Baby Bear in Blue

OK I can't wait any longer to share my number 1 favourite stamp set in the catalogue... Introducing Baby Bear... Can't you just see why my Ted and I were so happy to see him in the SU catalogue.... and I wasn't alone when Stampin Up! unveiled him at the On Stage event... he definitely got the biggest reaction! He is going to be VERY popular.....#bringingback the bear ...

Baby Bear turned up yesterday in my Display Stamper "thank you" box from Stampin Up! - and I was SO happy to meet him.... and to put him to work straightaway with a card for a friend (with 10 minutes notice!! But hey this time I was quite happy to oblige...)

Obviously it was going to be another Pop Up Z Fold card... well I only had 10 minutes after all!! And of course I don't have lots of pretty papers yet as they are travelling over from Germany as I write.... so the Subtles paper stack came to the rescue....

The bears are a 3 step stamp set... stamp each of them over each other and you end with a very realistic looking furry bear....  I was lucky enough to have a play at our Monthly Training and a team Social Stamping event... so I knew which colours I wanted to use.... and how to best stamp my little friend ( I had started off with quite a few mis-stamped - or fuzzy bears!)

My number 1 tip is to use the Thick Mat to stamp on!!! I could not get the image right without....

I also find it much easier to stamp the bears the reverse way round to that intended.... starting with the detail (no 3) in Tip Top Taupe; no 2 in Crumb Cake and finally no 1 (filler) in Sahara Sand. Much easier to see through the clear block & stamp and therefore to line things up....

I did stamp 2 images...and shock horror... cut off one head!!! Ouch... But it was worth it as he has rather come to 3D life as a result.... And I did "stretch" the bow and the card around his feet so as to add more shape... again bringing him to life a bit more....

And I ink up and stamp the 2 bow parts as follows.... neat Pool Party detail stamp first...followed by stamped off Pool Party to fill...  I would have also added Fine Tip glue to his eyes and nose... but... yup I only had 10 minutes... no drying time..

And hey my friend was VERY impressed... may make her a stamper yet....

And then I spent the whole day playing with my bears!!! Such fun..... Check some more out here tomorrow.... along with a Blog Hop too... 

Stampin Up ! Products used
Click on the links for more product information on my On Line Site...and feel free to pop him in your basket... as I do perfectly understand if you want him straight way!!!
Baby Bear
Ink Pads - Sahara Sand, Crumb Cake, Tip Top Taupe, Pool Party
Card - Tip Top Taupe
Papers - Subtles 12x12 Paper Stack
Other - Thick Stampin Pierce Mat