"Vinyls" for your signature (New!)
 

MouseScrappers has been a labor of love since spring of 2009. It began with an idea I had to create an environment where Disney layouts could be organized (so I could get some inspiration whenever I needed it). Along the way many fun features have been added: a variety of challenges, chats and "pins" to name a few. Little did I realize how much time I would spend supporting MouseScrappers, though! Much of it is behind the scenes. Not only have I spent a lot of time tending to the software (installing/configuring/modifying/patching and finding hosting solutions), but I also receive quite a lot of messages from members each week (e.g. questions, ideas and sometimes complaints) - and I try to answer each one. In addition I embarked on two huge community projects during 2011: making books for "Wish" families, and coordinating a fundraiser benefiting a very worthwhile organization. What began as as a late night/early morning hobby has now become my full time job. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed and want to click the little "Turn off site" link to give myself a break, but invariably someone always comes along to tell me how much they like it here and how wonderful the community is, or they tell me how many new friends they've made here. It makes me very proud to have had something to do with that so I press on. :) I've purposely avoided the 'donate' button for the last two years. Revenue that comes in from sponsors has covered software costs, hosting fees, and a portion of my MouseScrapper "meet" bills. But because of recent changes in my financial situation, I no longer feel guilty about asking for donations from those who appreciate the time I've put into the site. So you'll notice a new link on the site.

To show my appreciation for donations, I will give you a new type of point we haven't used yet. You can use these points to get something new for your signature - but there is just one catch... you won't know what the item is until you get it! =-)

Here is how it works:

- Click the green "Donate" link in the nav bar. For every dollar you donate, you will receive 25 "PayPal Donate" points. There are two options in the drop down: $2 or custom (which can be anyting from $1 and up).

- Once the new points are in your account*, go to our "Virtual Pin Shop" and look for this icon: http://mousescrappers.com/forums/xpe.../v_mystery.png
Click on "Buy this item now" and the system will randomly select one of 80 new 'vinyl' icons and will add it to your inventory. Each one takes 50 donate points.

- If you don't care for the design, "sell it" back to the store and try again. You can keep doing this as many times as you want until you get one you like (disregard the statement that you will get 38 points back, you will get all 50 back). (Don't hit the back button or you'll just buy the same design).


Notes: this is loosely based on Disney's popular Vinylmation concept/craze, insomuch as you can't select a design ahead of time, but you always have the option of getting a different one if you don't like it or if you get tired of it. There are currently 80 designs in this system (and there are tons more to choose from when I have time to make more, though not all look good in miniature size). I selected bits from a number of different series (e.g. attractions, Big Eyes, villains, flags, urban, cupcake, cutesters, Muppets, Star Wars). You can give your vinyl to someone else, but make sure they really want it because you unfortunately can't get rid of something that was gifted to you (unless I figure out how to hack that code too, lol :rolleyes:).

The max number of pins/vinyls is 30. If you already have 30 then sell one of your existing pins back to the shop before you click on the mystery icon.

*Important: Unfortunately, the points don't go into your account immediately. The system requires that I manually acknowledge ('confirm') each donation first. When I do the system will automatically send you a PM letting you know I received it. Once you receive this message, you'll have to post something somewhere (anywhere) in the forums.. this will trigger it to recalculate your points and pick up the new point type. The recalculation seems to occur every ten minutes. Sorry that it is not direct... This is a mashup of two different add-on modules (plus some of my own code to get the 'mystery' component to work), so there are some functional limitations that we have to live with.

Let me know if you encounter any issues (or if your points don't show up within a day).

I'm hoping that this new twist on our existing "Pin" system adds a little bit of extra fun and mystery to your MouseScrapper experience. I hope you enjoy it, and thanks in advance for playing! :wave:


Disclaimer: MouseScrappers is not a non-profit organization. If you have questions concerning tax write offs you should consult a tax advisor before donating. I am not selling the 'vinyl' signature images and will not deny them to anyone that specifically requests them in writing.

Sounds reasonable to me Carol! :surf:

This is so cool! We love Vinylmations!! Woohoo! I would donate even without the cool virtural Vinyls as all your hard work to make this site what it is today is what has made me the digital scrapbook designer I am today! I would have never starting digital scrapbooking if it wasn't for your site.

I will always be grateful! Just did my donation so I can't wait to see what I get...woohoo!:D Hoping for a figment or maybe a DVC Vinyls...what will they be?

Oh, one more important thing, you can only have 30 items... I'm too afraid to increase the amount as it may slow down the site.

so cool!! I just got my 250 points. Bought my 5 Vinyls and then traded 2. I could get addicted to this.. :) Such a great idea!! What until I show the kids... he he! I'll have to watch my 30 pins...UGH!:cool:

Thanks so much, Cynthia! Glad this went smoothly for you (and that you had fun :D)

Are you working in the system now? Every time I click donate I get a big page of smiley code

Love the idea Carol.

I can't say Thank You enough for all of the hard work you do to keep the site up and running. We all would not be here if it wasn't for you!

THANK YOU!!

AWESOME idea, Carol! I'll be making a donation tomorrow after DH's check hits. And, I totally agree with Cynthia, I would have donated even without the added incentive.

Thanks so much for all of your hard work. MS truly IS my online home. :)

Hmm... I haven't tested the moderator group, I just added you to some additional groups, try it now?

Thanks!

works now! Thanks :)

Loved the idea Carol, and we are so into vinylmation right now.
Just did my donation :yes:

Great idea Carol! I know from working with you on the Wish Books how much time you spend on this site. It really is a full time job! To echo what others have said - this is my online DVC (home away from home - lol) and I truly appreciate all you have done.

Will be back tonight to do my donation - once the paycheck goes in the bank :D.


Looking forward to my vinyls!

Such a cute idea! Will be making my donation tonight. I'd pay a monthly fee to have access to this sight. It is trulu my escape from the "real" world and I am so glad I found it.

Thanks for all you hard work! Now I really do need to get a signature :blush:.

This is such a great idea Carol. I also would have paid a monthly fee to use this site as I LOVE it so much. It helps me so much with the Disney withdrawals. We are a Vinyl loving household too so I'll get donating tonight. Thanks so much for all you do, I don't think I would do any digital scrapbooking if it weren't for this site. :D

I just saw this I love the idea of vinyls!! I made my contribution.... I love this site ans thank everyone for their hard work!

Wow, girls.... Thanks so much for your kind words and your donations. I'm blown away! I just 'confirmed' the three that came through while I was sleeping. You might need to post somewhere (anywhere) to trigger it to recalculate.

Thanks!

Carol thanks for doing this.:flowers: I truly appreciate everything you do to keep this site up and running.:lovesite:

:thanks:

:thanks: a million Carol!! I recently became addicited to Vinyls after our last trip to WDW so I am excited to play with this here!!
I love this site!! :thanks: for your hard work and allowing all of us mousescrappers a place to chat and share ideas! You rock!!
I just made my donation...:yeah:

PS I can't believe anyone would complain about this place!! Hugs!!

Thank you, Carol, for all the hard work you've put into this site. It was my first scrapping home, and I'm glad to help support it.

Oooh fun!! I agree with those who've said - I'd donate without the vinyls!! But this sounds fun (and addicting). I can't wait to get me some vinyl! Off to donate.

(PS Carol - if you want some help making mini vinyls lemme know! I'd love to help)

Once in a blue moon I get a message from someone who doesn't agree with how I/we run the site, and I feel bad about that. But thankfully it is not too many people. More so I get people complaining about other people, lol - but it's not too frequent thankfully.

Thanks for your donation!

Green Link
 

Found the GREEN link - donation done Thanks for this wonderful site Bev

happy to donate, such a fun idea

After the marathon, I will be checking these out! They sound like a lot of fun. I like that you can trade them. I, too, would donate without a vinyl. I love this site and all fun community.

I just noticed the donate button! I knew that people would want to donate to help this site out! Thank you so much for everything!

Thanks for getting me to think about some ideas! Your PM got the wheels turning :yes:

I know there were a few hiccups over the weekend, I think because of the server traffic. I'm hoping those issues were short lived. Please PM me if you had any difficulties... I always anticipate a few bumps with anything new. If there is anything you think could be improved you can let me know as well (constructive criticism :flowers:)

Thanks!

THANK YOU!!
 

Hey Carol!!
I think this is an awesome idea!! I didn't have any trouble playing with the Vinyls last night...I was having fun buying and "trading" last night after the wild SS party this weekend!!
I think the price is right and I love the idea of it being a mystery just like the actual ones at the stores...it could become slightly addictive! hehe
Thanks for everything and thank you for keeping MS up and running...I wouldn't be where I am today with digital scrapbooking if it wasn't for this site...:yeah:

Thanks for the donation and the kind words. :flowers: I'm glad to hear you had fun buying and selling them!

Love from Florida!
 

I am happy to donate and appreciate all that you do! I've only been a member since September and am just now getting truly involved with the community and I am astonished at how nice everyone is and what an organized/well-oiled machine this forum board/chat/etc is!! I love the challenges and love getting inspiration and love from other members. You should definately be proud of what you've done here, and continue to do. My only concern is that I will have to go to Disney more often now just to have pictures to scrap :lol:Thanks again and never, EVER click that off switch. Too many people would be so sad! xoxo

:cheshire_bounce:

I was looking through the activities section and saw that SOME people are already having a LOT of fun with the vinyls! lol

So fun!! I bought 4 and traded three times! I love the ones I have now. I'll definitely be donating again some time to get more! HAHA!

I've got mine! I can see that this could get addictive.

I need to try to trade. That sounds like lots of fun. Never got into the real vinyls but LOVE the virtual ones:D.

How did I miss this? What a great idea.