Last Call for Framed SOTM

There are just two more days to purchase the August Stamp of the Month, Framed. This super versatile stamp set is a must-have for cardmakers. With nine sayings and three frames, you'll never run out of options for mixing and matching. Each month Close to My Heart has one stamp set that is only available for that month. You can purchase it for full price at $17.95, or save over 70% and get it for just $5 when you place an order of $50 or more on my website. Stamp of the Months are only available during their assigned month, once they're gone, they're gone! To find the current Stamp of the Month on my website, go to the "promotions" tab in the top bar and pull down to Stamp of the Month.

Here's to a crafty Sunday!
~Michelle

So Blessed Christmas Card

I'm taking the bull by the horns this year and starting my holiday cards now. Today I turned to Freshly Made Sketch #198 to create this card. The products are older, but much loved, CTMH products.

The paper and stamp used on this card but the Trim the Tree stamp set and Yuletide Carol or Snowhaven paper would work beautifully!

Recipe (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Adorn-ables Stamp Set (retired)
Pear & Partridge Paper (retired)
1272 Cranberry Cardstock
1282 New England Ivy Cardstock
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
Z2103 Bamboo Ink
Z2116 Cranberry Ink
Z2118 Desert Sand Ink
X1410 Colonial White Value Pack Cards & Envelopes
Z1752 Sparkles Clear Assortment

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you have a crafty day.

~Michelle Battitori

CTMH Cricut Artistry Blog Hop

Welcome to the CTMH Cricut Artistry Blog Hop! If you are coming from Gina's blog you are on the right track!

Today, 30 CTMH consultants will be featuring the brand new Cricut Cartridge, Artistry! This cartridge includes shapes spanning a wide variety of themes, holiday's and seasons to add some visual spice to any project. This cartridge comes with three D-sized stamp sets as well as a full package of Enchantment Cardstock (with a sneak peak of our soon-to-be released new colors). The cartridge is available digitally (bundled items will be mailed separately) or with a cartridge for a slightly higher price.

For my project I created a double page scrapbook layout featuring my son's 5th Birthday party. I first designed my page in Design Space. Some might think this is an extra, unnecessary step but for me it's the easiest way to ensure my accent pieces are proportionate to my layout without wasting a bunch of precious paper on miss-sized pieces.

The title was cut with the Artistry font and adhered to the page with our Bonding Memories Glue Pen. This stuff works great for small, intricate pieces like letters. The lines on the journal tag were stamped in Slate ink using the ZOE Workshop on the Go Stamp set.

Here's a tip for you: instead of getting your fingers gunked with glue use your piercing tool to hold the shape in place until the entire piece has glue. When it's ready to place on your project use tweezers or scissors to place it where you want.

The tag was cut out of White Daisy Cardstock and then stamped with one of the bundled stamp sets from the cartridge.  The rest of the accents were pre-designed pieces from the Artistry collection, including the border underneath the large photo. I just re-sized, picked my paper and cut away! I love not having to fussy cut my accents!

Please continue on the Catherine's blog to see what project she's created. Please note, if you happen to get lost along the hop please visit Melinda's page for a complete list of participants.

Project Recipe:
Z3167 Cricut Artistry Collection
G1096 Workshops on the Go Zoe Scrapbooking Kit
1385 White Daisy Cardstock
1273 Desert Sand Cardstock
X5751 Sorbet Cardstock
X5770 Glacier Cardstock
X5772 Canary Cardstock
X5759 Pacifica Cardstock
Z2033 Paper Fundamentals Whimsy Assortment
Z2173 Slate Ink
Z2641 Glacier Ink
Z1938 Sponge Dauber
Z1912 Corner Rounder
Z1151 3D Foam Tape
Z3025 Blue Shimmer Trim
Z553 Bonding Memories Glue
Z1979 Marvy® Uchida® LePen™ Journaling Pen

Thanks for stopping by!
~Michelle Battitori

If you'd like to re-create my layout here is the link to the Design Space File: https://us.cricut.com/design/#/canvas/30084866

Please note that you will need the Artistry Cartridge to use the file. If you don't have it please check with your CTMH Consultant or visit my webpage HERE.

Get the New Artistry Cartridge for $10.65!!!

The new Annual Inspriations book doesn't go live until September 1 but CTMH released a few of the new products early! One of them is the brand new Artistry Cricut Cartridge.

Here's what comes on each cartridge:

• A complete font that's a little funky and a lot of fun
• 141 icons like a typewriter, cat, dog, feathers, house, diamond, cake, and even a kitchen sink (just kidding!). Many of these are layered.
• 50 new basic shapes which each have 3 different coordinating layers of designs or sentiments
• 50 layered "banners" or what I'd call "labels" that are begging to be stamped on and guess what? In September, you'll see some new stamp sets that fit on them perfectly!
• 50 backgrounds similar to the square overlays on Artbooking but generally less complex. 
• 50 borders 

To view all the images check out the complete handbook HERE.

 For the first time CTMH is releasing this cartridge in digital form (Z1390)* as well as standard physical cartridge form (Z3167) too!

So you're probably wondering how you can get this fantastic cartridge for $10.65, right?)! Let me break it down for you. Each cartridge comes bundled with 3 My Acrylix D-size Stamp sets ($17.95/set) as well as 1 full size Enchantment Cardstock Combo Pack ($14.50). If you were to purchase each of those separately they would cost you $68.35. If you purchase the digital cartridge* ($79) you'll ONLY be paying $10.65 more! That's a bargain if I ever saw one...especially since this cartridge, like our others, contains 700 images!

Created by CTMH Art Department 

Physical Cartridge users will also receive the same 3 stamp sets and Enchantment Combo Pack but will pay a slightly higher bundled price of $99. If you break it down again that's still only $35.15 for the cartridge which is well below the market rate for store-bought cartridges!

So, what are you waiting for? There isn't a time limit on this fantastic deal so if you would like to purchase the Artistry Cartridge please contact your CTMH Consultant or visit my website HERE.

*The digital Artistry Collection is available only for use with the Cricut Explore and Cricut Explore Air. 

Have a crafty day!

~Michelle

August SOTM Blog Hop - Framed

Welcome to the August Stamp of the Month Blog Hop! If you are coming from Jen Rubio's blog you are on the right track! This month CTMH Consultants are featuring the awesome set of 12 stamps , Framed.

I decided to get a head start on Christmas Cards by creating a trio of cards! And, since each frame coordinates with the new Cricut Artistry Cartridge cutting each shape was a breeze! Here's a tip for you...if you are using neutral cardstock cut a full sheet of each shape and tuck them into the back of your stamp envelope. That way when your short on time you can pull one out and stamp in your preferred color!

Each card features one of the frames in the stamp set. I kept it uniform by stamping the frame in black and heat embossed each sentiment. Keeping your ink colors to a minimum really saves time if you are planning on making bulk cards in a single setting! Here's a close-up of each card along with a list of supplies used:






Card 1:
Paper: Yuletide Carol (X7187B), Black Cardstock (1386)
Stamp: Framed (S1508)
Ink: Black (Z2105), Versamark (Z891), Ruby (X5927)
Other: Value Pack Cards (X1410), Cricut Artistry (Z3167), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Cranberry Embossing Powder, Pink Glitter Gems (Z1807), Sponge Dauber (Z1938)

Card 2:
Paper: Yuletide Carol (X7187B), Black Cardstock (1386)
Stamp: Framed (S1508)
Ink: Black (Z2105), Versamark (Z891), Ruby (X5927)
Other: Value Pack Cards (X1410), Cricut Artistry (Z3167), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Cranberry Embossing Powder, Pink Glitter Gems (Z1807), Sponge Dauber (Z1938), Bakers Twine (Z1861)

Card 3: 

Paper: Yuletide Carol (X7187B), Black Cardstock (1386)
Stamp: Framed (S1508)
Ink: Black (Z2105), Versamark (Z891), Ruby (X5927)
Other: Value Pack Cards (X1410), Cricut Artistry (Z3167), 3D Foam Tape (Z1151), Cranberry Embossing Powder, Pink Glitter Gems (Z1807), Sponge Dauber (Z1938), Bakers Twine (Z1861)

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. Now it's time to continue on the hop by visiting Lisa's blog.

If you would like to purchase the August SOTM, or any of the products (including the new Cricut Cartridge) please contact your CTMH consultant or visit my website. This set is only available until August 31.

Have a wonderful day!

~Michelle Battitori

P.S. For a complete list of blog hop participants please visit Melinda's blog.