Annual Inspirations New Product Blog Hop

Welcome to the Annual Inspirations New product Blog Hop! This hop will feature original artwork from talented CTMH consultants using brand new products from the 2016-2017 Annual Inspirations Idea Book.

If you've arrived from { Lauren Moore's blog } you are on the right track! For a complete list of hoppers please visit Melinda's blog { HERE }. Now, on to the project!

When Paper Fundamentals was first introduced last year it changed my scrapbooking for the better. The kits just make it easy and quick to create beautiful layouts. Don't get me wrong, our other papers are beautiful too, but it's something about the simplicity of the patterns that just draws me in.

 So, when I first saw the new Rustic Home Fundamentals kit I KNEW I just had to have it. It goes perfectly with my family hiking photos don't you think? And, because I needed just a hint of bling I added the new Sea Glass Glitter paper. It's such a pretty shade! I actually think my daughter wants to repaint her bedroom with it!

 For embellishments I stuck to the All Together Complements, popping them up with 3D Foam tape for added interest and dimension.

Thanks for checking out my project. I hope it inspires you to create something using the new Paper Fundamentals line. Please continue on to { Wendy Kessler's blog } for more new product inspiration. If you would like to see all of the products available in the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book please contact your local CTMH Consultant or visit my website { HERE }.

Stay crafty,

~Michelle Battitori

Layout Recipe (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Rustic Home Fundamentals (Z3262), Sea Glass Glitter Paper (Z3240), All Together Complements (Z3267), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Thin 3D Foam Tape (Z2060)

June SOTM Blog Hop - Long Way Home

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month (SOTM) blog hop! Today, 29 CTMH consultants will be sharing original creations feauturing the new Long Way Home stamp set. If you've arrived from { Paige's blog } you are on the right track. To see a complete list of hoppers please visit Melinda's blog { HERE }.

This month I continued on with my scrapbook goals and created this double page layout to use for our summer adventures! Since it has so many photo spots I kept the embellishments to a minimum so as not to overwhelm the page.

The border strip was created by first stamping the "Happy St" sentiment with our Hollyhock Pigment Ink Pad and then heat embossing it with clear powder. Then I stamped the stars with Archival Black ink. I also heat embossed the "Miles of Smiles" and curvy road images in Hollyhock to bring out a little more pink.

Once I add the photos I may add a few more embelishments. We'll see though...sometimes simple is better! Thank you for viewing my project! I'd love to know what you think so please leave a comment. I love reading them!

As a reminder, the Stamp of the Month, Long Way Home, is only available until June 30th. To purchase one for yourself please contact your local CTMH consultant or visit my website { HERE }.

Now it's time to continue on to { Tracey's blog } to see what she's created.

~Michelle

Project Recipe (all CTMH):
Paper: White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Calypso Paper Kit (X7210B), Kraft Cardstock (Z1375)
Stamp: The Long Way Home (S1606)
Ink: Archival Black (44751), Honey (Z2162), Lagoon (Z2195), Desert Sand (Z2118)
Other: Thin 3D Foam Tape (Z2060), Adventure Mini Pigment Set (Z2501), Ranger Super Fine Clear Embossing Powder (Z2067), Heat Tool (Z555), Florence Sequins (Z3213)

Happy Times NSM Blog Hop

Welcome to the National Scrapbooking Month Blog Hop! If you've arrived from  { Jeanie Burch's blog } you are on the right track. Today approximately 31 Close to my Heart consultants will be showcasing different ways to use the Happy Times paper kit OR Happy Times stamp set. 

My project is a two page layout featuring both Happy Times specials! I love how versatile the colors are in this paper pack. It was actually kind of hard picking which patterns to use for this layout, lol! I did want the colors to pop so I opted for neutral Kraft Cardstock base pages.

The title was created by combining a few of the sentiments from the Happy Times stamp set. I love the handwritten style of the font and think it adds a touch of whimsy to the layout. 

I didn't want to overpower the layout with embellishments so I kept it pretty simple with a few stamped flowers and leaves. Since the Happy Times kit includes two gorgeous gold foil striped papers I chose to accent the layout with gold foil embellishments from the Basic Paper Fundamentals sticker sheets and a few gold sequins. I'm planning on saving this layout for a fun summer recap layout and will share when the photos are added. 

As a reminder the Happy Times paper and stamp set are only available until May 31 or until supplies run out. The paper packet can be purchased for $14.95 or get it for FREE with a qualifying CTMH order. The stamp set is also available for purchase. To purchase the supplies used on the layout please contact your CTMH consultant or visit my web store { HERE }.

Now, it's time to continue to hop to { Jean McNulty's blog }! I'd love to know what you think of my layout so please leave me a comment. I love reading them! 

Happy Crafting!
~Michelle

Layout Recipe (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Happy Times Kit (CC1063), Kraft Cardstock (Z1375), White Daisy Cardstock (1385)
Stamps: Happy Times (CC1064)
Ink: Archival Black (44751), Pear (Z2197), Topiary (Z2155), Canary (Z2643), Hollyhock (Z2128)
Other: Fundamental Stickers Basics Pack (Z3166), Gold Sequins (Z2012), Corner Rounder (Z1912), Thin 3D Foam Tape (Z2060)

The sketch was a freebie I downloaded HERE.

SOTM Blog Hop - Celebrate With Cake

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog hop! Today, approximately 33 CTMH consultants will be showcasing original artwork featuring the May SOTM, Celebrate With Cake, a stamp set of 17 adorable  images. If you've arrived from { Lauren Moore's blog } you are on the right track! For a complete list of hoppers please visit Melinda's blog post { HERE }.

For my project I decided to keep things pretty clean and simple with this anniversary card. The color scheme was inspired by the Georgie paper line. The sketch is based on Freshly Made Sketches # 234. 

The Celebrate with Cake stamp set is only available for the month of May. You can purchase it outright for $17.95, or at a special discounted price of only $5 with any qualifying CTMH order. Please contact your CTMH Consultant for more information or visit the promotions tab of my website { HERE }.

Now it's time to continue to { Michele Rowley's blog } to see what's she's created!

~Michelle

Project Recipe (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Georgie, White Daisy Cardstock, sapphire Cardstock

Stamp: Celebrate With Cake

Ink: Archival Black, Canary

Other: Grey Epoxy Gems, Ruler, Journaling Pen

Why I Became A CTMH Consultant

Welcome to the "Why I Became a CTMH Consultant" blog hop! With the wonderful "Baby, I'm Worth It" promotion this month, several CTMH consultants decided to share their personal reasons on becoming a consultant.  If you've arrived from { Lauren Moore's blog } you are on the right track! For a complete list of hoppers please visit Melinda's blog { HERE }.

Everyone has different reasons for choosing to become a CTMH Consultant and there is certainly no wrong reason to start! I decided to share "My Why" in layout form. For me, it started right after my third child was born six years ago. I knew finances were going to be tight and I didn't want to spend our family budget on craft supplies. So, I decided to join a company I believed in and became a discount consultant!

I really had no intention of having parties or hosting monthly club nights. But, when my upline moved out of state she asked if I would be willing to work with her monthly card group. I hesitantly said yes and am so glad I did! I'm not going to lie. The thought of creating projects and sharing my ideas with others was terrifying. But it's something I've wanted to overcome and this business has helped me do that! I never would have thought I'd feel so comfortable talking with others. It's been such a blessing to feel confident enough to do those things now.

Obviously one of the many perks of being a consultant is the products and discounts!  CTMH quality is supurb and it's even better knowing I'm getting a fantastic discount using products I love! Oh, and of course I get to do those things a month earlier with Consultant-only previews!

Most importantly though, the biggest benefit I've seen is the people I've met. I've had the pleasure of working with some amazing people during the last six years and have developed friendships that I hope will continue forever. This isn't just a business to me. It's my passion. It's my release from the everyday stuff. It's often my therapy after a tough day at work or with the kids.

I hope you know that you are always welcome here! If it's something you've ever considered I highly encourage you to attend one of the CTMH upcoming Consultant Webinars (details can be found { HERE } or talk with your local consultant. If you don't have one I'd love to work with you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to ready my story. Please continue on to { Wendy Kessler's blog } to see her reasons for becoming a CTMH Consultant.

~Michelle Battitori

Supplies Used (all CTMH):
Paper: Charlotte (X7205B), White Daisy Cardstock (1385)
Stamps: Insta-Life Roller Stamp This Happened (Z3114)
Ink: Archival Black (44751)
Other: Magic How To Program (9040), Charlotte Complements (X7205B), Fundamental Sticker Pack-Basic (Z3166), Gold Sequins (Z2012), Treasured Puffies (Z3203), Black and Gold Ribbon (Z3197), Thin 3D Foam Tape (Z2060)

April SOTM Blog Hop - Life In Pictures

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month (SOTM) Blog Hop. Today, Close To My Heart consultants will be showcasing creative ways to use the April SOTM, Life in Pictures. If you've arrived from { Priscilla Gotham's blog } you are on the right track. To see a list of all participating consultants please visit Melinda's blog { HERE }.

For my project I made a two-page scrapbook layout of my husbands 40th birthday celebration from 2015. I used Urban papers and complements to coordinate with our Mexican Fiesta themed party.

The camera images were stamped on Colonial White Cardstock and colored with ShinHan Touch Markers. They were fussy cut and popped up on the page with Thin 3D Foam Tape.

The photo frames were also stamped on Colonial White Cardstock. They are backed with cardstock from the Enchantment Paper Fundamentals pack. The "Smile" phrase was stamped on one of the arrow accents from the Urban Complements pack. I love how perfectly the sentiments fit!

Thanks for checking out my page. I hope it inspires you to create your own layout using the Life in Pictures Stamp Set! As a reminder this stamp set is only available until April 30th. For more information or to purchase yours please contact your CTMH consultant or visit my webpage { HERE }

Please continue to { Brenda Lapp's blog } to see what she's created!

Project Recipe (All CTMH Unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Colonial White Cardstock (1388), MyReflections Urban Paper Pack (X7204B), Pacifica Cardstock (X5759), Paper Fundamentals -Enchantment (Z3126)
Stamps: Life in Pictures (S1604)
Ink: Sapphire (Z2648), Archival Black (44751), Saffron (Z2651)
Other: Urban Complements (X7204C), Fundamentals Stickers-Enchantment Pack (Z3164), Fundamentals Stickers-Basics Pack (Z3166), Blue Enamel & Glitter Duos  (Z3122), Thin 3D Foam Tape (Z2060)

ShinHan Touch Markers: Warm Grey4, Pastel Green, Cerulean Blue, Mahogany, Carmine, Golden Yellow

Watercolor Blog Hop

Welcome to the Watercolor Blog Hop! Today approximately 30 CTMH consultants will be showcasing different ways to use watercolor paints and pencils in their projects. If you've arrived from  { Helen Gullett's } blog you are on the right track. For a complete list of hoppers please visit Melinda's post { HERE }

I love how bold watercolors can look on a scrapbook layout so today I made one featuring my daughter and me. Her love of rainbows and bright colors was the inspiration for the focal piece of the layout! 

To create it I started out with an 8.5" x 8.5" piece of watercolor paper and lightly drew diagonal lines from the right side of the page 3" from the bottom. I wasn't too careful to stay within the lines and overlapped the colors adding more water here and there to lighten and blend between shades. That's kind of the beauty of watercoloring...it can be as fine and soft or bold and graphic. I think this layout fits somewhere in between!


Thanks for checking out my project! Please continue on to { Vickie ODell's } blog to see what she's created. To purchase any of the products used on this layout please contact your CTMH Consultant or visit my webpage, www.michellebattitori.ctmh.com.


Project Recipe (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Watercolor Paper (Z3146), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Paper Fundamentals-Enchantment (Z3126)
Stamps: none
Ink: none
Other: Watercolor Paints (Z3132), Paintbrush Set (Z3188), Diagonal Striped Ribbon (Z1989), Purple Glitter Gems (Z1936), Fundamental Stickers-Enchantment (Z3164)

March SOTM - Sunshine Birdies

Welcome to the March SOTM Blog Hop! Today, approximately 39 CTMH consultants will be showcasing different uses for the Stamp of the Month, Sunshine Birdies. Sunshine Birdies is a set of 11 adorable stamps and is only available for the month of March.

If you've arrived from  { Michelle Loncar's blog } you are on the right track! This blog hop is a great big circle. At the end of this post simply click on the "next blog" link to be taken to the next participant. If you would like a complete list of hoppers please visit Melinda Everitt's blog{ HERE }.

The sentiments on this set are near and dear to me. It's the song I used to sing to my first born every day when he was a little baby. Now I have three beautiful "sunshines" so I created a layout showcasing all three of them!

The layout is about the first day of school and uses the Georgie paper line and coordinating Georgie Compliments to accessorize. To create the "You are My Sunshine" title I carefully cut my stamp (yes, you can do that) to fit on the die cut shape. If you don't want to cut your stamp you could also mask it with scrap paper or post-it notes.

For the music note circles I cut a circle out of scrap paper and traced it on my paper with a pencil. Then, I simply stamped the notes around the circle.

All the birds and tree branches were stamped on White Daisy Cardstock using Archival Black Ink. Each accent was colored with our ShinHan Touch Markers. I fussy cut each one and popped up using Thin 3D Foam Tape around the page.

I hope this inspires you to try something new with your stamp set! As a reminder, this set is only available until March 31. To purchase it, or any of the products used on this layout, please contact your CTMH Consultant or visit my website, www.michellebattitori.ctmh.com. 

Please hop to  { Jean McNulty's blog } to see what she's created!

Layout Recipe (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Slate Cardstock (X5930), Georgie Paper (X7203B), White Daisy Cardstock (1385)

Stamp: Sunshine Birdies (S1606)

Ink: Archival Black (44751), Slate (Z2173), Poppy (Z2652)

ShinHan Touch Markers: Marigold (Z2457), Cerulean Blue (Z2449), Tender Pink (Z2464), Leaf Green (Z2454), Golden Yellow (Z2452), Barely Beige (Z2445), Cherry Pink (Z2450)

Other: Georgie Compliments (X7203C) , Grey Enamel Gems (Z3089), Journaling Pen (Z1979), Thin 3D Foam Tape (Z2060), Coral Shimmer Trim (Z3088), Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge, 

Share the Love Blog Hop

Welcome to the Share the Love Blog Hop! Today, approximately 27 CTMH consultants will be showcasing projects made with the Share the Love stamp set! If you've arrived from Melinda Everitt's blog you are on the right track. Melinda's post also contains a list of all participants so if you get lost on the hop make sure to go back to her post.

I was very inspired by the "share the love" sentiment and decided to create a set of 12 note cards and box holder! These cards are perfect to add sweet little notes and encouraging words to my kids and husband's lunch boxes.

The project was created in Cricut Design Space using images from the Artiste and Artbooking Cartridges. I resized them to be 4" x 5" and stamped them using a variety of techniques such as masking and rock-n-roll. I also used the backside of the heart balloon image to create a fun and different look!

Aside from the awesome projects you'll see with this stamp set you should note it's also pretty special to CTMH. Not only is it  filled with adorable icons and lovable sentiments perfect for your stamp collection, but CTMH will also donate $7 USD of the proceeds from each set sold to Operation Smile, an amazing organization that provides surgeries to repair cleft lips and palates for children all over the world! If that's not "sharing the love" I'm not sure what is!

This stamp set is only available until February 29th. To order yours please contact your CTMH Consultant or visit my webpage, www.michellebattitori.ctmh.com. Thank you for checking out my project. Now it's time to hop to Brenda Lapp's blog to see what's she's created!

~Michelle Battitori

Project Recipe
Stamps:Share the Love Stamp Set (CC1060)
Ink: Bamboo Ink (Z2103), Pomegranate Ink (Z2653), Poppy Ink (Z2652), Eggplant Ink (Z2647), Black Ink (Z2105)
Paper: Sangria Paper Packet (X7199B), Colonial White Cardstock (1388), Chocolate Cardstock (X5643)
Other: Red Enamel Heart (Z2009), Shimmer Trim-Coral (Z3088) Cricut Artiste Cartridge (Z3170), Cricut Artbooking Cartridge (Z3169)

SOTM Blog Hop - Balloon Animals

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! Today, approximately 40 CTMH consultants will be showcasing new and creative ways to use the February Stamp of the Month (SOTM), Balloon Animals, a set of 13 stamps.

If you've arrived from Priscilla Gotham's blog you are on the right track! For a complete of participants please visit Melinda's blog.

This set is so sweet and fun and I was totally inspired by the CTMH artwork for this set to create this two-page layout of my son's 6th birthday! I changed it up a bit by using the Urban paper pack and layout 9 from Make it From Your Heart V1.

The "balloons" were popped up using both Thin 3D Foam tape and regular 3D Foam tape. The varying dimension really adds a special touch to the layout.

I continued the stamping on the right side of the page by creating a journal card on the lower right corner. I had a few more things to share on this layout so I included two 3x4 flip flaps to create a little mini. The stamped monkey in the corner was added to the top of the flip flap to help keep the album closed. Once it's in the page protector I'll add a little velcro dot to keep it closed.

I hope you enjoyed the layout as much as I did! It was so fun to create and I hope it inspired you to create something new!

Balloon Animals SOTM is only availabe for the month of February. To purchase a set for yourself please contact your CTMH consultant or feel free to visit my webpage { HERE }. 

Please continue to Terrie Shortsleeve's blog to see what she's created!

~Michelle

Project Recipe:
Balloon Animals Stamp Set (S1602), Urban Paper Packet (X7204B), Colonial White Cardstock (1388), Pomegranate Cardstock (X5780), Make It From Your Heart Volume 1 (9035), Cricut Artistry (Z3167), Fundamentals Stickers-Enchantment (Z3164), Fundamentals Assortment-Peacock (Z3098), Thin 3D Foam Tape (Z2060), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), 3x4 Flip Flaps (Z3027), Neutral Metallic Baker's Twine (Z1921), Whisper Ink Pad (Z2172), Saffron Ink Pad (Z2651), Peacock Ink Pad (Z2649), Pomegranate Ink Pad (Z2653), Black Ink Pad (Z2105), Saddle Ink Pad (Z2171)

Beloved Bouquet SOTM Blog Hop

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! Today CTMH Consultants will be shocasing the January Stamp of the Month set, Beloved Bouquet, a set of 14 stamps. If you've arrived from Michele Rowley's blog you are on the right track! If you find you are lost along the hop please visit Melinda's blog for a list of all participating consultants.

The layout is based on the Main Frame - Quilt Blocks sketch in the Reflections How-To Book, one of my favorite scrabooking resources! The blocks are a great way to use some of the small embellishments from your stash.

The flowers and leaves were heat embossed with gold embossing powder and then colored with watercolor pencils. I combined several colors on a piece of scratch paper and blended them with our watercolor brush to create a unique color palette that coordinates with the Sangria paper pack.

The rest of the embellishments (arrows, puffy hearts, foil chipboard pieces) are from the new Seasonal Expressions Charlotte line. It always amazes me how CTMH is able to coordinate all it's products making it really easy to mix and match product lines and still have one cohesive project!

Thank you for checking out my project. I hope you've enjoyed it! Now please hop to Maureen's blog to see what she's created with this beautiful stamp set.

The Beloved Bouquet stamp set is only available until January 31, 2016. If you like to purchase it (or any of the other products used in this layout) please contact your CTMH Consultant or visit my website  { HERE }.

12x12 Scrapbook Layout Recipe:
S1601 Beloved Bouquet SOTM, Z2114 Cocoa Ink, Z891 Versamark Ink Pad, Z2066 Ranger Gold Embossing Powder, Z555 Craft Heater, X7199B My Reflections Sangria Kit, 1388 Colonial White Cardstock, X5642 Cocoa Cardstock, 9037 Reflections How-To, 3505 Watercolor Pencils, X7205C Charlotte Complements, Z3203 Treasured Puffies, Z3167 Artistry Cricut Cartridge, Z1151 3D Foam Tape