Bear Hugs for You by Jean Okimoto

The Layered Polar Bear - from our Christmas release - makes a great addition to Valentine cards too. Cut this very popular guy from soft white felt and

Open Studio Watercolor Paper for plush texture and contrasting shades of white.

Hi, Jean Okimoto here with my favorite design from our holiday release. Pair the friendly bear with the Woodgrain Tree Trunk and imagine "xoxo" carved into the trunk with Poppystamps' Poetic Lowercase Alphabet.

Prep white wool-blend felt by attaching it to adhesive label paper or a sticker sheet to stabilize it and prevent adhesives from saturating it. Cut the large bear background. Color the eartips with a pink marker. Let it dry for a few minutes - then blot it to be sure it's really dry.

Cut the other bear sections from Open Studio Watercolor Paper. Attach a scrap of Black Glossy Cardstock behind his face. The glossy finish makes a big difference - his eyes look brighter. Assemble the bear - use foamtape behind the top layers of the paws and leave a section on the left unattached to insert the hugs heart

Cut a bright red 6x6 from the Berry Red Collection with the smallest

Double Stitch Loving Heart Cut Out.

Cut "xoxo" and "hugs" - from the Poppystamps Poetic Lowercase Alphabet - from dark brown cardstock. Attach the letters to the heart.

Cut Woodgrain Tree Trunk from medium-brown cardstock.

Prep bright red felt with adhesive label paper or a stick sheet and cut 3 of the Layered Birds. Cut the coordinating smaller top layers from the Berry Red 6x6.

Attach the diecuts to a light kraft slimline card (3-⅝" x 8-½"). Add the amber-colored Autumn Fairy Crystals.

Cut a slimline-sized piece of cardstock to protect the card front for mailing.

Add a greeting - the new For You Posh Script - cut from light kraft cardstock and the bright red Rainbow Reflections 6x6. Cut 2 background layers from the kraft cardstock and pressure-emboss 1 using the rubber mat and plate(s) required for your machine. Pressure-embossing creates a debossed area to easily attach the detailed top layer. Attach the other kraft background behind the greeting for extra dimension.

Construct a brown bear with brown felt and cardstock if they're more common in your neighborhood - like they are here. He's also great for baby and kid cards too - and birthdays, holding a balloon or cupcake! Add a scarf for extra color on winter cards.

Thanks for visiting - keep warm, be safe and have a great weekend!