It’s March, and it’s time to start over!

December and January are particularly difficult in our family, so many of our loved ones have passed on, so it is inevitably a quiet and reflective time of year, and a time when I rarely want to do any crafting.
This year has been especially difficult with the financial situation that so many of us are facing, which for us became a whole lot more difficult at the end of December.
And to top it all off, the email service provider that I was using to send out my regular newsletters, did some weird stuff, including sending out some unsolicited and rather abnoxious emails to people. I am desperately hoping they didn’t go out to any of you, but if so, I can only apologise. As well, I don’t have access to everyone who was previously subscribed to my list but I am hoping this will get to those who need to see it.
So… onwards and upwards, starting again and moving forward.

I plan to send out a regular newsletter featuring one product which I have used in different ways, and hope that it will inspire you with some ideas. I won’t promise to do it weekly, but hopefully at least once each month, and I will also include any promotions and sales, as well as any personal news and Stampin’ Up! news.

So this week’s focus is on the gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous Layered Florals Embossing Folder which is available from the current Mini Catalogue until 30 April 2024.

Isn’t it just beautiful?
If, like me, you can’t do without it, you click here to go directly to my online store to buy it.
So many ideas, so little time.

As always at this time of year, demonstrators start thinking about the upcoming change over of not just the Annual Catalogue (new catalogue at the start of May) but also the retirement of one set of the In Colors. So if you love them, make sure you get in quickly and stock up on your reinkers and cardstock – they always sell out quickly. Pop over to my store and get what you need before they are no longer available.
Do you have a favourite from these five colours? I love both Orchid Oasis and Starry Sky but will admit that they haven’t had a lot of use over the two years.
As always, I look forward to seeing what is coming with the new lot of In Colors.

In some other sad news this week, I was so sad to learn that the stamping and scrapbook company Close To My Heart will cease operations on June 30, 2024! It is never easy to hear of the closure of yet another business in these difficult times.
From the Founder of CTMH:
“Dear Close To My Heart Community,As the founder and owner of Close to My Heart, I have devoted my life’s work to building and supporting this community, helping millions of people to preserve memories and celebrate relationships in meaningful ways. This company has grown and developed into a beautiful, vibrant community devoted to touching hearts with these vital creative arts, offering incredible products, rewarding business opportunities, and deep connections with fellow crafters.As much as I love what Close To My Heart stands for, after a great deal of deliberation, prayer, and counsel, I have come to the heartbreaking conclusion that the time has come to discontinue the business. Close To My Heart will cease operations effective June 30, 2024.The reasons that have brought me to this decision are too many to enumerate fully here. My health is a major factor, as the stresses and demands of the business continue to take their toll on me. At the same time, we have not seen the kinds of growth that were needed in order to achieve long-term stability. The way the company and the economy are trending, I foresee considerable challenges ahead that we simply are not equipped to overcome.Ultimately, I am choosing to end Close To My Heart on my own terms rather than being forced to close at some future date in less favorable circumstances. As upsetting as it is for me and for our thousands of Makers, by taking this course of action now, we can provide our community and our employees with as much notice and as many opportunities as possible.Because I cherish the community we have built together, I have been working with my team to find a new home for our Makers, where they can continue to benefit from the years of work they have poured into their individual Close To My Heart business. We are in the midst of conversations with Stampin’ Up!, collaborating on a solution that we hope will help our Makers make the most of their investments of time and resources and that will maintain at least a part of the legacy we always hoped to build.In the meantime, we still have a lot of product to offer, and we will continue to fulfill orders as usual over the next few months. It is possible that turnaround times may grow a bit longer depending on order volumes, but we will do our best to process orders in a timely manner. We encourage you to continue shopping with your Close To My Heart Maker in order to support them through this transition period.I express my appreciation to you for joining me on this journey and respecting my decision at this time. It has been an honor to be able to serve this amazing community for the past 40 years. I have given my all to the success of this company, and I will forever cherish the love I have felt from you and for you. My heart goes with each one of you as your personal journey takes you beyond the time that we have been blessed to share with one another through this marvelous company. You will always remain Close To My Heart.Sincerely,Jeanette R. LyntonFounder & CEO”

My heart goes out to all involved with CTMH.

And on that note, these difficult times mean that my own Stampin’ Up! business is struggling to stay afloat, and without many orders coming in, I will also have to close. Unless that is, you my valued customers, can help with even just a small order. Every single order helps and is appreciated more than you can know. So if there is anything you need, your order in March would be valued, and you never know what extras might come your way, just to say thank you.
You can pop your orders through here, or alternative, send me an email if you live close enough to come and pick up your order from me directly.

Thanks for being part of my papercrafting journey.
Happy stamping,
Chris

tams# 86967

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