The new Idea Book/Catalog is live!

The Fall/Winter Idea Book is now live and I am loving so much about this Idea Book.

Normally there are one or two paper packs in each new Idea Book that are not my style but all EIGHT new ones in this one are on my wish list!  I can hear my wallet in my purse quivering in fear as I type this!  LOL

There are some exciting changes in this book, including an exclusive to Close To My Heart Cricut Cartridge called Art Philosophy! Keep reading for more details on that.

Here are some of the highlights of Idea Book and policy changes that I've come across so far that come into effect as of today:

New Shipping Rules (effective 1 August 2011)

Close To My Heart is simplifying and standardizing shipping costs for online and Consultant orders, making it easier to remember and estimate costs. Effective 1 August 2011, shipping rates for online purchases (excluding StudioJ.com orders) will be a standard percentage of the order’s retail total. This means that MyCTMH and EZInvite online orders will be 10% of your total retail order OR $10, whichever is greater. So, if you’ve ever held back from ordering from my website because of the shipping costs, this will no longer be a factor. It will be the same as if you were ordering directly from me!  ($10 max. does not apply to Gathering orders, only Individual orders.  All Gathering orders are 10% shipping only.)

August Stamp of the Month:

Stamp images:

Project ideas using the August SOTM:

August 2011 Campaign #1 – Extra! Extra!

Close To My Heart has updated the Stamp of the Month program. Beginning 1 August 2011, when you place an order of $55 or more, you are eligible to purchase the Stamp of the Month set for just $5.50. (more on this later on when I go through the Idea Book highlights with you...). To celebrate the launch of the new program, they are throwing in a little something extra: a FREE bonus stamp set! In August, when you place an order of $55 or more AND purchase the Stamp of the Month for the $5.50, you will receive the My Acrylix Typeface A-size stamp set FREE!!! Think of this as two promotions in one. View the flyer HERE to see what each of the stamp sets looks like. View the Stamp of the Month flyer for August HERE.

Stamp set image (along with the August SOTM):

Project ideas using the bonus stamp set:

National Stamping Month (August 2011 Campaign #2)

To celebrate National Stamping Month in September, CTMH is offering their first-ever double stamp set! You can get the exclusive My Acrylix Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set FREE when you place an order of $82 or more from August 15th through September 30th, 2011. You’ll love this double set – two D-size sets in one envelope – which includes lots of clever phrases and coordinating images you’ll use in your handmade cards all year long. The double set has a retail value of $39.90. Have double the fun stamping during National Stamping Month with the new Pair-a-Phrase double stamp set! Click HERE to view the flyer and see what the stamp sets look like. If you order $164 as a qualifying order, you would receive TWO of the double stamp sets FREE!

Stamp set images:

Project ideas for the NSM stamp sets:

Yes, you can!!!! No, I am not running for president of the United States.  LOL

Yes, you can take advantage of BOTH of the promotions from Close To My Heart when they overlap in August from 15 August to 30 August.  Providing you meet the qualifications for both, you CAN get both promotions.

If you do meet the qualifications, you would receive the bonus stamp set when you purchase the August Stamp of the Month  for $5.50 with a $50 or more purchase AND the two D-size stamps sets for spending more than $82.  That would mean THREE stamp sets FREE for spending the $82 or more!!!  A retail value of $47.65. 

 Price Correction

The price of the White Daisy (1385) and Colonial White (1388) cardstock 24-packs (page 8) was incorrectly listed in the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book. The correct price for these two items is $10.50 per pack. All other cardstock packs are priced correctly. I think I’ve changed all the Idea Books but just in case I missed one, please correct your copy of the book.

NEW IDEA BOOKS!!!!

I will be delivering/mailing your copies to you as soon as possible!   I only brought in 25 Idea Books this time around because I was getting stuck with too many leftovers when I was ordering in 50, so my regular customers get first dibs on them.  If you have not ordered from me in the past year, contact me  and one can be yours for only $2.44.  (This will be re-imbursded to you when you place an order from this Idea Book through me and will be subtracted from your order total). 


Here are some of the changes and highlights for you:

CRICUT ART PHILOSOPHY COLLECTION!!!!!

This is my favorite thing in the Idea Book! Close To My Heart has teamed up with Provocraft and we now have an EXCLUSIVE to CTMH cartridge for your Cricut machine! See the flyer HERE!

Sample of some of the images available on the cartridge

- This innovative collection brings together an exclusive Cricut cartridge packed with versatile and innovating shapes, three coordinating My Acrylix D-size stamp sets, and three coordinating 9”x12” sheets of white Dimensional Elements chipboard die-cuts. Since the cartridge shapes, stamp images, and Dimensional Elements all complement each other, it’s a snap to cut a shape, stamp on it, and then layer it on a Dimensional Element to really make it pop.

- The Cricut Art Philosophy Collection (including the cartridge, stamp sets, and Dimensional Elements) is available for $109.95 (retail value is $140.00)

- While going through the Idea Book you will see some stamp sets that have a red outline around some of the stamp images. These stamp images coordinate with one of the images on the cartridge! The carrier sheet for the stamp image will show the size of the dial size to use on your Cricut machine.

- The cartridge includes over 700 images – including a font, shapes and 3-D items!

HOSTESS REWARDS:

Hostess Rewards have been expanded to include more items, including the Workshops on the Go kits! Also now included is the My Reflections Complements and Studio J memberships and 5-packs. (Complements are

new items added to go with various My Reflections Level 2 paper packets. Some of these paper packets now co-ordinate with other items beside My Stickease sticker sheets. They are listed on the same page as the paper packets and this idea book includes some with dimensional elements, canvas stickers and rub-ons! While they may have other similar Dimensional Elements, canvas or rub-on products, only the products labeled “Complements” are included on the select product list.)

NEW CONSULTANT KIT:

The New Consultant Kit has been reconfigured. The new kit has a lower price = only $99 for the kit, with three add-on collections available for just $40 each. The kits includes both business and crafting products, while the add-on collections offer new Consultants the opportunity to add to these products with both classic and Studio J products at a value ranging from 53% to 71% off. If you’ve been thinking of becoming a consultant and were holding off because of the previous configuration of the kit, this is a great new option.

Click HERE to sign up now!

STAMP PADS, MARKERS AND REINKERS:

Stamp pads, markers and reinkers are now only sold individually. They are no longer available in combo packs.

CARDSTOCK:

- Several of the 24-packs of cardstock will no longer be available and will be retired. The majority of them are available in the combo packs or in the new shade packs. See page 8-9 in the Idea Book for what is available. If there is a 24-pack you’ve been wanting, get your order in to me before the end of July.

- There are 5 combo packs available. Each combo pack matches up with a ‘season’ (Winter, Autumn, Spring, Summer and Neutral). Each one includes either 24-8 1/2`` x 11`` sheets (2 each of 12 colors) for $13.50 or 24- 12``x12`` sheets (2 each of 12 colors) for $16.50

- There are 15 Cardstock Shade packs available. They give you three harmonious colors in one convenient package. Each pack includes 12 sheets of 12``x12`` cardstock (4 each of the three colors) for $8.75

PATTERNED PAPER PACKS:

- There are EIGHT new paper packets in the Idea Book. They have also retained four of the paper packets from the previous Idea Book (Sophia, Mayberry, Lucky and Fanfare).

- My Reflections Level 2 paper packets are now a lower price with fewer papers included in each packet. This more consumable size and price allows you to use up a kit while minimizing waste.

- The cardstock included with the paper packs coordinate with the kit colors, rather than focusing on providing neutrals.

- The B&T Duos paper has been updated in weight, layout and design. The new papers are heavier and thicker. Since they are now cardstock weight and will support a fully embellished layout, they can be used as bases for layouts.

- The original copyright symbol has been removed from the printed papers and has been replaced with a removable 1/2” wide zip strip along the top. The reverse side of the zip-strip is printed with a decorative border or sentiments and can be used as a border or other element to complement your artwork.

- The new papers have a distinct design on each side of the paper instead of a monochromatic version of the design. They still have the same white core that makes them perfect for tearing, sanding and distressing.

STAMP SETS:

- Stamp images are now shown at 100% of their size – actual size! I love this! So much easier to know what the real size will be now.

- Prices on stamp sets has decreased!

- You’ll notice that there are fewer stamp sets in this Idea Book. CTMH has found that customers prefer to buy new stamp sets they have never seen before and that they tend to purchase those sets featured prominently in artwork. They decided to slightly reduce the number of past stamp sets returning to each Idea Book from previous books in order to make room for plenty of art to highlight each set. Providing extra artwork and more project ideas, in combination with a lower price point, will spur your creativity without draining your wallet. Remember, you can always purchase My Acrylix stamp sets featured in the previous Idea Book and the current Idea Book. This way you are always able to purchase “off-season” sets that you may be interested in.

WORKSHOPS ON THE GO:

- Workshops on the Go guides now feature step-by-step instructions to complete one two-page scrapbook layout, with directions on how to find online guidance for an additional two-page layout using your remaining supplies, plus a bonus project such as a set of cards or a 3-D item. The focus of the Workshops on the Go program remains the same: to provide you with a set of easy-to-complete artwork using an exclusive stamp set, a Level 2 paper packet, and some coordinating accessories—all in one convenient kit. The workshop kits and associated artwork are now found in the Idea Book near the Level 2 paper packet that the specific workshop supports. The contents of the workshop kits have been updated as well.

- In addition to the cardstock in the paper packet, each kit also includes two extra sheets of neutral-colored cardstock. This information is not included in the Autumn/Winter 2011 Idea Book.

- The stamp set has increased in size, going from a B-size to a C-size set. The workshop kit continues to include one or two full-package accessories plus a workshop guide, and the price remains the same ($33.50)!!!!

- Two of the WOTG projects (noted in the Idea Book) require the use of the Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge; however, six do not use the cartridge in artwork.

STAMP OF THE MONTH:

- The Stamp of the Month program has been updated (as mentioned earlier) but want to go over the details more... CTMH has simplified the Stamp of the Month program so that even more people can take advantage of it! Now you can purchase the Stamp of the Month set for only $5.50 CAN when you spend $55. And yes, you can still purchase the sets at full retail with no qualifying purchase required. Previously when you spent $55, the Stamp of the Month price was more than twice what it is now! More customers can snag a stamp set at a much lower price!

- They have also provided some additional resources to help you create artwork similar to that seen in the Idea Book for each Stamp of the Month set. They’ve provided supply lists in the Idea Book containing products totaling around $55—the amount needed to get the stamp set for just $5.50. While they do not list every single item needed, these supply lists help you choose coordinating products and complete beautiful projects with them.

- They're also sending you to the website for additional tips for creating projects similar to the ones spotlighted in the Idea Book. This will inspire you to create wonderful projects, such as layouts or cards or 3-D items. Also, when you visit the Campaigns & Promotions tab of closetomyheart.com, you’ll find helpful tips and techniques for the Stamp of the Month projects along with a complete recipe list and images of each piece of artwork.

- Stamp of the Month project online resources will be available for one year from the date it is released. For example, the October 2011 Stamp of the Month project online resources will be available through October 2012.

NEWSLETTER:

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