US Monthly Kit - Which is the best then?

[HOPEJACK]

Have almost decided on getting a US kit and getting it shipped over. Main reason is that, having studied them (a, it's obviously cheaper and b, they seem to have more embellishments in their kits). I've had a read through here and I think the main ones available are:

Cocoa Daisy
Scrap Room
One Page at a Time
ScrapMuse

If you subscribe to any of the above how are you finding them, are they hard to get hold off (I emailed Scrap Room yesterday AM and I am still waiting for a reply!), are you able to skip months easily, do they rectify mistakes quickly etc etc.

And in your opinion which is the best value! I really only wanted to spend around £20 including postage which is just about do-able with most of the above.

Sorry for all the questions - as it will be my one and only monthly kit I want to get it right!

TIA :D

[aligov]

i stopped getting any US kit after i was caught repeatedly by customs...

[Josieanne]

Don't forget Backporch memories, they are very good and the kits are fantastic. If I was subscribing thats the one I would go for, and she does stamps to match the kit, just like scrapagogo.

She has two kits each month, a solo, which is all designed to coordinate, or a medly, which is a little bit of four ranges. I like the solo myself, I have had two of them as 'one offs'


You can skip between either kit each month (although you sign up to the one you are most likely to want) and you can skip any month you want, if you skip three in a row you have to resubscribe all over again. She puts a 'sneek peak' up around the 15th of the month for the next months kit, and you have until the 1st or 7th of the following month to tell her what you want to do. The main picture goes up on the 1st of the month

She is very good at communication and she has all the info on her site, just put www in front of backporchmemories and .com at the end.

[Scrappydew]

I use Apron Strings Designs which is a good cheap one and you get enough with the 'smaller than a breadbox kit' which is around $19 dollars a month and shipping is extra. Here is a link;

Non Sponsor link removed.

[HOPEJACK]

aligov - can I ask where you were subscribing to please? (Don't worry if you don't want to say...)

I still like the US kits the best as I think they (in general) give you more embellies to go with the papers..... Hmmmm

[Hypatia]

I really like edited to remove non-sponser link- very good value for money, new technique every month and good shopping area and a lovely friendly board.

Been there over three years and love it - you can skip if you don't fancy the look of the papers/technique.

[persephone]

There are some fabby kits by sponsors on here. Don't want to name them individually as I am scared of leaving someone out. I have seen some really lush kits recently

[KimmyS]

If you subscribe to Scrap Muse and Cocoa Daisy you will never get stung by customs if you don't add extras to the Kits. Both of them are well below the maximum spend allowed.

I am subbed to Scrao Muse since November last year and have been getting the Cocoa Daisy since then too. As soon as I am out of my shopping hiatus I will sub to Cocoa Daisy as well

[liberty]

You will get a response from Tammy at Scrap-room, she's usually quick to reply. Don't forget the time difference too.

I like that they give you four ranges in one month and if you want to skip you just e-mail Tammy and that's it. Good price too.

Sue

[klbooth]

Another vote for Apron Strings Designs here. I get a few kits but these are the most useable ones I have and they also have a great website that is up to date and is organised and WORKS! The owners (Lori and Kathy - sisters) are lovely and very helpful. There is a choice of 2 kits and unlimited skips if you want allowed, lots of challenges being posted at the moment and they are always giving away prizes and gifts just because they are nice! They have co-ordinating embellies for sale separately as well as extras of what is in the kits if you like. They also don't charge any more postage when you add things to your kit, even for us here in the UK! :)

The other kits I get are Homegrown Scrapbooks although the owner is currently moving so it could be a couple of weeks before you get any reply from there. Steph does really nice co-ordinated kits usually with a "bigger" embellishment as well, like sets of foam stamps, 7 gypsies square stamp, chipboard sets etc. There are different options to choose from as well as accessory packs to add on if you like.

Paper Made Memories is the other US kit I get which has been really yummy with lots of lovely embellies and the option to get an extra set of cardstock so you can do double pages. It has just recently dropped to only every second month though which is a shame and I have been rethinking this one.

Anyway pm me if you want more details. Word of warning though - kits are addictive!!!!! :D

[stardust]

The Scraproom is brilliant. I've had several US kits and I think it is by far the best of the ones I've experienced.

Tammy always replies so don't lose heart if you don't get a reply straightaway.

Skipping isn't a problem at all provided you do it in the time limit (kit shows up on last day of month and you have until the 3rd to skip).

Have you seen their stamp kit too? It is only around £4 extra.

Cocoa Daisy looks appealing so I'm interested to hear what anybody else has to say about that.

[quinnan]

I have had the nov/dec Cocoa Daisy kits and they are both fab, lots of lovely stuff all well coordinated but different enough to make you actually have to think a little. I have loved playing with these kits.

Had OPAAT since November and have had a few problems though Capella seems really nice and i am now hoping they are all sorted. The kita re truely fab and puts things together that i just would not have thought to use, they are also very different and have a great range of embellies and ribbons with them.

Have to say i have done more with these (and the Scrapitude kits) than i have with any other kit or for that matter range. They don't come with instructions, but they all inspire you, i get loads of ideas just from picking the various bits up.

Havent had to pay customs on any kits yet. So thats a bonus :lol:

[pat-catherine]

I subscribe to The Scraparoom and love it. Tammy is normally very quick to reply. Has the CHA started as she was going there? No problems with cancelling a kit and I have never paid customs on them.

[Diane39]

my vote would go to BACK PORCH MEMORIES. I have tired 3 from the USA including the scrap room and Back porch memories wins every time. The service is fantastic and you can order extra add-ons. If the add-ons will take you over the customs limit then you are always mailed and asked if you would like two shipments. The kit co-ordinates lovely.

[stardust]

I subscribe to The Scraparoom and love it. Tammy is normally very quick to reply. Has the CHA started as she was going there? No problems with cancelling a kit and I have never paid customs on them.

I think it is next weekend but not sure.

[AJH]

I have had the Scraproom kit for well over a year and have never been caught by customs, I think its a great kit as you get 4 different 'mini' kits , so lots of versatility there and different things to try , they have a great forum and regular challenges etc.
For a complete matching kit I get One Page at a Time and this is truely great value for money and lovely products , lots of inspiration in their gallery.

You can skip both , provided you let them know in plenty of time, The Scrap Room as various add on options and OPAAT has an extra embellishment kit add on available.

I have had the odd problem with both , more so OPAAT recently, but any problems have always been rectified satisfactorily.

If you are thinking about getting a kit every month then how about trying a different one each month for those that you are interested in and see what you like best .

xxx

[glorious19]

I have tried Sweet pea scraps which was fab, Little red scrapbook which again was lovely with loads of layouts on their website. I currently get 2 gals scrappin from canada and this is great value and scrap til dawn where you have the choice of a big kit or a smaller one. I just see which Id like at the beginning of the month and then ask to change. All of these have been wonderful service wise.

Susan

[ellieb0w]

I get Scraproom and Scrapbook Stand. I think the content and value of scrapbook stand is excellent but their website is mega slow at being updated. They do answer emails very quickly though.

I love the flexibility with scraproom though and the embellishments are very good value. The only issue I sometimes have with it is that I could do with more of some of the papers - sometimes a sheet just isn't enough. I tend not to use it up as quickly as I do other kits.

[AJH]

Ellie - do you get the paper and cardstock add on ?

xxx

[HOPEJACK]

Wow thanks for the replies :) I am still looking into this... I really only wanted to spend about £20 as I'm a bit strapped at the moment! So may have to wait a little while.

Kimmy - just out of interest what is the limit before taxes kick in please?

[lorraineA]

this should help:)

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=pageTravel_ShowContent&propertyType=document&resetCT=true&id=HMCE_CL_001454

Lx

[moggygems]

anyone know if the custom limit includes postage? or is it just on the item itself.

[Yasmin]

I've been subbing to ScrapMuse since May last year & I love their kits. I've only skipped a couple. You can skip a month if you don't like it.
Also been getting BPM since July. Recently got the Dec stamps & they are fab.

[DawnS]

I like scrapologie.com they have a waiting list they are so popular.
Their add on kits are stunning.
YOu can take a 3 month sub or 6 month sub.

[Yasmin]

Do you get that kit Dawn?

[DawnS]

Yes I do, have 2 kits coming to me in the post.
If you add on www to the above link you will get to it.
:)

[Yasmin]

Thanks Dawn I checked out the link. How much is the postage? Which kits did you order? I love the big heart cs in the Jan kit.

[DawnS]

I have the October & January kits they arrived yesterday they are lush, think is the most beautiful kit I have had.
No wonder there is a waiting list the postage is $13

[buzzybea]

I have experience of scraproom, OPAAt and also scrapgoods - all have been fab - though OPAAT have sometimes been slow to respond or ship, not sure if you can skip scrapgoods.

Yasmin - Artbase had the heart shaped cardstock in stock not so long ago(not sure if they still have it)

Take care

[Yasmin]

What's OPAAT?
I've not heard of that one before.

Glad you got your kits ok Dawn. I got my kit form BPM today - got lovely glitter rub on things from K &co I think.
How much did your kits work out each?

[buzzybea]

sorry - one page at a time

[HOPEJACK]

Thanks for all your replies - definately food for thought. Bit skint at the minute though so am going to hold off for a month or so!

[PaulaG]

Very useful thread - i have now decided to give scrap room a try - liked the option of buying one off to try (only $2 difference). Kit starts in March - looking forward to it. Thanks Hopejack for starting this.

[NELLIS10]

A couple of my teamies have been subscribing to Club Stamp/Club Scrap Their stamp kits are fabulous and once I get the funds I am diving in too!!!:D

[suzytagain]

definately one page at a time, although trinkets, trash adn treasures have always been good. With one page at a time, I get the add ons adn its incredible value as well as lovely stuff

[Jolinar]

I've just ordered the Scrap Room kit to have a look at - hope it's as gorgeous as it looks!!

[saralambert]

No one seems to have mentioned Mosh Posh, great kits and I have never had a customs problem. The other one that looks nice, but I have never ordered from is self addressed. Both worth a look!!

Sara

[saralambert]

Hi me again, I have just received my Mosh Posh kit which cost me $25 plus P&P, but I notice that on the customs declaration sticker on the front of the parcel they have put value down as $10 and the postage stamp is $9.15, so they are very kind and keeping it under the customs limit for us !!

Sara:D