Welcome to the latest Stampin’ Addicts’ Blog Hop, celebrating my favorite Stampin’ Up event of the year, Sale-a-Bration!  You may have just arrived from Krystal’s blog, where she showed you the  cute Wellness Wishes stamp set, or you may be starting here. Either way, all of the stops link together in one big circle, so you won’t miss any of the great ideas and projects.

I am very excited to be featuring the adorable Build-a-Bear set, Bear Hugs. This is a set from the main catalog that is one of the choices at the back of the Sale-a-Bration catalog. I’ve had this set for awhile, and I love it more and more every time I use it! It makes great baby cards, and can be used from baby showers all the way through a first birthday!

The first card I want to show you is based on Lauren Meader’s original baby onesie card. This bear image is just perfect to decorate it! I stamped the image in Basic Gray for a softer look, then used my markers to color it in.

Stamps: Bear Hugs
Ink: Basic Gray, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, So Saffron, Pear Pizzaz
Paper: So Saffron, Whisper White, Pawsitively Prints II Designer Series Paper
Other: 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, 1 3/4″ Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch, Subtles Brads (So Saffron)

My second card is another shaped card, this time a baby bib. (I believe this idea was created by the incomparable Jackie Topa.) It’s so easy to change the gender of the baby bear just by changing the color of his or her socks! I used my Aqua Painters and reinkers to color in the bear this time.

Stamps: Bear Hugs
Ink: StazOn Jet Black, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Pretty in Pink
Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White
Other: Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Circle Bigz Die, Clear Circle Bigz Die, Big Shot, 1 3/4″ Circle Punch, Pewter Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-a-dile

My third project would work great as a baby shower favor — just fill it with chocolate and you are good to go! I stamped my bear in Basic Gray on the different colors of card stock, then cut them out and paper-pieced it together. It is popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Stamps: Bear Hugs
Ink: Basic Gray
Paper: Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Whisper White, In Color Designers Series Paper Stack
Other: Blushing Bride Poly Ribbon, Mini Milk Carton Die, Big Shot, Paper Snips, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Crop-a-Dile

My final project is by Eve, my favorite guest designer, and 7-year-old daughter. The Build-a-Bear stamps are a HUGE hit with the kids, and this one is no exception! How great is it that Stampin’ Up gives us a way to earn free stamps, so we don’t have to worry about letting the kids share them?

Stamps: Bear Hugs
Ink: Basic Black, Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron
Paper: Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, So Saffron, Whisper White
Other: Small Heart Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Scallop Trim Corner Punch

I hope that you enjoyed this stop on the Stampin’ Addicts’ Occasions Mini Catalog Blog Hop! I am honored to be part of such a talented group of women! Your next stop is over to Carmen’s blog to see the awesome Extreme Skateboard stamp! Enjoy the rest of the hop!