Grab Bag Critique

Mega Doodle Inspired PSE 5 or 6 Action Grab Bag #4

2008-08-04T11:46:00.001-07:00

Here is Mega Doodle Inspired's Grab Bag #4 for Photoshop Elements 5 & 6 found at Scrappin' Freestyle for $5.00. This was a great step back in time for me as I haven't used my PSE 5 in over a year! I am in awe of the capabilities of this program after trying out this grab bag! These actions also come with easy to follow instructions with screen shots for installing the actions for the new or rusty PSE action user! This designer really has her customers placed first.Nice fold with lift shadow. Paper is left layered for easy customization.I am not totally crazy about this "tear". The designer does a good job "rolling" the fold, but in my opinion the tear could be a more layered realistic tear. I do want to point out however, that the designer does leave the paper, shadow and fold paper in three separate layers, so the designer using the action could put their own tear on if wanted.These actions included in this time saver pack include:

-Save my GIF-
-Save my JPG-
-Save my PNG-
-Save my PSD-
-Save my Preview 600-
-Save my Preview 900-
-Trim and Save My PNG-

I tried each and every one of the actions, I did not have any difficulties using them, they all performed to my expectations. The trim and save PNG action does not cut off any of your element as you will sometimes see if a designer does not pay close enough attention when using a trim tool in PS. The save my JPG, does a nice job a saving multiple items that I placed as you would on a preview without converting to a JPG file. It did not move my elements and resized them appropriately.

Fun patterns, actions do all the work for you after you pick your colors or papers. Only real downfall I could possibly see to these are that they are ready made and not easily customizable, except of course for colors, unless you are experienced with using actions.Two different envelope styles that can be customized for different looks depending on the paper textures used. Very realistic shadowing and seams. Both envelopes remain in open layers allowing you to place items inside the envelope or to open or close the flap, with shadows for each! Very customizable and even come with a recolorable wax seal.

Cindy Doerksen CU Grab Bag 27

2008-07-21T14:52:00.001-07:00

Cindy Doerksen's CU Grab Bag 27 has been uploaded and has been requested several times for a critique, so to those who requested, here it is. This grab bag is $5.50 and is available until July 27th at Candy Tree. There are 5 different items included in this grab bag: watercolor overlays, vintage goodies, stamps, ribbons and journal boxes. This grab bag unfortunately does not include any previews of the products included in the grab bag. As we have told these commercial use designers several times, it is near impossible to organize our hard drives without these images. The journaling boxes are very large, almost full page size. Thank you Cindy for another unique bag full of goodies! Cindy did inform me that she leaves these layered journal boxes page size so designers could use them for frames as well. Wonderful dual purpose use.Very unique. Saved in individual layers for easy customization. Few areas where it is not extracted close to the thread but it does not show when printed.

LBCreations CU Grab Bag 15

2008-07-20T20:52:00.001-07:00

I have just received this grab bag from Designs by Babette AKA LBCreations. This jammed packed bag can be purchased for only $5.00 at Divine Digitals until July 27th. I am simply amazed at this woman's ability to turn out not only the amount of product in a week, but the quality. If you are a designer in need of quick kit turn around CU products, then these are the grab bags for you.

Veronica Spriggs: She's Gotta Have It!..Commercial Use

2008-07-19T18:21:00.000-07:00

Veronica Spriggs has released her newest Commercial Use Grab Bag for $6.00 at DigiScrap Boutique. In this bag you get 3 new items and a bonus CU Texture pack with purchase. I have to say I was a little skeptical on the price. Six dollars is a lot for a 3 product grab bag, but the items are usable and with a few corrections, well worth the money.Lace is meant to have flaws, see if you can find a piece of lace, hand or machine made, and find a perfect one. I am not pointing out "flaws" in the lace as you will see them, I find that the designer did a wonderful job in making them very realistic in this aspect. What I am pointing out is design errors, what you would not find on lace in real life.

Cindy Ritter Commercial Use Grab Bag

2008-07-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

Cindy has sent in her new Commercial Use Grab Bag to be critiqued. This grab bag is $5.00. One thing that I noticed immediately was the size of this bag. It is almost 200megs. Sounds huge for $5, right? Well, the previews are saved as .PNG files at 300 DPI 1815x1815 each taking up a large amount of room on your hard drive. So, the first thing I did was resize these images shaving 16 megs off the size of this grab bag.
Each of the 10 overlays in this overlay pack come as both a .JPEG and .PNG file. This is not necessary and again adds a tremendous amount of weight to your hard drive.
Each of these "Bits & Baubles" are simple shapes that have an Atomic Cupcake action run on them. Designers do not require premade elements for commercial use, this would be more of a personal use or scrap 4 hire element pack in my opinion. (As a side note, I have included 4 different of the Bits & Baubles on the image and was just labeling the frayed fabric.)
This glitter makes a really nice colored glitter "glue" when the right blend mode is applied.

Monica Larsen Action Grab Bag 7

2008-07-17T09:34:00.001-07:00

In Monica Larsen's Commercial Use action grab bag #7 for $9.00 you will receive 4 actions plus what she calls 2 "bonus" actions, for a total of 6 actions. Upon unzipping this bag, disappointment hits as this critique likes instant gratification. I want to personally see the end result of the actions when they are ran. Monica does not include previews (or folder) images for any of these grab bag actions. This also makes it very difficult to organize any files received in this bag. Ok, now on to the actions!

The actions are labeled according to what the "final" result is going to be, but what I call something and what you call something may be two different things. So, the tag action stops, asks for a box color, text color and a line color. In not knowing the "end result" several things that should have been done such as centering the text on the tag was not done. All of the following previews are shown after only running one time, they may get better with running them, now knowing what the "final result" is, but I wanted the public to see what you would see right out of the box so to speak.
I have went and got the previews that Monica has made for us with the actions that are now included in the grab bag that is now being sold. These are examples of the actions made with just colors and not papers with the exception of the round box. You are able to customize the texture with the background papers you choose to use with the action.

Thaty Borges Commercial Use Grab Bag 4

2008-07-13T18:34:00.000-07:00

Action has many manual steps where you must change color several times and does not has a realistic end result.
Journaling tags come in various themes to accommodate several different kits and designer tastes.
Bracket templates are very theme specific and the phrases in the brackets such as "My Shine" are not idiomatically correct. Unsure how fonts could turn out jaggy.
Overlays are good in quality with no jaggies or stray pixels, with the exception of the above that shows how the designer got off center on some of the shapes.Alphabet template is a basic font saved on a 3600x3600 layer. Not separate .PNG files. Designer would have to separate letters prior to making an alpha with this template.

By God's Design Designer Resource Grab Bag

2008-07-12T22:46:00.001-07:00

Elements are more personal use elements then designer resource. The bracket frame also has a "glow" around it that does not flow the same with the pearl elements within it. Designer has creative concepts in allowing scrappers to build their own elements, but again, this is more personal use then designer resource.The overlays are basic shapes that anyone can use. There is a very subtle texture to them which is nice when using multiple overlays.

This designer really should focus on the aspects of designing and growing as a designer before trying to help others design.

Shannon Fahrnbach Commercial Use Grab Bag

2008-07-11T19:17:00.001-07:00

Nice clean items. Well worth the $3.

LBCreations CU Grab Bag 14

2008-07-11T13:56:00.001-07:00

Alpha is all in individual .PNG files, no flaws.I did not find any flaws with any of the trims.These are the only flaws I found in the .PSD layer "Build A Paper" packs. Out of the forty brushes included in this kit there are a few that have some jaggies and stray pixels. I did a close up of the brush with the biggest flaw. Most of the brushes are clean, she does make them really nice sized, with most of them being around 1800 pixels.Pack of five gemstones in three different greyscales. Some look as though they have some minor jaggies around them, but when printed it does not show.These styles are very crisp and clear, not blurry at all.

I have received quite a few requests for the new grab bag from LBCreations.

I have received some emails wondering about the "fuzzy" close ups. Blogger resizes my images to their own sizes, so to see at scale, please click on each to view the images.

Royanna's Mega July CU Grab Bag

2008-07-07T10:12:00.000-07:00

I have received a lot of feedback and emails concerning a lot of disgruntled customers who have purchased this grab bag. Everyone thought this was going to be Royanna's "save her face" grab bag. She let a lot of good repeat customers down.

UPDATE: ROYANNA HAS UPLOADED A NEW GETTING ELEMENTAL ZIP FILE. THE JAR, THE BORDER, AND THE UNNECESSARY .PSD FILE HAVE ALL BEEN FIXED.
The jars has a wavy extraction line around the entire object. Also noted to be of the Mason jar brand which is still in business, so I am unsure of Trademark rights.The screw and key holes were left unextracted and full of blurred contents.UPDATE: ROYANNA HAS UPLOADED A NEW GETTING ELEMENTAL ZIP FILE. THE JAR, THE BORDER, AND THE UNNECESSARY .PSD FILE HAVE ALL BEEN FIXED.The arrows here are pointing out that shadows were left unextracted from the ribbon and there also is a black "flaw" in the ribbon. The "flaw" could have been up there intentionally.Different angle, but stroked for those of you that requested. The arrows were pointing out the white "shadow" around each of the jewels, which you can tell here covers or "mutes" the red stroke.Once the stroke was applied to the blinged trim the jaggy edges were very noticeable. The jaggies extend into the actual element so they are unable to be trimmed by the buyer. I would also like to point out that the round and drop jewels are also included separately in this package.The line pointed out here is the only flaw in this pack. This is just not extracted where the envelope has a slight tear and fold.This is not an element pack for commercial use. This is one piece of crumpled paper recolored several times.This is just an oh so slight variation in the pattern, not a big deal.The arrow here points out how some noise to the center of the leaves.There is just so much in this bag and I can only do so much in one day. I have also released the first kit on the sister site today, so make sure you stop and take a look over there too.

This mega commercial use tool kit is a huge disappointment to to many of my readers. I have gotten many emails on it while I was working on the kit for the sister site so I worked as fast as I could to make some previews for you to see the quality of this commercial use grab bag Royanna has for sale for you. There are many unextracted shadows. The "scrollblock" element was not extracted and was saved as a .PSD file and alone takes up 35 megs of hard drive space, yet is only one layer in photoshop. That is a LOT of wasted space and download time. Several of the elements are also blurry. Three of the element packs: getting gardened, getting handled, and getting scrapped are "packs" of recolored elements. There are better investments out there, as this one is going to take some time to clean up before it is user friendly.

Rose.li Action Grab Bag 6

2008-07-06T10:04:00.001-07:00

Well here we are at our next grab bag, this time I had a request to critique a "hot" seller on the digital market. An action grab bag. We all know actions are a hot item on the digital market. Why you may wonder? They are fully customizable to every designer's or scrapper's kit and color need. At first actions were a rare find on the digital market with only a rare handful of designers making them. Now we are finding the market flooding with them. This is not always a good thing. First the action designer's are at competition with one another trying to vie for who will come out with the "first" of a certain action. After that, it is then a run for the "best". Then, the cheapest.

Rose.li has found her way into action folders on many of our pc's. We all have something of hers that we had to have along the way! Now onto the grab bag. These actions are a lot cleaner then most; yes actions also have stray pixels and jaggies for those of you who think that actions can be run "right out of the box". Some even have to be manipulated to make them to they are "seamless". I did include close ups of each of the actions after running them. Some of the leaves and the bow on the flower pot are not completely smooth, but nothing that needs to be addressed before they can be printed. The one think that stood out the most to me, was when running the tie action using a grid paper the grid appears to "float" above the folds of the bow giving a very unrealistic appearance.

Flergs July Grab Bag

2008-07-04T21:40:00.000-07:00

Megs, I have to hand I to you. I went over this grab bag with a 'fine toothed comb' on my 37" LCD flat screened monitor, and I have to hand it to you. You deserve every bit of the good reputation that you have earned for yourself. I can not find one this wrong with this bag.

You offer your customers a variety of options with attention to the finest details and the latest styles. You are very clever about how you offer your 'glitter and sparkle' so even your PSP and DIP clientele can use it! All in all a very useful and functional bag for a real bargain at only $3!

Tracy Drane CU Grab Bag

2008-07-03T00:28:00.000-07:00

This commercial use bag is basic, can be used by a newbie designer more so then a seasoned designer. Quality is good overall, I think the designer meant for the glitter on the brad to have an outside the lines messy appearance. $2 is quite a bargain! Designer seems on the right track!

LBCreations Grab Bag 13

2008-07-02T23:44:00.001-07:00

Our second bag on Grab Bag Critique is a bag by LBCreations. This is a commercial use grab bag, so it is geared more toward the designers then the scrappers in the industry. I have been asked to add the full product preview along with the 100% preview, so I will be doing that from here on out as well as adding it to the first grab bag.

Well the first 9 products here are very clean and there really is not much to say about them; they are clear cut designer products to help the scrapbook designer make their kit production go quicker and smoother without taking up more time. They also could be used by more experienced scrappers that like to add a little more to a kit that is missing that extra something.

This final and 10th product included in this bag are very richly textured and the extraction is done well. The only thing I found wrong was this miniscule shadow that was overlooked by the designer when she extracted. But I thought I would point it out! For $5 it is a definate steal!

The Tracey, Tracy, Phuong Collab Grab Bag

2008-07-02T06:43:00.001-07:00

In this bag are also other kits and element packs by designer Tracy King with this "Smell the Flowers" kit. It is just rich in color, design and texture! There are textured fabric background papers that come with is kit as well as different styles of flowers and elements. There is a stray pixel at the top of the flower that can easily be erased off, but all in all a clean kit. Tracy also has a felt element pack jammed full of mats and words and sayings! They are put together so nicely and so neutral to fit in with many different layouts.AND.....Phoung.....this alphabet is to so cute.....everyone MUST own this alphabet!!! The clustered summer beach theme is just perfect!! My only downfall with the alpha is the letter (A) is sized larger then the rest, therefore making it blurry. Otherwise, AWESOME, MUST HAVE product!!!
All in all.....this bag is worth EVERY DIME you spend on it.....Tracy King and Phuong you are fine at where you are. Keep up the good work! I truly mean that!! You must already have an extra eye looking over your stuff. Tracey Monette......girl, the talent is there.....the extra eye is missing.....once you get that extra eye.....you will be rocking to girl I promise!!!

The Tracey, Tracy, Phuong Collab Grab Bag

2008-07-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

This is the one that has caught a lot of negative attention due to Tracy Monette defending herself over at the reveal blog, with comments such as.......

"Hey girls... when there are stray pixels in an item I sell, they have been put there on purpose! sometimes customers don't realize little extra bits and pieces can actually be part of a design. I go over every item I sell by adding a stroke to look for those pixels before packaging items up to sell. Sorry someone here was unsatisfied with a purchase."

and

"And one more thing! The haunted house was all in one piece. Then I added some glow type if inserts for it. I strongly suspect user error in this case as my CT informed me of no problems with this kit whatsoever! And then had no problems fitting part B into part A." Well I had to get this one for myself, just to set everyone straight, as I would like every designer who is as certain of their work as she is to be correct. "

The button is threaded outside the holes.

This flower does NOT come outlined in blue with dots. The blue is the "stroke" applied to the flower. The blue dots are in fact stray pixels "stroked" in blue.

Tracy, this surfing pig is SO CUTE, but why couldn't you take just a few extra moments to clean it up just a bit more??

Ever hear of shadowing AFTER erasing? Or, how about erasing ALL of the "holes"?

Now where's the shadow gone?

This paper is really blurry.

Now I am a well known designer, who is also on quite a few well known designers' CTs. I know how to please my customer's and I also know what constructive criticism is. So, Tracy, since you think you are the great designer you are and post the things you post when people question the quality of your work. You come HERE and explain each of these. There are SEVERAL more, trust me. But I picked just a few. I will be waiting to hear from you!!