Monogram Favorites

I've been feeling a little unmotivated to blog in the recent months (as you can tell by my lack of posts) and am hoping the creative fog will lift soon! In the meantime I wanted to share this amazing video from CTMH. It's all about creative ways to use monogram stamps! One of my new faves from the Fall/Winter Idea Book.

This video was pretty appropriate considering my club made the project above with monogram stamps earlier this month! They loved the project and so did I! Thanks to Lisa Stenz, one of my CTMH idols, for the creative boost. This project is perfect for teacher gifts this Christmas!

I have a few kits available for purchase. All kits include the following:

• Full Color Instructions
• Pre-Cut Cricut Artiste Magazine Style Box
• 13" Ribbon
• Pre-Stamped Images
• Pre-Cut Papers:
• Avonlea B&T
• Kraft Cardstock
• Colonial White Cardstock

To order a kit, you may either send me a check or pay securely online with a credit card or your PayPal account by using the PayPal “Buy Now” button below.If you are in the Northern VA area please select the local pick-up option and we can make arrangements for delivery. All others please select the Long Distance Option. 

Delivery Options

Northern VA Pick-Up $5.00 USD Long Distance $10.00 USD

Monogram Letter

Negative Images Technique Hop

Welcome to our Technique Blog Hop!  This month there are  of us highlighting the Using Negative Images Technique as shown on page 92 in the Fall/Winter 2012 Idea Book!  This blog hop is a great big circle so you can start wherever you want and continue through to see all the fabulous artwork incorporating this technique. 

If you are coming from Ann Marie's Blog, you are on the right track! 

Click photo to enlarge

I was having fun with the new Artiste Cartridge and absolutely fell in love with the hot air balloon image. So, I decided to use the negative of my balloon as a frame to create this simple but fun card!

Here's how I made it:

1. Fold 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" Kraft Cardstock in half to create card base.

2. Use your Artiste Cartridge to cut White Daisy Cardstock (go here for Cricut Craft Room Cut file). Center on Kraft card front lightly tracing balloon with pencil.

3. Stamp 3/4" x 2 3/4" White Daisy Cardstock with the It's Your Day stamp set using Autumn Terracotta Ink. Stamp Sentiment in Black Ink. Cut edge to create banner.

4. Wrap Harvest Baker's Twine around 2 1/4" x 2 3/4" White Daisy Cardstock. Wrap each color several times and use all colors for added interest. Adhere to card front making sure it is centered and covers traced outline.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Kraft Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Cocoa Cardstock

Stamps: It's Your Day (CC1020)

Ink: Autumn Terracotta (Z2101), Black (Z2105)

Other: Cricut Artiste, 3D Foam Tape, Harvest Bakers Twine (Z1751), Scotch Tape, Micro-Tip Scissors

Thanks for stopping by!  Please continue onto Judy's Blog where you will find some additional artwork highlighting this technique!  Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you thought of my variation and happy hopping!

P.S. I'm giving away paper. Go HERE for more info.

Sweet Birthday Greeting

Freshly Made Sketch #47 was perfect for this sweet birthday card!

I used the Cricut Artiste Cartridge and its coordinating stamp set to cut the cupcake at 2" (p 69, Accents 1 & 2). The Birthday Girl Sentiment was cut at 1" using low speed.

The "icing" on the cupcake was created by folding and hot gluing the new Rosette Ribbon back and forth along the top (inspired by Tresa Black). There is so much dimension without a lot of bulk or heaviness with this ribbon!

Of course every cupcake needs sprinkles, right??!! I topped this cupcake off with Red, Pink, and Purple Sparkles for some extra girly fun! I think any girl would love this card! I know I would!!

P.S. Go HERE to learn how to get a FREE paper pack!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Topstitch (retired), Vineyard Berry Cardstock, Cocoa Cardstock, , Colonial White Cardstock, Pink Pastel Cardstock (American Crafts)

Stamps: Cricut Artiste

Ink: Cocoa

Other: Rosette Ribbon, Hot Glue, Red Pink Purple Sparkles, Cricut Artiste Cartridge

Back To School Card

It's contest week at Mojo Monday! I played along with Sketch #253 to create this fun back to school card for my son.

 In addition to all the layers on the card I added some dimension by rolling the banner piece around my pencil. The sketch suggested a ribbon and bow on the right side but since this card is for a boy I pleated black cardstock instead. I love the way it turned out!

The papers and ink color are some of CTMH's brand new products--Scholastic and Saddle! The papers are perfect for school layouts and cards don't ya think??!! I'm working on coordinating layouts so stay tuned for those.

Thanks for checking it out!

P.S. There is still time to earn a free paper pack. Go HERE for more info.

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Scholastic, Colonial White Cardstock, Black Cardstock, Bamboo Cardstock
Stamps: Scholastic WOTG
Ink: Saddle

Get a Free Level 2 Paper Pack!!

I'm so excited about the release of the new Artiste Cartridge! I've started playing with some of the shapes and I'm having a blast. In fact, I've been so excited cutting away I've only finished one project...actually that's not true. My daughter finished the project! LOL!!

Last Saturday she attended a birthday party and we went the easy route with a gift card. I knew one of the features of the Artiste cartridge was that it had a card feature for a gift card. So that's what we set out to do. We played around with the cut size a bit and found that 5 1/4" is perfect!

She did everything from picking the cardstock, B&T paper and stamp set to stamping, cutting, assembling and embellishing. I love that we can share this time together and that she is such a creative little girl!

Ok...now on to the special!

Michelle's Exclusive Savings Special
This cartridge puts me in such a good mood that I want to give away some paper! It's simple to get your paper pack...here's how:

1. Go to my website: http://michellebattitori.ctmh.com/ and select "Join" next to Artiste-Free Paper

(NOTE: If you are a club member please use the August Creative Club - Amy Gathering)

2. Add the Cricut Artiste Cartridge (Z1790) to your cart plus any other items you would like to purchase.

3. Complete your order and I will contact you by email for your choice of new paper packs. I will ship it directly to your house at no cost to you!

You can choose one of the following papers (click on names to view each):

• Avonlea
• Clementine
• Dakota
• La Belle Vie
• Scholastic
• Flirty
• Moonlight
• Pear & Partridge

Please remember this offer is exclusive to me and not sponsored by Close To My Heart. You must join the Artiste - Free Paper party. This offer is only valid through 8/31/2012. Please let me know if you have any questions.

A "Doggone" Good Day!

I had so much fun playing with this week's Freshly Made Sketch #46!

I kept this one simple with a little paper piecing (check out the colar) and punching. The shape piece was cut with my Nestabilitlites Label 4 Die. The stamp is one of the fun A-size stamp sets from Close To My Heart. So much cuteness for only $6.95!

Supplies used (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Colonial White Cardstock, Bamboo Cardstock, Dreamin' Level 2 B&T
Stamps: A Bowow (A1126)
Ink: Chocolate, Blush
Other: Designe Ribbon - Blue Collection, 3D Foam Tape, Mini Glue Dots, Nestabilities Die (Spellbinders), Border Punch (Fiskars)

The Fall/Winter Idea Book is Live!!

I've mentioned this before but I'll say it again....I'm in LOVE with the new Idea Book! The new products are outstanding and I can't wait until my next order arrives so I can get inky!

Please contact me for your book today! I ask that you pay $5 for shipping and in return I will send you a $5 coupon voucher to use in your next order!

As always you may preview the book for free by going HERE!

Here are some highlights of the new book:

• Cricut Artiste Cartridge: I've already mentioned this but CTMH has designed another fabulous cricut cartridge!! This one also has over 700 images and lots of 3D options like cupcake holders, interactive cards, and boxes galore! Go HERE to see all the images.

• New Alcohol Markers: We have a brand new collection of alcohol markers that are sold in pairs, one base and one shade-for each of our 40 colors. These are not Copic competitors. CTMH's have rigid (not soft) tips, no special paper is needed, and they can be blended to create a huge variation of colors. They also color streak free with a flat finish. I'll be sharing more tips on these in the coming months!

• Studio J Changes: There will no longer be Studio J memberships!!! Don't worry if you have one though, CTMH is taking care of you by giving you a free layout per month of unused membership. Don't worry about the price jumping significantly with the lack of memberships. Each 2 page layout is only $6.95!! I know I'll be doing a lot more Studio J layouts now! Go HERE to learn more!

• Home Decor WOTG's: If you've ever browsed pinterest or blog-hoped you'll know that home decor projects are totally in. Now, CTMH has made making your home decor projects faster, simpler, and easier by creating kits with step-by-step directions to help you start and complete an entire project in a just a few hours. Stay tuned for some upcoming workshops featuring these amazing kits!

• Join CTMH for only $49!: CTMH has one of the easiest and best plans for consultants! You can choose to be a business builder or join for great discounts on your product. This really is an exciting program and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Choose your kit and let the good times roll! Go HERE for more info or to join today!

$49 Essential Consultant Kit

$99 Master Consultant Kit

Oh yeah, when you join in August you get this adorable Damask Tote Bag (retail value $50) for free! These bags are exclusive to convention attendees and new consultants (I didn't attend convention so I don't even have one).

Please let me know if you have any questions on any of these fabulous products. To order your own please visit my website HERE.