While perusing UKS this morning I was alerted to a blog which has apparently been causing a bit of a stir recently. Called Scrap Smack UK (I understand there is a US version too) it appears to be a chance for scrap bookers to anonymously slander each other and generally bitch. I have to admit that whilst originally disgusted by the idea I have found myself reading the comments and having a good old chuckle, seeing with interest (and in some cases being able to recognise) the people that have been offended by the site. I am aware that some of my friends have been mentioned in dispatches (although I haven’t got that far yet and will probably be most upset on their behalf when I read the snarky comments about them). Fortunately, I have the sort of friends who laugh off such inanity without resorting to snide remarks in return. On one hand I can understand the need for such a place (and the hundreds of comments left on the site show this to be the case) – it is hard to criticise the industry when you know that you will receive the scrapping equivalent of the horses head in the bed for saying anything. However, as has been shown to be the case on UKS in the past, freedom of speech soon degenerates into a personal slanging match that leaves everyone disgruntled and allowing anonymous comment does nothing to diminish that. So here’s a few thoughts of my own on the subjects raised in the blog:
I understand that one of the trains of thought on there is a major criticism of the UKS cyber crops (I have yet to reach this). My view is that they are a fun weekend which gives you a chance to try out things you may never have otherwise thought of. My only criticism of them is that they are no longer competitive. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was in the Jiggly Jellies for the current 5th birthday celebration cyber crop, but haven’t mentioned it since. Sadly, I only tend to find time to scrap during a cyber crop and found that the complete uncompetitiveness of it put me off even taking part this time, in fact I haven’t even downloaded the classes yet. I personally preferred the out and out competition of crops like the ‘Saints & Sinners’ and ‘Star Wars’ where there were only 2 teams and it was all out war. I have never uploaded what I consider to be a substandard LO just for the points as apparently some people have. I just find the competition to be stimulating rather than oppressive. Bring back the fighting I say!
I no longer read Scrapbook magazines as I got fed up of seeing the same old faces week in week out (although now of course I get to miss the occasional entries of my friends) and the same old techniques touted everywhere. Whilst I would agree with the comment that the same people are used far too often, I personally can’t be bothered to submit to a magazine or enter competitions (I have a hard enough time trying to actually scrap in the first place) and so can’t really complain when the people who do bother end up all over the place. Also these ‘elite’ few are surely only elite if you think of them as such. Personally if I consider them at all, which I rarely do, they are just scrappers I have either spoken to or not spoken to. They are no better than me and their work is no better either, just different. My pages are the perfect style for me because they are made by me for me and I don't care whether others like them or not.
One interesting thing to come out of the blog is the link to another called Scrapbook Stuff That Sucks. I haven’t yet had a chance to look at it properly, but it occurs to me that this blog is a brilliant idea. I have hundreds of rub ons that I bought that are completely crap and don't rub on and I’m sure every other crafter must have similar stuff in their stash. What a great idea to be told about stuff that is rubbish before you go and waste your money on it.
I have not posted on the blog (no need to after all that critique) and do not intend to do so unless I feel I have a constructive point to make – but if I do post it won't be anonymously!
I understand that one of the trains of thought on there is a major criticism of the UKS cyber crops (I have yet to reach this). My view is that they are a fun weekend which gives you a chance to try out things you may never have otherwise thought of. My only criticism of them is that they are no longer competitive. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I was in the Jiggly Jellies for the current 5th birthday celebration cyber crop, but haven’t mentioned it since. Sadly, I only tend to find time to scrap during a cyber crop and found that the complete uncompetitiveness of it put me off even taking part this time, in fact I haven’t even downloaded the classes yet. I personally preferred the out and out competition of crops like the ‘Saints & Sinners’ and ‘Star Wars’ where there were only 2 teams and it was all out war. I have never uploaded what I consider to be a substandard LO just for the points as apparently some people have. I just find the competition to be stimulating rather than oppressive. Bring back the fighting I say!
I no longer read Scrapbook magazines as I got fed up of seeing the same old faces week in week out (although now of course I get to miss the occasional entries of my friends) and the same old techniques touted everywhere. Whilst I would agree with the comment that the same people are used far too often, I personally can’t be bothered to submit to a magazine or enter competitions (I have a hard enough time trying to actually scrap in the first place) and so can’t really complain when the people who do bother end up all over the place. Also these ‘elite’ few are surely only elite if you think of them as such. Personally if I consider them at all, which I rarely do, they are just scrappers I have either spoken to or not spoken to. They are no better than me and their work is no better either, just different. My pages are the perfect style for me because they are made by me for me and I don't care whether others like them or not.
One interesting thing to come out of the blog is the link to another called Scrapbook Stuff That Sucks. I haven’t yet had a chance to look at it properly, but it occurs to me that this blog is a brilliant idea. I have hundreds of rub ons that I bought that are completely crap and don't rub on and I’m sure every other crafter must have similar stuff in their stash. What a great idea to be told about stuff that is rubbish before you go and waste your money on it.
I have not posted on the blog (no need to after all that critique) and do not intend to do so unless I feel I have a constructive point to make – but if I do post it won't be anonymously!
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