Level 1 Meets Mickey



The nasty strep monster invaded our house this week so I only had a few moments to create. Fortunately the medicine has kicked in and my boys are doing better! Let's hope baby girl stays healthy! I did find about 10 minutes to create this quick and simple layout using CTMH's Zippidee Level 1 Kit.

What is a Level 1 Kit you ask? Well, it's a pack of 4 pre-printed layouts, 2 sheets of cardstock stickers, 2 sheets of cardstock & 2 two sheets of Background & Texture (pattern paper).  Level 1 Kits are my go-to choice when I'm either stuck in a rut or having a creative mojo meltdown. I love taking them to crops too. When it's late and the numbers on my paper trimmer are starting to blur I just pull out a couple of Level 1 kits and go to town.



Cardstock Stickers



The Zippidee Kit is no longer available for regular orders but you can get it (or a different pack if you choose) for free when you spend $100 on my website. That's a $9.95 value free!

Hurry though because this offer ends April 30!

~Michelle

My Easter Treat To You

Here is a little Easter treat for you on this beautiful Sunday...

I hope the Easter Bunny has been kind...

And your family celebrations joyous!

Easter Blessings from my family to yours!

~Michelle

Pefect Paper Pinwheels

Woohoo!!! This week we are enjoying spring break in Northern VA. Right now I only have one child in elementary school but next year I'll have two! I was hoping to have lots of time to create since there wouldn't be homework or baseball practice but I was wrong. My oldest is working on a school project this week and the kids still have their nightly activities.

I didn't want you to think I've forgotten you though so I'm sharing a CTMH video on making pinwheels.



I see so much use for these...cards, layouts, cupcake toppers!! I'm hoping to get some crafty time later this week to show you how I used them on my layouts.

Have a fabulous day!

~Michelle

April Card Kits for Sale!!

Each month I have a group of wonderful, fun women who come to my house to make cards I've pre-designed. I look forward to this night every month! Last night we made these four cards:

I always try to feature a new technique or a new way to use an old product. This month we focused on inking with markers and watercoloring.

The first two cards used the April Stamp of the Month, "So Blessed." It's a beautiful stamp set and has such a wonderful phrase. We used the new Kraft Borders to jazz up our cards a bit. I love that we can ink or add ribbon through the holes and I don't have to lug a bunch of punches out. Plus they are self-adhesive!

The remaining two cards used the new Summer Breeze Stamp set. We stamped the images in Bamboo Ink and then used our watercolor pencils and waterbrush to color. We finished off our cards with Natural Hemp and Designer Wood Buttons.

I have a just a few of these kits remaining. All kits include pre-stamped and pre-cut papers and include color instructions with cutting diagrams. All accessories are included.

April 2011 Card Kit

Local Delivery $5.00 Shipped $8.00

Layered Flowers Blog Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop! This month there are 12 of us highlighting the “Layered Flowers” Technique as shown on page 7 in the Spring/Summer 2011 Idea Book! This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique. If you would like to start from the beginning, please visit this link. While there you will also find a listing of all participants and their blog addresses if you should get lost or want to reference a blog along the way. Let’s get started!

If you are coming from Debi's blog you are on the right track! This technique is highlighted with the Sophia paper packet in the Idea Book but you will find variations for its’ use through this hop.

This month I chose to make the adorable flower pot card (original instructions found here) using the brand new "Heartfelt Treasures" stamp set. I am pleasantly surprised at how quickly this card came together . I'm planning on using this as my Mother's Day card this year (Mom, act surprised when you get it)!

Flower Pot Card

Card Open

Here's a close-up of the flower and better photo to view the layering. Normally I would use 3-D foam tape to give my flowers some extra pop but this time I chose not to do so and focused on curling the flower edges instead.

Layered Flowers

If you would like to see details on this technique or my supply list please continue reading below. If not, please continue onto Neely's blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique! Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping!

Supply List:
Paper: Sophia Level 2 Paper Kit (X7131B)
Stamp: Heartfelt Treasures (C1456)
Ink: Hollyhock (Z2128), Creme Brulee (Z2167), Pear (Z2197)
Other: Paper Piercer (Z1114), Bonding Memories Glue (1512), Paper Trimmer (Z338), Sparkles Red, Pink, Purple Assortment (Z1326), Corner Rounder (Z578)

Layered Flower Technique:

1. Stamp base image in one color and outline in another color. Repeat on another piece of cardstock. For my card I stamped the bottom flowers on White Daisy Cardstock using Creme Brulee and Blush Inks. I used the outline stamp and Blush ink on all flowers. For my top flowers, I only used the outline stamp and chose to stamp on B&T paper.  



Top Flower-B&T Paper

Bottom Flower-Cardstock



2. Trim first image around all outer edges. Trim second image around main flower only (to create the layered effect).



Top Flower-Trim Main Flower

Bottom Flower-Trim Outer Edges

3. Curl ends of petals on second image and adhere on top of first image. Layer mixtures of stamped accents and embellishments to finish. I topped my flowers off with another stamped flower and topped it off with some pink sparkles. Love my bling!

Curl Flower Petals

Final Layered Flowers

Thanks for stopping! Now continue on to Neely's blog to continue to hop!

~Michelle

Paper Piecing with On This Day

Happy Tuesday everyone! I wanted to share this great video highlighting the versatile paper piecing technique and the On This Day (D1468) My Acrylix stamp set. You'll love how paper piecing really makes your stamped images stand out! To see the set used on a scrapbook layout or to order your own set please go here!

Hope this get your creative MOJO flowing!

 ~Michelle

Baby Shower Card - Updated

I used this weeks Mojo Monday sketch to create a baby shower card for a friend of mine. She doesn't know the sex of the baby and she has chosen to decorate with a jungle theme.

I will admit sometimes I struggle with multiple patterns but that's one of the things I love about the CTMH paper kits! All the patterns coordinate perfectly together! It's fun and festive which is exactly the look I was going for. Here is the sketch I used:

Oops, I forgot to add my recipe to this post. Thank you to my followers who reminded me!

All products are CTMH unless other noted:
stamps: It's a Zoo (C1360), Salutation Seals (C1461)
inks: Chocolate
paper: Caboodle B&T, Buttercup Cardstock, Colonial White Cardstock, Crystal Blue Cardstock, Kraft Cardstock
other: Scallop Punch (SU), Kraft Color-Ready Borders (Z1377), White Organdy Ribbon, Brads Autumn Harvest (Z1215)



Thanks for checking it out!
~Michelle

Studio J - Online Scrapbooking

Have you ever had just a few moments to scrapbook but didn't want to pull out all your supplies? Or, have you ever felt like you were behind in getting your pages done? If you answered yes to either of these questions then I suggest you check out Studio J for digital scrapbooking. It's amazing how quickly you can get your pages done using this free software. And, it's so easy to use (for real!).

I'd love for you to check out this video made by very talented CTMH consultant, Tresa Black, about Studio J. It had me very emotional and reminded me that scrapbooking is about recording our family history and sharing the stories behind the photos.

If this has you interested please go HERE and try it for yourself. It's completely free to play around with. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

I will be sharing my own Studio J layouts soon!



~Michelle

Super Quick Layouts - Digi Style!

After I had my third child I knew my scrapbooking time would be severely shortened. So, to stay on top of my albums I turn to Studio J. It's fast to do, simple to learn, and so easy! Did I mention all the membership options make it a truly affordable digital program?? Oh yeah, it's completely free to play around with! No software or updates to buy here! I will always be a traditional scrapbooker at heart but I will definitely use Studio J for my vacations and quick albums to give as gifts!

Here are a few of the layouts I've created from my 2008 Vero Beach vacation (yes, I'm still playing catchup!).

Want to see how easy it is? Then watch the video below and go here to give it a try! This month there is a wonderful promo for all you Studio J members! For every 10 custom-printed layouts purchased in a single order you will receive one free package each of self-adhesive clear Sparkles and Opaques Pearl gems! Both will add delightful details to your beautiful Studio J layouts.



Thanks for stopping by today,
~Michelle

Wedding Invitations

I was recently asked to make some wedding invitation samples for my co-worker and his fiance. The only criteria I had were they had to be ivory and simple yet elegant. Here are the three options I came up with:

1. Stamped Border

2. Flourish

3. Embossed Top/Bottom Border - this one was really hard to photograph but there is a pearl sheen on the embossed parts.

My favorite is #1, the stamped border. What do you think? Did I give them what they asked for?

~Michelle

Extreme Mojo Monday Card

Phew, I'm getting this card done just in the nick of time for this weeks Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge. I saw this sketch on Monday and knew what I wanted to do with it but just couldn't get down to my playroom to put it on paper!

As you can tell I chose to go with the square card. I have 2 boys (and a little girl) and yet I never seem to make any boy cards. So, this week I did. I love how it turned out! It's fun and perfect for my almost 8 year old or one of his friends.

To make this 4" square card I used the motion stamping technique. It's so much fun to do and really makes images like this pop. To do it start by stamping the main image. Then, re-ink and stamp on top of what you just stamped again. Without re-inking, stamp the image to the left side a bit (2nd generation stamping) and then again (3rd generation stamping). To complete the motion on the right side I re-inked the image and stamped on a scratch piece of paper to remove a little of the ink. Then I stamped to the right of the original stamping. I finished up by moving to the right a tad more and stamped again.

If you'd like to make this same project here's a list of supplies (all CTMH unless otherwise stated). All items can be purchased from my website: 

Paper: Outdoor Denim Cardstock, You Rock Level 2 Paper (retired), White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps: X-Treme (D1432), Simple Stitches (C1234), Alphabet (W189)

Ink: Goldrush, Olive, Outdoor Denim

Other: Button (stash), Colonial White Waxy Flax (Z1081)

~Michelle

SALE ALERT...SALE ALERT!!

I have a huge sale going on at my website under the "while supplies last" section! Paper, sticker and embellishment bundles as low as $7.00. There are even items up to 75% off retail! I suggest you check it out before everything is snatched up!

To check it out go to https://michellebattitori.myctmh.com/Retail/Products.aspx?CatalogID=1702

~Michelle