All the details: Paper Pumpkin Special

Right now new subscribers have a unique opportunity to try paper pumpkin at a 40% discount!

If you're not familiar with this monthly subscription  treat, click here to learn more.

This deal is for NEW subscribers, for ONE kit (October) only.  After that, if you do not cancel your subscription, you will automatically be sent the next kit in November (which looks awesome, by the way!).  The regular subscription price is $25/month and that INCLUDES shipping.  There is also a way to pre-purchase Paper Pumpkin kits, but that doesn't apply to this deal.  I will share more about pre-purchasing kits at a later date.

This kit makes 10 cards:  5 each of 2 different designs.  It includes coordinating envelopes (these are always extra fun!).  The cards have a tri-fold base that can be used to frame a photo. The cards are pre-printed with green fold.  Precut, grosgrain ribbon is the embellishment.  There are precut labels, which also have green foil.  The kit includes a Shaded Spruce Stampin' Spot (and a sample block for new subscribers).  That's a LOT of info for your surprise box!!  

With the 40% off, your cards will be less than $2 each!  

Here is how you subscribe:

• Click on this link to go to the Paper Pumpkin website and sign up.
• You will need to create an account.  This is a DIFFERENT login than for Stampin' Up.
• Enter your address and payment info.
• Enter the code "HOLIDAY40" in the Prepaid/Promo Code box and click APPLY.
• You should see your total adjust for the 40% off.  Tax will be added if applicable.
• Click SUBSCRIBE.

Credit card charges are run between the 10th and the 20th. You will receive an email receipt.  For September, mine came today.

Kits start shipping on the 20th of the month via USPS.  You will receive another email when your kit shipped, including tracking info.

Enjoy your kit when it arrives!!  You can make the cards as designed with the enclosed directions, create your own project, or follow ideas for alternative projects. 

You can follow the Paper Pumpkin facebook page for ideas. They do a LIVE on the last Tuesday of the month showing the kit and alternative ideas.  They will also email the link for the Facebook Live.  You will be amazed at what people come up with using these kits! 

March Madness!

Apparently, some people think this month is all about an orange ball, but I have better ideas!!  First off, CTMH has given us a STAMPTACULAR special this month.  My Acrylix are 35% off and Stamp + Thin Cut sets are up to 60% off!

In addition to the currently available stamps, there are five new sets created just for this special, and they are also discounted! Even better, when you purchase the bundle of all five sets, you save 50%!

For even more Madness this month, I will be featuring a series of masking tips on my Tuesday Facebook posts so be sure to follow me there!  

If Masking is new to you, check out this video.  Masking is the last technique of the three featured. 

BONUS!!  The stamps featured in this video are all in the Stamptacular Sale!

Z3930 Sweet Fruit Stamp + Thin Cuts is about 25% off.

Z3764 Florals & Flutters Stamp + Thin Cuts is over 40% off.

Z3765 So Happy Together Stamp + Thin Cuts is over 40% off.

 

10 Ways to Save Money on Craft Supplies

1. Join the VIP program.

    Earn 15% credit on your purchases.  Use credit on CTMH products later.

    $35 to join. Get $15 credit instantly.

2. Use VIP referral code.

    Through September, earn an extra $10 credit when you use a referral code to become a VIP.

    Follow the math:  $35 - $15 instant credit - $10 referral code credit means your "cost" is only $10. 

     My code is P7K4G2.

3.  Share you VIP referral code.

    Earn $10 when your friend becomes a VIP.

    You're at the breakeven point after one referral.  $35 - 15 - 10 - 10 = 0

    No limits!!  The second friend puts you ahead $10!

4. Stamp of the Month Program

    With a qualifying $50 order, the SOTM is only $5.  $19.95 - $5 means you save $14.95.

    VIPs get the SOTM free!!  That's a $19.95 value each month!

5. VIP get extra love from me as well as Close To My Heart. They receive a variety of perks such as: exclusive product offerings (did you see the Overstock Sale in August?), discounts, bonus credit (the current referral special), and VIPs can add new catalogs to their orders earlier than other customers!  I make sure all my VIPs get the new catalogs.

6. Join the Club 

My Stamp and Scrap Club was a hostess club. The VIP program replaced our Hostess Rewards program, but Club members still take turns and receive extra goodies from me, like Petite Perks. These exclusive stamps are not available for purchase.  They are M size stamps. Club Members get notice of Flash Sales first.  Club Members place a minimum order of $25 each month.

7. Club Members get an extra $10 to spend when it's their turn to be "hostess."

8. Club Members get a 50% off item when it's their turn to be "hostess."

    This can be almost any product CTMH offers. Take a closer look at the bundles in the Core Catalog...

    How would you like 50% off all the Glitter Paper colors?!

9. Bundle and Save

Have you noticed that CTMH loves to bundle the specials and discount them?!  For instance, the Celebrating You Cardmaking Workshop Kit has a retail value of $64.84 but is only $50.95 as a bundle. Plus, you're getting what you need to make the project - 12 card bases, so you don't need to buy a package of 50.

10.  Flash Sales 

Shop the short term sales for great deals on current and retired product.  Last year the be kind Wreath kit was included in a Flash Sale for $16.95, saving $8 from it's retail $24.95 price. The Jeepers Creepers Washi tape was only $1.50 instead of $3.95.  I use Washi all the time with my die cuts, so the color/pattern wouldn't even matter, plus there are two rolls making them $0.75 each!!  There's also a Clearance Section on my website.

JUST ANNOUNCED:  Flash Sale Friday, September 2 @ 3 pm MST to Monday, September 5 @ 11:59 pm MST!!

Okay class, back to our math...

Cathy Crafty decided to order the Celebrating You Cardmaking Workshop Kit that's on special right now.  In August, she went to the website of her fabulous Close To My Heart Maker (that's me 😁) and used the referral code P7K4G2 to become a VIP.  She also joined Tamara's Stamp and Scrap Club. 

Cathy paid $35 for VIP and received a $15 credit plus $10 more for using the referral code, total $25 in her VIP Bank.

She ordered the kit for $50.95 ($13.89 discount for the bundle) which qualified her to get the August SOTM Teach, Love, Inspire for free ($19.95 savings). This purchase was also her August Club Order and Cathy earned $7.64 in VIP credit.

Cathy's VIP bank = $25 + $7.64 = $32.64 and she's saved $32.84.

When Cathy told her friend Sally Stamper about the VIP program, Sally used Cathy's referral code to sign up as a VIP and also joined the club. Both Sally and Cathy get $10 VIP credit.

For September's club order, Cathy orders the Crisp Air Cardmaking Workshop Kit, and two TriBlend Markers.  This qualifies her for the SOTM again (Enjoy these Moments)!  She also uses $25 of her VIP bank to pay only $30.95 before tax and shipping.  $4.64 is added to her VIP Bank.

Cathy's VIP bank =  $32.64 + $10 = $42.64 - $25 = $17.64 + $4.64 = $22.28

The new October-December catalog arrives with Cathy's club order shipment! 

In October Cathy is club hostess. She purchases a M-size "Happy Holidays" stamp, VersaMark Ink Pad, Anti-Static Pouch, Gold Embossing Powder = $29.80 ($4.47 VIP credit earned). She applies the extra $10 to the embossing ink pens and gets the Heat Tool at 50% off. 

An adorable new Petite Perk, M size stamp comes with her order!!

Cathy has saved over 30% on her CTMH products!!

20 Years as a Maker

If you missed the email, here's the info on my anniversary give-aways:

November marks my 20th year as a Close To My Heart Maker/Consultant and I sending YOU the presents! After all, if it wasn't for all of you: shopping, cropping, booking, and sharing, I wouldn't be in business. I will be entering people into drawings for random prizes. How are you entered? Let me count the ways!

1. Do something...comment, like, follow, share on social media. For my vanity? No. Because that's how Social Media works. Algorithms and other techie stuff. You can find links to the right (on web page). I'm also uploading and sharing my videos. I made a new page on my blog where your can find my previous classes and links for the CTMH workshops.  If you're on a new platform such as:  Locals, Mewe, Gab, Rumble or Parler, let me know.
1. bonus "tickets" for finding "errors" on my blog
2. Shop. That's always appreciated! Look for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales and announcements later this month. The new November/December catalog just started and the new Core Catalog is only a few months old. FYI there were a LOT of items that sold out from September/October. In a few days we'll know if there is anything left (paper, thin cuts, embellishments). You should be able to find September/October stamps in the Online Only section; they are around for about a year. I'm giving out prize drawing "tickets" for almost anything that involves "20" or "anniversary."
1. every $20 spent
2. items from page 20
3. item numbers that include "20"
4.  stamp sets that include the word "anniversary"
5. November/calendar products
6. Stamp of the Month

3. Join. Sign-up, renew, and/or refer a VIP. There are also TWO special products exclusively for VIP members! Don't forget my Stamp and Scrap Club and Create with Heart subscriptions!
4. Donate $20 to Operation Smile. You can go through my website, no shipping, etc. It's only $240/child for surgery that will change, if not save, their life.  Can we raise enough for one smile??

This "special" runs through November 30, 2021.

New Clearance Items!

Woot! Woot! Who doesn't like a sale? This must be a secret sale, because the products are under Going Soon instead the Clearance section, LOL!

Here are some examples of what you may find:

Fundamental papers, complements and/or embellishments

2017-18 Color of the Year - Bashful

Ink Pads (retired colors) $4.00

Cardstock - $5 for 24 sheets (retired colors)

Items from past specials

Cut Above kits

Stamp and Thin Cut Bundles - 75% off

Central Park 

Documented

Organization

Embellishments

Remember, all items are while supplies last, so don't wait! You can mix clearance items with current items and specials. If you reach $50, add the Stamp of the Month. 

News from Convention

The first bit of news is an adjustment to our Idea Book publication. We will have three issues of Seasonal Expressions, just like before, except that they will include all the current products so there's only one catalog per cycle. There will no longer be a large Annual Inspirations, year long book.  With this modification, the current Annual Inspirations will continue through August 31, 2018. Keep in mind that, as always, some products may sell out as we approach the retirement date, so shop early!

The NEW Holiday Expressions that was revealed to consultants at our annual convention this past weekend, will begin September 1, 2018 and run through December 31, 2018. This is the same Expressions schedule we have had for the "small books." The catalog has been beefed up and actually has more pages than last year's Annual Inspirations.

Let's talk colors! It should be no surprise that Bashful, the current Color of the Year will be departing to the great palette in the sky, but never fear, a new shade is on it's way! If you love this delicate pink though, don't be shy, make sure you order the re-inker for your stamp pad and stock up on the cardstock and glitter paper. 

10 additional colors will be leaving to make room for 10 new shades. Gone in the new CTMH year will be:

• Crystal Blue
• Juniper
• Flaxen
• Sorbet
• Pacifica
• Tangerine
• Blossom
• Cranberry
• Poppy
• Nutmeg

The mini-pigment pads are discontinued. Full size pigment pads are coming in select colors.

The Fundamentals line is retiring.

Be sure to keep an eye on my cloud based Retiring List where I've added notes and will update you as products sell out.

One of the many highlights of convention this year was having Stacy Julian, former DOTS consultant, back with us. Her new product line, Story by Stacy, expands in the 2018 Holiday Expressions. She made a quick video to give you a peek. When you're shopping STAMPAGANZA this month, be sure to add Colorful Texture and Quotable Words to your cart. Not only will you be able to get a 3rd stamp set FREE, but prices will be going up slightly on stamp sets for the first time ever.

Stay tuned for more updates and info on new products!!

More questions? Leave a comment!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

I did get my St. Patrick's Day cards made before the holiday, and mailed, but they won't be arriving on time. Fortunately, my family doesn't have high expectations, LOL. I found this design on Pinterest. An easy way to make a shamrock is to put several heart shapes together.

Almost everything on this card is retired. I've been wanting to do something with the All About the Golds Fundamentals overlay sheets from the clearance sale. I ended up using the Limeade Washi Tape also on clearance. The heart stamp is from Family is Forever, S1409. This set works with our Artiste Cricut Collection. Maybe next year I will try the same design with the heart from the Artbooking Collection. To make the green shamrock I went to Cricut Design Space, enlarged the heart shape and welded four together. The colors on the card are Topiary and Pear.

Here's a version with a stamped border. The sentiment is from the Sending Smiles stamp set, part of the Flower Market Cricut Collection.

The overlays have a film on the back (silver) side. I removed it after I cut the piece. I don't know that it would matter if you took it off first. I believe is is there for manufacturing purposes. The gold is actually on the front (gold) side. If you have trouble grabbing the plastic, use your paper piercer. I cut the overlay with my Fiskars Paper Trimmer.

I cut the front of my card base 1.5" from the top fold, and another 1.5" from the bottom. The overlay piece is 2" x 5.5". I attached the overlay piece to the bottom card base piece first. That made it easy to line up this piece on three sides with the card base when attaching to the front.

Here's how the front of the card looks on the inside. You could cover the seam with B&T, washi, ribbon, etc. I like the see-thru affect so I didn't cover them.

When I design or adapt a card design, I often try different variations trying to get everything "just right." I made six cards and there are four different designs. Which one do you like the best?

The green on the other cards is current: Willow Exclusive Inks and cardstock, the Willow watercolor wash paper is from Adventure Fundamental Paper Pack. I used the Thin Cuts - Scallop Border instead of the washi tape. This month we are having a sale on Thin Cuts including many retired sets.

Congratulations to the giveway winner...Linda!!