Fluffy Honey Bear

Hello again.  Glad you're back for another dose of creative inspiration.  Today I played with the Fluffiest Friends stamp and die set that are Online Exclusive items in the Stampin' Up! store.  I think all of the littler critters are adorable, but I needed to play with the cute bear first.  He looks like he's really enjoying his pot of honey and I don't blame him.  

Isn't he just the cutest little guy?  I think so.  Yes, I think he looks like a guy, don't you?  If you'd like to make this adorable card, stick around and you'll have all the information you need. 

This card started with a piece of the Fresh As A Daisy Designer Series Paper that can be found in the Annual Catalog.  I had some smallish, odd shapes left from other projects and thought this background of daisies peeking through the opening would work to compliment the bear.  The piece was about 4" x 4".  Lemon Lolly cardstock was chosen to coordinate with this DSP and give a backdrop for the bear.  It measures 5 1/4" x 4".  The domed opening is part of the Fluffiest Friends die set.  It cut the Lemon Lolly cardstock about 3/4" from the bottom of the piece.  

After die-cutting, The Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder added some detail to the background without being too busy.  Next the piece of daisy print DSP was attached behind the opening using "green glue" near the edges of the cut area.  These layers were then added to a folded Garden Green card base that measures 8 1/2" x 5 1/2".  Dimensionals were used to give this layer a little more definition.

The bear was stamped onto Basic White cardstock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  The tiny bees were also stamped on a scrap of white.  The bear was colored with Blends:  bear - Wild Wheat Light & Dark, honey - Daffodil Delight Light, honey pot - Copper Clay Light & Dark, bee bodies - Daffodil Delight Light.  After coloring the bear, it was die-cut, but the bees needed to be fussy cut.  At this time some extra die-cutting was done on a branch from Early Espresso, two styles of leaves from Garden Green and Old Olive, three sections of grass from Garden Green, and a beehive from Crushed Curry. 

The branch was added to the card front along with a bunch of leaves to fill in.  The beehive needed a little work on it before hanging on the tree branch.  A small Blending Brush was used with Wild Wheat ink to color the edges and give it some shape.  A Wild Wheat Blender Pen added the hole for the doorway.  Then it was attached to the branch with a Dimensional.

The bear was attached with adhesive.  He's slightly tucked under the bottom of the opening.  The three sections of grass were laid out across the opening then attached with adhesive.

I debated about adding bling onto this card but decided against it.  Instead of using any bling, just the itty-bitty bees were added.  Each of them has a rolled up Mini Glue Dot that attaches it.  Rolling the Mini Glue Dot gives it more height but is still tiny enough that it doesn't show out from the edges so it's the perfect solution.

There you have it, my friend.  The very first adorable honey bear card this year.  Since he is so darn cute, I'm sure there will be more times that he makes an appearance on this blog.  Watch for him to show up again and maybe bring along his other fluffy friends.  

Thanks for visiting my blog today.  It's just about time for ordering from the new 2024 Jan - April Mini Catalog.  Hope you're excited about that.  If you do plan on ordering, please consider using the Host Code shown at the top if your order is under $150 (you get hostess benefits for those orders!).  I'm still keeping track of points for my punch cards.  For every $25 ordered you get one punch.  After 12 punches you earn $15 off your order from me.

Now that Sale-a-bration will be starting January 4th, there's even more reason to shop!  Who doesn't want free merchandise with orders of $50 or more?   If you don't have either the Mini Catalog or Sale-a-bration brochure, get in touch and I'd be happy to send you one.  

Happy stamping and creating,

Sharon