How To Put More of YOU In Your Layouts

Recently I was browsing through my scrapbooks and one thing was glaringly evident...there are very few pages about me. Yes, there are photos of me and yes, the majority of my journaling centers on my feelings and attitudes about the photos. But there isn't really anything JUST about me.

I think as story tellers we get lost in documenting everyone and everything else and forget to add a page or two about us. Maybe I'm unique in that regard but I'm guessing not. Pull out any scrapbook you've created and count how many pages are only about you. I'm guessing the number is pretty small right?

You get the idea. Why do we do that? For me personally I'm more comfortable behind the scene telling the story. I fear that I'm not interesting enough. And, I often tell myself, "You'll have time to do that layout later. First, let's document the kids baseball and soccer games before we forget!"

Didn't I start this memory keeping journey to record and document our FAMILY story? Family. As in my husband, my three kids and ME.

So, where do you start?  A lot of people choose to start at the beginning with older photos. There is certainly nothing wrong with that option. However, for me, it only reminds me of how many years I still need to record. I've decided to take a different approach and start with the current and work backwards.

Choosing what to start with may also seem like a daunting task. I know I pondered what to do for awhile. I decided to begin with a little introduction about myself in the form of a list. I chose to write about 38 things about me! Why 38? Simple. That's how old I just turned. It doesn't have to be your age. Maybe a top 5 or top 10 list would suffice. Really the number is irrelevant as long as it's about you!

I hope this inspires you to try a layout like this. Have you already made one? If so, leave me a comment with the link. I'd love to check it out!

If you'd like more ideas on creating layouts about you make sure to check out the following:

Reflections of ME
Why I Became A Consultant
Other Layout Prompts

Have a crafty day!

~Michelle

Project Recipe (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Georgie (X7203B), White Daisy Cardstock (1385), Watercolor Paper (Z3146)
Stamp: Celebrate with Cake (S1605)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Juniper (Z2165)
Other: Watercolor Paints (Z3132), Waterbrush Small (Z3224), Thin 3D Foam Tape (Z2060), Grey Enamel Gems (Z3089), Oceanside Sequins (retired)

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)

December SOTM Blog Hop - Candlelight Garden

Welcome to the Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! Today, 33 CTMH consultants will be showcasing artwork using the new Candlight Garden stamp set.  If you've arrived from Haley Dyer's blog you are on the right track!

For my project I created a scrapbook layout featuring my baby girl and her budding personality! To create this layout I started with a sketch from the Reflections How-To book (Main Frame - Perfect Square p. 63) and modified it to fit my photos.

The mason jars were stamped on White Daisy cardstock and decorated using a variety of techniques like watercoloring, stamping, masking and paper piecing. Like her, each jar is unique and I love the way it turned out!

The title was created in Design Space using the Artistry Cricut Cartridge font and one of the many shape images.

To create the journal jar I masked the string with a post-it-note before inking it. When I was ready to stamp I removed the post-it and stamped on cardstock. No more string! I also used the masking technique to alter the sentiment stamps to make them fit inside the jars.

This layout certainly wasn't one of the quickest I've ever created but I absolutely love the way it turned out. It's sweet and quirky just like my girl!

Thanks for checking out my project. I hope I inspired you try something new with this stamp set. If you'd like to recreate it here is the Design Space file: https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/33702097. You will need the Artistry cartridge to use this file.

Now it's time to continue on the hop by visiting Lauren Moore's blog! If for some reason you get lost along the hop please visit Melinda's blog for a list of participating hoppers.

This stamp set is only available 12/1 - 12/31 and can be purchased for only $5 with a qualifying CTMH order. To purchase yours please contact your CTMH consultant or visit my shop at www.michellebattitori.ctmh.com.

Layout Recipe:
S1512 Candlight Garden stamp Set,  9037 Reflection How To Book, Z3167 Cricut Artistry Collection, X7199B Sangria Paper Packet, 1385 White Daisy Cardstock, 1386 Black Cardstock, Z3098 Peacock Fundamentals Assortment, Z3126 Paper Fundamentals Enchantment, Z3132 Watercolor Paints, Z3188 Paintbrush Set, Z2641 Glacier Stamp Pad, Z2652, Poppy Stamp Pad, Z2652 Pomegranate Stamp Pad, Z2653 Canary Stamp Pad, Z2648 Sapphire Stamp Pad, Z534 Micro-Tip Scissors

Have a crafty Tuesday!

~Michelle Battitori

P.S. Don't forget it's Cyberweek at CTMH! Save 25% on select items now thru Friday, 12/4! To see what's included please go HERE.

7 Things You Can Do With Watercolor & A Free Stamp Set

Watercolors are quickly becoming one of my favorite techniques. If you aren't sure where to start or need a quick boost to your creative mojo make sure to check out the video below from CTMH for some great ideas and tips! (If you are unable to view the video try the link HERE.)



If you want to get started with watercolor here's a list of items you'll want to invest in (links to products in item numbers):

1. Z2045 All Purpose Mat (this thing is my new fave) 
2. Z3132 Watercolor Paints 
3. Z3146 Watercolor Paper
4. Z3188 Paintbrush Set
5. 44751 Archival Black Exclusives Ink Pad or Z899 (Black Memento Ink Pad)

For those that purchase all 5 of the items I will throw in the October Stamp of the Month, Twinkle, for free! That's a savings of $17.95 and my way of saying thank you!

To qualify for this FREE stamp set you will need to email me your order BEFORE 10/31/15 at handmadefromtheheart @ gmail.com (without spaces) and I will place it for you. All orders will be sent directly to you.  I will send you a PayPal invoice for your total and submit your order once payment is received. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Happy Shopping!

~Michelle Battitori

Watercolor Technique Class

This Friday, October 16, is all about watercolor techniques! We'll explore brushed backgrounds, using watercolor pencils and blended colors as we create three adorable cards perfect for cheering up someone's day! 

Class time is 7:00 pm and the cost is $5. If you are in the Northern VA area and would like to attend please RSVP at my meetup site, Manassas Papercrafters. 

See you Friday!

~Michelle

Spotlight on Holiday Expressions

Welcome to the Spotlight on Holiday Expressions blog hop! There are approximately 30 CTMH consultants featuring any item from the new Holiday Expressions Idea Book. If you've come from Jen Rubio's blog you are on the right track!

Today I'm featuring the Nevermore paper pack (p. 7) along with the adorable Little Monsters stamp set (p.8) to create this fun Halloween card!

The stamp set has 8 stamps with 5 "monsters" to choose from. I picked 3 of the 5 to stamp since I have three kids (two boys and a girl) and colored them with our new watercolor paints. I'm a new "painter" so to help me keep everything in place I first heat embossed the images with clear embossing powder and then mixed colors until I found a palette I was happy with.

The sentiment is stamped on one of the images from the Artistry cartridge. I finished off the card with some Black Shimmer Tape (since every card needs just a little sparkle) and some White Enamel Stars I colored black with my ShinHan Touch marker.

The Holiday Expressions Idea Book  is available now until December 31, 2015 and contains everything you need to craft for the upcoming holidays. You can view it online HERE or get a hard copy free with any online CTMH order. If you would like more information on the items featured in the Holiday Expressions Idea Book or this post please contact your CTMH consultant or visit my website HERE.

Thanks for checking out my project. Now please continue on to Michele Rowley's blog to see what she's created!

~Michelle Battitori

P.S. If for some reason you get lost along this hop please visit Melinda's page for a complete list of participating consultants.

Card Recipe:
C1630 Little Monsters Stamp Set
X7198B Nevermore Paper Pack
X5930 Slate Cardstock
X5764 Pear Cardstock

Z3132 Watercolor Paints

Z3146 Watercolor Paper
Z3188 Paintbrush Set
Z2010 White Enamel Star
Z1446 ShinHan Touch Twin Black Marker
Z2088 Ranger Clear Super Fine Embossing Powder
Z555 Craft Heater
Z891 VersaMark Ink Pad
Z2105 Black Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad
Z1809 Black Shimmer Trim

Quick and Easy Watercolor Card Set

I've been taking a watercolor class and one of the lessons was using watercolor as a background. So I pulled out my paint palette and used Freshly Made Sketch #205 to whip up this four card set in a matter of minutes.

I kept this card pretty clean and simple. I embossed the background with our new Confetti Stars Embossing Folder. The black strip is from the Paper Fundamentals collection. One side has a embossed background and the other is printed.

The stamp set is from Hello Life Cardmaking Stamp set. This set is part of the National Stamping special and is only available thru 9/30/15. You can see the three stamps sets available HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day!

~Michelle

Card Recipe (links to items used are in the item numbers):
Z3146 Watercolor Paper
Z3132 Watercolor Paints
Z3118 Paintbrush Set
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z3128 Paper Fundamentals Basic
CC1041 Hello Life Cardmaking Stamp Set (only available until 9/30)
Z2190 Gypsy Ink
Z2640 Thistle Ink
Z891 VersaMark Ink Pad
Ranger Black Embossing Powder (not CTMH)
Z555 Craft Heater
Z3119 Confetti Stars Embossing Folder
Z3190 Artiste Cricut Cartridge
Z1979 Marvy Uchida Journaling Pen