National Stamping Month - 4 Stamp Sets for $15!

Not only is it National Stamping Month...the best crafty month of the year, but it's also the month for fantastic specials. This month CTMH has 2 great offers for you:

National Stamping Month

 It's 3 times the fun with our new stamp set trip for only $10 with a qualifying purchase!

Get an exclusive You Are My Happy stamp set trio in celebration of National Stamping Month! During the month of September, when you make a purchase of $50 or more, you qualify for this whimsical stamp set trio for only $10. You’ll love the whimsical alphabet, light-hearted sentiments, and fanciful images for a variety of occasions to give a cheerful touch to your projects, with a full retail value of $47.90.

*Offer valid September 1-30, 2013. One stamp set trio for every $50 spent. Tax and shipping/handling apply. The stamp set trio arrives on 3 D-size carrier sheets in 2 stamp envelopes: one carrier sheet in one envelope (like a D-size stamp) and two carrier sheets in one envelope (like an E-size stamp)

September Stamp of the Month - Poster Tidings

Subway art is all the rage and now you can get this set of 2 stamp set for just $5 (S1309A) when you place an order of $50 or more. 

To purchase any of these specials, or for more information, visit my site, www.michellebattitori.ctmh.com.

It's Giveaway Time!!

I've officially hit 100 likes on my Facebook Page!! As my way of saying Thank You I'm giving away one copy of the Make It from Your Heart Volume 1 book.

This book contains beautiful patterns that were inspired by CTMH founder, Jeanette Lynton. If you aren't familiar with it consider it a sketch book with cutting diagrams! Volume 1 contains 30 patterns -- 18 scrapbook layouts and 12 card patterns. 

To enter simply visit this link: http://bit.ly/XfYZ3v and "like" my page! This giveaway ends 9/2/13 so don't delay. It's only open to US residents and please no CTMH Consultants.

Good Luck!

Artbooking Home Decor Canvas

Welcome to the final week of the Artbooking in August Blog Hop. Each Monday in August CTMH consultants will showcase creative ways to use the new Artbooking cartridge. If you are joining us for the first time, welcome! Here is a summary of challenges we've created along with links to the projects:

Week 1: 2 page Scrapbook Layout

Week 2: Card

Week 3: Mini- Album (Birthday and Vacation)

Week 4: Home Decor or 3D Item

The blog hop is a great big circle but if you get lost along the way please go HERE for a complete list of participants. If you're coming from Emily's blog you are on the right track! 

This week I created a 6 x 6 canvas wall hanging inspired by the artwork on page 42 of the Idea Book.  I started out by creating a template in Cricut Craft Room using the layers feature. Doing this allows you to get your proportions correct and eliminate unnecessary cuts or waste.

Once I was happy with my design I removed the square shapes from my layers since those can be cut by hand which left me with only the Artbooking elements to cut. For this canvas piece I used the Border on page 72 and the "family" sentiment on page 67. 

For some added dimension I cut the "family" sentiment 3 times and layered them together with my Bonding Memories Blue. I've found that when it comes to Artbooking and these intricate shapes a liquid glue with a small tip (like this one) is a lifesaver!

I would love to know what you think. Please leave me a comment and then hop to Cassandra's blog  to see what she's created! 

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 

Paper: Huntington Paper Pack

Stamps: n/a

Ink: Barn Red

Other: Artbooking Cricut Cartridge, 6 x 6 Canvas, Mini-Medley, Cricut Craft Room, Bonding Memories Glue, Sponge

Artbooking Birthday Mini-Album

Welcome to week 3 of the Artbooking in August Blog Hop. Each Monday in August approximately 35 consultants will showcase creative ways to use the new Artbooking cartridge. The blog hop is a great big circle but if you get lost along the way please go HERE for a complete list of participants.

If you're coming from Emily's blog you are on the right track! This week the challenge was to create a mini-album.  I've already created a Vacation mini (see post HERE) so this week I used the 7 x 5 Top Secret Mini-Album featured on pages 42 & 43 of the handbook to document my son's 10th birthday party!

I decided not to pre-plan this album (a little scary for me but it is a challenge after all) so I started out by cutting all the photo mat pages with the Pro-Player B&T papers. 

Next, I cut the coordinating accents from the cardstock that comes in the Pro-Player pack. I chose to keep stamping to a minimum and only used the notebook paper stamp image that comes with the Artbooking Cartridge.

Once I printed out my photos I began the assembly process. This part came together pretty easily. Honestly, the hardest part was selecting which photos to use!

 

After I had everything adhered to the mini-album I went back and added my embellishments  To keep things simple I only used the Pro-Player Assortment, Canvas Alphabet (colored with Ruby Markers) and Keyboard Craft Alphabet (FYI: Even with all the letters I used in this album I STILL have a ton of letters left from this set!). 

For added contrast I used my Metallics Marker to color the raised portions of the corrugated cardboard shapes in the Pro-Player Assortment pack.

Unlike some of the other mini-albums from the Artbooking Cartridge, this one does not have holes to bind it. I decided to use my crop-o-dile to cut 1/4" holes 2" from each end and tied with the Harvest Baker's Twine. It actually feels quite sturdy and allows for room with my 3D embellishments!

I hope you've enjoyed this album as much as I've enjoyed sharing it with you. I have already presented it to my son and he was blown away by it! I'm going to consider this project a success!

Now hop on over to Cassandra's blog to see what she's come up with!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 

Paper: Prop-Player Pack

Stamps: Take Note (Cricut Bundle)

Ink: Black

Other: Pro-Player Assortment, Harvest Baker's Twine, Keyboard Kraft Alphabet, Canvas Alphabet, Sparkles Assortment, Ruby Markers, Metallics Marker

Artbooking Thank You Cards

Welcome to week 2 of the Artbooking in August Blog Hop. Each Monday in August approximately 35 consultants will showcase creative ways to use the new Artbooking cartridge. The blog hop is a great big circle but if you get lost along the way please go HERE for a complete list of participants.

Last week the focus was a 2 page scrapbook layout. Today's challenge is to use the cartridge to make a card.

If you're here from Emily's blog you are on the right track! Today I have two Thank You cards to share using the Overlay button and hexagon shape on page 67 of the guidebook.

I started out by cutting a full page overlay at 11." I carefully peeled the overlay off and stamped the remaining pieces with the Honeycomb stamp set (love that CTMH designed the cartridge to retrofit existing stamp sets! Pure brilliance!!) I placed some of the pieces on Outdoor Denim cardstock and outlined them with the Chalk Marker. I finished the card with A True Thank You stamp set, one of the new $2.95 stamp sets.

The second card uses the overlay itself along with a few of the hexagon pieces. I trimmed the overlay to 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" and adhered it to Lagoon cardstock. I filled in a portion of the overlay with hexagon pieces and stamped "Thanks." Both of these cards are great for bulk card making sessions and require very little supplies!

I hope you've enjoyed my cards. I would love to know which one is your favorite so please leave me a comment. Now, hop on over to Cassandra's blog to see the fabulous work she's created.

Till next week...

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 

Paper: White Daisy Cardstock, Lagoon Cardstock, Outdoor Denim Cardstock

Stamps: A True Thank You, Honeycomb, Alphabet

Ink: Pear, Slate, Outdoor Denim, Lagoon, Colonial White, Black

Other: Artbooking Cricut Cartridge, Chalkboard Marker

Autumn/Winter 2013 Paper Packs

I've spent quite a bit of time playing with the new Artbooking cartridge that I realized I have neglected the new paper packs. So, this post is dedicated to paper...we are after all paper crafters!

To learn more about each paper pack or to see coordinating items please click HERE or on each paper pack name.

Baby Cakes

 This neutral palette is so sweet and comforting. Don't let the name fool you though...it has many uses beyond baby!

Laughing Lola

It's funky, fashionable, and fun! 

Huntington

It's hard to pick but this one is my favorite new pack! It's beautiful, elegant and soft! It's great for fall or any other time of year.

ProPlayer

 

This pack is great for gamers, boys, school, and kids projects! 

Sarita

This is a very versatile pack with colors that coordinate beautifully with either bright or soft tones.

Frosted

The name implies snow and winter but don't let that fool ya. This pack is neutral and gorgeous...I see LOTS of uses for it!

I've already told you which pack is my favorite and now it's your turn. Leave me a comment with your favorite paper pack and how you plan on using it and you might just end up with a free pack on your doorstep!

Artbooking in August - 2 Page Layout

Welcome to the Artbooking in August blog hop! Each Monday in August approximately 40 consultants will be sharing their creations using the new Artbooking Cricut Cartridge. So, set your alarm (or better yet sign up for email notifications of my blog posts) and then sit back and get ready to be inspired by the amazing creativity and craftiness of my fellow consultants. If you are coming from Emily Anderson's blog you are on the right track.

Right page

The first challenge was to create a 2 page layout. I will admit the only "challenge" to this week was picking out the paper and deciding on which of the many layouts to choose from. I opted to use Nursery Layout #2 (page 84 of the handbook) and the now retired Lucy paper.

Left Page

This layout came together in a snap...literally it took minutes! I set my dial size to the recommended 11" and just pushed buttons. I could very easily have just used the cut pieces and 2 sheets of cardstock and had a fantastically cute layout. But instead, I decided to take it one step further and add a little pop!

Sanding & Distressing

I started out by lightly sanding the Slate cardstock with my sanding block. This way I could ensure my embellishments stood out from the rest of the sheet. Next I used my sponge and Blush ink to distress all of the frames.

Title on left page

The title of this page, Sweet, Sassy and Beautiful, spans both pages. On the left page I backed the cricut cut, "Sweet" with pattern paper.

Title on right page

I knew I wanted to use the sentiment "Sassy and Beautiful" on the right page so I chose to use the inside cuts of the recommended 4 x 4 photo mats to leave a little more space. My photos ended up being 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" instead of 4" x 4" photos as shown on the layout in the handbook.

Zip Strip Border

The border on the center of the right was created with leftover zip strips and a small strip of pattern B&T paper!  Such an easy and economical way to add visual interest without cutting a whole sheet of paper.

Flower Embellishments

The flowers were cut with my Art Philosophy Cartridge and stamped with the coordinating Lucy WOTG stamp set. The set is retired but any flower stamp or other flower embellishment would work here. I folded the edges for depth and added a few sparkles for a little bling.

Banner with Liquid Glass

For the banner on the right page,I decided to pop it up with 3D foam tape. I also added scraps of pink cardstock and liquid glass to the hearts. It's hard to see in the photo but the liquid glass gives the heart such a wonderful shine!

Once everything was adhered to my base pages I added a few extra rub-on butterflies and this layout was done! I love the way it turned out and hope you do too. Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts.

Now hop on over to Cassandra Bennett's blog to see what she created. I'll see you next week for Challenge #2, Artbooking and Cards.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted): 

Paper: Lucy B&T (retired), Slate Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock

Stamps: Lucy WOTG (retired)

Ink: Slate, Creme Brulee, Blush  

Other: Artbooking Cricut Cartridge, My Reflections Lucy Rub-ons (retired), Sanding Block, Sparkles Assortment (Z1752), Paper Piercer, Spnge, Liquid Glass, Cricut Art Philosophy