Do you use premade page kits?

[Spinning]

Something was posted on another thread about you shouldn't use other peoples stuff in your scrap book (very bad paraphrasing) But it got me to thinking. Do you purchase page kits where you just have to tape down you pictures?
If you have been in page kit swaps do you add to it to make it your own? Or just use it as it is?

I have used a few page kits. I seem to like the out door ones best. Swap stuff I usually mix and match or mix it in with my own stash or bought items.
The page kit swaps I have been in I usually use all of it on a one or 2 page spread and rarely need to add to it.

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

My take on this is that I want my albums to be finished (they never will be, but it's a good goal, right?). That being said, from the page kit swaps I've been in, I didn't need to add anything to them. I just added pics and boom, it was done! I love those! If I am using swap elements/items, I usually mix them in with my own stuff. I'm ok with using other people's stuff in my albums. . .I think it's cool to be able to say, "My DIS friend from wherever made this".

 

[Twigs]

I like to make my own things, but I have been in page kit swaps and I do use them. It is amazing how fast you can put a few LO's together when everything is already done. I don't have to think what to make for the page and take all the time to do it, just adhere it all down, and they look great too!

 

[pppiglet]

Maybe some day I might try a page kit, but right now I am having fun doing it myself. I think swap stuff would be nice too, but right now I don't care for the page kits that are already done.

I am glad you posted that question, because I wondered how others felt about using page kits. They seem to be really popular at the LSS's around here.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

Why would you want to swap if you didn't plan on using what you given? Seems like a lot of money and TIME invested for something you didn't want to use.
I have bought some of the kits where you have all the elements and then you put your personal stamp on it when assembling. Not used yet, but someday I will really put pictures to paper. I've not seen any completely done pages that I like, that I can afford.

 

[theblackbird]

Why would you want to swap if you didn't plan on using what you given? Seems like a lot of money and TIME invested for something you didn't want to use.

I don't think anyone said they were swapping and not planning on using the stuff. I have done many swaps and not used the stuff because it just really wasn't my "style" (not to say that it wasn't nice stuff, don't get me wrong). I also have stuff still sitting around waiting for the "right" picture. Getting back on the subject of this thread, page kits are something I don't buy only because I haven't found one that is screaming out for any of my pictures. Of course with club scrap's assembly line scrapping... I guess I do sort of use page kits. Pretty much, however you can get your pictures scrapped should be the point. I don't care who uses paper piecings/page kits/stuff from ebay. as long as you are happy with what you are doing, who cares right?

 

[Spinning]

I don't think anyone said they don't use their swap stuff. That wasn't the question. It was more how do you use your swap stuff/page kits.
But I will admit I haven't used it all. I have a huge box of items waiting for the right picture.
I swap for all kinds of reasons. Those who have swap with me know I usaully experiement with a swap! So it is the thrill for me to try and get really creative not do what I normally do. I have made hot glue stamped hearts. that I inked and cut.....very fun to do but not something I would do often. I used lots of my brass templates and pastes...again very fun but so time consuming I hardly ever do it for my books...inking and spraying with water then ironing.....the list goes on and on. So for me it is my creative out let. Plus I love to see what other people are doing and making. So yeah I waste money but that isn't the point for me! I like the connections I have made through swapping.

 

[Stephres]

I participated in one swap many moons ago and found I didn't use most of the elements because they weren't my style. I have never tried any of the page kits because I am a "Simple Scrapbooker" and it seems almost too polished and perfect for me. I like to keep my pages simple and clean and I want them to look like I made them.

That's not to say that stuff is not cute! I am so envious of people who do those altered clipboards and stuff, who take something ordinary and make it special and beautiful. I am just not that creative.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I can admit to not using ANY of my swapped stuff yet.
I can understand how not everything would appeal to everyone. We all have different styles and tastes.
I too experimented with different styles and techniques. As I have only scrapped two pages so far, I have no idea what style I will go with. My hope is that out of all the things people have gotten from me, that they will find something usable. If not the actual items, maybe an idea or inspiration from them.
Hope I didn't offend anyone with my first comment before. I totally mistook the original question. Sorry. No more posting before drinking at least two cups of coffee.

 

[Honeybehr1]

I have used just a couple of the premade pages. I buy them because they are really cute but then I find that I have a hard time finding the right picture to use on it because of either the colors or the placement. I have been using a couple of kits that have enough pieces to make 4-8 pages. But for the most part I dont because I cant find kits that actually fit my needs

 

[pppiglet]

My thought about the premade kits was that you might see them in a lot of peoples layouts and everyone's would look the same except the pictures.
I would have no problem using other people's swap stuff if I had pictures to match. I have problems matching pictures and embellies with the stuff I bought as it is!

 

[theblackbird]

I have problems matching pictures and embellies with the stuff I bought as it is!

rofl, I know what you mean. and the bad thing with that is that I keep buying stuff that will hopefully work with pictures I haven't even TAKEN yet. for example, I have lacrosse ribbon to use because dd will be playing lacrosse in the spring... will I be able to find the dang ribbon then? nope.

 

[MazdaUK]

I've got a packet of CM Great Lengths tennis stickers I got for a fundraiser - and I don't play tennis! There's six sheets the same so if anyone needs them please do let me know! I've looked at kits but I don't make my pages very thick - they stay fairly flat, nothing much thicker than a button, and I worry what some of those will do to my pages.

OK, I've got NO IDEA what to do with a lot of the things But also I agree with the colour problem - so many papers are too bright/too neutral/too patterned/too plain

I'll just carry on muddling through for now!