we will be converting to....

ALL Stampin' Up Only!


So... .Here's the 411 on that... (no pun intended, well maybe...)

This will still be the SAME marketing FREE zone that you have come to know and love, and it is still a safe place for all our customers to play. We ask that when you play along and link to our challenges that you use Stampin' Up products only.

Stamping 411 was built by 8 SU demonstrators, who wanted a way to support our customers, using Stampin' Up products, without having to recreate the wheel from scratch. We believe that as a TEAM, we can teach the basics better together. As a part of providing this shared resource, it has come to our attention that we need to be more closely following the contracts that we all signed. So here we are!

No matter who you are, or what products inspire you.. We hope that you'll use Stamping 411 as a resource if you need it. From this point forward, we are going all Stampin' Up All the time! We hope that you support us in our decision and understand the reasons that these changes needed to happen. Again, we ask that when you play along and link to our challenges that you use Stampin' Up products only.

We just wanted you to have some advanced notice. We will be switching over starting this Friday, with the post scheduled for 6PM EST.

"To love what we do and share what we love,
as we help others enjoy creativity
and worthwhile accomplishments . . . in this we make a difference."


With Kindest Regards,
Your Operators

45 comments:

  1. WooHoo!!! This is wonderful! I love your site and this makes it even better! Best Wishes and thanks for sharing all your creativity!

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  2. I'm disappointed as I like to mix all the products I have, no matter who makes it. Too bad for me, I supposed it's pointless to continue following from this point forward. Thank for your the fun I had while open to all! I wish you luck in your new path

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  3. I can understand the need of the demos who operate the site to need to showcase only SU but to require those who play along to also be SU only seems that you will be alienating any would be future SU customers. It's your site though so good luck to you!

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  4. I will be unsubscribing. As I do love SU images, I also love others, and am unhappy that you've made this decision.

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  5. I am a SU demonstrator so I am very happy with your decision!

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  7. I think this is cool :-) I think it's cool to have an all SU Challenge blog. I'm an Su Demo and I do like to mix up product, but sometimes I think it's real nice to just do a project with SU- and show case Su's strengths. Way to go ladies, you stick to your guns x

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  8. Yay! Glad to hear this. Nothing against the other brands out there. Some are very good products. But as a demo I like to visit sites that use all SU. Makes it easier to find resources for the things I use.

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  9. You all need to understand that if the Operators want to continue to be Stampin' Up! demos, they were given no option from Stampin' Up! Either stop showing non SU or resign. I am sure it was a hard decision for them. Many SU demos will rejoice, everyone else not so much.

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  10. Glad to hear that this will be all SU from now on. You have a great site.
    D Sparks

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  11. BRAVO!!!! I've never found the need to use anything but Stampin' Up! due to its coordination and highest quality product. From now on I won't have to translate what I'm seeing into Stampin' Up! products! Wha Hoo!

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  12. I have one word...CHARACTER. So many people look at the internet as a way of getting around something or being anonymous. It is nice to see a group of people (very talented people!) honor their previous commitments. Good for you and bountiful blessings!

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  13. I am so supportive of your choice to be all SU!
    Best of luck to you

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  14. Excited...while I love seeing everyone's products used in art I love having SU only resources only. Like a previous person mentioned....no need to translate into SU products. I'll still visit mixed media sites but this will be a top one for me to visit now.

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  15. I agree wholeheartedly with your decision. I think the last 3 posts said it best. I am thrilled! Best of luck.

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  16. I think you've made an awesome decision ladies.
    I honestly only look at ideas on the web that are SU! products only since I'm a SU! demonstrator.
    You have an awesome blog! You are all very talented demonstrators & I applaud you all!!!
    Thanks for sharing your creativity with us!
    SUSIE

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  17. I am so thankful that you will be SU! only! I love your site and will continue to visit and "play" often :-) Thanks again for all of your inspiration and I am looking forward to the next challenge!

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  18. Looking forward to LOTS of inspiring SU! samples and projects! Way to go, ladies!

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  19. Thank you for your fabulous challenges and excellent resources. I look forward to continuing to play along. I can't wait to see what's next!

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  20. I'm right with you, girls! YAHOO! Like most of the people who have commented before me, I will stay an avid supported and participant in your challenges. As an SU! demo, your decision makes my heart sing. I have learnt so much here from your various articles and challenges each week. You may lose some people, but I for one will be spreading the word on my blog and within my team - as we say here in NZ "Kia kaha" (Stay Strong). Thank you! xxoo

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  21. Looking forward to just SU. I can go to plenty of other places to see the variety, but to have just the SU products will be what I am glad to see. Congrats to your decision!

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  22. I'm with the majority, I'm a SU demonstrator and I love all the ideas that you talented ladies have. I'm sure you'll lose a few but I'm sure you'll be gaining a lot more.... thanx for being brave enuf to take the stand

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  23. I have mixed feelings, and one question.

    Pros: As a SU demo, it will be great to see ideas I can easily duplicate, (when I run out of my own, lol)

    Cons: For many reasons, including the fact that my SU stash is far from complete, the fact that I love to visit my local craft stores, and am often inspired by what I see, and the fact that I still have a HUGE stash of non-SU supplies, I feel really inhibited when I have no option to mix things up (ie. my Workshops, etc.)

    Question: I don't understand why this would be forced upon them? My understanding, from reading the agreement, was that in our online world, we're allowed to use other products, but we're not allowed to promote them, by saying what they are, or where to find them. That's how I've been running my blog, and even my personal Facebook posts. On my blog, I'll list all of the SU products used, and not mention the other stuff at all. Is this wrong?

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  24. I buy SU products and a new stamper...thank you for giving us newbies a place to visit often and learn the ins and outs of stamping.
    However, I still do use other products as well.

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  25. Kudos to all of you lovely Operators, not only for your efforts in running such a worthwhile, instructive blog, but also for your honesty and integrity in honoring your obligation to SU. Your generosity in sharing all the details of your projects in such a fun way makes you so deserving of all the rewards you wonderful demonstrators receive from SU! I became a SU customer in the late 1990's and never looked back, and still don't have it all so also just substitute colors and products I have. This is a terrific resource that I will continue to share with others. Thank you!

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  26. Sorry to hear this. I will have to stop following as I have a limited amount of SU products. I have learned a lot from your 'how-to's!

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  27. I'm excited AND happy!!! I always LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your ideas and tips, and while I do have (and use) products other than Stampin' Up!, I love the SU only "plan". As a demo it is helpful. And for those who have other products - why unsubscribe? They can still use the layouts, instructions, etc. you are so generous to provide, just substitute what they have. You go, girls!!!

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  28. Yippee! As a demonstrator it gives me more straight forward ideas. I do agree with Pam, why unsubscribe, even as demonstrators we may not have exactly what is shown in a design, you either shop for that specific item or change it out to something else. If you are a lover of that specific item it shouldn't matter where you shop for it! Good luck, I will be watching and participating!

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  29. Love it love it love it! You are so wonderful to do this....I know people love mixing it up but as a fellow SU! demo, I hold you in high regard for taking this position. I really look forward to seeing your creativity and inspiration using SU! only products and believe that your doing so will be MORE inspiring!

    Good on you! Bren

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  30. Keep up the great job ladies!! You are always a wonderful source of inspiration!!

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  31. Sounds good to me. I'm staying with you gals. I LOVE some of your ideas and LIKE others. But you are doing a great job and I look forward to each and every posting.

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  32. Love the idea of being all Stampin' Up! I love being able to see a project the will inspire me to create and know exactly where I can get that item if I want it to make my own! I think it is a great idea, I will continue to follow and will probably now participate!

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  33. Great!!!! I only use SU well that is what I sell and I DON'T have anything else I support SU 100% and all of YOU. If we want to sell more we have to show it off more so this is a great way to sell more SU product. Thank you for all your time Stamping 411 operators

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  34. You Betcha! I think it's great! We can always look at something & make it with what we have on hand. But if we figure that we really want it, then we know where to get it!

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  35. I used to be a SU demonstrator so I can certainly understand you decision. I am not a consistent player, but do have a question...can we use retired products? Since I am no longer a demonstrator, I have not been purchasing a lot of the new sets, but boy do I have a stash of retired ones!!!!

    Linda

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  36. Sorry to hear that you are making those of us who are not SU demonstrators use only SU products. Although I belong to a monthly stamp club run by a SU demonstrator, I also love to use supplies from many other companies. When SU offers actual sales/reasonable prices, I'll consider using more of their products.

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  37. To Linda @ The Stamper's Touch: I hope we can use retired SU products...I have lots that I stiil love! Great blog by the way!

    To HWQueen: When I started stamping 13 years ago the only SU sale was the once-yearly "Sellabration" (now Sale-a-Bration). SU never put their products on sale, but now there is a price reduction or promo every month! Even when there were no sales, I could see the tremendous value in buying sets of quality stamps in a nice protective case, and I'm pretty frugal! The stamps work out to be 2 or 3 dollars each, and include the wood blocks! Now there are clear mounts that cost even less (but I love my wood mounts)! I'm not a demo, just love SU for all the coordinating products and ideas that make the most of my limited crafting time. If you like doing the challenges, use your SU stuff here and certainly keep using all the other products you enjoy! :-)

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  38. I think this is a great decision by your team. I love love your site and I will love it even more. Keep up the great work all of you do. I look forward to Friday's even more now!!

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  39. I wholeheartedly agree with most posts - as a SUp! demonstrator it will make my transition casing easier! To others, don't stop, the ideas will still be there for you - Thanks for all you do - keep up your wonderful ideas! We appreciate you!

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  40. Not in a position to play as much as I would like right now because of my job, but as a SU! hobbyist demonstrator, I heartily applaud you for taking this stand and honoring not only the written contract with SU! that we all signed when we decided to sell the product, but also honoring the spirit of that contract.

    I'm of a generation that believes rules are in place for a reason, and SU! has rules for their demonstrators--this change will allow me to substitute one SU! product for another, but also ensure that any project I post on my personal blog follows the guidelines as well--a true win/win in my book ;-)

    Thank you for the positive example of integrity in business...

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  41. I tuned in when I wasn't an SU hobbist. Found lots of ideas and learn from the tutorials, and layouts. Will continue to tune in and use what I have. You ladies have a job/commitment to promote SU products only. Somedays you gotta do what you gotta do and go with it.

    MWW

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  42. What a GREAT decision to go SU Only! I completely support your decision. You believe in the SU product (okay...I do too!) and this is to showcase that product. Congratulations on your decision...I know you'll be seeing me continue to join in the challenges!

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  43. I'm happy to see this announcement. I love that you will help others showcase all the ways SU products can be used! You are one of my favorite sites and I'm sure I will love you even more now.

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  44. Question - is using retired stuff ok? I'll do my best to use current stamp sets, but I just haven't invested in pattern paper in a long time because I have way more than any army would need.

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