I Am Grateful.....

As we head into the Thanksgiving weekend, I'd like to take this opportunity to tell each and every one of you, my team members, how thankful I am to have you as part of my team.  Whether you are my 1st or those who are are my part of my extended team.  I have been blessed to be a part of Close To My Heart for more than 20 years and have met and have the privilege of working with amazing people from all walks of life: married, single, Stay-at-home Mom's, career consultants, hobbyist, 20 somethings to grandparents, all who have enriched my life is so many ways.  We all have unique stories of what brought us to CTMH. 

I am thankful for all the opportunities that being a CTMH consultant has brought me:  friendships with people from coast to coast and Canada too, leadership skills, income potential, flexibility to have a career that allowed me to be at home with my children and care for aging parents, these things are priceless!  I am a better person for being part of our wonderful company!

I am so thankful to my wonderful upline and mentor, Karen Morris.  Although we are long-distance I can't imagine having a closer relationship.  She is always there to give me advice and encouragment by phone or email.  If I am in need of assistance, I know I can contact her.  I hope you know that as your upline, I am here for you!

We are so fortunate to have Jeanette as our leader.  She has such vision and cares deeply for all of us.  Over the years, I have experienced first hand how much thought she gives to how  new products and policies will affect us.  She is an innovator.  I am so thrilled that, once again Jeanette has brought us a product that is uniquely CTMH, the Cricut Art Philosophy Collection.  CTMH is the first to combine stamping with the Cricut diecut images!  I can't wait to see what's next!

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving!

 Shout Outs:
Wow!  We have 2 team members who are more than half way to earning the S. Carribbean Cruise 2013 already!  Way to go  Dr. Phil Wilhelm and Lynn Como!

Creative Corner:
Due to the length of last weeks post, I didn't post photos of the Make and Take's I prepared for the CK Expo.  Here is a photo of the quick and easy gift tags I made.  I wanted to feature the coordinating stamp sets that come with the AP Collection as well as our beautiful new B&T Duos.  I colored one of the bulk bling buttons with a red Sharpie for the holly berry on the first tag

Here is some artwork swaps from our Washington Team meeting last week.  The theme was to use only the paper packets that would be carried forward to the Spring/Summer Idea Book - Typeset, Roxie, Elemental and Sonoma.

Contest winner - by Carol Thompson

Note pad  - inspired by the incredible Vicki Wizniuk and flower pen by me!

 Quote of the Week:

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate ...

Blessings are oftentimes not valued till they are gone.--Thomas Fuller

Cricut Madness!

My post this week is a bit different, not the format of past posts.  I want to share with you what I've been up to the past 2 weeks and how you can increase your sales with the new Cricut Art Philsophy Collection.

Amy selling another Cricut AP!

I am in LOVE with our new Cricut Art Philosphy Collection!  I have spent many hours of quality time the past 2 weeks with my favorite bug in preparation for the Creating Keepsakes Convention November 10th -12th here in Washington.  It was held at Meydenbaur Center in downtown Bellevue - the Eastside as it's known here in the Seattle area.  It's near the home of Microsoft and Expedia - their offices  tower over the Convention center.  I was invited by 4th downline, Amy Raftery to share the booth with her this year.  We had a great team of consultants and friends helping us with the weekend.  It truly takes a team to work such a large event.  We were like a well oiled machine, each covering an assigned task and everyone sharing CTMH with the attendees. 

Our team - Lisa, Shannon, Amy, me and Rachel

The team consisted of:

Shannon teaching the make and take

Amy's friend Shannon (who really should join the CTMH family  hint...hint) she really has a great positive energy and amazing product knowledge as well as a passion for scrapbooking.

Amy Ulen - our resident Studio J guru!  We are so lucky to have her on the team.

Lisa Sargent - an enthusiastic people person who makes connections with everyone!  She is sweet and a real team player.

Amy Raftery - the brains behind the booth.  She has lots of experience doing large CK events with her upline Dr. Phil Wilhelm and Superstars Briana Bostick nad Noreen Petty.

Rachel at the cash register ready
to sell another bottle of Liquid Glass

My daughter Rachel Gonsalves - the newest member of my team.  She is an amazing upseller and can sell the heck out of Liquid Glass and anything blingy - her favorites.  She ran the cash register the whole time, then went to ballet rehearsal and her part-time job at the Container Store!  Oh to be young with that kind of energy!

Melinda Abrahamson - one of Amy's downline from Edmonds - who like Amy and Shannon, has a great positive energy.  She did an awesome job of talking with everyone!

I titled this post "Cricut Maddness" because we sold......61 Cricut Art Philosophy Collections in 2 days!  I think we could have sold 80 if we had had them in stock.  We had 38 to start and had people place orders after they sold out.  I am pleased that customers trusted us to hand over the money before they got their product!  We felt bad that they were leaving empty handed so we gave them an Idea Book and a Pair-a-Phrase Stamp set free for waiting.  We also did a "show special" with free tax and shipping.  By offering that, it gave the sense of urgency.  Here in our area, it means saving about $18.00.  I know it made a difference.  We had many who came back and purchased the second day, after thinking about it because of the special.  Total sales for the 2 days was almost $10,000.00!  As you can see, the AP was a huge part of our success.  If you haven't shared it with your customers yet, you're missing out!

I spent 9 hours the first day demonstrating the Cricut.  The key is to have LOTS of attractive samples to attract attention as people walk by.  I focused on the boxes and 3-D flowers which I had put on to pens.  Our orginal plan was to demo the first hour or so until the early-bird shopping was finished, but I never got a break to make the switch.  It's also important to have the stamp sets, book and the black and white 7 page handout that is on the public side of the CTMH website.  It makes it easy to show just how amazing our cartridge is.  It is the only one out there with coordinating stamp images!  Our booth was hopping with enthusiasum for the AP Collection.

 

A quick and easy board to make - I think I'm going to make another one that features the coordinating stamp sets

Pillow Boxes - the snowflake is covered with Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel - the flower is made with Roxie paper

 

I made up 8 each of these boxes, filled them with candy and randomly gave them away.  The left box was designed by Chris Green  The boxes are cut at 11 1/2 inches.

These are the quickest and easiest of the boxes to demo.  The are also cut at 11 1/2 inches.  The Happy Holiday's label is outlined with Stardust Glitz Glitter Gel.  Notice the colored Bling Brads. 

Stocking giftcard holder is cut at 6 1/2 inches.

Here is how I made the flower pens:
1 - make the flower of your choice - I cut it at 4 1/2 inches
2 - cut 2 leaves 1 3/4 inches
3 - fold each leaf in half and run through a paper crimper at an angle
4 - sponge the edges and ridges of the leaves with a darker ink to add depth
5 - use Liquid Glass to attach a piece of floral wire to the back of each leaf - this allows you to shape   the leaf and attach it to the pen
6 - bend the leaf at a 90 degree angle and attach it to the pen with floral tape as shown
7. glue the flower to the leaves and top of the pen with Liquid Glass



Some cool tricks I know that I want to pass on:  While I was demoing the other consultants in the booth were amazed that I was showing the customers how to color our bling and pearls.  It was something I thought everyone knew.  So I want to share it in case it's new to you too :o)

You can customize our bling brads, sparkles, buttons and pearls simply by coloring the TOP with a Sharpie Marker!   What I said to the customers is it's an excuse to buy that 24 pack of Sharpies you've had your eye on at Costco and Office Depot!    Here is an example - I had let the customers color them in, so they are a bit crazy here!  It turns out a shade lighter than on paper

The second trick is to take your 1/4 of the round sponge and staple on a short strip of cardstock in the color of ink you will use it with.  Makes a great handle and easy to know what color it's for!

I hope you've enjoyed my post this week and it has inspired you to share the newest innovation by CTMH with EVERYONE!  If you have any questions you can leave me a comment or contact me at njsmith@wolfenet.com.

I've fallen off the blogging bandwagon :o( Time to saddle up again!

Here is another article from The Success Factory that really spoke to me!  If found it especially appropriate now that we are heading into a really busy and family focused time of year.  This also happens to also be a top sales time for most of us with our CTMH business.  I have been super busy these past weeks trying to juggle my regular customer classes, creating and adding an extra Cricut class plus 2 team meetings and other team support and getting ready for the Creating Keepsakes Expo.

SUBJECT: Feeling out of BALANCE?

Recently, I had the opportunity to hear Wayne Cordeiro, Senior Pastor of New Hope  Christian Fellowship  Church speak on Leadership and the issue of balance.
While his talk was directed towards church leaders – much of what he had to say can apply to those of us who are in business for ourselves.
The good and bad news of having a home based business is that often it can be easy to feel like you are out of balance. When you are working your business, you feel guilty because you are taking time away from your family. When you are with your family, you feel like you should be working. Personal time, especially in the fall can be at a premium and so it gets ignored completely.
Pastor Cordeiro spoke of the importance of being aware of what fills and what drains your emotional tank. That if you push and push and push, too hard, for too long – eventually your body will be drained of endorphins and you will find yourself running on adrenaline. This recipe for disaster was the predicament he found himself in several years ago and actually ended up under a doctor’s care because he had burnt himself out to the point of complete physical and mental exhaustion. He described himself as a “Dead Leader Running”.

His suggestions are practical, doable and to the point:

1)      Be aware of what fills and drains your emotional tank and write it down. What makes you feel most alive is what fills you. Think about:
a.       Who am I with?
b.      What am I doing?
c.       Where am I doing it?
The busier you are the MORE you must increase what you do to fill you because if you get too busy to FILL UP you will drain your tank – this is suicide!

Ask your spouse to write down the same list and then exchange lists – it is so important to know one another in this way.
2)      Understand BALANCE in life and the principle of the fulcrum – life and business/ministry and family and business/ministry aren’t separate. All are part of each other and sometimes balance happens when you move your heart  more towards one or the other. In other words, there may be times in your life when there is a need to give your family more of your time and energy and the same holds true with your business. The idea that you will be completely be able to operate 50/50 is not realistic.
3)      Learn to lead out of REST. When filling out your calendar, schedule your REST points first and then fill in the work time.
4)      FIND your lightening rod. This is a trusted friend who you can dump stuff on – and they will GROUND it. They listen, don’t judge and keep whatever you have said confidential. He also recommended that this person not necessarily be your spouse.
5)      Finally, he stressed the importance of “Disciplining your Daily Devotions.” Once again, beginning the morning with a quiet time is crucial for a day that is in balance. You may have to get up 15 minutes earlier than you planned – but a daily quiet time for reading, prayer or meditation is vital in order to establish and maintain balance in your life

Business Tip of the Week:
I'm not quite sure why I haven't been doing this the past 20 years, or at least since I've been having all my orders shipped to me!  Here's the tip:  As you pack your orders, place a sticker with your contact information on each item.  That way, if a customer wants to order more or would like an idea book etc, they can easily find you!  Even if they give/sell etc the products to someone else, your name goes with it.  I printed mine on address labels and they say:
         If you’d like more,contact me!
Naomi Smith
Phone:253-639-2708
Email:njsmith@wolfenet.com
Shop online-www.ctmh.com/naomi

I have spent hours putting my label on all the product for the show.  I'll let you know in the coming months how it pays off.

SHOUT-OUTS:

Wowzer!  You have all done an outstanding job growing your teams with the help of the October Constant Campaign!  Congratulations to the following team members for outstanding recruiting in October!  The total team grew by an amazing 118 members!

Special recognition to the top 4 recruiters:

Amy Raftery - 10

Phil Wilhelm - 6

Noreen Petty - 5

Briana Bostick - 4

  

Adina Godin -2

Alayne Fleming -1

Adeline Brill -1

Amanda DesJardins -1

Amy McGrew -2

Amy Raftery - 10

Angela Tutton- 2

April Davis -1

Becca Curry -1

Betsy Gully -1

Bev Mathias -1

Brandi Katrein -1

Briana Bostick -4

Carol Fowler -1

Chris Green -1

Christina Eisenhour -1

Christine David -1

Cindy Appleman -1

Debbie Winkfield -1

Dr. Phil Wilhelm -6

Edie Marks -1

Elisabeth Weaver -3

Erika Voelker -1

Holly Strum -1

Jeni Augustyn -1

Jessica Ballas -1

Jessica Dunne -1

Joy Anni -2

Julie Decker -1

Karen Oakman -1

Kathy Markloff -1

Kim Davis -1

Kim Olson -1

Krista Hershberger -1

Lana Massman -2

Laurel Shields -1

Laurie Newton -3

Linda Caler -1

Linda Norman -3

Linda Sturdivant -2

Lisa McNatt -1

Lynn Como -3

Marcy Sowers -2

Marianne Bourgeois -1

Marie Moreken -1

Martha Saenz -1

Mary Mellone -1

Melissa Virden -1

Michele Pryor -1

Michelle Johns -1

Michelle Naylor -1

Monique Griffin -1

Noreen Petty -5

Pam Hendricks -1

Pat Laviolette -2

Patricia Weisenbach -1

Rebecca Cameron -1

Rita Pfingsten -1

Robin Coleman -1

Sally Bacon -1

Sandee DePriest -2

Sandy Taylor -1

Sarah Spencer -1

Shelly Nemitz -2

Sonia Abrew -1

Stacy Gaither-Tabor -1

Susan Farris -1

Susan Tomaino -1

Susan Williams -1

Suz Winter -1

Tera Boring -1

Theodora Stacey -2

Tina Lovell -2

Tina Taylor -1

Tracey Mason -1

Trish Brand -1

Venia Joray -1

With all the recruiting and the start of the new compensation plan come PROMOTIONS!

Congratulations to our new Leaders  - Directors, Sr. Directors, Executive Directors and Sr. Executive Director!

Linda Caler	Senior Executive Manager	Director
Amy Raftery	Executive Manager	Director
Susan Tomaino	Director	Executive Director
Dr. Phil Wilhelm	Director	Executive Director
Adina Godin	Director	Senior Director
Linda Sturdivant	Director	Senior Director
Christina Eisenhour	Director	Senior Director
Ginni Candelaria	Director	Senior Director
Noreen Petty	Director	Senior Director
Lynn Como	Director	Senior Director
Christine David	Director	Senior Director
Briana Bostick	Director	Senior Director
Sherri Tozzi	Director	Senior Director
Wendy Vogel-Vineis	Executive Director	Senior Executive Director

CREATIVE CORNER:

Here is the art for my November card classes:  The stocking is a gift card holder
The Christmas tree card was adapted from a card by Mandy Leahy - for instructions go to http://www.mypassionforscrapbooking.com/blogpost-66176/Layered-Paper-Christmas-Tree-WScalloped-Circles.html  I stamped the scalloped circles and sponged them with white ink before assembly.
The Glory to God card was adapted from a card on the CTMH art board - I can't seem to find the post to give her credit.
The small Wreath card is a money holder with lots of Stardust Glitz glitter Gel
The Magic of Christmas card has a Santa image cut from the B&T paper as well as a zip strip and the Stamp of the Month

A extra special Thank you to Ginni Candelaria!  I was trying to figure out the best way to teach a Cricut Class that would be meaningful.  Ginni posted a photo of a tag class she's teaching.  What a great idea!  Here are the tags and a box to put them in that I'm featuring in my class.  A couple are copied directly from Ginni and others I created.  I will give them 1 sheet each of Topiary, White Daisy and Bulk Dreamin' and Believe.  They must bring their own machine with the AP cartridge, a mat and spatula.  I will also provide all the finishing embellishments.  I have created a document with cutting instructions for all the pieces as well as a supply list.  If you'd like a copy, email me and I'll send it to you.  The blue snowflake circle tag is a card.  I tried to use as many of the function keys as possible.

 TEAM NEWS:

                                     Connected Hearts 2012 Team Meeting Dates:
                       All members of Naomi Smith’s 1^st -4^th Downline are welcome!
 

Washington Team Meeting -Kent, WA – November 19^th

Oregon Team Meeting   Salem, OR – February 18^th    
Washington Team Meeting -Kent, WA –March 31^st  
Oregon Team Meeting   Salem, OR – July 28^th    
Washington Team Meeting -Kent, WA – August 18^th
Oregon Team Meeting   Salem, OR – November 10th  
Washington Team Meeting -Kent, WA – December 1^st  

 Questions - Contact me:

Email - njsmith@wolfenet.com
Phone – 253-639-2708

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: 

          "You will either step forward into growth or you will step back into safety"
                                                                                                            -Abraham Maslow