Baseball Scrapbook Layout

It's been awhile since I've posted traditional scrapbook layouts. Here's one I did recently to document a 2012 Washington National playoff game I was lucky enough to attend.

I used a retired paper pack called Fanfare. The design is based on a sketch from the Imagine How-To Program. The baseball accent was cut with the Cricut Artbooking Cartridge (at 2" I believe).

The banner was also cut with the Artbooking Cartridge. I accented the banner with glitter stickers and faux-stitching courtesy of Liquid Applique.

It may be hard to tell in the photo but to accent the team celebration I covered a piece of chipboard with coordinating paper and used it as a focal point on my photo. This is a great way to focus your eye on the subject without having to crop your photo!

The journaling box was also cut with my Cricut.. This time with the Art Philosophy Cartridge.

I feel a bit out of practice with traditional layouts but had a blast working on this one! Hopefully it will motivate me to keep going!

Supplies Used (All CTMH unless otherwise noted):
Paper: Fanfare B&T (retired), White Daisy Cardstock, Cranberry Cardstock, Indian Corn Blue Cardstock
Stamps: none
Ink: Indian Corn Blue (for distressing page)
Other: Cricut Artbooking, Cricut Art Philosophy, Image How-To, Liquid Applique, Glamour Alpha Stickers (retired)

Have a wonderful day,

~Michelle Battitori

The Easiest 4th of July Wreath You'll Ever Make

The other day I shared a wreath I made on my Facebook Page and promised I'd share the tutorial on how I made it on my blog.

Before we get started let me say that I've made wreaths before and they can be very time consuming. This one was not! It really was the quickest and easiest wreath I've ever made. Total working time is approximately 1 1/2 hours or how however long it takes to watch a no-commercial Disney movie on TV with the kids!

The inspiration for this wreath came from HERE.

Felt all cut up

Here's what you'll need to make your own:

• 12" Foam Wreath - $5 (check your local Dollar Store for wreaths. Mine were out of stock so I went to one of the big name stores)
• 11 sheets Blue Felt - $2.64
• 12 sheets White Felt - $2.88
• 11 sheets Red Felt - $2.64
• Heat N Bond - $2.00 (not needed if you cut your stars by hand)
• Straight Pins - had some in my stash
• Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks (Or Fabric Glue)
• Total Supply Cost = $15.16

I didn't take photos of the step-by-step process but it's so easy I don't think you'll need it. THIS tutorial has step-by-step for those that prefer visual instructions.

1. Cut each felt sheet into 4ths (fold in half and cut, then fold in half and cut again). They will be rectangular.
2.  Diagonally match two ends together. Then diagonally match the other two ends. It won't line up exactly but that's OK. 
3. Pin your "triangle" onto your wreath with straight pins (depending on the size of your pins you may need to use two per piece). Continue pinning pieces next to each other. For a fuller wreath pin your pieces close together. The closer you pin the more felt you need! I started with the blue section and then alternated with 7 rectangles of red and 7 of white. 
4. To make the stars I used my Cricut Explore and Design Space Software to cut 13 stars at 1 1/2" each. If you're cutting with your cricut you'll need to iron Heat N bond to the felt to sturdy it up. You'll also want to use the multi-cut function to cut twice. If you don't have a cricut you can trace or freehand draw a star and cut by hand. Once cut arrange stars to your liking and glue onto the wreath.

I hope you enjoyed my little tutorial and the finished product. Here's a pic of me and two of my kids before we ran our 4th of July 5K...in full costume of course!

Do you decorate for the 4th? Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite 4th of July decoration.

Have a wonderful day!

~Michelle Battitori

New Product Prices starting 8/1

August 1 is the start of the new Annual Inspirations Idea Book! I'm looking forward to playing with some of the new products and am counting down the days until my shipment arrives!

I've already mentioned the products that will be retiring at the end of July (if you missed it you can check out THIS post or view THIS section of my website).

What I didn't know until last weekend was that some of the products that are continuing into the Annual Inspirations Book will have a slight price increase. Because I'm a believer in full disclosure AND saving money here is the list of items you may want to consider purchasing before 7/31:

Products that will change prices when the new catalog goes live (I've linked each product to my website for easier reference):

* Sponge Dauber: $3.95 => $4.50
* Watercolor Pencil: $22.95 => $26.95
* Sanding Kit: $3.50 => $4.95
* Edge Distresser: $2.50 => $3.95
* Ruler: $9.95 => $11.95
* Stitch Guide: $12.95 => $13.95
* Bonding Memories Glue: $6.95 => $7.95
* CTMH Archival Black: $5.95 => $7.50
* Organizer – Small: $12.95 => $14.95
* Organizer – Medium: $16.95 => $19.95
* Organizer – Large: $22.95 => $24.95
* My Acrylix Organizer: $12.95 => $14.95
* ALBUMS: $24.95 to $29.95 and NO memory protectors included
* Ink pads: $5.25 to $5.95
* Ink refills: $4.25 to $4.95

I know I'll be getting a few of the items on the list (especially a couple extra organizers...love these!).  You can purchase any of these items (and others) on my website HERE. 

As a reminder for every $25 spent you'll be entered into my monthly Hostess Reward Drawing!

>>>Start Shopping HERE<<<

Let's Celebrate Birthday Card

My sister's birthday is today! Yep, she's a 4th of July, firecracker baby! To celebrate her special day I made this card using Freshly Made Sketch #143.

The card is 4 1/4" x 5 1/2". I embossed a piece of White Daisy Cardstock with the Stripes Embossing folder. The pinwheels were cut on my Cricut using the Artiste Cartridge and stamped with a retired Stamp of the Month set called Pinwheel. 

I accented the card front with Gold Dot Washi Tape and a stamped border that also came with the set. 

Thanks for looking and Happy Birthday Janice!

~Michelle

P.S. Here's the inspiration sketch

July Stamp of the Month - Circus Alphabet

Don't let the name fool you! These funky letters are perfect for creating titles and sentiments, or for adding some bold, beautiful backgrounds to your projects.

>>>Start Shopping HERE<<<

Here is a short video* CTMH Corporate put together showing some crafty projects you can create with the July Stamp of the Month "Circus Alphabet". 


You can get this fun D size ($17.95 value) stamp for just $5 with any $50 purchase!  To place your order, visit my online shopping site from now until July 31st to get this big top value!

*If you're recieving this post via email you may need to click on the post title to view the video.

Black & White Wedding Card

My cousin recently got married and I needed a card for the special event. 

This one is based on Freshly Made Sketch #142. I kept it simple with only a pop of red punched flowers to accent the cake. The stamp set is called the Happy Couple and is perfect for weddings or anniversary cards!

I think every card needs a bit of bling so I added some using the black and grey sparkle assortment to each flower.The finished card is 5" x 7".

Thanks for looking!

~Michelle

Card Recipe (all CTMH unless otherwise noted):

Paper: Slate Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, For Always B&T (retired), Cranberry Cardstock, Silver Glitter Paper

Ink: Black

Stamp: The Happy Couple (D1539)
Other: Corner Rounder, Flower Punch (EK Success), Sparkles Assortment (Z1754)

Spring/Summer Retiring List

CTMH has announced the retiring list for the Spring/Summer 2014 Idea Book. The items listed below are considered "While Supplies Last" and will not be featured in the upcoming Idea Book.

If you see something you've been holding out on getting and it's on this list now's the time to get it!

>>Start Shopping HERE



To view the list on screen select the < button on the left in the page preview section. You can also download or print the file using the buttons in the ribbon.

Have a wonderful day!

~Michelle