I need your feedback please! :)

GingerScraps

GingerScraps

Administrator
Staff member
Hi everyone :)
I would love a little feedback. Scrapping Survivor is quickly approaching and honestly I’m burnt out, I have been doing it since 2009 and I just feel so uninspired. It is SOOO much work, between prep and the actual contest, I’m at my computer day and night for over 2 months. Honestly usually by this time (February 1st) I have the whole thing written and dates all planned, collab underway etc ... and this year the only thing I have is a theme and a few rough ideas for the weekly pages.

Are there any “simple” scrapping events that you love or any other new ideas that might not be so much work?
Maybe I will do Survivor every other year so I get a break, or maybe I can just take this year “off” and see how it goes and if it impacts our bottom line at all (sales wise and forum growth/retention etc).

I was feeling pretty burnt out last year too, but I pulled it together and it ended up being super fun! SO maybe I just need one year “off” and then we can start up again in 2023.

I would just really love some input from you all. I know you love this site as much as I do and I would love to hear your feedback! If you have an idea you want to give me but do not feel comfortable in the public forum, please feel free to PM me here :)

Thanks in advance!!
__________________________________________________________________________

**UPDATE** I posted this update today (2/2/22) but I also wanted to include it on this top post, so ya don't have to read every comment to see this news.

I want to give you all a BIG thank you!! You have no idea how much your input has helped!! Oh my gosh the feeling of relief when I made the final decision yesterday not to do Survivor this year. That feeling is the confirmation I needed that this is the right choice!
I have something SO FUN planned for March!! It will start March 1st, there will not be sign ups, there will not be voting, it will be much more relaxed and of course there will be LOTS of fun goodies and prizes! There will be a new Mega Collab from our designers, I posted the theme and palette for them today and I CAN NOT wait to see what they come up with!! It is going to be stunning, I'm sure of that!

Soooooo, stay tuned! And be ready to SCRAP! whoop whoop!
 
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Your mental and Physical health should always come first. Yes customers will be disappointed if you skip a year but maybe you could do something simpler this year in it's place. We need to put our thinking caps on and come up with something fun that will keep everyone happy and interested. Some of your more seasoned Designers may have some great ideas.
 
If you are feeling burned out, give yourself a year off. We can take time to come up with new ideas.
 
The thing that I found overwhelming about Survivor, even just as a participant, was the sheer number of threads to read, Different ones for challenges, q & a, rules, sign ups, this week's judging, that week's winners, no WONDER you are burnt out!

What if designers run themed challenges (I mean something more than just our ordinary kind) for a week each, and we can turn those into a contest somehow. Like a theme for the entire month but then mini-themes throughout. Example: overall theme - Circus, Mini themes - the acrobatics, animal performances, stunt acts/magic tricks, clowns, (wait are clowns at circuses or just 1970s kids' parties and rodeos?). Anyway, that's just a rough example. So maybe one or two designers per week run their mini themes (or pair up) and are responsible for tabulating our own participants and putting the layouts to a judging panel (whoever does that around here). The rest of the designers who want to participate but not RUN the challenge can provide the prizes.

Doing something like this spreads out your workload without overwhelming any one of us, and the members still get a themed contest during that month. We shouldn't need a ton of threads either, or at least not created by you. Approved by you, suggested by you maybe, and you can help come up with some big overall grand winner prizes. But not have to do so much.

Okay, that's my halfpenny worth! And it would need fleshing out, obviously. Looking forward to seeing others' suggestions.
 
You can pick a theme, do weekly challenges based on the theme for four to six weeks, and give smaller prizes like $5 coupons. Or maybe everyone who completes all challenges gets a discount off an order. Or scrap for a mini kit each week and collect one part each week to get a full kit or collection. Or grab a yummy beverage and take this year off to regroup.
 
Well, the real "Survivor" show made lots of changes in the last season, so I don't see why (if you want to do it at all this year) you couldn't make some changes as to how it's done as well. I'll see if I can come up with any ideas.
 
Sometimes, we need to be kind to ourselves and take a break. I say you listen to that inner voice. As far as alt ideas, I have none...lol. But I will think on it and see what comes to mind. Sometimes, my "Great Ideas" become "Great Pains" to produce...lol
 
You need to do what is best for you, You all make this a great place to be and not having survivor will not change that. I love the idea that Lynn mention about a layout with mini kits each week, and when your done you have a new collab. I will stay no matter what happens... this is the best forum out there. Nothing wrong with changing thinks up, no reason for anyone to get burned out. Taking care of you is more important than any game! We want you to be here for a long time...do what you need to do! :kisses
 
Ginger, I say to take a break and take good care of yourself. I understand, and honestly, I think everyone is feeling worn down given the events of the past few years. You must always do what's best for you, we need you! I'm with whatever you decide :) Hugs, Lexy
 
Don't worry. Family and health always come first. You can't please everyone. I would take a year off and see how you feel next year.
I made the mistake of trying to please everyone a few years ago and forgot about myself. That took revenge and I was on sick leave for weeks because my body and mind were no longer in harmony.
 
I say take time off. Maybe do something a bit simpler - 'a challenge a day' or something like that. I can imagine the voting etc takes so much time, so maybe don't have it as a competition, maybe a discount for everyone who completes all of the challenges or something.

Either way, you need to take care of yourself and do what is best for you.
 
Take some time off of it for you and your health. You have to think of yourself first before trying to please everyone.
 
Ginger~Sometimes, we need to be kind to ourselves and take a break~~

Maybe we can carry out some simple activities, which are not so complex, and the rules can be simplified,


But what I think is... You should do what you want, such as taking a break

:kisses
 
I am in agreement that as much as I love survivor, it’s a lot as a participant. Maybe this is the cue to revamp it all and come back simpler ( as in less work for you) and stronger. I agree also that your health should always come first. I like the idea of the weekly challenge that turns into a mega kit at the end, but only if the designers want to do it. I think even a $2 coupon makes people happy. As great as a big prize is, I think people will be just as excited to get something small (think how we love the surprise birthday coupons).Survivor is just one tiny piece of what makes this place great. I don’t think people stay “just so they can do survivor”. They stay because of the kindness, the friendliness, the no drama, creative, fun place that it is. Survivor is just the cherry on the top. I think if you decide to take the year off and tell the customers why (not that you need to go in depth or anything), I don’t think you will get backlash. It’s been a rough 2 years. I think everyone can understand that. But the bottom line is, we only have one health. It’s super important to take care of it. I will support whatever you decide. Take care of you FIRST!
 
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Ditto to all of the above comments. Just some fun challenges and perhaps prizes.
Prizes could be: participate is all = prize 1
Participate= x number...prize 2
or however you chose to label them.
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I agree with the other comments in this thread. Mental health is so important right now, and I think we're all more burned out than we realize. Survivor is always something I look forward to each year because it challenges me to do my best and to stretch my creativity. But I think we could find an alternative and simpler way to challenge ourselves (maybe with the help of the awesome designers). As much as I love the Survivor challenges here, I would completely support taking a year off if that's what is best for you.
 
Take the break your body and mind are telling you that you need. It will be okay if you do. But you won’t be if you keep pushing and then burn out. So take the break ❤️
 
Totally take a break, reset and refresh, come back stronger and maybe a new simplified version of Survivor..I know the one year I participated I was overwhelmed...
 
Yes, definitely take a break and take care of yourself.

Perhaps it could be a period of "learning." Each designer could write a tutorial on a particular technique.. blending, using a brush, how to install a style... etc.

Challenge would be for the participant to do what is in the tutorial.
 
Do what is in your best interest and take care of YOU! We love you and support you and are grateful for each day we are here...

If it does go on either this or in following years, I think change would absolutely be in order to save you time and energy and to change the game a little so it is fresh...

1. Challenges each week kind of like our challenges here.
First week everyone gets a mini kit and has to create something only with kit.
2nd week go with a theme and maybe offer a word art, border, journal, etc. but contestants now start to shop for their product to make it unique..
3rd week - try to make a template and link so participants can grab if they want. and again search for perfect kit
4th week - mesh 2 different themed kits together to make it seemless....

Voting- need an automated way to calculate votes....like the Layout of the Day to simplify your life

Basis for voting--not a popularity contest; winners based on creativity, following rules of challenge, or inspirational.
 
I want to sign up for this now Karen!!! Absolutely love the idea of learning new things, offering support through comments on layout, and having the designers take part....

Karen Schulz said:
Yes, definitely take a break and take care of yourself.

Perhaps it could be a period of "learning." Each designer could write a tutorial on a particular technique.. blending, using a brush, how to install a style... etc.

Challenge would be for the participant to do what is in the tutorial.
Click to expand...
 
You all are the absolute best!!
Your feedback, kind words and support mean more to me than you know.
I’m actually feeling really excited to try something new! I’ve got my thinking cap on :)
 
Whatever you decide Ginger is the right decision! But hit me up if you come up with anything and want some help. Writing, posting, tracking, whatever. :)
 
I think taking a year off is a GREAT idea. You need the time to refresh and everyone comes back with more enthusiasm when it returns. When you give yourself time to restructure and to envision new ways of doing thing...amazing things can happen. Just sayin'.
BIG HUGS!
 
Ditto to everyone else. Your mental health comes FIRST! Take a break. If you choose to proceed, please let me know if I can help!
 
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