On THIS POST about a new Memory Works line ~ Simple Stories “Fabulous” ~ a commenter stated this:
The paper “Sweet” is a total ripoff if not close to an exact copy of a Cosmo Cricket paper from Odds N Ends, Eclectic.
So let’s compare the two papers and see what ya’ll think.
COSMO CRICKET Odds & Ends** “Eclectic” paper
SIMPLE STORIES Fabulous “Sweet” paper {Sorry, I can’t isolate just the “Sweet” paper; please scroll down a bit}.
Here are my observations:
~ Both papers do have a similar overall design with with a circular doily-type pattern.
~ Both make use of softer or “shabby” color schemes.
~ Both are multi-colored, as opposed to one solid color (I’m referring just to the “A” sides)
~ Eclectic has 2 sizes of the “doilies” while Sweet uses multiple sizes (I count 6)
~ Eclectic is in a very set pattern while Sweet is more random.
Obviously, I’m biased because I’m a 5-year consultant with MEMORY WORKS who produces the Simple Stories lines. So my opinion doesn’t matter much … but I’ll give it to ya’ anyway ;)
I do think the 2 papers are alike and I can see why the similarity caught the commenter’s eye. If I had first seen the Cosmo Cricket paper and then saw the Simple Stories paper, I probably would’ve thought “Wow, ‘Sweet’ reminds me of a paper I’ve seen before.”
But overall I don’t see Sweet as a “ripoff” or “exact copy” of Eclectic. They are definitely similar … no denying that. But I don’t know how you would use a circular, doily-type design and not have it look similar to Eclectic. There are only so many ways you can arrange circles on a 12×12 canvas.
The colors are different enough to give a different overall feel; from Eclectic I get “shabby, vintage, warm” and from Sweet I get “girly, Spring, happy.” Besides, DOILIES ARE KINDA’ HOT right now ;)
So … what do you think: Copycat or coincidence?
**P.S.: I do find it pretty funny that the Cosmo Cricket line that Eclectic comes from is called “Odds N Ends” … because that’s very similar to the name of a NEW SIMPLE STORIES LINE … which is “Odds & Ends”. :) :)
I’m sure it’s just another coincidence ;)
