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

Mom's Birthday Card

This month for Not Just Cards Anything Goes theme, I decided to use my Happy Birthday card for my mother. I can't sleep so I figure maybe I will write up some long overdue posts.  If you are a regular reader, you know my mother is essentially blind; she can see shadows and a bit more on a good day.  In case you aren't familiar with my mom's sight issues, here is a quick rundown: she has advanced glaucoma and macular degeneration.  She stopped using her glaucoma medicine after she retired thinking Medicare wouldn't pay for the drops. By the time she let me know there was a problem, she had already lost a good bit of sight in her left eye.  For her birthday this year I made her a card she can touch and actually feel the layers of the flowers and leaves and, if it's a good day, hopefully see.  By the time you read this she will already have the card since her birthday is June 27th. I'm sure she loves it!   

What I Used to Make My Card:
Vanilla Card Base
Altenew Layered Rose Die, #ALT1787
Coordinating Shades of Red Card
Coordinating Shades of Green Card
Memory Box Happy Birthday, Upright Script, #99684
Dimensional Dots

I also wanted to share the versatility of this rose set - so I am going to show you some different combinations you can make with the dies.  Here is a little "cheat sheet" I made.  The dies are in this order; the outline, the detail, and the base die.  Don't forget, if you want to make the picture bigger, just click on it!

For example, this sample uses the base die and the detail die.

This rose uses the base and the outline die.

This leaf uses the outline die layered over the detail die.

The base die and the outline die were used to make this leaf.

And, finally, this leaf uses the base and the detail dies.

I'd say you get a good value with this set!  When I made the card, I used different shades of red for the roses and green for the leaves.  I began by cutting my lightest shade with of the base die, the middle color is a bit darker and I used the detail dies, and finally the darkest shade was used for the outline.  I glued all the pieces together and let them sit overnight under my

Another Peek

drying tile just to ensure they'd be nice and sturdy.  I layered the roses on a vanilla card blank, moving them to the left hand corner so I'd have room for my sentiment.  Also, I used dimensional dots to mount the last rose {it's the one closest to you} just to give the card a little pop.  Then I attached the leaves around the flowers.  Lastly, I cut out the sentiment from the same card I used for the outline of the roses.  The computer seems to have dulled the two darkest reds a bit and it's difficult to see the difference in them.  You'll just have to trust me on that!  I hope to see you at Not Just Cards; it's an easy Anything Goes theme and you have all month to play :) 

Hope you are having a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by. ~ Christi

I am entering Mom's Birthday Card in the following challenges:
Always Happy Birthday - M, Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers - M, Anything Goes with Dies
Let's Craft & Create - #140, M, Anything Goes, option: Lots of Layers
Cardz TV - #60, Anything Goes
The Cat's Pajamas - #349, M, Birthday