The Blog at Lil Lamb's Boutique

Fancy Pants Artic Chill ~Suspended Snowflake Card~

I have been playing with acrylic sheets recently, and wanted to make a card where you could "peek" through to the inside paper. So, I got the idea to "suspend" a snowflake in the middle of the widow! Here is how I did it!!

I love using these "non-traditional" colors for Winter projects. Purple and pale green for Christmas? Sure! Especially when it is as amazing as this Fancy Pants Artic Chill paper. So, first I gathered my paper and decided what image I wanted on the inside...and what area I wanted to peek through.

I gathered my Glimmer Mist, cut one snowflake from white Bazzill paper, then several from the matching front paper of the card. I covered the snowflakes with Glimmer Mist, then set aside to dry. I cut two large acrylic circles using my Sizzix circle die. The circles need to be larger than the image you are suspending!

I then gathered the rest of my supplies, ink, another smaller circle punch that just fit my snowflake image, and a basic white card.

I cut the Title Strips apart to use as accent pieces, then I cut my paper to the size of the card, keeping in mind the area of the inside paper I wanted to highlight with the window.

Then I lined the papers up how they would eventually be glued in the card so I knew where to punch my front circle.

Keeping the paper aligned, I punched my front circle.

Here's the paper on the card...

Next, I punched the card itself...and also lined up my inside paper and punched it too (this will cover the acrylic window from the inside).

Now that you have your circles all cut and lined up, we need to make the window!! Your snowflake should be all dry now, if not, hit it with your heat gun for a few seconds. I put a tiny glue dot on the center of the snowflake and placed it in the center of one of the acrylic circles. I then created a snowflake sandwich and attached the two pieces of acrylic with glue dots, keeping the glue dots as close to the edge as possible. Then I attached the completed window to the card using even more glue dots! Lots of dots, but you want it to hold!

Next I inked all of my papers, distressed the edges and attached to the card.

I added my Title Strips, aligning and cutting them with the same circle punch I used on the paper and card, then inked the edges and attached with glue dots! Attached the snowflakes and added metal dots to the centers.

Here's how the card looks when opened, you get another view of the suspended snowflake and the beautiful paper.

Here's the final card, the last touch I did was to stamp a large snowflake with Glimmer Mist and Glimmer mask! Taa Daa! You're done!

Posted by Catherine

And now on to my next obsession...Copic Markers!

Copic Sketch Markers~Basic 36 set

A marker?? Come on... how could anyone be obsessed with a marker?? Yes, I admit this question has entered my mind more than once as I pondered my NEED for these life changing writing utensils. Okay, life changing may be a bit much but as I find myself visiting the numerous tutorials and blogs dedicated to Copics I am seeing how they will change the way I scrapbook. Here is one of my favorite tutorials on the sketch marker that I stumbled upon in my quest. Belle Papier by Julia Stainton She gives beautiful examples and clear instructions on the many techniques of using this marker... I think I see an airbrush system in my future... I can't believe I just said that.

And for the beginner that still is not quite sure whether they want to invest in a set of markers.... Copic presents the Copic Ciao Markers. These are are the perfect choice for beginning artists. These round shaped pens are made specifically for those who want to try markers for the first time. The same great benefits of the Sketch marker- just a smaller size and smaller price tag. These are in sets of 36 markers. We have set 36A, 36B, 36C and 36D in stock.

And don't forget the colorless blender! Perfect for blending colors and highlighting.

And now for the cherry on top... The Copic Atyou Spica Glitter Pens... yes, I said glitter. This is not your typical glitter pen. This pen comes in 12 transparent colors and contains pigment based, non-toxic, acid-free ink. It is archival and has a no-clog tip and micro glass flakes for maximum sparkle. Best of all this pen will write for over 360 yards- twice the length of other writing pens.

These are all in stock now and would make a great holiday gift for yourself or that special person in your life!

Posted by Tammy

Christmas Tag Album with Melissa Frances and Basic Grey

I (well, not me...really my husband makes me) have to wait until the day after Thanksgiving before the Christmas decor makes it's long trek down from the attic. Almost here! Almost here! I love the magic of Christmas, and my children are just old enough to be enthralled with all of the special magic Christmas brings. As I sat and thought about how Thankful I am for my family, I had a wonderful time creating this look back at the last few Christmas' with my children. I can't wait to display this on my scrap desk!! I loved mixing the vintage styles from both Melissa Frances' Christmas line and Basic Grey's Wassail line. Both so beautiful with lovely muted colors. I loved the Melissa Frances Christmas Ticket Book, I also covered some of Melissa Frances' chipboard shapes with fabric for extra texture, plus I added a few Tattered Angels Glimmer and Glass chips. Happy Thanksgiving! (and I can start decorating on Friday!)

Posted by Catherine

She's gone BATTY! Pink Paislee and Glimmer Mist

I've been playing with my Glimmer Mist and Glimmer Mist screens and have had the best time!! I wanted to do a super simple Halloween layout of my daughter highlighting her bat costume, but it needed some magic. I wanted to mimic some of the swirls on the Pink Paislee paper. So I took the Fanciful Glimmer Screen swirl , laid it on my already torn out moon, sprayed Gold on the moon to get the swirl effect, then quickly flipped the screen over (with the wet Glimmer Mist on it) onto the black Pink Paislee Vintage Moon. Sooooooo cool! Glimmer Mist is my new favorite thing. I joke that I spray everything, and seriously wonder if I could spray it in my hair :-).

Posted by Catherine

Voice Recorder Christmas Card

Here's how you make someones Christmas a little extra special: Make a cute little Christmas card, attach a voice recorder, record a special message and mail to the lucky recipient. I guarontee (that's guarantee with a southern accent!) you'll make someone smile! I think I'm going to let my kids record a special song and send it to their great grandmother! I was thinking how special this might be for someone far, far away....

These are so easy to use, you just press the little red record button with a pen and start singing! You push the big button to play the message. I designed my card so most of the recorder is hidden and added a (kind hard to see) red "button" to push, with "instructions" on the little tag. "Push the button". (Get it? They actually get to push a real button!) Whaa laaa....instant tears in their eyes! Your job is done, you've created a special gift they won't soon forget.

I think I'm going to use another one and capture my son singing his favorite Thomas song, so I can play that little voice anytime I want. OK, now I'm going to get emotional. Or, maybe Jingle Bells on a Christmas page! Or how about a birthday card with a little voice singing "Happy Birthday"? Or telling someone how much they mean to you. Or....

Posted by Catherine

It's not just for tutus....

Tulle- It's not new but now it's being used in new ways and is all the rage in scrapbooking! Bazzill just released tulle in 12 new colors and in 3 inch rolls making it easy and fun to use in all of your projects! Check out all of the different ways we've been able to use it...

In this page made with Little Yellow Bicycle (Zach's Life) paper, I used it flat to add a neat texture that helps the monochromatic title pop and giving it a touch of color.

I used it here as an accent for the title which doesn't draw away from the gorgeous Fancy Pants Designs (All Fall) paper.

Use it for your small gifts and for a bow on your presents when you are in a pinch! Here I used it to wrap this Magical Reindeer Food packet. This was made using Basic Grey's new Christmas line (Wassail).

Use it for your photo mats....

allowing you to still see the picture but adding a fun and elegant touch as seen here using Fancy Pants Designs (Happy Holidays) paper.

The possibilities are endless! How will you use your new tulle??

Posted by Tammy