Close To My Heart and Anhi & Zoe or Creative Memories

First – a disclaimer.  I am not signing up for any other direct sales company.  

I am a huge fan of the DS business model.  There are so many wonderful reasons to be a DS consultant but at this time that option is not a good fit for me.   I appreciate the offers and invites that some of you have shared with me.  I promise if I ever change my mind I’ll let you know. 

 

Now – for some encouraging news.  Last weekend I saw some Close To My Heart albums in person.  I was very, very impressed with them. 

I know what you’re thinking – but they’re post bound!  Bear with me – there just aren’t any albums out there that I have found that are both strap-hinge and great quality.  Yet!  (Always hopeful!)

Yes, they’re post bound albums.  But they’re a very nice quality album and the page protectors are very strong!

That’s a very full 12x12 album that Carolyn is holding by one, single CTMH page protector!

The Memory Protectors are thick and gusseted so if you have thicker pages they can lay flat.  They are top loading – BUT in January CTMH will be making side loading Memory Protectors that FIT CM’s STRAP HINGE ALBUMS!!  How refreshing that a company not only listens to requests from customers but are actually acting upon those requests!  I think these are going to be first offered for a limited time but who know what will happen in the future!

CTMH sells Spine Extenders that you add every 3 or 4 pages to help your pages to lay flat.

You can modify the CTMH Memory Protectors to fit in CM Strap Hinge albums. 

This was my first time meeting Carolyn.  I gave her the quick version of my history with CM & what was going on w/the company and she showed me a bit of their scrapbooking related items. 

Carolyn loves CTMH products and it shows! She was excited but not pushy at all.  She was very, very helpful to help me navigate through CTMHs product line.  I have been a loyal CM gal for all of my time as a scrapbooker  and although I’ve been to a few CTMH parties & ordered a few of their products I’m pretty new to their world.

Carolyn gave me a catalog.  I don’t know how much consultants in other DS companies pay for their catalogs but as a CM consultant I always considered the cost of catalogs as a business expense for me.  It was a write-off, like credit card fees and order forms.  Even in the good ole’ days when CM catalogs contained ideas I never sold them.  Giving away catalogs got my information into the hands of others and that isn’t something I’ve ever felt comfortable charging others for a catalog…or paying for one as a customer.  So I was very happy to get a free catalog  

Here are a few things I liked:

CTMH printed papers – they have a strip on one side that lists what pack it’s from and the colors it coordinates with.

When you trim this strip off it has a pretty pattern on the other side that you can use in your projects.

CTMH Cardstock – it cuts like a dream in electronic die cutters!  They have lots colors to choose from, too.  The CTMH cardstock has a white core which may or may not be an issue if you’re used to CM cardstock.

Flip Flaps – these are great items that allow you to easily put extra photos or other items on your pages.  They are like mini clear page protectors and have a strip of adhesive that allows you to adhere them to your pages.

You can see the CTMH albums & Flip Flaps in this video:

CTMH has a lot of  items that work well together or coordinate. You can tell that people familiar with the scrapbooking & crafting industry have a hand in designing their products.  I like that!

So – those are my first thoughts about some of the CTMH options that might work for those of us searching for new homes for our scrapbook pages. 

If you have specific questions about the products please ask your CTMH consultant!

A Huge Red Flag for Ahni & Zoe!

CM was never big on social media.  There was a time when CMCs were forbidden from even mentioning online that they were consultants.  We couldn’t share our work online or promote our business without the threat of deactivation.  I know of CMCs that were actually deactivated because they dared to share ideas featuring CM products online on a message board.  Heck, I was slapped on the hand by CM because I promoted CM products on my CM blog.  The same blog that was dedicated to my CM business  and only contained info regarding CM! 

Looks like CM AZ  still doesn’t recognize the value and potential for social media and that’s really a pity.  Add to that their desire to control information to & from consultants and you get this as part of the A&Z Policy Manual (it’s on page 8.)

I agree that as a rep for a company you shouldn't go on public social media sites and bash that company. That's just not good business sense.  Most direct sales companies have some wording regarding this issue and it pretty much boils down to common sense.  But this bit about “You must avoid disparaging conversations, comments…" leaves too much wiggle room for A&Z.   As an A&Z consultant, according to this, you can't say anything - in a public, private, closed or secret online group - that isn't "positive” according to A&Z.  Many people see things as honest and realistic but CM HO has a reputation for viewing anything that dares to go against their thought process as negative.  Unfortunately, I witnessed this labeling of a differing opinion as “negative” first hand many, many times.  Positive is a subjective term. Each person has their own idea what is positive and what is negative.  With the same people in charge of A&Z I’m willing to bet it will be not only more of the same but now, contractually they can discipline consultants for sharing their “inappropriate and disparaging” thoughts according to A&Z!

It’s quite obvious that if you don’t agree with AZ then they don’t want to hear about it. 

CM/AZ entered into the social media world kicking & screaming. They have not embraced it - in fact they seem to barely tolerate it. The removal of their consultant only social media platform (again) and shutting down of comments on their public FB page are the latest examples of this. 

I will say it again – go into any business venture with your eyes wide open!

Great Deals from York Photo!

Digital Scrapbook Day, 2013!

Today is Digital Scrapbook Day!  This happens the first Saturday in November each year!  Here are a few spots celebrating with digital freebies (Be sure to check out the stores – most have great deals & other fun things going on to celebrate DSD!)

Note:  most digital kits are pngs and they do not install with the ease of the kit’s most SBC+ and Artisan users are used to using that were purchased from CM or Panstoria.  Here is a tutorial that explains how to bring png files into SBC+ – same process for Artisan.  http://www.jenreeddesigns.com/blog/tutorial-import-digital-scrapbook-kit-storybook-creator/

Free page file template – at Scrap Orchard courtesy of Fiddle-Dee-Dee Designs to start a Sorry! MIS challenge.  Click here to learn more about this challenge & download the template.

Kellybell designs has an adorable free “Princess Overnight” kit and specials

MJAJ Designs has this fun freebie:

 

Check out Digiscrapparade for a fun parade that will take you to blogs, websites & Facebook pages where you can collect lots of freebies! 

digiscrapaddicts also has a blog hop – here’s the complete list of participants.  LOTS of beautiful freebies! 

A few of my favorites from the digiscrapaddicts hop:

from Brown Eyed Susan Designs

Triple J Designs:

This one from she creates is available in page format!

 

Scrap Orchard has lots of events and these freebies offered throughout the weekend :

Pixelscrapper has a Blog Train – with lots of freebies.  Here is a list of these participants.

 

These are not part of  DSD but are still fun & free!

Template by Meagan's Creations - page file available

Scraptakeout.com has 3 freebies: 

#1

#2

#3

REEL fun freebie from simple Pleasure Designs

“Like” Mad for the Mouse’s Facebook page for this freebie:

LOTS of freebies at these 2 sites:

A Cherry on Top – 96 pages of freebies!

Here’s a cute one from A Cherry on Top:

Shabby Princess – over 30 freebies!

Festival is one of my favorites!

Blog Train to celebrate Ivy Scraps 4th Birthday!

Lots of freebies here – Sweet Shoppe Designs & here susyQscraps

Be sure to grab the DSD freebies first – most will only be available for a limited time!

Have fun!!

Feel free to post links to other freebies you find & I’ll update this post if/when I come across more.

Creative Memories to become Ahni & Zoe by Creative Memories. NEW PRODUCT LINE

Here it is – what the new version of CM will be offering.

That tape runner looks just like the old CM tape runner – but since learning that 3L makes the adhesives for CM I will be using those after I’ve gone through my stash of CM Tape Runner refills.

update:  Looks like it’s the same as the blue CM TR.  I am stunned at the prices.

UPDATE:  This adhesive is tabs (larger, square pieces), not small strips like the old CM Tape Runner.

You should be able to view the full PDF here http://www.creativememories.com/uploads/2/2/0/8/22088492/2._party_products_hosting_final_ii.pdf

Link to newCMs catalog 

Same *stuff* - different packaging & names.

They kept the wrong stuff! Ditching loyal customers to seek out new, “time-starved Moms” = not such a good idea, in my opinion.

Information about CM’s name change:

(Click on image to make it larger)

A friendly word of advice:  Don’t Google “Ahni” with the kiddos around, especially if you’re using the image search feature.

(Seriously, who re-launches a company without researching the name?)

It looks like the Fast 2 Fabulous albums are still 12x12 and at least the pages can be wallpapered for those that don’t like the pre-printed pages.  It makes no sense to me why CM wouldn’t offer plain, unprinted pages to keep it’s loyal customers happy – but then, much of what CM has done recently makes no sense to me at all.

When CM notified me that they were going to release all CMCs from their contracts at the end of August I was sad but knew that even if the company emerged from bankruptcy it would be a far cry from the company I had signed up with.  I’m not just talking about the product line, but the (lack of) ethics, morals and simple business sense, too.

CM may have changed their mind about releasing me (and other) CMCs from our contracts but I find that unacceptable and haven’t changed my mind.  I know CM isn’t a good fit for me and will not partner with them and their new venture.  I feel this was not a decision I made but it was made for me and although the new very limiting, simple, cookie cutter product line may or may not have tipped the scales in favor of my leaving CM I’ll never know because what I’ve learned, witnessed and experienced since April has forced my hand.  I could not sleep at night if I was in business with this company.  I am fortunate that I’ve never depended on my income from CM (although I have appreciated it) and my heart goes out to those that do.  I don’t begrudge any consultant that chooses to stay with the company, or anyone that wants to sell these new products.  I just have one bit of advice:  This is business, keep your eyes wide open and information is knowledge and power.  Anyone that tells you something different is probably hiding something from you.

I am thankful for all the great people I’ve met – in real life & virtually – as a Creative Memories Consultant.  One of those people, Nicole S. - a sister CMC, has been very, very instrumental in keeping a great group of CMC, former CMCs, customers and others informed during this mess – even when CM tried their best to limit access to information and discouraged CMCs from looking elsewhere for information.  Nicole was on the receiving end of some very hurtful, unprofessional & unkind words from one of the Co-founders of CM, simply because she dared to share speculative information about what the new CM would carry. This information was given to her by a reliable source and included that newCM would offer Fast2Fabulous albums, Picfolio-type albums and just a black pen.  The Co-Founder really latched on to that part about a black pen – and chose to eliminate almost all the other information that was being discussed (and now seems to be spot on.)  She called for CMCs to become “rumor squashers” and help her out by correcting those that speculate.  She deleted posts from those that tried to set the record straight and unfriended anyone that dared to post anything but praise for her and her rant.

When I saw the contents of the newCMs consultant kit I had to chuckle. 

(some of the contents shown below)

Lo & behold, just a black pen.

Thanks to Nicole and our great group we have armed ourselves with information and are empowered with knowledge. We’ve been able to help each other through this transitional time – even when CM has done their best to keep us in the dark.

It’s Here! Update Artisan & Use CM Content!

 

Click on the link in Artisan to download the upgraded version!

This is the prettiest thing I've seen in a while!

If you encounter an error when trying to install the upgrade (I did - most are, I think) just uninstall Artisan then install the upgrade.

My activation codes didn’t transfer over with my content.  Here’s the easiest way I’ve found to bring those in. 

If you open the text file of codes into a spreadsheet you can do this much easier. I still get a ":" at the end of some of my activation codes that needs to be deleted but that's easier than deleting the whole kit description. Here's how to import a text file into Excel. http://office.microsoft.com/...

Be sure to tell your computer to open a text file (select "text files" from the dropdown menu

Choose the "fixed width" option then click finish. Your codes will be in one column and the description in another. You can then copy & paste the codes into Artisan. Delete the : at the end first if that came over with the activation code.

There has been quite the fuss made from many well connected to CM about switching over to Panstoria. It seems that now that these programs are out of CMs hands certain people seem to think the program isn't as good as they had said it was just a short time ago. I disagree - and will add that it's even better now! Sadly, this attitude is nothing new - we were warned not to be swayed by "shiny objects" some time ago. The CEO of Panstoria ironically gave this freebie and I'm happy to share it with you!! It's the 'Shiny Objects' kit, complete with twelve shiny objects and one shiny (silver glitter) alpha set. Enjoy, and feel free to share the link
http://download2.panstoria.com/content/Shiny%20Objects.pakit

Don’t have Artisan yet?  Click here to purchase it!  It's like SBC+ only better!! Artisan has fantastic photo editing tools within the program and you’ll be able to upload directly to Panstoria’s Print Shop soon!!

Remember – SBC+ and MM is not being supported by CM any longer and Panstoria will only support them until the end of this year. 

You can get more information about why you should switch from SBC+ & MM to Artisan & Historian in this post.