thriving 30 Director Contest!

Morning Cupcakes! We are going for it! Who wouldn't LOVE to have a corporate sponsored event again here in San Diego!
Let's get this party started!
See the video and details on your OBA! 

My CMTH blog avitar!

Here she is! My blog avitar! I love her and YOU can get one too!

Tell Angela BREN sent you...she just might be running a special!

http://angeladdesigns.com

Happy Mothers Day! What's your Superpower?

Happy Mothers Day! Celebrate!

One of my favorite photo fun sites where I created this chalkboard?

Picmonkey.com

Cupcake Applause! Congrats Team!

Congratulations Team! We had a great month with lots of growth! So glad many of you took advantage of the recruiting special for April! 
A big shout out to Lucy Kelleher, our top recruiter for April with 4 new recruits! Only one more needed to promote to Executive Manager! You Go Girl!!!
For team sales, in my first downline please give a round of applause to our top three sellers! We had a great month, way to go team!
Linda Barber Taylor with $2,006.25
Kay Raffee Pekin with $1,061.90
Lucy Kelleher with $1,005.70

A Task a Day for May!

Calling all Paper Cupcakes!  Here is your challenge for May!

CUT and PASTE this into a doc.  Print and cut into strips and add to your creative can! 

Then see how these small actions will change your business!!!

Make a phone call to a potential hostess.

Make a phone call to a former hostess.

Send an email to your downline.

Create a Constant Contact account for newsletters and updates.

Send a Thank You card to a past hostess.

Read company updates.

Make a list of 5 new contacts.

Create a plan for the following months projects.

Post some of YOUR artwork on your blog/Facebook/ FB business page.

Contact one of your downline to see how she is doing.

Send one of your downline a happy in the mail.

If you haven’t already, set up your FB business page/if you have, then add a tab to it! 

Update/write and type out your 30 second commercial.

Update/write and type out your “WHY”.

Order NEW business cards-approval necessary when not using Town & Country.

Update your email and contact info with your upline, CTMH office and on your OBA.

Print out the hostess benefits flyer & print out recruiting/opportunity flyer.

Stuff envelopes: 30 sec commercial, why, flyers and 2 bus cards-keep 3 in your purse.

Update your Facebook page and FB business page.

Create an open party on your OBA (Do this every month on the 1st).

End of the month task-update your CTMH Newsletter.

Send Thank You’s to those that ordered on your OBA/if not, make simple Thank You’s!

Customer service-call three people just to say hello & see how their projects are going.

Set up a Pinterest account/if you have one, post on it!

Set up a twitter account/if you have one, then tweet!

Make mini accessory pack envelopes for customers as freebies with a purchase.

File the receipts in your purse! (you should do this everyday!)

Make a list of ten places you can find new people.

Post an inspirational quote on your fridge.  

Clean up your workspace!  Important to productivity! If this is TOO daunting, take an area at a time a day!

Then report back to me please!!!

Close To My Heart {CTMH} Harlem Shake~Paper Cupcake style!

Now my kids will be embarrassed forever. Here we are at Rabbit Hill Ranch in Fallbrook-we had a 3 day crop retreat and Paper Cupcakes team meeting. So I'm a dork...I know it, we sure had a great time! Thank you Dawn for this fun idea! and Thank You Tasha for letting us party!

Who's going to convention???

Convention goers! We have a theme for our team meeting for Convention! 

"Keys to a Successful Kingdom!" 

Yes we are mixing it up with business AND fun! Be prepared to have a magical beginning of your convention experience! 
(RSVP's and completed form are your "KEY" to admission!  Form will be posted closer to June.)

I will be signing up for our room and time slot on the 16th so look here for updates!

Contest? Yes there is a contest...
Please bring a handmade item using the "KEY" image from Art Philosophy (pg 63) depicting our Meeting theme "Keys to a Successful Kingdom" using only current Close To My Heart products. This is optional, but because this will be out for all to see and appreciate, I want only your VERY BEST work! There will be prizes for the top three. All items in the contest will be donated as a lot to the operation smile auction! (unless Corp. decides to break it up if they think it is best for the auction)
*(this idea is pending approval, but I think it will be a go)

The Paper Cupcake's "Key's to a Successful Kingdom" auction lot, a team effort!

I love this idea because I know you will want to share your very best work! AND help a worthy cause!

This is also in our events tab on our facebook page...if you are not a member there, please join, you are missing out!

Carry Your CTMH Envelopes for Contacts!

I spoke about carrying 3-4 envelopes with you in your purse and a few cattys in your car for recruiting and hostesses...here is what is in mine-I use the items you can order from corp-but you can also create you own docs...I showed you mine, now you show me yours! Yes those images on the envelope are antique stamps from our wood n' rubbah days! (except the one of me)

YULE-tide Greetings from Bren

the inside reads:

The gift of Love

The gift of Peace

The gift of Happiness

May all these by yours at Christmas

Hugs, bren

Paper Cupcakes Yuletide Bash Dec. 6

Ok Cupcakes...we are good to go for our Dec. 6th holiday meeting~ 6:30-9:30 At our usual place $3 per person for tip collection. Please support the FREE room by having dinner with us.
I need 20 RSVP's!
Optional Card Swap Theme...Valentines card swap with La Belle Vie
UPDATE!
I just realized that the La Belle Vie papers are not carrying over to the next catalog...and that is the paper pack I chose for the Dec. swap...if you have already made your cards (Patty) then that is fine but if you have not, I would suggest using any of these current papers with a Valentine twist...
Avonlea, Clementine, Dakota, and Scholastic papers are due to carry over to the Spring/Summer 2013 Idea Book.
Bring your basic tool kit for a project.
Optional gift swap~ Bring a wrapped present~paper crafting related~$20 value with a handmade gift tag. (The tag will be entered in a contest) 

Want to share something? Please email me!  Fun to be had!!!

Christmas Countdown Calendar from Cookie Sheet!

Sharing my latest work of heART using the November Stamp of the Month. Cookie sheet ($1 plus spray paint .25) and matchboxes ($2.50) from dollar tree. Magnets from Walmart ($3). Embellishments could add up but I had all this and not all of it is CTMH...jingle bells, tiny ornaments, lace and ribbon, snowflake and heart brads. Buttons, bottle caps run through my big shot, discontinued font for the word Christmas. Old and new papers. I wanted the vintage look but you could do your own version of what you have. Many hours of prep time. I pre-stamped everything. Bling, tinsel, tiny key, tiny safety pin, yadda yadda...Use score tape for the seam on the matchbooks. Use liquid glass, glue gun or I prefer Beacons 3 in 1 glue for adhering the magnets. Use Bonding memories for the papers on the backing. (Only paint the sides not the center of the cookie sheet) Medallion behind the flower on the 25 box. Hope you likey!

Cricut ARTISTE Coffin Box and more!!!

I have new posts with lots of ideas on my site! Check it out  CloseToMyCricut.com

Paper Cupcakes Oct 15th Blog Hop Tomorrow!

Come check us out and sign up for the next hop...info coming soon...

Our blog hop is as scheduled for Oct 15, 2012 using the Thanksgiving/Give Thanks key of the ARTISTE collection.

The hoppers in order are:

Bren Yule~http://closetomycricut.com/

Heather Plotzke~http://heatherplotzke.blogspot.com/

Linda Taylor~http://thepapertaylor.blogspot.com/

Dawn Heuft~http://Stamptildawn.blogspot.com/

Karen Cullen~http://karenscreativenest.blogspot.com/

Tasha Valdez~http://www.rabbithillranch.com/blog/

Dana Simone-Kurtz~http://dsdoodles.blogspot.com/

CTMH Close To my Heart Cricut Artiste Pumpkin Treat Box

This is the little pumpkin treat box we are making at the team meeting tonight.  Inspired by Mary Thompson, I just had to share!
Box using ARTISTE page 32 @ 4 1/2" in Autumn Terra Cotta
I used an embossing folder and my Big Shot for the pattern on the CS
Leaves page 54 (the two) at 2" and a single using the Pear and partridge B&T page 32 @1"
Tag Page 37@ 1 1/4 using set B1410 A Friend Like You Occasions
I added a tied piece of our burlap for the stem and stuck it through the slot and taped it on the back...It closes with our new little velcro tabs.  Add a button and fill with goodies.

CTMH Costa Rica Incentive Trip info up

Log into the CTMH online office and read about the next incentive trip!

Will you be joining us? I'm going for it!

CTMH Glitter Tape colored with our Markers!

Look what I discovered! You can use our alcohol based markers to color our Glitter tape! This card was inspired by Beth Nauman at our Big Bear retreat...the glitter seemed a bit too bright so I tried coloring it with our markers...Presto! You can also color our sparkles any color you wish to match your project!  See my monogram stamp with the smokey plum bling?

I did try to color our silver alpha stickers, but it took several layers and it was still light.  Try it!  Show your customers!

CTMH Cricut Mini Tea Light Cakes

Working day and night on some really cool stuff! I was inspired by Terri Howard and her LED mini tea light baby cakes. They are tiny and darling and I will be offering this to my customers and maybe even my team too! There is a mini cupcake box, the tea light and matching tag. SO darn CUTE! Take a peak!

Recap of Cindy Bakers Team Meeting & Welcome

Firstly let me send a warm welcome to our newest team member, Bee (Bernadette) Perez!
I know she is going to have fun in her new venture with Close To My Heart!
Congratulations to all 24 new recruits from my first downline team members that have been recruiting this month!
Kay Pekin, Dawn Heuft, Heather Plotzke, Linda Taylor, Lucy Kelleher, Jan Dagley, and Jennifer Lee.  Way to go my Ladies!!!
AND drum roll please...In my 1st thru 4th downline we have added 281 new team members so far just in the month of August!!!!! (Doin' the Happy Dance!) Please invite all your new recruits to our facebook team page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/225527790903176/) and our team blog!

Now...I just wanted to share some great info from Cindy Bakers Team meeting  that I attended!
Pass on this great info!

BUSINESS:

Trivia:  in the new Autumn/Winter Idea book there are....

62 new stamp sets
8 new paper packs
13 new WOTG kits
5 new accessories and tools
New publication with layout and card patterns ("Make It From Your Heart"....it's fabulous....and only $7.95)

SPECIAL PAPERS IN PAPER PACKS:There are 3 new paper packs that have special cardstock colors, that are NOT available in our regular line of cardstock colors. There are no ink pads, markers or re-inkers in those special colors, as well. Those paper packs are :  Avonlea, Flirty and La Belle Vie. CTMH has added these fun, trendy colors to these paper packs to keep fresh and up-to-date with current paper-crafting colors and trends, without having to add tons of new colors to the permanent line. These papers also create "urgency" for your customers....they will want those fun new colors, so they will purchase the kits! There are supporting neutral colors in these paper packs that you can use to stamp with, that coordinate with the special colors, of course, so no worries! Plus many of our other inks blend well with these paper packs.

New Supply Items:

W1117 Cricut Cutting Mats (2)  $12
W1118 Cricut Spatula  $5
W1119 Cricut Replacement Blades (20) $10

Order these on a supply order....they are NOT commissionable, but how GREAT that we carry them and can order them when need them asap without having to go hunting for them!

New Markers:

Not like Copic Markers, except they are alcohol ink

1. Not refillable
2.Store only horizontal
3. Hard tips
4.Will color on clear sparkles and clear embossing! (COOL!)
5. Works best when coloring an image in, if you stamp with: new Pigment Ink cubes. They work with Stazon, but still may smear. Our regular ink pads aren't the best to use with the markers.
6. Be sure and put scrap paper under whatever you are coloring...the ink will bleed through!
7. Shake the marker before using!

Artiste Cricut Cartridge Features:

1. Easier to find images
2. More organized, with "like" images grouped together.
3. How-to booklet with photos on how to put the 3-D projects together! (amazing!)
4. 700 images!
5. Several mini albums....cut out the pages, embellish and assemble!
6. 20 cupcake wrappers!
I LOVE this cartridge already!

This question was brought up: What if a customer just wants the cartridge and not the stamp sets and chipboard sheets? Should I sell them just the cartridge?

My answer: absolutely not! Tell your customer it comes "pre-packaged", so there is no way to separate it. Suggest they give the stamps and chipboard away as a gift, or donate them.
Also tell them: the stamps and chipboard are included for FREE, so customers can see how well the images on the cartridge coordinate with our stamps, accessories and Workshops on the Go!  The cartridge alone is well worth  the $99....with 700 images!
Regular Cricut cartridges average between 70-90 shapes. Ours is a GREAT value!

I highly suggest that you do NOT separate the cartridge and the stamps and chipboard. It will set a bad precedent....and others will want you to do the same and you will be losing money!

Another great thing about our cartridges.....another consultant shared that one of her downline had a customer remark that she was disappointed with CTMH, saying that we aren't keeping up with Stampin' Up"...SU had so many more punches, dies, than we do, etc.  Really?? Well....let's just see about that....yes, they do have alot more punches than we do, but...at what cost??....

This CTMH consultant did this comparison and shared it on the cruise email group:

SU carries...   
                     
46 punches                       
7 edgeing punches               
12 framelets
21 dies 
8 bigz dies                          
for a total of 73 punches and dies....
at a total cost of...wait for it....$1,920.15!!!

(not including storage of all the items above, plus
carrying them (heavy!) to a crop or a gathering, etc.)

Close To My Heart has:
2 Exclusive Cricut cartridges = $200
even if you add in the cost of a Cricut Expressions machine...approx. $200....
The total is $400.....WAY less expensive than all of those punches and dies!! And way more images!!
Isn't that incredible? Just another awesome selling point, if anyone happens to mention something like that to you!

Compensation Plan:

We discussed this a little....inspired to share some thoughts shared by my upline, Sheri Rottler in an email to her team: (thanks for sharing, Sheri!)

"Are you taking full advantage of our awesome new compensaton plan? Know your montly sales totals, so you don't miss out on a simgle dollar! It can make a big difference in your paycheck and your product credits. For instance, if you sell $599 this month but order a little more, just enough to reach the $600 mark, you get an additional $25 in SPC (Select Product Credit), for a total of $50!! That makes a big difference! There are SPC increases at $150, $400, $600 and $800.

Another important level to keep in mind is to reach $1,000 in sales. At this level, not only are you maxing out your SPC ($75) but you also gain an additional 8% in override commissions...that's another $80 in your pocket!!

Have you checked your SPC lately? It's now on the main page when you log into your CTMH account, right at the top of all the other stats! Yay for that!
Sheri mentioned that one of her downline didn't really know about SPC and had $400 in her account, waiting to be spent!! So check it often...and remember, SPC expires 1 year from the date you earned it...so it's not good forever.

What can you use SPC for:   

Invest in your business without having to take money out of your pocket!

1. Hostess gifts/customer gifts (for large sales at a gathering, for a large order, etc.)
2. Prized for games at a gathering or workshop.
3. Customer gifts at Christmas
4. Get supplies using SPC, and then do some FREE projects for customers
5. Incentives for your team....for recruiting, sales, etc.
6. I use my SPC to get supplies for my club projects for the next month, so I use mine every month...that's less money out of my pocket!
 7. Give a new recruit some extra little incentive gifts if she reaches her Straight to the Top goals!

Keep track of your sales and your SPC...it pays!!

Love this Paper Cupcake!

Album Retreat: Salt Lake City Utah, March 14th-16th  City Creek Marriott   More info to come from corp. 
 
One last reminder...I know it's a bit early, but....Sept 30th is the last day of the sales quarter...so you have a month and half to get your $300 min. sales in, if you don't already!

Make is productive, profitable week!!

CTMH National Stamping Month Promotion

Hello Ladies...did you see we are having our first blog hop?  Go on over to my business website to hop around and get inspired HERE! 

We, at Close To My Heart, are celebrating National Stamping Month with a special My Acrylix ® double stamp set offer called “It’s Your Day”.  You can purchase this adorable exclusive set for only $5 with your qualifying order of $35 or more from August 15-September 30! (A retail value of $35.90)!

We have a NEW canvas journal that I used for my sample!  

If you are visiting my blog and not a Paper Cupcake, you can shop for Close To My Heart products HERE!

CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge Scalloped Treat Box

With your Artiste Cricut cartridge, cut two 3" size boxes.  One out of slate and one out of white.  Trim flaps off the slate one, assemble both, and slip the white one inside.  Attach straw to stamped (perfect fit frames), scalloped circle. 

Add bakers twine.  Fill with candy!

We made this at Cindy Baker's team meeting! CUTE!