Who Doesn't Love An Adorable Bear?!

And A Birthday Bear, at that!

I hope everyone is enjoying your holiday season and the magic it brings with it.

I, for one have had enough of the hustle and bustle and I'm ready to sit down and enjoy a long winter's nap... just kidding - I'm ready to relax and take in a holiday movie or 2, view some of the beautiful twinkling light displays and the quietness of the season before it comes to a screeching halt.

In the past few post Christmas days, I've spend a little time in my studio working with some new products and a birthday theme. I started out with balloons, confetti and cupcakes - that resulted in a few cute cards. But I've had this Penny Black stamp set sitting glaring at me since October and I've just been itching to spend some time with it, when it called to me again.

I had a quick idea in my head, so I pushed aside the "currently in progress project" and pulled out these delightful bears. In the moment I was just trying to get out of a creative slump and I thought I'll just one of the bears quickly and then I'll be able to get back to the card already in the works.

Well stamping the teddy bear image led to coloring the bear image, then I spotted my postage stamp die set within arms reach. That led to placing the largest postage stamp die around the image and cutting that out. The whole while I'm thinking "I'm supposed to be doing something else", yet I didn't stop... the creative process just took over.

I cut a 4 1/4 x 11 card base and scored it at 5 1/2, wrapped some twine around the card base twice and tied it in a bow to the side. I cut another postage stamp layer and attached it to the back of the first one just to give it some strength. I put some foam tape on the back of the postage stamp layer and adhered it to the card front.

A quick rustle through my embellishments and I found a few sequins that would match the color the flower on the card front and added those.

Ooooppps!! I hadn't left room for a sentiment.

I thought does it need one?!

I decided I wanted it to have one, but it was going to have to be small. I checked my bin of products that hadn't been used yet, there was sure to be something in there. Sure enough, I found a tiny set of cake banner sentiments and tumbled back and forth between Happy Birthday or Let's Celebrate. Obviously I ended up choosing to stamp Happy Birthday in a Soft Suede ink to match up with the teddy bear.

So, all in all the process of making this card was rather quick.

Which just goes to show you -

Follow your creative process!

Products Used to Create the card:

Penny Black - Cherished Collection - Fur & Flutters

Hero Arts - Infinity Dies - Nesting Postage

Honey Bee Stamps - Cake Banner Sentiments

Nuvo Aqua Shimmer Glitter Pens