Bear Hug

I went on bit of a shopping spree and picked up a bunch of stamp sets that I've had on my wish list forever.  This adorable set from My Favorite Things is one of the sets I got; after all, I can't just use cats in everything, can I? {Just don't tell the cats that I had a choice and used bears, deal?}

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
My Favorite Things BB Bitty Bear Stamps
Die-Namics BB Bitty Bear Dies
Watercolor Paper
Clean Color Markers
Frame Die {unbranded}
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Kraft Paper Background
White Card
Detail Water Brush {my new favorite is this one from Pentel}
MISTI

First step for making this card was to cut the frame die, which I did out of white card, and make sure the little bears fit into the squares.  Once I knew they would, I chose a bunch of the different bears I knew I wanted to use in my card and stamped them onto watercolor paper.  I colored them using the Clean Color Markers and a detail watercolor brush, trying to give each bear his {or her} unique color, which isn't as easy as it sounds given there are only 4 true brown markers in my set.  I am lucky enough to have the Clean Color set of 36 but I am asking for the 90 color set for my birthday {I'll settle for the 80 color set, but I figure I might as well go large.  I've been watching too many "American Pickers" episodes!} *I did get the 90 Marker Set - Woo Hoo! Getting old has its perks! 

I digress.  I colored my bears and any extras they may have been holding, let them dry, and cut them out.  The frame die I used is an unbranded die that has

Another Peek

the 9 squares and a larger square at the bottom.  I just cut off that bottom piece.  Then I decided I needed a background color so that my frame wouldn't blend into the white card base.  I just happened to have a piece of Kraft brown on the desk so I trimmed it and attached it to the card base, dotting each corner with glue so I could tuck the little bears into the frame if they were a bit too large to sit in the square.  I proceeded to fiddle with the bears to find the right design, and tucked and glued them into place.  Using my MISTI, I stamped the middle square with the sentiment, and that was that.

I have a feeling these little critters are going to find their way into many more creations.  I already have a holiday card rolling about in my head.  I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and perhaps this will inspire you to use some of your new goodies that you haven't used yet.  Thanks for reading and stopping by! Christi 

I am entering my Bear Hug card in the following challenges:
Dream Valley Challenges -#184, Animals
Quick Quotes - #90, Add Any Animal
Little Red Wagon - Lions, Tigers and Bears!!
That's Crafty! - Animals
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, Anything Goes with a Critter (or 8)
Sunny Day Crafting - M, Anything Goes with an Animal
Cute N Crafty Challenge - M, #7, Animals