Important Letter From Me! - Announcement #1

[admin]

For those of you who recently visited my personal blog and discovered that I have some big news to announce today I am sorry to report that I am not pregnant!

However…..I do have some news that is just as exciting because this store and the community that has developed here is very much “my baby.”

After 2 years of being “live on the net” I have decided to pursue a new business venture and therefore have made an agreement to sell CMK effective December 29th, 2007. This is a decision that did not come easily for me and I want everyone to know that this store and this community mean the world to me!

I am so proud of everything I have accomplished with CMK in such a short time and I owe that success to each of you. Your loyalty to the store has amazed me in ways I cannot even put into words. I am grateful for everyone who makes CMK what it is and what it will be in the future. Your support, enthusiasm, and constant inspiration make this one of the best places to visit each and everyday.

I am thrilled to announce that Lisa Tilmon and her family will take over the store operations on December 29th. I am extremely excited for Lisa and feel fortunate to have been able to find someone that will be as dedicated and committed to this store as I have been. Lisa and I spent several weeks discussing this transaction to make sure it was the best thing for our customers; as well as the right thing for her and her family. After several back and forth emails we both agreed that it “felt right” and we began the process of making it happen.

I was blessed to find Lisa when I did because it means that the store will be able to stay open while I begin the preparations for my new business. The last thing I wanted to do was shut down an operation that I have worked so hard to develop over the past 3 years. It seems like a small miracle that this agreement fell into place at just the right time and Lisa will probably tell you that she is the one who is blessed; but the truth is I owe her big time….she is my hero in all of this.

Lisa has been a busy store owner already! She is preparing and assembling the January kits and has already ordered new products for the store. I believe she also has plans to add more kit memberships after the New Year and she is eager to begin the search for the 2008 Design Team!

This is an exciting time for our customers as Lisa plans to add brands that we do not currently stock in the store and of course will bring a fresh perspective all around. Lisa is also strategically located in the Midwest so guess what….you will still get the same FAST SHIPPING you have grown accustomed too! Lisa and I share the belief that our customers should never have to wait to receive their order and their needs come before anything else. I know you will quickly come to realize that Lisa is going to be a great store owner and friend!

I want all of our customers to know that the sale of CMK to a new owner does not affect anything in the store. Your reward points will remain in tact, your gift certificates will transfer, kit memberships will transfer, and all of your existing community information will stay in place. I don’t think you will even notice a change because most of what will transfer will all take place “behind the scenes.”

I know this is a lot of information to absorb and I want everyone to know that I am here to answer any questions or concerns that you might have about these changes. Please feel free to email me at createmykeepsake@yahoo.com or post your questions here on the message board and I will answer them immediately.

Without a doubt I am sad to be handing over the reigns and sad to say good-bye to our designers, our customers, and our friends here in the community. The good news is…..I am not going to be far away! In fact I have more exciting news to share with you and I will make that announcement in a separate message so stay Tuned!

Once again, I want to thank everyone for making CMK my favorite place to be. The last two years have been the most amazing years of my life. I have grown as an individual and as a wife and mother through your stories and tips. I can’t tell you how many times I have laughed at my computer monitor while reading the messages here in the forum. The neighbors must think I am crazy when they see me up at all hours of the night giggling to myself! I thank you for the laughter, the tears, the inspiration, the friendship, and the fellowship. You are all amazing!

I would also like to invite you to join me for a “Meet & Greet” with Lisa in the chat room on December 12th at 8:00 p.m. CST! This way we can get to know Lisa a little better! Lisa and I will be on hand to chat with anyone who wants to join us!

Sincerely,
Rebecca Cross


Direct From Lisa:
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My husband and I live in northwest Arkansas with our beautiful daughters Taylor and Emma. Chuck works for Wal-Mart, and we attend First Baptist Church of Bentonville. I'm a high school math teacher turned stay-at-home mom and loving every second. I've been scrapbooking since 1998, and I absolutely adore sharing the life I live through pages and projects.

I was instantly hooked the night I attended my first scrapbook party. I bought everything available—an album, cutting tools, paper, adhesive, etc. My husband rolled his eyes and said it would end up in the closet with all of my unfinished cross-stitch!! Well, he's been pleasantly surprised because I have been scrapbooking for almost 10 years. (Okay...I admit...my stuff did sit in the closet for 9 months...BUT once I started, I've never looked back!)

My scrappy style is clean, simple, and colorful. I go crazy over polka dots. I'm totally addicted to my Canon Rebel XTi…although I have so much yet to learn. And I simply cannot crop without my Sonic water with lemon and extra ice!

I'm so honored to become the owner of Create My Keepsake and continue the CMK tradition of fabulous products, excellent service, and a growing community filled with heart and inspiration.
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[scrapnic]

Congratulations, Rebecca on 2 years of hard work, dedication, and inspiration! You have created an amazing little home on the web for so many of us!!!!! Thank you for that!!!! And a big welcome and congratulations to Lisa too!!!!! I know you will do a fabulous job with this!!!!

[TammyT]

Rebecca, I think you have done an amazing job here and know that your new venture will be fabulous!

I am so excited for Lisa and the future of CMK!

[agomalley]

!!

Sad to see you 'leaving', Rebecca, but I know you will have many wonderful things coming your way. Congrats on making CMK such a success and a wonderful place to be.

Congrats, Lisa. What a wonderful business to be a part of. Can't wait to see all of the exciting things you have planned!

[terylswife]

Rebecca - thanks for all the work you have put into making CMK the great place it is!

Congrats to Lisa on being the new CMK gal, how exciting is that?!?!!!!!

I hope the gtky chat goes for a while, as DD has a band concert at that same time (ack, we also have a Christmas party that we have to skip), but I'd love to be able to chat some

Anyhow, congrats all around, and looking forward to more announcements!

[NicPea]

Thank you Rebecca for making CMK what it is. This is one of my favorite places EVER! I am sad to see you go but know you have something great on the horizon. I am very excited to know that Lisa is the one taking over. I know that CMK will continue to be the place I love!

[AmyTaraKoeppel]

Wow.... oh wow! Happy sad and everything in between... I am so thrilled for Lisa and happy for Rebecca to follow her dreams to something new... CMK is such a fantastic place REbecca you should be so proud of all you have accomplished! ANd Lisa, congrats and I know you will be hugely successful! Wow,.... oh wow! I keep saying this to myself as I sit here. Best wishes to both of you!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs-
Amy

[LisaW]

Wow, what a big decision for you. You did so much with CMK, that I'm sure your other plan will be successful as well. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to making this a "safe" & friendly place for us scrapbookers to come. Thank you for your great customer service. I wish you all the luck with your other plans!

And Lisa....wow...this must be very exciting for you. You have some big shoes to fill, but I have no doubt that you can do it. Congratulations!!!

[JJCrafter]

Such excitement! Congrats to both Rebecca and Lisa for all the fun adventures ahead.

[maria]

Rebecca, you have done an awesome job thank you for everything and also good luck with everything you will do

Congrats to lisa

[mango90]

Rebecca I wish you all the best and hope you will still hang out here. You have made this a fantastic site! Good luck in your new business - I know you will be a success in whatever you do.

Lisa, congratulations! I am glad it is one of our own that is taking over, and I can't wait to see what you have planned!

[rae]

Thank you Rebecca for all that you have put into this great site, I'm so glad that I found it and the wonderful people here, and I wish you much success with your new venture as well (can't wait to learn what it is!) ~ also looking foward to the future of CMK with Lisa at the helm ~ thank you both for your commitment to us obsessed papercrafters!

[RebeccaB]

Rebecca,

You have built up an awesome site over the last couple years. It is always so warm and welcoming here and is chock full of some amazing talent! Good luck on your new venture! Lisa, congrats on taking over the site! I am so happy that it is going to be a smooth transaction and can't wait to see what is in store for CMK!

[snowchris]

Oh, wow! I had a feeling that this may be one of the announcements. I am so excited for Lisa and thrilled that it's one of "us" taking over, but we are going to miss you, Rebecca! I can't wait to hear the rest of your news and hope that you still stay very involved with all of us here at the CMK forums. Congratulations, Lisa!!!
smiles,
christi

[MomtoZoe]

Huge hugs to both Rebecca and Lisa.
I have felt at home the minute I dropped by here at CMK and feel blessed just to be a part of this community.

Rebecca,
You have set the bar as far as I am concerned with the way that online scrapbook stores should be ran. CMK has it all, great products, great prices, AMAZING customer service and a wonderful sense of community... You have made this site one heck of an amazing place.

Lisa,
I am so excited that you are going to take over CMK and I thank you for doing so. I can't imagine CMK not being around. I know that you will do a fabulous job here and will support you fully 110%!!!!! Huge huge congrats and we can't wait to see what 2008 has in store for us!