November SOTM Blog Hop - It's the Little Things

Welcome to our Stamp of the Month Blog Hop!  We will be featuring November's SOTM, which is It's the Little Things, a set of 15 stamps.  If you have come here from Justine's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog:  http://ifyoublingit.blogspot.com/p/stamp-of-month-blog-hop-list.html.

This month we have 64 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using this month's SOTM and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

For my project I decided to use one of the many one sheet wonder templates I found online to create a set of 10 cards. The template I used was based on 8 1/2" x 11" papers but you can easily find 12 x 12 templates online. Below is a step-by-step tutorial of my process:

1. Select your color scheme (complete list of supplies can be found below) and cut coordinating cardstock to 8 1/2" x 11".

2. Random stamp images on White Daisy Cardstock. I started with my largest image and worked in a triangle pattern, filling in open areas with the smaller images.

3. Cut and separate pages based on the template (note, the template I used was purchased and I was asked not to share the template itself. You can find other templates on Pinterest or Google).

4. Create cards using whatever embellishments you see fit! I kept my cards pretty simple to focus on my custom stamped paper! 

I love how bright these cards feel and I look forward to trying this in other color schemes! These would make great gifts for family and friends don't you think?

Products Used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Pear, Buttercup, Thistle, Outdoor Denim, White Daisy
Inks: Thistle (Z2640), Whisper (Z2172), Pear (Z2197), Outdoor Denim (Z2140), Colonial White (Z2168), Pacifica (Z2192), Canary (Z2643), Smokey Plum (Z2147)
Stamps: It's the Little Things (S1411), Frame Flair (D1546)
Accessories/Other: Harvest Baker's Twine (Z1751), White Daisy Value Pack Cards & Envelopes (X254), Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, Chevron Embossing Folder, Stripe Embossing Folder, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder (Cuttlebug), Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch

Now "Hop" on over to Wendy's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! Remember, the November SOTM is only available until November 30!  Contact your CTMH Consultant (or click HERE) to see how you can get this stamp set at a discount!

~Michelle Battitori

Home for the Holidays Christmas Card

There are only 2 days left to get this month's SOTM, Home for the Holidays. 

Since many of the images coordinate with the Art Philosophy Cricut Cartridge it'd be easy to whip up several holiday cards in a snap!

This card is based on Freshly Made Sketch #160. The base card layer was cut at 4" x 5 1/4" and the pattern paper sheets were cut at 2" x 4" and 1 1/2" x 3 1/2".

Enjoy and thanks for checking it out!

Products Used (All CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Snowhaven, White Daisy Cardstock, Glacier Cardstock, Black Cardstock

Stamps: Home for the Holidays (S1410)

Ink: Cranberry

Other: Cricut Art Philosophy Cartridge, Snowhaven Compliments (X7188C), 3D Foam Tape

~Michelle Battitori

P.S. Here's the inspiration sketch

Two-Sided Vinyl Glass Block - Halloween

I've been having a lot of fun playing with 8" x 8" glass blocks and vinyl lately! They were a big hit at the craft fair a few weeks ago. This is a custom two-sided block I made for a co-worker.

The "Trick-or-Treat" image was a free svg file I found online (I can't remember the site though). It's filled with lights so when you plug it in and it's dark it's kinda magical!

The "out of candy" side was created in Cricut Design Space using the CTMH Artbooking cartridge(for Boo and jack-o-lantern). I used Harrington font for "Happy Halloween" and Cricut Basics for the rest of the sentiment.

I hope she likes it!

I've made several of these blocks this season. Once you get used to playing with vinyl they come together pretty quickly. Here are a few of the others I've made (you can click on the image for a larger view):

Thanks for checking out my blocks! I'm looking forward to playing around with winter themed ones soon. I have a few ready to ship blocks available on my Etsy store if you are in need of a gift or home decor item. I also do custom work (kids, monograms, etc) so if you dream it I can probably make it!

~Michelle Battitori

My First Outdoor Craft Fair

A couple of weeks ago I participated in a Pink Day Craft fair at a local nursery to support breast cancer research. This was my first outdoor craft fair and a completely different experience from the indoor fairs I've done in the past. For starters, the space was 10 ft x 10 ft, a much larger space than I was used to. Second, as a paper crafter I was a bit concerned over how my products would fair in the elements. Thankfully I was well prepared with extra adhesive just in case!

Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and the day ended up being rainy and cool but I was prepared thanks to canopy sidewalls I purchased from my local sporting goods store and weight plates I borrowed from my neighbor! There were certainly some scary moments for some of the other vendors when the wind picked up though.

This is the view on the left side of my tent. On this table I displayed my paper rose topiaries, fall light blocks, candy treats and prepared card box sets.

On the back wall I included old screen doors to hang my wreaths and framed products. I brought the wrought iron plant stand from my home to give customers ideas on how to display the topiaries and frames. It made the space feel homey!

The right side of my tent displayed my Halloween light blocks, cards, gift card holders, and more treats! My only regret of the show is that I didn't have electricity to show off how awesome the glass blocks are! They certainly were the hit of the show and have been very popular on my Etsy store, MichellesPaperMagic, too!

Overall I'm very pleased with how my space turned out and received many compliments from both crafters and customers! My husband and son were away for a baseball tournament but thankfully my parents were able to help with my other kids and booth setup...oh, and to bring me lunch and hot cocoa...it was cold!

The best part of whole day had to be the people I met and talked to. Here I am (the one in the hat) with a lady I chatted with for quite a long time. Turns out her daughter and I used to work together years ago. I can't remember how we figured that one out but it was certainly one of the highlights of the day for me!

The event was a lot of work to prepare for and made for a very long and tiring day but I would gladly do it again! There is just something about sharing my paper passion with others that makes me so incredibly happy! Oh, and the sales are a pretty good perk too!

I hope to see you at my next craft fair!

~Michelle Battitori

Journaling Cards Box Gift Set

I've been busy prepping for an upcoming craft fair this Saturday, October 11, and this is one of the items I'll have available for sale.

I decorated the Journaling Card Box with retired Lollydoodle papers and coordinating MyStickease Assortment along with some Shimmer Trim.

The cards were designed using the Lollydoodle Card Workshop On The Go Kits. While this set isn't available anymore you can make a similar project using any of the Card Wokshop On The Go Kits found HERE! The kits make it super easy since they include cutting directions, a stamp set, paper, and accessories!

I hope this inspires you to make something fun today. I look forward to sharing some of my other projects in the next few weeks.

~Michelle Battitori

Cut Above Halloween Treat Bags

Are you throwing a Halloween party or going to one this year? If so it's not to late to create these adorable treat bags with the new Cut Above line from CTMH! (If you are attending my monthly Creative Club this Friday or have ordered a kit you'll have a chance to make one of these!)

Each kit comes pre-cut and pre-scored with all the items shown above. All you have to do is get your treats and a stapler and in a matter of minutes you'll have some fun goodie bags for the kids (or adults).

The cut above line recommends using the coordinating Sweet Salutations Stamp Set (B1466) but since I don't have it yet I decided to use the tag from the Trick or Treat Sweets (B1460) set instead. It was cut wit the Art Philosophy Cartridge and stamped in Thistle Ink (Z2640).

Halloween not your thing? I've got you covered with this fun Holiday Treat Bag Kit! They'd be perfect for little mints or other holiday goodie!

If you would like to purchase any of the Cut Above kits please contact your CTMH representative or visit my shop!

<<Start Shopping here>>

~Michelle Battitori

ShinHan Marker Blog Hop - Marbled Background

Welcome to our ShinHan Marker Blog Hop!  If you have come here from Kelly's Blog, you are on the right path! The blog hop is a great big circle, so you can start here and work your way all around.  If you get lost along the way, you’ll find the complete list of participating consultants on Melinda’s Blog: http://www.ifyoublingit.blogspot.com

This month we have over 40 Close To My Heart Consultants sharing their creations using the ShinHan Markers and other great CTMH products on their blogs. This is simple to do - just click on the link at the end of the post on each blog to move to the next one! Here we go!

Supply List: (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: New England Ivy Cardstock (1282), 4x6 photo paper (Epson)

Ink: Archival Black (44751)

Stamp: In the Moment (C1565)

Other: ShinHan Markers (Vivid Green, Deep Olive Green, Mahogany, Carmine, Marigold, Barely Beige), Spray Pen (Z1380),  Magnets (Amazon), Rubbing Alcohol (CVS)

My project, a magnetic bookmark, was inspired by THIS alcohol marker marbling technique. Here's a detailed, step-by-step tutorial on how to make the marbled background:

1. Gather your supplies. You'll need ShinHan Markers (4-6 complimentary colors), Glossy Cardstock, Regular Cardstock, Ziploc-type bag, and Rubbing Alcohol Spray (a full list of products and item numbers can be found above).

 2. Insert cardstock into Ziploc bag. This is your template. I secured mine on my VersaMat with a little bit of scotch tape.

3. Color the top of the bag with ShinHan Markers making sure to cover the entire template. Actually, it's more like scribbling then coloring and you do not need to blend your colors.

4. Spritz bag with rubbing alcohol until inks look wet and droplets of liquid are visible. 

5. Place glossy cardstock (I used 4" x 6" photo paper) onto bag with glossy side down, pressing and holding for a few seconds. Lift glossy cardstock up. You can leave it as is or repeat steps 3-5 until you are satisfied with the color.

6. Use your new background to complete your project! 

To finish my bookmark I cut a piece of cardstock to 8 1/2" x 1 3/4" and folded in half. Next, I trimmed my new background piece into 4" x 1 1/2" strips and mounted onto folded cardstock. I also used a couple different sentiments from the In The Moment stamp set using Archival Black ink. To finish it off I adhered two sets of magnets to the inside of the bookmark. That's it! So easy and now I'll never lose my place in my book! 

 

Thanks for sticking around and checking out my project! Now "Hop" on over to Jean's Blog to see her work! Be sure to visit all the Consultants at their Blogs to get some great crafting ideas and other fun ideas! To purchase your own set of ShinHan Markers please contact your CTMH Consultant or visit my website HERE.

~Michelle Battitori

October Stamp Of The Month: Home for the Holidays

Each month Close to My Heart offers a D-size stamp, available for one month only, that you can purchase for just $5! For those math fans that's over 70% off retail.

This month's set, Home for the Holidays (S1410), is a set of 7 stamps that coordinates perfectly with the Art Philosophy Cartridge. Just think of all the cards and tags you can make with this set! Here's one example from the CTMH Art Department:

This set is available to purchase for $17.95. Or, when you place an order of $50 or more in Close To My Heart products, you qualify for the $5 special Stamp of the Month pricing.

To order please contact your CTMH Consultant or shop my website!

<<<<Start Shopping HERE>>>

Have a great day!

~Michelle Battitori