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8 Steps to Update Your Stamps in Evernote with the New Idea Book

Last week, I posted informationabout how I use Evernote to keep my stamp sets organized. If you waste time looking for your stamp sets or forego stamping all together because they are in too much of a chaos, I’d encourage you to check it out. This post is for those who use this system and update with my populated notebooks. For more information, go to my Evernote Resource Page.

As we retire an Idea Book and have a brand new one come on the scene, there are a few steps that I do to make sure my Evernote notebook matches my stamps and the physical stamps are stored nice and tidy. Start this season organized and everything else will be easier!

Step #1 

If you have not already, copy the stamps from the prior Idea Books shared notebooks (from me) to your personal notebook. If you have not already created a personal notebook, watch this video to learn how.

Step #2

Use the links embedded in the notes to access the stamp images online. Copy and paste these images into your personal copy of the notebook before they retire because the links may no longer work after July 31!  (CTMH has requested that I not include images in my shared notebook, but you can copy them into your notes for personal use.) 

Step #3

Review the retiring stamp sets from the 2016 Annual Inspirations Idea Book and order any “must haves” (shop now) before August 1.  Remember stamp sets are currently buy 2 get 1 free! To maximize your savings check out the stamps in the Seasonal Expressions 2 Idea Book which will retire on August 31. Get them while they are on sale!

Step #3

Add a tag to the notes in your personal notebook for all the stamp sets you own. My tag for this is simply “OWN”.  I also tag them based on what box they are stored in “Box 1, Box 2,…”

Step #4

Tag the retiring stamp sets in your personal notebook. I also make “retired” labels for the envelope of my physical stamp sets. As a consultant, I try to use current stamp sets for blog projects so this helps remind me which stamp sets are still available.

Step #5

If you are not a subscriber, order the updated Evernote notebook! Consider the new Annual Subscription to receive timely updates for a full 12 month Idea Book cycle.

To order, do ONE Of the following:

  • Join my Close To My Heart team
  • Place an order of $25 or more on my Close To My Heart website ($60 to get a year long subscription)
  • Place an order of $50 or more in Consultant-only Workshop Samples ($120 to get a year long subscription)
  • Make a donation of $25 toward a CTMH order ($60 to get a year long subsciption). I use these funds to purchase CTMH products for local not-for-profit entities. (This option is great if you live outside of the US.)

Then fill outthis form

Step #6

Once you get the email from me with links to the update, copy these new stamps into your personal notebook.

Step #7

Add any new stamp  you have purchased to your large organizers in alpha-numeric order by item number. In Evernote, add a “OWN” tag to any new stamps and “WISH” to any still on your personal wish list. 

Step #8

Tell your friends and team members who have Close To My Heart stamps about my Evernote stamps notebook! Sending them a link tolast week’s blog post is a great place for them to start. (THANKS!)

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4 Retiring Items you DON’T want to MISS out on!

This month we just introduced a new Seasonal Expressions Idea Book that contains lots of summer crafty goodies in fun themes like UNICORNS, LUMBERJACKS, CACTUS and BEACH. This book will be around for four months, then we’ll switch to a brand new Holiday Expressions catalog.

In addition to these seasonal books, our catalog cycle includes an Annual Inspirations Idea Book that is live from August through the following July.

This means that the current annual book will be retiring on July 31. Recently, Close To My Heart announced which items will be retiring from this book and now all of these items are available only while supplies last. This means that once the current inventory runs out, they are GONE FOREVER!

View all remaining retiring items>>

While I was expecting the Fundamentals line of products (paper, complements & ribbons) to be refreshed for the new year, there were some sad surprises for me on the list.

1.  How To Books 

The five original (big) spiral bound “How To” books are retiring! I LOVE these books and am glad that I’ll still my copies on my shelf.

In addition to complete layout and card directions (from cutting to assembly), these full-color books are filled with tips and techniques to make your projects extra special.

There are two card making books, Wishes and Originals. And four scrapbooking books, Magic, Imagine, Cherish and Reflections.

2. State Stamps

These M-sized state stamps are a bargain at just $2.95 each and include the shape, full name and abbreviation of each state. Did you know we also have stamps for the Canadian provinces, Australia and New Zealand? Get them before they go!

3. Sea Glass Everything!

True to its title “Color of the Year” Sea Glassis going to retire after just one year. This light teal blue (or is it green) has been featured in many of our products this year — it’s amazing how well it coordinates with just about everything!

But like all good things, Sea Glass is coming to an end. You will find glitter paper, solid cardstock and inks on the Going Soon list.

4. Ruler and Stitch Guide

I hate it when some of my go-to products are retired.

For example, our clear ruler 14″ ruler is going away! I use this ALL THE TIME and trust me, you don’t want to miss your chance to own one. This ruler (along with my Versamat) is the reason things on my layouts line up properly. This ruler works so well for two reasons: it’s clear and it’s longer than 12″. Other rulers just don’t do the trick.

The Stitch Guide and Foam Mat are also retiring! This mighty combo allows you to create great dotted designs. I am really not happy to see these items go!

Other Retiring Items

In this post, I’ve touched on just a few of the items that are retiring. There is so much more!!! All of these items are conveniently located under the “Going Soon!” section of my website. Although the official retirement date is not until July 31, these items have already started disappearing as supplies run out. So check it out and get your order in before it is too late.

May Specials

Before you check out, be sure to check out the other May specials including the exclusive Live Beautifully lineand the Stamp of the Month.

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Baby, Bye Bye Bye — July 2016 Retiring List

You may hate me, but it ain’t no lie. Baby, Bye Bye Bye. — N’Sync

Sorry, but I’m telling the truth. It is time to say “Bye Bye Bye” to some of our favorites.

On July 31, at the stroke of midnight in Utah, many Close To My Heart products will be retiring! The discontinued item list includes:

  • Cricut cartridges
  • Shimmer trim
  • Glitter paper
  • Picture My Life cards
  • Fundamental papers, assortments and stickers
  • Rolling tote
  • Embossing folders
  • 12 x 12 hinged frames
  • Stamp sets

and so much more!

All of the retiring items are now in a special section of the online shop called “Going Soon”.Start shopping now>>

Before you checkout don’t forget to check out the discounts in the Clearance section. If your order reaches $50, you can also add the stamp of the month, From the Notebook, for just $5.

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It’s Stampaganza Time: Buy 2 Stamp Sets Get 1 FREE!

Only for March, when you buy any two stamp set, you get to pick a third one for free!!! This pricing makes March 2016 THE BEST time to order stamps. The least expensive of the three stamp sets will be free. You can choose from any currently available stamp sets for this promotion except the stamp of the month, hostess reward stamps and a few consultant only sets. So get out your wish list!

If you are a stamper, you probably already know that our clear acrylix stamps are the best quality on the market. You may not know how wide the selection is; we currently have over 400 stamp sets available for purchase!!! I bet that you can find at least 3 that you’d like to own. Probably more!

NOTE: Many available stamp sets are not shown in the current catalogs!

That’s right, not all of our stamps are featured in the current Annual Inspirations or Seasonal Expressions Idea Books. There are many more due only to our current generous stamp retirement schedule. Any stamps that have been featured in an Idea Book up to 1 year ago plus ALL Cricut compatible stamp sets. These means that if you want to see all of the stamp sets you must go to my website (www.rebeccabrown.ctmh.com).

Tons of stamps will retire soon!

It was just announced that our stamp longevity policies are changing to only include stamps in current idea books. This means that there are a lot of stamps that will retire forever very soon. In fact there are 27 that will be retired on May 1 and another 271 on August 1. Click on the link below to see the list of stamps that will be retiring.

<<List of Retiring Stamps>>

To see the sets, you can go to the page in the Idea Books on the list, or simply type the item number in the search box shop page of my website and click SEARCH.

When you find the ones that you want, just add them to your cart. They system will automatically apply the discount.

While you are shopping, be sure to also check out the March Stamp of the Month, Sunshine Birdies. It may still be chilly, but we’re all sunshine, butterflies and birds with these springtime stamps. The complete set is just $5 with a $50 order!

Happy Shopping,

Rebecca